LADY OF THE ROSES by Sandra Worth

1456 - ahh, the good ol' days when Men were Men and the Women were Cattle.

Good morning, Blog Buds! Thanks to everyone's good wishes and advice on me dealing with Tendinitis. I am feeling better, but it's clear I need to be more careful in the future.
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The first thing to know about LADY OF THE ROSES by Sandra Worth is that it is NOT a Historical Romance novel. Although it has a strong romance in it, this is Historical Fiction. What's the difference? Well, for one thing, if you've tried and failed to find a Historical Romance novel without graphic sex that is not Inspirational or Young Adult *you are in luck!* The romance is strong, but I wouldn't rate the nookie over Mildly Sensual. For another thing, you cannot expect the usual tropes of the Romance genre. This romance is not about the courtship. It's about the entire relationship, which is something I find refreshing. I've been married way over a decade now and I know there's a lot more to romance than boy-meets-girl. So, if you're a Historical Romance reader, great! I love 'em too. But, don't go into this expecting that. 'Kay?

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The year is 1456 and England is in the throes of the War of the Roses. For those of you who don't know, that's when England was torn apart by the House of York and the House of Lancaster for control of the country. King Henry suffers from mental illness which keeps him out of the game much of the time. Meanwhile, his French wife, Queen Marguerite, is running the show in his name and during a time when it's not exactly welcome for a woman to do so. She has a young son whom many believe was fathered by one of her studmuffin advisers and not the King. She also has wardship of the beautiful young teenager, Isobel. This means Isobel's parents are dead and the Queen has guardianship over her. The Queen received payment from Isobel's inheritance for this. More than that, the Queen can demand a very high price from any man who wants to marry Isobel. Since Isobel is beautiful and heiress to great wealth, the Queen sets a very high price. I did warn you women were cattle during this time, right? One would think the Queen would want to change that, having obtained a position of power for herself. After all, if she could expand her power by empowering other women it might last longer. But, no, she is self-centered and greedy. I'd say she's got her nose firmly wedged in her own belly button.

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I know it's popular to start novels with the Heroine being smart and powerful and totally on top of things, but let's take a Reality Pill here. No one is born that way. And neither was Isobel. Like nearly all women of her time, she's grown up accepting that her fate is not in her own hands and that her husband will be chosen for her. So barbaric, so medieval...no, wait, that was going on in that Texas polygamy cult just last month, right here in the 21st century America with a constitution in place to protect the civil rights of those girls.

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Isobel starts the story hoping the Queen will pick someone nice for her, someone not old and ugly who won't beat her. The only other option is the nunnery. But, then, she meets Sir John Neville at a dance while her caretaker is drunk/asleep. He's strong, he's handsome, he is sooo nice. They're both enchanted with each other.

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While Isobel pines for John, her anxiety mounts over the Queen negotiating the price on her head from would-be husbands and the War of the Roses carries on. Like I said, this isn't a Historical Romance novel. The history of the period is richly described in a manner I envy, since that's one of my weak spots as a writer. The prose is perfect and you'll never tire of it, unless you hate this time period. But, if you hate this time period, you probably won't pick up this book anyway. The way it all ties in to Isobel is that she is falls on the Lancaster side of the political landscape by accident of birth and the death of her parents and Sir John Neville falls on the Yorkist side. You have to remember this was a time when your place in society was decided almost entirely by who your parents were and not be any choice of your own. Has anyone ever read the classic novel THE BLACK ARROW by Robert Louis Stevenson? Similar thing there.

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"How could I marry someone for whom I had no regard, now that I had tasted love?" This quote is one of Isobel's thoughts as she cries after the Queen rejects Sir John Neville. After a post on the Alien Romance blog, I once commented, asking why a girl would risk defying her society, which could mean death as punishment, by choosing to marry a boy it disapproved of. I imagined it was because her home life was so miserable she wanted to escape that and find real love. Jacqueline Lichtenberg, the Great Lady of Science Fiction, said it was not merely that. After all, a lot of women stay in abusive marriages. She said it was because the girl was capable of imagining and believing that her life could be better and love really was obtainable elsewhere. I certainly believe this was the case with Isobel. Besides not getting to choose her own husband, she does have it pretty good as an heiress. But, the desire for freedom coupled with the desire for real love drives her forward.

