Exclusively Yours

Exclusively Yours - I have been having really good luck with new authors and e-books lately. When Keri Daniels boss finds out that reclusive author, Joe Kowalski, was a high school boyfriend, she demands that Keri get an exclusive interview... or lose her job. Of course, nothing is that easy. Joe and his entire family still hold a grudge because Keri chose a career after high school instead of marrying Joe and living happily ever after.

What I liked about this novel was how well adjusted and happy Joe's family was. He has great parents, siblings he loves and although there are problems, they talk them out and basically act like nice people who love each other. It was also nice to see girls enjoying "boy activities" like camping and four-wheeling. I do love my shoe shopping but it is nice to see some diversity in the kinds of activities women can and do enjoy.

My one quibble with this book is why Keri was so attached to such a crappy job with a crappy boss. I would have immediately started sending out resumes when it became clear the interview would cost a happy ending. It isn't like she was in a profession that wouldn't allow telecommuting after all.

My latest E-Read Reviews

Sweet as Sin - This morning on Twitter I was discussing this novel with a fellow romance reader. I enjoyed this tremendously because I thought Inez did a good job at creating a truly tortured hero. (Please note, I enjoy tortured heroes in literature. In real life they are not so much fun to date.) My fellow reader thought there were too many plot lines that distracted from the romance. While I do agree with my fellow reader, I do think this author does a good job at creating characters I care about.

John Murphy is a children's book author who uses his writing to manage the nightmares that still haunt him. His past has truly damaged his ability to trust and, if it weren't for his sister, he might have not learned to love at all. The heroine must get past some really unacceptable boyfriend behavior and learn to accept the less than perfect parts of this hero. Please note that he is in no way abusive in this book but instead uses emotional distance to protect himself. Abusive behavior is not something I want to read in my romance novels.


My final recommendation is to pick up this author if you enjoy fresh new voices who create compelling characters. If you read for plot, you may want to pass on this offering and try her again later when she has fine tuned her voice.


Phoenix Rising - I do love a good steam punk novel and this was a fun addition to my library. Once again, what I loved most about this novel was the hero. From the product description "Evil is most assuredly afoot—and Britain’s fate rests in the hands of an alluring renegade . . . and a librarian." Now how could I not pick this one up! Wellington Books is happy with his job as an archivist for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences until agent Eliza D. Braun drags him kicking and screaming into mystery and mayhem. Wellington was a joy to read about because he was deceptively mild mannered and ineffectual and his skills and talents are constantly being overlooked by his coworkers. As the book progresses however, the reader becomes more and more aware of how special he is. I found him a great hero that I wanted to get to know more about.

Eliza was a bit more problematic for me. I found her character a bit flat and would have liked to see more development of her less obvious flamboyant traits. Hopefully future novels will more fully develop her character.  All-in-all, if you like steam punk I would recommend picking up a copy of this new series.

Beetlejuice

I have a new foster kitten that has been staying with me but will be off to the adoption store soon, much to the dismay of SkippyJon Jones. He is lobbying quite hard for us to keep him. I have explained over and over about the reputation I am getting as a crazy cat lady but he seems blithely unconcerned about my my future dating prospects.

Meanwhile, Beetlejuice is settling in nicely and doesn't seem inclined to leave home either. He spends his days following SJJ around doing everything he does. To adopt this little guy fill out an application on this page. http://www.tarasdream.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=3493961

Life Changes....Damn It!

I always hate it when bloggers post to say how very busy they have been but they promise to blog more in the future....so I won't say that. However, it is true to say that I have been quite busy lately. This is because of visits to family, library conferences in New Orleans and because my friends have not learned to schedule their major life changes in a way that is more convenient for me.

I have three friends moving this month. My best friend has already moved to California and his wife is moving there at the end of this month. It was kind of a two for one deal and I must say, losing two friends at once makes me very unhappy. Truly I am so happy Keith and Janet are pursuing their dream and I know they will love it but, but... what about me? Consequently, I am now in the market for new best friends and also, someone who will come get me if I break down on the side of the road at 2 am, who will come over and rake my leaves in the fall, who will remind me I need haircuts and then actually do it for me and who will indulge my passion for geeky board games. These roles may, or may not, be filled by the same applicant. Pay will be in books, lots and lots of books.

About three weeks later my friend Erin announced she is moving to Chicago. Once again, it is a fabulous job opportunity and it will be so much fun for her but I will miss her as well. The successful applicant for her position will go shopping with me, listen to my dating angst, oooh and awww over new kittens and help me brainstorm about work. Ideally this applicant should have an MLS or, at the very least, work in a library setting. She must also have impeccable taste in clothing and accessories.

Between Janet freaking out about packing and Erin freaking out about packing and me freaking out about them packing I am finding it difficult to find time for the little things. For example, another friend had her baby this week and I am still struggling to find a time to head over to her place to visit the baby and take tiny books to start her off right.

I am however booked to go to a house warming party for Brent, who has just purchased his first home, despite all my warnings.

Animal Rescue Alliance

Recently T.A.R.A., the animal rescue group I volunteer with, has suffered a setback and needs money quite badly to continue functioning. Below is their description of what has happened. I have gone ahead and installed a donation widget over to the right so that you can give a little help if you are so inclined.

Tara's Dream

$75 JULY SPECIAL!
Reduced adoption fees on all of our dogs in boarding.
Regular adoption fee is $150.
See Available Dogs


Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were set to lose our boarding facility on June 23; however, we have been given a small extension. There are 10 dogs left at our current location who need to be placed in temporary foster care or adopted into a new home as soon as possible.

We had found a new building to relocate our office and boarding facility, but it has fallen through. We are desperate for a new location! We need to continue to raise money to fund the relocation, construction, and purchase of supplies (including kennels, fencing, etc.) so we can get back to our mission of saving the homeless animals of Kansas City.

If you can help by fostering, donating your time or supplies, please contact us at email@tarasdream.org. If you can help with a monetary donation, please contribute to our Save TARA fund.

Thank you for your continued support!