New Month, New Material: September 2010

   It's September and it's time to get a little sexy. The weather hasn't begun it's inevitable changing, but it looms on the horizon. Same thing goes for the blog. It's a never-ending metamorphosis when you want to actively keep up and improve yourself in the blogging world. I've learned a lot so far, many of those lessons the hard way, but I have also felt the fruits of that labor. Activity and traffic on the blog has been its highest in August than it has ever been! I am truly honored by everyone's support and blessed beyond measure to count you guys as my followers!
   It has been a crazy couple of weeks! I have been SWAMPED with this or that and admit to neglecting the blog a bit. I didn't get half of the reviews done that I wanted to, but at least I was able to give you guys a few great interviews and giveaways, right? I'll be finishing up the projects and things that I committed to before this point, but once everything is squared away, I will be getting back to the blogging roots and focusing solely on putting up reviews. There will still be Interviews/Giveaways, 5 memorable quotes, new additions to my personal harem ;), and loads of other things to look forward to, but I am determined to up the number of reviews I get out weekly.
   That being said, I also want to thank the new followers of the blog, facebook page, and twitter account (and everywhere else I have an account on). And of course, the continued patronage of those 'old school followers' who have been with me through it all. My thanks will always lie with you!
   The month may change, but the mission stays the same: To make your followership of Not Another Romance Blog worthwhile!

Here's some of what to expect this month:
-Because I never tire of saying it: MORE REVIEWS
-That darn Online Resources post for helpful reader websites (going on 2 months of putting this one off)
-More Coffee Shop Conversations & Book Giveaways (a duh!)
-A few addition to Rita's Harem ;)
-Some more Guilty Pleasures
-More 5 memorable quotes (plus special poet/famous writer editions)
-That update on my TV-Top Bookshelf
-Some more book trailer features and video content
-A little more literary news

...And so much more...

I look forward to the month of September and the boat load of great books I'll get to gush with you guys about!

Until Next Post<3...

Review and Giveaway! "Seduced by a Highlander"

As part of the "Seduced by a Highlander" blog tour, I have my review and a giveaway of 5 copies of the book, sponsored by Hachette!

"Seduced by a Highlander"
by Paula Quinn

Source: ARC provided for review by Hachette Books

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Isobel Fergusson met a handsome, charming highlander at the King's court. She knows Tristan is a rogue but that doesn't stop her from flirting and even lets him steal a kiss. But the deal-breaker is when she finds out that the object of her affection is a MacGregor, the son of the man who killed her father. Tristan wants Isobel and her brothers to know that his family is not evil, especially not him. He shows up on their doorstep to prove just that. But Tristan knows in his heart there is a bigger reason why he travelled all that way and even suffers being hit over the head with multiple objects by Isobel's brothers.

Wow. Just Wow! This is what a historical romance should be. A gorgeous hero, not afraid to show his lady how much he cares, meets a strong, independent heroine. Add in a full cast of family and friends, all with vivid personalities, and you have one fantastic romance story!

The focus here was always on the romance. There were side stories, but they were about feelings and family relationships. There wasn't a hint of a lost jewel mystery here!! The hero and heroine were never seperated long and you could really tell why they loved each other so much. They had already gotten to know each other before they even knew their families were enemies.

The story was very much about family too. It was very important for Tristan and Isobel both that their families learn to love the other person as well.

Tristan was darn near perfect. I'll take a smiling, playful, charming hero over a brooding one any day! But he wasn't miraculously perfect, a lot of different things caused him to act the way he did. He had flaws and had descended to a dark place, after the death of his beloved uncle, where he just didn't care about anything. He put up a facade of carefree-ness, but really it was because he was afraid of being hurt again if he actually cared about anyone or anything again. Underneath his armor was an very honorable and caring man.

Isobel's brothers were all adorable. I think I have a soft spot for Cameron, maybe because Tristan gave him some pointers on how to be a good man.

Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 5/5

Bottom Line: If you like historical romance, this is a must-read!!

GIVEAWAY RULES:
Hachette books has generously provided FIVE copies of this historical romance for readers of my blog!

All you have to do is follow my blog publicly and leave a comment on this review with your email address!

Please follow publicly or I can't tell that you are following :) Also, if you aren't comfortable leaving your email here, go ahead and leave a comment and then send me an email with your email addy.

Extra Entries:

• +2 Tweet this contest (leave link in comment)
  
• +2 Post link in sidebar of your blog (leave link in comment)
  

Rules:

• US and Canada only
  
• No PO Boxes please
  
• Must be a follower to enter
  
• Extra entries are optional and can all be left in the same comment
  
• Leave a comment with your email address
• Books will be mailed out by Hachette
  
• Ends Friday Sept. 10
  

Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!

OMG! If your a Alssya Day fan you have to check out this music video!! its awesome!

You have to go to Alyssa's Blog, I cant figure out how to get it on here. But let me tell you its worth the trip, if your a Warriors of Posedion fan.

Alyssa Days blog

Tantalizing Tuesday: SHIP BREAKER

So I've been very lame lately on Tuesdays. I know I have been, you don't need to make excuses for me. I do enough of that myself. ;)

Mostly I've been falling back on WIP Wednesdays, and I'm getting kind of bored with that, especially since I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things with my WiP after spending so long in revision-land with EVANGELINE. So today I want to talk about books. Specifically a book that I just learned about, but already has me intrigued: Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi.

Here's the blurb from Publisher's Weekly:

SF novelist Bacigalupi (The Windup Girl) makes a stellar YA debut with this futuristic tale of class imbalance on the Gulf Coast. Teenage Nailer scavenges ships with his crewmates, eking out a poverty-filled existence while avoiding dangers that range from giant “city killer” hurricanes to his vicious, drug-addicted father. When a storm strands a beautiful shipping heiress on the beach (earning her the nickname “Lucky Girl”), Nailer manages both to infuriate members of his camp (including his father) and to become embroiled in upper-class trade disputes that he barely comprehends. As Nailer and Lucky Girl escape toward the drowned ruins of New Orleans, they witness rampant class disparity on individual and international levels (tribes whose lands were flooded have taken to the seas as pirates, attacking multinational shipping firms). Bacigalupi's cast is ethnically and morally diverse, and the book's message never overshadows the storytelling, action-packed pacing, or intricate world-building. At its core, the novel is an exploration of Nailer's discovery of the nature of the world around him and his ability to transcend that world's expectations. Ages 12-up. (May, 2010)

First off, I love the cover. Second, when I read this synopsis I thought it sounded like nothing I'd ever read, yet at the same time, familiar—a boy meets girl story set in a not-too-distant future. And it's been a while since I read any YA with a MALE lead, so it's got that going for it.