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This is an area in which Sandra Worth excells. Too often in Historicals of any kind, the author falls back on bringing contemporary attitudes into the story in order to appeal to contemporary readers. Ms. Worth doesn't do that. She brings the strength out of her Heroine within Historical context. She draws on universal truths, things which were as true for women in 1456 as they are in 2008, even if you don't include the Texas Supreme Court.

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As the different factions try to negotiate peace while others fan the flames of war all around her, Isobel exheeds her original programming as a medieval woman by working towards marriage with Sir John. Thankfully, Sir John's family is a loving one and his father, though worried, places his son's happiness before his own convenience and political advantage. And he agrees to press the suit for the young couple. The Queen sets the price high like any shrewd negotiator, finally using it to secure as much political and financial advantage as she can. Isobel and Sir John are married. I did warn you this wasn't only about the courtship, right?

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Isobel is very lucky not to die in childbirth as her babies come in rapid succession. There was no birth control back then and birth attendents did not wash their hands. The infant mortality rate was extremely high. And so Isobel counts herself exceedingly blessed even as her husband's life comes in danger with the mounting conflict. The strength she gained from working so hard to marry the man she loved has brought her the confidence and wisdom she needs to work behind the scenes on her husband's behalf. She's a mother now too and she's educating her daughters. She's growing into a woman of power in her own fashion, but will she be powerful enough when her family falls under the wrath of the Queen?

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Some Violence. Mildly Sensual Heat Level. If you liked THE BLACK ARROW by Robert Louis Stevenson, IVANHOE by Sir Walter Scott, or NEFERTITI by Michelle Moran, you'll love LADY OF THE ROSES by Sandra Worth.

Taking a Break for Tendinitis

No Tuesday news. Kimber An's wrists hurt from trying to finish MANIC KNIGHT by the end of the summer. And her back is killing her too. Pop back in this Thursday for her review of LADY OF THE ROSES by Sandra Worth.

LETTING GO by Viviane Brentanos

Letting Go was a scary read for me, in a way. The heroine, Rachel Warner, is trying to raise her young son with too many bills and not enough money, even though her ex is well-to-do. Having to explain to her son, Alex, why she can’t get him the latest trendy stuff without frightening him about the electricity being turned off is a plank I’ve walked many, many times.

Rachel’s ex, Richard, is a coward and a bully who doesn’t give a rat’s fanny about his son. He emotionally abused Rachel until she was a shell of her former vivacious self, and then dumped her to marry his mistress. His powerful father has dictated that Rachel live her life as he sees fit or he’ll see to it that she loses Alex. His idea of a proper environment for his grandson is, basically, that Rachel live like a nun. He’ll provide for her house and the boy’s schooling, but little else. Rachel has to work for that. Consequently, she doesn’t have much of a life.

She works at a hotel that is known for catering to an upscale, celebrity clientele who like their privacy. She’s good at soothing divas and calming spoiled stars; and cannot understand why pop superstar Daniel Haines seems interested in her. She doesn’t remember that she and Daniel have met before.

Daniel was an American exchange student in Rachel’s English school ten years ago. Though two years behind her, he fell in love with the kind, lively girl. She was his dream come true, and even all these years later he’s never forgotten her, hasn’t quit having fantasies about her. He’s not been a monk by any means, but she still owns a big piece of his heart. The scrawny kid with braces who liked classical music has become a gorgeous, talented man with throngs of adoring fans; it’s understandable that Rachel hasn’t connected the two.

Rachel is very attracted to him and against her better judgment, starts seeing him covertly. She’s terrified that her ex father-in-law will find out she’s seeing a musician, especially one who would not fit his bill of moral uprightness, and Daniel doesn’t want her and her son dragged through tabloids. But the inevitable happens, and Rachel is in for the battle of her life.

And even though I wanted to strangle Rachel throughout this story, I loved the fact that she was not strong; she was not superwoman. In fact, she falls apart. She lashes out at those near her, hurting even her best friend, and nearly collapses from the panic. She’s willing to do whatever they want to let her keep her child. And I got it. I understood. The thought of losing your child is the worst fear there is. Rachel has been beaten down so much, and her ex’s family is so very powerful, that she feels completely helpless. It was a brave writing choice for Viviane Brentanos to let us see Rachel at her worst; it would have been easy to have Rachel pull the strength from inside and become Xena. But in showing us her struggle, Viviane wisely lets us crawl inside and feel Rachel’s desperation.

