May 7, 2008 – 6:00 am
Last night I went to Jane Porter’s launch party celebrating the release of Mrs. Perfect.
I’ve been asked what are the differences between a launch party and a book signing?
In all honesty, not much.
A launch party doesn’t always have to be at a bookstore. I’ve known some authors who have their parties at museums, restaurants, landmarks, etc. Book signings are usually in a store.
An author will invite friends and loyal readers to a launch party, while at a book signing the author is hoping to introduce her book to new readers who just happen to be in the bookstore.
At a launch party, there is usually something more going on than signing books. It can be a reading, a discussion, or in Jane’s case, a percentage of her book sales for that night go toward a charity.
These days, book signings sometimes offer a reading, discussion, entertainment, and refreshments, so the differences between the events are beginning to blur.
May 6, 2008 – 11:37 am
I saw Iron Man last night and I liked it. It could have been a little shorter (I start to fidget after the 1 1/2 hour mark and this movie was a little over 2 hours), but it’s still very entertaining.
I was surprised that Gwyneth Paltrow had such a small supporting role. Doesn’t she know that she can have her own superhero movie? That’s something I would like to see in the very near future–a superhero movie with a female lead.
Other than that, I thought the characters were good and the acting was great. I like the character Tony Stark. He’s not a goody-goody, which is refreshing. He’s irreverent and unpredictable, not whiny and self-sacrificing.
Watching the movie, I realized that when it comes down to it, superhero movies need good characterization just like any other film. I don’t care how good the special effects are, or if there’s any unusual plot twists. Characterization is the most important element.
May 5, 2008 – 8:10 am
That’s my topic as I’m guest blogging at Totebags ‘n’ Blogs. Please drop by and join the discussion!
April 21, 2008 – 7:15 am
Back cover summary: Allesandro di Vincenzo is a perfect male specimen. There’s no woman he can’t have–until Laura Stowe crosses his path. Laura is plain, poor and hides behind her homely appearance to avoid getting close to people. But Allesandro needs her family connections to open the door to ultimate corporate power. So he must woo the ugly duckling into his bed–where she will learn what it is to be a beautiful, desired swan.
Why I picked up the book: I like transformation/make-over themes.
What I got from the book: It was interesting how the heroine’s transformation wasn’t just external. She had to soften as well.
What I can expect from the author: I’ve read a few books by Julia James and I like how her heroines have to change and grow just as much as the heroes. The heroines make very real, very human mistakes.
Last word: The Italian’s Rags-to-Riches Wife is a very emotional transformation story.
April 20, 2008 – 11:52 am
Back cover summary: Duty demanded Max DeLuca take care of pretty and very pregnant Lilli McCall. She was carrying his late brother’s baby, and every DeLuca instinct cried out for Max to protect her unborn child. But the cost of bringing Lilli under his roof was Max’s carefully controlled emotions. Never had the billionaire experienced such searing passion and such a desire to cherish a woman.
Then Max detected a secret Lilli seemed determined to keep hidden. Would the truth bring him to his knees… or send him running for the door?
Why I picked up the book: I decided after I read the back cover. I’m not sure what intrigued me, but that’s why I bought it.
What I got from the book: Loved the hero. He might be ’steel mind, steel heart’, but I loved how he took care and protected the heroine.
What I can expect from the author: I’ve read a few Leanne Banks books and they are total wish fulfillment.
Last word: I’m looking forward to the next story in The Billionaire’s Club series
April 19, 2008 – 9:05 am
Years ago when my twin sister and I went on a school trip to Europe, a few of us had wandered in this small museum. I don’t remember the town (or sadly, the country) it was in, but I will never forget the museum because it was all about torture devices.
Some of the things were familiar, like the stocks that held prisoners. Other devices were so cruel, so painful-looking that I flinched before I was told how it was used. It made me wonder what demonic minds figured out how to stretch the human body to the point of breaking.
And my memory might be a little hazy, but I’m pretty sure I saw something that looked like this:
Yes, the elliptical machine. Found these days in most gyms and workout centers across the world, it is most definitely a torture device. It took me three weeks to finally get the hang of the horrible thing. Apparently, I am very uncoordinated (not to mention wimpy) and struggled every minute I was on it while my warden–er, personal trainer–stood over me, making sure I did my time.
I was feeling pretty good that I finally conquered the elliptical machine until I walked by the Pilates center and saw this:
What demonic mind came up with those machines? I’ve decided the exercise equipment architects must have interned at that torture museum. There really is no other explanation.
April 1, 2008 – 1:42 pm
Back cover summary: When Sheikh Khalid Fehr rescues innocent Olivia Morse from the hands of his country’s enemies, he guarantees her freedom by announcing she is his betrothed….
Khalid has vouched for Liv with his honor… and this desert king is determined that his new wife will fulfill her marital duties, by his side as his regal queen… and as his captive virgin bride!
Why I picked up the book: I just read the first book in the series, The Sheikh’s Chosen Queen
What I got from the book: the stakes are so high in this for both the hero and heroine. She’s in the worst prison and he puts everything on the line to rescue her.
What I can expect from the author: Jane Porter can pull you into the story from the first page. She writes very intense love stories.
Last word: I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
March 31, 2008 – 1:13 pm
When I told my friends I’ve been assigned a personal trainer for a year, many of them asked the same thing: Is he cute?
Ladies, ladies, ladies. His cuteness factor is not at the forefront of my mind. These are the things I’m thinking about as he forces me onto the treadmill and starts pushing buttons to make me go faster or at an incline:
1. Is he strong enough to carry me? Because once the session is over, I’m going to need assistance to my car.
2. If I fake a hamstring pull to get out of working on the StairMasters, is he gullible enough to believe me?
3. Does he know that he shouldn’t try the Army drill seargent yelling bit? Because I will jump off the machine and slap him upside the head.
You know what? As long as Dave treats me as a spun glass, or better yet, a goddess, we’ll just get along just fine.
March 29, 2008 – 2:08 pm
Back cover summary: Perdita James is thrilled with her new job, until a personality quiz reveals she’s an attention-seeking peacock! Her boss, Edward Merrick, is a panther–forceful, decisive and more than a little ruthless.
Perdita’s head tells her to ignore her attraction and work hard for a promotion. But somehow, whenever she’s with single-dad Ed, she feels anything but professional. She’s becoming crazy about her boss!
Why I picked up the book: Jessica Hart is an auto-buy.
What I got from the book: Jessica Hart does a lot of office romances, but this one doesn’t have a lot of scenes in the workplace. The focus was on how two people with heavy family responsibilites get a chance to find love and romance.
What I can expect from the author: I think Jessica Hart is of of–and maybe the only–category author who frequently writes about heroines over the age of forty.
Last word: I think a lot of women can identify with the heroine in Promoted: to Wife and Mother.
March 25, 2008 – 6:00 am
Today I had my strength and flexibility tested.
I think I failed.
They didn’t come right out and say it, but when the only positive comment I get is “You can only improve from here”… well, you know it’s not good.
Or when they want to test your stamina and they encourage you to keep going because you have to reach the minimum amount for the computer to register it.
Yeah. It’s official: I am a wimp.
