January DIK Reading Challenge Links

This is a sticky post - for newer posts see below




Please post links to your DIK Reading Challenge submission in the comments of this post. (through 1/30/10 11:59pm)

Podcasting...... Could it be the new blogging?

Hi everyone!

So this is my final day here on the island. I hope you've enjoyed my posts here on the island. As always I've had a blast here with my menz soaking up the sun and of course the cocktails! Can't believe I have to go back to normality after today!



But on to the topic of the day podcasting.

Has anyone ever tried it? Do you love it? Hate it?

I am an active member on the Karen Marie Moning forum and I post regularly on it. If anyone is familiar with KMM's books you will know that her latest series the Fever series is set in Dublin. Which for me is pretty cool as I live in Dublin so I am familiar with the places described and can see the series in the city as it happens.

Two ladies on the board decided that they would try their hands at podcasting and each month they have a different active member on the board on to discuss the series and various other topics, this month it was my turn.

We discussed some announcements on the KMM board, books we've read etc and then there were some specific questions for me about Dublin, Ireland, the reading culture here, the dating scene and how I got into reading the romance genre.

For me listening to this particular podcast it feels like listening to a couple of people blogging their opinions through speaking rather than text. They've also had the swoon worth reading voice artist Phil Gigante on with them. I could listen to this man read the phone book to me!

You can listen to the podcast here You can also find it on itunes under Moning Clan Podcast.

You can find me under the latest podcast, podcast 8. #

So what are your views? Do you think podcasting could be a fun new way of blogging in conjunction with writing blogs too?

Thanks for reading, I hope you have a fantastic weekend and have a great book to read!

Top Ten Literary Hunks

Morning Ladies! Hope you enjoyed yesterday, so now we're on to day two. The sun here is glorious! I think I'll have a hard time leaving when the time comes! But anyway I digress onto my post.


Last week on a forum I read regularly, I seen a post that asked you to name your all time top ten literary hunks and it didn't matter if anyone doubled up so I started to think about mine and found that settling on just ten was harder than I expected as there are so many hunks out there in the world of fiction that I love.



So after a lot of deliberation this is my list;

• Jamie Fraser - Outlander

For me Gerard Butler is how Jamie is in my mind.

• Drustan MacKeltar - Kiss of the Highlander

• Rhage - Lover Eternal

• Mr. Darcy - Pride and Prejudice

As you can see I clearly couldn't decide on which Mr. Darcy I prefer more so I got greedy and went with both!

• Jacob Black - The Twilight Saga

Yummy!

• Rhevenge - Lover Avenged

• Legolas Greenleaf - Lord of the Rings

• Acheron- Dark Hunter Series

• Ian MacKeage - Charming the Highlander

• Bran - Son of the Shadows

There are so many more that I could add to that list and with every new discovery of a book I love or a new series where each hero is as amazing as the last its hard to choose my heros and on any given day they change as often as the weather here in Ireland!

So ladies who would be your top ten literary hunks?

Comfort Reads

Hi Everyone! I know this is probably a little late but Happy New Year to everyone and I hope that so far it’s been a good year for you all. Its time for me and my menz to spend time here on the island again, yeay! Hope you enjoy the next three days with us!



This post is going to be influenced by the book I just finished reading Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward. I got to thinking about the books or series that we routinely read and reread and why we do so.




Is it because we love the series so much? Is it because we can’t decide what book to read next? Is it the love of returning to what we know and love? Is it in preparation for a new instalment in the series? Or is it for another reason completely?


In order to explain my reason you need to know a little more about me. I am a science graduate and up until recently I was perusing a PhD in my field. So I spent a lot of time reading and studying rather heavy material so when I came home I was in need of something lighter and dipping into a series I know and love with characters I love is like getting a cuddle and makes the harsh reality seems so far away.



The ones that I turn to again and again are;

• The Black Dagger Brotherhood,
• Karen Marie Monings Highlanders,
• The Harry Potter books and
• The Twilight series.

With these books I know I can loose myself in them and no matter how many times I’ve read them I still love them as much as the first time that I read them.

So what is your comfort read and why?

No lets bring on the cocktails...... Oh Boyz!

Rainy day television

I've had a lovely time on the island and thankfully yesterday I spent a great deal of time on the beach enjoying the warm sunshine. I finished a book ("White Lies" by Linda Howard - an old favorite on my keeper's shelf) I was reading for my Re-read 2010 Reading Challenge and once I get home will have that up on my blog 'Moonlight to Twilight Blog'.

