I’m tired — I was up until 4:45am working and got up at 8am to start again, so I’m just filling in space. But a resolution is a resolution. And this is one of the reasons I’m not so fond of blogging, there are so many out there that just don’t say anything, or are at a loss of topic that farting in a gym becomes an entire blog entry. Sorry, it’s just not in me to discuss my bodily functions with world. HOWEVER, I did discuss books on my morning ramble through what felt like North Texas. Look, when you’re operating on less than 4 hours of sleep with gritty contact lenses and driving in Dallas traffic, holding a decent conversation is totally amazing. G has this goal of reading one book a month. Well, one book a month she can discuss in book club. Trust me that is a real goal for her. She’s our expert on shall we say the “spicy” side of literature. Those she reads MUCH faster but there are not always book club discussion options. Especially in public places. Anyway, she started THE ALLELUIA FILES by Sharon Shinn. She’s had it for years, but…

Great title, isn’t it? And a book to chill you to your bones. CLOSE ENOUGH TO KILL is our book club’s October pick. And we also talked to the author, Beverly Barton, on the phone during our meeting. Apparently we were noisy and having a “good time” scaring the men off to various other corners of the house during our A Tasty Trip to Sergio and Raoul’s Villa evening. To be totally honest, the evening’s theme is based on the menu and not the book or author chosen. Barton is a delightful woman to have as a guest — even via the telephone — and she answered all our burning questions with ease. You know, the usual mundane but must ask the author questions — what does she read when she’s not writing, how does she do her research, what television shows does she like to watch, plus our queries book centered — how is the book related to other books, does she know a serial killer personally, etc. Okay, I don’t think we actually had drunk enough wine to ask that one, but she handled the rest very well. She watched Medium, loves Lost, and Jericho and we advised…

The Fresh Pick committee works from a theme. This is an FYI for those not in the know or who haven’t figured it out to this point, and the committee mastermind, who shall remain nameless, always comes up with a theme of the week; it might be a movie opening, a national holiday, a honorific, or sometimes, I think, just her mood 🙂 Personally, I get a kick out of trying to figure out what the theme is before I have to give in and ask, which I must admit pisses her off sometimes, because, you know, it’s so OBVIOUS! Amazing other people roll their eyes as well. So, the theme for this week is obviously spooky, but not quite Halloween spooky, I know she’s got something truly exotic in mind for that week. It’s definitely evil, and I think I’ve got it now! THE DEVIL! When I saw today’s book pick — WORKING FOR THE DEVIL by Lilith Saintcrow — I went ooooh, that was one I voted for cause I fell in love with the kick-ass heroine. She’s like this bounty hunter in hell type. Yeah, yeah, another bounty hunter, it’s like there’s a bounty hunter, vampire hunter…

Last night I was rather tired … still recuperating I think… so I definitely needed a bedtime reading that was short, light, and not too thought provoking. It would be nice if it wasn’t too heavy to hold as well, so that left out an assortment of ARCs, hardcovers and other miscellany waiting for me to read as “homework.” Ah, when did my reading turn from purely pleasure to “homework.” A dreaded term, isn’t’ it? So I settled for a light weight, at least in heft, book. One I’ve been urged relentlessly to read for months now. I’ll be honest, his first book took me FOREVER to get through and I really didn’t understand it at all. Figured it was my age, but from the moment I read the first paragraph of THE WORTHY by Will Clarke, I was hooked. Yes, I’ll admit I have a skewed sense of humor, not exactly sophomoric, never did get into those slapstick comedy bits, but the humor in THE WORTHY was subtle and invigorating and appealed to me. I stayed up way past my assigned bedtime, past the third ridiculous episode of Dexter to finish every last word of THE WORTHY and to…

