March 13th, 2010 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, ARC, Blackmail, Counts, Marquis, Viscounts, Georgian, Gothic, Great Britain, Paranormal, Revenge, S-U, Spinster, Survival, Suspense/Thriller, Werewolf
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I have a funny story with this book and by story I mean an epic fail. I was returning some books back to the library and somehow Lady Anne sneaked back with them. When I realized what I’d done it was as if I’d been amputated! So painful. Of course I returned the books on a Sunday; the only day in the week the library isn’t open until late in the afternoon or early in the day.
After a pretty good freak out, I waited until I could call. Ended hanging up once because I was on hold for five minutes and called back. Then I had to wait on the phone for twenty plus minutes before somebody from circulation got to me. They either forgot me or they were busy. I told them about the book and the person I talked with probably never got a call like this before because I was given a hard time.
Finally, I managed to convince them that the book was mine and not a library book. I don’t understand how this was so difficult as 1) it is not stamped with the library name nor was it 2) tagged with a detector strip or that pocket thing and 3) clearly says advance review copy on the cover! This is why I write in books to identify and claim them.
In the end they put the book on hold for me and now it was a matter of getting back over there. The library where I dropped the books off while on errands was all the way across town. I really didn’t make this easy on myself. Luckily I got there, but it was close! One more red light and it would have been better luck next time. Needless to say I was very, very pleased to get this book back and finish it… which I did later that night.
What I liked best about Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark was its tribute to Gothic romance, followed swiftly by a capable intelligent heroine. The hero liked that best about her too so how could you not fall in love with him? Lady Anne is very plain and a spinster to boot, which are some of my very favorite things to read in romance.
Simpson writes in a witty and engaging voice. I loved Lady Anne. She was such a treat. Her musings on Lord Darkefell are particularly fabulous:
It was either that or go back to pondering the feel of Lord Darkefell’s too-perfect lips pressed against hers. And his too-perfect body against hers. He was entirely too perfect—if there was such a concept as overabundant perfection—in a physical sense and entirely too maddeningly imperfect in every other way.
Without giving anything else away I will say this: if you like mystery, intrigue, werewolves, and Gothic you will love this book! Oh and chances are you're going to jump to conclusions about the mystery and be totally wrong - I was!
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Buy: Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
Originally posted 2009-03-29 05:55:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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February 20th, 2010 — 5 Stars, Comedy of Manners, Contemporary, Executive, India, Indian, Interracial, Movie Reviews, United States of America
I saw this movie 3 times within 3 days and enjoyed it every time.
Todd Anderson is the vice president of customer relations and order fulfillment for a company that sells over the phone patriotic kitsch. Within five minutes of the movie starting, Todd learns that despite his excellent record and that of his team they’re being outsourced. If he wants to keep his job he must head to India for the purpose of training his replacement and the new team. Part of the job description is to get the minutes per incident down to six, a nearly impossible feat due to the accent and cultural differences.
Culture shock hit the minute Todd lands in India and gets off the plane. Frustrated, irritated, and disappointed with everything Todd bungles his way through 24 hours. Some of the things he misses that seem common knowledge enough to me are worthy of a little eye rolling. If it’s a social gaffe to double dip in America why would you think it’s okay to lick your fingers before putting your hand back into a bowl of food?
In any case, the more Todd resists India the bleaker things seem. Will he ever be able to return home to America or will he be stuck in India forever? Luckily he learns quickly that the best way to get what he wants is to stop resisting India’s culture and charm. Within the month this movie takes place becomes a top notch manager and teacher.
As the story develops, Todd also finds a love interest. He learns the differences of courting and just how important appearances are for women. The romance is referred to by Asha, the girl, as a Holiday in Goa, which means the love affair before one has to enter an arranged marriage. She is accepting that it’s not a love match, but expects love to develop over time. When confronted by how crazy it was to agree to something so archaic, Asha tells Todd it’s crazier that Americans have a 50% divorce rate.
They fall in love and naturally must part ways, but wait!!!! Without giving too much away I will say this: the ending is positive and open ended with enough leeway to write any conclusion a viewer wishes.
Rating: 5 Stars
Buy: Outsourced
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Originally posted 2009-04-25 05:21:32. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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February 18th, 2010 — About, Guest Blogger, J-L
by Pam Jenoff, guest blogger and author of Almost Home
.
After the publication of my first novel, The Kommandant's Girl
, I was thrilled to be invited to speak at a number of events, ranging from small book clubs and library gatherings to larger fundraisers. I gamely accepted every invitation, participating in well over 60 events. By the end of the year, I found myself exhilarated but also, well, a little burned out. I realized then that promoting oneself as an author is an important, but time consuming job of its own.
As an author, there is nothing I like better than meeting readers in-person. But these days, with two jobs and a baby at home, I’m much more selective as to the invitations I’m able to accept. I think for most authors, there is a cost-benefit analysis that goes deciding whether to participate in an event. So if you are planning one, the following are my brutally honest tips for maximizing your chances of getting an author to attend:
Ask about timing.
Consider the author’s schedule. For some authors that also have a day job, an evening appearance may be the only option. Does the author prefer an early evening in order to get home to put her kids to bed or a later evening to allow her time between work and the event to eat and regroup? For example, I get up to write at five a.m., so staying late at an event is often not feasible. Also, to the extent you have control over the date, consult early with the author about whether some days are better than others.
Keep it short.
