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The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
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| Gratuitous picture of Hugh Jackman to get your attention. |
Yesterday's blog brought out a lot of emotions judging by all the emails I received on the subject. So I thought, to keep everyone motivated, we'd have a 6 month challenge (and no, you don't have to tell your weight or even if you lose/gain). Just leave a comment if you'd like to be involved and I'll keep track on a chart.
Every Monday I'll add a couple tips, words of wisdom or just random thoughts to help inspire and entertain while losing a pound or two. At the end of each 30 day period, I'll draw a name to receive a gift card from Subway (surprise!). You don't have to lose any weight or even tell us if you lost or gained to win the prize, just comment on how/what you're doing that helps or problems that you've encountered. Email me if you have any questions.
Now here's books that have been read and enjoyed this week.
Bond of Fire by Diane Whiteside
Reviewed by Dakota
Diane Whiteside's story, Bond of Fire captivated me. I love paranormals and I love a new take on them. Bond of Fire is the story of Helene d'Agelet, a secret agent and her long, lost lover, Jean-Marie St. Just and the dilemma they face over family loyalty and the fiery passion they share for one another. What I love most about this book is the heart stopping sense of urgency, the rich characterization. The hero and heroine have texture and so much life I can feel what they feel, experience what they're living and for me, that rates right up there with French fries and Starbucks White Chocolate Mochas :)
Necessary Arrangements by 
Tanya MichnaReviewed by Jan
Glad and sad, laughter and tears....my emotions ran the gamut while reading this book. I started it right before Christmas and barely into the storyline when I had to put it down. Could I emotionally deal with a diagnosis of metatasized breast cancer in this holiday season? The book was not to be ignored...and I picked it back up the next morning and read it straight through.
Two very different sisters, yet super-close, and there for each other when facing life's challenges. Asia, the over-achieving stock investor, got the overwhelming news her cancer was back and had spread to bone and liver the same day her younger sister announced she was gloriously in love, engaged and asked Asia to be her maid of honor.The scheduled wedding was moved up, BUT would there be enough time?? I loved this book... even through my tears.
Blood Moon by Dawn Thompson
Reviewed by Beverly
Two very different sisters, yet super-close, and there for each other when facing life's challenges. Asia, the over-achieving stock investor, got the overwhelming news her cancer was back and had spread to bone and liver the same day her younger sister announced she was gloriously in love, engaged and asked Asia to be her maid of honor.The scheduled wedding was moved up, BUT would there be enough time?? I loved this book... even through my tears.
Blood Moon by Dawn Thompson
Reviewed by Beverly
Jon was soon to be be a vicar in England and Cassandra was to be his bride. Enter the vampire Sebastian and everything changed. Jon and Cassandra are both bitten by Sebastian and become infected They wed immediately and leave as quickly as possible for a priory in Moldavia to enlist the aid of the local clergy so they can escape becoming full fledged vampires. On their journey they run afoul of the local townspeople after Cassandra is caught in the act of drinking the blood of a rodent. One townsman, Milosh a half vampire , saves them from the unruly mob. From Milosh they they learn that the local clergy will not help them and that he is their only hope as he knows a rite to be performed at the time of the blood moon that will save them from becoming vampires. Jon, Cassandra and Milosh take off in pursuit of Sebastian in a race to perform the ritual during the "blood moon" before Sebastian can turn them into one of his own.
From the screams of the undead as holy water hits them, the musty earth smells as they look for the vampire Sebastian, the visual images of Cassandra and Jon as they transform from human form to panther and wolf, to the passion that vibrates between Jon and Cassandra, this book takes all of your senses for a wild, emotional ride.
Laird of the Mist by 
This highly intense story is woven through a time and place in history that is underscored with battles between clans as they fought for and defended what was theirs, including land and honor. In Laird of the Mist, Paula Quinn brings to light the true story of the MacGregor clan, which was proscribed in the early 1600's, leaving them with an outlawed name that could not lawfully even be spoken and no land to call home.
It's 17th-century Scottland when Kate Campbell is rescued by her clan's most hated enemy and finds herself at the mercy of the Devil himself. Callum MacGregor is a man out for revenge and one who is determined to see the Campbell clan suffer at his own hands. The Laird of the MacGregor clan has taken many Campbell lives and is bloodthirsty for more - that is until the high-spirited Kate begins to bring sunshine to his tortured and angry soul.
I found this story to be well written with emotion that is both powerful and sincere. If you enjoy tortured heroes who find redemption in love, heroines who are both wise and capable, secondary characters who are endearing and unforgettable, then this one is for you. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've read the last sentence of the book and one that somehow makes the world a better place. As a reader, what more could you want?
