I'm halfway through Faking It by Jennie Crusie and I'm just wondering..........

When does it get good???

Labels: Jennifer Crusie, Ramblings

Just Finished:

Synopsis: Min Dobbs knows that happily-ever-after is a fairy tale, especially with a man like Cal Morrisey, who asked her to dinner to win a bet. Cal Morrisey knows commitment is impossible, especially with a woman as cranky as Min Dobbs. When they say good-bye at the end of their evening, they cut their losses and agree never to see each other again.

But Fate has other plans, and it’s not long before Min and Cal are dealing with meddling friends, wedding cake, a jealous ex-boyfriend, Krispy Kremes, a determined psychologist, chaos theory, a frantic bride, Chicken Marsala, a mutant cat, snow globes, two Mothers-from-Hell, great shoes, and more risky propositions than either of them ever dreamed of including the biggest gamble of all--unconditional love.

My Thoughts: Two words: Loved it! Min first meets Cal when she thinks she overhears her ex-boyfriend and him betting on whether he can get her into bed. So, when Cal oozes charm and asks her to dinner, she says yes thinking that it'll upset her ex, David, by making him think that Cal may have a chance to win the bet. Besides which, Min needs a date to her sister's wedding so she thinks she can at least keep him on a string until after the wedding.

After an awkward dinner Min knows she wouldn't be able to keep him at bay for three weeks, and they part ways thinking they'll never see each other again. However, they seem to bump into each other everywhere. And the more they try to avoid each other, the more they bump into each other. Oh and then there's the humorous little accidents they get into while thinking about each other while trying not to think of each other. So eventually they decide to give in and actually try to date for real.

I liked the fact Min was bigger and that she had body image issues. I loved that Cal loved her body as it was and wanted her to eat all the good, gooey, horrible, awful carbs and butter she could stand. What a guy.

Verdict: This was Excellent. The story was engaging and I enjoyed the read thoroughly from beginning to end. Another great for Crusie, and another keeper for by bookshelf.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Excellent, Jennifer Crusie, St. Martins Press

Just Finished:

Synopsis: All Sophie Dempsey wants to do is help her sister make a video of a washed-up actress and get out of town before they get into trouble. The daughter of generations of con men, Sophie's trying to walk the straight and narrow, but it's, well, difficult.

All Mayor Phineas Tucker wants to do is run Temptation with as little fuss as possible and win his upcoming election without cutting into the time he needs for his real passion: playing pool. The son of generations of mayors, Phin's trying to be an upstanding citizen, but it's, well, boring.

It only takes one look before Sophie knows that Phin's the kind of boy her mother used to warn her about-- a fast-talking town boy-- and Phin knows she's the kind of woman his father told him to stay away from-- the devil's candy.

And in no time at all, boredom is the least of their difficulties. Gossip, adultery, and blackmail; pornography, politics, and murder; vehicular abuse of a corpse and slightly perverse but really excellent sex: all hell is breaking loose in Temptation, Ohio, while Sophie and Phin fall deeper and deeper in trouble… and in love.

My Thoughts: First of all, I need to thank the ladies at Book Binge for sending me this. This was just awesome. I loved Sophie and Phin, not to mention the numerous sex scenes that made me: a) hot; b) laugh; c) grin like a mad fool. I love stories that just make me feel good. And this one most definitely did.

Besides Sophie and Phin there were so many side characters like: Rachel, a twenty-something girl who’s only dream is to get out of Temptation; Dillie, Phin’s precocious 9-year-old daughter; Wes, Phin’s best friend and chief-of-police; Davy, Sophie’s con-artist brother with a heart for family; Amy, Sophie’s overindulged younger sister; Liz, Phin’s overprotective mother; and last but not least Clea, a semi-famous porn star (who was only ever in one movie) who has returned home to Temptation in order to film a “documentary”. Not to mention a host of other side characters I didn’t mention

I loved how Amy and Sophie wanted to get out of Temptation the minute they got in to it, in spite of (or maybe despite) the phallus-like water tower. (Seriously, you have to read about it to understand). I enjoyed Phin and Sophie’s first meeting ~ he referred to her as the devil’s candy and she referred to him as her worst nightmare. Also, it’s funny how Sophie and Amy find themselves going from filming a documentary, to accidentally (at least on Sophie’s part) filming a soft-porn film with Clea and the son of the boy who took her virginity.

