Hello there, lovely ladies, from a markedly cooler Brisvegas đ€ How quickly the season has changed! I’m not looking forward to the cold AT. ALL! âïž
This coming week sees us remembering those who fought for the liberties we enjoy on a daily basis. Happy ANZAC day, dear Australian friends.
For the sake of a peaceful future let’s hope that the powers that be will always steer clear of war.
Are you excited about the digital HD DVD release this coming week?
Don’t hold back on us. If you’re going to buy and watch in the coming days, please share. We’d love to know if the advertised more is actually MORE. Check out this behind-the-scenes clip from Darker and unlock the rest of Seattle Independent Press if you’re following that cool site.
The Laters Baby UK Facebook page shared this link from Oprah naming FSOG as one of the most addictive books of the last 25 years. No surprise there, but it made for an interesting read. Perhaps Lissa can shed some light on some of the more obscure titles? *hint, hint* đ
So many books, so little time…. đ
And speaking of books, Sharon shared this cute article by Reader’s Digest – Here’s What Happens When Bookstore Employees Get Bored:
Creative! đ
This week I read:
Mister Moneybags by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward was another excellent standalone from this duo. They produce consistently good reads with the inevitable happy ending that melts like sugar in your mouth. I’ve loved ALL their offerings. And I love that Pixie the adorable goat made another cameo appearance!
Currently I’m reading:
Twist by Kylie Scott, book 2 in the Dive Bar series. This is another one of my favourite authors, so I’m looking forward to spending some time with her imagination.
On my shelf I have:
The Hot Shot by Kristen Callihan, book 4 in the Game On series & Trophy Wife by Alessandra Torre, book 0.5 to 5 in The Dumont Diaries series.
Let me end off this post with a helpful bit of diet info:
Ha! See? The perfect solution to the Easter chocolate butt expansion problem! đ
Have a lovely weekend, girls, and happy DVD watching!
Hello Monique! What a good week you had reading! I’ve been stuck in the reading department, between all the crazy stuff around and work it’s been impossible. I guess that I would be back to my favorites authors… is an easy fix for my reading habits đ
Have fun this weekend my friend.
Sending you a huge hug
Kx
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Hey Kereny đ€ Good luck, girlfriend. Sounds hectic. Hope things calm down for you! Hugs right back atcha’ đ
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Hi Monique I’m with you with hoping that the powers that be try and prevent wars and not start them!
I would have some sympathy with you regarding the weather BUT considering we’ve been told to expect rain hail ice sleet and snow this week, I’ll just say ha đđ think the weather man was covering all bases lol.
This week I also read Mr Moneybags and while I enjoyed it and Dex is a potential BB I am starting to get bored with this genre at the minute so thought I would read other things but return to this genre when something special comes along. I am waiting on a few pre-orders in May so will read them but think I wont download any more unless highly recommended by the book club ladies.
Have a great week xx
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LOL! đ Wow! All that in one week?? Yeah, I don’t expect any weather sympathy. đ I’m a real ninny when it comes to the cold. Hats off to you folks that can take dropping temps in your stride! đ If you’re bored with the genre perhaps looking through the Oprah link I posted might unearth a treasure? They are DEFINITELY not all in our genre. Good luck finding a good one, Katherine. It’s sad to be bookless! đ
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HI all,
I know it’s been awhile since I commented, but wanted to let you know I have been reading your post. I only got to see FSO Darker once so am holding off my comment, which there will be many, until I get the dvd and watch it at least twice. One thing I can say is I am not enjoying the music as much as I did from FSOG.
The weather is off and on here in Southern Oklahoma. One day it spring the next it’s winter. Our winter was very mild this year, no snow. Really sad. I love snow. The summer garden is planted and so far all is coming up and look like it going to be a good one. Just as long as we don’t get a big hail storm.
I have three doctor appointments this week and one next week. I think I am seeing every specialists there is. I feel good and look good so they are still looking to see if I am still dying. No cancer has shown up in all my testing but since Sarcoidosis is a rule out disease they are checking out every thing. So we will see what the infection disease Dr., the Heart Dr. and the Rheumatology Dr. says tis week. They are mostly worried about the heart.
I have been reading lots of completed FSPG Fanfiction stories. Still amazed at the imagination of these authors.
I finished “Harmless” the fourth and finial in the Pier 70 series by Nicole Edward. This whole series is M/M and I love everyone. Each man had he flaws but the love between the partners warm my heart and the sex did more than warmed my panties. I just love M/M sex!!.
**I have found a true jewel written by one of our favorite authors Tiffany Reisz, “The Bourbon Thief”. Its a standalone book. This woman can tell a story like none other. It’s about the Maddox family and the lies and sinful thing they do to their family and other and how it comes back to bite them in the ass. Levi and Tamara were meant to be together but the twist and turns it takes to get them there can only be told by Ms Reisz. I give this 5 star and my all time must read book.
Hopefully by next week I’ll be ready to comment on Darker.