Today is my last day on the island and I woke up to some heavy rains. Looking out the hut window the place looks deserted with everyone inside their huts. Since I had finished my reading and didn't feel like getting wet, I decided to see what television channels and shows the Island offers its guests.

Morning television on the island isn't completely different from early morning television any where else in the regard that there are a lot of cartoons on. The difference on the island is...well the cartoons are...umm...well very much like the theme I saw all over the island yesterday. See for yourself...

All the guys in my hut thought this show was great, so they watched it for 2 hours. Finally, I had had enough of the dancing spurting penis and got the remote away from them so I could try another channel.
I thought I'd do some DIK Ebay shopping, so I checked out the DIK Ebay Television Channel...

Nope, nothing I wanted to buy on that channel. It was still pouring rain outside, so I began flicking channels (after getting the remote from the guys- NOT an easy task!).

I sometimes enjoy those cop shows. You know the ones where the cops chase down the bad guys, frisk them and toss them in the car? Sometimes the frisking doesn't go the way the cops plan and they find more then they bargained for. Listen closely to what the cop finds in this guys pants...

Bet that guy wasn't expecting to get felt up by a police officer! After the guys in my hut got done roaring with laughter over that show, I decided to put on a music video channel (DIKTV - their own version of MTV here on the island). Finally a channel that I really enjoyed.

The first show I watched was a radio show about body piercing. The guys were all getting into it hoping to see a woman get her nipples pierced. That wasn't what the show was about. Nope. Wrong body part, wrong gender.

The show was about one of the radio host guys getting talked into having his tally whacker pierced. He was terrified and basically bullied into getting it done.

The guys had suddenly gotten very, very quiet. Glancing around the hut, I noticed every single guy had crossed his legs or covered his crotch with his hand.

OK that was like watching a train wreck, you know it was going to be bad, but you just can't look away! After that we all wanted a little music (and the guys a stiff drink -they were looking a little pale at this point).
We found Jack's favorite music video playing - which put Jack in a great mood.

After watching this over and over the guys wrestled the remote away from Jack and watched a few other music videos until it was my turn. Here's my favorite...

I just love that song! It's one of those songs that sticks in my head and I end up singing it to myself in my head all day. So while I listened to this music I finished packing my bags. My time on the island is nearly over. I want to thank everyone for stopping by and commenting. How about sharing some videos or favorite music that gets stuck in your head?
Until next time, here's one more from Jack who asks "Why is the Rum gone?"...

DIK - has a whole new meaning to me now!

As I mentioned yesterday, this is the first time I've been back since The Unfortunate Incident (that would be nearly burning down the entire island). The place looks remarkable, you can't tell there was ever a fire.

What I have been noticing are quite a few changes on the island... and a very noticeable theme. Gives me a whole new meaning to "DIK".

The first place I noticed changes was at the airport upon my arrival...

Just outside the airport I found the money changers had changed remarkably since my last visit... A woman can never have enough singles!
There was a new stepping stone path to the huts...

As soon as I got inside and flipped the light switch I noticed the new light fixtures...

Feeling a bit dingy from the flight, I headed into the bathroom to wash up. I was quite surprised with the water fixtures...

After a relaxing day on the beach I decided to head to the islands main lodge for dinner. The lobby area now has all new seating...

The pasta was...different.

The straw that came *cough* with my ice water was intimidating...

After dinner I decided to take in a show while I had a few drinks. Here is a new favorite song on the island...you just can't help but laugh!

Much later that night I tried out the new pool... everything was lovely until...

The new life guard wearing his new floating device showed up. He gave me the Willy's so I left.

I think I'll stick to the beach on my last day and read a good book...
Is it just me, or is there a "DIK" theme on DIK now?
:o)

Butt cracks: sexy or offending?

It’s so good to be back here on the island – leaving behind the frigid winter weather and basking in the warmth of the sun and surf! I am pleased to see that DIK has rebuilt after The Unfortunate Incident last time I was here. *shudder*

I’ve been thinking about doing a post on this topic for months now, but I wasn’t sure where to go with it or what to include. It all started with a book review I read on some book blog (I don’t even recall which one at this point) several months ago for a book called “Land of Falling Stars” by Keta Diablo. The book was getting good reviews for the story, but (no pun intended) the cover was another story all together.

I read more comments from people saying the guy’s butt crack was repulsive and would even prevent them from buying the book. Really?? All that over a hotties little ol’ crack hanging out? Wow! They were adamant about a romance book cover displaying a ‘plumber’s crack’. Apparently, the boob hanging out was perfectly OK with them, but the little (and I do mean little – look at it, it’s barely noticeable in my opinion) crackage showing was enough to drive them into near hysterics. Is it really that bad? Be honest...

