In each of those situations, I usually blame it on my mood or mindset that I have at the time I was attempting to originally read the book.  As the new year started I thought about that and how that is actually a negative way to look at books and moods. So I wanted to turn that ‘thought’ around and take a look at times when my mood or mindset drives me towards a certain book, author or series.  So I started randomly thinking of moods/events and the books I wanted to read and it turned into a lot of fun.  I found several different instances, then talked to a few friends about some of those moods and they added theirs. I wanted to share some of them with you along with reasons and hopefully you can add to the list. I always enjoy a good excuse to read a book *grin*.

These aren’t organized in any sort of chronological or even mood arrival order.  The first one that came to mind was Dune by Frank C. Herbert.  I was spending a year in the deserts of the Middle East and just had to dig out my battered copy.  Due to weight and luggage limits I could only pack the first book, but I had both versions of the movie and the unabridged audio book.  I like to think that re-reading, watching and listening added to my compassion and ability to do my job.

When I made one of my many moves, this time to the southwest portion of the United States and visited a couple museums, I had the sudden urge to glom through my Louis L’Amour westerns.  As I was re-reading them I noticed cities, mountain ranges and passes that I had driven by or stopped in.  I had a deeper appreciation for the things Mr. L’Amour put his characters through.  While exploring my new surroundings, I stumbled upon some small wineries.  After visiting the first winery and finding my new favourite spot to relax, I had to dig out all of my romance novels set in/amongst wineries.  My choices were The Vineyard by Barbara Delinski, and The Villa by Nora Roberts.  I refuse to confirm or deny that part of my motivation for reading those had anything to do with the young handsome vineyard owner *wink*.  I also eagerly anticipated the release of Laura Anne Gilman’s Flesh and Fire; the first of her Vineart War series, which contains…wine and magic.

As one of the bookpushers, I am pretty active on twitter talking about books and a random assortment of other topics.  One of the things I love about twitter is finding new-to-me books and authors.   Another side effect involves the mention of a book or author that I happen to enjoy.  Over the ensuing discussion I have the urge for a re-read.  Most recently that involved historicals by Julie Garwood like The Bride, the second romance novel I ever read, and Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series – starting with Grimspace.

There are certain authors that I fall back on if I have had a mentally stressful/mind draining week.  Those are the books I call my ‘thumbsuckers’ because when I am reading them it seems like I am a small child again; curled up under a blanket sucking my thumb and all is good with my world.  Depending on my mood, I will reach for a rather innocent romance by Betty Neels or a funny story by one of my favorite childhood humorists Roald Dahl.  When I emerge from my thumbsucking cocoon I am ready to face what the world brings once more.  When I caught one of my co-workers wondering what I was scribbling down, she became my first target to ask about comfort reads.  Her response was to start talking enthusiastically about Jane Austin and the Brontë Sisters.  She also agreed with my Roald Dahl choice.

I attended college in the North Eastern area of the United States.  One spring I had the opportunity to attend the local Scottish Games with a fellow student and his family.  I had an absolute blast and was a judge of the “Bonniest Knees Contest.”  Being able to fondle different male knees and pick the best-feeling was hilarious.  Somewhere I am sure is a blackmail worthy photo of me blindfolded feeling up a stranger’s legs.  Anyways, that evening I dug through my stash of books to find The Secret by Julie Garwood.  It has some very touching scenes that take place at the Highland Games when the heroine meets her best friend as a child.  Attending and participating in those games gave me a new appreciation of the scenes that Ms Garwood described so well.

In my current line of work I am rarely ever bored, and usually have some interesting stories about what happens any given day.  Some of those are full of frustration on my part and others are more of the “you won’t believe me when I tell you this” but here goes.  For the frustrating ones – when I really wanted to just unleash on the various idiocies that occurred but couldn’t – I tend to reach for Urban Fantasy.  I use the kick-rear and take names mentality to channel my frustration so I am prepared for the next day.  After I tell my “What had happened was” story I tend to reach for humor.  My go-to authors in those cases tend to be Shelly Laurenston, G. A. Aiken and early Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books.  All three of those authors will have me laughing so hard that I have to reach for a tissue to dry my eyes.

