July 13, 2011
What I Am; What I Was; What I Will
Mood:
lazy
Topic: Book Reviews
July 12, 2011
Tease Me, Tempt Me, Read Me...
Mood:
hug me
Topic: Book Reviews
I must say, I am fraught with eagerness as I anticipate her expression when she receives my gifts. She is aglow with animation, whereas my princess was the picture of reserve. I long for Anne Plantagenet every day, but more and more I find myself subject to a strange sort of excitement when in the presence of my new wife.
—p. 126, Rivals in the Tudor Court by D.L. Bogdan
July 9, 2011
Moving....
Mood:
don't ask
Now Playing: To Tumblr
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews
I'll be posting blog posts with pictures on my tumblr site,
brooklynshoebabe.tumblr.com, but still look for my more wordy posts here.
July 8, 2011
Oh Holy Hell
Mood:
not sure
Now Playing: Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Topic: Book Reviews
Personal Demons by
Lisa Desrochers My rating:
4 of 5 stars Although I love science fiction and fantasy movies, I have never been a fan of the books. Besides the plot and the characters, I also have to make myself familiar with a whole new world, society, creatures, mores, etc. so it was with great surprise when I had the strong desire to read
Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers. It had been on my to-read list since September, but it moved to the top of my list when I met the author at Book Expo America 2011. She autographed a free copy of the novel to me, and explained that she wrote the book for her daughter, who was really into the Twilight series. To be fair to Lisa, Personal Demons is a much better book.
Frannie has a special power that could be a benefit to Heaven and Hell, so each dominion has sent their best to tag her soul. From Hell, is Luc a.k.a. Lucifer. He is seven millennia old demon whose mere presence makes Frannie want to give in to her baser instincts. Gabriel is one of the best angels from Heaven, who makes Frannie feel safe and secure. She is in constant battle with herself on who she is going to choose.
Frannie is one of the most realistic teenage girls I’ve read in a long time in a Young Adult novel. She’s smart, reckless, impulsive, and angst-ridden. She’s also very good at judo. She’s like a more realistic Buffy the Vampire Slayer! She is definitely one of my favorite girl characters. Empowered!
Personal Demons is a sexy, witty, taut, and highly readable YA novel that constantly leaves me breathless. In the words of Luc, Unholy Satan because plot twists come fast at a fast rate. Plus there’s an intense love triangle. There's also a certain amount of camp involved. The book runs about 30 pages too long. Once all the major plot points are revealed, the story sort of sputters to an end. However, it is still a great book and I can’t wait to dive into the sequel out in August.
View all my reviews
June 30, 2011
I've Been Romanced
Mood:
crushed out
Now Playing: RWA 2011
Topic: Book Reviews
Around the age of 10 years-old, my aunt got a subscription to the Harlequin’s romance book club. When she moved out two years later, she left a few copies that I devoured under the covers with a flashlight. (I moved into her bedroom.) I mostly flipped through them to find the “good parts” but slowly got into the stories. I also read excerpts of stories by Barbara Taylor Bradford and Danielle Steele in my grandma’s Ladies’ Home Journal magazines. By the time I was a senior in high school, I was reading romance novels and Tennessee Williams plays at a pretty steady clip since there were only a handful of young adult novels to speak of. (True story, my high school librarian didn’t mind me checking out romance but when I wanted a book on puberty/sexuality, she said I needed a permission slip from my parents.)By the time I went off to college and started working in the magazine biz, I shook off my juvenile reading habits for feminist lit, African-American memoirs, and literary fiction. But there’s only so much proper literature one can read before they get burnt out on it and now I find myself back in the loving embrace romance (and its naughtier sister erotica). The last 8-months of rediscovering it has been a wonderful journey, where I have found fun new blogs, my preference for cowboys, and lots of free books & e-books. This past Tuesday, I reached the pinnacle of my journey by attending the Romance Writers’ Association Librarians Day--a day of networking, professional development, and getting free stuff! My favorite items? The romance trading cards and bookmarks. I know have a photo album bursting with these collectibles (http://romancetradingcards.com/).
Last month, I also got to let my librarain-geek flag fly at BookExpo 2011 at New York City's Jacob Javitis' Convention Center. Not only did I attend several professional development seminair like the pulishers preview of middle-grade fall 2011 fiction, but I also got to walk up and down the aisles of the expo and examine several publishing houses' booths. One of my favorites was the erotica publishers Ellora's Cave (which is celebrating its tenth anniversary and from whom I got an autographed beefcake calendar and a deck of playing cards featuring their male cover models).
