Sherry Thomas' Delicious

If you are not reading this book, you MUST. Oh, it's so so so good. I'm so pleased I took a chance on Ms. Thomas' debut (Private Arrangements, in case you didn't know). While I was concerned I wouldn't like her sophomore effort -- as has been the case as of late -- it's totally untrue! I'm loving this book!!!!!

This is Hysterical!!

The Flavor of Summer by Lyra Marlowe

The first time David saw Ariel, she was pinned against the lockers, being fingered by a football player -- and smiling. He never forgot that smile. But he let her get away.

Ten years later, a summer class reunion brings him another chance. Ariel is still beautiful, free, and erotically unpredictable; David, even in his own mind, is dull as dry toast. She wants to be sexually dominated -- by him. He'd be happy just to get laid. But with the help of the Internet, an experienced Dom who's willing to give advice, and Ariel's drawer full of toys, he'll take a shot at being everything she wants and needs.

Twenty-four hours of submission, bondage, erotic toys and one old-fashioned spanking convince David that Ariel's sexual preferences suit him perfectly. But if they're going to stay together, they'll have to deal with other issues: The suffocating summer heat. The specter of Ariel's free-love past. The disapproval of their old classmates. Their mutual insecurities. And maybe the most important question: Can a dedicated tax accountant really be happy with a woman who never balances her checkbook?

Whatever happens, the flavor of their summer isn't going to be vanilla any more.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: BDSM elements and themes, domination/submission.

Now Available at Loose Id. Congratulations, Lyra!!!

Monday Meme

Your Nail Polish Color is Purple

How you're unique: You are artistic and expressive Why your style rocks: You pay special attention to color and fabrics What this color says about you: "I'm creative and know how to take care of myself"

What Color Nail Polish Best Fits You?

Working the TBR

Still going strong with Harry Potter. I have less than a third left in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; I've been rereading because I don't want it to end (again)! Today, however, I'm starting

Dating Myself

Yesterday, I walked to Arby's for lunch (love those Loaded Potato Bites!!) and was greeted by New Edition's "Cool it Now." A flash of memory hit me square between the eyes -- me at my grandmother's house in the red-shag carpeted bedroom where I slept when I spent the night each Friday and New Edition blasted as loud as she'd allow. As I waited for those bites, I sang along in my head. Surprisingly, I remembered all the words to the song. That immediately made me question today's young adults.

When I first heard New Edition, I was in late middle school, seventh or eighth grade, I think. New Edition, my friends, was before Bobby Brown was Bobby Brown. Way before. Lots of great 90s groups came from New Edition. Okay, two, three, if you count Bobby Brown. But, if I put them -- or any other song/group/tv show I enjoyed in my teens -- into a YA novel, would they have to be Googled before the reader understood who they were?

I've been thinking a lot about this lately. Not sure why, since I'm not writing a YA (not writing period, but that's an entirely other blog entry). How iconic does someone or something have to be before it's universally known?

An friend and I were discussing Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber a couple of years ago. Ms. Schreiber noted a few what I considered out-dated pop culture references, things a high schooler like the main character probably wouldn't know. I can only remember Cary Grant now. My friend argued that she knew who Cary Grant was when she was in high school; I said I didn't doubt it because she is highly intelligent and spot-on in pop culture. I too knew who Cary Grant was (I once helped a friend write a paper about Paula Abdul, and she wondered how I knew so much about Miss Paula. That too is a blog for anther time.) Which begs the question, if I mentioned The Smurfs or, better yet, The Snorks, would today's teen know WTF that was?

I can see if you made your character -- a high schooler today -- an 80s or 90s pop culture fan. That would be part of their personality and quirky behavior. Dating yourself as a writer is something to think about, especially given how quickly trends change. Something to think about certainly.

Working the TBR

Despite my overwhelming love for Twilight, I did not partake in the dazzling and cracktastic mess that is Breaking Dawn. After every friend who read Breaking Dawn said "Hated it!", I decided to reserve my copy at the library. Since I've read a hysterical retelling, I may not even read the book when a copy becomes available.

So what am I reading? Harry Potter.

My mother-in-law and I got into a Harry Potter discussion last weekend, after which I decided I needed to reread the books.

Monday Meme

You Are a Cherry Flavored Popsicle

You are sweet and friendly. For you, summer is all about doing your favorite things. You are a nostalgic person. You love old fashioned things like ice cream trucks. You savor everything. Every taste of summer, the feeling of the sun, the smell of the beach... Of all the types, you love summer the most.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?