~debbie's~ Crazy Mixed Up Life Stories #1

2009-03-06T05:39:00.000-08:00

Sierra with mom.

2009-02-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

Saturday in Texas.

2009-02-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Yesterday my sister had to get a treatment at the hospital so I watched my mom for her. Tommy enjoyed his great grandmother playing, feeding, talking to him.

The two bowls my mother made in 1967 when we lived in Shreveport when she did ceramics. She was a very crafty lady in her time but the Alzhemier's has robbed her of that talent.

My daughter did her grandmother's hair, cut and colored more towards her natural color. Look down this blog to compare her picture last year when she lived with my other sister. Mom looks 20 years younger without long gray hair.

2009-02-01T11:30:00.001-08:00

25 Random Things About Me

Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you its because I want to know more about you.

1. I was born in San Antonio Texas air force base while my daddy was stationed there. I was born on my mother's 20th b'day. After the Air Force my daddy went to college at Texas Tech where my twin sisters were born 2 years later.

2. In 1969 my daddy was transferred to Jamaica to build Alcon's plant in Kingston Jamaica, I was a sophomore in high school at the time. We lived there for 2 years, I was enrolled in a private English school that had about 300 students from K-2 years of college on one campus. What a wonderful time for me and my family.

3. Eddie and I were married 9 years before we were blessed with our first hard to conceive daughter, Cheyenne. After trying for years to have a baby, 2 miscarriages, lots of money spent on infertility Cheyenne Crystal was born. Our first girl baby on both sides of the family.

4. I've lived from the time of my birth to now...San Antonio, Lubbock, Dallas, Shreveport, Texarkana, Houston, Jamaica, Stone Mountain Ga, Midlothian, Waxahachie (now married), Fort Worth, Midlothian, Fort Worth, El Paso, Midlothian and back to my favorite city Waxahachie Texas.

5. I love to paint, do crafts, wood working, remodeling my home, birdwatching, gardening, garage selling, junking at thrift shops, and my newest love....Mosaic crafts. Travel Texas with my friends, taste wine, dinners out.

6. My youngest child, Zachary left home 2 weeks ago to go to college in Austin. I miss my baby, I am so proud of him for deciding what he wants to do with his life and going for it now. He is studying about making movies, films, sports broadcasting. He would love to work somewhere in the sports entertainment field editing film. I adore his girlfriend Aubrie and her dog, Truman.

7. Sierra my adorable beautiful middle child is living in our FIL house by our swimming pool. We built the 700 sq. ft house for Eddie's dad to live his remaining days in. Now all 3 of my kids have lived there since his death. After Sierra moves out maybe that can be my studio!!?? Or Eddie's sports bar and big screen TV house. LOL

8. I love Mexican food, nachos, fajitas, ice cold beer, salsa, chips, Chicken Enchiladas, beef enchiladas, jalapeno peppers stuffed, sliced, anyway! I could eat this for dinner every night of the week. I just saw a great brisket chili recipe I want to try out. I love to cook in my Rooster Kitchen.

9. In 2002 I started hormone therapy, in 2004 I found a big lump in my left breast. I had 4 surgeries to remove the cancer, 8 rounds of chemo using 2 very strong cancer drugs, 35 daily radiation treatments and now it is 5 years later and I am still cancer free as of January 26, 2009.

10. 2 years ago I had a reunion with some of my classmates from Jamaica, Allison, Michelle, John and Even traveled here to spend the weekend with my 2 sisters and I reliving our high school years. What a blast we had catching up on 35 years of our lives. I hate that I don't get to do high school reunions with my old classmates.

11. My daddy died at 52 of cancer, my mother has had Alzheimer's for the past 10 years and now lives with my sister Rhonda and her husband Gary. They take great care of her and she is looking better than she has in almost 10 years.

12 I've been married for 35 years to my own cowboy, Eddie. He works for a western wear company in Dallas. He is my soul mate, help mate, and best friend. He puts up with my hobbies, disordered house and all my dogs. And I put up with his sports memorabilia, love for all his Dallas teams professional, college and high school.

13. Eddie and I organized a dinner club for 6 couples we've known for years, Hachie Nick-Nicks. On the 3rd Saturday night each month one couple host dinner at their house or a restaurant of their choice for an evening together. We're into our 3 year of having a blast with our friends. We even have a Yahoo list to keep us organized and send out reminders.

14. Okay, I love playing Sims 2. Cheyenne and I get on the phone to talk about our Sims and which houses we've decorated or when we find something new in the game. I can get lost in my Sims for hours.

15. I have a library of about 2000 books, romance, mystery, suspense, historical. I use to spend tons a month at B&N but now I am a member of Paperback Swap so I trade my books after I read them for a credit, then get books in the mail from that credit for a new used book. Heaven!

16. I adore my sweet little grandson Tommy. Tommy was born to my daughter, Cheyenne in 2005. He was a gift from God after our family went through the toughest year of our family's lives. I was being treated for breast cancer, Sierra had 4 major surgeries for her Crohn's disease going from 145 pounds on graduation day to 85 when they released her from the hospital. After months of hospital for her treatments and mine we got to bring this wonderful miracle home from the hospital, Thomas Alan Gilbert.

17. I have 3 Chihuahuas. Koko is 9 years old, she is our barker, Pudge is Zac's dog 7 years old and then one of their puppies, Hash Brown. They run this house. In May I lost my little Mouse who was also one of Koko and Pudge's babies, she was 3 pounds tiny! One Wednesday night we went to bed and the next morning she was missing...was she dognapped? We lost Sierra's dachshund a few weeks ago while everyone was moving, again no one has seen her.

18. We had season tickets with our friends for the Waxahachie High School football home games. I love living in a small Texas town.

19. I love Roosters! My kitchen is done in roosters, mosaic roosters, glasses roosters, wallpaper boarder, everywhere you look a rooster is there. I love to cook new recipes in my kitchen.

20. After BC treatment I decided I had to lose weight or risk BC again. I started cooking healthier, giving up fast food - when Zac was in high school he would stop by a fast food place and bring his mommy a hamburger, tacos or anything he was buying. I got up to 177 pounds for my 5'2' frame. I lost over 12 months 68 pounds going down to 109. I was too skinny so I've gone back to my ideal weight of 120. I feel better and love to shop for cloths now.

21. My camera is one of my favorite new Christmas presents. I love to take pictures everything in my life. I have a SeaGate external memory that has nearly 7000 picture of my photos for the past 4 years from the delivery room with Tommy to this weeks working on the mosaic outdoor fireplace for Fat Daddy's restrurant in Mansfield.

22. One of my other new toys AeroGarden, I've got cherry tomatoes, fresh basil growing in the kitchen to harvest during the winter months...made killer spahgetti sauce with fresh basil the other night. Yummy

23. Each October our Hachie Nick-Nicks load up our cars to travel for 3 days around Texas tasting wines from all the wineries in Texas. We've sampled wines from Fredricksburg, to Bluff Dale to east Texas Pittsburg home of Bo Pilgrims chicken. We've been doing this for about 7 years now.

24. Growing up I had 20/20 vision until I hit 40, damn I hate glasses for crafts, reading and computer. Now at 55 (double nickel as my daddy would say) my distance vision is starting to change. Boohoo

25. I love life!! I love my family!! I love my husband!! I love my dogs!! I love my friends!! Life is good my goal for life is to live to see my great great grandchildren!

2009-01-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

Friday night I had one of our "Girls Night Out", 6 of my friends met at one of the lady's home for dinner and a movie.

I decided to make an olive cheese French bread. I used fresh basil from my AeroGarden, tomato, bacon bits, cheese and real butter. Yummy.

I took a bottle of wine table wine we bought on our wine tour of north Texas in October.

The movie we watched was MAMA MIA!!! It was fun to watch the chick flick with a bunch of girls.

We also talked about Holly Lisle, I SEE YOU.
"For paramedic Dia Courvant, each day brings the possibility of facing blood and death. But nothing matched the horror of the day she was dispatched to the scene of a terrible car accident and rescued the sole survivor-only to find her own husband dead in the wreckage. Now, four years later, a series of deadly car crashes has brought handsome detective Brig Hafferty into Dia's life. She's drawn to Brig, but can she trust him enough to tell him of the terror that stalks her? For Dia has received a message warning her of danger and death-a message that seems to have been sent to her from beyond the grave. "

2009-01-21T08:54:00.000-08:00

The Rooster Kitchen: I am about half way finished with my mosaic backsplash. I ordered ceramic trivets off Ebay to add to the ceramic tiles I've cut.

2009-01-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in Texas it was very warm, even turned the AC on because of a sinus headache. We've been very dry lately which is why everyone is getting allergies and sinus problems. Tomorrow we might get freezing rain, how crazy is that! 79 one day and freeing rain the day after.

Anyway, yesterday I fixed my sink...I installed a new facuet after taking the sink out to tile around and grout. I am loving the tile counter tops, next week go back to work on the mosaic backsplash. My SIL said it looks very art deco, whatever that is! LOL Pictures coming up later.

So while on my computer in the kitchen I watched the birds at my feeders on the south side of the house. I saw for the very first time a Titmouse eating sunflower seeds. I love to watch the different birds at my feeders, if possible I want to get a picture with my new camera. The Titmouse is a adorable little bird with a cute song. Since I've been keeping my feeders full I now have Caroline Chickadees, Caroline Wrens (cutest clown bird) a few pairs of Red Cardinals, Golden Finches, Morning Doves, and tons of song Sparrows. Even had a squirrel enjoying some sunflower seeds in the backyard feeder.

2009-01-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my grandson turned 4 years old. My daughter baked his cake for him, they even made the sugar cookies for the top together. He is into Hot Wheel cars so he had to new cars on top.

2008-12-30T15:01:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Night is Date Night!

Each Tuesday night Mr. G and I try to have an evening together to reconnect to each other.
When the holidays are going on it is hard....we should go out or just stay home. Spend money for dinner out or cook something together at home.

Tonight is a home date. I plan to fix The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cowboy Nachos along with some very cold beers. We have a few new movies to watch from recent Christmas gifts....The Mummy 3, 3:10 to Yuma and the latest Indiana Jones.

Of course, Mr. G would love to watch the next football bowl game tonight but since the Cowboys bombed out and it isn't the Texas Longhorns I could care less about football.

So the beef is on the stove, just refried the beans, grated the cheese and sliced tomatoes and jalapenos for serve on top of the nachos.

I hope tonight is a mummy good night for all!!!

2008-12-30T14:05:00.000-08:00

Our family had a wonderful messy Christmas!!

Some of the family even ran out of tape so they Rednecked tape a 12 pack of beer for our Chinese exchange!

We spent an evening with my sister and her family for the first time in about 8 years. We're trying to repair damage done to relationship over the years.

We had a blast with our friends Christmas party exchanging gift....we stole each other's gifts, laughing the whole time.

For dinner with my husband's family I checked out The Pioneer Woman Cooks' website to see what delish dish she had...the beef tenderloin looked great but when we check out the price per pound at my market it was $27.99!!! No way! So I cooked an beef eye of round like she did her beef tenderloin. Okay, it was okay but not the heaven on a fork like she said. LOL

This week I am alone in the house, just packing up the Christmas decorations, taking care of the many dogs (6), trying to fix my kitchen sink...can't figure out how to put the new faucet in.

Tonight is Tuesday...the date night for Mr. G and me. We try to go out to eat, touch, talk, reconnect and even whoopie if the mood strikes us. We'll see if Mr. G want to do a date night since we're in the holiday season.

Mr. G goes to Denver for 10 or more days next month...this is the darkest time of year for me...this time period is the hardest days of my year. He is gone, the days are so short so night fall is by 5:30, bills for the holidays come in each day...just the saddest part of the year for me. I've been looking at my calendar this year to try to think of things that will brighten those daylight hours.

We have a big New Year's Eve party to attend then it seems like winter blows in.

2008-12-21T17:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning DH and I got up early to make our shopping list and do some Christmas shopping. On HBO the movie BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN was on so my DH decided we'll watch it. OMG What a waste of 2 hours!! It wiped out all the great moments of watching SANTA CLAUSE 2 the night before as Tim Allen as Santa had to found a wife.

Okay poor Heath Ledges is dead, sad yes....but his best movie, no way.

I had rather watch repeatedly A KNIGHT'S TALE 50 times before having to sit thought one more minute of BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It was totally an uncomfortable movie, so-so acting with the only thing that interest me was the scenic views.

I went to take a shower about half way through and it was still awful when I came back.
I felt no connection between Ledge and Gyllenhaual, the sex scene almost seemed like
rape. Just plain gross.

I think the only reason the movie got even half of the reviews is because it was the year of "Gay Marriage". If movie makes wanted to do a movie about a gay couple they should have used real gay men.

2008-12-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

While I was in the shower this morning a little monkey was in my make-up. He likes the lipstick.

It is rainy, gray, foggy, just a all around day for some comfort foods. Maybe a pot of chicken and dumplings on the stove for dinner. Or turn a leftover roast into beef and veggie soup.

I am waiting for some of the tiles to come in the mail before I can continue with the mosaic backsplash in the kitchen. I've finished the counter top with the snow white tile, just a few more places to grout and then put in the sink and new faucet. Can't wait for it to all come together.

This weekend we have a family Christmas party at my sister's home. It will be fun seeing mom and all my sister's kids.

2008-12-16T11:24:00.000-08:00

This looks like a great recipe for a frapp that is within my budget and since the nearest Starbucks in in Targets here in town I can make these at home now!

2 cups ice cubes
3/4 cup coffee, cooled
1/4 cup International Delight^®, any flavor
Whipped cream or Delightful Whip

Combine ice, coffee and International Delight in a blender and process until well blended and slushy. Top with whipped cream or Delightful Whip and serve immediately.

Serving size: One Large or Two Small Servings

2008-12-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

Some days I forget that I am 55 years old....my mind is in the mid 20s early 30s back when I had my babies.
Now a days I take care of my grandson Tommy who will be 4 years old this January 2. I've kept him since he was 2 weeks old just like my own little babies, our daughter lived with us, worked full time and went to college to get her degree. So Tommy and I have a special connection.

But there is a b_i_g difference between 30 and 55 being full time care taker of a toddler. Oh boy, a day playing, chasing, talking and caring for a 3 year old is harder with age! Those daily 9 hours each day are so long, thank goodness his mommy is a school teacher so I have holidays off!

He is the apple of my eye! Since my last baby of the womb will be 21 years old this May Tommy has brought back Christmas Spirit to this old house. He would love to wrap presents all day or maybe lay on my bed watching Christmas movies. Hey, I can handle Chevy Chase and Randy Quaid's National Lampoon's Christmas for an afternoon.

Have a great afternoon....enjoy a good Christmas show and have a glass of eggnog!

HoHoHo

2008-12-10T10:55:00.000-08:00

Working in the kitchen today.

2008-12-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

Back to working in the Rooster Kitchen!

I decided I like the solid white counter top against the mosaic back splash.

I set the tiles in this section today...to cure for at least 48 before grouting.

I've been going on Ebay, hunting garage sells and junk stores for ceramic tiles, coasters, and trivets to add to the cut tiles.

2008-12-09T14:39:00.000-08:00

Good-bye Boston Legal

I am going to miss my Monday night favorite show BOSTON LEGAL. For one thing it has actors nearer my age or older which they pointed out last week during one episode that Betty White sued the networks because they don't have programs for the over 50ish group.
I love how they pretend to go after the drug companies for promoting so many of their pills to the older viewers...."are you depressed, are you peeing your pants, do you have cancer we can help, etc."
When your sick these ads really stick to in your mind making your believe a little pill will cure all!! Boston Legal showed us it ain't true when Denny was taking so many pills his heart stopped when Candice Bergen's character, Shirley Schmidt tapped him on the chest.

Farewell my friends! I'll miss you each Monday night while the hubby is watching his football and I need a laugh.

