Z - Blogging Challenge "Zoned Out Reading"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is Z. 
Zoned Out Reading

How many of you have totally zoned out life while reading? Ever have the hours pass by and then all of sudden the protagonists in your book are having something to eat and then your stomach suddenly growls, "Hey, you haven't fed me all day!"

I'm one of these people who can just shut out the world and read. I forget to go to the bathroom, eat and if my teens are yelling in the background, I can honestly say that I can tune them out. 

I am so happy that I discovered that I can borrow audio books from my library this past year. I had put on unwanted weight in the last few years lying in bed zoning out and reading. With audio books I was able to download them, plug in a pair of earbuds and walk long distances while having an awesome narrator read to me. Even then, I am walking the track in circles or chugging on the treadmill totally zoned out. I get so involved in my stories! 

I've only done this once but I booked a vacation day from work on J.R. Ward's Lover Mine release day. It was bliss. All day. Alone. Zoned out with 100% focus on a book. 






Do you zone out while reading books too? Ever done anything dramatic so that you had alone time to zone out without interruption? 

Y - Blogging Challenge "You've Got To Be Kidding Me Book"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is Y. 
You've Got To Be Kidding Me Books

Yes my friends you are viewing a cover that says "Sasquatch Fever". Yes it is erotica. Yes it is available on Amazon. It is a big no. No just no. Clearly this book falls under the "you've got to be kidding me" label. 

Well here is a book that tackles an age old dilemma. Really?  You've got to be kidding me. 

Now this one intrigues me. I would just love to read the advice that this author is offering for problems like this:

Why most men get nowhere when approaching the subject of threesomes with women they’ve just met or even women they’ve had a long-term relationship with.

Plus there is bonus material!!

Included: A FREE Surprise Bonus Report And Video Training in the Kindle file! 

You've got to be kidding me. 


Have you come across any books where it had you saying, you've got to be kidding me?

X - Blogging Challenge "eXtraordinary Sidekicks"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is X. 
eXtraordinary Sidekicks

Today is an ode to the eXtraordinary sidekicks that aren't really characters per say but are instrumental to the protagonists. They are kind of like their sidekick.

Mackayla's Mac Halo

 For instance, Mac's Mac Halo. When brilliant author Karen Marie Moning wrote about the Mac Halo in her Fever Series, I remember reading about it for the first time and thinking that it was a genius invention. The fans loved the Mac Halo they became inventors themselves and built their very own. 

Next lets take a look at Kate Daniels' sidekick sword, Slayer. 


Kate treats Slayer like it is a living breathing sidekick.
I sighed and put Slayer between the front seats. "Stay here. Guard the car."
Saiman shut the door. "Is the sword sentient?"
"No. But I like to pretend it is."

Slayer has a name and has worked side by side with Kate defending and protecting her all through the series. If something detrimental ever happens to Slayer, I think I'd morn it!

Now lets take a look at Rhage and his tattoo'd beast in J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. There are so many examples of fan art of what readers imagine the tattoo beast turns into. 

When there is imminent danger Rhage's tattoo comes to life and changes him to a dragon type of beast. The beast is not controllable and is extremely volatile. 




“Being with Mary was different because...he wasn't the only one who wanted to make love to her.
The beast wanted her, too. 
The beast wanted out so it could take her.”

What are some of your favourite eXtraordinary sidekicks? 

W - "Why oh Why?! A Reader Rant"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is W. 
Why or WHY! A Reader Rant
Warning, this post is a bit of a rant!

First let me start off by saying I am not a writer. I do not aspire to be a writer and I blog book reviews solely for my love of novels. I have read a lot of books and sometimes I can get really ranty about what I like and what I don't like in romance books. I have never ranted on my blog before about these feelings and I thought today just may be the day to kick off "W". So without further ado, here is my rant on what I really really reaaaaalllly hate in books. 

#1 - I cannot stand when a lot of conversation is written like a script for actors. Here is a made up example:

“But I don’t want to go,” Michelle said.

“You must go,” her mom replied.

“School is so boring.”

“Yes but you will learn something.”

Michelle sighed and replied, “I can’t wait until school is done.”

Having this type of conversation over and over drives me nuts. Bonkers even. Please use your writing gift and be descriptive. Describe the protagonists using hand gestures or other actions.  Something! Stir the bubbling stew if they are talking while dinner is cooking. Have the wind blow, the fire crackle….ANYTHING but a script from a TV show planted on entire page of he said & she saids.

#2 - This next one is probably my number one reason that leads me to a big DNF (do not finish) in books. Telling the reader how the protagonist is feeling over and over. "She was mad." Yes, the reader gets that she is mad because we just read the circumstance in which we have deducted that she should in fact be mad. 

