If you had told me even six months ago that I would move 2400 miles away from the home I'd known my entire life, I would have told you you were crazy. And yet here I am. My entire immediate family (parents & my brother & his family) moved from Portland, Oregon to Livonia, Michigan.
In a lot of ways, I gave up everything: my friends, my home, even my favorite bookstores, to do this move. The hardest part...I gave up Powell's Books in Beaverton, Oregon. They had many, many book signings there & I got to meet some of my favorite authors.
I'm sure (crossing fingers & such) that there are awesome independent bookstores around here, but I have no idea where to go. The only bookstore I've found is B&N, which isn't a bad thing. I broke down and bought a NOOKColor a few weeks ago. It's the best purchase I think I've ever made. I still want the feel of a real book in my hands though and hope to have that opportunity soon. Any suggestions for a newbie Michigander? I'm in a suburb outside of Detroit. :)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Kate Noble Giveaway winner!
The winner of Follow My Lead by Kate Noble is:
Blodeuedd
Congratulations!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
What Three Things Would You Bring to a Deserted Island?
Please welcome author KayAnna Kirby to the island!
There are very few deserted islands left in the world. What if, the unthinkable happens and you are stranded on one of them? This was the question that came up the other night at a dinner party. After much thought, we all went around and stated what we would bring if we were ever stranded on an uninhabited island. Almost everyone choose something different vital to their survival. Turns out, you can learn a lot about a person, based on the three things they would bring to a deserted island. Here are three people, their choices and what I think it says about them.
My Husband
A 47 foot Yacht.
Sausages.
Mustard.
When I first heard his choices, I wanted to scream foul. “You can't bring a boat,” I said.
“There were no rules other than it had to be three things,” he replied.
Everyone started laughing. No one thought to bring a boat. Then when everyone accepted the boat as a valid choice, they pictured a dingy. Not a 47 foot luxury yacht.
Its actually quite brilliant. He told everyone, after he eats his sausage with mustard, he would watch the sunset, before taking the boat home.
What this says about him
I think this says he is a very practical person who loves his luxuries. Even in the face of ultimatums he chooses luxury. Talk about someone who knows what he wants.
We asked him if he wanted a woman there with him. He said no. He wanted some peace and quiet and time to enjoy his sausages and the sunset.
My Best Friend
A Man. Big, strong, gorgeous and naked. Hence a Greek God like Man.
A Tent, fully loaded
A sleeping bag (for cold nights)
She also let everyone know, she would be clothed from head to toe in winter clothing. Boots, sweaters, coat, gloves, scarves, etc. She hates to be cold and needed to make sure her nights were comfortable. We asked her how she would eat, She replied, her Tarzan/Greek God, would provide. That is what he was there for.
What this says about her
I think this says she wants to be taken care of and wants it a little easy. She more wants the Man as a worker as much as a companion. It also tells me she values her warmth more than food. She said she would rather be hungry and warm vs. cold and full.
Me
A Man.
A knife.
A lighter.
These are the items I would bring to a deserted Island. A Man, mainly for companionship and those tropical nights. (My friend said I needed him only because I didn't have a tent so I'd be cold.) A knife so we can cut stuff. Coconuts, branches, fish, leaves, pretty much anything that we may need to survive. Finally, a lighter. To start fires easily would make life so much easier. I thought with those three things, we could do almost anything. We could build things and cook food with somewhat ease.
What this says about me
My friend thinks this says I value people because I want A man for companionship. Plus I'm practical along with being a hunter, gatherer. I'm not afraid of work, and don't mind using tools to build whatever it is I want. A DIY kind of girl.
Sounds good to me. I still wished I would have thought to bring a boat.
What are three things you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted Island. Let me know below, and you could win a copy of Claimed By Desire. Contest to run until Saturday, May 21st. Winner announced on 5/22/11.
A Good girl Gone Bad…
Certified Public Accountant Allison Cain screwed up. Against her better judgement, she sleeps with a man she meets for the first time. The next morning he is no-where to be found. She is left alone and feels used. But that wasn’t the end of her torture, because Allison discovers her one night stand leaves her with more than hurt feelings.
A Billionaire with everything except…
Bryson Anderson Jr., multi billionaire real estate developer has it all; money, power, women, even his own island. A real estate acquisition brings him face to face with the alluring Allison once again on the tropical Cayman Islands. When he hears Allison is expecting his heir as a result of their explosive one night stand, a primal urge for a family is born. However, he has to convince an angry Allison to be a family even if it’s just for their child.
He didn’t realize he could lose his heart in the process.