2008-12-05T08:54:00.000-08:00

I got my courage up to tackle my back splash in the kitchen. The large tiles are ceramic tile trivets I've found at garage sells, been given as gifts or bought off Ebay.
All around the kitchen I want different ceramic tiles, "baking, wine, coffee, vintage pictures and holidays".

The counter top will be in all white tile.

2008-11-24T04:44:00.001-08:00

We had a great weekend. Friday night out to dinner with friends at Courtside Grill, while visiting with them we invited everyone over to our home to watch the Texas Tech and OU football game.

Saturday I started cleaning the house from ceiling to floor so I can start bring in the Christmas decorations. Made a big pot of chili for our friends that evening. Hated that Texas Tech got whipped, during the second half we watched the game but also played Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. I made it to the 5th grade but couldn't get the million!

Sunday the kids all came over for birthday dinner. This was a traditions set by Eddie's parents we haven't done in a while. Yesterday was Cheyenne's 26th birthday, Eddie's was the 20th. I cooked a large roast with fresh veggies, rolls and Cherry Delight for dessert. After dinner we all watched Wall*e, what a cute movie.

This week I am working cleaning out for our garage sell this Saturday, just checked the weather hoping for cool clear days. The garage is a disaster plus a few rooms that need cleaning out.

Happy Monday!

2008-11-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

When is a box not just a box? When Tommy turns it into his new house.

He has triangle windows on one side, a place to park his cars, and even an outlet to plug in his phone or computer. He has a door with a door knob and a few keys to open it.

We must knock before opening the door or he yells, "Get out!!"

2008-11-20T13:19:00.000-08:00

Tommy with his great grandmother, Mama. They had fun doing a puzzle, both couldn't spell but they laughed a lot.

Then they moved to Play Doh, Mama did really good rolling out the play doh to make cookies.

2008-11-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, Leya me has tagged! It is great to see you Leya!

Here are the rules:

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.

Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.

Pass this on to five blogging friends.

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The book closest to me is THE RANGER'S WOMAN by Carol Finch

Quinn rounded on her, feeling deceived and betrayed. He'd had more than enough of that in his line of work, without this sneak female pulling the wool over his eyes.

"This better be good, " he said, and smirked disrespectful. "Posing as a persnickety old harridan who is probably carrying stolen money---who knows what else----doesn't say much for your integrity, does it?"

2008-11-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Favorite Recipes for Thanksgiving

My mother-in-law use to bake this dish for my husband each year, I now carry on her traditions never having leftovers.

Baked Corn Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 eggs

1 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 (15.25 ounce) can whole

kernel corn, drained

1 (14.75 ounce) can cream-

style corn

DIRECTIONS:

1.	In a bowl, combine the sugar and flour. Whisk in the eggs, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Stir in the corn and cream-style corn. Pour into a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 45-50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

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Another recipe that came from my MIL, she would make this for church or 42 nights.

Cherry Cheese Delight

INGREDIENTS

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
FILLING:
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (21 ounce) cans cherry pie filling

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, combine flour, pecans and brown sugar. With a fork, stir in butter until crumbly. Lightly pat into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
For filling, in a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Carefully spread over crust. Top with pie filling. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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I don't make Corn Fritters as often as my DH would like. I've found some ready made in the freezer section at WalMart now and then but they're never as good as the homemade.

CORN FRITTERS

INGREDIENTS

4 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
1 cup cream-style corn
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup maple flavored pancake syrup

DIRECTIONS

Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a small bowl, mix together the cream-style corn and egg. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the corn mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix until just blended.
Drop batter 1/8 cup at a time into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, turning once if the fritters don't turn over by themselves. Drain fritters on paper towels, and serve with maple syrup.

2008-11-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

Fall is now in north Texas, we've had a few nights that the temp has gone down to freezing. No frost though so the leaves on the banana trees are still waving high. The wind has torn them up though. We have a big willow tree next to the pool so this is the first year we've decided to cover the swimming pool for the winter. It is always sad to shut down the pool and move the plants into the house. But it is time to unpack the Christmas decorations and put up the Christmas tree which is always exciting.

2008-11-14T10:10:00.000-08:00

Cast of characters:
Alzheimer's mother - 75 year old very talented artist, gardener, loving mother of three
Sickly Twin - daughter
Legal Guardian Twin - daughter
Little old me - oldest daughter
Uncle and Aunt Goat - Brother & SIL of first husband of Alzheimer's mother
Retired army Uncle and new wife - brother of Alzheimer mother
Die in debt ex-husband - Alzheimer's mother second husband
Racist ex-husband now new husband - legal guardian twin's ex and now new husband in GA.

I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel for my Alzhemier mother's welfare. It has been a battle between three sisters how mother's golden years should be spent.

My mother turned 75 years old October 19th, she has had Alzheimer's the past 10 -15 years. Her now ex-husband spend nearly all of the money my dairy farmer father had earned before his death in 1986, his daughters (the twins and I) got rid of him last year before he could sell our family farm, after a messy divorce from "I plan to die in deep debt husband" my mother's golden years are again up in the air to be decided by the courts.

Since Alzheimer mother couldn't live alone my younger sister, one of the twins, became her legal guardian with the other two sister's blessing. A big mistake since this younger sister is easily depressed, can't handle emotional problems and blames others for her bad choices she has made in her adult life.

My younger legal guardian twin sister decided life on the farm was not fun, she was sad her sons never visited, her only daily company was Alzhemier mother then she and her sickly twin sister got into a fist fight over goats, yes goats. Emotions ran high on both sides of the fence...the fence between my mother's property and the sickly twin's home next door.

Sickly twin decide to run legal guardian twin away from Alzhemier mother's home, she did many nasty things to legal guardian twin including going through her personal property stored in the old dairy barn, get on the computer to print off letters and private accounts to use against her.

One twin said "she did this" while the other twin said "she did that". So the legal guardian twin took mother to my uncle's goat farm (yep, those damn goats again) to hide out. But in truth, legal guardian twin headed east to Georgia to her ex-husband, racist con-man, that threatened to lock her in the basement if she looked at other men before she divorced him three years ago.

Yes, this story get even messier.

The best I can figure out is my mother and legal guardian twin left Texas around September 8th after she didn't show up for my niece's wedding September 6th. I was only in email contact with legal guardian twin and she pretended she was on the goat farm with my aunt and uncle goat.

When I started planning a big 75th birthday party for my mother I call my uncle goat and his wife but they refused to tell me where my mother and legal guardian twin sister were they were verbal abusive towards me.

I got on the phone to call my mother's lawyer, the judge that was over her case and our social worker for their help to find and return Alzhemier mother to her home. From everything I could find out the legal guardian twin never paid the lawyer bills, one even filed against her, she hadn't filed out the financial paper work that goes along with being a legal guardian.

Sickly twin has a terrible bowel disease since she was in her early 20s that has her taking lots of pain medication daily, her 20 year old son was killed last year so she has more medicines for anxiety, depression and/or to keep her calm. Both of the twins have emotional problems that would send others into years of therapy but both refuse professional help of any kind.

Little old me, I feel like the twin's private wishbone....pull her a little this way, pull her a little that way to see whose wishes will come true. One weel one twin loves me, the next week the other twin loves me but never at the same time.

Little old me is two years old than the twins, put in charge of keeping them safe and happy by both of my parents since their birth 53 years ago, even promising my daddy on his death bed to watch after mom and the twins. Never ever tell an older child to be responsible for their siblings!! It should be a crime!

Little old me took my job seriously until about a year ago when I realized I can't be responsible for the twin's happiness no matter how many times I tried to help them. They made adult decisions that changed and shaped the courses of their lives and families. Now I've turned over my responsible to them, to their husbands and their now adult children.

So my mother is back in Texas...along with legal guardian twin.

Next up the ruling by the judge on our court date this past Wednesday.

2008-11-10T10:57:00.001-08:00

It has been a hard 8 weeks since my younger sister took my mother from her family farm to hide her in different places from me and my other sister. We finally found her with her awful ex-husband in Georgia. We've been very worried since this man is emotionally unstable but very conning so much so he convince my sister into marrying him again. The last phone call we had with our mother she was hiding in the closet so my sister couldn't hear her. So sad. I hope soon this mess will end.
We thought my mother's husband giving her arsenic was bad but my sister has reach an even lower low.

2008-10-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

My favorite winery this time on our north east Texas wine tour was from Saint Rose. (picture with purple grapes on the vines). I didn't taste a wine there that I didn't like, bought Signature Red Muscadine and Foxy Blue that has blueberries.
[St. Rose Vineyard and Winery (formerly Guerra Vineyards and Winery) is a boutique winery located in the piney woods of East Texas. This country winery specializes in muscadine and fruit wines. The soil and climate of East Texas are ideal for this native grape, which has been identified as one of nature’s most healthful foods. The muscadine grape and wine are very aromatic and possess a very fruity taste. The fruit wines, all made from fresh fruit, include blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, peach and pear. In loving memory of Rosemary, our founder, the winery changed its name to St. Rose Vineyard and Winery. Mark and Ann Arra, along with their three sons, family and friends, continue to operate and grow the vineyard and winery. A unique tasting room was constructed from the transformation of a 100-year-old sweet potato smokehouse.]

2008-10-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend is our annual October Texas Wine tasting tour. This year we're headed to east Texas to the pine trees and lakes instead of south west towards Fredricksburg. I am really excited.

For some reason the last 2 years on our Texas wine tasting tours
I've bought lots of white wine so this year I am looking for delish red wines.

Of course, to get my palate ready I've been drink a glass of wine each evening.

We have a blast on our road trip with friends.

2008-10-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

I really tried to enjoy HIGHLANDER IN HER BED but this book just didn't work for me even though I love paranormal, ghost and Scottish lairds. The heroine got on my last nerve with TSTL acts (visiting a cave, riding a warhorse). I skimmed the last half of the book not finding it much better. Oh, lots of taunt tits, hard cocks, lusting over bodies both his and hers but very little sex. Oh well, since I haven't read hardly any books this year I have a keeper and a tosser.

Now to my weird grandson...he loves outlets and plugs. He is 3 1/2 years old goes around at stores looking for outlets, friends house's finding phone outlets, electrical outlets, extension cords. He gets upset with me when I put the covers on my outlets to keep him from plugging in a fan, radio, lamp. I adore you Tommy but your weird!!! What happened to Hot Wheel cars you sooooo love before? I can't even leave you in a room alone for fear you plug yourself into an outlet.

2008-10-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

I just finished NIGHT ECHOES. Very good book, love the connection between Civil War murders and present day. Lisle weaved the heroine and hero in with the secondary character much like Linda Howard without leaving the reader scratching their heads trying to figure out the cast of characters.
Some great sex scenes push it into the hot category, the shivers down the spine give it get suspense, I read from cover to cover in a long quiet afternoon.

Rated A Hot ~ looking for more by this author

2008-10-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

It is quiet around my house today. The guys have headed toward Ft.Worth to watch the TCU football. I am reading a spooky book and cooking dinner. This morning I put on a pot of pinto beans and whipped up some cornbread. It has been a while since I've made cornbread from scratch...cornmeal, flour, baking powder, egg and milk, I was plentily surprised how it rose. Now to enjoy.
Dinner is ready, the books is calling...later gators.

2008-10-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start working on my next big mosaic project, my kitchen back splash. First I've got to clean off the linoleum tiles I added a couple of years ago. So today, side one with the hairdryer, scrapper and elbow grease.

I also started checking out sites that have mosaic back splashes, tiles broken into a back splash. Here is one from a friend whose sister had her done. I like the white grout.

2008-10-03T06:58:00.001-07:00

It seems after many years AOL is getting rid of their blogs so this will be my full time blog now. I can remember when life on AOL was good...how times have changed. I haven't been reading much, if anything in the past year. Sad to say. I have been doing more crafts, taking care of my grandson, getting one daughter married, one moved out of the house then back home again. My son moved into our pool house we built in 2004 for my FIL who is now deceased, my FIL not my son. We lost my little Mouse in May, found a fluffy puppy in June who has turned into a big dog, Miss Scooby Doo.

Life is ever changing in our home, sit back and enjoy the tales.

2007-05-08T16:15:00.000-07:00

Happy reading all!!

Well, I've been reading the same book for two weeks now because real life is really interfering this time!

1. My oldest daughter is graduating from college with her bachelor degree in early education May 14th.

2. Also on that day my mother's husband is either going to jail for poisoning her with arsenic or return the 300K he stole from her over the past 10 years. Oh, the date to try to settle is May 14th at 10:00AM.

3. I lost 30 pounds from worrying, working my butt off, and chasing my 2 year old grandson 7 days a week while my daughter goes to college and works (she is a single mother living at home) in the past 4 months so I really need new clothes.

Okay...sounds like a soap opera I know!!

So what am I reading?? HIGH PRAIRIE BRIDE by Jenna Kernan. I just love her books and I am going slowly so I can enjoy it.

2007-04-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Wednesday!

Tell us about the book you're reading:

Who?

Lacy Mason & Wyatt Anderson

What?

Just looking for a good time…

Waiting tables in a bar full of no-good cowboys isn't Lacy Mason's idea of fun. But between her daughter's illness, endless doctor bills, and her college tuition, she needs the money.

What she could really use is a night of no-holds-barred passion and no-strings-attached sex. Too bad she has sworn off cowboys for life…

A guy walks into a bar…

Full-time executive and retired cowboy Wyatt Anderson is drawn to Lacy from the moment he sees her. But she's an enigma. Daring and assured one moment and hesitant the next, it's as if something haunts her. Only willing to give him one night, Lacy clings tightly to her secrets.

Unfortunately for her, what Wyatt wants, Wyatt gets. And he definitely wants Lacy…

When?

Present Day

Where?
West

Which?

A TALL DARK COWBOY
Mackenzie McKade
2/2006
Ero/Rom/Tear-jerker

What's up next?

HIGH PLAINS BRIDE by Jenna Kernan

2007-04-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

3 books...

one book I read yesterday and it goes on my keeper shelf. Great week of reading. I would give more teasers about the books but I sliced off the soft tip of my middle finger yesterday with an electric trimmer. OUCH!!

A LADY's PLEASURE Rated A+ - Burning (Best read so far this year)
Renee Bernard
11/2006
Rom/H-Regency

For a taste of sin, she would risk her reputation... and her heart.

SEEKING REVENGE, SHE DISCOVERS HOW DELICIOUS A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY CAN BE...

Merriam Everett has always been regarded as a shy, docile creature. But for one night, Merriam the Mouse has become a temptress who will recklessly take her pleasure with the arrogant earl who once slighted her, and then leave him aching with lust. A fine plan, if Merriam had not just seduced the wrong rogue!

Drake Sotherton left England amid dark speculation and has returned to seek vengeance against Julian Clay, the man he believes murdered his wife. Convinced that the masked beauty who seduced him is Julian's pawn, Drake tracks her down and proposes that she become his mistress for the Season. Every sensual desire, every secret longing will be explored... and fulfilled.

But keeping his enemy close is a dangerous game. Merriam is an irresistible mix of innocence and abandon, and each encounter proves more soul-searing than the last. With a passion this wild, this wonderful, one Season will never be enough....

COLTERS' WOMAN Rated B / Burned the sheets off
Maya Banks
1/2007
Ero/Rom/C/S

Adam, Ethan and Ryan aren't looking for women. They're looking for a woman. One woman to share their lives and their beds. They don't want a casual romp in the hay, they want the woman who will complete them and they're losing hope of finding her. That is until Adam finds Holly lying in the snow just yards from their cabin. He knows she's different the minute he holds her in his arms. But before Adam gets his hopes up, he knows he has to gauge his brothers reactions. Soon its evident that she's the one. There are a few problems, however convincing her she belongs with them and keeping her safe from the man who wants her dead.

THE LAWMAN's BRIDE Rated B+ / Spicy Warm
Cheryl St. John
2/2007
Rom/H

Kidnapped as a child, sold to a con man, she'd fast learned how to sweet-talk her way out of trouble. Now all Sophie wanted was to be left alone to build a new life--one that was honest and decent, based on truth, not trickery.