I've never read any of Bacigalupi's adult sci-fi novels, so I'm hoping that the themes of poverty and class imbalance are treated as carefully and thoughtfully as the PW synopsis claims, but what I really want is a wild ride, an adventure that will take me to another world, and to discover new characters I care about. Hopefully, Ship Breaker will fit the bill.

This is the kind of smart, cynical book I wish I could write, like Nancy Farmer's The House of the Scorpion, or Pam Bachorz's Candor (which I still haven't read. Shhhh!) I love being able to immerse myself in world that is both foreign and familiar, and that's what I like the most about dystopian serial novels like The Hunger Games and Uglies. It gives authors an arena to emphasize the problems our current society faces (or ignores) and speculate on what might happen if we keep ignoring those problems. Sounds like Ship Breaker does all that and then some, which is part of the reason I'm so intrigued.

Want an excerpt? Yeah, I thought so. ;) Luckily my Barnes and Noble e-reader makes it easy to copy and paste chunks of text.

NAILER CLAMBERED THROUGH a service duct, tugging at copper wire and yanking it free. Ancient asbestos fibers and mouse grit puffed up around him as the wire tore loose. He scrambled deeper into the duct, jerking more wire from its aluminum staples. The staples pinged about the cramped metal passage like coins offered to the Scavenge God, and Nailer felt after them eagerly, hunting for their dull gleam and collecting them in a leather bag he kept at his waist. He yanked again at the wiring. A meter’s worth of precious copper tore loose in his hands and dust clouds enveloped him.

The LED glowpaint smeared on Nailer’s forehead gave a dim green phosphorescent view of the service ducts that made up his world. Grime and salt sweat stung his eyes and trickled around the edges of his filter mask. With one scarred hand, he swiped at the salty rivulets, careful to avoid rubbing off the LED paint. The paint itched and drove him crazy, but he didn’t relish finding his way back out of the mazelike ducts in blind blackness, so he let his forehead itch and again surveyed his position.

Rusty pipes ran ahead of him, disappearing into darkness. Some iron, some steel—heavy crew would be the ones to deal with that. Nailer only cared about the light stuff—the copper wiring, the aluminum, the nickel, the steel clips that could be sacked and dragged out through the ducts to his light crew waiting outside.

Nailer turned to continue down the service passage, but as he did he banged his head on the duct ceiling. The noise from his collision echoed loud, as if he were sitting inside a Christian church bell. Dust cascaded into his hair. Despite the filter mask, he started coughing as powder leaked in around the poorly sealed edges. He sneezed, then sneezed again, eyes watering. He pulled the mask away and wiped his face, then pressed it back over his mouth and nose, willing the stickum to seal but not holding out much hope.

The mask was a hand-me-down, given to him by his father. It itched and never sealed quite right because it was the wrong size, but it was all Nailer had. On its side, faded words said: DISCARD AFTER 40 HOURS USE. But Nailer didn’t have another, and no one else did either. He was lucky to have a mask at all, even if the microfibers were beginning to shred from repeated scrubbings in the ocean.

Sloth, his crewgirl, made fun of him whenever he washed the mask, asking why he even bothered. It just made the hellish duct work hotter and more uncomfortable. There was no point, she said. Sometimes he thought she was right. But Pima’s mother told him and Pima to use the masks no matter what, and for sure there was a lot of black grime in the filters when he immersed them in the ocean. That was the black that wasn’t in his lungs, Pima’s mother said, so he kept on with the mask, even though he felt like he was smothering every time he sucked humid tropic air through the clogged breath-wet fibers."

I read so much first person lately, that sometimes getting into third can take some time, but after just these few paragraphs, the writing has got me hooked. I can picture poor Nailer in that tight, dark duct, paint on his forehead, mask covering his face, and I want to know what's going to happen NEXT.

Any books you've been lusting after lately? Read any good dystopian that's not Mockingjay? ;) I'd love to hear about it!

Teaser Tuesday (4)

Yay for "Teaser Tuesday" from MizB of Should be Reading!!

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser Tuesday pick:


"Dirt and leaves peppered her face as her brother brought the pot down onto Tristan's head with a loud crack, knocking him out for the second time that day."

p. 111 "Seduced by a Highlander" by Paula Quinn (ARC)

Come back later today for my review of this awesome book and a giveaway!!

Review Dark Deceptions by Suzanne Rock

Dark Deception- the Immortal Realms book #1
Author Suzanne Rock
Authors requested review
genre erotic romance vampire
ebook 166 pgs
Authors website
This eBook is to be released Sept. 1st 2010

After being plunged into a chaotic and deceitful society, Maria Guerrero finds comfort in the arms Enrique Torres, a man she believes is innocent of her world. She keeps him ignorant of her inner monster, and the blood oath she took to save her brother's life. Instead she prefers to use their sexual play as an escape from her supernatural world. When her secrets catch up with her, Maria is forced to confess her sins. Will Enrique find it in his heart to forgive her deception? He must, before her vampire master demands that Maria pays him his due. With the help of a disillusioned fey warrior, she convinces Enrique that vampires are real, and danger lurks around every corner.


Enrique can’t allow himself to fall for Maria charms, or he’ll risk revealing secrets of his own -- secrets which would not only scare her, but put his mission in jeopardy. He hopes that by forming a physical connection with the young vampire, he’ll lower her defenses and earn her trust, for only she can help him bring peace to the Immortal Realm. As they play out their sexual fantasies, her true identity is uncovered. On impulse Enrique gives her his trust, and her betrayal hurts him to the core. Now he wants revenge… but at what cost? As the Immortal Realm descends into chaos, Enrique and Maria must choose whether to trust each other again, or fall victims to the dark deceptions that rule their world.

