CBLS Book Review: The Gift w/Giveaway

Author: V.S. Morgan
Title: The Gift
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Publish Date: May 15, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: CBLS Book Tours & the author
Book Blurb: At 22, rancher Wyatt Malone sacrificed almost everything, including the Dom he served and loved, to raise his younger brothers. Now, with the ranch running well, his grown up siblings surprise him with a trip to a Caribbean paradise and a date from Madame Evangeline's 1Night Stand. Taking his courage in hand, he fills out an application that bares his soul for a single night of surrender to a nearly forgotten passion.

Rafael is a Dom without a sub. His desires exceed the available men in the dungeon he frequents and memories of rejected love keep him aloof. Can the submission of a Montana cowboy free him or will the date be nothing more than another meaningless scene?

Excerpt:
Rafael blotted his mouth with his napkin and placed it on the table. Wyatt set his fork down and waited. The old familiar energy pulsed between them. Heat zipped through his groin, and he shifted in his seat as his erection pressed against his jeans.

“Wyatt, you asked Madame Eve for a Dominant for one night.” Rafael slid a keycard on the table between them. “If you accept my invitation to play, you will take this card and be in my suite, ready, in fifteen minutes.”

Without hesitation, he reached over and grasped it. When his wrist was grabbed, tugging him forward, Wyatt braced his free hand on the table and accepted Rafael’s lips. At first they brushed, a tease, and then the kiss became a sensual play of tongues. His heart pounded at the taste of curry and tequila. He twirled his tongue around the other man’s and groaned. Rafael’s lips trailed across his jaw and down his neck, stubble scraping across sensitive skin, creating a rasp of pleasure that flowed all the way down his spine.

The Dom followed it with a nip on the bottom lip and then pulled back, twisting Wyatt’s wrist slightly to glance at his watch. Rafael released him and leaned back with a wicked grin. Wyatt’s heart raced.

“You now have thirteen minutes.”

About the Author:
V.S. Morgan has lived all over the United States but now calls Minnesota home. She incorporates her travels and experiences into her stories whenever possible. V.S. dreamed of becoming an author from the tender age of eleven after snagging one of her mom’s Harlequins. She writes contemporary, suspense, and paranormal m/m with heart and heat. “The Gift” is her debut publication. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Rainbow Romance Writers and Kiss of Death chapters. When not writing, V.S. is playing with her dogs, practicing Kempo Karate, and reading lots of erotic romance.

Email: vs_morgan@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.vsmorgan@yahoo.com
Facebook: V.S. Morgan
Twitter: @vsmorgan1

Review:  The Gift is part of the One Night Stand series, but the encounter between Wyatt and Rafael isn't really a one night stand, even though it was arranged to be that way.

I have to say that this is the first guy on guy erotic story that I've read and I wasn't sure what to expect. There's not a lot of erotica that really impresses me, but I found myself liking this story. And with only 34 pages, you can read it pretty quickly.

I liked that there were no stereotypes when it came to both men. I also liked that Wyatt's brothers were very accepting of his sexual preference.

When it came to the sex, it was hot and steamy, but with a touch of romance, and considering this was a BDSM story, that's not an easy accomplishment.

My only complaint is in the length of the story. 34 pages isn't enough. I would have liked some more of Wyatt and Rafael's backstory. There is some in the story, but it just isn't enough for me.

This was a great bedside read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

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Italian Meatballs and Peppers

This recipe is super easy to make in the crockpot and really cheap for those of you on a budget. I found it an old Rival Crockpot Cookbook

Ingredients:

2 Cans of Italian Diced tomatoes (Save A Lot and Aldi both make these at less of a cost then the national brands)
1 can 6 oz of tomato paste
1 lb frozen meatballs (I love the Save A Lot meatballs..and they are about a dollar for 7 oz)
1 package frozen peppers. (I use pepper stirfry)

All of these get put in the crock pot and heated on low for about 6-8 hours.

The meatballs and sauce can be served over your favorite noodle, or over rice or on a good bun. The result is an economical, tasty meal that will leave you with some leftovers for the next day.

Andrea's Super Spicy Chicken Chili

This is my recipe so it is subject to change the next time you make it.

Ingredients:

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into small pieces
2 cans of tomatoes with chilis (You can probably use a big jar of medium salsa if you don't like the heat from the chilis)
2 cans of tomato soup
1 can black beans
1 can Northern beans
A heaping handful of frozen chopped onion.
1/2 medium green pepper.
1 cap full of vegetable oil
1 tsp chili seasoning  (If you don't like it hot, omit or use chili powder)

Directions

In a pot with oil, brown the chicken until it is no longer pink with onions and peppers. (approx 10 minutes)
Add tomatoes and soup and let simmer for 5 minutes
Add beans and continue to simmer. 15-20 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and cheese for topping.

Movie Review: What's Your Number

Blurb: Anna Faris and Chris Evans star in the outrageously funny comedy that asks: can 19 wrongs make Mr. Right? When Ally Darling (Faris) reads an article that leads her to believe she's going to be alone forever, she begins a wild search to find the best "ex" of her life. But Ally's quest to reconnect with her former lovers goes hilariously awry, from a puppeteer who's more wooden than his puppet to a gynecologist with a "spotty" memory. Through it all, Ally might just find the man of her dreams in the last place she ever expected.

Review: This movie is cheesy and raunchy. Much like Bridesmaids but not nearly as funny. It is cute and it does have some laugh out loud moments, but you still only have one thought while letting Ally Darling into your life for an hour and a half, WHAT A FREAKING HO!

She's not even thirty and she's slept with 19 guys.

Yeah.

And when she reads an article about anyone having more than 20 not ever finding "true love" she starts going back through her ex's to see if she's missed "Mr. Right"

Ho hum!

But even if the plot is a little exasperating at times, you will be laughing especially at some of the situations she gets into with her exes.

What bugs me though, is how all these little pretty perfect chickies are all fired from their jobs, but can still live in perfect gorgeous NYC apartments because their family is super wealthy.

GAH!

But I remind myself it is a Romcom and it isn't supposed to be intelligent, plus her neighbor Colin (Chris Evans) is freaking hot and always running around with very few clothes on in the hallway!

Glad I didn't see in the theater, but for a couple of bucks for the rental, it was good.

A Healthy Spaghetti Pie

Since my mother's been out of the hospital, we've been trying to find recipes that will work for her heart condition, as well as her diabetes, that still have flavor. I've been combing all sorts of recipe books to see what we can make that's healthy and tasty.

Today I found a great recipe in an old Light and Tasty magazine. It is for Spaghetti Pie. The original recipe can be found here I made a few changes.

Ingredients



1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup canned diced tomatoes, undrained Italian style works best, as it has basil and oregano
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pepper
6 ounces spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese (enough to spread across the pie)
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

In a nonstick skillet, cook the beef, onion and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, salt, garlic powder, sugar and pepper; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the spaghetti, butter, egg whites and Parmesan cheese. Press onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate coated with cooking spray. Top with cottage cheese and beef mixture.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and filling is heated through. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 6 servings.