Heart Dance (Celta's HeartMates, Book 6) by Robin D. Owens 
Heart Dance (Celta's HeartMates, Book 6) by Robin D. Owens Reviewed by Joyce
Having just read of Jane Austen's Regency England, it became fun to compare that restrictive society to the one in this Sci-Fi romance.
The inhabitants of this Earth colony have structured their social classes according to the power of the magic and psychic abilities that developed upon colonization. Very rigid, the need to form alliances with those of upper class standing is crucial. A development of this world is the HeartMate, the only person to whom one is linked, heart, mind, body and soul. This gift doesn't happen for everyone, and it is the finding and keeping of the HeartMate that gives the story it's flavor.
Dufleur is powerful with working time, but she must set aside experimentation and testing of her strengths to attend to her first social season. She knows her HeartMate is out there, but she feels she must ignore him until she can restore the family name from her father’s scientific indiscretions. Saille is head of house for his respected and influential family, but finds that kind of power useless in luring his HeartMate to him.
Reading the previous 5 books would have made the story more cohesive, however Robin D. Owens did very well filling in enough of the past storyline that this tale felt complete. The fact is that it whetted my appetite and I’m going back for the others.
Bottom Line: The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends. ~Author Unknown
Posted by Barbara Vey on January 10, 2008 | Comments (42)
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Amanda commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Amanda commented:
Count me in the 2008 challenge. I have about 15 pounds to lose and I could use the support. Hugh Jackman is a great way to start the day. Thanks.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
What a way to stay out the day! Woo Woo. Hugh Baby rocks!
Some wonderful blurbing going on around this place. First, I would like to mention the real star of Heart Dance is Faeryfoot aka in real life as Foutchie -- ta da!! My Kitty!! Originally, she appeared in Heart Choice, but went on to be features in Heart Dance. You can check out how my cat badgered...hum, asked to be a FamKitty in Ms. Owens' book on my website:
deborahmacgillivray.co.uk/foutchiefammail.htm Foutchie gives this book two paws up!
The next book I have to commnent upon is the marvelously talented Dawn Thompson's Blood Moon. This was the first in her series, followed by The Brotherhood(July 2007) and soon out, The Ravening (Jan 2008), which is Milosh's book and WOW. Each book just builds upon the other.
John Charles of Chicago Sunday Tribune wrote about Blood Moon:
An inventive hybrid of Regency historical and dark, s-e-xy paranormal romance, Dawn Thompson's "Blood Moon" is wildly imaginative and wonderfully entertaining."
Dawn has been very ill after a fall last September, and has been in hospital since. I will be sure to tell her about the wonderful blurb. It will give a smile!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jennifer LaBrecque commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jennifer LaBrecque commented:
Alright, I need to drop 20 pounds. There, I've said it!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
mary s commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
mary s commented:
Thanks Barb--look forward to reading your blog every morning I can! Great reading suggestions--I am plodding along in a Greg Iles' book--does he get better? Sorry--maybe more characterizations & scene descriptions than I am used to!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Lucinda Betts commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Lucinda Betts commented:
I just finished BLOOD MOON and I LOVED it. Dawn is one of my favorite authors, and I'm hoping she recovers quickly and well. We need more of her books!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Lucinda Betts commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Lucinda Betts commented:
p.s. Thanks for the photo of Huge. Yes, he got my attention!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Billie Warren Chai commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Billie Warren Chai commented:
I‛ll do the challenge but a little differently. Instead of losing 40 pounds I‛m going to add 8 inches to my height. Dawn write extraordinary stories an they have been found to be consistently well written, exciting, and different. A reader can do much, much worse than to pick up a Dawn Thompson.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Foutchie The Cat commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Foutchie The Cat commented:
Ah, my book! Thank you. Ms. Owens was very smart and used the superior Foutchie as her latest FamKitty. Foutchie (Foot-Sidhe or Foot Faery ala Faeryfoot) needs an agent. I have so much to do. I was also in Brent Schofield's "Hair Balls and Sticky Things".
As to Ms. Thompson...highly superior author PURRRRRRRRRRRson. I speak with her on the phone daily.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Carolyn Johnson commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Carolyn Johnson commented:
Barbara, I think this will be the extra incentive I have to keep losing. I'd like to lose 40lbs. Not my final goal but I should be able to do it by July. How exciting to lose with fellow book lovers. And Hugh's a hottie but what's with the hair?
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Diane Davis White commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Diane Davis White commented:
Good morning, Barbara! Sorry to be late adding my comments, but was up late writing on. Dawn Thompson ranks right up there with chocolate brownies and super hero, Hugh. Love her books, yes I do. My favorite is The Marsh Hawk--but of course, that will change as each book she writes gets better and better. Weight has been a problem for me for so long I am desperate to get skinny--or something close to it. I'll stick around for your challenge. But what do I do with the chocolate chip cookies I baked yesterday? Hmmmm....Foutchie, you like chocolate?