Book is primarily m/f, but does contain one m/f/m scene. There is some light bondage and food play

My Review
Rating

Sexual-

This is one wicked vampire book! If your looking for a hot vampire book with body possession, betrayal, adventure, hot M/F/M sex and some bondage, a little spanking this is a excellent one to try. I enjoyed reading all the characters even the villain.

Enrique is part of the immortal console. He is human and he knows his lover Maria is vampire, spite her using her magic to hide the fact. You have one power hungry villain, Carlos is using Maria to seduce Enrique, so he can be under his control to make the clan stronger. But what he doesn’t know is Maria love for Enrique is too strong. This story is not all m/f/m, it has one scene and the rest is mostly between the hero and heroine, except one scene, but I not telling how that one came about. Its different and you’ll have to read and find out. Oh ya, there is also use of a water spring (*wicked grin*).


This book receives Top Bite Award

Coffee Shop Conversations: Q&A and a Giveaway with author Tracy Anne Warren

Hello all you fabulous Dames, and welcome to Coffee Shop Conversations!

On this segment of the blog I will be conducting interviews with Authors, Bloggers and anyone else relative to the literary world and willing to answer my questions. Coffee Shops are great places to just relax, let the hair down and talk about life, love and good books! So without further adieu, let's get to chatting with my special guest:

 Author: Tracy Anne Warren

"Tracy Anne Warren is the New York Times Bestselling author of nine Regency historical romance novels, including At The Duke’s Pleasure and The Husband Trap. Her books have appeared on the USA Today Bestsellers’ list and the Borders’ Group List of Bestselling Single Title Romance Paperbacks. She has won numerous writing awards, including Romance Writers’ of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, the HOLT Medallion, the Golden Quill, and others. Currently, Warren is at work on her new Regency historical Byrons of Braebourne series, which follows the sexy, scandalous goings-on of the tempestuous Byron siblings. At The Duke’s Pleasure is the newest release in the series with Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed arriving in stores in September 2010."Source

TAW on the web: Website | Facebook |  HarperCollins Author Page

Tracy's latest release:

'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed'

available on 8.31.10

"A touching and romantic love-story about overcoming grief and allowing true love to take root. ['Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' was] A stellar read that will leave you VERY satisfied, indeed!" quote from my review

 

"To her surprise, Lady Mallory Byron finds herself walking down the aisle with the last man she ever expected to ask for her hand...

Everyone knows the Byron brothers are “mad, bad, and dangerous.” Now their sister shockingly discovers she’s the newest talk of the Ton when she marries the scandalous Earl of Gresham. Faced with a tragic loss, she’d sought comfort from him as a family friend. But soon consolation turned to passion, scandal––and a wedding! In the bridal bed, she finds pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. But can nights of wicked delight change friendship into true love?

Charming rakehell Adam, Earl of Gresham, has secretly loved Mallory for years. He lost her once to another man, but now he has a second chance to win her love––and plans to do so by any means necessary. Will Mallory’s heart give him what he so dearly desires? Or is the past too much to overcome?"Source

-Read an excerpt from 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed': here
-My Review of 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' can be found: here

Get Your Copy Today:

Barnes&Noble | Amazon | Borders

Books-A-Million | Powell's

-Q&A-

RJ: Hey Tracy! Thanks for stopping by for a little chat! Congratulations on your latest novel, 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed', in stores August 31st, 2010 {Today!). What have the past few months been like with anticipating the release, and what have you experienced emotionally as well as professionally with the completion of this new book?

TAW: Hello, Rita, it’s great getting to take a few minutes away from my writing to chat with you and your readers! And thanks for the chance to talk about my latest Byrons of Braebourne novel, WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED. It’s always hard waiting the last few months before the release of a new book. I get very excited with anticipation at the thought of seeing another of my novels hit the shelves.  And this book is a bit of a professional milestone, since it will be my tenth novel!  It just doesn’t seem that long ago that I was anticipating the release of my first novel, THE HUSBAND TRAP, back in 2006.

RJ: Why don't you tell the readers and I a little bit about your newest book from the author's point of view? This isn't your first book; how does it differ from your previous novels?  What were you trying to achieve with this book and do you feel like it's 'mission accomplished'?

TAW: As I mentioned, this is my tenth novel and the fourth installment in my Byrons of Braebourne series. When I start each new book I always strive to create distinctive characters and tell a unique, page-turning tale. WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED is no different. As for how it differs from earlier novels, I’d have to say that it deals with some new themes and has a slightly darker tone. My goal for this latest addition to the series was to explore the strength of unconditional love and its healing powers, how friends can sometimes turn into lovers, and the possibilities for happiness that second chances can offer. I’m really pleased with the result and hope readers have as much fun with Mallory and Adam’s story as I had writing it.

RJ: What challenges or difficulties did you face with the writing of this particular novel?

TAW: The challenges I dealt with in writing WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED are similar to those I usually face with each of my books: creating compelling, believable and sympathetic characters and storylines that will capture the interest of readers. In particular, I pushed my storytelling into new territory by exploring Mallory’s grief and her healing journey as she finds the strength and joy of new love.

RJ: Where did the inspirations for your plot, characters and setting come from? 

TAW: The story for WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED grew out of secondary characters who appeared in the earlier books in the Byrons of Braebourne series, beginning with book one, TEMPTED BY HIS KISS. As one of two Byron sisters, Mallory had to have her own book, since her brothers couldn’t be the only ones getting all of the attention! In TEMPTED BY HIS KISS, I also introduced rakish earl, Adam Gresham, who is a good friend of the Byron family, and who happens to have been secretly in love with Mallory for years. With WICKED DELIGHTS OF A BRIDAL BED, readers will find out why he never pursued Mallory, despite his deep love for her, and the lengths he goes to not to let her slip through his fingers again.

RJ: 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' is the fourth book in the Byrons of Braebourne Series. All I can say is: "Those Byrons, Those Byrons, Those Byrons!". What an enthralling family! How did this series come about and what do you believe makes this family so beloved among the readers?

pic of Lord Byron (quite the looker)

TAW: I’ve always loved the Caro Lamb quote about Lord Byron, the poet, where she said that he was “mad, bad and dangerous to know.” I also love sexy, devilish and dangerous heroes–and high-spirited heroines, so it seemed a natural fit to blend the bad, real-life reputation of an outrageous lord with the fictional antics of an entire family of scandal-making siblings. I think that readers respond to the all-too-human qualities of the Byrons, the familial interplay and the archetypal themes of courtship and finding true love.