I also have what I call annual re-reads.  I haven’t identified a specific trigger for them other then the passing of time.  Some like Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, where I learn or get something new from it each time I re-read the book – based on my changing life experiences and personal growth.  Others bring back fond childhood memories and allow me to escape.   Anne McCaffrey is one of those authors and her book The White Dragon was my introduction to the world of Science Fiction and Fantasy.  Robin McKinley with both her retelling’s of fairytales: Beauty, Rose Daughter, and Spindle’s End. And her other original books: The Blue Sword, The Hero and The Crown, and Sunshine are also a constant source of comfort.

I am blaming my Mom for these next two, lol.  She got me into the habit of reading a series from book one in order.  As a result when one of my favorite authors *cough*NaliniSinghPatriciaBriggsIlonaAndrews*cough* has a new release in one of their ongoing series, I have to re-read the entire series from start to the new release.  The other involves the debate between book vs. movie.  Do I read/re-read the book before watching the movie? Do I read the book after I watch the movie or do I just avoid the book/movie all together.  I tend to re-read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien both before and after my annual movie marathon.  A book that I prefer by a landslide over the movie is Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein.  And then there are the ones that seem to be written for movies like some of Michael Crichton’s books such as Jurassic Park and The Lost World for example.

Speaking of my Mom.  I told her about this essay and she said I could include the following from her.  What I found fascinating is that while we mention some of the same authors and books — most of whom she introduced me too — is what she takes from them is different then what I take from them.  “When the weather is cold and rainy, I think back on Watership Down, The Lord of the Rings trilogy or any one of the David Eddings series.  I pull those out and get comfortable under some lap blankets and have a wonderful adventure.  Those always make me feel warm and cosy.  When I am feeling expansively creative I prefer Octavia Butler, and urban fantasy authors like Ilona Andrews.  Those stretch my imagination; pulling me outside of my box.  When thumbsuckers are the only thing that will work, I select romance novelists like Janet Evanovich, Julie Garwood, or Nora Roberts.  Louis Lámour is an author that I read for pep talks.  His characters are always pitting themselves against incredible odds and by grit and by golly coming out on top.”

I hope you enjoyed this trip down my moods and memory lane.  If you don’t mind, please share some of your moods and books.  Like I mentioned earlier: I love having excuses to try a new-to-me author or books.  Happy reading.

Books and Moods… is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

I hate getting all mushy, so I’m going to keep it short and sweet:

To celebrate, throughout the month, we will be having giveaways and showcasing our all-time favourite books that we lurve – along with our normal reviews.

Plus, we will be having a YA theme until the end of February. So be on the look out!

And we have another interview coming up soon with an author who writes a series that has a lot of bite. And a gorgeous British vampire.

A year in blog-land is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

I thought I would do a discussion post about the penis in romance. I am pretty sure its not the first time it will be discussed in romanceland or the last. Its a very popular subject that creates huge column inches. And will continue to grow I bet!

The penis, however, wasn’t always desired to be big. In Ancient Greece, the aesthetic then for the higher classes ( art/erotic drawings/sculpture) was actually the small Mr Johns aka small willies. (Check out Michelangelo David’s dong which is based on classical Greek art)

However, the bigger dongs were popular with other social classes and cultures, and will always illustrate that a huge dong is a metaphor for fertility and masculinity. For example: The Cerne Abbus Giant and his merry dong – which is regarded to be a figure of fertility. Heck, even Homer Simpson joined in the act – although sadly he wore his Y-fronts. Its good to see he had a shout out for the feminine symbolics with the circular donut.

But the Ding Dong in romance is an important motif as its more than a physical extension of the hero – it’s also a metaphor of how male and virile he is. The bigger the better!