Clay Connor was the last man she should care about. Upright and honorable, the town's marshal deserved better than a woman with a tainted past. But if only Sophie could learn to trust again, she might find this lawman would make her new life complete.

Thank you BYRON for doing the typing this week!!!

2007-04-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

Cheryl St. John is one of my favorite historical authors. Her hero talk and listen to their heroine meaning less big misunderstanding plots. Most of her books tug on your heart strings, leaving you wanting to glom her backlist. Too bad I've read all of her books and have to wait for new one to be release.

Yesterday on the way to my nephew's 18 th birthday party I finished reading THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE. Our heroine, Sophie, has had so my tragedy in her life by the time she was 12 years old; Her family was attacked by Sioux Indians, killing her father and brothers then taking Sophie and her mother captive. Her mother dies after 2 years then the Sioux sold her to a white man, Tek Garrett for a gun and whiskey.

Once with Garrett, Sophie was trained to be his partner in cons jobs. He dressed her, taught her how to talk, act, seduce men out of the pants for money. After many years living the con life she escapes when one of their cons fails, she runs away from Garrett. Sophie wants freedom and to be able to make decisions about her live on her own.

Our Super Librarian has a wonderful review of THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE.

I rated THE LAWMAN'S BRIDE - B+ Warm
I would highly recommend JOE'S WIFE, THE DOCTOR'S WIFE (who appear in TLB), THE MISTAKEN WIDOW, SWEET ANNIE, HIS SECONDHAND WIFE, PRAIRIE WIFE, THE BOUNTY HUNTER.

2007-03-30T11:38:00.000-07:00

It was another sad week of reading...I am working to get the reading mojo back to flowing. I did start a couple of books but just couldn't finish them for right now. I think I am leaning towards a ghost, witch, paranormal theme maybe in a medieval time period. So I will be TBR diving again this weekend!

THE OTHER WOMAN Rated C - warm
Patricia Kay
7/2001
Rom/C

Okay, I went into this book thinking it was like one of her Silhouette books. Wrong. The heroine, Natalie Ferrenzo and Adam Forrester had a hot love affair when they were young in college. But Adam's family hit a bad time with money and sister needing to go to college a weathy family on the outs. They need Adam to save them by marrying his childhood friend Julia.

Adam did the right thing and married her.

After about 12 years they meet again. Julia is a bitch and Adam wants out so he ask for a divorce and Julia takes a nose dive down the stairs. Got the picture yet? Julia is in a wheelchair and Adam is guilty because he was leaving. So Adam and Natalie have a 5 year long affair. That was the whole book....the five years of sneaking around and when she found out she was pregnant she ended it. That was the first chapter! Her telling him she was leaving him because she couldn't take it anymore...not the baby.

I was expecting a book about after the divorce and them starting fresh. I guess I wasn't in the mood for adultery.

2007-03-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Has anyone read any of the Haunting Heart Series?

Can you recommend any?Haunting Heart series?

ARRANGED IN HEAVEN
Sara Jarrod. 5/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/A/Gh]

BITTERSWEET SUMMER
Rachel Wilson. 6/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/Gh]

COMING HOME
Willa Hix. 5/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

EARTH ANGEL
Kate Freiman. 11/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

ETERNAL LOVE
Alice Alfonsi. 1/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

ETERNAL SEA
Alice Alfonsi. 1/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/Gh-New Year's Day]

ETERNAL VOWS
Alice Alfonsi. 1/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

THE GHOST AND KATIE COYLE
Anne Kelleher. 11/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh-Pirate]

A GHOST OF A CHANCE
Casey Claybourne. 8/1996. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Regency]

GHOST OF SUMMER
Sally Steward. 8/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

GREAT CAESAR's GHOST
Cynthia Sterling. 1/2000. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Frontier]

HAUNTING HOPE
Raina Lynn. 10/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

HEAVEN ABOVE
Sara Jarrod. 10/1996. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

HEAVENLY BLISS
Sara Jarrod. 7/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

HEAVEN's PROMISE
Rachel Wilson. 11/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Victorian

IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
Kimberly Randell. 4/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

NIGHT WHISPERS
Karen Sandler. 9/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

RESTLESS SPIRITS
Rachel Wilson. 3/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Victorian

ROSES FOR CHLOE
Elaine Grant. 12/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/H/Gh- [Rom/C/H/

SHADOWS IN THE FLAME
Tess Farraday. 9/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Frontier]

SNOW IN SUMMER
Tess Farraday. 2/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

SOUL SURVIVOR
Susan Plunkett. 12/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh-Vietnam War]

SPIRIT CATCHER
Elizabeth Hallam. 7/1998. Jove. JHH. [Rom/TT/Gh-Frontier

A SPIRITED SEDUCTION
Casey Claybourne. 5/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Regency]

SPIRIT OF LOVE
Rachel Wilson. 10/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Frontier]

SPRING ENCHANTMENT
Christina Cordaire. 6/1996. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh-Regency]

STARDUST OF YESTERDAY
Lynn Kurland. 4/1996. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]
Jul-2001 paperback

UNFORGETTABLE
Karen Sandler. 3/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/C/Gh]

WHISPERS ON THE WIND
Donna Fletcher. 3/1997. Jove. JHH. [Rom/H/Gh]

A WILLING SPIRIT
Cynthia Sterling. 7/1999. Jove. JHH. [Rom/Gh]

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-03-25T09:52:00.001-07:00

2007-03-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

My reads for the week - March 16 - 23

CEREMONY OF THREE Rated B - Burning
Evangelina Anderson
2/2007
Ero/Rom/C/V

Vampires.

ONE MAN AND A BABY Rated B+ sweet
Susan Meier
7/2006
Rom/C

Cute story of a young daddy that has learned from is mistakes, returns to
his hometown where he was the town bad boy. He wants to make a future for
his
daughter and bring her up with his family near.

ANIMAL ATTRACTION Rated B - Burning
Alexis and Patrick Silver
2/2007
Ero/Rom/O/WW

Shifters, all big cats. She didn't realize she was a shifter until her
husband and Brand teach her how. Cats love to be petted!

I am reading -
THE STRANGER I MARRIED
Sylvia Day
1/2007
Rom/H

So far very good....he was rake, he married her so they both could continue
to have "other lovers" but when the love of his life dies in childbirth (his
child) he disappears for 4 years coming back a very serious man who wants
his
wife to himself and he plans to court her.
(Older woman/younger man)

2007-03-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had "Fear of the next book" syndrome? What is that?

You go to your TBR shelve right after you've read a very good book, then you start skimming the shelves looking at the series, historical, contemporary books you have, then all of the sudden realize what if this book isn't as good as the last. Fear of reading a bad book!

Are we allowed to talk about wallbangers anymore?? Remember The Wall? Remember hurling those books against the wall? Made you feel so much better. LOL

I can't remember the last real bad book I've read and I hope it isn't my next book!!!

Next up:

THE STRANGER I MARRIED by Sylvia Day

2007-03-21T07:51:00.000-07:00

I’m stealing this from Bewitched By Books and if you “steal” it from me, leave a comment here so I can come and read your answers. I love seeing what other people are reading, their favorite author and books.

Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror?

***When I was reviewing at RRT I did some Science Fiction, didn't care for it but that is strange because I love Star Trek. Fantasy, not so much but last week I was reading blurbs on Ellora's Cave Romantica about a heroine that turns into a dragon, hummm might have to check this out . Horror, never! Don't even watch horror movies.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

***I love paperbacks....hardbacks are hard to read when you're curled up.

Amazon or Brick and Mortar?

***I wish brick and mortar....I live in a small town with Hastings as our bookstore. Have you ever seen a romance section at Hastings??? Older published books and full retail.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?

***To far to drive.

Hitchhiker or Discworld?

***I’ve never read Douglas Adams and I have no freakin’ clue what Discworld is. Ditto - I take Bewitched answer.

Bookmark or Dogear?

***Bookmark!

Asimov’s Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction? *** Neither.

Alphabetize by author, Alphabetize by title, or random?

***Again, Bewitched and I have the same answer. Alphabetize by author, then by title among the same author. But if it’s a series then it is in order of the series.

Keep, Throw Away or Sell?

***I have a keeper shelf of about 300, only toss if the book is damaged, don't sell anymore but I trade them for credits at PBS.

Keep dust-jacket or toss it?

***I don't usually read HBs but why would anyone toss a dust jacket?

Read with dustjacket or remove it?

*** I leave it on.

Short story or novel?

***I love the novels but holiday themes I like to read short and fast.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? *** Neither.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

***Chapter break unless I have to get up and can't get back to finish the chapter.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time?” *** Both!

Buy or Borrow?

***I hate to borrow so I buy or trade.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation or Browse?

***I read mostly readers Blogs, Yahoo lists and cyber friends who rave about a wonderful book they've read.

Lewis or Tolkien? *** Tolkien

Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?

***Both, Mary Balogh has some get short stories and anthology.

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?

***Nice tidy ending....HEA

Morning reading, Afternoon reading or Nighttime reading?

***mornings with coffee and emails, afternoons watching soaps, evening while DH is watching sports.

Standalone or Series?

***Standalone but they are getting as extinct some animals!!

New or used?

***Both, I buy new if I can't wait to read it, used off PBS.

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?

***WHEN THERE IS HOPE by Jane Goodger - 6/1996 - Rom/TT/R-Victorian

Top 5 favorite genre books of all time?

***Since I am a romance snob I only did different genres in romance. And as you can see I am a bit of a historical romance snob!

SHADES OF TWILIGHT by Linda Howard - Rom/C/S

HOPE's CAPTIVE by Kate Lyon - Rom/H/I-Frontier

MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN by Jen Holling -Rom/H-Renaissance

TAPESTRY by Karen Ranney - Rom/H-Georgian

A MAN IN A KILT by Sandy Blair -Rom/TT/Gh-Medieval (this hit three; time travel, ghost and it is a medieval)

Favorite genre series?

***Jen Holling's series about three sisters who have different gifts.

MY WICKED HIGHLANDER rated A+
MY DEVILISH SCOTSMAN rated A+
MY SHADOW WARRIOR rated A

Currently Reading?

***ONE MAN AND A BABY by Susan Meier

2007-03-20T18:18:00.000-07:00

I AM DANCING A JIG!!!

I download my BYRON CDs then went to their website to download something else.

Then I copied my BYRON on the old computer (Dell 2004) on to my SeaGate 40 GB. Then connected my SeaGate to my new computer (lenovo 2006) I got for Christmas.

All of my notes, reviews of books, ratings, are there!!! This is really going to help me get back into my books!

What is also nice, each update I can copy over the old BYRON in my SeaGate as a backup if this computer crashes. :::::knocking on wood::::::

So easy it took about 45 minutes to upload to SG and download to this computer.

Reading: ONE MAN and a BABY by Susan Meier

2007-03-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mad is a bad influence on me! She has been buying, reading, and teasing me with e-books in paperback from Amazon.

Last night I decide to order 3 new nightstand books. The last 3 nightstand books I bought were COOKING UP A STORM, MENAGE both by Emma Holly and SHADOWPLAY by Portia DaCosta. ~~~~~~ HOT, BURNING HOT!!~~~~~~~~

So what is a nightstand book? My nightstand books I read s_l_o_w_l_y to be savored like a dark sweet chocolate. Yummy!

I might read a chapter a night or just start reading from the beginning again. Oh, and they have to be very naughty!!!

Back to Mad's bad influence on me....here are the books I ordered last night to be put into the naughty nightstand. A TALL DARK COWBOY by Mackenzie McKade, LOVING LIES by Lora Leigh, & COLTERS' WOMAN by Maya Banks. The covers are so hot I just know the pages will be burning up!! Thanks Mad!

2007-03-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

I decided yesterday that if I am not reading like normal, I need to play with my TBR, add book to my wish list and check out other Romance reader's Blogs to see what they are reading.

Today I finished getting the first download of BYRON on to my new computer. The last time I bought a new computer I was inventorying BYRON as soon as hubby went to work so I could stack book on his chair! This computer is almost 4 months old and my slump is a little longer.

So getting back to normal I will be....playing with my books, reading Blogs, talking to readers and finding my favorite themes on BYRON again.

Sunday I read a very hot vampire e-book from Ellora's Cave, CEMEMONY OF THREE by Evangelina Anderson. It started off a little stiff and silly but once the sex started I forgot about the writing!! If you read Emma Holly's MENAGE this book has vampires with a sweet young thing.

2007-03-18T10:35:00.000-07:00

We made it home Friday afternoon after a wonderful romantic week of B&B hopping!

I've added a few teaser pictures here but at my personal Blog I have more.

http://journals.aol.com/browney44/debbiesdiary/

I took to read Emma Holly's COOKING UP A STORM, a very hot re-read for me.

2007-03-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

My DH and I are headed out for three nights at three different Bed andBreakfasts. We are in our fifties, kids flying out of the nest, a boom rang daughter returns to the nest with a chick, a new grandbaby who I watch 12/7. Did I say I am in my fifties...damn, it was so much easier in my thirties!

So anyway...we're having our first second honeymoon shorter then the first honeymoon but hopefully just as romantic. But wait the first time around my groom DID NOT fart around me and I this time WANT the sex!!!

Okay, this is where the romance books come in....hummm. should I pack a sweet regency? Or how about one of these men in a kilt? What if I pulled one of Emma Holly's out of the TBR?

Yes, I think even in my fifties, if I can take one hot tub, one bottle of Texas wine, and afternoon swinging in a hammock reading Emma Holly this middle age couple can burn up a few sets of sheets!!
What do you think?
http://sunriseexoticranch.org/bed_and_breakfast.html

2007-03-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

I've been visiting tons of Blogs tonight. I am not only a romance reader but also a romance reader lover who loves to read about romance books on the Internet and what other romance readers are watching on TV, seeing at the movies and more.
Some of these Blog are a hoot! I've added them into my links, check to see if you see a new link-to-you. If this doesn't get me started reading again I don't know what will!

So please leave a comment if you're romance reader and how you got out of your reading slumps, the last book you read you rated an A, if I missed your page.

2007-03-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

Where have all the romance readers gone? I ask this of one of my good cyber friends that I meet about 8 years ago on AOL message boards.

All the AOL members will remember when romance readers ran those boards and we talked about books with authors, invented the spoiler lines, etc.

Then we had message boards at different sites like Book Bug, eHarlequin, Romantic Times Magazine message boards. Who didn't love to read who was fighting with whom!!! ROFLOL

Then we moved to the Yahoo Lists....broke it down into all kinds of romance books. You have your Harlequin-Silhouette lists, HP list, Romance_Historical, RomanceGarden, Bookstore Junkies, authors got them to tell us about what they are doing, when the new book is coming out, newsletters.

Now there are publishers, authors, and romance readers at MySpace but to me they aren't that user friendly.

So romance readers where is your favorite place to hang out to discuss the books you've read and find other readers????

2005-09-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

Good morning Bloggers
When I was being treated for Breast Cancer I kept 2 Blogs....one for BC and this blog for my reading. I wanted to added pictures to my Blogs but couldn't figure out how to do that so I moved my Blog to AOL.
http://journals.aol.com/browney44/DebbiesDiary/

Even if your not on AOL you can read about my life stories, see pictures, and know what books I've been reading. Hope to see you there for a visit.

2005-07-08T15:10:00.000-07:00

My book reading this year has been off and on....mainly off. Good books are boring, so I am going to see if reading some contemporary suspense and comedies can put me back into the mood to read till midnight.

Here are my June reads, mostly secret babies.

ANYBODY's DAD Rated C+
Amy J. Fetzer
8/1997
Rom/C
Sperm bank mix up. The hero's ex-wife gave his sperm to another woman after he found her birth control pills. He divorced her but not before she made sure another woman had his beloved baby.

JOEY's FATHER Rated B+
Elizabeth August
10/1990
Rom/C
They fell in loved, married in just a few weeks. He leaves for the city with her to follow soon but he is injuried in a car accident badly enough he decides she is better off without him. He divorces her before she can tell him she is pregnant.