Instead of 

"She was mad"- try describing the red blotches slowly creepy up her face and how her veins are about to pop. 

I get so miserable being constantly told how to feel or told that this next line was so funny that they characters are laughing so hard that they have tears running down their face and as a reader, I didn't even crack a smile or see any humour in the situation. 

                  

#3 - I beg of you authors, on my knees even, PLEASE don't make a heroine be stupid just to advance your plot.  

I really really realllllly hate when it is obvious that the book is struggling to move further ahead and then as the story unfolds around me, I can picture a light bulb go off above an author’s head as she dives to her keyboard with the brilliant idea “I'LL WRITE HER MAKING A REALLY DUMB DECISION SO THAT I CAN CREATE CONFLICT” and then proceeds to have the poor unwittingly heroine sneak out through a window, down a vine covered trellis, run to the road and then decide to hitch-hike and wave down a mysterious black van who just happens to be the villain of the story BECAUSE she THOUGHT she’d save everyone else grief or hide a secret.

Did you just hear that? That was me throwing my book against the wall.  

#4 - Adjective Overload - There is more to being descriptive than just colours and size.

Exhibit A – The big yellow school bus quickly hydroplaned down the slippery wet road in the middle of a torrential rain storm during a record high hot hazy summer. 

Tooo much!

#5 - If you are going to write a story with numerous points of views (YUCK BTW) please please don’t re-do the same scene over. 

PLEASE don’t turn around and write the next chapter as a complete re-write of the scene before but from a different point of view. The readers don’t really NEED to know his point of view actually. Keep it a mystery on what he was thinking or just give hints as to what he was thinking as the heroine sees it. I hate flipping back and forth and when I want to move forward in the story, I am yanked back to re-read a scene I just finished. 

Okay, so that was my rant on what drives me bonkers. To each their own and some folks may love the points I've made above. Not me. 

Are there certain things that drive you nuts when reading books that lead to a DNF (did not finish) book?

V - Blogging Challenge "Vital Sidekicks"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is V. 
Vital Sidekicks

I can't help it. Whenever someone mentions "sidekick" my mind immediately goes straight to Batman and his faithful sidekick Robin. 

When you start to become involved with book series you can really see how vital a sidekick can be to a story. 

Take Lula from Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Stephanie's sidekick Lula is needed for the comic relief and scene stealing. Just for one moment picture what it would be like if Stephanie went after her skips without Lula? Boring and uneventful. Well of course Stephanie gets into a lot of trouble on her own but Lula just makes each scene that much better. Stephanie is the lead, but Lula is the crutch. 

How about Charley Davidson's best friend and sidekick, Cookie? Cookie is needed once again for the added comic relief that only a best friend could provide and she is also necessary to further the plot. If it wasn't for Cookie doing behind the scenes investigating, many times Charley would end up in a dead end lead. Cookie allows for the next scene to happen. 

In Amy Harmon's book Making Faces (which is phenomenal btw) the main character is Fern and her sidekick is her cousin, Bailey.  Bailey is a scene stealer but he is also there for you to fall in love with. He has muscular dystrophy and Fern and he have been best friends since they were babies. Some of the more humourous parts of the book are when Bailey is present and this story would not be the same without Bailey as Fern's sidekicks. 

So tell me, what are some great sidekick relationships you have read about? 

U - Blogging Challenge "Thank U"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is U. 
thank U!

At the end of April it will be my 3rd Year Blog Anniversary. Wow!

Today's letter U is small thank U for visiting, popping by, commenting and checking out some of my reviews. 

I blog reviews for my love of romance books and for remembering the books I've read. I also want to remember why I loved them or didn't care for them. 

Thank U!

T - Blogging Challenge "Trip to the UK"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is T. 
Trip to the UK

I love romance novels and especially historical romance novels. I love the stories based out of Scotland and England the most. As such it started to be a dream of mine to visit these wonderful places. July 2013 was my dream come true. 

Canadian in Scotland

These are just a sample of my dream trip. As you can imagine, I have about 1000 more!

Have you gone anywhere that was book inspired? 

S - Blogging Challenge "Someecards Book Style"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is S. 
Someecards because sometimes you just gotta laugh. Enjoy!