The Wenches Have Gone AWOL

It has been a rough week or so for this Wench. My mom was in the hospital til Wednesday. Then when she came home, I promptly took a spill down the stairs and sprained my ankle.

So things have been a bit crazy here.

But don't worry..this wench will be back.

I will have a few movie reviews coming up over the weekend and probably some other snarky commentary. But I am alive! Just barely!

The Fangirl in Me Wants This So Badly!

I've been a sucker for The Phantom Of The Opera for about 20 years now!

I went to Miss Bohemia's site and saw the necklace and I let out a squeal of delight.

Then a sigh of anguish, because right now I don't have any extra money for this.

I definitely don't have $25.00 for it.

~big sigh~

But isn't it gorgeous?

Can't you just see Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman?

And the organ...

Dun....dun dun dun dun dun....

I love me some Phantom!

Movie Review: One For The Money

Blurb: A film based on the incredibly popular Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich, One for the Money reveals an unexpectedly versatile Katherine Heigl. This model-turned-actress is best known for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey's Anatomy and for starring in various lighthearted romantic comedies, but here Heigl takes on the meaty role of Plum, a laid-off lingerie buyer who turns bondswoman in a desperate attempt to pay the rent and put food on the table. Heigl is surprisingly believable as a blue-collar working girl who thinks fast on her feet and is not afraid to throw herself into the middle of even the most dangerous situation--especially if it means getting what she wants. Of course, Stephanie's impulsiveness manages to get her into all sorts of awkward and potentially life-threatening situations. Throw in her desire for payback against an old boyfriend, a sleazy cousin, a gang of ruthless criminals, a couple of most unexpected allies, and a quirky family who can think of little more than setting her up with a good husband, and you've got an enticing blend of drama, action, and comedy. Debbie Reynolds is quite funny as Grandma Mazur, Daniel Sunjata makes a great Ranger, and there's definitely a nice chemistry between Heigl and Jason O'Mara. Bonus features include an 11-minute making-of featurette, a 10-minute look at some real-life "bond girls," a gag reel, and one deleted scene.

Review: I really expected this film to be awful, but surprisingly enough, it wasn't. Katherine Heigl really looks like what I'd imagine Stephanie Plum to look like. (Sandra Bullock would have been a better choice, but hey, you can't win them all). I was pretty ok with the casting, except for Ranger. Daniel Sunjata may look the part...and that was debatable, but he didn't fit the part. I think he spoke too much. Anyone that's read the books knows that Ranger is a man of few words most of them are "babe."

I loved Jason O'Mara's Morelli. Who would have thought an Irishmen could play an Italian so well? Maybe it is because he's so damn sexy. I loved him in Life On Mars.

The things that bothered me about this film were more the little things, like not using Grandma enough in the film. Heck, Stephanie's whole family felt like they were put on the back burner, not to mention Lula! Though Lula wasn't a huge fixture in the first book.

Still, I found it enjoyable enough to pass the time. There were enough laughs and a few cars getting blown up to remind me how much I love Stephanie Plum and Janet Evanovich!

Movie Review: We Bought A Zoo

Blurb: Though adapted from a memoir by a British journalist, We Bought a Zoo feels entirely like a Cameron Crowe film, with clear parallels to previous crowd-pleasers like Jerry Maguire. Crowe introduces Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon in a role that recalls his Contagion character) six months after the death of his wife. Since everything reminds him of her, the California columnist decides to make a change, starting with a new location. His realtor (Curb Your Enthusiasm's J.B. Smoove), brother (Sideways' Thomas Haden Church), and sullen teenage son (Colin Ford) try to talk him out of it, but Mee falls in love with a country manor that comes with a strange stipulation: the tenant must manage the zoo that accompanies the property. With his daughter's blessing, Mee takes the plunge. Fortunately, he inherits an experienced staff, including MacCready (Angus MacFadyen), Robin (Patrick Fugit), Lily (Elle Fanning), and Kelly (Scarlett Johansson, lovely as ever in her least glamorous role to date). Mee's road to reinvention offers few surprises, but Damon makes him a sympathetic figure who finds the same kind of support system among the park personnel that Fugit's Almost Famous writer found in the rock world, except Mee's relationships have more staying power.

Review: This movie was just so darn good. I've never seen a film with Matt Damon! I know, how did that happen? But this is definitely a good way to see him at his best or at least most human.

He felt very real as the widower of two young children, trying to make a change in his life. Things aren't easy for him without his wife. The cast is superb, a perfect blend of quirky and smart. Then there are the animals. For the most part, they take a back seat to the action in the story, except for Spar, the old tiger with failing kidneys.

Yes, that is the movie's cry moment. You know there had to be one. All feel good films have them. It makes you love them more for some reason.

So yeah, the tiger will have you crying your eyes out, but don't worry, it is a feel good movie and that means everything works out in the end, and that's not so bad.

This movie has plenty of laugh out loud moments, especially with Benjamin's daughter, who is just too darn cute.

Definitely a good weekend movie! And one I wouldn't mind watching a second time.

Stacey Kennedy's Making Us Beg For It!

Stacey Kennedy's Pact of Seduction 2: Beg for It
ISBN: 978-1-61118-685-7
Genre: BDSM Contemporary
Length: Novella
Series: Pact of Seduction; Previous Book: Bind Me

The Pact of Seduction has one rule: fulfill your ultimate fantasy. Bella’s problem, she can’t live up to her vow. But her failure spins events that lead her into unknown territory. Kole, a Dom at the sex club Castle Dolce Vita, wasn’t part of her fantasy, but he’s about to show her he should have been.

Kole is more than willing to introduce Bella to BDSM since he’s held an interest in her for some time. But the feisty woman isn’t easily tamed and her strong personality proves to be difficult. While she might be determined to keep him at a distance, Kole has other ideas. He won’t allow her to shut him out.

A pact between best friends brought them together, emotional barriers tear them apart. Kole skillfully reminds Bella through pleasure and punishment that she is now his submissive, and her place is under his command.
Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements.


Cover Art by Valerie Tibbs

Summer Music

There's something about summer and music. It is a great time for really getting into some new music. Or rather new to me music.

So I'm trying to fill at least one of my mp3 players with the perfect summer playlist.

I'm sure it will be eclectic, because thanks to Duets, I have two new musical obsessions, John Legend and Robin Thicke!

Oye

So now I have to figure out if I want to redo my shuffle for summer or my Zen.

Decisions, decisions, but one thing is for sure, there's going to be come interesting sounds on it for the warm months ahead.

I want a mixture of everything, classic rock, pop, country, r&b!

So what's on your summer playlist?

Bad Reviews....Why They Suck

I'm a firm believer in rating books the way you want. Posting all shiny happy reviews isn't always a good thing. I know people that do that, and I'm fine with that, but if everyone did that, well, that almost feels like lying, or at least withholding evidence.

