I found a new (to me) author that I LURVE!!!

The cover art for On Fire's Wings by Christie Golden is what initially attracted my attention. After picking it up and reading the back I immediately had to check out the first few pages to see if it would live up to what looked to be a great book. I was drawn into the story right away *s* 20 pages later (yes I read 20 pages while standing in the bookstore) I HAD to bring it home. It was wonderous. I started reading it about 5:30 pm the day I bought it and finished it at about 10:45. Now I read fast but to sit and go through a book of 439 pages like that, without needing a break, is really unusual. There were no parts where I just skimmed through (which is something I've found myself doing a lot lately unfortunately).

It's a fantasy novel. The world building Ms. Golden has done is phenomenal. The characters are fantastic. The story is simply one of the best I've read.

From the back cover ... "She was born without caste or position in Arukan, a country that prozed both. Then a chance encounter led her to a better life. But it also brought her to danger and destiny. Because Kevla Bai-sha's fevered dreams - looming threats to their land and visions of dragons that had once watched over her people - held the promise of truth. Now Arukan - shadowed by mountains and myths - might be overcome by eternal darkness. Kevla, together with Jashemi-kha-Tahmu, rebel prince of the ruling household would defy alllaw, all tradition, to embark on a daring quest for the half-forgotten elementals that will save the world. And so Kevla must sacrifice everything ... only to be reborn in dragon's flames"
*sigh*

The following weekend I went out and bought the next book in the series In Stones Clasp and read that right away too. It was also fabulous and I eagerly await the third book. *sigh*

A Viral Blogging Experiment

I am participating in a blogging experiment hosted at dearauthor.com. To enter the contest, put up this blurb, image, and trackback and you are entered to win the following prize package.

• $200 Amazon gift certificate


• Signed copy of Slave to Sensation


• New Zealand goodies chosen by Singh


• ARC of Christine Feehan's October 31 release: Conspiracy Game

You can read about the experiment here and you can download the code that you need to participate here.

SLAVE TO SENSATION

Nalini Singh

Berkley / September 2006

Welcome to a future where emotion is a crime and powers of the mind clash brutally against those of the heart.

Sascha Duncan is one of the Psy, a psychic race that has cut off its emotions in an effort to prevent murderous insanity. Those who feel are punished by having their brains wiped clean, their personalities and memories destroyed.

Lucas Hunter is a Changeling, a shapeshifter who craves sensation, lives for touch. When their separate worlds collide in the serial murders of Changeling women, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities…or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

Excerpt

August TBR Challenge

August's challenge was to read a non romance genre book. This wasn't really a difficult thing for me to do because I will read (or at least try to read) pretty much any genre.
The Pact: a love story by Jodi Picoult Now the title says it's a love story ... and it is. It's an incredibly heart wrenching love story. It isn't, however, a romance. There is no happily ever after.

From the back cover "For eighteen years the Hartes and the Golds have lived next door to each other, sharing everything from Chinese food to chicken pox to carpool duty - they've grown so close it seems they have always been a part of each other's lives. Parents and children alike have been best friends - so it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. They've been soul mates since they were born.

So when midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the appalling truth: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris took from his father's cabinet - a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris has described. As its chapters unfold, alternating between an idyllic past and an unthinkable present, "The Pact" paints an indelible portrait of families in anguish... culminating in an astonishingly suspenseful courtroom drama as Chris finds himself on trial for murder."

Even a couple of weeks after I finished this story it's difficult for me to find words that express how much this novel touched my heart.

Something I found incredibly interesting about this book was The Pact ended up being a banned book! You can listen to Ms. Picoult talk about this in a podcast here if you click on the Big Brother link.

This book is definitely a keeper. I'll also be looking for more novels by Jodi Piccoult. She is an amazing writer.

I'm trying to change my attitude ...

about going back to work (yikes! Only 1 more week!) So I decided to do something positive that's related to school.

I went out and bought a bunch of school supplies to give to the school for students who are in families that are struggling to make ends meet.

Cross your fingers for me that this works *s* I want to have a better, more positive year that I've had the last couple of years : )

Happy Birthday to my oldest niece : )

The first picture is her now (her and the middle niece *s*) and the second one is her 1 year old picture.

Happy Birthday Sweety!

July TBR Challenge completed

Title: Over the line

Author: Cindy Gerard

Year published: 2006

Why did you get this book? It's a part of a series that I've been reading.

Do you like the cover? It's okay.

Did you enjoy the book? well .... yes and no

Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again? No Cindy Gerard is an author I've read a lot from and will continue to read.

Are you keeping it or passing it on? passing it on

Anything else? Okay ... this has been a bit of a hot topic on a few of the groups I'm on as well as on some blogs I read a lot. Condoms in romance novels. At one point in the book I wanted to toss it at a wall (but didn't because I throw like a girl and probably would have hit something else and broke it). I had to put it down for a while and come back to it. The hero and heroine had known each other for all of a couple of weeks maybe??? and the first time they had sex the hero was horrified (after the fact of course) that he hadn't used a condom. Okay...it happens, fine but THEN the heroine just said well I've been celibate for a long time and on birth control so it's okay. OH FOR CRAP SAKE!!! If it had stopped there it would have been tolerable but then they keep boinking like horny rabbits without protection!!!

dumbasses.