THE SECRET BABY Rated B-
Day Leclaire
5/1997
Rom/C
He is a dumba**, they are living and working together when she is accused of betraying the company. He will not listen to her, shut her out, throws her out. She is on the streets, pregnant, she marries the man he consideres his enemy. Years later he come back for revenge. Hero should have spend a few chapters groveling.

SPENCER's CHILD Rated B-
Joan Kilby
11/1999
Rom/C
Spencer doesn't want to be a husband or a father. He yells it to everyone. He loves to party, be free like his dophins and whales he studies. Now he finds he has an ADHD child but he will give his money not his time and love. Another hero that needs a whack to the head with a baseball bat.

THEIR BABY MIRACLE Rated C+
Lilian Darcy
3/2005
Rom/C
This book was hard to read because of the baby being a preemie, she was doing fine their romance would be fine then the baby took a turn for the worst and the romance suffered. Too heart wrenching.

HIS SECONDHAND WIFE Rated B+
Cheryl St. John
7/2005
Rom/H-Frontier
Very sweet romance. Noah is a wonderful wounded soul and Kate is prefect to love all of his imperfections.

THE MAN FOR HER Rated C
Alice Valdal
3/2005
Rom/H-Frontier
I was disappointed with this book on many levels. The heroine is a strong woman having loved and lost, to bring her love child up alone. But the hero's gold fever was a little to much. Her son is a brat that needs a belt.

Now I've started into July...again it is slow but I am hoping a change in genre will help launch me too reading heaven. I read TAKE A CHANCE ON ME by Susan Donovan in just a day, giving it an A+

2005-04-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

April 15 - 21

I wish I could find a book that makes me want to reread it as soon as I finish it, it has been a while. Another so-so week of reading. The biggest disappointment was THE NIGHT DRIFTER.

I have a new Blog for my day to day life, drop by and say hello.
Blog: http://journals.aol.com/browney44/DebbiesDiary/

THE NIGHT DRIFTER Rated C
Susan Carroll
5/1999
Rom/H/O-Georgian

The book just dragged the whole way.
I didn't feel sorry for a man that was still pouting because he made a fool of himself over a married woman when he was 18 year old....he is shoot in battle and his brother Valentine took the injury to himself and is now a cripple.

Rosalind is kind of a twit, she believes in all the magic tales of King Arthur...a bit boring.

I skipped about 7 chapters, read the end then skimmed the missing chapters.

Not interested in Val's story.
**********************************
ROCKY MOUNTAIN MAN Rated B
Jillian Hart
5/2005
Rom/H-Frontier

A giant of a man that was sent to prison for a rape he didn't commit. The town he lived in killed his family (mother, grandfather, and step-siblings) by locking them in their house and setting it on fire. After 10 years of hard labor he is out of prison living in the mountain not wanting any woman near him.
The heroine is a his laundry lady who travels up the mountain to deliver his clothes. A bear attacks her wagon and he saves her but he is badly hurt.
***************************

THE CUTTING EDGE Rated B+
Linda Howard
9/1985
Rom/C

This one was a reread. I enjoy some of Linda Howard's earlier books with the alpha heroes.
******************

THE RANCHER's BRIDE Rated C
Barbara McMahon
1/2004
Rom/C

This is a modern day mail order bride. Rancher has to marry and produce an heir within a year.

Today I am reading PRAIRIE WIFE by Cheryl St. John. Kind of sad and depressing so far. I want to smack the heroine upside the head or shake her.

I ordered a few books this week and they've arrived in the mail.
OF MIDNIGHT BORN by Lisa Cach - ghost ( I've never read her, any opioions?)
GEORGE AND THE VIRGIN by Lisa Cach (TT)
THE WISHING CHALICE by Sandra Landry (TT)
DUKE OF SIN by Adele Ashworth (has anyone read this one??)

2005-02-20T06:06:00.000-08:00

Reading from Feb. 10 - 17

I read 3 books this week. One is an e-book for review.
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/indexT.html
BE STILL, MY HEART! by Carol McPhee

One is an HH by Kate Bridges who is an autobuy author. THE BACHELOR is very good has a interesting hero who is on the cutting edge of modern technology...in 1893.

The third book is actually a reread of an old Silhouette. The couple is reunited after he leaves her at the alter.

THE BACHELOR Rated B
Kate Bridges
3/2005
Rom/H-Frontier

MORE THAN YOU KNOW Rated A
Phyllis Halldorson
7/1993
Rom/C

BE STILL, MY HEART! Rated C+
Carol McPhee
2/2005
Rom/C

Which books do you plan to read this weekend?

I am hoping the 7 or 8 books I traded for this week arrive in the mail. If not, I have March Harlequin Historical to choose from. TURNER's WOMAN by Jenna Kernan is calling to me. :)

2005-02-10T13:11:00.000-08:00

Recently I was asked my favorite book, you know me can't just list one.

I have a few favorite books, they seem to change over the years.

When I first started reading romance SHADES OF TWILIGHT by Linda Howard was one of my first books. I must have reread the book 20 times.

Then I read BOLD ANGEL by Kat Martin, a medieval. I kept 2 copies because I loaned it out so much.

Then I read a very emotional western that has a marriage in trouble theme with adultery. I've only read it one time because it is a painful book to read. THE COMING HOME PLACE by Mary Spencer.

I started glomming Kathryn Shay's books after reading the first in her America's Braves series, FEEL THE HEAT. She rarely disappoints me.

Just last year I read my first Time Travel in a long while...it packed the same strong emotions as the above books. WHEN THERE IS HOPE by Jane Goodger.

My favorite erotic book is MENAGE by Emma Holly...burning hot!

2005-02-01T06:07:00.000-08:00

Happy February!

I read 13 books in January, not bad...last year my total was 15.
I am still enjoying the TT's my best read for the month is ECHOES OF TOMORROW. The most disappointing book was from one of my favorite authors, Kathryn Shay, OUR TWO SONS.

THE BEST MAN. Turner, Linda. . Rated B+
SIM-1010. [Rom/C] [3-Those Marrying McBrides!]
Buddies, Unrequited

CROSS MY HEART. Halldorson, Phyllis. . Rated B+
SSE-430. [Rom/C]
False assumption, Limelight, Single parent, Triangle

EVERYTHING BUT A HUSBAND. Templeton, Karen. . Rated C-
SIM-1050. [Rom/C] [3-Anything For...]
Single parent

OUR TWO SONS. Shay, Kathryn. . Rated C
HS-1253. [Rom/C]
Limelight, Single parent

SEATTLE AFTER MIDNIGHT. Carmichael, C.J.. . Rated B+
HS-1240. [Rom/C]
Limelight, Rescued

THE SEXIEST DEAD MAN ALIVE. Blackwood, Jane. . Rated B+
[Rom/C/Gh]
Guilt, Limelight, Office, Runaway, Secret identity

MIDNIGHT RAIN. Lisle, Holly. . Rated B+
[Rom/C/O]
Psychic

JANE's WARLORD. Knight, Angela. . Rated B
[Rom/C/TT]
Goal, Opposites, Outcast, Rescued

ECHOES OF TOMORROW. Lykins, Jenny. . Rated A
JTP. [Rom/C/TT-Old South] [6-Time Passages]
Fish out of water, Reunited

SECONDHAND BRIDE. Miller, Linda Lael. . Rated B+
[Rom/H-Frontier] [3-The McKettrick Cowboys]

THE UNLIKELY GROOM. Douglas, Wendy. . Rated C-
HH-741. [Rom/H-Frontier]
Doctor/Nurse, Fish out of water, Guilt, Rescued

NO GREATER LOVE. Kingsley, Katherine. . Rated B-
[Rom/H-Regency] [1-Pascal]
Convenience, Handicap/Injury, Inheritance, Rescued

A ONCE AND FUTURE LOVE. Kelleher, Anne. . JTP. Rated B+
[Rom/TT/R-Medieval]
Switch

2005-01-28T07:07:00.000-08:00

Happy TGIF!

This week I read another "been in the tbr more than 2 years."
I am trying to read some of my older books to clear more out.
This weeks was, NO GREATER LOVE by Katherine Kingsley.
NGL is a very good book, it just moved a little too slowly for my taste.

I finished MIDNIGHT RAIN by Holly Lisle last night. It is great suspense. I didn't figure it out until about 2/3 of the way. The romance is lacking a little because of the suspense.

I was truly disappointed in Kathryn Shay's new release, OUR TWO SONS I just didn't care for the heroine. She is a snob, brains over muscles snob, her actions towards the end made the book slip from a B- to a C.

I received a few TT in the mail this week, hopefully one of those will pull me in for a great weekend read. The main plans I have for the weekend is continue inventorying my books and setting up my library.

Anyone read any of these? Any recommendations which to start?
A ROGUE IN A KILT by Sandy Blair
FOREVER HIS by Shelly Thacker (TT)
THE LAST HIGHLANDER by Claire Cross (TT)
TIME AND AGAIN by Kathryn Jensen (TT western)
LOST YESTERDAY by Jenny Lykins (TT Southern)

Books for Jan. 21 - 27 2005

NO GREATER LOVE Rated B-
Katherine Kingsley 4/1992 Rom/H-Regency

MIDNIGHT RAIN Rated B+ (some hot sex scenes)
Holly Lisle 11/2004 Rom/C/O

OUR TWO SONS Rated C
Kathryn Shay 1/2005 Rom/C

2005-01-26T08:06:00.000-08:00

For my reading and discussion group at CozyRomanceReaders@yahoogroups.com.
This months is a "K" author.

My "K" author is Katherine Kingsley, I read her book NO GREATER LOVE.

The entire book moved very slowly but the writing is excellent. Katherine Kingsley has some wonderful books, one of my favorites is CALL DOWN THE MOON.

Nicholas Daventry was banished for attempting to rape his uncle's wife, Lady Jacqueline Raven (bi*ch) when he was 20 years old, which was a lie. He goes to India to live and while there made a fortune. Ten years later his uncle, Lord Raven ask Nicholas to come home so they could make peace.

When Nicholas arrives at Raven's Walk he finds his uncle in a catatonic state, his young cousin, Cycil hates the sight of him and his aunt still a bi*ch.

Nicholas had 3 weeks to marry before his 30th birthday or his beloved childhood home estate Raven's Close, would go to his cousin along with Raven's Walk. Raven's Close is in shambles but with Nicholas' new riches he could restore it even though his aunt had removed all the valuable pieces of furnitures and allow it to be in disrepair.

Nicholas meets Georgia Wells the day he arrives home and is very attracted to her. She is his aunt's seamstress that she kept in a tower only allowed out for exercise. Georgia is young and beautiful which makes Jacqueline very jealous. Georgia loves to walk, most days she goes to Raven's Close to sit and dream of a happier future. That is were she found Nicholas crying the first time he sees the Close. When she tells him how much she loves the Close and it hurts her heart it is falling down Nicholas pulls her into his arms and kisses her.

Later that night he climbs into her tower asking her to marry him. She agrees to get away from his aunt and also because she believes Nicholas is poor and he needs her help to restore the Close. Nicholas and Georgia are married a week later, they work hard to repair the roof and inside, as Nicholas pretends to be poor as he courts his bride.

They also work to restore Nicholas' good name in the village and bring Cycil around to love his older cousin again and see the truth.

There is the mystery of what happened to put Nicholas' uncle in his vegetated state, fight the nasty rumors Jacqueline has started in London about both Nicholas and Georgia.

One thing I did like is Nicholas and Georgia declare their love for each other about half way so I got to watch the love grow. There is some very humorous parts about Nicholas lower anatomy compared to her deceased husband, Baggie Wells'. Georgia was married for 3 years but comes to Nicholas' bed a near virgin.

I rated NO GREATER LOVE (B-) the minus for the slowness.

2005-01-21T09:46:00.000-08:00

I only read 3 books this week because I am inventorying my books. I have 500 into BYRON so far with only about 2000 more to go.

My best read this week is ECHOES OF TOMORROW by Jenny Lykins. She is a great TT author, I wish she had more books to collect.

I am reading NO GREATER LOVE by Katherine Kingsley now.

SEATTLE AFTER MIDNIGHT Rated B+
C.J. Carmichael
11/2004
Rom/C
This book is about a late night radio DJ. She has a secret admire that is creepy. The hero is a widower PI, he is a very wounded soul.

THE UNLIKELY GROOM Rated C-
Wendy Douglas
2/2005
Rom/H-Frontier
The heroine's brother is killed leaving her stranded in Alaska penniless. The hero is another widower who blames himself for his wife and daughter's death. He doesn't get involved with people and tries to stay emotionless. He helps the heroine by giving her a job in his saloon even though she is a teetotaler.

ECHOES OF TOMORROW Rated A
Jenny Lykins
6/1997
Rom/C/TT-Old South
I loved this time travel. The hero comes forward in time falls in love with the heroine then on their wedding day he is returned back to his time. The heroine must find a way to his time. When she does he doesn't remember their time in the future and he is betrothed to marry a b*tch.

2005-01-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

I should be still asleep since I didn't turn the lights off until 2:45 AM. Read another great TT, ECHOES OF TOMORROW by Jenny Lykins.
I loved that the hero came to present day, fall in love with the heroine, they married and then he returns to his time. Now the modern day heroine has to figure out how to get to his time for the second half of the book.
I hunted the used bookstores for the book but ended up having to buy it off Half.com, it was worth every penny.

I visited Ms. Lykin's website to see if she had any other books coming up, I didn't see any. That is so sad, she is a great TT author.

Echoes of Tomorrow by Jenny Lykins Rated A
http://louisabrown.net/Echoes.htm

Here is Louisa Brown's review:

Echoes of Tomorrow by Jenny Lykins is the sixth book in Penguin Putnam's Time Passages series.
Echoes of Tomorrow is quite easily my favorite book out of the Time Passages series. This is because after all the disbelieving men in the previous books, whose reasons for disbelief are often pure stubbornness, finally here is a man time traveling.

Reed Blackwell travels into the future not the past so in some ways his experience is less of an ordeal than those who go backwards. After all his biggest challenge is discovering how to drink a can of coke without making a fool of himself.

Reed also has the advantage that Elise Gerard witnessed his materialization, on her bed no less, and is more open minded than most people.

As Elise shows Reed her world of the 20th century they fall in love and, as there seems no way back to 1844, Reed decides to make a life with Elise in the future.

What Reed doesn't know is that it was his maid's tea, a bewitched potion, that sent him to the future, and when he drinks more on his wedding day he disappears home again leaving Elise to follow him.

Once in 1844 things take on the route of a regular time travel - Elise is in the past, Reed has lost his memory of the future, and her, and guess who doesn't believe a word she's saying.

Reed is now engaged to be married and the clock is ticking for Elise to help him remember her. So it's plots, plots and more plots, some hilariously funny as Elise tries to recreate the future for the benefit of Reed.

A delightful tale of time traveling romance that leaves everything in the air to the last possible minute.

2005-01-12T13:04:00.000-08:00

I tried a few day ago to catch up my reading blog but Blogger was naughty and didn't publish it.

So in Novemember I read 6 books, not a great month but some of the books were great.
In December I read 11 books, better month since it was a very busy month in our household. Below are the books and my ratings.