At the Harlequin booth, I got to meet African-American romance novelist Gwyneth Bolton. Her book, Sizzling Seduction, was the first Kimani romance
I ever read and dispeled any misgiving I may have had about Black-themed romance novels. (Number 1 being that it would be more about race than about romance.) While I was getting my autographed, I babbled on about how great I thought Sizzling Seduction was by uttering over and over "Fireman, sexy, great, intense, fireman!" The only sad part about that moment were how non-exsistent the autograph lines were for the Kimani novelists. The lines were so short that I thought I had shown up while they were still setting up.
June 16, 2011
Kiss My Nail Art
Mood:
caffeinated
Now Playing: Kiss Goldfinger Great Strip Nail Color Stickers
Topic: Beauty Thoughts & Reviews
Kiss Goldfinger Great Strip Nail Color Stickers Review & Demo
Rating: 4 stars
After a very stressful week of M.I.A. nanny and lack of back up childcare, I splurge on some cute and inexpensive make-up from my local Brooklyn beauty store on the way to work. My cuties, 6-year-old Dew and 4-year-old Jo-Jo, pick out $1 headband & scarf combos. I get lavendar and periwinkle blue eye shadow duo by Nicka NK and, my favorite find, Goldfinger nail decals for $5.99. They are basically an inexpensive version of Sally Hansen's version. For $3 less, I give it a whirl. In the video below, I demonstrate the application. It was pretty good for a beginner, IMHO. See below and let me know!
Pros: inexpensive, easy to use, on trend 
Cons: not available at mass retailers, hard to apply for non dominant hand
Where did I buy this? local beauty store (You can also buy them on eBay at various beauty storefronts, like this seller.)
June 8, 2011
What You Reading For?
Currently Reading:
To Love A Wilde by Kimberly Kaye Terry
The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde
Personal Demons by Lisa Desroscher
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen (audiobook)
To Read:
Carrying the Ranchcer's Heir by Charlene Sands
Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowen
Just Read:
The Wit and the Wisdom of Mark Twain ( a book of quotations)
Head, Body, Legs: A Story from Liberia (A magical retlling of a Liberia creation story) Won-Ldy Paye
June 7, 2011
Tasty Teaser Tuesday
Mood:
accident prone
Now Playing: Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
Topic: Book Reviews
Even Jack saying my name never made me feel so--
Stop it.
I promised myself all that was gone, forgotten, and it's going to stay that way. I made myself strong, I taught myself to know who--and what--I am.
pg. 35, Between Here and Forever by Elizabeth Scott
June 1, 2011
Watcha Reading Now?
Mood:
a-ok
Now Playing: What I'm Reading, What I Will Read
Topic: Book Reviews
What I'm Reading Now
YA paranormal novel, Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers. An angel and a demon fight over the soul of a teenage girl in a literal battle of heaven over hell. I'm on page 21 and I'm enjoying it so far. I met Lisa Desrochers last week at BookExpo 2011. She told me that she decided to write Personal Demons for her daughter who was a huge Twilight fan.
I'm also starting to get ankle deep in the romance/family drama, The Welcome Home Garden Club. I just got to the part where our heroes have reunited in nearly ten years. It was an intense scene. I'm on page 87.
While watching my daughters in the bathtub, I started reading the Kimani Romance To Love A Wilde. It is the second Harlequin romance I've purchased this year, and the first I bought just based on the cover--an interracial couple on a ranch. Black chicks and cowboys. Yeehah! I'm at the set up portion.
What I Will Be Reading In the Future
Elizabeth Scott's teen romance novel Between Here and Forever. I also met her at BEA. She promised me that this will be a far lighter read than her intense, intensely creepy, and well written Living Dead Girl.
Planet Middle School--a YA novel told in verse by Nikki Grimes.
May 31, 2011
Personal Demons Not Belonging To Me
Mood:
a-ok
Now Playing: Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers
Topic: Book Reviews
Chapter 13
A Cold Day In Hell
Frannie
My hear is pounding s I wait at my locker 'cause, after last night with Luc, I'm not sure what to expect. I stare blindly at my books and shift my weight from foot to foot, failing spectacularly at trying to appear casual.
page 177, Personal Demons by Lisa Deroschers
(from my autographed copy!)