Even if your book normally meets for two hours, understand if the author may only be able to stay for the first forty-five minutes or an hour, and start promptly. This will also give your group a chance to candidly discuss the book further after the author has left.
Consider location.
I am far more likely to be able to travel to an event that is fifteen minutes from my house than an hour and a half away. Perhaps offer to meet at a restaurant or coffee shop closer to the author’s residence. Of course for a remote author, phone or videoconferencing can be a great alternative.
Have food.
Shallow, perhaps, but true. I spent a lot of nights during my first year as an author choking down a salad in a supermarket parking lot because there was no other option for managing dinner between work and a book event. I was always so grateful for the hosts that had light appetizers or even dinner.
Think about group size.
While small, intimate gatherings are fun, it is almost always more beneficial for the author to have a slightly larger turnout. Consider merging with another book club or reading group for the night to ensure a good crowd.
Plan promotion.
Are you going to advertise the event? Have books for sale? If so, discuss these things with the author when extending an invitation. For most of us, writing is the way we make a living and we are usually thinking about how an event can support book sales. I am frequently asked by inviting groups if I have books to sell. I don’t, but I’m so grateful when the group can arrange with a book store or the publisher to have them on hand for people to buy. And I am always happy to promote an event I’m attending on my website and Facebook.
Contemplate contingencies.
I kept participating in book events almost until the day my son was born, and when I couldn’t attend due to early labor contractions, the group I had to postpone was very understanding. Another group however, expected me to travel in a dangerous ice storm rather than reschedule. Take unexpected events into account!
I hope these suggestions don’t sound demanding or petty; that couldn’t be further from what I intended. I love participating in book events and meeting readers and plan to keep doing so as much as my crazy schedule will allow. Hopefully armed with these insider tips, you will have a great deal of success in bringing authors to your future events. I welcome your comments (and invitations of course 
) here or through my website www.pamjenoff.com.
Buy: Almost Home
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January 6th, 2010 — 4.5 Stars, A-C, Book Review, Dukes and Earls, Great Britain, Regency, Rogues and Rakehells, Virgin Heroine
Kathryn Caskie spins a delightful tale in How to Engage an Earl. My only complaint is the hero's name. I mean really, Laird? I can't decide if I am supposed to pronounce it like Lard, Lord, or L'AIR-ed. Apparently, Laird is a Scottish name, if that helps anyone else figure out how to say it.
So after Laird, Caskie gives us a much easier name to pronounce: Anne Royle. Anne is one of three Royle sisters; Mary was married off in How to Seduce a Duke and Elizabeth is younger than Anne. I figure that makes Anne the middle child. She's very pale in coloring; white skin, flax hair, gold eyes, red lips. She's also used to not being noticed. In fact, Anne is so unnoticed in crowds that she can literally steal the goblet that they are drinking from right out of their hands.
Of course, this is how Laird MacLaren first notices her and maneuvers her to try to steal his glass. Anne distracts him and manages to escape... with his drink, back into the crowd. That was not the last time Laird saw her that night however. Anne is set on the mission of finding the letters that will prove her heritage as a daughter of the Prince Regent. These letters are rumored to be in the Earl MacLaren's bedroom. Thrilling and sexy, Anne's presence in the master bedroom is only topped by Laird's, who had gone up earlier to sleep off the brandy.
Not five minutes after her discovery by Laird in his bedroom than the rest of the ton finds out. The scandal was only narrowly subverted by his friend, Apsley, who claimed that she was in his room because Anne was Laird's betrothed. Thrust into the center of attention, Anne is shocked speechless and highly uncomfortable. All Anne wants is out!
The next day Laird agrees she can end the engagement only after she helps change his character in the eyes of the ton. Laird wants to marry Constance Henceforth, but she will only have him if he's changed. After all who would want a rake?
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Buy: How to Engage an Earl
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Originally posted 2008-12-02 02:08:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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December 16th, 2009 — About
The following is my recipe entry to SBTB cooking contest. I call them peanut clusters usually, but seeing as the idea was to write the recipe like it was a romance novel... haha 
For no other purpose this is the perfect snack to go with book reading...
Luscious Nutty Goodness
This deliciously sweet and salty creation starts with melting nirvana.
Ingredients:
1 12oz bag of semi-sweet Nestles morsels
2 12oz bags of white chocolate Nestles morsels
1 15/16oz can of salted peanuts
You will also need a spoon of awesome, a spatula, a microwavable bowl, and at least two cookie sheets/trays/pans.
Directions:
1. Melt the morsels into a creamy smooth mixture by microwaving in bursts of 40 seconds. Stir between each firing.
2. When the chocolate mass is thoroughly melted like a heroine from a hero’s kiss, pour in the entire can of peanuts and stir until chocolate coats everything.
3. Taking spoon and spatula scoop out bite-size pieces onto your cookie trays. Do this until you have run out of peanuts.
4. Save the leftover salted chocolate for some mouthwatering indulgence while you wait for the candy to finish.
5. Place trays of candy into your refrigerator to harden like a hero’s quivering manhood over the next twenty or so minutes.
6. Go back to number four and lick the bowl clean.
7. When the twenty minutes are up pull out the trays and pop the candy off and place into tupperware containers. Best left in fridge when not eating, but can be left out.
For variations change the types of morsels or add raisins.
Clean up is easy, less than five minutes, not counting how long it takes to lick the bowl clean.
As soon as I make a batch, I'll be posting images.
Originally posted 2009-01-30 10:15:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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