You can find my thoughts on TREASURED VOWS by Cathy Maxwell, MIDNIGHT SATIN by Laurie Grant, A MAN IN A KILT by Sandy Blair, MONTANA WIFE by Jillian Hart, SAY IT AGAIN, SAM by Mary McBride, and A TEXAN'S LUCK by Jodi Thomas at Romance Reader at Heart. http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/indexT.html

BYRON Read-status: "11/04"

MADELEINE's COWBOY. Rolofson, Kristine. 2/1994. . Harlequin Temptation. HT-478. [Rom/C]
False assumption, Single parent

TREASURED VOWS. Maxwell, Cathy. 1/1996. . [Rom/H-Regency]
Convenience, Guardian, Outcast, Triangle

MIDNIGHT SATIN. Grant, Laurie. 11/2004. . [Rom/H-Civil War]
Forbidden, Rescued
THE LAST HONEST OUTLAW. Finch, Carol. 12/2004. . [Rom/H-Outlaw]
Accused, Captive, Masquerade, Outcast

MONTANA WIFE. Hart, Jillian. 12/2004. . Harlequin Historical. HH#. [Rom/H-Frontier]
Convenience, Neighbors, Single parent

SAY IT AGAIN, SAM. McBride, Mary. 12/2004. . [Rom/C]
Hometown, Reunited

***** ****** ***** *****

BYRON Read-status: "12/04"

THE FIFTH VICTIM. Barton, Beverly. 4/2003. . [Mys/Rom/C/S] [1-Cherokee Pointe]

THE BILLIONAIRE's PREGNANT MISTRESS. Monroe, Lucy. 12/2004. . HP-2438. [Rom/C]
Limelight, Masquerade, Reunited

FARELLI's WIFE. Gordon, Lucy. 7/1999. . H-3561. [Rom/C]
Forbidden, Single parent, Unrequited

CALEB's CHRISTMAS WISH. Salonen, Debra. 11/2004. . HS-1238. [Rom/C-Christmas]
Adoption, Convenience, Guardian

THE ITALIAN's PASSIONATE PROPOSAL. Morgan, Sarah. 12/2003. . MBM-1171^. [Rom/C-Christmas] [2-Italian...Santini]
Doctor/Nurse, Masquerade, Office

THE MERCENARY's KISS. Crooks, Pam. 8/2004. . HH-718. [Rom/H-Frontier]
Single parent

A TEXAN's LUCK. Thomas, Jodi. 11/2004. . [Rom/H-Frontier] [3-Wife Lottery]
Arranged, Reunited

THE LAIRD OF STONEHAVEN. Mason, Connie. 9/2003. . [Rom/H-Medieval]

BEWITCHED. Cullman, Heather. 2/2001. . [Rom/H-Regency] [Lords of Danger]
Deadline, Handicap/Injury, Matchmaker, Outcast

BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST. Moning, Karen Marie. 4/1999. . [Rom/TT/F-Medieval] [1-Highland Mist]

A MAN IN A KILT. Blair, Sandy. 9/2004. . [Rom/TT/Gh-Medieval] [1-MacDougall in a Kilt]
Inheritance

2004-10-31T09:18:00.000-08:00

Last night I stayed up late so I could finish TROUBLE AT LONE SPUR
by Roz Denny Fox (11/1996 Marry Me, Cowboy series).

I just loved the heroine, Lizbeth. She is strong when she could have let despair and grief make her weak. She married a bull rider at 18, was a widow and pregnant at 22. She was left penniless by her husband after he is killed by a bull in the chute. She has to find a career that will support her and her daughter, Melody. She has friends on the rodeo circuit so she trains to be a farrier. For 5 years she followed the rodeo shoeing horses until her daughter is ready for kindergarten, now Lizbeth needs to put down roots so she hires on as the Lone Spur ranch's farrier.

She is hired by the foreman of the Lone Spur, when the owner Gil Spencer returns home after two weeks trying to run down a killer cougar he sees a strange woman in his prize studs stall. Racing to save her from his temperamental horse, Lizbeth chews a bite of hide off his backside for interfering with her work. She believes he is a cowhand, a very dirty stinky cowhand.
Sparks fly between them and the minute Lizbeth said the word rodeo, Gil told her to pack her bags and get off his ranch. He gives her 3 hours.

When Gil can't pay her because his accountant is out of town for a few days Lizbeth refuses to leave until she has her money and she has made plans to withdraw her daughter from school. Gil feels guilty so he gives her until the end of the school year to move on but he doesn't want to see her or her daughter. Gil hates everything that has to do with the rodeo after his two timing wife left him for a bull rider. His twin sons, Rusty and Dustin are almost as bad as their father at hating woman and girls. The twins play nasty tricks on both Lizbeth and Melody, Gil is embarrassed how his attitude toward women has made his sons very disrespectful towards women.

One reason I enjoyed the book is it is over a long period of time, nearly the entire school year. Sparks fly not only with Lizbeth and Gil but Gil's son Dustin hates Lizbeth trying to drive her off. His brother likes having Lizbeth and Melody around cooking and caring for him when his dad is out on the range. As Gil feelings soften and he falls in love with Lizbeth Dustin causes trouble. Toss in his ex-wife to mix and readers will think this romance doesn't have a chance in heaven. I was blinking back tears as Lizbeth fights for all the Spencer's love but sees it slipping away.

I was disappointed earlier in the week when my first shipment of Marry Me, Cowboy arrived in the mail. I thought they would be newer books but I had forgotten there are some great romances in the older books. TROUBLE AT LONE SPUR is going on the keeper shelf. I am going to check the other 5 books for another great cowboy read.

TROUBLE AT LONE SPUR Rated A
Roz Denny Fox
Marry Me, Cowboy series
5/96
Themes: Single parents, ranch, alpha hero, twins

2004-10-18T08:45:00.000-07:00

I picked up a great book last night....finished it around midnight. Love it when that happens. I am hoping since I finished 2 books this weekend my reading mood is coming back.

I ordered about 8 books from Half.com that I hadn't been able to find at the used bookstore, a few TTs and some older HSR. I haven't received my November HH so I can watch the mail this week for those. My November HSR are here but it is too warm to read Christmas stories...I will wait for the next cold front! ;)

WEST OF HEAVEN Rated B+ Sex- Sweet
Victoria Bylin
7/2004
Rom/H-Frontier

WEST OF HEAVEN by Victoria Bylin (HH714) 7/2004

The hero Ethan Trent is a very wounded hero having lost his entire family. Now he is a bitter man wanting to be left alone to wallow in his misery. But he finds a body in his barn which bring the man's pregnant widow to his ranch. She is sick and stranded until the snow melts.
Jayne wants to leave as badly as Ethan wants her gone but he is racked with guilt because the first night he made her stay in his cold barn instead of offering her hospitality in his house.
When Jayne's dead husband puts a dangerous outlaw on her trail Ethan will do anything to protect her and her baby.

***************

A SCANDALOUS SITUATION Rated B+ Sex - Semi-Hot
Patricia Frances Rowell
8/2004
Rom/H-Regency

Saturday evening I finished A SCANDALOUS SITUATION by Patricia Frances Rowell (HH716). This wouldn't be a good read to anyone that hates rape in their story, the heroine, Iantha is gang raped in the first chapter and the young men are never caught. The hero, Rob Armstrong rescues her from a snow bank taking her to his castle, later offering her marriage. He then is helping her to remember things about the night hopefully to identify who they were. After they marry he is slowly wooing her sexually. The book is Semi-Hot. Very tender read.

Happy Reading!

2004-10-05T06:32:00.000-07:00

While in Denver I picked a few older westerns, this weekend I read one, FAN THE FLAME by Suzanne Elizabeth. The book started out great, the banter between Samatha James and U.S. Marshall Max Barrett was great. It fell a little towards the end.

FAN THE FLAME Rated B Sex- Semi-Hot
by Suzanne Elizabeth (1993)
Historical Western

For once, Samantha James was determined to follow her head instead of her heart, which had been broken twice already. Leaving home to teach school in Utah sounded like a sensible plan. Until her father insisted that she travel with arrogant U.S. Marshal Max Barrett--a towering man who dizzied her with desire. The Montana trail they rode held danger from a bloodthirsty gang whose leader Max had struck down. But the greatest danger lurked within Max himself. For he felt a fierce longing for the woman he was supposed to protect. And when Max and Samantha were swept by a passion as deep as the craggy canyons and a glorious as a Rocky sunset, they could only fear what lay ahead.

2004-09-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

To say this has been the worst month in my romance reading history since I started read again is an understatement. My total this month is 6 books. What happened, you ask? Yes, I can hear you....well, on September the 1st I got hit with a big dose of a cancer drug during my last chemo. It would have been nice if my oncologist had told me beforehand he was doing it but no, he talks to himself more than me. Oh well, that is over. WOOHOO

Then when I was about to recover from chemo I took a trip to Denver with my husband for a long weekend. He worked, I played. Two of my reading buddies took me out shopping to a wonderful used bookstore in Boulder were I found about 15 books on my wish list. It was a wonderful day of books, good food and friends. Thank you Pam and Tracy.

Now to the 6 books. Most were time travels all rated Bs, didn't have an A this month.

MIDNIGHT MAN Rated B+ Sex- Burning Lisa Marie Rice 2003Rom/C e-book
The hero has a hard on the entire book! Two explosive up against the wall sex scenes. I will be reading more of her e-books.

ON THE LINE Rated C Sex - Good sexual tension
Kathryn Shay7/2004Rom/C
She doesn't disappoint me often but just didn't feel the usually snap, crackle, and pop Shay's past books have had. Still, her firefighters always give me tingles!

STILL CLOSE TO HEAVEN Rated B+ Sex- Good sexual tension Kathleen Kane 8/1997Rom/H/Gh-Frontier
Great angel want-a-be, ghost story. The hero is sent to save a young girl but forgets to erase her memory of him. She falls in love with him waiting to one day marry him but he is a ghost working on becoming an angel.

ALICIA's SONG Rated B Sex-Good sexual tension Susan Plunkett 4/2001Rom/TT-Frontier
I read the 2nd James sister book before this book, it was just a bit better - more emotional. As far as I can find out the 3rd book was never published.

UNTAMED TIME Rated B+ Sex- Good sexual tension Susan Plunkett
2/1999Rom/TT-Frontier
The heroine has very strong mating urges for the hero but he wants to go back to his time and doesn't want to take her virginity. She is always giving the poor man looks of hunger. :)

STARDUST TIME Rated B+ Sex- Good sexual tension Marti Jones 6/1995Rom/TT-Victorian
The heroine is a bit dizzy at first, she had all the modern conveniences in her century and she used them. When she is faced with no modern conveniences she can't even boil water much less change a baby's dirty diaper.

2004-09-01T06:24:00.000-07:00

My best read this past month was YOURS UNTIL DAWN, a keeper. I was disappointed in a few books, THE BABE MAGNET, HARD LOVIN' MAN and WINDMILLS IN TIME.

I started one of Kathryn Shay's books last night ON THE LINE, so I know September is going to start off with a bang!

THE BABE MAGNET. Wells, Robin. 6/2004. . [Rom/C]Convenience, Secret baby
FATHER IN SECRET. McArthur, Fiona. 11/2001. . Mills & Boon Medical Romance. MBM-1021^. [Rom/C]Doctor/Nurse, Office, Single parent
HARD LOVIN' MAN. Heath, Lorraine. 11/2003. . [Rom/C]Hometown, Reunited
HONKY-TONK CINDERELLA. Templeton, Karen. 12/2001. . Silhouette Intimate Moments. SIM-1120. [Rom/C]Opposites
MAKING MEMORIES. Anderson, Caroline. 9/2000. . Mills & Boon. MB-4799. [Rom/C]Office, Reunited, Secret baby
PETER. Leigh, Ana. 12/1998. . [Rom/H-Riverboat/Frontier]Convenience, Unrequited
THE PROPOSITION. Bridges, Kate. 9/2004. . Harlequin Historical. HH-719. [Rom/H-Frontier]Escort, Single parent
THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY. MacAlister, Katie. 7/2004. . [Rom/H-Regency]Convenience, Single parent
WHAT DADDY DOESN'T KNOW. Quinn, Tara Taylor. 9/2004. . Harlequin Superromance. HS-1225. [Rom/C]Office, Reunited, Secret baby
WHEN HE WAS WICKED. Quinn, Julia (2). 7/2004. . [Rom/H-Regency]Bad Boy, Forbidden, Friend's spouse, Unrequited
WINDMILLS IN TIME. Bruce, Victoria. 10/1998. . [Rom/TT-Frontier]Switch
YOURS UNTIL DAWN. Medeiros, Teresa. 8/2004. A+, 08/04, 2004>. [Rom/H-Regency]Doctor/Nurse, Handicap/Injury

2004-08-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

I just love it went I run across a book that totally surprises me, when I think the plot is so similar to other books but then author adds a twist that just blows you away. Teresa Medeiros does just that with her new release YOUR UNTIL DAWN.

Gabriel Fairchild, Earl of Sheffield was the golden boy of the ton and a fool in love with Cecily March. They had a secret romance mainly through letters, Cecily wanted a man and to prove his love Gabriel joined the Royal Navy. During a fierce battle Gabriel is left blind and scarred, then deserted by both family and his beloved Cecily, living in darkness at his country estate.

Samantha Wickerman comes to Fairchild Park as Gabriel's nurse. She is shocked how she finds his beautiful country home. Littered with broken furniture, dishes, and draped in totally darkness. When Gabriel first approaches Samantha like a raging lion she stand up to him, he finds her by the fresh smell of her lemon verbena. Gabriel sniffing the air to find her had me laughing.

The banter between Samantha and Gabriel is a hoot. She is no timid mouse while this golden lion stalks her hoping to get her to leave him alone in his misery. As she tears down the dirty curtains adding sunshine and hope to Gabriel's life, he opens up to her about being a fool in love.

The twist? Well, if I were you I would run out and bought YOURS UNTIL DAWN because this is a keeper. I believe I will be rereading this one very soon.

YOURS UNTIL DAWN Rated A+ Sex- Sweet TeresaMedeiros 7/2004 Rom/H

2004-08-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

My daughter is back in the hospital, she had surgery yesterday morning. While sitting in her room I did finish WHEN HE WAS WICKED by Julia Quinn. Not on of her best books but a plenty read.

WHEN HE WAS WICKED Rated C+ Sex- Sensual
Julia Quinn

Francescas was more of a friend to Michael that lover, her great love was with John. But then to me John wasn't a great love either, both men seem more like friends to her.
I would have loved to seen more hot love scenes between Michael and Francescas while they were trapped in Scotland. Less talk more loving.

My next book up is YOURS UNTIL DAWN Teresa Medeiros 7/2004 Rom/H. Fatin highly recommended this book.

2004-08-12T06:19:00.000-07:00

MAKING MEMORIES Rated B+ Sex- Sensual Caroline Anderson 9/2000 Rom/C

In this older MB....Five years before after a brief love affair Max disappeared from Annie's life. They had been so much in love that Annie was at a lost to explain what happened and as hard as she tried to find to tell him she was pregnant she couldn't find him.
Five years later while living back in her hometown she runs into Max and bumps into their son Harry. Max tries to talk to Annie but she walks away.
The next day Annie is surprised to find that Max is working at her clinic as a locum for another doctor. Now she must work with him.
When Max finally tells Annie why he leave she is furious with him for making a decision that should have been hers. Max has leukemia and after several rounds of chemo is in remission, but he is afraid to let Harry know he is his father for fear he will die leaving him again.
Annie talks Max into making memories with her and Harry....

FATHER IN SECRET Rated B Sex - Sensual Fiona McArthur 11/2001 Rom/C

WHAT DADDY DOESN'T KNOW Rated C- Sex - None Tara Taylor Quinn 9/2004 Rom/C

I love Tara Taylor Quinn books but didn't care for this one at all. I don't dislike the secret baby theme but it isn't one of my favorites. The secret is understandable at first because when a one night stand turns into a pregnancy for Juliet and Blake. But Blake is out of the country and can't be reached. The next time Blake is in town he is married, so Juliet keeps her secret but she tells Mary Jane all about her father and leaves the decision to tell him to an 8 year old child.
Some readers would use the word adorable to me Mary Jane was an 8 year old brat. Her mother treats her like an adult letting her make adult decides that Juliet should have made.
After becoming involved again with Blake during his trail Juliet knew she should tell Blake they have a daughter but Mary Jane forbids her to.
I was ready to get this book over with.....to bad Mary Jane was 2 years old and hardly talking!

HONKY-TONK CINDERELLA Rated C Sex- Sweet Karen Templeton 12/2001 Rom/C

Truck-stop waitress Luanne Evans had known the customer who wound up in her trailer one night was not exactly one of the local boys. As to who he WAS, she didn't care. For when he was gone, she would have nothing but memories. Or so she thought....