What I don't like are bad reviews where people bad mouth an author...or just come across as childish. I read one for a cozy mystery where the reviewer was going on about how she never would have read the book if she knew the author had written for Harlequin.

Dang...narrow-minded much?

I wonder how many people know how many great authors started out writing for them? Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz and Debbie Macomber.

But my point is this, if you are writing a review that is less than 3 stars you should give reasons for it. Support why you didn't like it. Don't sound like a petulant child.

Bad reviews suck for the author and other readers when they aren't written well. If you are posting something on the internet, on a blog or website...other people are going to read it, and possibly make decisions about a book as a result.

I'm not saying not to write a bad review, but dang it, offer some evidence as to why you didn't like it that relates to the book.

Movie Review: The Woman In Black

Blurb: Fans of classically structured haunted house/ghost stories will relish the skillfully unnerving chain of events in The Woman in Black, whether or not they're fans of Harry Potter. The good new is that Daniel Radcliffe leaves Harry behind for good in his first post-Potter role. Radcliffe plays Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor tasked with resolving the affairs of a recently deceased woman and her brooding estate in the gloom of the remote Victorian England-era village of Crythin Gifford. The mood is melancholic all around, starting with Kipps himself, who lost his wife to childbirth a few years earlier. His employer has had just about enough of his moping about and gives him the assignment as a last resort to save his job. When he arrives in the small village, the icy response he receives does not bode well for successful completion of his mission. All the townspeople want him gone, and possibly for good reason. Many of their children have died mysteriously gruesome deaths that they blame on the titular black-clad woman whose own child was tragically sucked to his death in the muck surrounding her seaside mansion. This new stranger who wants to unearth the deadly secrets trapped in the decrepit old house is a threat they cannot abide, and sure enough the deaths keep on coming as he delves deeper into the dark recesses of the house and the history of its ghostly occupant. There are scares aplenty in The Woman in Black, and they come from a genuineness that relies on creep-outs rather than gross-outs. Faces in windows, apparitions barely there, slow-building moodiness that suddenly erupts into a silent scream (or sometimes not so silent) make for an extremely effective and often terribly unnerving atmosphere of dread. The movie comes with several impressive pedigrees as well. It's based on a popular novel published in the early '80s, which was also adapted into a long-running hit play. The movie additionally resurrects the Hammer Films brand, an esteemed British production company that churned out moody and distinctive horror films and exploitive psycho-thrillers for decades in the mid 20th century. Indeed, the presence of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee seems to lurk around every dusty, cobwebbed corner in The Woman in Black, right behind the slamming doors and only just glimpsed in the flickering candlelight. Radcliffe is perfect for the role of a heartbroken man whose rationality is stretched to the point of no return by the things he may or may not be seeing. Several strong supporting performances add to the gravitas, especially Ciarán Hinds as a kindred soul and father figure to Kipps, and perhaps the only other rational man in Crythin Gifford.

Review: This is a classic gothic style film. If Scooby Doo were around he would have been saying, "Spooky, spooky, spooky." from the minute he arrives in a small village. Daniel Radcliffe's Arthur Kipps is a perfect tortured soul. His wife died in childbirth leaving him with his newborn son. The boy playing his son is so cute it is disgusting, assuming you can tear your eyes from Radcliffe, who no longer looks like Harry Potter. Nope Daniel is shockingly good-looking these days, and it is hard not stare at those clear blue eyes, because the camera seems to spend a lot of time on his face.

One thing I noticed about this film, it spends more time with visual than with dialogue.  Radcliffe's best moments are when he's not speaking, just when he's hunting down strange sounds at the mansion.  The Woman is Black is really creepy. Not scary or gory like most horror/thrillers, just creepy. Lots of foggy marshland, dark hallways, things going bump in the night, that sort of spooky.

The film does a good of illustrating what happened to the woman, and how she came to be haunting the mansion, but most will have some questions as to why she's luring the local children to their deaths. I guess to figure that out I'll have to read the book. This is one of the first times when I've opted to see the film first.

I have to commend Marco Beltrami for his score, which really added to the creepiness of the film. You knew when something spooky was going to happen, and the music was such a part of this film.

This is the kind of scary movie that I love. The ending will leave you with an expression of OMG and you'll have a new found respect for Daniel, who is more than just Harry Potter!

Movie Review: New Year's Eve

Blurb: New Year's Eve is all about parties, glitz, a midnight kiss, and maybe a few short-lived resolutions, right? Or could it be about something more? Valentine's Day writer Katherine Fugate and director Garry Marshall have once again joined forces to explore one of the most emotionally charged days of the year. Their uncanny ability to tell multiple stories at the same time, to intertwine those stories in the most unexpected ways, and to make sure viewers are emotionally invested in every single character makes the film an intriguing puzzle. Of course, a cast list that reads like an award-nomination roster doesn't hurt its success either. Among the host of "main characters" in the story is Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank), the woman in charge of the ball drop in Times Square. Naturally things don't go quite as planned and she's forced to do some serious on-the-spot improvising--oh, and it should be noted that she's deathly afraid of heights and there's somewhere else she really should be on New Year's Eve. Then there's the suddenly rebellious tween daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin), who runs off to meet her boyfriend in Times Square for a New Year's Eve kiss, with her panicked mom (Sarah Jessica Parker) in hot pursuit. Mousy secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) decides to finally act on her long list of New Year's resolutions and enlists the unlikely help of courier Paul (Zac Efron). An exclusive New Year's Eve party throws together caterer Laura (Katherine Heigl), entertainer Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi), and sous chef Ava (Sofia Vergara). And then there's Sam (Josh Duhamel), a wealthy playboy who just can't seem to resist keeping an unlikely appointment to meet a mystery woman he met by chance last New Year's Eve and hasn't seen since (think An Affair to Remember and Sleepless in Seattle). Other notable talent includes Ashton Kutcher, Ryan Seacrest, Hector Elizondo, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Lea Michele, Cary Elwes, Seth Meyers, and a host of others.

Review: If you loved Love Actually or Valentine's Day, you definitely want to give this film a shot. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, this movie will take you straight to Dec 31st.

I love the multiple story lines. They all revolve around love and some forgiveness. The cast is star-studded to say the least. It is hard to pinpoint a specific story line that is a favorite, though Laura and Jensen's story is very sweet, and how can you not love Jon Bon Jovi? I wasn't quite as keen on Katherine Heigl's Laura, but oh well, Sofia Vergara stole the show with most of her scenes. How can one woman that is so bombshell/sex symbol-ish always come across as sweet?

Ashton Kutcher plays Randy, an illustrator who gets trapped in an elevator with one of Jensen's back up singers. Their time in the elevator is, of course, life changing. It was hard to watch Ashton, because he really looked too much like Walden Schmidt. God I hate him in Two and a Half Men.

Sarah Jessica Parker makes an appearance in this one as a mom of a teenage daughter who runs off to see the ball drop and find a guy in Time Square. Note to SJP, why can't they comb your hair in movies? GAH! And the really snarky part of me says, neigh!