While I’m not particularly fond of anyone’s crackage hanging out, I have to admit that on that particular book cover, I find it sexy! Here are a few other butt cracks I find sexy on book covers…


And some admirable hunk crackage… what’s wrong with this? Do these guys offend you?
Oh! And here’s a butt crack song! Did you know there was a butt crack song? I didn’t! This has some offending crackage - no doubt about it... nothing like the sexy book covers or above male models in my opinion. Butt - I found it humorous. *grins*



So tell me your feelings on butt crack book covers? Turn you off so much you’d refuse to purchase the book? Do any of the book covers I posted stop you from buying them because of some crackage?

MLK Day

Not much that I could say would compare to the words spoken by this amazing man. So I'll just shut up and let him talk. Never forget where we came from and never keep moving forward, marching on.

Jill Myles on Hot Wings

For Jill's last day on the island, she discusses hot angel men in books... (excuse to post some hot men pictures)

Hot wings!

No, not the appetizer - the men. Are you in the mood for wings? Because it seems that paranormal romance is! The vampire is a perennial favorite, of course, and the demon hero offers that bad-boy edge that everyone loves. But the up and coming hero flavor that is bound to set the next trend? Wings. Angels. Sexy, sexy angel men. Here are a few of my favorite reads that feature men of the winged persuasion.

ARCHANGEL by Sharon Shinn -- This one is actually about thirteen years old, but it's as good now as it was the first time I read it. It's the story of Rachael, who is an Edori slave girl, and she is chosen by Jovah as the bride for Gabriel, a very surly and sexy archangel. It's set in a fantasy world where angels rule over the common people, and it is one of my favorite books ever. The heroine is a bit of an unlikeable girl, but don't let that stop you. GABRIEL = HOTNESS.

ARCHANGEL'S KISS by Nalini Singh -- Bringing back the alpha male hero and attaching wings to him? Genius. The hero in this book is Raphael, and he's the alphaest of alpha males. Used to ruling over both human and vampire, he doesn't think much of Elena, the human heroine, until she starts to get under his skin. How sexy is this guy? On a scale of one to ten? He breaks the scale. Smoking hot.

DEMON BOUND by Meljean Brook - Meljean's heroes (and sometimes heroines!) are actually Guardians -- not quite angels. But they have wings and are hot, so who effing cares, right? The hero of this book, Jake, is my favorite. He's relatively new to being a guardian and still has puppyish tendencies and boyish enthusiasm. I have to admit that I was initially skeptical that a younger hero could capture my attention, but Jake is hottttttttttt hot. And the way he goes after his heroine? Raises my temperature a few notches. Highly, highly recommended.

A MERMAID'S KISS by Joey Hill -- Joey Hill started a series with mermaids and angels. I KNOW. Two of my favorite things, effortlessly combined with Joey Hill's smoking hot sex scenes. How can one possibly go wrong? You can't. The first book of this series stars Anna the mermaid, but nobody cares about her. What you need to know - Jonah, the hero, is the angel in charge of the goddess's legion of troops. He's immortal, and broody, and wounded and desperately needs someone to love him. *fans self*

HUSH, HUSH by Becca Fitzpatrick -- Okay, so I haven't read this one yet, but how hot is that cover?

HEART OF DARKNESS by Gena Showalter -- Another one I haven't read yet, but intend to! The hero in this one is an angel, and the heroine is a harpy. Sounds like the ultimate in win to me. Plus, Gena's stuff is funny and sexy to boot.


GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI by Jill Myles - Wait, how did this get in here!? It's by this new author and it stars a succubus who is torn between a fallen angel and a sexy vampire, and there are definitely some wings involved...

So that's my list of favorite books that star winged heroes. Did I miss anything? :)

Jill Myles and If Gentlemen Prefer Succubi Was Made Into a Movie

GENTLEMEN PREFER SUCCUBI - The Movie!

There's no such creature, and probably never will be.

But what kind of author would I be if I didn't think -- at least for a few minutes -- of the actors that would play my characters if it went on the big screen? Not much of one, right? Someone asked me this question the other day, and I admit that I've given it a lot of thought (perhaps far too much thought) since then. And spent several, several hours online picking out photos of the actors and actresses that I thought would be best for the characters.

JACKIE BRIGHTON

Miss Jackie has always been a bit difficult to cast in my mind. She's a redhead with crazily red hair and a big, curvy figure. Hard to find in Hollywood, right? At least, until I saw Mad Men. Christina Hendricks pretty much has the perfect look - bright blue eyes, fire-engine red hair, and an amazing, lush figure. Perfect to play a succubus, right? I'm not sure if she could handle the quirky, nerdy parts of Jackie's personality, but I have no doubt in my mind that she has the right look for the part.