Worthy of a second mention ~ this definitely has some hot sex in it. Which, I told Wena and Holly I learned the hard way that this was definitely a book I needed to read at home. Really ~ I read the first sex scene (aka the dock) at the gym. Thank God I was already red, hot, and sweaty ~ but thanks to the book, I also had a stupid grin on my face. I read the second sex scene (aka the alarm clock and the lamp) at my eye doctor’s office and laughed out loud. Luckily it was late in the day and I was the only one left in the reception area. Well, except for the secretary who was very fascinated in what I was reading. I think she may have gone out and gotten her own copy after work.

Verdict: This was Excellent. I laughed a lot and of course read most of this with a stupid grin on my face. Definitely a keeper and definitely a recommendation for anyone looking for a good, funny, hot, sexy romp.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Excellent, Jennifer Crusie

Just Finished:



Why I Read It: The story sounded like something I’d enjoy ~ I'd first heard of it from Rosie, but a good friend just finished it and had also really liked it. Plus, well, I just love Jennie Crusie.

From the Back Cover: You’re invited to spend the weekend with three extraordinary sisters…

When she was sixteen, Dee Fortune kidnapped her two younger sisters and ran from danger. Now twenty-nine, she’s still trying to control her shape-shifting power—no easy task when Danny James shows up one Friday morning with his deadly smile and dangerous questions about the past.

Lizzie is determined to save her family from financial ruin by turning straw into gold; now if she could only stop turning forks into bunnies. Then Elric, a sorcerer, appears one Friday—annoyed with the chaos Lizzie is creating in the universe and in his heart. . . .

The youngest Miss Fortune, Mare, towers above her sisters but her telekinetic power is dwarfed by their gifts. She spends her days at Value Video!! and her nights contemplating the futility of her existence. But then a gorgeous Value Video!! VP and Mare’s long lost love turn up. . .and they all turn up the heat on a weekend that no Fortune will soon forget!

My Thoughts: Well, I did like it ~ I really did. But....the song "Hello, I Love You Won't You Tell Me Your Name?" kept going through my head while I was reading it. It felt rushed. The book was over 400 pages so it shouldn't have, but it did. I felt the ILY came too soon and that there was more of a story to tell. There didn't seem to be any angst or conflict ~ just a resolution. A good story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Well, with this one there was a beginning and an end. It seemed the sisters barely met their true loves, and suddenly there was ILY and marriage proposals all over the place. And I'm wondering to myself, "Okay, what did I miss?"

That being said, it did keep my interest. Those of you who still visit know of the problems I've had connecting to any book this year ~ so that in and of itself is a good enough reason to hold on to this one. I'd say this is a Good Read. The characters were likeable and I enjoyed my time in their world. It's kind of like eating dessert without coffee ~ it's still good, it's just missing something.

Labels: Anne Stuart, Eileen Dreyer, Good, Jennifer Crusie, Paranormal

Well, we got snow last night. Not a lot, but it's a combination of rain, snow, slush and general yuck which makes driving very interesting. It's pretty and it smells so wonderful outside, but I'm not looking forward to the drive home.

I finished reading the short story "Hot Toy" by Jennifer Crusie in the Santa, Baby anthology. It was cute ~ I chose to ignore the levels of ridiculous that were in the story and concentrated on Nolan and Trudy. They had great chemistry ~ I'll write more on this later.

I started reading The Pleasure Slave by Gena Showalter last night ~ it sucked me right in and I'm already on page 100. Great story so far. I love how Tristan pushes Julia's buttons.

Visit to the doctor yesterday went okay ~ all my bloodwork came back normal, so that's a relief. So now, I go back next week for a bone scan.

Don't forget!:



The ladies over at Sanctuary's Finest are doing a fun end of the year giveaway.

Please visit their blog and check it out!

Labels: Friends, Gena Showalter, Jennifer Crusie, Ramblings, Weather

Just Finished:



Why I Read It: Because it’s Jennifer Crusie. I’d like to read more of her.

From the Back Cover: Dumped by her boyfriend and demoted from WBBB's prime-time spot, radio producer Allie McGuffey has nowhere to go but up. She plans to make her comeback by turning temporary DJ Charlie Tenniel into a household name. And if he's willing to help her cure her breakup blues with a rebound fling, that's an added bonus.

Charlie just wants to kick back, play good tunes and eat Chinese food. He's not interested in becoming famous. But he is interested in Allie. And after all, what harm in a little chemistry between friends?

