getaway.

or what I do to maintain sanity

Last week I took a much needed mini-break and hauled my buns as fast as my little car could go to the Appalachian Mountains. Ah, serenity. I spent three days doing only three things

1. Eating
2. Sleeping
3. Reading (in a hammock, where #2 often overlapped.)

It. Was. Awesome!

I don’t know what you do to keep everday life from getting you down, but I highly recommend mountain air, it’s good for the soul.

I read a few things while I was there. First was Your Coffin or Mine by Kimberly Raye. This is part of a series of books about vampire love. It’s fluffy, silly and pretty predictable, but sometimes you need just a cute little story to take a break from the Edwardian tomes I like to read use as paperweights. I also read Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs. This is also part of a series. It features Mercedes Thompson, a shapeshifter and VW mechanic. This series I picked up not knowing much about them, but I’ve really gotten into them. If you’ve ever read the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich, it’s like that but supernatural. What I mean is, there is this relatable, strong female main character, some suspense, a little mystery and a good read. I’m starting to read Briggs’ other series from this world, the Alpha and Omega series, but I haven’t really gotten into these characters as much. I’m not giving up, though, she is a good author, and so far I haven’t been disappointed. I can’t wait for the next Mercy Thompson book, due next year.

The last book I read was Wake by Lisa McMann. I write this knowing it will not be helpful at all, but I think I really liked this book. I’m unsure because I cannot describe what it was about it that captivated me. I laid down for bed one night, thinking to read a couple chapters before I succumbed to exhaustion (after that busy day of...nothing.) I did not put the book down until I was finished. It’s a pretty fast read, but it held my addled, sleep-deprived brain until the wee hours. Read it, tell me what you think. What is it about that book that makes me not want to put it down?

And now, mini-vacation is over, and the real world has hit me like a freight train. I think it’s time to plan another little trip.

**p.s. Just so you know, I had a beautiful and well put together layout done for this blog, but blogger hates me, or we just don't speak the same language, and I've have given up, my creative juices are kaput, and I just cannot figure out what I'm doing, I'll get there, I promise!

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf--her wolf--is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human--or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

The writing engaged my senses completely. For me, this is a novel of touch and taste and smell and color. I could describe it as being in a dream. One of those dreams that you can’t remember all that happened but the feelings it gives lingers because it feels so real the line is blurred between dream and memory. I cannot say I feel like I know Grace and Sam outright but I am so immersed in their romance. I know the smell of Sam and the feel of Grace’s hair and the harsh chill of the Minnesota fall.

Their relationship has a charm and innocence that is unexpected and refreshing. It is also believable. Some romance gets a little too sentimental for me, but I loved how Sam and Grace spent their time getting to know each other and how the author brings you in to the details of their day to day life without being tedious. I love that, despite the struggles they face, the small moments like a stolen glance or a trip to a bookstore are what you remember and what makes these characters endearing.

Don’t forget about the whole werewolf thing. There is a duality to them. They are not wolf-men that snarl and stalk about, but either wholly wolf or wholly man. Sam’s fear is loss of his humanity, what makes him who he is. I liked that the supernatural elements didn’t overwhelm the rest of the story. It added depth and conflict, but I didn’t feel like this was a book about werewolves. It was a story about love. And some people turn into wolves. And I think that you should read it. Even if you’re not into werewolves. The author has a way of painting a story that will have you glancing at a clock and realizing you should have been asleep hours ago.

I’ve also heard that this is the first in a trilogy, so if you have read it, you’ll be happy to know that Sam and Grace will be back....next year.

brokedown.

What happens to the Internet when I try to start a blog.

Thursday August 20, 2009

It never fails that the minute I think I have something worthwhile to share with the blogosphere, trucks with flashing lights appear outside my house and suddenly my computer denies me access to life’s blood, the world wide web (melodramatic gasp). Okay so, in reality (which I try to avoid) the cable company is doing some work outside that seems to have knocked out internet access. Hopefully this is only a temporary setback and not an omen to cease my attempts at bloggy communication...or else (insert maniacal laughter here.) Is it bad that I am considering running out to those cable guys in my pajamas and asking them what the heck they think they’re doing to a poor girl? Then again, I live on a pretty busy street and my pajamas have monkeys on them, what would the neighbors think?

I feel like I’ve adequately broken the ice now that you all know what I wear to bed. I should tell you that juicy little tidbits like that are not what this blog is about, no sir. Okay so I have a confession, I just started this blog about five minutes ago so who am I to say what direction this little monster is going to take? I can, however, tell you my intentions. Then you can decide for yourself if you want to read it, that way we’re both being honest with each other. Look at that, what a great start! I can see this is going to be a beautiful thing we’re going to have together, can you see what’s blossoming?

Sorry about that, I’m getting a little carried away. Anyway, my intentions for this humble blog is for it to be a place that I can share books, recipes, and various other tidbits that I think are awesome. I like to read. A lot. But what is the use of reading a great book if you can’t tell anyone about it? I hope that you’ll want to hear what I have to say, and that you have stories to share with me, too.

Now where are my slippers? I think it’s time I had a word with those (grrrrr) nice young men outside trying to ruin repair the cable....