RJ: Let's talk about the Hero and Heroine (Adam and Mallory). In your eyes, what are their flaws and what are their redeeming qualities? Also, what makes them attracted to one another (despite the obvious handsomeness and beauty)?

TAW: I don’t generally analyze the flaws and redeeming qualities of my characters, since their creation is far more organic than it is strategic. If pressed, I would say that Adam’s telling flaws would be his pride and the insecurity he feels and acts upon regarding his relationship with Mallory; his redeeming qualities are his loyalty, kindness, consideration of others, and his undying love and support of Mallory. As for Mallory, her flaws would be her naïveté and somewhat overindulged youth (she loves shopping, especially with her brother Edward’s money); her redeeming qualities are her sweet, generous nature, a practical, common sense wisdom and a steadfast devotion to those she loves–most especially Adam. Their attraction to each other grows from a deep liking and long-term friendship, which blossoms into a rich and enduring love.

RJ: The writing process differs from author to author. Some are planners while others just jump right in. Some consider themselves night writers, while others need daylight and a park bench or a coffee shop (wink) to set the mood for creativity. What's your writing process and atmosphere like?

picture of TAW's Cat: Christofur!

TAW: I have a home office where I always work; it’s rare that I write outside of my office. Typically, I try to deal with administrative matters during the day (you’d be amazed at all the emails and writing-related business things authors do). In the evenings, I write my books–generally well past midnight and into the wee hours. I work five days a week–unless I have a deadline that’s getting close, then you’ll find me pounding the keyboard at all hours, seven days a week, until the manuscript gets completed. For atmosphere, I turn on my ipod and listen to instrumental movie scores and classical music. I love tea, so there’s always a mug nearby to keep me adequately caffeinated. I also have three little feline assistants who like to “help” me create. So far they’ve staked out most of my printer table, part of my desk and the top of my filing cabinet for use as cat beds. (To see photos of my furry assistants, please visit my website at http://www.tracyannewarren.com/)

RJ: When did you first start writing, and what inspired you to pick up a pen in the first place? 

TAW: My journey as a writer started back when I was 17 and I wrote my first novel-a time travel romance, which was ahead of its time in more ways than one. (And no, that manuscript has never been published and never will be). For as long as I can remember, I’ve always made up stories, so it seemed only natural to finally start writing them down on paper. I chose to write historical, Regency-set romances because I love the era––the social rules, the clothes, the glamour and excitement of the last great era before the start of the industrial revolution and the modern world.

RJ: Romance has transcended so many different sectors of pop culture. I think the Beatles said it best, "All you need is Love". This being a Romance Blog and everything, I've got to ask: what are your favorite romance picks of the following: Favorite Love Song? Favorite Scent on a man? Favorite Romantic Comedy? and of course, Favorite Romance Novel?

TAW: I have lots of favorite love songs, but one I really adore is Celine Dion’s “Then You Look At Me.” My favorite scent on a man is no scent at all––just clean soap and water. Colognes and aftershave lotions are a real turn-off for me. My favorite romantic comedy is “Bridget Jones Diary” (the first movie, the second one is a disappointing mess). And you’re really cruel to make me choose just one favorite romance novel, but since you insist, I’d have to pick “His Lordship’s Mistress” by Joan Wolf. It was written years ago, but it’s a beautiful story.  

RJ: Do you have anything you would like to address to your fans and readers?

TAW: First, I’d like to thank all my fans for their wonderful support! It’s such a pleasure and blessing being able to write stories that people enjoy. I’d also like to let everyone know that I recently signed a new four-book contract with Avon Books. So for anyone wondering if there’s going to be a story for ALL the Byron siblings, the answer is yes! I’m busy writing Drake Byron’s book now, which will be in stores in 2011. After that, the irrepressible twins, Leo and Lawrence, and youngest daughter, Esme, will be all grown up and ready to find true loves of their own. I’m tremendously excited at the prospect of getting to share more Byron stories with my readers. To find out more about me and all my books, please visit my website at www.tracyannewarren.com. Look for me on Facebook as well.

RJ: Okay, (sad face) Final Question: Name something shocking or interesting about yourself that the readers may not know.

TAW: I lead a rather ordinary life these days (chained to the keyboard, remember?), but perhaps something most readers don’t know is that I was about 12 when I read my first romance novel…I’ve been reading them ever since.

--

TAW: In closing, I’d like to thank you for a great interview, Rita. This was lots of fun!

RJ: I had a blast too, Tracy! Thanks for stopping by and telling the readers and I all about your newest book!

~*~Giveaway Details~*~

Tracy Anne Warren has generously offered to giveaway a copy of 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' to (1) one lucky commenter! Follow the guidelines below and comment for your chance to win. The giveaway will end on Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 at 11:59:00 PM. The winner will be announced and contacted via email on Thursday, September 16th, 2010.

Giveaway Guidelines: To be entered in the giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment/question for Tracy and include your email address!
*(NO EMAIL= INVALID ENTRY)

For Extra Entries (do one or more of the following for extra shots at winning):
+2 'Like'  Tracy's Facebook Fan Page AND/or leave a nice message on her wall. (provide a link so I can check)
+2 'Like'  The 'Not Another Romance Blog' Blog on Facebook
+3  Leave a comment on My Review of 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed'
+4 Spread the word: Tweet on Twitter, Post a Facebook status, or blog about this interview and giveaway (provide a link so I can check)
+5 Become a Follower/ Be a Follower

(How-to guide for providing links to a specific facebook or twitter status': here)

-Tell me in your comment which extra entries you are entitled to and include the necessary links so I can check, or they will not count!