Prince Aleksander Vlastos had run out on Luanne eleven years ago, and he'd lived with regret ever since. But regret wasn't the only thing he'd left behind. There was a ten-year-old child -- the heir to Alek's throne. Luanne had had him for ten years, and now it was HIS turn. She owed him. And he'd come to collect....
There is a twist to this story........Luanna married her best friend when she found herself preganant, they tried to make it work until her husband realized who child it was. After his death he sent a letter to the boys Princely father. Now Alek has returned to claim them both.
But can a honky tonky waitress be turned into a princess?

2004-08-12T06:14:00.000-07:00

I am getting into the reading mood again, THANK HEAVENS! Being surrounded by book all the time and no desire to read is the pits.

The first book I picked up by my bed was FATHER IN SECRET by Fiona McArthur an older Mills Boon book a friend sent me from New Zealand.

Theo is burned out, his ex-wife is hiding his son during his visitations. She wants more money if he wants to visit with his son.
Theo takes a locum job a hospital in his hometown but will not tie himself down with improvement projects or make friends just in case his ex-wife decided to move Sam farther away from him.
When Savanaha moves into her deceased uncles farm house to care for all the animals and run the local hospital's emergency room she doesn't expect the first person she runs into is the first boy that kissed her, Theo. Theo has changed from the fun carefree teenager she knew in to a bitter loner. But the instant attraction is still there.
Against Sam's will he begins to be involved more with Savanaha her fresh ideas for improving the ER and her happiness in small things like naming all her pigs.
It isn't long before Sam wants more than just his son in his life he wants Savanaha too. Now he just has to figure out how to tell her he has a son.

2004-08-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Friday ~ No books this week! I can't believe I haven't read one book this week, I can blame it on several things.........my daughter is still sick, my FIL has been in and out of my house all week long, getting ready for school, and playing SIMs Makin' Magic. Notice I didn't say cleaning the house, doing the laundry, or mowing the yard. Maybe this weekend I can get into a book.

2004-07-23T16:37:00.000-07:00

Jillian Hart is usually one of my favorite western author but THE HORSEMAN fell flat for me. I enjoy her more alpha heroes.

Katelyn is back living with her mother and step father after she has been beaten, miscarried her daughter, and then set aside by her husband because she is now barren. Her step father plans to rid himself of her as fast as possible and offers her to The Horseman, Dillon as payment for breaking some of his horses.

Dillon saw Katelyn through the window, she is beautiful, like golden angel and he is in love. Dillon can talk to horses but has never been able to court a woman. With Katelyn he gentles her like a wounded horse. He gets her away from her step father taking her to a hotel where she can see a doctor and start to heal. Then he gives her the choice of a train ticket or marriage and his love. When Katelyn chooses Dillon they move to his home and she falls in love with her husband, but he doesn't know she can't have anymore children.

For beta hero lovers this is a great book, for the more alpha lovers it tended to drag.

THE HORSEMAN Rated C+
Jillian Hart
8/2004
Rom/H
Dillon Hennessey was a man like no other. Strong yet caring, determined yet kind. But he was still a man, Katelyn Green reminded herself, and therefore not to be trusted. Hadn't her own husband abandoned her in her hour of need? And yet the whispers in her soul promised happiness with this man who'd gentled horses and her heart!

Katelyn Green had lost a child, and Dillon knew it ate away at her very core. He would help her if he could, if he had the words and ways. But would his tenderness be enough to win a woman who'd been robbed of her faith in love?

2004-07-21T05:34:00.000-07:00

Reading is my favorite past time but while your in the hospital some of the petty things the hero/heroine do in books made me want to shake them. That is what happened a few times in the 3 books I read will staying with my daughter. It is very hard to concentrate when the door opens every few minutes with a nurse or doctor. I did read a 3 Harlequin Super Romances:

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Rated B
Inglath Cooper
7/2004
Rom/C

I enjoyed this one....Culley and Addy were childhood pals all the way to high school. Culley dated anything in a skirt and Addy fell in love with the new boy in school, Mark. Mark and Addy moved away but years later Addy walks in on Mark and his pregnant lover.
When she is in NYC she happens to bump in to Culley who is now a single father and doctor in their hometown. Sparks of passion fly between them and they have a night of passion.
When Addy's mother starts having problems with the family orchard Addy flies home to help for a while. Culley hopes he can convince Addy to stay for a life time.

DADDY's LITTLE MATCHMAKER Rate C
Roz Denny Fox
8/2004
Rom/C

Widower Alan Ridge wonders if Laurel Ashline, a weaver who's just arrived in Ridge City, Kentucky, can do what no doctor has: help his daughter, Louemma. He's skeptical about weaving as therapy but he'll do anything for Louemma. Her injuries resulted from the accident that killed her mother — although Alan's never understood where his wife was going that icy winter day.…

THE RIGHT WOMAN Rated C-
Linda Warren
8/2004
Rom/C
Sarah Welch didn't know she had a twin until five years ago, when a string of events led her through the seedy underbelly of Dallas to the family she didn't know she had. Sarah has spent those five years trying to forget what she went through — forget the man who was gunned down, the criminal she helped put behind bars and the cop who saved her life.

Now Sarah is in danger once again. And while this time she's able to confide her fears to her twin sister, there's only one person who can truly help her — Daniel Garrett, the cop who never stopped loving her. Working by Daniel's side to stop a killer, Sarah begins to accept Daniel as part of her past.

And part of her future…

I've just started THE HORSEMAN by Jillian Hart a August Harlequin Historical. She has become one of my favortie western authors.

2004-07-17T06:49:00.000-07:00

I only had time to read one book this week because my daughter is in the hospital. I finished MOON IN THE WATER by Elizabeth Grayson....very good. Gave it a B.

She wanted nothing but freedom -- and found herself surrendering to temptation....

Ann Rossiter is no man's idea of the perfect wife, yet she has a chance -- a single chance -- to insure her future. To protect her unborn child, Ann agrees to marry a common riverboat pilot. In exchange, he'll gain command of her stepfather's magnificent new steamer -- the ANDROMEDA. But as they ply the western rivers together, Ann is drawn to her new husband, to his quiet strength and smoldering magnetism. Still, she dares not yield her heart for fear he will discover her most terrifying secret.

As the ANDROMEDA steams toward the wilds of the Montana Territory, Chase Hardesty finds himself falling in love with his new bride. But when Ann's past comes back with a vengeance, will their marriage of convenience end in tragedy -- or in love forever?

2004-07-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, can't believe I haven't posted any reads since June 29th. I've read a few books just nothing to brag about. I reviewed a e-book, KATHLEEN that the author probably would have been happier if I hadn't read it.
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/2004/nov04/K_IP.html

After that I read a Time Travel, PASSION's TIMELESS HOUR by Vivian Knight-Jenkins
7/1992 Rom/TT-Civil War/1960s,70s/Vietnam War. I enjoyed this book but not the ending, just way to rushed.

I've got a few new books sitting at the top of my TBR.
ON THE LINE by Kathryn Shay (my favorite author)
THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY by Katie MacAliaster (new to me author)
AND THEN CAME YOU by Maureen Child (review book)
CLAY by Ana Leigh (wagon train)
MOON IN THE WATER by Elizabeth Grayson (another favorite author)
ANYWHERE YOU ARE by Constance O'Day-Flannery
THE BABE MAGNET by Robin Wells
MS. SIMON SAYS by Mary McBride
AGAIN THE MAGIC by Lisa Kleypas
DEVIL TAKES A BRIDE by Gaelen Foley
PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION by Susan Donovan

All of July's Harequin Historicals
TEXAS BRIDE by Carol Finch
THE DUTIFUL RAKE by Elizabeth Rolls (I've read the M&B issue)
FULK THE RELUCTANT by Elaine Knighton
WEST OF HEAVEN by Victoria Bylin

Now that I am between chemos, moved my FIL into the in law house, and we've finished the home improvements for the time being maybe I can get back to my reading frenzy!

2004-06-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Oh, forgot to mention the book I read last night....contemporary suspense, it has a very hot and horny cowboy. :)

LAUREN'S EYES by Norah Wilson B+
8/2004 Rom/C Suspense

You can find Mad's review here.
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/2004/mar04/LE_NW.html

This is one book to watch for.

2004-06-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

I got back into the traditional regencies with 3 Elizabeth Rolls book reading one right after the other. THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE - B+, THE UNRULY CHAPERON - B, and THE DUTIFUL RAKE - C+.
I like her writing style, her heroes are rakes and a bit of a womanizer. They want the traditional English marriage of convenience but find themselves very much in love with their heroines...of course, they fight the love on every page. :)

Then I am still reading the time travels...the past few days have found me reading:
ONCE IN EVERY LIFE by Kristin Hannah B-
2/1993 Rom/TT/R-Frontier

At the beginning of the book Jack is thinking of committing suicide. A bit selfish since he had 2 little girls and a new baby on the way. His wife is a bitch....made her 12 y.o. daughter do all the cooking, cleaning, taking care of her younger sister Katy.

The girls are adorable, starved for love. Jack has built a wall around himself that the girls can't climb and most of the book he fights when they or Tess / Lissa reaches out to him.

He has blackouts and panic attacks because of the Civil War......he is afraid he will hurt his family. His wife makes him sleep on the couch or in the barn, again she was a bitch!

Lissa made the girls laugh, she even has Jack grinning now and then against his will. She had never cooked or cleaned but she tries with some funny results. Savannah does most of the cooking but Lissa learning as they go.

They love to play games and have fun...Katy and Savannah open up to Lissa like baby birds starving. Lissa teaches them to paint....throw freebies, and make daisy chains.

TIME AFTER TIME by Constance O'Day-Flannery B
3/2001 Rom/TT-Victorian

Kelly and Daniel both looked like each other's deceased spouse. It was just to comfortable and easy for each to fall in love with each other.

Kelly was married to Michael for only a year before she sent him to the store for pantyhose and he walked into a robbery and is killed.
Daniel's wife was English, he brought her to New Orleans even though she was weak, frail, and pregnant with his child. She dies of yellow fever when their daughter is a month old.

The daughter, Lizzie is 12 y.o. now, Daniel has allow his housekeeper to raise her with some disasters results. She runs wild in the Louisiana swamps and speaks like a backwoods man.

Good read but no heavy emotions.

YESTERDAY AND FOREVER by Vickie Presley C+
3/1999 Rom/TT-Frontier

At some spots the heroine, Bailey irritated me to death...it was her way or no way...she got the hero, Zach and herself in trouble because she thought she knew better then him. The three younger sister, reminded me of little sisters in THE BAD LUCK WEDDING DRESS by Geralyn Dawson just all grown up.

A TASTE OF HEAVEN by Barbara Benedict C -
9/1993 Rom/TT-Old South

A TASTE OF HEAVEN is really weird with Voodoo and a soul stealer.....I liked the book until it started the soul snatching.

Judith is raising her niece to steal her body and then give her soul to this snake but something went wrong and the heroine, Monica (the niece) switched body's with her evil aunt Monique in the past. Very confusing!! Monique and Judith are the same person but one lives in the present the other in the past.

Monica wakes up to a husband, Drew that hates her and 3 children that are terrified of her. She has to win their trust and respect...the little girl looks into Monica's eyes and knows almost from the beginning her mother is gone but a wonderful new mommy lives in her body.
There was just to much time traveling, Voodoo, and evil for me in this story. And after what the evil wife, Monique did to the Drew, I was so surprised he could even think of trusting the Monica in her body.

2004-06-26T07:32:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

My Novel Thoughts are up on SOMETHING ABOUT THE LADY by Carol McPhee.
Go check them out, look for DeeKay.

Novel Thoughts:
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/indexT.html

2004-06-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting book last night, I traded books with a lady in Wales, it is THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE by Elizabeth Rolls...this is a Mills & Boon historical romance, 2000 release.

Why it was interesting is that some of the phases that Ms. Rolls used I had never heard before in a traditional regency. In one part the hero's heir/cousin is in debt to money lenders, "The Jews have their claws into him." The other phases are very proper English.

Ms. Rolls is now releasing her M&B books to Harlequin Historical. I've got the M&B copy of THE DUTIFUL RAKE and should receive a copy of the HH later this month. I can't wait to compare them to see if she has changes up her wording.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE has a widower the Earl of Darleston needing an heir so he decides to take a wife. He has a wicked mistress that cause havoc trying to get him to marry her, an evil cousin that is his heir now, and bitter past with a wife that cuckolds him while he as away fighting at Waterloo. It doesn't look like he is going to take the news he married the wrong twin and that she is blind very well.

Penelope and Phoebe switch places so that Phoebe can marry the man she loves, since Darleston only ask for Miss Ffolliot's hand in marriage not Miss Phoebe Ffolliot. Darleston warns Penelope just before the marriage never to expect love from him and she never is to pretend to love him. She lets her guard down a few times but after he rebuffs her once or twice she starts to build barriers around her heart. Darleston blows hot and cold throughout the book, being almost loving then hateful to Penny.

I stayed up a late to see how this one turned out, I wasn't disappointed. I think I might start THE DUTIFUL DUKE this afternoon, the July HHs are due any day now.

THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE B+
Elizabeth Rolls
2000
Rom/H-Regency

The Earl of Darleston was in a fix. If he was to cut out his obnoxious cousin from the succession, he must marry. But after a disastrous first marriage, he wouldn't endanger his heart again -- this would be a marriage of convenience only. Miss Phoebe Ffolliot seemed ideal. But after the wedding he was shocked speechless to discover that "Phoebe" was really Penelope -- Phoebe's blind twin....

2004-06-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

I need to catch up on my reading journal, I've read 2 or 3 books I haven't told you about. I've start with a great time travel.

A TIME FOR LOVE grabbed me the first chapter as the heroine Elizabeth Mackenzie is sitting in her dentist chair having a tooth pulled while sniffing laughing gas. She is enjoying the floating feeling when she hears a roaring sound and then everyone disappears from the room. As she gets up she walks out into a wild west town. Believing she is hallucinating she goes with two cowboys take her believing she is their boss's proxy bride. With a mouthful of gauze she slurs her words so when she finally meet the boss, Jordan McCabe, the proxy groom he thinks she is a blubbering idiot who wears men's trouser with a paper bib.

Jordan is picking his bride up in Wichita on his way back home to his Texas ranch driving 500 head of cattle. When he sees Cynthia/Elizabeth is disappointed she isn't what she claimed in all the letter she wrote him. He believed her to be a quiet southern belle but this woman slurred her words, dresses in men's clothing, then grabbed a bottle of whiskey downing it yelling how much pain she was in. Now she is passed out under the wagon.

When Elizabeth runs a high fever Jordan decides to leave the cattle drive and head for a sodbuster's house hope they will let her rest and recover there. But Jordan and Elizabeth stay with the family is filled with violence and dead as the abuses father is killed and the mother is guilt ridden kills herself leaving two innocence children, Julie and Cory.

Elizabeth vows to find the perfect home for these two love starved children as she makes Jordan load their pitiful few possessions into the wagon. As Elizabeth excepts she is living in the past she falls in love with Jordan and the 2 children. But when Jordan finds out in the next town that Cynthia turned back to Georgia and the woman who is claiming to be his bride is nothing but a liar and thief he wants nothing to do with her and decides an orphanage is the best place for the children.

Elizabeth fights him every step of the way back to Texas through 3 states and a long cattle drive. There are some wonderful emotional parts as the children bond to both Jordan and Elizabeth. Elizabeth has to find out why she has been sent back to the past, she believes it is to find a loving home for Cory and Julie, know how they both feel living with an abusive father.

I love this story because; cattle drives, a strong heroine, sexy cowboy, and children that need love are some of my favorites. There is some very funny parts then some that having you reaching for a hanky. The ending of the book is beautiful giving it perfect closure. This is my first Constance O'Day-Flannery, I've ordered a few more of her TT and hopefully they will be arriving in the mail this coming week.