And it got me thinking: In recent years, the penis has definitely evolved in romance – especially in Paranormal and Urban Fantasy, and more specifically in Erotica. We are seeing new different types of extensions – check out Lora Leigh’s Breed series. That was definitely an eye opener, as well as other things for her heroines. And it was the first time I came across something like this. And there are two for one deals: Elizabeth Amber’s Satyr series where the heroes don’t have one dong, but two!!

I do have to admit, my favourite hero with a huge ding dong is from the book, Passion. The book itself received a mixed reaction because of certain love scenes, but I really felt that Lisa Valdez wrote a good romance – and although the heroine in Passion had a magic vaj that was totally like the Tardis – I thought the love scenes did add and bring the story forward. And I hear that the delayed sequel is out later this year, and that will also feature a hero with a huge dong.

So what is the book that impressed you or didn’t with the dong? Let’s add to the column inches!!!!!

Ding Dong Merrily Along! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

The Book Pushers have things going on right now in our lives, but we are still sticking with out badass hero theme and have some posts planned. So while things may be quiet here — hopefully not for long — we like to think of Twitter as our second home and we do still tweet on our individual accounts there.

Sticking with our theme, I read Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick last night and enjoyed it, though there were a few things that bothered me – mainly about the world building and how I felt there wasn’t enough information regarding the angels.

Here is the cover and the blurb (taken from the author’s official website):

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She’s never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgement.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora’s not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can’t decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen – and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

It’s a YA, but the hero of the story, Patch, totally fits the term of a hero who can be termed as bad.

I was racking my brains, and tried to think of any YA books that feature heroes such as Patch and came up stumped. Can anybody recommend any YA books where such a hero exists who has anti-hero tendencies?

‘It’s oh so quiet’ is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

After days of extreme frustrations of transferring hosts and domains, the site is finally up. What do you all think?

Yay or nay?

The design was done by the very awesome Luna Stone Designs, who has been extremely patient and wonderful – especially in putting the layout up.   If you go to the bottom of the page, you will see her link!

It’s going to take a day or so to upload past reviews and to set everything up, so thanks for your patience.

Welcome to our new home! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

We are not a political blog but the other day we heard that Scott Baio, who played Chachi on Happy Days, decided to be an asshat to Romance Author Gwen Hayes because she un-followed him on Twitter after she disagreed with some of his political statements.

Dear Author along with the support of the Smart Bitches have decided to Google bomb him due to this foolery and thought up a new definition of Chach bag.  For more info about this and to check what the definition of Chach Bag is check out the post on Dear Author.

Because of this we have decided to aid Dear Author’s mission to Google Bomb Scott Baio as a chach bag

Google Bomb Time!!!! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

I fell in love with romance after reading a Mills and Boons historical set in 1500s Spain. From that moment on, I voraciously read their series of historical romances and then moved onto the big guns – with heroes who had bigger guns and long swords! Authors such as: Jude Deveraux, Laurie Mcbain, Judith McNaugh, Shirlee Busbee and Johanna Lindsey were like total crack for me. But, there were repercussions to this new found addiction – especially as a 13 year old.

Dun, Dun, DUN: The Covers!!!!

Now you think the recent covers would be more explicit than the older books in the 70s and 80s. Not so! And due to the explict nature of the sexy contornotionist yoga positions in these covers, it was definitely implied that these books was not suitable reading material for a 13 year old, who should have been reading Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew books. But I was bitten by the love bug. So, I thought I would list the covers I could find that got me into trouble with my parents (they didnt approve of my reading choices), and Teachers (who thought I should read better quality material). The Tiger Lily was one of the first historical romances that I loved, but also one of the first big meaty books after reading the Mills and Boons one. I love the epicness and the setting, and its not until recently that I find that historical romances are turning back to that. However this wasnt the cover that got me into trouble but it was another Shirlee Busbee that got me into trouble was The Spanish Rose but I cant find the cover. Caught by mum who felt heaving bosokm heroine and half naked hero may not be suitable reading material despite the fact I argued that it was about pirates and the Spanish colonisation of the Americas and its pretty useful to know that! The next cover or should I say covers that got me into trouble were the Johanna Lindsey books- now you think Fabio would be to blame nope! It is this guy – Do you notice the common denominator here? Yup – Forget the mantitty!