This is definitely a chick flick. I can't think of a reason a guy would want to see this one, except to make his girlfriend happy.

Ladies? There's enough eye candy here to keep you happy; Bon Jovi, Zac Efron, Ryan Seacrest to name a few.

Get the girls together and have a movie night with this one. A bottle of wine will make it better. Definitely worth the rental fee.

RIP Donna Summer

Today we say farewell to another talented musician that has died too young.

Donna Summer died today. Another victim of cancer.

~sigh~

She was only 63.

Entirely too young to be going on to the next world.

Her music was part of the disco era. Love it or not, she had a fantastic voice.

Her music will be missed.

Movie Review: Joyful Noise

Blurb: The small town of Pacashau, Georgia, has fallen on hard times, but the people are counting on the Divinity Church Choir to lift their spirits by winning the National Joyful Noise Competition. The choir has always known how to sing in harmony, but the discord between its two leading ladies now threatens to tear them apart. Their newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill, stubbornly wants to stick with their tried-and-true traditional style, while the fiery G.G. Sparrow thinks tried-and-true translates to tired-and-old. Shaking things up even more is the arrival of G.G.'s rebellious grandson, Randy. Randy has an ear for music, but he also has an eye for Vi Rose's beautiful and talented daughter, Olivia, and the sparks between the two teenagers are causing even more friction between G.G. and Vi Rose.

Review: I was totally amazed that this movie was nearly 2 hours long. It is a cute musical comedy, with a strong emphasis on music. That's what really carries this film, more so than the plot, which is weak. A church choir battling to win a competition. I expected more friction between G.G. and Vi, but the plot really revolved around the romance between Olivia and Randy.

The musical highlights include Olivia and the choir's rendition of Man In The Mirror, which would make Michael Jackson proud. Randy's version of McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed and G.G's From Here To The Moon and Back and you can't forget Queen Latifah's Fix Me Jesus.

Truth be told, I didn't care if the plot was weak, because the music was so good, and it was totally awesome to see Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton in a film together. Their fight scene in the restaurant about halfway through the movie was hilarious. There was great chemistry between all the characters.

This is a purely feel good movie. Don't expect to be wowed by great acting or a fantastic script, because you'll be disappointed. Watch this movie for the music! You'll probably want to pick up the soundtrack after you see the film because the music is so fantastic!

Cover Reveal: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies

Imprint: Dead Sexy
Title: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies
Author: Cynthia Cooke
Genre: Short Romantic Suspense
Trope: Hero protector, family secrets
Tone:  On the run Balance of Romance to Suspense (R/S): 65/35
Heat level: Moderate, 3/5
Length: 68,000 words
Release date: May 13h, 2012
AISN: To come
Marketing elements/tags: contemporary, romance, romantic suspense, action‐adventure, family secrets, hero protector, fast‐paced suspense

We all surround ourselves with armor protecting our hearts and our inner wounds forged in  childhood. Learning to trust someone enough to let them inside the armor, to let them help you shed it to become your true self, unafraid and ready to take on the world is the greatest gift love can give you.  And the gift Kyle gives to Genie. ~Cynthia Cooke

Family secrets must be kept, and painful wounds must be ignored.   After an all‐out assault by a vicious terrorist bent on destroying her entire family, a former government agent must break the strict rules she has always lived by when she emerges from hiding to reluctantly accept the help of her all‐too‐sexy ex‐lover. Running a deadly race against time, they rush to rescue her kidnapped sister, find her missing father, and bring the notorious villain to justice. But nothing ever goes as planned. Bullets fly, danger abounds, and their passion reignites even faster than the lies are flowing. But their stubbornly held secrets just might spell the end of their rekindled love and hopes for the future...as well as their very lives.

Buy @ Amazon

Restaurant Review: Don Patron - Belle Vernon, PA

Finally! A Mexican restaurant in the Mon Valley that has both good food and good service. Don Patron has a menu that you can literally drool over. It is pages long! Full of burritos, fajitas, tacos etc.

The pricing is great for meals. Most everything is around $9.00 and that includes combination plates. If you get a burrito...well, paying  $9.00 is worth it too. These things are huge!

We ordered mixed fajitas for two for mom and dad. There was ample steak and chicken along with the peppers and onions. Dad ate two fajitas mom ate one and there was plenty left over for anyone else that wanted one.

Each person got a nice sized container of rice, beans, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream! Oh and with the burritos? You don't have to ask for sour cream! OMG!

The ground meat in my burrito was wonderful! This didn't have your usual burger meat taste! Plus the cheese on the side of my burrito was to die for.

Homemade chips and salsa on the side too!

This is definitely a place I'll be going back to!

Movie Review: It's Complicated

Movie Blurb: Two-time Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin star in this hilarious look at marriage, divorce and everything in between. Jane (Streep) has three grown kids, a thriving Santa Barbara bakery and an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, Jake (Baldwin). Now, a decade after their divorce, an innocent dinner between Jane and Jake turns into the unimaginable - an affair. Caught in the middle of their rekindled romance are Jake’s young wife and Adam (Martin), a recently divorced architect who starts to fall for Jane. Could love be sweeter the second time around? It’s… complicated!

Review: This movie is part chick flick, part comedy. It doesn't really fit in that rom-com arena, at least not like the traditional rom-coms. The cast is stellar. How can you not like Streep and Martin. (I wish there was more of Martin in this film). Even Alec Baldwin is good, though he plays pretty much the same character you see him play everywhere.

What made this movie enjoyable was that it kept you guessing about which guy she was going to end up with, her first husband, Jake (Baldwin) or the cute, kinda geeky, Adam (Martin). Plus no matter what role you cast Meryl in, she is super. You felt her confusion and you watched her grow. I think her feelings for her ex were common given the situation, and there are times when you wanted her and Jake to get back together...but then there is Adam.

I have no idea what it is about Steve Martin, but in the last 25 years, he's become oddly sexy. I think its the grey hair, but totally youthful face, plus he's always playing some lovable guy.

The scene in the bakery was priceless. As was the scene where Jake strips down in Jane's bedroom to surprise her, with her laptop covering his naughty bits. Poor Adam on the other end of the webcam!

This movie was just fab! It is light, fun and just a good time. Well worth the rental price and a box of popcorn!

I Don't Do Hype

Things that get to much hype annoy the heck out of me. I always feel like people that fangirl/fanboy over stuff tend to be like lemmings, following something ridiculous to their certain doom.

Lately books have been the cause of a whole lotta hype.

First you had Harry Potter...this series got kids reading. The story was great and the characters were really wonderful. I've not read the complete series, but in my opinion, this series was worth the hype.

Then there's Twilight. I won't even go there. I can't understand why anyone read and went all crazy over these books. They are so bad.

Which leads me to the following, 50 Shades of Grey. It started as Twilight fanfic..and it got published.

WTF is the world coming to.

Fanfic is not supposed to get published.

When will the madness cease!

And why can't people hype better series, like Amanda Stevens Graveyard Queen?

