Gothic, suspense and fantasy

To be very honest, I've never kept a reading journal as I never saw the point. I remember the good of what I've read and if a book has me pondering, well, then I might reread it or not. Reading has and I hope always will be entertainment and not a vessel of confounded thinking. But I digress, I think I'm supposed to note books I've read since last posting, uh, that would be yesterday's readings.

Yes, the procedure went well and I had the chance to finish three books. Mystic and Rider, Extreme Exposure, and The Veil of Night. Told you I had to have variety when I read :-)

The Veil of Night is what I'd call an erotic gothic -- set in a crumbling Yorkshire manor, filled with dark cold stone rooms, moldering furnishings, and a windswept rainy environment to complete the aura of gothickness (new word by the way). Then the author tossed in more than normal explicit sexual descriptions in a tale of sexual slavery for one week to cover the debts (or at least put repayment off until the parents die) of heroine's dissolute brother. Yeah, a sorta standard tale for historicals, the twist here is the reason the hero can't wander around in the daylight. No, he is NOT a vampire, just has a skin condition. So instead of romping over the hills to have some lovely sexual antics, they're stuck doing the deeds in the crumbling old mansion. Very gothic indeed.

After the wet, dank era of Victorian England, I wandered into the mean streets of contemporary Denver as told by Pamela Clare. This is her first contemporary and romantic suspense. It will be out in August, so yeah, read it on my computer. Mixing state politics and journalism, an interesting tale of corporate greed and life in a newspaper. I did guess one of the "bad" guys early on, but I stayed with it to the end. Also very spicy and explicit language in this one, but then I've noticed that Penguin (parent of Berkley and Signet) are opting to put out the spice in their current books. Ah, sex sells.

Third one was my favorite read of the night and one that will make it to the keeper shelf -- along with the rest of her books if I can keep the other readers in the family away from them ::sigh:: Mystic and Rider is lovely. The story of a band of travelers on a mission for the king to root out the source of unrest, end up with new, additional loyalties as their journey unfolds. I think what I like about Shinn books is even set in a time and place far away there are many threads of current situations and problems woven in the story. I loved Tayse, loved Sennenth. The other team members are charming and richly described. Yup, definitely a keeper and can't wait for the next ones in the series. It is horrid to have to wait an entire year ::sigh:: I am so impatient. I pulled down my old archangel books, I feel a re-read coming on...

So that was it for Friday, today is a tea day, so I'm off to get ready for an afternoon of tea, book chat and friends. I love tea days!

Reading for a surgery center

Yup, time to spend the day in the surgery center, waiting for my husband's treatment to be finished, and nothing much to do except watch a really lame series of programs on the television which I'd normally never be exposed. Now, I can sit in suspension while wondering how people can handle that pap, but I've learned over the years that the boob tube does seem to have a mesmerizing hold on millions, something I'll never understand. So instead, I pack up my bottled water, my sweater -- it is always freezing in waiting rooms -- and BOOKS. Yes, plural, books.

Although the wait should only be about two hours before I'm allowed back into recovery, I always feel the need to take a selection of reading material. I've found my mood can dramatically change once I get there. So, I've got a scifi, a fantasy, a torrid romance and a historical. If I pack more, I can't carry it all.

So, here's to hoping he has a safe procedure and my reading progresses nicely.
My choices today include: THE COURTESAN by Susan Carroll, HOT ICE by Cherry Adair, MYSTIC AND RIDER by Sharon Shinn, and a David Weber. Also taking a CSS book just in case I feel guilty and the need to, uh, work.

Book Signing -- Mary Kay Andrews

The thing I like about a book signing when you go with someone else you make it into an "event" by always combining with food. Or drinks. I can do drinks too. But the best part is the anticipation. M and I were the only ones who could make it to the Mary Kay Andrews (MKA) signing last night in Plano, but we had a blast. MKA is delightful in person and we learned all the secrets of a best selling book-- I'd be happy to share them with the world. It is brainstorming in a bubble bath!!

Geez, I do some of my best reading in the bath! Uh, except when the book takes a nose dive into the bubbles, that is a bit of a downer, but otherwise, a nice warm tub of bubbles, a glass of merlot, scented candles burning and I'm set for a good read. And for MKA, it is a time to brainstorm her next book! I say go for it!

Hissy Fit is her latest book. The tale of what happens in a small town after a bride finds her groom doing the nasty with her best friend and maid of honor during the rehearsal dinner at the local country club. The "hissy fit" is the least of it! Through in a town populated with colorful characters, revenge, and small town politics and you've got a book that will last through an entire delightful bubble bath.

RSVP

Just wanted to let you know I accepted the invitation so generously sent to join Fresh Fiction's BLOG. I can hardly wait to read all the exciting details posted here.

Curious and what?

Just invited to check out a group of authors on their blog who are helping a readers group become more exciting. Now, color me stupid, but unless those readers are part of an active readers group, know the trials and tribulations of keeping a group dynamic and growing, isn't it asking for just a general well-meaning opinion? I really don't get it. I'd rather ask advice from a group similar to the one I'd be trying to grow -- uh, say, another readers group, one that appears successful, than a bunch of people trying to sell something.

Yup, you're right, I haven't had a full pot of coffee yet and I'm feeling my pain.

I'm excited though. Tonight our reading group is meeting Mary Kay Andrews. This is sorta thrilling since she is definitely NOT romance, but straight fiction. I checked out the copyright page in Hissy Fit and for the Library of Congress classification purposes (am I the ONLY one who reads that for a grin?) her work is "Fiction, Southern States," "Fiction, Revenge," and "Fiction, Young Girls." Silly me, I didn't realize that "revenge" is a library classification. Thinking on it, there are lots of books I would classify as "revenge" tomes.

As for the "Southern States", Andrews is also doing the signing in the "south", although some would and do argue that Texas is NOT the south. But I think it will be a great people watching event :-)