A TIME FOR LOVE Rated A
Constance O'Day-Flannery
2/1991
Rom/TT-Frontier
The story of a fiercely independent woman whose wounded heart has made her give up on finding Mr. Right -- until a rough and ready cowboy from the past shows her how wonderful true love can be...

Elizabeth Mackenzie had decided long ago that happily-ever after was just an illusion. Her career was what mattered, and the ambition that had carried her through many lonely Saturday nights brought her West to land a new account for her communications firm. Then the force of a tornado took her even further -- back in time to 1876... and into the arms of handsome Texas rancher Jordan McCabe.

Mistaken for Jordan's mail-order bride, Elizabeth soon discovered a passion powerful enough to make her believe in love. But could she sacrifice all she had known in her former life for a fragile dream that could vanish at any given moment? As she struggled to understand the choices that lay ahead, Elizabeth came face to face with her own destiny... and the desires that tempted her very soul.

2004-06-18T11:45:00.000-07:00

I am still reading the Time Travels.
I had a good week with 5 books, my favorite was BETHANY'S SONG by Susan Plankett. This is a very emotional book that starts with a weak heroine whose strengths grows with each page.

SIXPENCE BRIDE Rated B
Virginia Farmer
6/2000
Rom/TT-Medieval

Jilted by her fiancé, Jocelyn Tanner had to struggle not to believe that her own value had been somehow diminished. Still, she knew better than to let that fear ruin her tour of England. But no one had explained to her that there would be a mock bride auction -- or that she would be sucked back in time to the close of the eighteenth century.

SOMETHING ABOUT THAT LADY Rated B
Carolyn McPhee
6/2004
Rom/C ~ E-Book

Widow Bri Beaumont's friendship with blind Matthew Cameron is pushed the limit by his brother's Jed's instead dislike of her. Jed wants no woman on their Alberta ranch.

A TIME FOR LOVE Rated A
Constance O'Day-Flannery
2/1991
Rom/TT-Frontier

One minute Elizabeth Mackenzie is sitting in the dentist chair having a tooth pulled then a tornado whisk her to 1786 into the arms of a cowboy who believes she is his proxy bride.

BETHANY's SONG Rated A+
Susan Plunkett
11/2001
Rom/TT-Frontier

Bethany and her sisters all sing in cemeteries, especially for people that don't have anyone at their funeral. As Bethany and her sisters turn to leave after singing one foggy evening, they are swept away in the River of Time. Bethany lands in another cemetery with a knot on her head in Juneau Alaska in the year 1895.

THE HEALER Rated B+
Jean Brashear
1/2003
Rom/C

This is the second book of her Deep in the Heart series.
Brilliant, driven surgical superstar Caroline Malone is desperate to recover from the injury that threatens to end her career, and she'll try anything that might help her heal -- including a rest away from it all in the remote Davis Mountains of west Texas.

Half Latino, half Anglo, Diego Montalvo knows exactly how it feels to have fate change your life. Three years ago he lost men as a Special Forces medic, and almost lost his life. Now back in the valley he left to follow the call of ambition -- and feeling a measure of peace at last -- he's trying to make a new life combining his Western medical training with the nontraditional ways of his Latino heritage as a curandero or folk healer.

2004-06-14T08:59:00.000-07:00

I should know not to pick up a book late in the evening but I had been petting BETHANY'S SONG by Susan Plunkett all weekend. I read the first chapter and here I sit at 8:30AM after a sleepless night of reading.

BETHANY'S SONG is the second book in what seems to be a trilogy about sisters that time travel throught the River of Time but Bethany's story was published in November 2001 and the youngest sister doesn't have a book yet. I've added ALICIA'S SONG to my "find ASAP" list! :)

Bethany and her sisters all sing in cemeteries, especially for people that don't have anyone at their funeral. As Bethany and her sisters turn to leave after singing one foggy evening, they are swept away in the River of Time. Bethany lands in another cemetery with a knot on her head in Juneau Alaska in the year 1895.

As Matthew Gray and four men bury Matthew's father they hear a moaning sound coming from behind a stone angel grave marker. Curled in a ball lays a hurt woman. Matthew is still grieving the lost of his beloved wife and son two years ago to childbirth. He isn't ready to move on but Bethany has a way of melting his cold heart.

There is a mystery of where all the money has gone from Matthew's father's gold mine. And lots sexual tension between Matthew and Bethany as they both try to stay away from each other. It is wonderfully emotional.

BETHANY's SONG Rated A+
Susan Plunkett
11/2001
Rom/TT-Frontier

2004-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY FIVE

1.) Would you consider yourself an organized person? Why or why not?
No, no, no.
I am left brained and my right brain is away fighting it to do something
about this mess, so they both get confused and just sit down to read a book.

2.) Do you keep some type of planner, organizer, calendar, etc., with you,
and do you use it regularly?
I keep a paper in my purse of what books I am looking for does that count as
a planner?

3.) Would you say that your desk (work/home) is organized right now?
OMG....no! I am Miss Disorganized.
I've even had to start using AOLs Calendar for my chemo treatments and
doctors appt. it reminds me the day before.

4.) Do you alphabetize CDs, books, DVDs, or does it not matter?
No, but my son keeps his in alphabetical order can I count his??

5.) What's the hardest thing you've ever had to organize?
I've tried 3 times to inventory my books on BYRON and then have them in the
shelves in that alphabetical order by author. After the computer crashed 6
times I gave up. Now that I've got a new computer I hope to do this again this
fall while I wait for the hair to grow back!

2004-06-11T05:27:00.000-07:00

Last night's book, RIVER OF DREAMS started off with lots of promise but got a little too confusing and then too many space jumpers. Brianna goes a seance where a spirit, Griffin takes great interest in her through her best friend David's body. He returns a few times tell her that she is his great love and she needs to come to him. Later Brianna is struck by lightening and she is in Amily's body in 1832.
Griffin is married to Amily's cousin but loves Amily as much as she loves him. They both love Florence his wife and would never hurt her so they stay apart. Florence has had 6 miscarriages and is now pregnant again and Brianna being a midwife is determined to save her.
There are lots of tender scenes of forbidden love, enjoyable read just not a keeper. WAITING FOR YESTERDAY by Jenny Lykins is a keeper for me.

RIVER OF DREAMS Rated C
Jenny Lykins
7/1999
Rom/TT/Gh-Old South

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, 1999.

Brianne Davis thought a séance would liven up her busy life. But now she's haunted by the persistent voice of a lovestruck ghost!

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, 1832.
In a flash of lightning, Brianne wakes up in the body of another woman -- in another time. And the ghostly voice unleashed in the séance is there in the flesh, promising to love her... body and soul.

2004-06-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

A WOMAN's TOUCH Rated B+
Bernadette Carr
5/1998
Rom/TT-Frontier/Edwardian

Courtney James' parents were killed when she was very young, raised by her grandmother, after whose death, Courntey is alone. She tries to stay busy by volunteer with senior citizens but she is very lonely and wishes for a family of her own.

One magical night a 12 year old boy, Peter in Montana 1896 makes a birthday wish for a woman to take care of him and his 2 brothers Matt and Travis. At the same time in 1996 Courtney makes her wish, later Courtney is found upon a hill over looking their ranch.

Matt doesn't trust women, they always seem to leave. He believe that Courtney is a soiled dove some cowboy no longer wanted, dumping her on his ranch. Peter loves how Courtney cleans, cooks, and gives lots of hugs. Travis wants to marry her so she will stay on the ranch but Matt eyes follow every moves she makes wanting her with every fiber of his being but hating himself and her for it.

*** Matt needs a baseball bat a few times, he just can't believe Courtney is a wonnderful woman and he can trust her with his love. Very good book.

2004-06-07T12:06:00.000-07:00

BUSHWHACKED BRIDE Rated C+
Eugenia Riley
6/1999
Rom/TT-Outlaw/Frontier

Jessica Garrett is bushwhacked back in time to the Wild West, only to become the captive of five sexy, dangerous outlaw brothers looking for a bride!

"JUMPING JEHOSHAPHAT! YOU'VE SHANGHAIED THE NEW SCHOOLMARM!"

Ma Reklaw bellowed at her sons and wielded her broom with a fierceness that had all five outlaw brothers running for cover; it didn't take a Ph.D. to realize that in the Reklaw household, Ma was the law. Professor Jessica Garrett watched dumbstruck as the members of the feared Reklaw Gang turned tail -- one brother up a tree, another under the hay wagon, and one in a barrel.

Having unceremoniously kidnapped by the rowdy brothers, the green-eyed beauty took great pleasure in their discomfort until Ma Reklaw found a new way to sweep clean her sons disreputable behavior -- by offering Jessica's hand in marriage to the best behaved. Jessie had heard of shotgun weddings, but a broomstick betrothal was ridiculous! As the dashing but dangerous desperadoes started the wooing there was no telling what would happen with... ONE BRIDE FOR FIVE BROTHERS.

***This was a fun read, Cole chased Jessie all over the ranch trying to steal kisses when he wasn't steal a gold shipment. The town's folk fell in love with her also. Ma Reklaw reminded me of the old movies with Ma and Pa Kettle, she kept her boys in line with nothing but a broom.

2004-06-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER LOVE Rated B+
Susan Plunkett
12/1996
Rom/TT-Frontier
Jove Time Passages
ALASKA, 1866.

Winifred McCanless only family Joey has died after graduating college, she so misses her beloved brother. One night while working on a cure for cancer in her lab lightening strikes killing her.

At the same time in Alaska 1866 Felicity Forsythe Hamilton, the proxy bride of Ransom Hamilton falls over board and drowns. She has the body of a woman but the mind of a child, but it wasn't her Ransom wanted to marry but her beautiful older sister Cassandra but their father pulled a switch. As Ransom pulls Felicity out of the water she lies lifeless until she coughs and opens her eyes, then Winifred stares into the eyes of the handsomest man she has ever seen.

Winifred likes her new body but isn't to sure she wants the husband, he is arrogant, loves to bark orders, and worst of all be obeyed. But Winifred isn't about to keep quiet even though everyone believes she is a simpleton.
When Ransom is injured after being attacked, the local doctor wants to remove his leg but Winnifred fights for Ransom's leg and life. After he recovers he sees Felicity in a new light but they both still have enemies who seem to be trying to kill Ransom.

***Great TT, lots of twist and turns and some hot love scenes.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A POOR RELATION Rated C+
Joanna Maitland
6/2004
Rom/H-Regency
HH-709

Miss Isabella Winstanley is an heiress but after her first season with no offers and the dead of her father, she returned to the country to help raise her younger brother.

She has returned years later to London to chaperone and sponsor a young cousin whose parents are more interested in their 5 sons than their daughter, Sophia. But when Lord Amburley first sees Isabella she is wearing servants clothes out late at night on the side of a road, he believes she is being assaulted.

Later he meets her in fine clothes with young Sophia believing that Sophia is the heiress and Isabella the poor relative. He is determine to uncover her masquerade. He tempts her into a game of cards which she loses but not without a great fight, he then suggest a race in his carriage for double or nothing.

As Amburley spends time preparing for the race he decides to he likes Isabella even if she is poor.

**This book is very good, just seem to drag with Amburley continently trying to trip up Isabella and Isabella not being honest with him after she fell in love with him. At one point she believes he is about to offer for Sophia and she is willing to let him. She is a stronger heroine that to let the man she love slip through her fingers just to hide a good deed she does. I would have rated it a B if not for this.

2004-06-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

ABDUCTING AMY RAted C
June Calvin
7/2003
Rom/H-Regency

Amy Armstrong is beautiful and all the men want her but she has to marry for money so she and her mother are supported. Most of her suitors are young men not yet in control of their money.
Max sees Amy as a fortune hunter and believes she is trying to lurk him by playing coy with him. Max's nephew, Chris is 18 and wants to marry Amy who is always in her circle of admirers. Max worries that Amy will try to put Chris into a compromising so he has to marry her. Amy believes Chris to be a true friend to her, the only man to make her heart beat faster is Max but he still convinced she is a fortune hunter and he has been burned once by one and not again.

I enjoy traditional regency now and then, ABDUCTING AMY has some humor as Amy has to keep her uncle happy while she finds not only a husband that can support her and her mother but she can love. Her uncle wants to marry her off to the richest man and doesn't care for love at all.
It was an enjoyable read.

2004-06-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

WAITING FOR YESTERDAY Rated B+
Jenny Lykins
8/1997
Rom/TT-Edwardian

What would you do if you fell asleep a single virgin to being in the last stages of labor with a husband that hate you? That is what happens to Barrett in WAITING FOR YESTERDAY. She has shut her emotions down after her grandmother died when she was 10. Her parents are to busy to care about how she is and she isn't close to her siblings. Now her guardian angel steps in to whisk her back 1887 and into the body of Elizabeth Alston who is about to give birth.

Chase hates his wife and will never forgive her for betraying him, he can hardly stand to touch her but when the baby she is about to deliver isn't turned right and the doctor hasn't come he must. But he is amazed at the woman she becomes after the baby is born. His Elizabeth is the perfect wife, no dust touch his furniture, her cooking was the envy of all local women, but never show her emotions. His Elizabeth, that now demanded she be called Barrett couldn't cook, she swears, she even laughed when he had never Elizabeth do before. This woman he could fall in love with.

I am beginning to like these TT!

Next up....I think it will be a trad. regency ABDUCTING AMY by June Calvin

2004-06-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest books I've read. I've been on a reading frenzy before the next chemo comes up. Tomorrow is chemo day so I know I will be in the fog again for at least a week, this time I am not reading because it seems to ruin the book for me reading it so slow. I will just play catch up the 2 weeks in between.

Today I plan to start WAITING FOR YESTERDAY by Jenny Lykins. This is a TT with the heroine waking up in full labor with a husband that hates her. Wow, going from single in the 1990 century to pregnant and married in the 1880s.

THE PROMISE Rated B+
by May McGoldrick
9/2001 Georgian/Colonial-England
Themes: Runaway, Adopt, Accused, Single Parent

Another great book, my first my May McGoldrick. This book was recommended by shuana who has similar reading taste to mine. We had been chatting about books that have mistress to the hero...good and bad.
THE PROMISE has a very wicked mistress to the Earl of Stanmore, she had worked for years to get herself into this position and she would do anything to stay there.

Rebecca Neville has to escape England to the colonies after defending herself against being raped by a member of the ton. She is recused by a woman with a newborn baby boy, she buys passage aboard a ship for the America but 5 days into the voyage the woman dies leaving Rebecca to raise the baby boy as best as she can.

Now 9 years later a lawyer has arrived at Rebecca's door in Philadelphia to return the Earl of Stanmore's heir, James to his proper place in England. Rebecca knows she must return James to his father but she plans to go along to be sure "her son" is loved and care for.
Stanmore is intrigued by Rebecca, she is different from other women in his acquaintance. His wife left him, his mother did her duty giving her husband an heir then moved to Scotland, Stanmore viewed most women with contempt.
As he watched the love between mother and son he craves for Rebecca to love him the same way. But of course, there is that other woman, Rebecca's past and others that toss rocks in their path to true HEA.

THE MIDWIFE's SECRET Rated C+
Kate Bridges
2/2003
Rom/H-Frontier ~ Alberta
Themes: Adopt, Secrets

THE MIDWIFE'S SECRET is the only book in my Kate Bridges collection I was missing. I love her Mountie series. TMW isn't as good as her Mountie books but still an enjoyable read.

Amanda Ryan is a divorced midwife posing as a widow who moves to Rocky Mountain Park with her grandmother for a fresh start. She has purchased a plot of land to build a cabin on for her and her grandmother plus any children that need a home.

Tom Murdock owns a sawmill and has just been swindled out of all his money by his partner who even sold part of their land to a woman. When he has the deed check it is legal. He needs money to meet his payroll so he agrees to build Amanda's cabin. As they work side by side clearing the land Tom begins to admire Amanda.

There are a few subplots with Tom's brother, the children Amanda takes off the orphan train to live with her, and the folks in Rocky Mountain Park. Then there is also the secret Amanda holds back from Tom and the town.