REMY SUMMORE

Remy's personality is a bit abrasive and over the top. She's silly, sexy, and uses people to the best of her ability. She's also very sultry when she wants to be, and loves for the good times to roll. She's been that way for 400 years, and is very much an immortal who has embraced modern society. Formerly a harem girl in the Ottoman empire in the 1600s, she has embraced the lifestyle of a succubus with verve. And I can't think of a better actress to portray Remy than Kim Kardashian. She's Armenian and not Turkish, but she does have the party girl thing down pat and she's not afraid to get naked on camera.


NOAH GIDEON

Noah is a big blond guy with longish hair that spends his time in business suits (when he's not trying to get Jackie out of trouble, that is). I needed a big guy that could look sensitive but strong at the same time. Someone who can kiss the heroine and still punch out the bad guys. And if you've seen the TV show "Sons of Anarchy", you and I both know who's perfect for Noah -- Charlie Hunnam. He's blonde, he's pretty, he's strong and he's sensitive at the same time. Just take the scruff off of his chin and give him a tattoo of angelic script on his arm and we're in business.

 ZANE THE VAMPIRE

So. Zane. My criteria for this was playful and sexy. Sexy and playful. Roguish. Someone that looks like he's constantly up to naughty, no-good things. And when I saw the movie 'Star Trek' and Chris Pine, I knew who my Zane was. So Chris Pine is a blond guy -- so what. There's hair dye for that sort of thing. Look at this guy! Look at how sexy he is. How mischievously naughty. Tell me that this guy doesn't scream Zane.

(And now if you'll excuse me, I have to go fan myself)

So there are my picks for the Gentlemen Prefer Succubi movie. Do you agree or disagree? Who would you pick?

Welcome Guest Author Jill Myles!

Join me in welcoming Pocket author, Jill Myles, whose debut novel, Gentlemen Prefer Succubi (Book 1 of the Succubus Diaries) is out now. 

Nom Nom lickable mantitty ahoy!

Synopsis: Jackie Brighton woke up in a dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her breasts grew overnight, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever . . . with a fallen angel. Of course, she only remembers gorgeous Noah’s enormous, er, package. And their steamy shower sex. Hmm . . . and the dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a seductive Itch. With help from Noah and fellow succubus Remy Summore, Jackie adapts to her new lifestyle—until she accidentally strikes a deal that sends her lover into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands Jackie, Remy, and the queen’s wickedly hot right-hand man into the middle of a fierce battle for an ancient halo. But how’s a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy’s so hard to resist?


We've asked Jill some hard hitting questions that all authors must answer here on the DIK Blog:

 Favorite Reading Position:

Jill: Missionary! Ha. I bet you see that joke a million times, right?


Favorite Heroine:

Jill: Ooo, tough one. I'm very partial to Garwood heroines overall, but I also really like Houston Chandler from Twin of Ice by Deveraux. Or maybe Lady Liana from The Taming. Or maybe Alice from Demon Bound by Meljean Brook. Or maybe Jessica from Lord of Scoundrels.

Author everyone loves but you don’t:

Jill: Oh dear. This is the part where I tug at my collar and demur to answer. But I'll say J K Rowling! I've never cracked one of her books because I'm just not interested in wizards. I'm sure they're perfectly lovely books.


If you could be in one book/series/world which would you pick:

Jill: Oh man oh man oh man! I would love to be a Dragonrider in the Dragonriders of Pern by McCaffrey. Or a Guardian in Meljean Brook's series! Or a valkyrie in Kresley Cole's series! Crud. You said one, right? (I suck at this game). Okay, I pick the Dragonriders then. As long as it's a gold. And the nearest bronze rider is hotness and non-rapey. Actually...maybe I'd better go with Meljean Brook's series.

How old is your inside voice:

Jill: Twelve. Duh. ;)

If you could be a hero who would you be:

Jill: I would probably be Jake from Demon Bound by Meljean Brook. He's fun and frisky and not all that serious. I admire that in a man.

What heroine is most like you:

Jill: Man, these are hard questions! I don't know that there are a lot of heroines that are like me, because I've never been soul-mated to a vampire, or carried off by pirates or anything. It's sad, but I'm closer to Aunt Pittypat than Scarlett O'Hara. So find me a rotund, smirky heroine who is completely inappropriate at all times, and that will be my heroine soul mate.

What heroine would you like to be:

Jill: Mary Luce from Lover Eternal. She gets to shag Rhage for all eternity. We'll just gloss over that cancer thing.

