Friday, August 26, 2011

What Ever Happened To...

Upon a Moon Dark MoorDo you ever read a couple of books by an author and then they seem to suddenly disappear?  For myself, I can think of two authors I am wondering about.  First up is Rebecca Brandewyne.  I read her book, Upon a Moon Dark Moor, for the first time when I was about 13.  I loved the gothic feel to it, and how Brandewyne did not rush the story, but let it unfold as Draco and Maggie grew up.  There was also a sequel involving their sons, Across a Starlit Sea.  The way the sequel ended left it pretty wide open for a third book involving the grandchildren.  According to her website the third book will be called Beneath a Sun-Washed Sky, and it should have been finished in 2007 or 2008.  I have not come across it in my searches.



BlackheartThe second author is Tamara Leigh.  A couple of years ago I read her book, Blackheart.  It was a Medieval where a man, Lord Bernart Kinthorpe, orders his wife Juliana to sleep with his enemy, Lord Gabriel de Vere.  Lord Kinthorpe is impotent but wants to put an end to the rumours that he is by producing an heir.  I can't remember the reason why he chose his enemy, but the rest of the story is about Gabriel finding out about the plot and falling in love with Juliana.  Again, there was a subplot with Juliana's sister that made it obvious that there would be a sequel.  If I remember correctly, the sister had suffered an injury to her head that left her somewhat mentally incapacitated.  During the time that Juliana was taken by Gabriel, the sister left Kinthorpe's castle.  At the end of the novel, Gabriel's friend (naturally) was looking for the sister to bring her back. This book was written in 2001 and the book about the sister has not been written yet.  The information I can find is that Tamara Leigh is now writing inspirational romances.  Which is a shame because I really enjoyed her medieval romances and wanted to read the story of the sister.  I can understand that authors' style changes.  Some move from historical to contemporary or erotic to mainstream.  But I do wonder if authors sometimes owe it to their fans to at least finish what they started.

 

Friday Book Trailer

Something a little different for today's book trailer.  It's a news clip about Harlequin romance novels, book covers and a little bit about the history of the romance genre.  With Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd (mmmm Paul Rudd!) reading from some books!



Turbo Fire

It's been over three months since I started Turbo Fire and I love it!  I will be honest, I slacked off quite a bit between June and the end of July because of a course I was taking and well, it's summertime and I've been really lazy.  I did the whole program, just not on a daily/consistent basis.  But for the past week and a half I have given it my all with the program.  Over the past two days I have noticed that my upper arms are beginning to look more toned.  And my thighs!  My thighs are becoming toned and sleek.  Now if only I can get my diet on track too I would kick ass!!  For some reason I can be totally on track with my diet, but fail to exercise.  Or, I will exercise daily but can't seem to get my eating under control.  Sometimes I am able to really focus on both, but that will last for a couple of days at the most. 

Some things I have noticed with the Turbo Fire program - you will sweat!  A lot!  Usually when I exercise, I where a t-shirt and yoga pants.  Within the first week of TF I switched to capri yoga pants, then I started wearing a tank top.  Now I wear a tank top and shorts.  I prefer to exercise first thing in the morning, pretty much as soon as I get out of bed.  With Turbo Fire, I noticed that I did not have the energy to get through a whole workout, or be able to give it my all if I did it before eating.  So now I try to do it before lunch or a couple of hours after lunch.  Which is fine during the summer, but I will have to figure out another schedule once school starts up again.  Another thing I noticed is that I am starving one or two hours after doing one of the DVDs.  So now I try to have a little snack within 30 minutes after exercising or I will binge eat!

If you are looking to lose weight or just to tone up you have got to try Turbo Fire, it is awesome!  If you haven't really exercised before, I would suggest starting off with Chalene Johnson's other program, Turbo Jam.  It's similar to Turbo Fire, but not as intense.  I am hoping to really see a difference by the end of September, especially in my midsection, that always seems to be the last area I see a difference in.


Sunday, August 14, 2011

The Next Always by Nora Roberts

This one almost slipped by me!  Roberts' newest trilogy begins with The Next Always, which will be released November 1, 2011.  It looks like fact and fiction will be merging for this trilogy, which takes place in a family renovated bed-and-breakfast in Boonsboro, MD (Nora and her family have actually renovated a B&B in Boonsboro).  Following is the synopsis from Amazon:

book cover of 
The Next Always 
 (Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy, book 1)
by
Nora RobertsThe historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major facelift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

Can I just say that I love the front cover of this book?  There's something very warm and romantic about the old stone building, the colours of the wood and the flowers.  If this is the front of the actual B&B I think I might need to take a road trip.  And talk about great free advertising for it!  If any fan of Nora's didn't know she owns a B&B in her hometown, they will now!  Seeing as how this book is about a mother and two sons, I wonder how many of Nora's fans will be asking her how much of her life made it into this book? 

I am looking forward to reading this book, I love a romance in a small hometown where people fall in love with someone they have known all their life, but never considered.  But, enough with the trade size!  I knew this would happen when Roberts' Bride Quartet came out in Trade.  I hate that size!  For one thing it is more expensive, and another thing, it is not comfortable to hold while reading.  I want the mass market book back for the trilogies!  I will definitely be borrowing this book from the library instead of buying it, even though Roberts is usually an autobuy for me.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday Book Trailer

Check it out!  Hilarious book trailer for Maya Banks' new trilogy.  I first saw it at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.



I am so looking forward to this trilogy, I haven't read any of Banks' books, but if a historical book involves Highlanders, kidnapping, enemy clans, and revenge, I am hooked!  Not sure what that says about me, and pretty sure I don't want to know!