May 18, 2011
Watcha Reading?
Mood:
not sure
Now Playing: Books I'm Reading Now?
Topic: Book Reviews
What I Am Reading Now
Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger; Jazz's traditional Indian family want her to chose a spouse from a list of predetermined candidates, but Jazz has her eyes set on a school cutie. What will Jazz do when her desires clash with her family's wishes?
Mr. Fix-It by Crystal Hubbard: Khela Halliday, an award-winning romance writer who doesn't believe in love, meets her match in a gorgeous handyman who is determined to find the perfect tool to shatter her defenses and win her heart.
Witch Baby and Me by Debi Gilori: It's a rainy spring-time, coming up to Witch Baby Daisy's second birthday. Her nursery class are putting on a musical performance, helped by the older children, including big sister Lily. Meanwhile Mum is trying to potty train Daisy, unaware that as soon as she succeeds, Daisy will be reclaimed by the witches who live on the hill.
How I Changed My Life by Todd Strasser: Overweight high school senior Bo decides to change her image while working on the school play with a former star football player who is also struggling to find a new identity for himself.
The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde: Returning home from the 
Iraq war with battle scars, soldier Gideon Garza discovers that the timid girl he left behind is now an independent single mother whom he still has feelings for, and the father who refused to acknowledge him has left him a vast cattle ranch.
What did you recently finish reading?
I recently finished reading Jane by April Lindner and Vegas Two Step by Liz Talley.
What do you think you’ll read next?
I plan on reading To Love A Wilde by Kimberly Kaye Terry; Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowen; and Exposure by T. Fowler
May 17, 2011
Mama Need A New Pair of Shoes
Mood:
not sure
Now Playing: Zappos Gift Card Giveaway @ I'm Too Fancy
Topic: Contests
Diana at the I'm Too Fancy blog is hosting a fabulous giveaway--a $100 Gift Card to Zappos. What's not to love about Zappos? They have shoes, bags, clothes and accessories. They also have free shipping and free returns. So go ahead and enter! Need incentive? Here are some lovely things you can buy for $100 or less! 
Teaser Tuesday-- Mr. Fix It
Mood:
chillin'
Topic: Book Reviews
"Romance novels are just soft porn for women," Carter stated flatly.
"--romance is the ultimate escape," Khela continued as if he hadn't interrupted. "Men are perfectly happy with sex. Women want romance."
"And sex," Carter put in.
"And tenderness."
"And sex."
"They want honesty and bare emotion!"
"And...sex?"
p. 146, Mr. Fix It by Crystal Hubbard
April 27, 2011
What I'm Reading Wednesdays
Mood:
hungry
Topic: Book Reviews
What Am I Currently Reading?
Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse #4) by Charlaine Harris
Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger
Vegas Two-Step by Liz Talley
What Am I About to Start/Continue Reading?
Jane by April Lindner
Friction by E.R. Frank
Mr. Fix-It by Crystal Hubbard
Tempting Faith by Crystal Hubbard
The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde
What Did I Just Finish Reading?
Rogue Stallion by Diana Palmer
Barnyard Banter by Denise Flemming
Sizzling Seduction by Gwyneth Bolton
The Chicken Thief by Beatrice Rodriguez
April 11, 2011
Oh So Blue Said the Gnu
Mood:
blue
Now Playing: Children's Books
Topic: Book Reviews
What's the Matter, Bunny Blue? by
Nicola SmeeMy rating:
5 of 5 starsA cute rhyming story about a little blue bunny rabbit who has been separated from his grandmother. He and his animal friends look high and low for her. This is a delightful "preschool" mystery with wonderful simple yet colorful illustrations. Perfect for read alouds and snuggle readings.
What's New Said the Gnu? by
Wendy EcklsonMy rating:
4 of 5 starsAlthough the description on Good Reads calls the book "What's New Said the Gun?", the actual title of the book is "'What's New?' Asked the Gnu."
This is a pop-up book of "rhyming wordplay," in which a curious gnu inquires about 16 of his friends' doings. Each of their answers will surprise you and make you chuckle for they are not the typical answers. The pull tabs and pop-designs add to the chuckles. Great for reading to small groups or for what I like to call "snuggle reading" with a child. It's very entertaining. Plus, I have a soft spot for stories that feature rhyming Gnus.
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