Daniel is sensitive and sometimes melodramatic, but I get that too. I am a musician myself, and I’ve known enough of them to recognize the breed. And he just loves her so much! It’s impossible not to feel for him.

This relationship takes a long time to simmer, and I’m glad it wasn’t an insta-love situation. A woman as bruised as Rachel would take a while to trust a man, and herself. I should warn you now it is highly sensual, and Rachel’s best friend Lynn is a hysterically funny Irishwoman who swears like a trucker. Upon learning of Rachel and Daniel’s first amorous encounter, she remarks, “You bagged, or should I say shagged, the big one.” I loved her and her crazy family.

The were a few British cultural references I didn’t catch, but it didn’t stall the story. The only problems I had were with Rachel’s profession- if the hotel has that kind of clientele I would expect Rachel to be a little more knowledgeable about celebrities (she didn’t know who Daniel was although he’s touted as the next Bono) and I certainly would expect her to make more money.

It was an emotional read that had timely moments of humor, and when I finished I thanked God that my husband and I will celebrate 21 glorious years this August, and my babies are home and safe. Check it out, and go hug your kids.

Dangerous to Touch Review

Dangerous to Touch is Jill Sorenson's debut for the Silhouette Romantic Suspense line, and let me tell you, it's hot, hot, hot! Heat level is highly sensual, and you feel it all the way through the book my friends!

Sidney Morrow opens the book by getting a psychic reading off of a lost and angry dog. I thought it was brilliant to show her power, one might say, with an animal, rather than an awkward handshake or some such thing. It's so natural to lean in and touch a dog that's in pain, and when she does, she gets a flood of emotion and information. That's when we know that Sidney feels other people's (or animal's) memories from a touch. And because it's a dog... she doesn't know really how to communicate this to the authorities. There's been a murder. The dog knows what happened. She can't very well just waltz into police headquarters and say that the dog told her, especially not to Lt. Marc Cruz who is skeptical to say the least. In fact, before the book is over Sidney is more suspect than informant.

But, let's just say that the important thing is she doesn't go unnoticed by Marc. Did I mention this is a sensual book? It's a really fun book to read and I don't want to give away much more of the plot, since it is suspense. Enjoy!!

If you like this book, I'd also like to suggest: Protecting His Witness by Marie Ferrarella and anything by Janet Evanovich, but especially the first four Plum novels.

Tuesday News, Part 2: Why I Pass On Reviewing Some Books

Hey again, Blog Buds. I forgot my weekly feature 'Why I Pass Over Reviewing Some Books.' Here is the photographic metaphor:The Endless Parade of Sameness.

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I've complained about it before. I go into the store and all there is in the Historical Romance section is cowboys and Scottish kilts. Now, I grew up in the Wild West and I like Men in Kilts just as much as the next red-blooded American Girl, but...puh-leeeeze! There's thousands of years of human history to choose from, People!

I may be missing out on some great stories too, because it certainly isn't one single author's fault she happened to release a cowboy romance the same time as a dozen other authors. I realize there isn't a vast blogosphere-wide conspiracy to make Kimber An gag.

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Now, I know a lot of readers have their preferences. Some only read Romance. Some only read Romantic Suspense. Some people only read Fantasy. That's fine. For them. But, I'm a girl who likes variety. Don't get in my way in the buffet line!

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The good news is I've found new sources for variety in storytelling - ePublishers and Small Presses. No. They are not all Erotica. Not anymore. Erotica is only a slice of the pie now. Oh, I still like the big guys, but it's nice to have more choice.

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Choice is the whole reason I moved to Alaska, by the way. I woke up one day and decided I was ready to get married. I heard the men outnumbered the women 10 to 1 in Alaska. So, I moved here, walked into a room with about thirty guys, studied the selection and picked my future husband out. "I'll take that one." Not kidding. Over a decade and four babies now. Choice is a good thing.

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Tuesday News

Good morning, Blog Buds!

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First off, Robyn will be posting her review of soon. She kinda missed her Sunday because of Father's Day and all that.

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On the next available review day, I'll post my review of LADY OF THE ROSES by Sandra Worth. After that, I'll be returning to my regular review schedule - the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. My schedule's heating up again, yanno.

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*And now to the books I would review if I had the time. If you're an author or author associate of one of the following books, please check the preferences of my fellow reviewers and feel free to contact them regarding a review. Also, please comment. We love that! Readers, if you don't find the title at Amazon.com try a Google search. Some of these books are from ePublishers and/or Small Press. Please don't let that frighten you! The variety the little guys provide is well worth the extra effort.