He haz no pants! These were the ones that got me into trouble, big time especially Tender is the Storm by my mum again who thought the pantless hero was definitely doing rude things to heroine’s bosom. These were also the books I smuggled on holiday to Morocco one summer. I so didn’t want to get caught by customs checks, because one, I could imagine my mum’s horrified expression and two, how much would I need to bribe the customs agent not confiscate these books especially since they were the library’s!

But my innocent expression must have worked because we didnt get stopped and lets say I had a delightful summer reading these books other than the time I got caught reading Tender is the Storm! And because I am chatting about Johanna Lindsey and there is no Fabio- I will post one of my favourite book of hers and it haz Fabio! I wonder if Fabio had a Pants clause in his contract? I think that is a good thing because as a 13 year old it was safer to my delicate sensibilities. But that is not to say I didn’t get into trouble later on, and you can see there is again a common theme. But in this case it was more eyebrow raising than a stern lecture about naked men on covers.

However, despite the fact that I got into trouble several times, I have come to enjoy these covers because they can be campy, hot, sexy and unlike other books in different genres, I mostly haven’t been bored by one. So even though I may get pointed remarks about these books by my family, friends and even strangers, I know I will be engrossed in a fun story whether its erotica, historical or paranormal romance. And the people who disapprove of this are the ones who are missing out! I mean who doesn’t want to read about sexy pirates, knights and cowboys!

So, does anyone else remember about the covers that got them into trouble or remember their first sexy one?

Book Covers That Got Me Into Trouble is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

There is also a few tidbits which we managed to get from Nalini about the Angel series – there will be further two more books after Archangel’s Kiss and which the third is looking like it will focus on Raphael and Elena.
Archangel’s Kiss will also be partly set in the Forbidden City in China – which sounds awesome!

We all ended up chatting for hours about books and having a great time and it was really nice to meet up with people we have befriended online along with meeting Nalini- and here are some pics from today!

Nalini and me.

Ying, Karen and me

Wheeeeeeeeee Bookpushers had a meetup with Nalini Singh!!!! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

I don’t have to search and buy these oldies, some of which can be expensive. Have I mentioned before how awesome my Grandmother is? If not, she is!

My Grandmother has been reading for over 60 years and in her time, she has collected and read a substantial amount of books. I like to think that I read more books than the average person, but I haz nothing on my Grandmother when it comes to reading, experiencing and seeing the changes in romance novels over the years.

Here are some books that she bought in the 60′s and 70′s upwards. And yes, she keeps them, so most of them are first editions. 

From those to today, my Grandmother has had no problem adapting. She’s a big fan of the BDB series by J.R Ward and she’s pretty much embraced Urban Fantasy and Paranormal romance… all at the young age of 74.

I was chatting with Has about this the other week, and it got me thinking. What will romance novels be like in 50 years time? Will that generation of romance lovers have problems with the books we love and read today? *ponders*

Since I can’t predict the future, I can go back and sample some of the books in the past. I have this lovely gem, which my Grandmother kindly leant to me, which will be read and reviewed next week:

The Ring of Fear by Anne McCaffrey!!! The pages are incredibly thin, and I’m sure my nose will have a twitchfest, but I’m so excited as I’ve always wanted to sample McCaffrey’s romances, but they are incredibly hard to find and I think pretty much out of print.

So, I’m curious to what other peoples thoughts are: Will werewolves, vampires, shape shifters and all things supernatural still be popular in 50 years time? Will the future generation of romance lovers have problems with the books we love and read today? Or do you think authors are producing the best in the genres in this age?

Old, Present, and Future is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter

Be impressed! Linky is in the title.

Mad Photoshop Skillz! is a post from: The Book Pushers | Book Reviews | Book Chatter