But suddenly their one-night stand has become a four-week addiction. Night after night on the airwaves, his voice seduces her. . .and all the other women in town. He's a hit. It looks as if Charlie's solved all Allie's problems. . .except one. What is she going to do when he leaves?

My Thoughts: This was the second Crusie I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. I enjoyed the characters in this one very much. Allie, the radio producer looking for a new star; Charlie, the reluctant star of the new radio show Charlie All Night which seems to draw in a bigger and bigger crowd; Joe, Allie’s gay roommate/best friend/surrogate brother ~ not to mention all of Allie, Joe and Charlie’s coworkers at the radio station ~ oh, and Sam, the little puppy that everyone tries to take care of. There were just so many endearing characters in this story.

I'd say this was Good. Crusie has created another fun place for the reader to get lost in and I look forward to reading more stories of hers in the future.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Good, Jennifer Crusie

Just Finished:



Recommended by: Well, I think everyone’s either reading it now or just finished. Seems this book has been everywhere lately.

From the Back Cover: Part basset, part beagle, all Cupid . . . can a matchmaking hound fetch a new love for his owner?

For Nina Askew, turning forty means freedom -- from the ex-husband whose career always came first, from their stuffy suburban home. Freedom to have her own apartment in the city, freedom to focus on what she wants for a change. And what she wants is something her ex always vetoed -- a puppy. A bouncy puppy to cheer her up. Instead she gets . . . Fred.

Overweight, smelly and obviously suffering from some kind of doggy depression, Fred is light-years from perky. But for all his faults, he does manage to put Nina face-to-face with Alex Moore, her gorgeous, younger downstairs neighbor.

Alex looks great on paper -- a sexy, seemingly sane, surprisingly single E.R. doctor who shares Fred's abiding love for Oreos -- but a ten-year difference in age, despite his devastating smile, is too wide a gap for Nina to handle. Ignoring her insistent best friend, some interfering do-gooders and the ubiquitous Fred -- not to mention her suddenly raging hormones -- Nina thinks anyone but Alex would be a better bet for a relationship. But with every silver-haired stiff she dates, the more she suspects it's the young dog-loving doctor she wants to sit and stay!

My Thoughts: She wanted a perky puppy. What she got was a depressed dog; half beagle, half basset hound. She named him Fred because he looked like her uncle. Can I just say, I love Fred? If he wasn’t fictitious, I’d want him for myself. What a character. And any dog who loves oreos can’t be half bad, right? Although, technically not supposed to feed dogs chocolate. Probably wasn’t a well known fact at the time of the original publishing.

I liked Nina. She’s 40 ~ and she has all of the insecurities that go along with getting older. She’s self-conscious about her body, about her life. She’s hung up on her neighbor, Alex, who happens to be 10 years younger. I love the fact that she was real. Well, as real as a fictitious character could be.

Now, Alex. What to say about Alex. Fred likes Alex. I liked Alex up until the last 25 pages of the book. Then I thought he drank too much. And he was trying too hard to prove a point. He was trying too hard to take care of Nina who (hello!!) doesn’t need to be taken care of. Around page 208, I thought he was too stupid to live. Yes, that’s right. A hero ~ Too Stupid To Live. I almost stopped reading right there. For a wedding present, he wants to buy a house...in the ritzy neighborhood that she lived in with her ex-husband, who still happens to live there. I mean if she wanted a life just like she had when she was married, wouldn’t she still be married? If I were Nina, I’d dump him right then and there. I think he needs to go to Oz and get a brain.

I also noticed that both times anything significant happened ~ she initiated it. He was always waiting for the right time. Once again, Too Stupid To Live.

(Oh ~ and Holly. She called him “the rat bastard”. Why did that make me think of you?)

I liked the side characters ~ Max, Alex’s brother, and Charity, Nina’s best friend. I sensed some undercurrents there and was surprised that there wasn’t a book written with them in mind. And I’m a little disappointed. I would have liked to learn more about Max. I loved Norma Lynn ~ I’d like being her a neighbor. She’d kick my lazy butt into shape real quick.

I’d say the book is somewhere between Okay and Good. Yes, it’s choppy and yes, it seems Crusie skips around a lot. But, for a first novel, it’s not half-bad. And it’s not meant to be a Nobel Prize winner. It’s meant to be a light, fluffy read ~ and at that, it succeeds.

Labels: Contemporary Romance, Jennifer Crusie, Okay