RIP George Lindsey

It seems like all we are doing this year is saying goodbye to icons, both musical and television...Whitney Houston, Davy Jones, Adam Yaugh, Dick Clark and now joining the ranks, George Lindsey, who the world will remember with fondness as Goober Pyle.

Another member of the iconic cast of The Andy Griffith show going on to his great reward.

Hats off you to George!

Thanks for the laughs!

George was 83.

Book Talk

I have a confession.

I'm in love with my ereader.

I've read so many books with my Nook that reading a hard cover book is uncomfortable.

I don't mind reading paperbacks in any form, but hard cover books I have a hard time dealing with now. They are simply too bulky.

That makes me feel awful. I feel like I'm betraying books.

Now that really sounds silly.

This wouldn't bother me so much if I needed my ereader to conserve space. (OK maybe I do, just a little) But I really bought my Nook so that I could read free galleys.

Yeah..I spent $120 on my nook so I could get free books!

Something only I would do!

Movies I Couldn't Finish

I went through a huge movie watching spurt last month. Then something happened and even though I took out a few films I knew I'd like, or that I wanted to watch, I just couldn't finish them for one reason or another. I think the prime reason was lack of sleep.

I do my movie watching on the weekends. Sadly usually late at night and I've just been so tired lately that I couldn't stay awake for anything.

So what movies didn't make it to the end?

The Smurfs were one, and I'm actually really sad about that one. I kept falling asleep through it, and it was so damn cute.

I am still trying to figure out why Neil Patrick Harris keeps getting cast in films for young adults and kids.

I also just can't like NPH. I don't know why. I think it is because I hate his character on How I Met  You Mother.

The next movie I couldn't finish...Marley and Me

I think because I knew what the ending would be, and because everyone told me about it, I couldn't finish it. I watched the first half and then gave up.

I loved Marley. I really loved Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. To be honest, I never thought I'd like her in a movie, I never much cared for her at all, but in this I know she was good.

I guess my period of excitement over movies is done.

It might take awhile before I can sit and watch anything again.

Drat.

Unless I can somehow get out to see Dark Shadows!!

Book Promo: These Girls

Bestselling author Sarah Pekkanen talks to six sets of best friends about the healing power of female friendships. Sarah's latest book is These Girls, the story of three women who become unlikely roommates in New York City - and turn into one another's lifelines. Please visit www.sarahpekkanen.com for

French Toast In A Mug

My mom heard about this on Live! With Kelly this morning, so it's late in the evening and I'm making her French Toast in a freaking mug!

Great news!

It tastes good!

2 slices bread

1 T melted butter
1 Egg
2 T milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon and sugar
few drops Vanilla
maple syrup

DIRECTIONS:

Melt butter in microwave. Swirl it around to coat inside of mug. Add egg, milk, cinnamon and vanilla, whisk together. Rip up bread and push it down into mug with fork until bread is covered with liquid. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes.

remove from microwave, add some maple syrup and sprinkle with cinnamon.

Double Trouble Chocolate Chip

Prep Time 20 min
Total Time 30 min
Servings 24 cookies

This is a great make it with a mix cookie. I hate making chocolate chips straight from a package mix. It feels like cheating! That's why I went looking for something to spruce it up. I found this on the brand's website, and oooh they are so good. I'll update with my picture in a bit.

Ingredients

1 package Krusteaz Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 egg
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons water
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) I used chopped walnuts in one dozen the other I left plain)
1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place all ingredients in medium bowl.
• Stir until dough forms, hand kneading if necessary.
• Using rounded tablespoon dough for each cookie, place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Or you can use parchment paper
• Bake 9-11 minutes.

Sometimes Change Is Bad

If you are on Facebook, you know that change is bad. Every time Facebook implements something new, it is met with cries of "Stop! Change it back!" Take for instance, the new Timeline. It sucks, I'll admit it. But it isn't worth bitching about, because Facebook does not care about its users. (Much the same way, Zynga doesn't care about the 80 million people that want to go ape shit over the number of goals their games send their way daily)

But back to change. Blogger has made some very white changes lately.

I don't usually bitch about stuff like this, but today I am.

Blech!

Thank god there is an option to keep the old blogger interface, because I think I would have cried otherwise. I will give Blogger kudos for letting us keep our old interface. Perhaps deep down they know that the new one sucks!

TV Gripe

Two of my favorite shows annoyed the hell out of me last night.

Two Broke Girls had Max and Caroline doing taxes and rushing to get to the post office to get them done. Uh, I'm pretty sure the chickies have a computer. Why are they mailing them? Actually how in the hell has Max managed to not file and not have the IRS come down on her ass?

SRSLY!

Yeah...that was so wrong and stupid. If it weren't for Sofia and Oleg, last night's epi would have sucked!

Next up, Mike and Molly.

OK, so Molly is turning into bridezilla. Her dress doesn't fit, she's getting super obnoxious and she kicks off a side mirror from some skinny bitch's BMW, and get's arrested.

Everything is happy in the end. What I want to know is when will she get in trouble at work. Cos I'm sure the school district doesn't want a teacher that goes around assaulting people.

I know sitcoms aren't about reality, but sometimes I wish they weren't so far out there, because this really got on my nerves last night.  Surly the writers could have come up with something better than this.

Making Bread

It's 80 degrees out, so what am I doing? Baking? Crazy, right?

Here's my recipe for Pineapple Walnut Bread

1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 8oz can of crushed pineapple drained
1/2 of chopped walnuts

Cream the butter and sugar.
Slowly add the eggs.
In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
Add to butter mixture, alternating with the pineapple.
Fold in the nuts.
Pour into a greased/floured bread pan and bake for 50-60 minutes.

Movie Review: Hop

Movie Blurb:From the makers of Despicable Me comes an all-new comedy about candy, chicks and rock n roll! He was destined to be the Easter Bunny, but all he wanted to do was rock! When teenage E.B. (voiced by Russell Brand) leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream to become a rockstar drummer, he meets Fred (James Marsden), an out-of-work slacker with his own lofty goals. Together the two encounter a series of hilarious mishaps and misadventures and in the end help each other recognize the importance of family.

Review: If you love movie's like Up, Despicable Me or even Coraline, why haven't you seen this movie? I was wondering why I hadn't yesterday, until I bought it for 48 hours On Demand.

This is a great family film. The plot is cheesy and cute. Russell Brand as E.B.? Totally awesome. I never thought the bunny would be a Brit! His cameo later in the film was cute too. It is hard not to be amused by the bunny and his drumming, equally so the evil chick Carlos and the dancing chick Phillip.

The little Peeps are the minions of the Easter world. Too freaking cute too.

The Easter factory almost makes Wonka's chocolate factory look lame.

Oh and then there's the human's. I loved Fred, played by James Marsden, who kept reminding me of a younger Matt Bomer. His sister is played by Kaley Couco of Big Bang Theory fame. It was a little hard to visualize her as a go getter, but hey, that's what acting is all about.