When Bryson becomes the target of a rival out to destroy him, Allison and Bryson will have to fight for their lives and their hearts—before it’s too late.
There are very few deserted islands left in the world. What if, the unthinkable happens and you are stranded on one of them? This was the question that came up the other night at a dinner party. After much thought, we all went around and stated what we would bring if we were ever stranded on an uninhabited island. Almost everyone choose something different vital to their survival. Turns out, you can learn a lot about a person, based on the three things they would bring to a deserted island. Here are three people, their choices and what I think it says about them.
My Husband
A 47 foot Yacht.
Sausages.
Mustard.
When I first heard his choices, I wanted to scream foul. “You can't bring a boat,” I said.
“There were no rules other than it had to be three things,” he replied.
Everyone started laughing. No one thought to bring a boat. Then when everyone accepted the boat as a valid choice, they pictured a dingy. Not a 47 foot luxury yacht.
Its actually quite brilliant. He told everyone, after he eats his sausage with mustard, he would watch the sunset, before taking the boat home.
What this says about him
I think this says he is a very practical person who loves his luxuries. Even in the face of ultimatums he chooses luxury. Talk about someone who knows what he wants.
We asked him if he wanted a woman there with him. He said no. He wanted some peace and quiet and time to enjoy his sausages and the sunset.
My Best Friend
A Man. Big, strong, gorgeous and naked. Hence a Greek God like Man.
A Tent, fully loaded
A sleeping bag (for cold nights)
She also let everyone know, she would be clothed from head to toe in winter clothing. Boots, sweaters, coat, gloves, scarves, etc. She hates to be cold and needed to make sure her nights were comfortable. We asked her how she would eat, She replied, her Tarzan/Greek God, would provide. That is what he was there for.
What this says about her
I think this says she wants to be taken care of and wants it a little easy. She more wants the Man as a worker as much as a companion. It also tells me she values her warmth more than food. She said she would rather be hungry and warm vs. cold and full.
Me
A Man.
A knife.
A lighter.
These are the items I would bring to a deserted Island. A Man, mainly for companionship and those tropical nights. (My friend said I needed him only because I didn't have a tent so I'd be cold.) A knife so we can cut stuff. Coconuts, branches, fish, leaves, pretty much anything that we may need to survive. Finally, a lighter. To start fires easily would make life so much easier. I thought with those three things, we could do almost anything. We could build things and cook food with somewhat ease.
What this says about me
My friend thinks this says I value people because I want A man for companionship. Plus I'm practical along with being a hunter, gatherer. I'm not afraid of work, and don't mind using tools to build whatever it is I want. A DIY kind of girl.
Sounds good to me. I still wished I would have thought to bring a boat.
What are three things you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted Island. Let me know below, and you could win a copy of Claimed By Desire. Contest to run until Saturday, May 21st. Winner announced on 5/22/11.
A Good girl Gone Bad…
Certified Public Accountant Allison Cain screwed up. Against her better judgement, she sleeps with a man she meets for the first time. The next morning he is no-where to be found. She is left alone and feels used. But that wasn’t the end of her torture, because Allison discovers her one night stand leaves her with more than hurt feelings.
A Billionaire with everything except…
Bryson Anderson Jr., multi billionaire real estate developer has it all; money, power, women, even his own island. A real estate acquisition brings him face to face with the alluring Allison once again on the tropical Cayman Islands. When he hears Allison is expecting his heir as a result of their explosive one night stand, a primal urge for a family is born. However, he has to convince an angry Allison to be a family even if it’s just for their child.
He didn’t realize he could lose his heart in the process.
When Bryson becomes the target of a rival out to destroy him, Allison and Bryson will have to fight for their lives and their hearts—before it’s too late.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
What Is A "Beach Read"?
Tori and I were invited for a quick trip over to the island to relieve fellow DIK lady D.L. who is neck deep in exams and studying for said torture. Good Luck D.L.!
On the trip over in the uber cool DIK jet I got to musing about something that has been niggling me for a while, namely beach reads and what the reference means. With summer quickly approaching, I've noticed the prevalence of bloggers and reviewers talking about beach reads. i.e. "This would be a good beach read." or "I would recommend this as a beach read." I also noticed that discussing a book in this context doesn't necessarily mean that it is the most awesome story ever. I get the feeling the stories that fall under this connotation rate a "ho hum", an "it was alright", an "eh", or maybe a "quick and dirty-satisfactory" read. Am I right?