Thinking about you all
Crystal
USA
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Crystal glad you’re keeping well, I think of you often and miss your comments which never failed to make me smile and quite often blush lol take care xxx
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Blush is RIGHT! đ
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It’s good to hear from you, Crystal. Also enjoyed The Bourbon Thief, but LOVED Red. It is super hot, hot, hot. Don’t let the doctors take your pulse while you are reading it…..they would all pass out!
Happy your test results are showing no news! No news is great news!!
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Hi Sharon.
Where did you read Red? It says it on preorder w Amazon and will be out in July.
Crystal
USA
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The lovely lady in question (Sharon) went to a BookCon in Florida and scored two advanced copies there! Lucky, lucky girl!! And I was luckier still to receive one of those WITH Tiffany’s well wishes penned on the inside – just for me! It was a very happy day for me, getting that treat! đ
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LOL. What Monique said.
I will say that I am particularly happy to have a paperback version of Red, where I almost always buy ebooks. The paper, binding and other touches made it sensuous to feel as well as to read. Lovely, and how fun is it that Tiffany wrote it as a book from the notorious Nora Sutherlin? Hope Tiffany revisits that concept. Any book from Nora is guaranteed to sizzle!!
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Yes, it DID add to the sensuality. The whole experience was erotic luxury. I ENJOYED every minute! đ
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Hi Crystal! So good to hear from you! I LOVED the Bourbon Thief! It was a fantastic book, written like only a master can. You sound very busy with the doctors still and it seems like things are still uncertain, but you sound optimistic, which is wonderful. I wish you all the luck and wisdom in your search for the answers. Let us know what you think of the movie. We had mixed feelings, some good, some bad. I think a second viewing is on the cards for me too. Have a beautiful day, lovely lady! đ
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I need to find a new book to read. Monique since you like Kylie Scott, do you like the Stage Dive Series?
I like series book.
I have Tiffany Riez book on preorder “The Red a erotic fantasy”, but I will not be here til July.
Crystal
USA
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I adored the Stage Dive series, book two was my absolute favourite, but it’s much milder than Nicole Edwards! So I’m not sure if it’s your cup of tea. The Red was phenomenal and soooo creative! I was very blessed to read an advanced copy, and I liked it so much I will be buying the ebook also. It was well worth the read. Perhaps check our Kristen Ashley new series called The Honey. The first book is The Deep End: female Domme and Alpha sub. It’s pretty H.O.T! But the rest of the series are still to come. I had a rec from someone who knows I like to read MFM, but I’ve not read it yet: The Cowboys Next Door by Jay S Wilder. Perhaps you can check it out? Hope you find something you love soon!
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Some of the books Oprah has recommended in her club over the years were not my thing, but this list looks interesting. Some of these I’ve enjoyed the movies, but not read the books. ( Like Life of Pi and The Help). The Help is currently on sale for $1.99, so I picked it up last night.
I’ve currently got five books open in four different genres. None have grabbed me enough that I’m dedicated to the read. Mister Moneybags is enjoyable, and I will finish it, but I’m not in any hurry to do so. Had trouble picturing Bianca riding a tandem bike and sprawling on the grass in Central Park in a tight skirt, when she had trouble even stepping up on a curb…but each to their own. It was prob a fun show for anyone watching. I’m thinking I will become more invested in the story the further it goes. I do think the plot was a cute premise.
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I know what you mean, Sharon. That happens to me at times, and I have NO patience sticking to something that doesn’t grab me. I enjoyed Mister Moneybags, and it came with a nice twist. I had the EXACT same thought about the bike!! LOL! Let us know about your new book purchase from Oprah’s list, but you’re right, mostly not in the genre I love the most. As always, a pleasure hearing from you, girlfriend!
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Okay…I think Monique gave me permission to comment on the addictive book list. What’s most important is that it’s not that the books are addictive but, as the site says: “Here they are: the books we passed on to our closest friends, fought over at book club, lugged with us on every move and think about still. In no particular order.”
So not that many of these books are what I call addictive. But what is missing in a big way, but for exacting reasons, is Outlander. It was published in 1991, so outside the 25 year grouping. But, soooo addictive. I’m rereading it and enjoying it even more since I saw the TV series. Gabaldon is an amazing writer who shows nuance in development of a personal relationship which is exacting, accurate in its progression, and sort of blossoms like a flower bud…and you can see it in slow motion. And, no surprise, the same thing happens in the FSOG series.
Okay…here we go:
âą The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Didnât read but I think the bones in the grave tell the story of how she was murdered, so it was a twist on CSI stuff
âą Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Exquisite book; exquisite movie
âą Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Amazing structure where the âgotchaâ moment is in the middle and the fun is watching it unwind from there. Movie different but good by itself
âą Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Good, but her follow up The Lowlands was horrid
âą Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Yes, engaging
âą The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Never got around to reading it and the movie keeps popping up on cable. Itâs a YA adult book
âą Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
OMGâŠhere I could write a thesis. This is a non-fiction book. This book is an absolute MUST read taking you from a bound-foot grandmother thru decades in a family to a granddaughter who survived the opening up of China. To continue learning about what the history of modern China is/was like, I recommend: River Town by Hessler (a smooth segue from the end of Wild Swans, then Kosher Chinese by Michael Levy (who wrote is purposefully as a follow up to River Town), and then Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in New China by Evan Osnos. Guaranteed youâll have a much better understanding into who and why the Chinese are.