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Marilyn AKA The Playground Monitor commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Marilyn AKA The Playground Monitor commented:
Count me in! I need to drop 10 pounds and do some serious firming up in the middle region. *sigh* Is a night with Hugh the prize?
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Barbara Vey commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Barbara Vey commented:
Mary, all the Greg Iles books I've read have been great, so I'm not sure what you're reading.
Marilyn, if Hugh were the prize...I would have already won and the contest would be over.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Amber Dawn Bell commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Amber Dawn Bell commented:
I'm with Billie. The challenge will be to grow 6 inches--up that is.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Gerri Bowen commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Gerri Bowen commented:
Thank you for the picture of Hugh, Barbara. I need to lose pounds and firm my saggy middle. Don't think I can add eight inches to my height, but I'll settle for two. The Marsh Hawk is my favorite Dawn book so far, just loved her hero in that. The Brotherhood is next in my TBR pile. Looking forward to that ttreat!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Erin E. M. Hatton commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Erin E. M. Hatton commented:
Thanks for recommending Blood Moon by Dawn Thompson. I'll have to give it a read. I thoroughly enjoyed The Privateer.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
That is the amazing talent about Dawn Thompson is her range. In a two year period she will have 12 books and 4 anthologies out! If vampires are not your cup of tea, she does Time-Travel, Literary erotic historical fantasy, Paranormals and just pure Regency romances. She leaves me exhausted just trying to up with her! So I am sure she will be keeping you ladies busy!!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jacquie Rogers commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jacquie Rogers commented:
I read Robin D. Owen's Protector of the Flight (Book 3, The Summoning series)and liked it so well that I bought the first two books, although I haven't had a chance to read them yet. She has a very compelling writing style and definitely won me over with Protector. Dawn Thompson's writing is beautiful. I love her Dawn MacTavish books and I recently reviewed The Privateer. Totally yummy hero in that one! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Patty Howell commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Patty Howell commented:
Loved "The Ravencliffe Bride" and "The Falcon's Bride." Look forward to reading Dawn's next books. She is a kind, talented lady.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Cynthia Breeding commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Cynthia Breeding commented:
As a fellow writer, I am always amazed at Dawn's range of talent!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Anne Kimberly commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Anne Kimberly commented:
I hope you get well soon Dawn cause you have to get back to your legion of followers :)
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Victoria Bromley w/a Victoria Houseman commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Victoria Bromley w/a Victoria Houseman commented:
I am a huge fan of Dawn Thompson - Blood Moon is next up on my TBR list and I can't wait to begin this series!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Rowena Cherry commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Rowena Cherry commented:
OK, I'm looking at Hugh Jackman whom I've admired for a long time for his ability to portray both well-spoken virtuous and vicious characters, also I've recently become aware of his magnificent muscle development. In my frivolous opinion he would be the perfect star for Dawn Thompson's Blood Moon. He could suck my neck any time!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Deborah Macgillivray commented:
Actually, Hugh is the PERFECT Jon nekkers in the woad field!!! Wow, the three books would be stunning as a movie, but we would need another another super jock to play Milosh, the super s e x y gypsy vampire hunter. Can we hold auditions?? Please, please, please??? I think it would help out weight loss program to have incentive!!
Can you believe they didn't want Hugh baby for Aragorn because he looked to effeminate? Somebody was their glasses.??
So two votes for Hugh to play Jon nekker in the woad field!!!??(for those who haven't read the book that is how it opens: a man stripping nekked in the woad field.)
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Paula Quinn commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Paula Quinn commented:
Woo Hoo, Christy, thank you for the wonderful review of Laird Of The Mist. If I didn't write the book, I'd run out and buy it :)~
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Leanne Burroughs commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Leanne Burroughs commented:
As are all of Dawn Thompson's books that I've read, Blood Moon is an awesome book. You feel all of Jon and Cassandra's emotions as they fight the roller coaster of evil as Sebastian keeps throwing trials in their way. Being a man of the cloth, Jon is particularly torn by all the events he and Cassandra must face to 'survive.'
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Robin D. Owens commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Robin D. Owens commented:
Many thanks for the blurb for Heart Dance. It IS the most Regency-like book of the series. I'm currently finishing the next book, Heart Fate, coming in September. The hero of Heart Fate is Tinne Holly, a secondary character who's been in several of the books. Oh, and Heart Dance will be coming in mass market paperback in May. By the way, you can read excerpts of all my work on my website www.robindowens.com under the READS button...and have fun playing with the intro page... Thanks again, Robin
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Christy commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Christy commented:
Paula, you've ruined me!!! I've read 3 books since rereading Laird and they just don't compare! Even though they were still great books, they just seem to be lacking compared to yours! I may even pull it out and reread it again! Again, thanks for Callum's story!