I don't think labeling a book as a beach read is something new, in fact, every summer as folks are looking forward to vacations avid readers start thinking about books they will take along to devour while enjoying that precious leisure time. In pondering this further I decided that a beach read doesn't necessarily mean you are packing your book bag or cramming your e-reader full of stories that will travel to the shore of a lake or sea. Personally, for me a beach means sand in my ass and the requirement for 90+ SPF sunblock which attracts and sticks to said sand, greases up book pages and causes streaks on the screen of my iPad. So I prefer holidays at a hotel with a pool, a handsome hero serving a fruity drink with lots of ice and a little umbrella poking out the top of a piece of pineapple, and plenty of shade to park the lounge chair under (I am so not a sun worshiper).
However, I digress. The thing is there are two types of books that I take along with me on vacation. The ones that have been touted as the best thing since, well the very best thing. The new books I'm looking forward too. And, the ones that are in my TBR and I've been salivating over for months but just haven't had time to get to for one reason or another. When I'm on holiday, I want to take the awesome reads to enjoy, not the mediocre. And, I've come to equate a beach read with so not awesome. However, there was the time that I read the same book that another reviewer termed a beach read. She thought it was an okay read and I thought it was excellent..which lends credence to the whole "what floats one person's boat, beaches another" analogy.
Anyway. What sort of book do you equate with a beach read? Awesome? Good? Bad? No thoughts on the matter whatsoever? LOL
Okay, so Tori and I are going to enjoy the rest of our day here on the island. I have the lounge chair parked on a grassy area under a very shady tree, and one of my guys has brought me that fancy drink as described above. And, I have my non-beach read - so far it's damn good too.. :)
Oh, and BTW - my guy is applying the 90+ SPF sunscreen to the exposed areas - no worries about sand and greasy fingers. ;) Have a great day everyone!
On the trip over in the uber cool DIK jet I got to musing about something that has been niggling me for a while, namely beach reads and what the reference means. With summer quickly approaching, I've noticed the prevalence of bloggers and reviewers talking about beach reads. i.e. "This would be a good beach read." or "I would recommend this as a beach read." I also noticed that discussing a book in this context doesn't necessarily mean that it is the most awesome story ever. I get the feeling the stories that fall under this connotation rate a "ho hum", an "it was alright", an "eh", or maybe a "quick and dirty-satisfactory" read. Am I right?
Anyway. What sort of book do you equate with a beach read? Awesome? Good? Bad? No thoughts on the matter whatsoever? LOL
Oh, and BTW - my guy is applying the 90+ SPF sunscreen to the exposed areas - no worries about sand and greasy fingers. ;) Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
How to be a Historical Romance Hero
Please welcome Kate Noble to the Island once again!
Having spent the past few years spinning stories on my computer of the Historical Romantic persuasion, I find myself constantly challenged to define the Perfect Hero. We all have different requirements of our heroes. We all want them to be strong, smart, tall… or maybe short. Alpha – but we love our betas too! Dark and brooding – but occasionally mixing it up with a red or golden haired god with a sunnier disposition can make the heart sing (Hey, look at that – Jason from Follow My Lead has red hair. Whodathunk?)
So how what does make the Perfect Historical Romance Hero? After much consideration, I think I’ve narrowed it down.
Now, the Perfect Historical Romance Hero doesn’t have to have ALL of the following traits, but he has to have at least a majority of them. It’s like a Chinese food buffet. Pick and choose what you like.
1. Be good looking… or at least, distinctive looking.
On the most basic level, we want our heroes to be pretty. What’s the use of those hot guys on the covers if they don’t play into our fantasies? But more importantly, a hero has to look good to the heroine. She may not go for the Henry Cavill type (although if she doesn’t, she’s blind), but instead respond to a… Bradley Whitford (cute, sweet, but a romance hero?). That said there is a well-documented psychological phenomena that says that as one begins to fall in love, the object of their affection begins to look better to their eyes. So Bradley Whitford can turn into Henry Cavill to the heroine. It’s true… beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
2. Be unaccountably drawn to the heroine.
There has to be something about the heroine that drives the hero nutty. His eyes are drawn to her the moment she enters the room. She gets under his skin, without even trying. And in some cases, like Jason in Follow My Lead – he is so attuned to Winnifred Crane’s whereabouts, when he sees her boarding what he thinks is the wrong ship, he ends up following her all the way across Europe!
He may not like her initially, but there has to be something in him that ends up putting her front and center.
Also, the ability to spar verbally with said heroine is a bonus. Because that’s the fun part.
