I was thinking about the books that I’m REALLY looking forward to this year. I’m counting down the days to their release. Obviously, there are more than three, but I thought I’d pick my top three anyhow.
In no particular order, I can’t wait for the following releases:
On the Prowl (anthology) by Patricia Briggs, Eileen Wilks, Karen Chance and Sunny. (It has Patricia Briggs and Eileen in it. Nuff said.)
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (Yes, I’ve already read it. And it was great! But, I want my hard copy.;)
Devil Inside by Jenna Black (Cannot wait to read this book. It sounds fantastic. The excerpt rocked seven ways to Sunday.)
Those are my top three. There are a lot of other books out there that I want to read. (ie The Devil You Know by Mike Carey,
Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston, Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris, Tanner’s Scheme by Lora Leigh, The Vampire Queen’s Servant by Joey Hill, Dark Hunger (graphic novel) by Christine Feehan, and Howl at the Moon by Christine Warren)
Now it’s your turn. Which 3 books are you most looking forward to this year? No cheating. 
Archive for June, 2007
We went to see Die Hard yesterday afternoon. I should probably start by saying that I REALLY like the Die Hard series. Didn’t care for Die Hard 3 as much as the first two, but it was enjoyable enough.
As with all Die Hard movies, there were some over the top moments. It wouldn’t be Die Hard if there weren’t. What I liked about this one (and all the others) is that Bruce Willis’ character is an ‘every’ man. He’s not superman. He’s not pumped. He’s not attempting to appear younger than his age. (That was very refreshing.) He’s an average guy, trying to do the best he can. The fact that he felt out of place in a technological world, only adds to the believability.
What’s bad about the film? Some of the shots really are over the top and had me rolling my eyes. Also, it’s obvious that the film was edited (and NOT well) to maintain its PG13 rating. You see blips in various scenes where they’ve cut the film or did voice-over work without actually having the actor redo the scene. So their mouths don’t match the words. They’re quick and don’t actually take you out of the movie, but they are noticable.
That said, I left this film with a huge smile on my face and a skip in my step. I chuckled all the way through it at the various lines that were being tossed out by the characters. It was a lot of fun and exactly what you expect from a Die Hard film. I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. If you’re into action/adventure brain candy, then this is the film for you. 
Today, I’m stealing links because I think a lot of the blog posts are interesting and/or funny. The first one comes from Gennita Low. This link is mainly for the ladies. I couldn’t stop cracking up. That said, those guys are definitely easy on the eyes. Yowza! I’d buy whatever they’re selling. Wouldn’t matter if I needed it or not. LOL!
The second link I swiped comes via Chey McCray. It’s still more than apt. Just wish it would’ve come out a couple of weeks ago, before the sh*t hit the fan on the web. I think it’s important that whether you’re blogging or chatting with people (online or in person) that you remember whatever you say ‘can and will be held against you’. The internet (and conferences) give you the impression of intimacy, when it’s actually the farthest thing from it. It takes time to get to know people. And there is a lot of truth in the statement that ‘You can never really know anyone’. All you can do is make your best guess, when it comes to judging someone’s character. The mistake a lot of people make, particularly online, is to buy into that feeling of ‘intimacy’ and spill their guts (or worse, vent about their friends, employers, fellow authors, agents, publishers, editors, etc.). When you are on the internet, you are on stage, whether you like it or not. So be prepared to take a bow or have the giant hook come out and yank you off stage.
I didn’t end up making it to my RWA meeting last night. I had an appt. run overtime and by the time I got home I was zonked. Today, I have to run to the store, then I think I’m going to spend the rest of the time reading…so that I can justify my new purchases to dh. *g*
I really don’t have anything to say. Tomorrow is my local RWA meeting. I think I’m actually going to make an effort to get to it, if I make it out of my appointment in time. Also, I’m quietly waiting for Die Hard(er) to open at the theaters. What can I say? I like bang, boom movies.(wg)
I’m trying not to think about the fact that Anna has RED now. Will she like it? Will she hate it? :-O I’m also trying not to think about my agent, since she’s reading my urban fantasy. What if she thinks it SUCKS??? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
I’ve started taking notes for the next book in the Tor series. I realize after jotting down two paragraphs that I am going to have to really develop some aspects that I introduced in my first book, if I want to bring them into the second novel. I know that’s cryptic. It’s honestly not meant to be. It just wouldn’t make any sense if I tried to explain it.
I think I’m going to spend the evening reading. I’m currently reading 13 Bullets by David Wellington and Tithe by Holly Black. I’ve decided that I need to read more YA, so that I’m much more familiar with the genre ‘rules’. 13 Bullets isn’t a YA, but it’s fun. *g*
What are you all reading? Anyone have anything they’d like to recommend? Bueller? Bueller?
I finished typing in the edits and mailed off RED to Tor last night. No one will get it until Monday, but at least it’s been turned in…all 438 pages of it. YAY! Here’s hoping that they like it.
Found out more good news. My old agent, Ethan Ellenberg sold the rights to my story in Wicked Women on Top to Thailand. Welcome Thailand! I hope to visit you very soon.
Today I have to finish a critique that I started a couple of weeks ago and get my receipts together for taxes. Yes, taxes. Blech!
Last night I was reading a historical romance and got off on a mental tangent about dialogue. Well, conversation really. I started thinking about the level of skill you needed to traverse the minefield of social standards back in the Regency time period. To be clever and witty, you had to be able to think on your feet. There were no movies, televisions, etc. Everything you did for entertainment (pretty much) revolved around your communication skills. Can you imagine? I mean really think about that for a moment. Done yet? Now think about the skill level of verbal communication today. Pretty sad, eh? I can’t help but think that I would’ve failed miserably at navigating the ‘ton’s’ social waters.
You can find me stirring up trouble at Romancing the Blog. I’d put a link, but my blog seems to be screwing up for some reason. Oh, dh…where are you? *ggg*
I typed my additions in all day and I’m STILL not done. I have a hundred and twenty something more pages to go. UGH!!! The book has gone from 401 pages to 433. That number will rise tomorrow. I’m determined to get through this last section and send it off to N.Y. Wish me luck. I’m going in. *ggg*
The Ghost Hunters are running a contest to find a new member of the team. Do you all know how bad I’d LOVE to do this??? I actually screamed when I saw it announced on the 6th. Getting to investigate hauntings with Jason and Grant would be beyond cool. I don’t care about being on television. I’d just want to go and hunt ghosts. Sadly, I think the chances of them picking a female paranormal author over thirty-five are slim to none, seeing as they both have writing aspirations. 
Another dream bites the dust…
My mom has always been my best buddy, my biggest cheerleader, my monster movie watching partner, my Dear Abby, my support, my encouragement, and my kick in the pants. She’s tenacious and one of the strongest people that I know. For the first few years of my life, she was a single mom. Back then, that was a stigma. Add to it a multi-racial child and you get the picture. We’ve braved the world together, cried over lost pets, and made it through multiple field trips. (Sorry I tried to pet the lion, mom.;)
Today is her 65th birthday. I can hardly fathom it. It doesn’t seem possible, when I can so clearly remember our groovy clothes from the seventies and our Bloody Mary shopping trips. *g*
Happy Birthday to the woman I respect, love, and cherish. Mom, may you have many, many, many more. I love you.