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That's it for today, Blog Buds. Have a good week.

My apologies!

Due to family concerns, Father's Day, and my inability to figure out that yes, there are five Sundays this month, I missed my review deadline for Vivianne Brentanos' LETTING GO. I'll have it up as soon as I can. Again, my apologies!

SHE SAID, SHE SAID by Celeste Norfleet & Jennifer Norfleet

This novel is marketed as Young Adult, but I really don't think of it that way. To me, it's Women's Fiction, which happens to include a teenager as one of the two protagonists. I applaud the mother and daughter team who wrote this novel, as well as Kimani Tru for publishing it. A novel with a teenager and her mother as equal protagonists is hard, if not impossible to find. Unfortunately, most people assume all teenagers hate their parents and don't want to read novels in which they're featured. Likewise, it's assumed all parents can't stand teenagers and don't want to read novels in which they're included as equals. I know this is a load of crap because I live in the real world where teenagers and their parents come in every size, shape, color, and personality. Some teens and their parents do hate each other, some tolerate each other, and, yes, some actually like and respect each other. Don't fall over laughing. It's true. Remember, assumptions are an excuse for not listening and stereotypes are an excuse for not thinking.

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I didn't have a normal teenage-hood, so I came at this like a nanny from Nanny 911. While a nanny is there to support the mother, she always takes the child's side. Always. This is because parents often become so busy and stressed out that they fail to hear the child's true voice. A nanny is trained to amplify and interpret that voice.

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Each member of the Fraser Family is almost totally selfish. For Tamika Fraser to be selfish, it doesn't bother me. She's only sixteen years old and doesn't have the parents to role model selflessness for her. She's just figuring herself out on the brink of adulthood. Her parents, Malcolm and Laura, have no excuse. They're both fortysomethings who really ought to know better.

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Malcolm gave up on growing into a mature relationship with his wife a long time ago. It's a lot of work and some men are so terrified of taking on something they might fail at that they won't take it on at all. Instead, he's become a workaholic and, oh, yes, he had an affair.

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Laura is a perfectionist. If there's one thing about perfectionists, it's their utter lack of flexiblity and adaptation. I know. One of my daughters is one. When the power of perfectionism is channeled for good instead of evil, it's a wonderful thing. But, it's running Laura, her marriage, and her daughter into the ground.

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Tamika is what most people consider to be an average teenager and it's all her parents fault, of course. Deep inside, she's far from average. Unfortunately, her parents' selfishness and inability to connect with each other as marriage partners and parenting team mates has stunted her growth.

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The story flips back and forth between Laura and Tamika. School's out and Tamikia was excited to be going to a photographer's camp. Photography is her passion and she's been looking forward to the camp for a long time. Unfortunately, Dad all of sudden decides he has a business trip to Tokyo and unemployed Mom decides she has to go clean out her parents' house down in Georgia to sell it. Tamika's passion and future take a backseat. Oh, sure, her parents are apologetic, but they're so caught up in their issues they can hardly see straight.

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So, it's prime family time and this family is going its separate ways again. Dad's off to Tokyo and possibly an unknown tart. And Laura and Tamika leave for Georgia. Needless to say, no one's happy. Tamika is the least happy and with good reason. The grown-ups have the power to fix this and she doesn't.

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No sooner do they get to Georgia than Laura runs into an old friend. While she starts waking up to old memories of who she used to be (and her true self,) Tamika is left on her own, for the most part, and starts finding journals and old photographs and such in the house they're both supposed to be cleaning up to sell and aren't. Luckily, great-aunt Sylvia is there to, basically, tell Tamika to take hold of her own destiny. So, while Laura goes spinning off, supposedly into the deep end trying to be a teenager again, Tamika takes charge of her life and starts really growing up. Meanwhile, Dad calls and realizes something's going on with his wife and the reader will realize he's really worried.

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I really felt for Tamika. She has to be the emotional parent for a while and that's a lot to put on a teen. I know because I was the emotional parent my entire childhood, which is probably why I became a nanny. An average teen might be crushed by what Tamika takes on, but, like I said, she's no average teen. Not really. Like all the real life teens I know, she has some strength in her.

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Likewise, Laura forgot what it meant to be herself because she was trying so hard to be the perfect wife and mother and worker. As is often the case, trying to be perfect only lands her on her nose.