*Restricted to U.S. and Canada residents only! No P.O. Boxes.
--
And make sure you enter the Swagilicious Giveaway for your chance to win 1 of 4 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' swag prize packs. Includes: Signed Coverflat, Bookmark, Commemorative post-its, and two Magnets. Fill out the form: here. -ends on September 30th-
--
To all the readers, be sure to make use of those 'on the web' links above to better acquaint yourself with this fabulous author! This has been great! Good luck to all of the giveaway contestants and I hope all of you have enjoyed this edition of:  

the Swagilicious Giveaway (for 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' swag)

 The 'Swagilicious' Giveaway- 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed'

In honor and in celebration of Tracy Anne Warren's newest novel, 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed', I will be giving away (4) four swag prize packs at the end of the month!

Each prize pack includes: (1) signed cover flat, (1) bookmark, (1) commemorative post-its, and (2) magnets - ['Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' and 'At The Duke's Pleasure' magnets] (***and possibly any goodies I decide to pick up during the course of the month!..book-lights, pretty note pads..ect)

Pretty cool, huh?
So, what do you have to do to enter? That's simple! Just fill out the form below (or click this link and fill it out directly there) and you (+ your extra entries) will be entered to win 1 of 4 swag prize packs.



For extra entries in the Swagilicious Giveaway, you can do the following:
 +2 Become a Follwer of the blog (+4 if you already are one as of 8-30-10)
+4 Comment on My Reviews of TAW's books (+2 for 'At The Duke's Pleasure' ,+2 for 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed', +4 for both)
+3 Comment on my interview with Tracy Anne Warren
+5 Spread the word! Tweet on Twitter or Post a Status/Share on Facebook. (+6 for an actual Blog POST and +3 if you link to giveaway in your sidebar) you can copy & paste this if you'd like: Tracy Anne Warren-Swagilicious Giveaway at Not Another Romance Blog..http://tiny.cc/kajql..signed coverflats, bookmarks & more~ends 09.30.10


Highest possible amount of extra entires:  16


-Restriction-
-Only U.S residents (so sorry! Broke college student + Expensive postage costs = no-can-do, China)


*I may not be able to mail all the prize packs immediately following the announcing of the winners, but THEY WILL be sent in a timely fashion. (end of the month is a pricey time: bills, ect..may take a week or two to mail them off)
-I can not be held responsible if the post office losses/damages your prize. It will be in a bubble-wrapped envelope, but it may sustain damage en route. If it arrives to you damaged (horribly bent, water leaked, ect) email me and I will do my best to re-mail you another prize pack (my quantity is limited).
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Enjoy the site, see what other Tracy Anne Warren content I have on here, and I hope you have a Swagilicious September! ;)

The M.Y.C Day for August 2010... One single day, SO many books!

As all of you know, on the 1st of every month, I come out with a list of anticipated upcoming releases you should definitely add to your bookshelves. A pretty common occurrence I noticed was, that for each month, there always seems to be one day where the number of great new releases are all bundled up. I have taken to calling such days with these occurrences M.Y.C Days. M.Y.C stands for Mark Your Calendar, and should you be hoping to kill more than one bird with one stone, the M.Y.C day is that time to do it.
   In August, the M.Y.C day is Tuesday, August 31st 2010 (TODAY). That day is upon us now, so hire your hackney and mosey on down to ye ole Barnes&Noble to get your copy of the following titles (as featured in the Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for August 2010):

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 1.) 'Wicked Delights Of A Bridal Bed' by Tracy Anne Warren

 -Stop by later today for an Interview/Giveaway with TAW and make sure to enter the 'Swagilicious Giveaway' for some awesome 'Wicked Delights..' swag packs!

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2.) 'The Unclaimed Duchess' by Jenna Petersen

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3.) 'Bound To A Warrior' by Donna Fletcher

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4.) 'You Love Only Once' by Caroline Linden

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5.)  'Never Trust A Rogue' by Olivia Drake

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As stated, the titles listed above are ALL being released today! Have fun lugging home your arm full of new releases ;)!

Until Next Post<3... 

Mad Mad Modes for Moderns Mondays - Mini Dresses

Adorable mini dresses as depicted by Tony Abruzzo!

"Mad Mad Modes for Moderns"
Falling in Love #93
(August 1967)

Interview with erotic paranormal author S.K. Yule!

Please welcome erotic paranormal author S.K. Yule.
I have had the privilege to read and review S.K.'S eBooks and I will say they are outstanding! Please check them out after the interview on her website.


Laurie-Hello S.K. I am happy to have you here to tell all us all about your wonderful books. But first would you tell a little about what you like to do while your not writing?

S.K. Yule-I like spending time with my husband and dogs--my furry kids--just my dogs, I mean : ) . I love relaxing, reading, and watching scarey movies.

Laurie-What different paranormal creatures do you write about?

S.K. Yule-I've written about vampires, werewolves, demons and ghosts thus far, but wouldn't hesitate to write about anything paranormal.

Laurie-What is you favorite reason you like to write paranormal?

S.K. Yule-I love, love, love the unknown, the paranormal, things that cannot be explained. I think writing paranormal widens the boundaries of writing as well. And I love being scared. October is my favorite month because of Halloween and all the scarey movie marathons.

Laurie-Your vampire family the Aleksandrow’s exciting to read. Would you tell those who have never read your vampire series (Darkest) a little about it?

S.K. Yule-The Darkest series is about three brothers, Ashe, Aldin and Aiston Aleksandrov, who are vampires. They spend most of their time protecting humans from shadowdrifters, or vampires gone bad (um, badder). Suddenly, an uprising of the drifters begin, and the brothers find themselves overwhelmed, and call in other hunters to help.

While the problem with the drifters escalate throughout the series, Ashe, Aldin and Aiston must balance their lives between the uprising and finding their viata amants, or life mates. All the while, none of them have any idea that a bigger problem is brewing.

Their mother, Marilena, was foretold by none other than Ragnor, the vampire king, a prophecy concerning her sons, the uprising, and their potential deaths, hundreds of years ago. She has never told them of the prophecy or who their real father is, and has secretly been fighting fate to keep her children from facing said prophecy.


Laurie-I loved your werewolf books Lycan lover and Lycan Lust. Would you give others a peek about them? What else do you have more planned for your werewolf’s?

S.K. Yule-Lycan Lover and Lycan Lust are about alpha lycans who finally find their soul mates. And, even though the need to claim their human mates burns strong, they strive to stay in control and make sure that they fulfill all of their mates' needs. They put their instincts aside to make sure their significant others are happy.