Hmmm... Dragon Rhage... look hot, right?

Boxers, Briefs, boxer briefs, kilt (I say we add commando):

Jill: I'd say kilt except he'd probably start talking in brogue, and I hate brogue. So let's go with Boxer Briefs! They're practical and comfy and yet outline the package in the most amazing ways.

Favorite book set on a tropical island:

Jill: Durrr....here's where I can't think of a book set on a tropical island. Unless England counts as an island that just isn't tropical? Cause I've read a lot of medievals...


What hero is most like your significant other:

Jill: Well, my husband is an artist, and has a hysterical sense of humor, an incredibly deep voice, and great lips. And he's about as adult as a twelve-year-old-boy (which makes him the perfect match for the twelve-year-old-girl living inside me). So I don't know if there's a romance hero quite like my husband. Maybe Ash from the Evil Dead movies, but I can't count him, right?


What hero would you like to be your significant other:

Jill: Just my husband, really. Him or the Phantom of the Opera. The Gerard Butler one, not the Gaston Leroux one that has the big hole in his head (ick).

Jill, come join my in my underground lair where we can create sweet music together!

If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring:

Jill: A flare gun, a satellite phone, and um, a Kindle (can they get reception out there?).

Favorite drink to bring to the DIK party:

Jill: Something served in a coconut with an umbrella, obviously! Or maybe just Goldschlager -- it's funny when everyone barfs all sparkly.

If you have any other questions for Jill, ask away!

And make sure to come back tomorrow where Jill discusses who she would cast if Gentlemen Prefer Succubi were made into a movie.

Happy Birthday January Babies

Happy Happy Birthday to me *clears throat* I mean all of us January babies *wink* Right so boy time.

Now if you will excuse me I'm going to go have my cake and eat it too! Happy Birthday!!!

Why Africa? By Stephanie Tyler...

I always tell people that I could easily live in Africa and it’s totally true. My love for the country of Tanzania was born out of the very first date I ever had with my now husband. See, he was born in Songea and he told this fascinating story of how his great grandfather went to Africa from Poland during WWII. He’d lost his leg and his three daughters in the detainment camps and he and his wife survived and moved to Africa to build refugee camps for the Peace Corps. So Zoo’s father was born there – his mom was born in Brooklyn and she went to Africa to visit a cousin who was getting a PhD in African studies and she met Zoo’s dad and she ended up making a month’s trip into a year. And when they got married, she moved there and stayed for nine years.

So when Zoo and I got married, I knew we’d be going to Africa on our honeymoon. It was so spectacular and so tragic at the same time, it was almost overwhelming. I mean, you’d be walking around this beautiful resort and you’d turn a corner to find a soldier carrying a big-assed rifle. So you always knew that there was some kind of danger near you at all times. We landed in Arusha the same day they’d bombed the embassies in Kenya and Dar Es Salaam, where his aunt lives, thought security would be huge. Instead, we dragged our own luggage out from under the plane, across the tarmac and went through a security line in three seconds flat. And somehow, it was still okay.

There’s a different rhythm there. I’m from New York, close to the city and we move really fast, never-stopping. And in Africa, that does not happen. If someone says they’ll pick you up at 9AM in Africa, it means anywhere from 9AM to say, noon, and no doubt, it’s closer to noon. And the longer you’re there, the more you begin to not care about time. You slow down, notice the little things, appreciate the good food, the time spend simply hanging out and talking.

We went on Safari several times, to different parts of Tanzania, to Zanzibar, made some great discoveries, like the Boma, which is part of the Trade, not Aid program. We visited the clinic Zoo was born in. And, like I mention in Hard to Hold and Too Hot, we were pulled over with our driver trying to get back to our hotel on safari by two men posing as police. They wanted money – we gave it to them. We were lucky. It happened again with real police in Dar Es Salaam. And while it was a reminder of where I was and how careful I had to be, it still didn’t take away from the gorgeous safaris, the wonderfully generous locals and, of course, the famous roads.

So really, Africa has a place in my heart forever and, obviously, a place in my books. So much beauty and danger in one place, and that’s really what romantic suspense is all about, right?

The Giveaway is now closed to entries! Thank you to everyone who came by and visited Steph while she was here at DIK. Steph will announce the lucky winner at her blog on Monday morning!

A big thank you again to Steph for sharing her DIK favorites, today's wonderful story, and being such a fun guest on the island!

Stephanie Tyler writes Romantic Suspense for Bantam Dell and Harlequin Blaze, as well as co-writing Paranormal Erotic Romance under the pen-name Sydney Croft. She lives in New York with her husband and her daughter.