It took me out of the story each time they did it so I did some skimming (so I wouldn't do the wall tossing thing) past those parts.

I won't be buying the rest of the series.... at least not without a preview of the next book (taken from the library) to see if the next set of characters are smarter then these two.

I am a proud auntie again : )

My younger sister had a baby girl on Wednesday July 26. She weighed 7lbs 5 oz and is gorgeous!

I am a contest floozy *g *

From Lauren’s Blog via Angie's Blog ...

Introducing….

THE REALITY CHICK BUZZ THE BOOK contest!

The PRIZES:

(1) Your choice of either an iPod Shuffle, OR a fifty dollar Amazon.com gift certificate
(2) An autographed copy of REALITY CHICK by Lauren Barnholdt
(3) A copy of the August issue of Teen People, which lists REALITY CHICK as a Can’t-Miss Pick for August
(4) Free tuition to a session of Lauren’s YA writing class

THE CONTEST:

STEP ONE: Simply copy and paste this whole message (including the info about the contest) into any blog, message board, email list, myspace bulletin, or anywhere a lot of people will see it!

REALITY CHICK by Lauren Barnholdt is NOW IN STORES!

Going away to college means total independence and freedom. Unless of
course your freshman year is taped and televised for all the world to
watch. On uncensored cable.

Sweet and normal Ally Cavanaugh is one of five freshpeople shacking up
on In the House, a reality show filmed on her college campus. (As if
school isn’t panic-inducing enough!) The cameras stalk her like
paparazzi, but they also capture the fun that is new friends, old
crushes, and learning to live on your own.

Sure, the camera adds ten pounds, but with the freshman fifteen a given anyway, who cares?
Ally’s got bigger issues — like how her long-distance bf can watch her
loopy late-night “episode” with a certain housemate…

Freshman year on film.
It’s outrageous.
It’s juicy.
And like all good reality TV, it’s impossible to turn off.

IN STORES NOW!

Check out Lauren on the web at www.laurenbarnholdt.com or on her myspace at www.myspace.com/laurenbarnholdt

STEP TWO — Email Lauren at lauren (at) laurenbarnholdt.com and let her know you’ve posted about the contest and the book, and you’ll be entered to win the prize pack! The winner will be picked at random on September 1st. The more places you post, the more entries you get. Have fun and good luck!!!

The Naked Cowboy

Well not totally naked *g* He was wearing his jockeys, boots, hat (wouldn't be a cowboy without the boots and hat) and guitar.

At Bubba Gump's for Dinner

This guy was the best waiter evah!

another favourite *s*

I know it looks bad but I am NOT being arrested right here! (My sister said it looked like my hands were handcuffed behind my back *g* I should be so lucky! ~innocent look~)

One of my favourite Pictures *g*

Cheesy Statue of Liberty Hat

This was taken at the Empire State Building

Me at Spamalot

Museums museums museums

I don't think you can go to New York without visiting at least a couple of museums (or at least you shouldn't *g*) There are tons to choose from so there should be something for everyone. We bought New York City Passes (which give you admission into 6 different attractions. Most of them were ones I was interested in going to so we got the pass :) This first one wasn't one of my choices but it was close to something else we were doing so we were there for a short visit.

The Intrepid Air/Space Museum ~ We didn't stay at this one for too long. It is probably very interesting for people who are into American military history. I'm really not so it was a little too much patriotism (This isn't coming out right but I don't know how to say it *shrugs*) for my taste. It was pretty cool though seeing how incredibly enormous an aircraft carrier is.

The American Museum of Natural History ~ I loved this museum. I was really only able to explore a small portion of it though. There just wasn't enough time! Ideally a person would have at least a couple of days to go through this museum. There is just so much to see. My favourite exhibits were the fossil halls. They were WAY too cool!

The Guggenheim Museum ~ I was a bit disapointed that they were doing renovations to the exterior of this building. That is half the fun of the Guggenheim .... seeing Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture. The interiour is amazing though. I don't think any of the photos I took will give it justice though (photography was only allowed at the entrance level). My favourite exhibition here was the Year With Children 2006 ~ Selected Works from Learning Through Art.

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) ~ Vincent Van Gough ~ The Starry Night and Claude Monet ~ Reflections of Clouds on the Water Lily Pond (and so many more). I could have sat and looked at these amazing paintings for a long long time. It's definitely someplace I'd visit again (should I ever get back to NYC)

.... and finally The Museum of Sex ~ Well I can't say that going to the sex museum was something I'd do again with my sister and brother in law *g* It was definitely ... different??? LOL I can no longer claim that I've never seen a porno... or at least portions of a number of pornos *snort*

~me

I'm back!!!

and I had a fan-freaking-tastic time! I have to say I won't miss the smell (New York City in the summer time is rancid by the end of the day....all those bags of garbage just sitting there stinking up the place) but I know I'll miss everything else.