Anthony Wolfson (Lycan Lover), and Brent Falls (Lycan Lust) are strong males who have survived many years with their morals intact even though many lycan around them are turning rogue.

Laurie-I loved the steamy scenes you have in your novellas especially the hot tub one in Lycan Lust. Would you tell your favorite one so far? I hope you can narrow it down to one LOL.

S.K. Yule-Oh my. That is a tough question. I love all of my steamy scenes, and try to make each one unique and different. If I had to pick at this very moment, I would say the bathroom scene in Darkest Desires between Aiston and Avril. I choose this one only for the fact that it was spontaneous and a little unexpected. However, if we are including scenes from unpublished works as well, I have to say I'm extremely pleased with the steamy scenes in Darkest Intentions, Darkest Book III. I hope to get it released sometime this year.

Laurie-Do you have a favorite heroine so far? If so why?

S.K. Yule-One of my favorite heroines is Rindy Trenton of Lycan Lust. I admire how strong and determined she is, and how, ultimately, not even her tragic past could keep her from trusting and loving her soul mate.

Laurie-Do you have a favorite hero you wrote so far? If so why?

S.K. Yule-I love all of my heros and strive to write them with strong characters and morals. Even though they might do things that we won't agree with at times, when it comes down to the bottom line, they will always do the right thing. So far, the funnest heros to write have been Ashe Aleksandrov (Darkest Hours, Darkest Book I), and Malachi Mannering (Darkest Intentions, Darkest Book III -- which has not been released as of yet). I like Ashe because he was my first hero and I like Malachi because he has a tortured past that makes him seem more human than vampire.

Laurie-What is you biggest influence for writing?

S.K. Yule-Knowing that I bring a little bit of contentment and spice into my readers' lives, and give them an escape, even if for a short time, from reality.

Laurie-Who are some of your favorite authors?

S.K. Yule- Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Elizabeth Hoyt, Tatiana Caldwell, and Angela Knight to name a few.

Laurie-What do you have planned to come out next? Can you give us a peek in your upcoming paranormal ghost romance?

S.K. Yule-If things go as planned, Darkest Intentions, Darkest Book III and Lycan It will be my next releases.

Books available
Bestselling Author of Paranormal Romance
Darkest Hours (Bestseller)
ISBN #978-1-935348-45-0
now available at:
www.amirapress.com
www.amazon.com
www.fictionwise.com
www.ereader.com

Darkest Desires (Bestseller)
Darkest Book II
Paranormal Romance
ISBN #: 978-1-936279-03-6
http://www.amirapress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=266

Lycan Lover (Bestseller)
Paranormal Werewolf Erotica
ISBN: 978-1-935348-72-6
now available at:
www.amirapress.com

Lycan Lust (Bestseller)
Werewolf Erotic Romance
ISBN: 978-1-935348-72-6
now available at:
www.amirapress.com

Jericho's Revenge (Bestseller)
ISBN: 978-1-935348-84-9
Paranormal Vampire Erotica
now available at:
www.amirapress.com

Demon Scorned (Bestseller)
Paranormal Erotic Romance
ISBN: 978-1-936279-23-4
Now available at: http://www.amirapress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=280

Places to find S.K. Yule
http://www.skyule.com (website designed by www.caldwellinteractive.com)
http://www.facebook.com/skyule
http://www.myspace.com

Reviews:

http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=31461
http://jacqpaige.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-reads-darkest-hours.html
http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/darkesthours.html


Again thanks so much S.K. Yule!

"All I Ever Wanted" Review and 1st Chapter

"All I Ever Wanted"
by Kristan Higgins

Source: sent by Julie at FSB in exchange for review

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

Callie Grey has a great job in advertising, the only problem is, she's still in love with her boss, Mark. They once had a brief fling, but she still carries for him. When Mark brings his new girlfriend on board at the company, Callie doesn't know how she can handle seeing them together everyday. Meanwhile, the new vet in town is having problems keeping his patients. Ian MacFarland is a great vet but his bedside manner is too cold for their small Vermont town. Callie offers to do some public relations work to make over his image. As she does with everyone in her life, Callie tries everything to make him happy, but maybe Ian is the one person that she doesn't have to try so hard with-maybe he likes her for her.

What a sweet book! Higgins is a great contemporary romance writer, I'm so glad I found her books! The book almost reads more like chick lit (ew, awful term) than romance. Written in first person from Callie's point of view, we don't get to see the alternate viewpoint from Ian like we would in a typical romance.

I could really identify with Callie wanting to be a people pleaser so badly. The only thing I didn't really like about her character was how hung up she was on her boss, Mark. Get over it!! She was only with him for five weeks and it was a year ago. I didn't understand why he was so great anyway or what he ever did to earn her love.

I loved the "angel and devil" on Callie's shoulder in the form of Michelle Obama and Betty Boop. The First Lady kept telling her to get a grip and focus on things other than Mark, while Betty swooned and sighed over him. I was able to get out my frustration over Mark through Mrs. Obama's eyes.

Ian was a bit on the stiff side, but he came around by the end, and was totally lovable!! I don't blame Betty Boop for swooning over him!

Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5 (Vermont was nice!!)
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (soooo adorable!! I love it!)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is a great, well-rounded story with plenty of zany side characters to keep you laughing. The story has a lot of heart, and you will be pulling for Callie.


Now for a sneak peek at the first chapter!! Julie at FSB has generously provided the whole chapter for my readers!! Take a look, you might get hooked!!

Chapter One
by Kristan Higgins,
Author of All I Ever Wanted

As the man I loved approached my office, the image of a deer being hit by a truck came to mind. I was the deer, metaphorically speaking, and Mark Rousseau was the pickup truck of doom.

But here's the thing. The deer always freezes, as we all know, hence the expression like a deer caught in the headlights. The deer and I (Callie Grey, age thirty as of 9:34 this very morning) are well aware that the pickup truck is going to hit us. But we just stand there, waiting for the inevitable, whether it's a pickup truck (in the deer's case) or a man walking athletically toward me (in mine), perpetual smile in place, his brown hair carelessly curling, those gorgeous, dancing dark eyes. I waited, doe-eyed. It was all really too bad, because outside of Mark's influence, I was not at all a deer about to be run down. I was much more of an adorable, perky hedgehog or something.