3. Wealthy and/or titled.
Who doesn’t want to hook up with an aristocrat? (Did I mention Jason from Follow My Lead is a duke, too?) Or a self-made millionaire? There is an aphrodisiac to power, and we readers certainly enjoy seeing it (note: this aphrodisiac is only potent if requirement #1 is also fulfilled.)
Also required: a certain amount of self awareness. Which is something the heroine can help give him, if he needs taking down off of a particular wealth and status related high-horse.
4. “Have you ever considered Piracy?”
My favorite quote from The Princess Bride best describes what is needed to be a historical Romance Hero. Not that they all become the Dread Pirate Roberts, of course, but they all have a twinkle in their eye, even if its under the coldest, iciest exterior, that could lead them into mischief. Never underestimate a willingness to cause trouble.
And if the hero is a pirate… well, that’s a bonus too.
5. The Indefinable. The X Factor.
Someone once said (and I’m afraid it might be Simon Cowell) that “either you’ve got it, or you don’t.” That extra something special. That undefinable, “it” factor – and to be a Historical Romance Hero, you definitely have to have it. Be it a dark and dirty secret, or a secret delight, or a way of dancing the waltz that makes the girls go all a flutter, a Perfect Hero has “it”. In spades.
So what do you think? What are some of the characteristics of your Perfect Hero? Let me know below, and you could win a copy of Follow My Lead!
Having spent the past few years spinning stories on my computer of the Historical Romantic persuasion, I find myself constantly challenged to define the Perfect Hero. We all have different requirements of our heroes. We all want them to be strong, smart, tall… or maybe short. Alpha – but we love our betas too! Dark and brooding – but occasionally mixing it up with a red or golden haired god with a sunnier disposition can make the heart sing (Hey, look at that – Jason from Follow My Lead has red hair. Whodathunk?)
So how what does make the Perfect Historical Romance Hero? After much consideration, I think I’ve narrowed it down.
Now, the Perfect Historical Romance Hero doesn’t have to have ALL of the following traits, but he has to have at least a majority of them. It’s like a Chinese food buffet. Pick and choose what you like.
1. Be good looking… or at least, distinctive looking.
On the most basic level, we want our heroes to be pretty. What’s the use of those hot guys on the covers if they don’t play into our fantasies? But more importantly, a hero has to look good to the heroine. She may not go for the Henry Cavill type (although if she doesn’t, she’s blind), but instead respond to a… Bradley Whitford (cute, sweet, but a romance hero?). That said there is a well-documented psychological phenomena that says that as one begins to fall in love, the object of their affection begins to look better to their eyes. So Bradley Whitford can turn into Henry Cavill to the heroine. It’s true… beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
 |
| Which one of these men is a romance hero?...Both! |
2. Be unaccountably drawn to the heroine.
There has to be something about the heroine that drives the hero nutty. His eyes are drawn to her the moment she enters the room. She gets under his skin, without even trying. And in some cases, like Jason in Follow My Lead – he is so attuned to Winnifred Crane’s whereabouts, when he sees her boarding what he thinks is the wrong ship, he ends up following her all the way across Europe!
He may not like her initially, but there has to be something in him that ends up putting her front and center.
Also, the ability to spar verbally with said heroine is a bonus. Because that’s the fun part.
3. Wealthy and/or titled.
Who doesn’t want to hook up with an aristocrat? (Did I mention Jason from Follow My Lead is a duke, too?) Or a self-made millionaire? There is an aphrodisiac to power, and we readers certainly enjoy seeing it (note: this aphrodisiac is only potent if requirement #1 is also fulfilled.)
Also required: a certain amount of self awareness. Which is something the heroine can help give him, if he needs taking down off of a particular wealth and status related high-horse.
4. “Have you ever considered Piracy?”
My favorite quote from The Princess Bride best describes what is needed to be a historical Romance Hero. Not that they all become the Dread Pirate Roberts, of course, but they all have a twinkle in their eye, even if its under the coldest, iciest exterior, that could lead them into mischief. Never underestimate a willingness to cause trouble.
And if the hero is a pirate… well, that’s a bonus too.
5. The Indefinable. The X Factor.
Someone once said (and I’m afraid it might be Simon Cowell) that “either you’ve got it, or you don’t.” That extra something special. That undefinable, “it” factor – and to be a Historical Romance Hero, you definitely have to have it. Be it a dark and dirty secret, or a secret delight, or a way of dancing the waltz that makes the girls go all a flutter, a Perfect Hero has “it”. In spades.
So what do you think? What are some of the characteristics of your Perfect Hero? Let me know below, and you could win a copy of Follow My Lead!
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