Risa Green

Going through my picture folder, I found afew lonely photos of books which I took for no good reason. Here's a pic of Tales from the Crib.

Risa Green writes a negative (but funny) story about pregnancy (Notes from the Underbelly) and being a mother (Tales from the Crib).

Though negative, this book is hilarious. I got laughs out of the many situations Lara Stone caught herself in when she's pregnant and also while being the world's worst mother. It's a refreshing read for me. Most pregnant ladies or first-time mothers in romances that I read about are very usually happy with their situation.

Crapping done.

Smile baby.

Note the smiley face? It's just the cutest thing I've ever saw in my romances. This is a page from P.J. Mellor's anthology Give Me More. It's part of a note that the hero left for the heroine. It's sooo cute. Did I mention before that P.J. Mellor's heroes are the cutest?

Magical Mail from Lucinda Betts.

The past tuesday evening, I received a snail mail from the lovely Lucinda Betts (yes, the wonderful Aphrodisia author) and it costed her a freaking US$6.

She is really, really, really, really nice enough to send me a copy of Moon Shadow:

And autographed it too:

That's my real name, starting with the "S".

I've also shamelessly requested for a separate little piece of paper to be autographed so that I can stick it on my own copy of Pure Sex. And I got a cute heart-shaped post-it:

That's all I've expected out of the mail. Really. But I forgot I'm dealing with a very generous author here:

To my surprise, included in the mail too are four bookmarks featuring Lucinda Betts' works! All autographed too!

There's also the the cover art for Lucinda Betts' up-coming release The Supplicant. I like the purple. And yes, also autographed!

The inside of the cover of The Supplicant :

And lastly, a printed excerpt of The Supplicant is also included!:

If not for the fact that I'm still young and very *cough *cough* healthy, I would have gotten a heart attack when I got all these.

Anyway, thanks again Ms Lucinda Betts , you are really a wonderful lady! You made my day!

The Sims read romances.

I've enjoyed playing The Sims 2 for a long time. It's a game where you "create your own houses, neighborhoods, Sims, and family dynasties-then watch it all come to life". Basically the player controls the Sims and how he/she lives his/her life. What I enjoy letting my Sims do (other than jumping into leaf piles and getting them bitten by vampires), is making them read.

Reading increases the Sims fun meter although it happens slower than while using the computer or while watching their plasma TV.

I never really thought that my Sims read romances too until a few hours ago, when I rotated the camera to have a peak at the book cover:

It just looks so much like a typical romance cover. Knowing that my Sims reads romances, it definately added to my enjoyment of the game.

Another screenshot here:

The Sim seemed to be shocked. Bondage perhaps?

The most book-friendly bookmark ever.

Quite some time ago, while taking a ride on the bus, I saw a lady seated, whiping out her chinese novel from her handbag, and then proceed to open the book to the page which is marked with a tissue paper. I was wowed at that time, because some advantages came to my mind when I saw that:

• It's super soft. So it does no bodily harm to your precious book at all. (I hate book clips even if they're of pretty designs.)
  


• Saves you the headache of choosing which particular bookmark to use if you own lots of pretty bookmarks.
  


• It's damn cheaper than any fancy bookmarks at the stores. (Those at Borders are extremely beautiful, I was always tempted to buy them.)
  


• Ideal to use especially when reading outdoors, or while travelling. It can be easily replaced when lost. And saves you buckets of tears. (I remember losing a self-made bookmark at school about 8 years back. My heart still breaks thinking about it.)

So there. This may not be a world-class arguement, but I still thought tissues make great bookmarks. Or maybe just about any soft cloth. But one has to wash them. Tissues are disposable.

Love for Sale

Browsing through Lacy Dane's blog, I came across this very, very interesting title Love for Sale by Shelli Stevens. It's an ebook.

The excerpts are here & here.

After her oversexed grandma talks her into signing up for the ‘Buy a Dame’ fundraiser, Jessica Davis gets a makeover and goes on the auction block.

And it's written in first person:

"Ladies," I turned and inclined my head regally. "I know this must seem awfully frightening to you. But if it raises money for the children, then I will honor the outcome of the auction."

I'm beginning to not care whether a book is written in first person or not. I used to be concerned whether I'll enjoy this type of book, but after reading a number of superbly written ones, I thought it didn't actually matter at all.

Mr. Tattoo waited for me near the Exit sign, watching me as I made my way down the hall. My bravado and excitement slipped a little with each step closer to him. Twenty-four hours. I would be with this man for twenty-four hours.

"Jessica Davis." A slow smile spread across his face. "So you're gonna be my bitch for the weekend."

What I Crave

I feel really good today.

Anyway, since I still can't stand reading for long durations, I though I'd satisfy myself with reading the books excerpts, that cames with almost all the books I own.

I randomly picked P.J Mellor's book, Give Me More, and it comes with an excerpt of Lacy Dane's erotic historial romance anthology, What She Craves.

From the cover, I had totally no idea that this is a historial romance. Had I known, I may just check out this book earlier. I feel that I've been reading too much comtemporary romances lately.

"Let me tickle you, my sweet," he said as he slid his finger beneath her chin and raised her eyes.

Omg, this sounds so naughty.

Taking a break.

In short, I've been having this headache/heaviness in the head for the past week or so (yes I've seen doctors & taken medicine, thank you for asking), hence the lack of posts. I'm taking a break from reading and using the computer, maybe for days, or weeks, I don't know how long. Happy reading folks, and have a healthy lifestyle.

UPDATE 21st May: I'm feeling ok today, although I still feel slight discomfort in my head sometimes, and I miss reading! The pile of unread books I have is just there torturing me, but I still don't feel well enough to really enjoy a good book. See? This is what I get for prolong use of computer and reading a book with bad sitting posture (it strains the neck, caused the headache, something like that, the doctor said. Needs lots and lots of rest, the doctor also said).

So I'm off to get more rest. (Days of rest, the doctor said. Or better, take weeks off work, the doctor also said.) Thanks HelenKay, for your get well message. Buy her book!

"I only have fangs for you. I love you, baby."

I love all those moments when Sebastian is teaching Mina how to use her vampire skills. I thought it was very sweet that they kept holding hands.