A new start of a week, another stab at a resolution. After all, it’s not a good idea to advocate other people performing chores I’m hesitant to do. So, for fifteen minutes, WITH A CUP OF COFFEE, I’m going to blog. And blog about books I’m reading or interested about. Had a spot of emergency surgery last week and managed to contract a really nasty chest and lung infection with it. What is it with going to the hospital and all those germs attacking poor defenseless sick people? I mean, really, how rude! Anyway, the thought of a nice hot bath, complete with bubbles and a nice book or two sounded very appealing. Only problem, I’ve got too many hardcover and trade size books — definitely NOT accident resistant — so I settled (what a nice way of putting it) — for a couple of older favorites. Suzanne Enoch’s first adventure into contemporary. A mistress of the big historical romance, FLIRTING WITH DANGER is her first published trial of the chick lit meets a bit of suspense tome. Set in Palm Beach, based on the lovely classic movie, To Catch a Thief, FLIRTING WITH DANGER does a switcheroo — the…

Linda Francis Lee signing DEVIL Originally uploaded by freshfiction. Wednesday was exciting — nail day, always a treat to be beautiful and one of our favorite people came to town! It’s always wonderful to see Linda, she’s moved away to the Big Apple, but she is still always at home in Texas. She got up early to be on the local morning show in Dallas and went around town signing copies of her latest — THE DEVIL IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE — but she still looked as beautiful as ever! She was very patient with all of us and signed our copies of THE DEVIL — a treat to read, honestly! Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

Mud Pie, Fruit Tart and Almond carmel Originally uploaded by freshfiction. Our Victorian Tea was a success. Well, all we did was show up — hungry — Mindy and Alan did the rest! And wow, what a job they did. Three full courses: finger sandwiches — ham & cheese biscuits, three-layered cucumber asparagas, and our best-loved chicken curry. Followed by scones with jams and clotted cream. Ah, the scones! And that blueberry flan as Gwen called it! I got full on them! No way to eat them all and then have dessert! I tried, honestly, but thank goodness for goodie bags. Because there is NO way I was leaving the mud pie and Almond tart. (I’ll admit I had to eat the fruit tart there, and it was yummy!). Now, what am I forgetting? Oh, dear, not possibly the delicious Pear Caramel tea? Have no fear! That was so good, you’ve got to share the source! It was beyond sublime and I think it’d make a great iced tea too! And our little parting gifts — minature tea cup sets. A thumbell size dollop to get me through *grin* Thanks, Mindy, you are the best hostess! Visit FreshFiction.com to learn…

Candace Havens signing CHARMED & READY Originally uploaded by freshfiction. It was a very busy Saturday — first we had to get to North Richland Hills for Candace Haven’s signing of CHARMED & READY and then back to Las Colinas for our “Victorian” Tea. But we did it! Candace was GORGEOUS, she was dressed to kill or kick some, you know what, down to the boots with the stiletto heels! Oh MY!!! And since I’ve read and raved already about CHARMED & READY I won’t say more than, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET IT! READ IT! You’ll laugh with Bronwyn as she tries to juggle work and a jealous boyfriend, and sigh over Zane — what a gorgeous hunk! We should have such a tough choice! CHARMED & READY is a delightful way to spend an afternoon or evening. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

Dorothea and Faye Originally uploaded by freshfiction. Along with our own Faye during an author visit at Gwinnett County Public Library near Atlanta. Joining the Tuesday night Book Club, Faye has a copy of the latest Low Country novel, FULL OF GRACE. Good reading! Ah, you look lovely as usual, Faye! The rich atmosphere of South Carolina, Hilton Head and Charleston, is brought vividly to life by Dorothea Benton Frank, a South Carolina native who, with her exquisitely evocative prose, makes you smell the sea air, see the palmettos, and savor the sweet tea, but this time it comes with a side of antipasti. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

Harry Hunsicker Originally uploaded by freshfiction. Plano Mystery Book Club meets on the second Monday of each month at the Preston Park Barnes and Noble. The guest for August was Harry Hunsicker, famed Dallas author of the Lee Henry Oswald thrillers set in the steamy underbelly of Dallas. Uh, that would be near the Trinity, right? Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.