This movie was so fun. I could watch it again and again. There aren't many Easter films, but this is definitely a must see for this holiday!

Movie Review: Zookeeper

Movie Blurb: In this wacky comedy, Kevin James plays Griffin Keyes, a zookeeper who loves animals who love him back! In appreciation of their keeper's devotion to their well-being, a gorilla (voiced by Nick Nolte), a monkey (voiced by Adam Sandler), a lioness (voiced by Cher), and others suddenly start speaking up to help engineer a romance between Griffin and a pretty colleague (Rosario Dawson). Leslie Bibb, Donnie Wahlberg co-star.

Review:Kevin James is one of those guys you really have to love, even though most of what he's done, film wise is pretty lousy.

Zookeeper looked amusing, though, so I decided to rent it and give it a try.

It was cute.

The voices of the animals were super annoying for the most part, but all in all, the story was a good one, for the most part.  (Adam Sandler's Donald the Monkey was the worst, and Cher's Lioness the best)

The movie pretty much states that what you want isn't always the best choice. Griffin wanted to win back Stephanie, a snotty girl who dumped him badly 5 years ago (played by Leslie Bibbs). The animals of the zoo come to his aid in a Doctor Doolittle kind of way and he gets what he wants, only to find, he doesn't like what he's become. But don't think this film is deep like that.

No, he takes Bernie the gorilla to TGIFridays and has him pretend that he's in costume.

So there's a lot of silliness.

It's a good family film, and Rosario Dawson's Kate (The female Zookeeper) is awesome. The best scene in the film is the two of them swinging around trying to make Stephanie jealous at a wedding reception.

A halfway decent flick for $1.27.

Movie Review: Snow Flower & The Secret Fan

Movie Blurb: From the director of The Joy Luck Club, and based on the best-selling novel, comes a timeless portrait of female friendship. Centuries ago, two “sworn sisters” are isolated by their families, but stay connected through a secret language written in the folds of a white silk fan. Now in modern-day Shanghai, their descendents must draw inspiration from the past as they struggle to maintain their own eternal bond in the face of life’s complications. What unfolds are two stories, generations apart, but everlasting in their universal notion of love, hope and friendship.

Review: If you read the fantastic book by Lisa See, you might want to pass on this film. The movie only tells part of the story, seeking to add a modern spin along with the historical. Oh and there's also subtitles.

My thoughts are...if you are going to have part of the film done in English, why not do the rest as well. Perhaps it is for authenticity, but for whatever reason, it doesn't work here. The two story lines could also have worked if they were aiming for a longer film, but instead they kept the film at 1 hour and 40 minutes, so each story felt incomplete.

Snow flower and Lily had such a special relationship and you only catch little snippets of that in this movie. The same can be said for Nina and Sophia. It did open your eyes to Laotongs "old sames" and the nushu language that was for women, but so much is left out. I think even those people that didn't read the book will feel the choppiness of this film.

I won't blame the actresses, as both Bingbing Li and Gianna Jun did a great job playing the dual roles. Hugh Jackman makes an appearance as Sophia's Australian lover. I think he was cast for the benefit of attracting an audience.

The cinematography, however, is what makes this movie worth watching, especially in the 19th century parts of the film. The visuals and film score are stunning, which doesn't have me wishing for my $1.27 rental fee back. I am happy that I never went to the theater to see this one, that wouldn't have been worth my money.

Movie Review: Beastly

Movie Blurb: Seventeen-year-old Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) is the spoiled, shallow and incredibly popular prince of his high school kingdom. Kyle foolishly chooses Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), a witch masquerading as a high school student, as his latest target for humiliation. In order to teach Kyle a lesson, Kendra transforms him into someone as unattractive on the outside as he is on the inside. Now he has one year to find someone to love him, or he will remain Beastly forever. A quiet classmate he never noticed named Lindy (Vanessa Hudgens) may be his best chance to prove that love is never ugly.

Review: I have a mixed bag of emotions about this movie. It is a modern/teen version of Beauty and the Beast. In some parts the movie works really well. In others, it is very ho hum.

Kyle is a rich snotty, only pretty things deserve attention kind of a-hole. He's gorgeous and he knows it. I'm thinking his character might have been more interesting in the book, because there's no real reason why he acts the way he does, and the same goes for his father, who isn't played by anyone super attractive.

The most impressive acting in this film is surprisingly by Mary-Kate Olsen. WTF! She plays the "teenage witch" and she's no Sabrina! She's not really evil, but not really nice, she's out to prove something to Kyle when she turns him ugly. He has a year to find someone to love him, in spite of his looks or he gets to remain ugly for life!

Awww poor cute Kyle!

The other notable addition to this strange cast of characters is Neil Patrick Harris, the blind tutor. He doles out romantic advice and some other amusing quips, but sadly he comes across as a slightly watered down version of Barney, his How I Met Your Mother character. Sometimes I wonder if Neil can play another part?

Then there's our beauty, Vannesa Hudgens, most notably from High School Musical and dating Zac Effron. She's pretty enough but there's no reason why Kyle/Hunter should fall for her. In fact, we're never quite sure why he singles her out after he turns ugly. Again, I blame the change from book to screenplay.

I've not read the book, but I'm pretty sure this one didn't make the transition to film well.

It is a fun fluffy film to watch when rentals are slim, but it certainly isn't worth investing money on for keeps

Movie Review: I Don't Know How She Does It

Movie Blurb: Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Munn and Christina Hendricks star in I Don't Know How She Does It, a comedy from director Douglas McGrath (Emma, Infamous) and producer Donna Gigliotti (The Reader, Let Me In). Based on the critically acclaimed bestseller by Allison Pearson, I Don't Know How She Does It follows a Boston-based working mother trying desperately to juggle marriage, children, and a high-stress job.

Kate Reddy (Parker) devotes her days to her job with a Boston-based financial management firm. At night she goes home to her adoring, recently-downsized architect husband Richard (Kinnear) and their two young children. It's a non-stop balancing act, the same one that Kate's acerbic best friend and fellow working mother Allison (Christina Hendricks) performs on a daily basis, and that Kate's super-brainy, child-phobic young junior associate Momo (Olivia Munn) fully intends to avoid. When Kate gets handed a major new account that will require frequent trips to New York, Richard also wins the new job he's been hoping for and both will be spreading themselves even thinner. Complicating matters is Kate's charming new business associate Jack Abelhammer (Brosnan), who begins to prove an unexpected source of temptation.

Review: First let me say that I would never pay to see a movie with Sarah Jessica Parker, at least not full price at a theater. Now a $1.27 for a Redbox rental, that I'd do, especially when the movie has eye candy in the form of Greg Kinnear and Pierce Brosnan.

The movie is based on the book by Allison Pearson, which I haven't read yet. Why? Because I prefer to give the movie a chance. I'd rather watch first and be disappointed later.

This is billed as a comedy, but for the most part, I didn't feel like it was. Sure there were some funny parts, but this is nothing that is going to make you laugh out loud. It is humorous though, and most women who juggle family and a career will identify with Parker's character.