2004-05-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

THE LONGING by Wendy Lindstrom
Fredonia, New York, May 1871
This book's title should have been The Secrets, the heroine Amelia has a big one and the hero Kyle has two or three.

To start I didn't read the first book but TL is a stand alone....Grayson married Kyle's fiancee, Evelyn after coming back from the Civil War a tortured soldier, he fell in love with Evelyn and she will him. Kyle is somewhat bitter but can't be hurtful to either because he loves them both. Evelyn is his childhood playmate and friend.

Amelia was seduced and left by Kyle's best friend, Richard. She knows she will not be able to marry now so she becomes the town's teacher. She has to live by very strict codes the school board has adopted. No bright colored dresses, she must be in her little apartment by dusk, only able to visit her parents once a week.

When Kyle believes Amelia's father has betrayed him after years of being friends with competing saw mills he angrily accuses him one night at his office. Her father collapse and dies of chest pains but not before begging Kyle to take care of Amelia and her mother. Even going so far as asking Kyle to marry Amelia and don't let "him near her." He means Richard but Kyle doesn't know what he is talking about, but he isn't about to be forced into a marriage to Amelia. He decides the best way to insure they are okay is to buy her father's mill so he gives Amelia a large bank draft then finds out the mill is near bankrupts.

Kyle goes to Amelia's apartment to get the money back but they are caught by a member of the school board. She is about to be fired when she tells the lady that Kyle is there to ask her to marry him, she forces him to agree. Amelia isn't about to let her reputation be ruined by Kyle which would hurt her mother farther.

They both bring secrets to this marriage but Amelia works very hard to make her marriage work and Kyle happy. He admits to her he still loves Evelyn and she puts off making love with him for fear he will find out she isn't a virgin. As their secrets come out it threatens their marriage and happiness. Rated B

Next book up, THE PROMISE by May McGoldrick.

2004-05-30T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've really been reading this weekend, I am searching for my next to start this evening.
This morning I finished BLUE SKIES by Catherine Anderson.....I love her books but this heroine got a little tedious as she blamed everything AFTER the night on him. Hank is a wonderful beta cowboy that would do anything for his wife and his family. Carly didn't trust him to take care of her. I fell even more in love with him as he ran to the store for 7-up and saltines to get rid of her dry heaves. I rated it C+

Before that I finished SAVING DR. RYAN by Karen Templeton. I like her strong heroines, Maggie is almost penniless, pregnant, and dragging 2 kids to see if her deceased husband great uncle will let them live with him. On the way Maggie goes into labor during a thunderstorm, her two tiny children have to knock on the doctor's door. Ryan has loved and lost, his fiancee broke their engagement because he was always doctoring someone and never there for her. In the years since he has heartened his heart and decided he likes living in his 6 bedroom house all alone. After he delivers Maggie's new daughter he ask her and her children to stay with him until she can get up on her feet.
Maggie begins to turn his house into a home. Rated B

My only disappointing book this weekend has been RETURN TO LITTLE HILLS by Janice Macdonald. Edie is a world famous journalist return home for a month to see if her sister, Viv is right and her 80 year old mother, Maude needs to go in a nursing home. Maude is hard of hearing and drives Edie crazy....she drove me crazy also with her bragging on her oldest daughter Viv and putting down Edie.
Peter Darling is the principal of a trouble teen high school. He has 4 daughters that need a mother but he wants a woman that loves him first and then can be a mother to his children. Edie has no maternal instinct and has no desire to see if she can love his daughters. Peter is captivated by Edie and pursues a relationship with her against everyone's advice.....including mine! He should have just had a hot affair with her then found someone that wanted to raise a family with him.
I just have too much maternal instint to not want to grab those adoreable little girls and their sexy father....Edie put every rock in the path of happiness she could find, just couldn't understand her at all. The fighting with her mother and sister got on my nerves. Rated D

2004-05-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Weekly recap:
I had a wonderful week of reading, my best in a while. I read 6 books - 2
keepers.
WHEN THERE IS HOPE / Jane Goodger (who I think is the new contemporary author
Jane Blackwood with THE SEXIEST DEAD MAN ALIVE) and then the new release by
Kathryn Shay, THE UNKNOWN TWIN. Gave both of these A+.

WHEN THERE IS HOPE Rated A+
Jane Goodger.
6/1996.
Newport, Rhode Island, 1888 / 1990s TT
Susan is happily married to Steven and so excited she is pregnant she is
almost sickening, on her way to see her doctor she is in a fatal car wreck
killing her and the baby. But her guardian angels answer her cries and let her have
a second chance at happiness by giving her Margaret Johnsbury's body after she
is killed in a fatal fall from a horse.

THE MARSHAL AND MRS. O'MALLEY. Rated C+
Julianne MacLean.
6/2001. . Harlequin Historical. HH-564.
Jo O'Malley might have been hell-bent to avenge her husband's murder, but
U.S. Marshal Fletcher Collins swore she wouldn't be allowed to take the law into
her own hands.

THE DUKE's MISTRESS. Rated C+
Ann Elizabeth Cree.
10/2002. .
Historical Romance. HH
Lady Isabelle Milborne had innocently played a part in her late husband's
wager -- which brought about the ruin of Justin, Duke of Westmore.

THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW. Rated C
Charlene Sands.
4/2004. . Harlequin Historical. HH-710.
Glory Shaw survived a nightmare only to awaken to a more disturbing reality —
her dead husband. Wanted for a murder she couldn't recall, she was rescued by
Steven Harding, a man she had ample reason to hate. But how would she call
him "enemy" when her traitorous heart claimed him as her true love?

KEEPING BABY SECRET. Rated B
Beverly Barton.
4/2004. SD-
Frank is not husband and daddy material but when Leenie finds herself
pregnant after a 2 week love affair she doesn't tell Frank he is about to be a
father. When their son, Andrew is 2 months he is kidnapped and now she needs Franks
support and help finding their son.

THE UNKNOWN TWIN. Rated A+
Kathryn Shay.
6/2004. .
Harlequin Superromance. HS-1206.

Alex sweeps her off her feet -- literally, carrying her out of a burning
building. When he gets a good look at her he believes she is another woman, his
childhood playmate and former fiancee, Dana.

2004-05-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't had done it, it was a mistake if I wanted to stay awake today....but I did it and I loved it.

After coming home from the ubs I read KEEPING BABY SECRET by Beverly Barton, short fast SD read. I love Barton's The Protector series, they are stand alone books with really alpha heroes. Frank is not husband and daddy material but when Leenie finds herself pregnant after a 2 week love affair she doesn't tell Frank he is about to be a father. When their son, Andrew is 2 months he is kidnapped and now she needs Franks support and help finding their son. Good book rated it B.

But that wasn't the mistake, starting WHEN THERE IS HOPE by Jane Goodger at 8:30 was the mistake......I could not put this book down, Ms. Goodger kept drawing me farther and farther into the book with each and every chapter. OMG...this poor heroine goes to hell and back to find her HEA.

Susan is happily married to Steven and so excited she is pregnant she is almost sickening, on her way to see her doctor she is in a fatal car wreck killing her and the baby. But her guardian angels answer her cries and let her have a second chance at happiness by giving her Margaret Johnsbury's body after she is killed in a fatal fall from a horse.

Susan/Margaret remembers her angels, her past, and wants to have her baby. As she is recovers from her head wound she realized not only do the servants in her home hate her but her husband, Carter cannot stand the sight of her. But the ever optimistic Susan/Margaret knows she can make them love her just given time. For a month while Carter is out of town on business she turns the servants around but Carter has been fool by this lying bitch before and struggles with his feels and attraction to the woman that wants to be called Maggie now.

Margaret has taken lovers, lied to get her way, throw temper tantrums, disgraced Carter and his family until no one in Newport RI could stand her presents. Carter's family cut her every chances they get, Carter attends parties that she isn't invited to, even when Maggie attend a party in her own home no one speaks to her and when she is sexually assaulted by one of Margaret's old lovers no one comes to her defense not even Carter. Maggie almost gives up but she knows she was given a second chance to have the child she craves and she is set on to making Carter love her and show everyone that she wasn't like the old Margaret.

I cried and cried as Maggie was hurt time after time by Carter and his family. Before Maggie, Carter had been to hell and back and I wonder why those angels didn't give Susan an easier second chance lets this horrible Margaret die and leave Carter in peace. But then Maggie is strong, resilient, and very determined to make her marriage work.

This is a wonderful TT, 3 hanky read, I gave it A+. I hate to say it but I've been a TT snob for years. This might be my 3 TT in over 8 years of reading romance and over 1600 books I've read. What have I been missing?? I think some wonderful books!

To make up for this terrible error in reading judgment I ordered 2 TT form Half.com that I can remember other readers recommending. One has the heroine tossed back in time as she is about to deliver her child into the world. Can you imagine going to sleep single and childless to wake up in hard labor! LOL

I would love it if anyone can recommend some good TT, I've already been checking out Ms. Goodger's other TTs.

2004-05-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

While I watched American Idol, which I said I wasn't going to do but there just wasn't anything on the other 245 channels we get, I read a so-so book.
I hoped for so hot love scenes based on the title and the blurb but that just didn't happen. THE DUKE's MISTRESS by Ann Elizabeth Cree is the book. This is my first Cree book, her story is good just never pulled me in.
Justin's lust for revenge didn't last past the first kiss, but Belle is a wonderful proper English lady, she knows the rules society and follows them to the letter....until Justin.

I am wanting a hot book maybe even burning....I am sure I've got one somewhere in the TBR pile, just have to start surfing the review sites to see.
I think this is because Kathryn Shay's book had some "up against the wall sex."

I've noticed all the lists are very quiet, that means summer is really here. Kids get out of school, moms lose their computer time! Of course, this is a great time to knock down that to be read stack.

Next book up...it is a toss up between A FULL HOUSE by Nadia Nichols and RETURN TO LITTLE HILLS by Janice Macdonald (the hero is a single parent to 4 little girls the cover looks like 2 are twins) Did you see that Mad??

THE DUKE's MISTRESS Rated C+
Ann Elizabeth Cree
10/2002
Rom/H-Regency
(HH705)

SHE WAS WON... IN A WAGER

Lady Isabelle Milborne had innocently played a part in her late husband's wager -- which brought about the ruin of Justin, Duke of Westmore. Gone is the charming young man she had once known, because Justin now has a ruthless plan of his own.

The stricken look on Belle's face when he tells her she must pay what she owes strikes at his conscience. But nothing will stand in the way of his revenge. She must agree to become his mistress for the Season....

2004-05-24T22:42:00.000-07:00

She has done it again...I just love Kathryn Shay's books, THE UNKNOWN TWIN is wonderful. I started it around 5:00 and just finished.

She does her best working telling firefighter stories. Alex is a great hero, strong, sexy, sensitive; a real alpha man with a beta heart.
Lauren is soft, sweet, loving, but afraid to love again after being hurt.

Alex sweeps her off her feet -- literally, carrying her out of a burning building. When he gets a good look at her he believes she is another woman, his childhood playmate and former fiancee, Dana.

I just can't believe some people I know (shaking my finger) still have her books in their TBR, they will be sorry this let her wonderful stories sit for so long.

THE UNKNOWN TWIN Rated A+
Kathryn Shay
HSR 1206
6/2004

Lauren Conway almost didn't make it out alive

She owes her life to Alex Shields, the handsome firefighter who carried her from the burning office building. But when Lauren wakes up in a hospital bed, everyone — including her rescuer — assumes she's suffering from amnesia. They're convinced her real name is Dana.

But Lauren knows she's not ill. What she doesn't know is who this mysterious woman is. And when she finds out, it will turn her life upside down.

2004-05-24T05:54:00.000-07:00

I didn't get to read much this weekend, busy with kids and we had friends over for dinner on Saturday night.

Last night we watched the movie MIRACLE about the US hockey team, I remember watching the real thing. The movie gave me chills bumps it was so real. My DH collects sports movies so this one will be watched many times.

I did finish THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlene Sands, it was good but I easily could put it down to do other things which makes me rate it a C+. If you love the very beta hero, Steven is your hero. He is so in love with Glory he would give her up if it meant she would be happier. His mother ran a whorehouse to support them after his father deserted them and Glory's father was the preacher. Of course, Steven grow up believing Glory was too good for him. Had a bit of a murder mystery to it with who killed Glory's husband.

Well, this is the big week ~ we get a new Idol and a new Swan! To bad they've over promoted both to the point that I couldn't care less! I've notice with my reality TV addiction I've been disappointed in the BIG FINALE! About the only one that really has me glued to the TV and jumping up and down is Survivor. But then it is only about 7 weeks till Big Brother starts.....I wonder if I could get DSL before it begins??!!

2004-05-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

THE FRIDAY FIVE

1.) Do you Blog? What are 5 of your favorite Blogs to read? (you can give links)
Mad's House (I have to track her down each week she moves a lot)
http://madshouse.typepad.com/
Carol Ann's http://shyann64.blogspot.com/
Wendy's (Batgirl) http://super_librarian.blogspot.com/
Leya http://wandeca.blogspot.com/
Kim's http://jaderingo.blog-city.com/

2.) Name 5 things that really piss you off.
Phone calls after 9:00PM about baseball
Phone calls after 10:30 PM from boyfriends or girlfriends on school nights.
Someone eats the last of my Dutch Chocolate ice cream
Kids fighting like 5 years olds when they want to be treated like adults
When I forget to mail out gifts and trades to my friends (pissed at myself)

3.) It is the weekend you CAN NOT read, name 5 things you would do for fun.
Watch movies
Go to garage sales
Go to ubs
Visit with friends
Sleep

4.) Use 5 words to describe yourself.
Humorous
Bald
Totally disorganized
Faithful
Animal lover

5.) Name one item that you wondered "What in the h*ll was I thinking" when you bought it?
Shark Steam Cleaner (I hate to clean!)

2004-05-21T06:11:00.000-07:00

I had a slow week of reading and read one of the best books! I've got a lovely bouquet of keepers.

I just loved THE UNEXPECTED WIFE by Mary Burton HH 708.
It is a Mail Order Bride story but the hero, Matthias has no idea that fancy society lady that his little boy just threw up on his to be his wife. LOL
Thank heavens Abby is not a shrinking violet and stands toe to toe to fight for what she wants from Matthais. I rated this THE UNEXPECTED WIFE / A+

The other book was ONCE A GENTLEMAN by Candice Hern, it was an ugly duckling story that was also great. Pru has been in love with Nick for 4 years but she is like wallpaper to him until the night she falls asleep at his house and her father and her 4 Viking size brothers demand marriage for their ruined daughter and sister. Great fun as Nick and Pru talk to each other about making the marriage work and their individual dreams. Has so very funny parts where Pru shyly tries to seduce her sexy husband and he has to leave the house to cool down. I rated ONCE A GENTLEMAN / B

Now I am reading THE COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlene Sands HH 710.
Steven has loved Glory from a far until one night he comes along a house on fire. Boone Shaw is laying stabbed to death and Glory has been beaten but holds a bloody knife. Steven grabs Glory to takes her to the only place he knows she will be safe from the law, his mother's whorehouse. Glory has picketed for years to have brothel shut down but now it might be her only safe haven. Should finish this one this afternoon.

I checked Walmart for some of my wish list but didn't see anything but reprints!
I am going to have to order the ones I really want.

2004-05-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

I finished ONCE A GENTLEMAN by Candice Hern last night, rated it a B. I think it would have been a better book if I had read it in a day instead of a week. It had some very emotional parts but because spreading the book out it ruined the teary eyed parts. That is why when I start a book I like to finish it in one sitting. I enjoy the shy, unrequited love heroine theme, Nick was a bit alpha in the way I like. Pru changing from a wallflower to a rose in full bloom was very good also.

Yesterday my June Harlequin Historical arrived....WOOHOO 2 westerns!
THE UNEXCEPTED WIFE by Mary Burton and COURTING OF WIDOW SHAW by Charlena Sands. This afternoon I am starting the Burton book.