"Hey." Mark grinned.

Bam! We have impact. The sunlight streamed through the windows of the old brick office building in which Mark and I worked, illuminating him so that he looked like something painted by Michelangelo. To make him even more appealing, he was wearing an old sweater vest his mom knitted for him years ago, shapeless and faded but something he just couldn't part with. A good son and a sex god.

It was as if there were two Callies . . . the smarter, more sensible self (I pictured her as Michelle Obama), and the dopey, in love part . . . Betty Boop. Would that Michelle could give Betty Boop a brisk slap, followed by some vigorous shaking. Alas, Betty just sat there, enthralled, as the First Lady snorted in disgust.

"Hi," I said, feeling my face warm. You'd think that four years of seeing him almost daily would have built up some tolerance in me, but no. My chest prickled with longing and love, my throat turned Saharan, my feet and fingers tingled. Though I was trying hard for Intelligent Coworker, my expression was probably somewhere around Pathetic Adoration.

Mark leaned against my desk, which meant his crotch was, oh, let's see, about a foot and a half from my face, since I was seated. Not that I noticed, of course. "Happy birthday," he said, making it sound like the most intimate, most suggestive phrase in the world.

Face: nuclear. Heart: racing. Callie: half inch from orgasm. "Thanks."

"I got you a present, of course," he murmured in that voice . . . God, that voice. Low and soft and velvety . . . the same voice he used in the bedroom, as I well knew. Yes, Mark and I had been together. For five weeks. Five wonderful weeks. Almost five and a half, if you really analyzed it. Which I had.

From his back pocket, he withdrew a small, rectangular package. My heart flopped as my brain raced with contradictory thoughts. Jewelry? Betty squealed. That means something. That's romantic. So romantic! Oh! My! God! On the other hand, Michelle advised caution. Calm down, Callie. Let's just see how this plays out.

"Oh, Mark! Thank you! You didn't have to," I said, my voice breathy.

On the other side of the glass-bricked wall that separated our offices, Fleur Eames slammed a drawer. The wall only went up ten feet; the ceilings were twelve, perfect for eavesdropping, and I guessed she was trying to snap me out of my daze. Fleur, a copywriter here at the firm, knew about my crush. Everyone did.

Clearing my throat, I reached for the package in Mark's hand. He held onto it for a minute, grinning before he let go. It was wrapped in cheerful yellow paper. Yellow is my favorite color. Did I tell him that once? Had he filed away that little fact the same way I filed away everything he ever told me? I mean, really, it could hardly be coincidence, right? He smiled down at me, and my racing heart stuttered, stalled, then revved into overdrive. Oh, God. Could it be? Did he finally want to get back together?

I'd worked at Mark's firm for the past four years. We were the only advertising and public relations agency in northeastern Vermont. Our staff was small -- just Mark and me; Fleur; the office manager, Karen; and the two pale computer geeks in the art department, Pete and Leila. Oh, and Damien, Mark's personal assistant/receptionist/willing slave.

I loved my job. Excelled at my job, as proven by the large poster on my wall, which had very nearly won a Clio, the Oscar of advertising. Said Clio ceremony took place eleven months ago out in Santa Fe. And in that beautiful, romantic city, Mark and I had finally hooked up. But the timing wasn't right for a serious relationship. Well, at least that's what Mark had said. Honestly, has a woman ever said that? Not a lot of twenty-nine-year-old women truly have timing issues when it comes to being with the man they love. No. It had been Mark's timing that wasn't right.

But now . . . now a gift. Could it finally be that the time was right? Maybe now, on the very day that my thirties began and I entered into that decade where a woman is more likely to be mauled by a grizzly bear than get married . . . maybe today really was the start of a new age.

"Open it, Callie," he said, and I obeyed, hoping he didn't notice my shaking fingers. Inside was a black velvet box. Squee! I bit my lip and glanced up at Mark, who shrugged and gave me that heart-stopping smile once more. "It's not every day my best girl turns thirty," he added.

"Oh, gack," sniped Damien appearing in the doorway. Mark glanced at him briefly, then turned his eyes back to me.

"Hi, Damien," I said.

"Hi." He stretched the word into three syllables of contempt . . . Damien had once again broken up with his boyfriend and currently hated love in all its forms. "Boss, Muriel's on line two."

Something flickered across Mark's face. Irritation, maybe. Muriel was the daughter of our newest client, Charles deVeers, the owner and founder of Bags to Riches. The company made outdoorwear from a combination of plastic grocery bags and natural fiber. It was our biggest account yet, a huge deal for Green Mountain, most of whose clients were in New England. I'd only met Muriel once, and then only briefly, but Mark had been flying back and forth to San Diego, where Bags to Riches was based. As part of the package, Charles had asked Muriel to come to Vermont and work as the account exec, so he could have someone close to him keeping tabs on things. And, since Charles was paying us gobs of money, Mark had said yes.

Mark didn't answer Damien, who was quivering with the joy of running Mark's day. "Boss?" Damien said, a bit more sharply. "Muriel? Remember her? She's waiting."

"So let her wait some more," Mark answered, tossing me a wink. "This is important. Open the damn box, Callie." Damien sighed with the heavy drama that only a gay man can pull off and hustled down the hall.

Cheeks burning, I opened the velvet box. It was a bracelet, delicate silver strands that twisted and turned like ivy. "Oh, Mark, I love it," I whispered, running my finger over the intricate lines. I bit my lip, my eyes already misting with happy tears. "Thank you."

His expression was soft. "You're welcome. You mean a lot to me. You know that, Callie." He bent down and kissed my cheek, and every detail was immediately seared into my brain -- his smooth, warm lips, the smell of his Hugo Boss cologne, the heat of his skin.

Hope, which had been lying in ashes for the past ten months, twitched hard.

"Think you'll make it to my party later on?" I asked, striving for perky and fun, not lustful and ruttish. My parents were throwing me a little bash at Elements, the nicest restaurant around, and I'd invited all my coworkers. No use pretending: I was turning thirty; might as well get some presents.