Life just isn't easy for a working mom in a high powered job. Heck, life isn't easy for anyone.

You really want to hate Kate going into this film, because even though her life is messy, things turn out great for her. She lands new accounts, she gets a gorgeous new business associate that would be temptation for any woman, and he attempts to declare love for her. (And she turns him down because she loves her husband! Without a real hint of an affair)

So yeah, this isn't your typical movie. It has some family values going on. I don't think I would have had any values if Pierce Brosnan said he was attracted to me!

It is definitely a chick flick, so please don't foist this on your guy, he'll hate it. There's nothing in it for him, unless he has the hots for SJP.

This is the perfect girls night movie. Get out the fuzzy bathrobe and pop some corn!

Book Excerpt: Stacey Kennedy - Demonically Tempted

Demonically Tempted
Frostbite Book Two

Urban Fantasy Romance

Length: Novel

Heat Level: Sensual

Coming April 2012

Tess Jennings, now a member of the Memphis Police Department, is on her first cold case. The suspected suicide of Lizbeth Knapp ten years ago isn’t a theory her family accepts—they believe she was murdered.

But the case is only one of Tess’s worries. Ghosts are talking, and word of her abilities rapidly spreads. A dark ghost is terrifying the spirits of Memphis, and she must force the entity to crossover.

Tess doesn’t have to do this alone. Not only does she have her ghost-lover, Kipp McGowen, but the department has brought in a medium. Dane Wolfe might answer all her questions, but he also brings a world of trouble. Will Tess finally have all she’s ever wanted, or will everything she’s vowed to protect be ripped away?

Copyright © STACEY KENNEDY, 2012

Chapter One

The old farmhouse had seen better days. Not only could it use a coat of paint, but it also needed a dose of love. Dry, brown grass surrounded the home, and the only flowers topped four-foot high weeds. I glanced toward Zach—a cop with the Memphis P.D.—and crinkled my nose. “Someone actually lives here?”

His blue eyes met mine and he ran a hand through his blond, stylish hair and shrugged. “Max said the victim’s sister still resides in the home where the death happened.”

As he lowered his arm, he cringed. The injury still hindered him at times since we solved the cold case of Hannah Reid, especially when the weather was damp like it was today. Heck, only weeks ago he’d been stabbed and shot in the shoulder.

The man who caused Zach’s injury got it worse—by my very hand, no less—but I was glad Hannah’s murderer hadn’t come back to haunt me.

I might have suffered some serious remorse. That is, if I didn’t believe God wouldn’t punish me because I killed a murderer. Brody would’ve done the same to me if I hadn’t gotten to him first. I tried my best to stick with that theory. It saved me from the lingering guilt I might—and would never admit to—have for taking a life.

Sure, there was an internal investigation through the police department, and I had been questioned until my voice went scratchy. But in the end, the shooting had been declared self-defense, and I was perfectly happy with that. Or so I told myself every day until I finally believed it.

Besides, the cops that I now worked alongside had my back throughout the investigation, and nothing would change that. We’d grown close through the time spent during the Reid case, and even closer in the weeks that followed.

“I’m going to see if Lizbeth is out here somewhere,” Kipp—a ghost, and my lover—said, dragging me from my thoughts.

Yes, our relationship was complicated and it’s insanely sick that I’m in love with a ghost, but I wasn’t about to fight my heart’s desire. “If you find her, then come tell us, immediately. The less time I have to spend in that house, the better.” Scummy houses and me didn’t mesh well. I like cleanliness and hate spiders.

“He’s going off on his own then?” Zach asked.

As of late, Zach had caught on to our conversations better. Seeing that I was the only lucky one—or not so lucky as I viewed it—who could hear ghosts’ communication was annoying, at best.

Maybe I gave more descriptions in my answers than I normally did, or maybe he’d gotten used to having to fill in the blanks. Whatever it was, I appreciated the ease of our conversations now. The back and forth got on my last nerve.

As Kipp strode away, I stared at his scrumptious ass filling his dark blue jeans. The man might be a ghost, but he was sex packaged into muscular goodness. One of his eyes was chocolate brown, while the other was crystal blue, and he had untidy brown hair that no matter how messy only made him look more attractive. And he was all mine.

I blinked, pulling myself away from my ogling, and focused on Zach. “Ready?” I frowned.

His gaze danced with laughter, yet a smile never appeared. “For someone who accepted a job with the department, you would think you’d hold more excitement.”

I snorted. “Just because I can officially call myself part of the police department—which is absurd, by the way—doesn’t mean I still don’t have hesitations.”

My gift took a while to adjust to but I knew when to see reason. Helping ghosts that had met a horrible fate wasn’t a bad job. That is, as long as I didn’t run into any more crazy-ass killers who wanted to make me a ghost, too.

Zach approached the house, and I trailed after him, not showing half the confidence he carried in his gait. I climbed the old steps, slightly worried the wood would break under my weight, but seeing Zach went first and the man was all power, the wooden planks could support my slender frame.

He knocked on the door. And a moment later, it opened to a woman who matched the house. She looked to be in her fifties, but the dark circles under her eyes and the hunch to her shoulders made her look well worn.

“Ms. Knapp?” Zach asked.

“Yes.” Her voice dripped with despair. “Are you the detectives?”

Zach nodded. “Is it still all right if we come in?”

She inclined her head, widened the door, and moved aside. “Please call me Anna.”

“Thank you, Anna.” Zach entered the home. “We appreciate you taking the time to discuss Lizbeth with us.”

I hesitantly followed and tried my damndest not to let my repulsion in the house show. Not an easy feat.

“Please, will you have a seat?” She waved out to a couch that I wouldn’t sit on even if it had a layer of plastic over top of it.

I held back my desire to gag, and twirled my finger in my brown, shag-cut hair. “I’m okay here, thanks.”

Zach furrowed his brows at me before he took a seat and shed all emotion as he focused on Anna. “We’re aware that this will be difficult for you to discuss, but we need you to remember anything you can from when Lizbeth died.”

“I’m not sure I can tell you anything that…” She peeked up at the ceiling. I followed her gaze seeing dark brown stains, and restrained my shudder. She finally returned her attention to Zach. “…Max, was that who I spoke with?”

“That’s right. He’s the sergeant,” Zach replied. “He told us the necessary information, but I’ve learned it’s always best to hear it directly for myself.”

In all actuality, I hadn’t heard all the details except that I was officially on my first cold-case file.

“Well,” Anna paused, glancing at her fingers as she fiddled them. “It started a year before Lizbeth’s death. She began to act differently.”

Zach pulled his pad of paper and pen from his pocket, and flipped the notebook open. “Can you explain that in more detail?”

I clasped my hands in front of me. Just because I was now part of team didn’t mean I would start acting like a cop in any official capacity. Let’s be serious now. I wasn’t really a detective.

Anna continued, “She’d talk to me about an evil presence around her.”

“Evil?” I gasped.