The Space Between by Diana Gabaldon

The Space Between (Outlander book 7.5)

By Diana Gabaldon

Book Blurb:
Joan MacKimmie is on her way to Paris to take up her vocation as a nun. Yet her decision is less a matter of faith than fear, for Joan is plagued by mysterious voices that speak of the future, and by visions that mark those about to die. The sanctuary of the nunnery promises respite from these unwanted visitations . . . or so she prays. Her chaperone is Michael Murray, a young widower who, though he still mourns the death of his wife, finds himself powerfully drawn to his charge. But when the time-traveling Comte St. Germain learns of Joan’s presence in Paris, and of her link to Claire Fraser—La Dame Blanche—Murray is drawn into a battle whose stakes are not merely the life but the very soul of the Scotswoman who, without even trying, has won his heart.

I haven't a clue what to rate The Space Between. Just because it was written by my favourite author doesn't mean the book automatically receives a 5 star from me. To be honest, after reading The Space Between, I did a lot of head scratching and saying, "huh?"

I certainly finished the story with more questions than I had going into it. I think I need to read this novella a second time. When Diana Gabaldon makes a point to write something, it usually means that I need to remember something for the future. 

The Space Between is not a romance nor is it historical fiction. It is a...what the heck was it? A filler? A puzzler? A definite head scratcher. 

I did really like that Joan MacKimmie seems to be a seer of some sort. I think there is a lot of story that can be created with that bit of added knowledge. Michael only lost his wife a month previous so the poor man is still very much in mourning. My heart ached for him. I loved that Diana provided flashback memories of Michael with his wife as we got to meet her and miss her along with him. 

Master Raymond reappears and so does the Comte St. Germain. You may remember them from the long ago Paris days with Jamie and Claire. Lots and lots of questions about The Space Between is generated because of these two. I am not going to spoil anything but I did say out loud, "What the heck?" more than a few times. 

I can't say that I LOVED it, nor did I not like it. So for me, a 3 star is a good rating since I liked it. 

R - Blogging Challenge "Regency"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is R. 
Regency Era England

For me, the Regency Era (roughly 1795 to 1837) is my favourite to read for historical romances. I just love reading how bare ankles can cause a scandal or if a woman was to be found alone with a man, it could mean that they would have to be married or it would be considered scandalous. 
I also love that simple kiss on the hand or a gentle touch to the wrist can set hearts aflutter. 

But most especially I love the fashion. Which is odd for me considering I am not a fashion savvy woman. Yes the women's gowns are breathtaking in description. You need only reach for the nearest historical romance cover to see that for yourself. 

But what about the men? Seems that so many of the gorgeous covers only include shirtless men. Well okay I get it, that makes a cover gorgeous too but I really like the men's fashion of the day too. I love reading about the tight buckskins. The high Hessian boots and the tight white crisp cravat makes me feel how important and imposing they must have looked. There is just something so sexy about a tight perfectly tied cravat. Why lets look to Mr. Darcy for a perfect example. 

I can't help it. Every time I see Mr. Darcy I just want to undress him. Ok Mr Darcy dressed or undress, good right?!

What about you? Are you a fan of the Regency era in books? What are your favourite parts of the era? 

Q - Blogging Challenge "Questions I'd Like to Ask Authors"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is Q. 
Questions I'd Like to Ask Authors

Why must you hurt my feelings by writing cliffhangers? 
I can not stand cliffhangers. I despise cliffhangers. If I finish a book and I am left hanging there without the next book immediately available I say bad words. Very bad words. 

Why must you end your ebook at anything less than 90%?
If you are an author (and if you have control of this) if I am reading away on my Kindle and I see that I am at 75%, I expect a ton more story to come. Imagine my frustration when the next 25% of the book is advertisement for your other works. What a let down!

Why must you invest so much time in a character, have me adore them....and then kill them off. Why? Why? Whhyyyy?!?

Of course I know the answers to all these questions but they needed to be asked. Are there any questions you'd like to ask? 

P - Blogging Challenge "Peerage in Romance Books"

A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behavior.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on.

Today's letter is P. 
Peerage in Romance Books

What exactly is the draw for romance books that feature peerage? Personally I am fascinated with hereditary titles, the hierarchy and the types of formal address associated within the British nobility system. I am first to admit, I know almost nothing about it and what I do know, I've learnt from romance novels. 




As much I am intrigued by Dukes, Duchess, Earls etc, I would not say that a book that includes the British peer title on the cover to be an autobuy for me. In fact, I can only digest so many Duke books where he doubles as a rake.    

The graphic book covers that I have featured in this post are some of my most favourite peerage historical books out there. I would highly recommend. There is nothing like getting swept away in a great historical romance. 

What I don't see very often and what I would love to read about is a modern day peerage book.  I would love to read about a Duke or Earl and how they handle romance with today's standards. Anyone know of one? 



On a side note, I purchased a wee plot of land in Scotland and as such, being a land owner grants me the formal title of Lady. So yes, I do frequently request that my friends address me as Lady Michelle.