Mark straightened, then moved a pile of papers from the small couch in my office and sat down. "Um . . . Listen, I need to tell you something. You met Muriel, right?"

"Well, just that once. She seems . . . very . . . " Hmm. She'd worn a killer black suit, had great shoes . . . kind of intense. "Very focused."

"Yeah. She is. Callie . . . " Mark hesitated. "Muriel and I are seeing each other."

It took a few seconds for that to register. Once again, I was that stupid deer, watching mutely as the pickup truck hurtled down the road. My heart slammed to a halt. For a second, I couldn't breathe. Michelle Obama stood by, shaking her head sadly, her fabulous arms crossed in regret. I realized my mouth was open. Closed it. "Oh," I heard myself say.

Mark looked at the floor. "I hope that doesn't cause you any . . . discomfort. Given our past involvement."

There was a white, rushing sound, like a river engorged with snowmelt and hidden debris. He was seeing someone? How could that be? If the timing was okay for Muriel . . . why not . . . Oh, crap.

"Callie?" he said.

Here's the thing about being hit by a truck. Sometimes those deer keep running. They just bound into the woods, sort of like they're saying, Whoo-hoo! That was close! Good thing I'm okay. Um . . . I am okay, right? Actually, you know what? I'm feeling a little strange. Think I'll lie down for a bit. And then they wake up dead.

Mark's voice lowered. "The last thing I want to do is hurt you."

Say something, the First Lady commanded. "No, no!" I chirruped. "It's . . . just . . . no worries, Mark. Don't worry." I seemed to be smiling. Smiling and nodding. Yes. I was nodding. "So how long have you been . . . together?"

"A couple of months," Mark answered. "It's . . . it's fairly serious." He reached out and took the bracelet out of the box, then put it on my wrist, his fingers brushing the sensitive skin there, making me want to jerk away.

In the many years I'd known Mark, he'd never dated anyone for a couple of months. A couple of weeks, sure. I thought five was a record, quite honestly.

Ah. My body was catching on to the fact that I'd just been slammed. My throat tightened, my joints buzzed with the flight response to danger, and a sharp pain lanced through my chest. "Right. Well. You know what? I have to get my license renewed! I almost forgot! You know . . . birthday. License. Renewal." Breathe, Callie. "Okay if I zip out for lunch a little early?" My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat again, studiously avoiding Mark's dark and now sorrowful eyes.

"Sure, Callie. Take all the time you need."

The kindness in his voice made me feel abruptly murderous. "I won't be long," I chirped. "Thanks for the bracelet! See you in a bit!"

With that, I grabbed my oversize pink hobo bag and stood up, excruciatingly careful not to brush against Mark, who still sat on my couch, staring straight in front of him. "Callie, I'm sorry," he said.

"No! Nothing to apologize for!" I sang. "Gotta run. They close at noon today. See ya later!"

Thirty minutes later, I stood in line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the effects of being emotionally run down by the man I loved -- and now hated -- but still loved -- were catching up with me. Michelle Obama had abandoned me, regretfully acknowledging that I was beyond help, and Betty Boop was clamping her lips together and blinking back tears. Trying to keep the choo-choo train of despair at bay, I glanced around. Gray, grimy tile floors. Dingy white walls. I stood in the middle of a line of about ten people, all of us listless and lifeless and loveless . . . or so it seemed.

The whole scene was like something out of some French existentialist play . . . Hell is not other people. Hell is the DMV. Robotic clerks shuffled behind the counter, clearly hating their lot in life and contemplating the easiest form of hari-kari or embezzlement so they could leave this grim place. The clock on the wall seemed to taunt me. Time's a'wastin', kid. Your life is passing you by. Happy fucking birthday.

My breathing started to quicken, my knees felt like a hive of angry bees. Tears burned in my eyes, and on my wrist, my stupid birthday present tickled. I should just rip it off. Melt it down into a bullet and kill Mark. Or myself. Or just swallow the bracelet whole and let it get tangled in my intestines and require emergency surgery and then have Mark come to the hospital and realize just how much he really loved me after all. Not that I would have him now. (Yeah, sure, Callie, said Mrs. Obama, making a reappearance. You'd eat a baby if it meant having him.)

Well. Maybe not a baby. But the idea that Mark was with someone . . . for a couple of months, fairly serious . . . ah, shit! Panic loomed like the jaws of a great white shark, terrifying and unexpected. Stupid Muriel with her black hair and white skin, like some vampire in fabulous shoes . . . when the hell had they started dating? When, dammit?

Oh, crap. Should I go? No. I had to get my license renewed. Today was the last day I could do it without incurring a fine. I'd picked out this wicked cute outfit, too -- red-and-white printed blouse, short red skirt, big gold hoops, and my hair was perfect today, all shiny and swingy . . . Besides, what could I do? Sit in my car and wail? Kick a tree? Strangle a moose? I really wasn't the type. The only idea that held any appeal was that of sitting in my rocking chair and eating cake batter.

A dry sob raked my throat. Shit. Shit on a shingle. Shit on rye.

"Next," called one of the DMV drones, and we all shuffled forward six inches. The man behind me heaved an audible sigh.

Without another thought, I fumbled in my purse for my cell phone. Where was it? Where was it, dammit? Tampon . . . no. Book on CD . . . no. Picture of Josephine and Bronte, my nieces . . . even their beautiful faces failed to cheer me. Where was the phone? Ah. Here. I scrolled down to Annie Doyle. Damn! I got her voice mail. Somehow, it felt like a personal insult. How could my best friend be unavailable in my time of need? Didn't she love me anymore?

Clearly the choo-choo was chugging faster now, so I scrolled down for backup. My mom? God, no . . . this would just be confirmation that the Y chromosome should be erased from humanity. My sister? Not much better. Still, it was someone. Mercifully, Hester answered, even though I knew she was at work.

"Hester? Got a minute?"

"Hey, birthday girl! What's up?" My sister's voice, always on the loud side, boomed out of my phone, and I held it away from my ear.

"Hester," I bleated, "he's seeing someone! He gave me a beautiful bracelet and kissed me and then he told me he's seeing someone! For a couple of months and it's fairly serious, but I still love him!"

The above is an excerpt from the book All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2010 Kristan Higgins, author of All I Ever Wanted