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And Dad, well, he's got a lot to learn if he's going to keep up with these two women!

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I better end here. I hope I haven't said too much already. This story will twist your brain cells around, make you shout with fist raised, and cheer for the Frasers as they find their way home. It's been said that fathers know best and I know a lot of mothers like for their children to think they know best. Having been a nanny, however, I can tell you it's often the child who is the only member of the family who can really see through all the crap. Unfortunately, too often no one really listens.

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SHE SAID, SHE SAID is an awesome read for all ages, providing the adult ones can humble themselves enough to accept that a teenager can be smarter than them at least some of the time. Age may bring wisdom, but it can also bring on cynicism which stifles all perception. Children are born clear-thinkers - until we mess them up.

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Pop over to http://www.celesteonorfleet.com/contact.htm for more awesome reads from one or both of these authors.

SHE SAID, SHE SAID to be reviewed 6/12

My apology to Ms. Norfleet and Miss Norfleet. The review schedule got thrown off a little last weekend. Also, LADY OF THE ROSES has been bumped to 6/17, my apology to Ms. Worth.

Tuesday News

Good morning, Blog Buds! I gotta pump this out so I can get back to work on MANIC KNIGHT before my babies wake up.

If you're an aspiring author or a Shelia Goss fan, pop over to http://chew-the-fat-with-bettye.blogspot.com/ and read her interview. I reviewed Shelia's novel, DOUBLE PLATINUM, right here a while back. Click on 'Contemporary Romance' in the directory to find it.
Heather at Galaxy Express is having a Supernova event this week to celebrate the release of Susan Grant's umpteenth novel, MOONSTRUCK. Susan's a pilot and I'm a pilot's spouse and pilots and their spouses are insanely busy during the summer. We were unable to find a date for the Cyber-Launch Book Party I wanted to throw y'all. Not to worry, she'll have another one out next March. In the meantime, pop over to http://thegalaxyexpress.blogspot.com/ and enjoy the fun there, including a prize giveaway.
Patricia Wood's phenomenal debut novel, LOTTERY, was released in paperback on June 3rd. If the hardback price or size was too much for you, now's a good time to grab a copy. Pop over to Pat's blog to read all about her adventure in London when LOTTERY was nominated for the prestigious Orange Prize. http://pkwood.blogspot.com
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I found a new-to-me author this week - Lynn Kurland. What makes her so special is she's achieved bestseller status as a romance novelist without writing explicit love scenes. One of the frustating things about enjoying romance novels, but being grossed out by explicit sex is always having to skip that part or having an extremely limited number of books from which to choose. Well, here's a new author you can count on for a PG-rated book and her new release is in the stores now. I WANT it. Since I'm booked for 2008, I'll let Kimber Chin have first dibs though.

I thought I'd close Tuesday News posts with reasons why I pass on most novels. Reason Number One - Weak Plot. Hot sex does not constitute a plot, unless you're into porn which I am not. I imagine there are a lot of great novels out there I pass over simply because they're blurbed or recommended as Hawt and I'm like, "So the heck what?" Almost all romance novels have sex in them and most of those, today, are explicit. Big whoopty-doo. I've been happily married for a long time and I know what it takes to have Hawt. I've also read enough romance novels to know what it takes to write one which is truly Hawt. It requires a Strong Plot, which includes two well-developed characters with a well-developed and developing relationship. The sexual gymnastics are boring and/or ridiculous without it. To illustrate how I feel when I'm presented with a book which has a weak plot, please click on this link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug75diEyiA0 I'm the little old lady on the right.h

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Happy week, Blog Buds.

Sunday's Oldies but Goodies...

Greetings!

This month's Oldie but Goodie is 'After Glow' by Jayne Castle.
(First released March 2004)

Welcome to Harmony.

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Humans had started to colonize this planet as an archaeological outpost of sorts when alien ruins had been discovered there. But about 200 years after the mysterious energy curtain that had appeared out of nowhere that allowed humans to travel to and fro between Earth and Harmony - the curtain failed, leaving the residents of Harmony stranded, separated from Earth and their loved ones left on their home planet.

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Funny thing about Harmony, though. The alien ruins were more than they first appeared. The ruins held an energy that allowed the humans' latent psychic abilities to manifest themselves in different ways - for within the ruins were 'ghosts' - the leftover energy signature of the very beings that had inhabited the planet eons ago.