âą Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Saw the movieâŠnot captivating, but understood the motivation
âą White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Huh?
âą House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
Have seen bits and pieces of movie
âą Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Book captivating, but less so when you find out more about the author, as I remember
âą Fifty Shades of Gray by E L James
Need I say more? But I will. This is a one of the few books on the list that is truly addictive. Not too many others that youâd read over and over.
âą Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
Saw a bit of the movie
âą The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
OMGâŠloved this book!!
âą The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Well done and appreciated
âą The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen
Also loved this bookâŠand his more recent one PurityâŠbut isnât Franzen the guy who refused to go on Oprah?
âą Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple
Huh?
âą One Day by David Nicholls
Huh?
âą The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Still have nightmares but excellent!!
âą The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Written like it was going to be a screenplayâŠand it became a movie
âą Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Just a bookâŠand the trick was obvious from the first chapter, but enjoyable nonetheless
âą The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Saw the movieâŠstill have intermittent nightmares
âą The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Saw the movie…but I plan to read some of the author’s other stuff
âą The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
OkayâŠhereâs where Oprah is doing product placement. This is SO SO not addictive or anything else. Just a book about an invisible woman HEnrietta LAcks, who was a black woman whose cancer cells (called HELA cells) were immortalized and used for the basis for huge quantities of medical and cancer research. Woman deserves the recognition. But Oprah is just advertising her movie.
âą The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Huh?
âą The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Still on my bookshelfâŠwill read it eventually
âą Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
Still devastated by this book
âą The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Saw part of the movie but never read the book. YA fiction and I opted for the first of the Divergent series to read instead
âą Bossypants by Tina Fey
Not sure why this is here but sure is an incredibly important book for me, personally. I attended the same HS as Fey several/many years before her and the first quarter of her book is like reading my own life story. However, I didnât go on to become a multimillionaire.
âą Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer
Not read
âą The Road by Cormac McCarthy
My son told me not worth reading
âą Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Very, very, very good bookâŠand this one Iâd almost call addictive, or should I say, mesmerizing. From this book I learned/understood how/ what is considered sexual/sexy/arousing is/was very much a product of the society. And movie amazing.
âą The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Enjoyed this book. She won Pulitzer for it. But I think that was a sort of a makeup award since her previous book The Secret History was beyond amazing.
Still plugging thru a bunch of library books almost due before I can get back to pleasure reading (double entendre intended)
Lissa
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Wow! I knew I could rely on you, Lissa! Such a font of knowledge! Thank you for giving us the true skinny on the list. You rock, girl. Katherine, now you can delve into something non-genre! đ
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Lissa, stunned at your summing up of Oprah’s list. I have read a few of these books my favourites being Gone Girl and Angela’s Ashes
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Woooo Lissa!! You da chick!! Nice recap. Don’t have anything to add except an amusing aside about “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Went to see with two other couples (they selected the movie). After the movie, one of the guys said….What the heck!? I thought it was “Memoirs of a Ninja”!!!! Still makes me laugh – that was quite a few years ago!
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LOL! Oh dear! He must’ve been very disappointed đđ
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I have the exact same book reads on tap as you, my friend. I just finished Roommate…and ya know its not a thought provoking thing just a great enjoyable light read with some dirty bits thrown in. Good entertainment.
I did read the “Trophy Wife” no spoilers…just not sure how I liked it. I will wait for you on that. I enjoyed it while I read it but felt like pieces were missing then I got confused realizing it was actually going back on her Dumont Diaries shorties. It really was just… Not memorable. No reasons, or depth. Sigh…
MAC
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Hey girlfriend! đ€ Nothing wrong with good entertainment from a book, so that sounds like a win to me, đđ» but interesting stuff about Trophy Wife!! It’s quite far down on my current reading list (2 or 3 books to go), but Torre is usually good for throwing an unexpected spanner in the works. I’m curious now!! Thank you for the feedback. I shall most certainly check in with my views and we can compare notes. I’ve not once had a dud from her, plus her writing is pretty varied which makes for a surprise every time. It’ll be sad if she’s slipped from her stellar path. Great hearing from you, lovely đ
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Hi guys…have been meaning to share this with you. Don Rickles, a much beloved comedian, died recently at 90. He was a major fav of JD (who da thunk?) and JD published a tribute to him. I found it very touching. Enjoy if it’s your thing:
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/apr/07/jamie-dornan-don-rickles-tribute
Lissa
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Nice!! Thanks for sharing, nice tribute. Who knew?
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Thanks, Lissa! đ
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