The sheer number of people there was almost overwhelming at times! The energy level is set at frenzy from the moment you step out of the hotel until the moment you get back. You have to not hate being in crowds to be able to cope in New York. I don't think I could live there ... I definitely want to go back again for another visit though. :)

We did so many things there! Plays, museums, a sight seeing harbour cruise, the Empire State Building, Times Square, Shopping...and the list goes on :)

For this blog I'm gonna tell you about the plays. In the week I was there I saw 5 plays and did the Today Show taping (was kinda dragged there but it was still cool).

On Saturday night we went to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee THIS is a fantastic show! It's a musical about .... you guessed it .... a spelling bee *g*. It's a hard one to describe (I know you're thinking how can a musical about a spelling bee be all that entertaining *g*) but it's a definite must see.

On Sunday night we went to Avenue Q. Two words..... Puppet Porn *g* You have to see it to believe it *snort*

Monday night was an early night for us as we had to get up at dark o'clock in the morning to get to the taping of the Today Show the next morning. I think there might have been a glimpse of the sign my sister made showing at the beginning of the show but nothing after that of us in the audience (tall people were in front of us .... *muttering about damn tall people*).

Tuesday brought us to the show Drumstruck. If you love interactive experiences and you love music you will love this show. It's a South African drumming and singing group that goes for 1 1/2 hours drawing the audience into their music. You enter the auditorium and there is a 2 foot tall drum on every single seat. The half hour or so that you're there pre-show is absolute madness with almost everyone pounding on the drums with no skill whatsoever *g*. As soon as the show starts though it's like magic. The audience plays the drums (and yes it sounds fantastic *g* that's the magic part LOL) through the whole hour and a half.

Wednesday night was The Lion King. This show is jaw dropping, breath taking magic. I'd see it again in a heartbeat.

On Thursday night I went to see Spamalot. If you're a fan of Monty Python this show is a must see for you.

I lucked out this last week and saw only shows that I LOVED. I'd go back to any of them again with no hesitation. I don't even think I can pick a favourite. They were all so different from each other. It was an amazing week :)

~me

Erin the Graceful (not)

I was a collosal clutz today and smashed my right index finger in a door today (the whole nail is black and blue now *ICK* I've been icing it *OUCH* in the hopes that I don't have to get it lanced *or whatever you do to release the pressure under the nail when you smash it*).

On a happier note .... I GET TO GO ON VACATION IN 3 MORE SLEEPS!!! (counting tonight)

I'll post pictures or something like that when I get back :)

June TBR challenge completed

It was actually completed a while ago but I've been lazy about blogging about it. That isn't to say that Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile wasn't a really REALLY good read. Because it was. It took me a long time to get through it though. It wasn't a light read.

If you're looking for a few hours of brain candy, which I do love *g*, then you'll want to pass this book on to someone else. If you're looking for a story that makes you think 'what if ....' then this is a fantastic story. The ending PISSED ME OFF *g* I won't tell you why though. It was perfect but it made me say 'oh for CRAP sake' out loud.

Will I be keeping this book? Definitely. I'll also be lending it to others (who I can trust to give it back) to read. I'll also be looking for more from this author.

Tell me something good today

PLEASE!

I'm tired of being sad.

I'm tired of a lot of things.

My grandmother died early this morning (this is incidental to everything in my life right now really. That sounds incredibly harsh but it was a blessing. She'd been in terrible pain for a few years and this has been coming for a while. When she did die it was peaceful for her. She hugged her nurse, said good night and I love you and died in her sleep. I am NOT asking for sympathy or anything like that.)

I'm tired of people who can only complain.

I'm tired of people who can only whine about stuff (so really right now I'm really pissing myself off but oh well. I'm hopefully getting this out of my system and I'll be able to get over it soon.

I'm tired of people who can only poke fun and not celebrate the good things in life.

I'm just TIRED.

I need someone to tell me something good.

So what is something GOOD that is happening in your life.

***This will be one of the times I delete posts. If there is anything negative it will be gone...as soon as I figure out HOW to delete it LOL

~Erin

I'm burnt out

I can't remember ever being as exhausted and tired of work as I have been this year (and trust me, last year was a HELL year!) and it's taken me a LONG time to figure out what was wrong.

All of the staff I am with through the day have been incredibly NEGATIVE and it's extremely tiring to be around. EVERY single day is filled with complaining and bitching and plain old being mean. I'm somewhat to fault for this for keeping my mouth shut. No I'm not an angel, I do some of the bitching too. The difference between me and the other (2 specifically) is mine is not constant AND I haven't been putting someone else in the uncomfortable position of being in the middle of things. I'm too tired to argue and if I ask them to stop or if I try to say the opposite of what they're saying about some of the other people we work with it turs into a fight. It's just not worth it (to my mental health).

I'm done.

I've made the decision to actively look for something different (and by different I think I need to even change fields I work in. I'M TOO BURNT OUT) after I get back from my holiday in July.

I'm too young to be hating my life lol.

and on that note I'm going to put in something positive I found on Sheri's blog and was given permission from her to put here. (sorry if I'm babbling)

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.