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Enter Lydia Smith. She is currently employed by Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors - a museum that claims to house all kinds of scary alien artifacts. Lydia is a para-archaeologist trying to restore what is left of her career after an unfortunate incident in one of the ruins' many underground passageways. Lydia is dating a macho-type ghost hunter and loyal Guild man Emmett London. He is trying to find a way to convince Lydia to tie the knot in a formal, Covenant wedding, but with her aversion to ghost hunters, he figures he has a long road ahead of him.

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Lydia also has a knack for finding trouble. Just when she thinks her life has finally calmed down and she has a chance for salvaging her ruined career, she finds a dead body. And not just any dead body. The deceased in question is one Professor Lawrence Maltby, the very man who had sent Lydia a note asking her to come to his home because of some information he had concerning the very incident down in the catacombs that has cost her her career and almost cost her her life.

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As events unfold with both Lydia and Emmett, an unknown person or persons seems to have made it their mission to silence Lydia about what really happened in the ruins, and Emmett has his own worries as well, since the current Guild boss was almost assassinated and has asked Emmett to lead in his stead until he recovers.

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Jayne Castle is a pseudonym for well-known author Jayne Ann Krentz. She is very skilled at world-building in her series of Harmony stories, all of which take place in or around the city of Cadence and the ruins of the Dead City. She has created a wonderful cast of characters as well, some of which show up in various novels along the way, which I personally enjoy. The novel moves along at a nice pace,and I had a very hard time putting it down the first (and second, and third) time I read it. The heat level in this novel is sensual, but in no way detracts from the story.

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You can find out more about this and Ms. Castle's other novels on her website - http://www.krentz-quick.com/

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Happy Reading!
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By The Sword By Alison Stuart

Okay, okay, I'll admit to picking up By The Sword by Alison Stuart simply because it was the 2008 Eppie winner in the historical romance category. It isn't my usual cup of tea, a war romance set in the turbulent times of Charles II starring a widow heroine with a young child. But hey, it is the best of the eBest and if I'm to call myself a historical romance reviewer, I should read it.
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Then I read the prologue and cried like a baby. Yes, on page 3, Alison Stuart had this cynical businesswoman weeping. When the baby faced Cornet bravely and silently holds his restrained commander's gaze as he is hanged, oh mamma. Waterworks time.
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It continues on from there. Our hero Jon is supporting the losing side of an extremely ugly civil war. Because of this loyalty, he has lost everything including his inheritance (to Kate's son, no less) and is a wanted man. What does he have to offer a practical young widow with a land bearing son? Other than love? And a whole heap of trouble?
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This is a historical romance with more focus on the historical than the romance (reminds me of a more modernly written Beatrice Small). The war plays a significant role, as does the heroine Kate's relationship with her son. The passion between Kate and Jon is not the rip off your clothes and run through the sprinklers naked kind. It is slow and builds. The bedroom door is firmly closed.
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All this adds to the reality. Kate loved her dead husband. It would take time to move from that memory to the new romance. A mother would face her fear of strange places so her son could meet his father's extended family. The war would be a central part of their lives. Jon is a soldier. The dead husband was a soldier. The war is happening all around them (they could hear the fighting).
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This is not a comedy. I wept through most of it. Whether it was a touching scene between the hero and the heroine's young son or during the death scenes (including those of children – this is war, after all), the writing and story moved me.
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Yep, sometimes a book is called the best of the best because it is simply that… the best.
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The bedroom door is firmly shut in this romance. It is a war romance so there are the usual war wounds and deaths (including those of children) all written tastefully.

Tuesday News

Good morning, Blog Buds! Here's what I got this Tuesday:

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Jill Sorenson released DANGEROUS TO TOUCH June 1st. I can't remember which one of us is reviewing it, except that she isn't me. But, I think this one's coming up for review sometime this summer. Way to go, Jill!

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Meanwhile, Patricia Wood is riding high on LOTTERY. Still! How long has it been out there? Let's see...(Kimber counts fingers, thanks goodness she's not wearing mittens)...debuted in hardback (after being rejected *80* times) in August 2007...September, October...TEN MONTHS! Anyway, she's in London. That's London, England, Folks. She's playing the tourist and waiting around to attend the prestigious Orange Prize shindig for which she has been nominated. To follow her fun, pop over to her blog, http://pkwood.blogspot.com/

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That's all I've got for today, unless something else comes up and I have time to add.