Reviews by Shan: September 2009

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Lover of Vamp Tales, Disappointed

I am a huge Vamp Tale lover. Right now one of my favorite authors is Charlaine Harris. I think my main reason for loving her so much is that her world seems believeable. It's exactly what I picture life would be like if the otherworldly creatures actually existed.

One of the things that make me not like a Vamp Tale or any other paranormal tale is if the being is sexy and dangerous, but for some reason the author has decided that the only kind of sex the vamp can have on a regular basis is Vamp Sex(mind sex only). I read a story like that recently and if it would not have been for that little detail, I would have loved the story a lot more.

The story was written by Rebecca York. I will not give a title, because some of you may love her books. For me it was the first and I am thinking about reading another by her to see if it will be better, but for now I won't. Now don't get me wrong the Vamp in question did eventually have sex with his lady love the physical way, but in order for him to get a hard on he had to drink a lot of blood from other people in order to get an erection. The heroine of the piece eventually made a compromise with him. Would he take the little blue pill every once in a while so that can have real sex, and the rest of the time they can do his way.

All in all though the story was pretty darn good. It's just that I expect hot romance to have hot physical sex.

If you have read something similar by the same or another author let me know. Pleasssssssse.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

New Show on Fox: Glee

I don't know if any of you have heard of Fox's new show, but it is hilarious. I went to their website and got a description of the show for those of you who don't know what it is. I had the honor of watching the Pilot episode. I just got around to it tonight,but it actually came on last night(09/02/09). The acting, singing, dancing was all superb. I found myself either laughing and smiling at strange moments. Every cast member compliments the other and the show has some of the best music that I have ever heard. All of this from the pilot episode, so you know that the rest is going to be great. I hope you all give it a chance so that you can see what I am talking about. The series premiere is Weds., Sept., 8. For those of you who missed the pilot check your local listings(Fox) to see if they show an encore performance before the premiere date. If not check online at www.fox.com

From Ryan Murphy, the creator of "Nip/Tuck," comes GLEE, a new comedy for the aspiring underdog in all of us.

The series follows an optimistic teacher, WILL SCHUESTER (Matthew Morrison), who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High's Glee Club from obscurity, while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential. It's a tall order when the brightest stars of the group include KURT (Chris Colfer), a soprano who hits a high note in fashion; MERCEDES (Amber Riley), a larger-than-life diva with a voice to match; ARTIE (Kevin McHale), a geeky guitarist who rocks and rolls; and TINA (Jenna Ushkowitz), a punk rocker who hides behind her stutter and blue hair extensions.

Will is determined to do whatever it takes to make Glee great again. alt

Will's only hope lies with two true talents: RACHEL BERRY (Lea Michele), a self-proclaimed star who is convinced that MySpace and show choir and are her tickets to fame; and FINN HUDSON (Cory Monteith), the popular high school quarterback with movie star looks who must protect his reputation from his holier-than-thou girlfriend and "Cheerios" head cheerleader, QUINN (Dianna Agron), and his arrogant football teammate, PUCK (Mark Salling).

Everyone else around him thinks he's nuts. He's out to prove them all wrong. alt

Will is determined to do whatever it takes to make Glee great again, but his only ally is fellow teacher and germaphobe EMMA PILLSBURY (Jayma Mays). Everyone else around him thinks he's nuts - from his tough-as-nails wife TERRI SCHUESTER (Jessalyn Gilsig) to McKinley's scheming cheerleading coach SUE SYLVESTER (Jane Lynch) - but he's out to prove them wrong.

Featuring a soundtrack of hit songs from past and present, GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers, while Ian Brennan serves as co-executive producer. Murphy directed the pilot.

RITA Awards; Contemporary Romance Single Title

This is one of my favorite categories. I love contemporary romance novels and there is at least a couple of the authors that I have read and some I have not, but since they made the list I will now being giving them a try also. The best thing is the author that won is one of my favorites, Rachel Gibson. Not Another Bad Date was a really great read, it was funny and romantic(duh). I could not put it down. The thing is if you decide to read it and if you are anything like me this will matter: it is part of a series, but could be read alone. The series is about a group of friends that goes through different relationship ups and downs that eventually find love in unexpected and unwanted (at first) places. The author whose books I have enjoyed from this list is Susan Mallery. I haven't gotten around to reading sweet talk yet, but I have been working my way up to up with some of her other outstanding books. Someone who I feel should have an honorable mention: Brenda Jackson, Lisa Kleypas, Carly Phillips, Lori Foster, and Susan Andersen

2009 RITA Finalists for Contemporary Single Title Romance

* No Good Girls by Jean Marie Pierson
* Not Another Bad Date by Rachel Gibson WINNER
* Out of Time by Samantha Graves
* Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
* Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery
* Tall Tales and Wedding Veils by Jane Graves
* Twenty Wishes by Debbie Macomber
* Your Roots Are Showing by Elise Chidley