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jeanna commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jeanna commented:
Paula, great book!!!!! Another winner as all of your others. So proud of you!!!! I haven't read much in recent years, but so glad to have met you and made a new friend and renewed my zeal for romance and history through your fabulous work.
January 10, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Kristie commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Kristie commented:
I received Laird of the Mist for Christmas(Christy, you are forever on my nice list now ;) ). I love all of Paula's books, but WOW! Laird of the Mist is beyond fabulous! Definitely my favorite book so far. The sincerest compliment a reader can give an author is to tell them that their copy is falling apart because it is read so often. My copy of Laird is well on its way to falling apart! Thanks Paula, for such a wonderful story!
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Andrea AKA Smarty Pants commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Andrea AKA Smarty Pants commented:
I'm in. I need to, uh, drop about 35, but if I could lose 20, I'd be happy.
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Rowena Cherry commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Rowena Cherry commented:
Weight Loss I'm in. I'm too sedentary.
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jo webnar commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jo webnar commented:
Wow! After that book review, I can't wait to buy Blood Moon. I read Dawn's Privateer and loved it. My problem is so little time and so many great authors!
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Teresa D'Amario commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Teresa D'Amario commented:
And btw, the Gratuitous pic of Hugh Jackman was a perfect way to make my day. :)
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Teresa D'Amario commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Teresa D'Amario commented:
I LOVE All of Robin D. Owens books. She has two series, the Celtic world series (Heart Dance is one of them), and her Summoning series. Both are amazingly original. I didn't think I'd like her Summoning series at first, not being a huge fantasy fan, but in an instant she pulled me in. Robin's a smart lady. She caught me by sending me to www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1049, which is an ecopy of Song of Marwey. It's a short story designed to entice the reader straight into her world. And she did more than entice me, she captured me. In fact, I'm on my way to the store to see if they have her new one, Keepers of the Flame! It's hard to even pick a favorite, because she hits so many of my pet loves. Horses (Flying ones at that), Weather, Magick, Soul mates, and even healing. Don't forget the tortured hero's! Robin D. Owens is a very under recognized author.
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Edie Ramer commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Edie Ramer commented:
Put me in for 10 pounds. And put me down for gratuituous Hugh Jackman pics. :)
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
LAUREL BRADLEY commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
LAUREL BRADLEY commented:
Hugh got my attention. I'd like to drop several (or more) pounds as well. Sign me up. I've been exercising daily since the new year and am down 3. I heard on NPR an interesting study involving maids, diet, exercise, and the placebo effect. The were all active. Half were told they were active. That half lost weight. The bottom line was: perception counts. When you exercise, think exercise. Housecleaning IS exercise, so count it. Exercising and reinforcing in your mind that you exercise help with weight loss. The mind is a powerful thing. I'll let you know if it works for me. :-)
January 11, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Clea Simon commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Clea Simon commented:
Count me in, Barbara. Four years ago, I successfully lost 27 lbs through WW online. I kept it off until a year ago, when my mother's health started declining and I stopped writing down what I ate and went back to emotional eating. I'm now back on the wagon, as my one real-life but also WWonline buddy puts it, so we'll be doing this sort of together (in a virtual world). The goal is not what the charts say, or even what I was in college, but 20 lbs lighter than whatever the scale says on Monday. - Clea (and Hugh Jackman rocks!)
January 13, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Barbara Pierce commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Barbara Pierce commented:
All of these books sound wonderful! I have Dawn's book in my TBR pile and Laird of the Mist is already on my wishlist.
January 14, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jennifer St. Giles commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Jennifer St. Giles commented:
Hey Barb Count me in for the weight and Hugh is hot. With a prize like that I could lose anything. LOL.
January 15, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Tanya Michna commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Tanya Michna commented:
Between internet connection problems (ugh) and a sick four year old, I've had trouble getting on line for the last few days. But even though it's a bit late, MAJOR congrats on the weight loss! I've been doing the WW Points myself and am amazed at the difference it makes in my life (although I did fall off the wagon a bit over the holidays). Jan, thank you for the beautiful review of Necessary Arrangements! I both laughed and cried while writing it *g* I'll have to put the other books on my TBR list!
January 15, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
JoyfullyReviewed.com commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
JoyfullyReviewed.com commented:
I have been a Dawn Thompson fan since book one. She is an autobuy for me, I am so happy to see her highlighted here ; )
January 15, 2008
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Tina LaVon commented:
In response to: The Blurbing Ladies Are At It Again
Tina LaVon commented:
Okay, I'm going to join your challenge. I hope you are going to do this for a LLLLOOONNNGGGG time; I have a lot of weight to lose.
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