“I know how funny it sounds.” She blushed. “At the time, it did to me, too. But looking back, Lizbeth just didn’t seem like herself, and maybe I should’ve listened to her.” Her sigh was deep, and filled with longing. “She used to be a very happy young woman. Full of life and spirit, but all of a sudden she seemed so dark.”

I gave my head a shake, trying to make sense out of her nonsense. “Dark how?”

“Depressed.” Anna exhaled. “She never came out of her room, and totally withdrew from life.”

“She was suicidal, then?” Zack asked with a gentle tone.

“I suppose you’d draw that conclusion from what I’m telling you now, but the truth is I never took her to be the type.” She gave a knowing look. “Like I said, she was well adjusted and quite happy.”

“But you just said she was depressed,” I countered.

“Yes, I did, but still, Lizbeth was a fighter. She used to tell me that this evil presence was overtaking her soul, and she tried so hard to fight against it.”

Zach made a face. I made one of my own. We were speaking English, yet gibberish would have made more sense. Seeing that we were getting nowhere, and I suspected Anna had lost her mind a long time ago, I moved along. “Did her condition get worse?”

“It got so bad, my parents had no idea what to do,” she answered. “You have to remember it was a different time. The medications for depression that exist today didn’t back then.” Tears welled in her eyes, but they cleared just as quick. “My parents took her to a doctor, even admitted her into a hospital, but my mother couldn’t manage to leave her there. She thought love would bring Lizbeth out of her trouble.”

“Clearly, it didn’t.”

Anna’s features darkened. “That’s right, it only got worse. Lizbeth started to hurt herself.”

Zach’s eyebrows rose. “You mean, caused injuries to herself?”

“No one ever knew—and Lizbeth never said—how she did it. But she had lacerations all over her back.”

Zach scribbled notes, and then peered at Anna. “Did Lizbeth ever say anything to you about the wounds?”

Those tears now weren’t so easily pushed away. “She was adamant she had never caused them.”

One conclusion came to my mind. “No one believed her, did they?”

“Who else would have done it?” Anna retorted. “At that point, Lizbeth hadn’t left the house in over six months.”

Zach stared at Anna, his gaze probing. I inhaled deeply, understanding the frustration. The dust in the room settled into my nostrils. I rubbed at the tickling in my nose, and considered what she had told us.

It seemed to me Lizbeth had clearly been suicidal. I’d watched television shows were people cut themselves. Maybe this was all that was going on here. Case closed.

Zach scribbled a few more lines of notes then scrutinized Anna. “How did Lizbeth act in the days before she died?”

“Strange.” Anna wiped the tears from her face. “She always had this dark cloud over her, but in the week before her death it became much worse. She’d stopped eating and we had to force liquids down her throat.” Her chin quivered, more tears spilling. “But it was in her eyes where I saw her demise.”

“What did you see?” I whispered, not totally sure I wanted to hear her answer.

“She was already dead.”

Zach coughed. “Pardon?”

“Lizbeth was no longer in her body.” Anna shook her head, sending more tears rushing down her cheeks. “I know that is hard to believe, but that’s the only way I can describe it. She had already left.”

“Where did she go?” I urged.

Anna lowered her head and sighed. “I have no idea. All I know is she was gone.”

My assumptions that Anna was off her rocker deepened. One question would solidify if I believed she held any sanity at all. “Why do you stay here…in this house?”

Anna lifted her gaze, and her eyes swam in sadness. “I’m afraid that Lizbeth is still here, and if I leave she’ll be all alone. I don’t have the money to fix up the house. Since her death—times have been hard.”

Wasn’t I a shit? Her answer was clear and concise, and, well…I could understand her reasons. If she were crazy, I assumed her purpose for staying here would be, too.

Zach closed his notebook, and placed it into the pocket of his black slacks. “Would you take us outside to the water and discuss what happened the night she died?”

“Of course.” Anna stood from the couch and approached the front door.

Zach gestured toward the hall. I took the hint. Since Kipp hadn’t returned yet, it confirmed he hadn’t found Lizbeth’s ghost. Before we left I needed to check out the house to see if she remained. “Do you mind if I use your washroom?”

“Not at all.” Anna dabbed her tears with a tissue, and then raised her chin. Her deep inhale to compose herself was obvious. “It’s down the hall—third door on the right.”

“Thank you.” I headed toward the hallway while Zach continued to ask Anna another question as they headed out the front door.

The hallway was in a similar condition to the rest of the house, completely in shambles. The flowered wallpaper was peeling off the walls and the color of it resembled something not worth discussing. I wrinkled my nose, catching a whiff of mold, and continued walking.

To my left was an open door to a bedroom. I peeked in and clothes were thrown over the light blue bedspread. Furniture was scarce, but the room seemed lived in. It did appear slightly more taken care of than the rest of the home, which drew the conclusion that this had to be Anna’s bedroom.

I surveyed the room and couldn’t see Lizbeth’s ghost, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t there. She could be hiding. “Lizbeth,” I whispered.

No one responded.

Leaving the room, I carried on down the hall to another bedroom on the right, but as I called out her name again, I received the same response.

The bathroom was to my left and another room lay on the right. The door was closed and I did my best to keep quiet as I opened it. I couldn’t hear Zach or Anna in the house anymore, but I didn’t want to chance it. I pushed the door open and it creaked.

I peered in and my heart skipped a beat. “Creepy.” The room wasn’t in the same condition as the house. It looked brand new, even the paint on the walls appeared fresh, and Lizbeth’s name was written in wooden letters above the dresser. Of all the rooms to keep nice, Anna chose this one. I couldn’t quite decide if that was sweet or freaky.

“Lizbeth,” I whispered again only to be met with silence. I’d never had a ghost hide from me before, usually they were so intrigued by my ability they always approached.

After silence greeted me, I left the room and closed the door. I headed for the bathroom and went straight for the sink. At least the room was clean. Yes, in horrible condition, but the blue bathtub had been scrubbed recently.

At the sink, I turned on the faucet to wash the icky feeling off my hands. I wanted to get home and have a shower. Being in this house for even a few minutes had left my skin feeling filthy and downright gross.

I waited a moment to let the water warm since the pipes thumped indicating trouble stirred, and just as I placed my hands under the water, a voice startled me. “Why are you in my house?”

I looked over my shoulder and spotted a middle-aged ghost dressed in a double-breasted black coat, white dress shirt, and fitted tanned breeches. “I beg your pardon,” I snapped. “But I don’t deserve to be glared at—or spoken to in that nasty tone—when I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“You can hear me?” His eyes widened. “You can see me?”

“Yes I can.” I returned the glower he not-so-kindly offered me. “Why are you so rude?”

“I-I-I…”

“Classic.” I snorted. “The ghost is beside himself. Isn’t it supposed to be the live person who is shocked when they see a ghost?”

“You’re alive?”

Now he was being just downright mean. I shut off the faucet, and with the water dripping off my fingertips, I turned to face him. “Do I look dead to you?”

He gave me a once over with a look that left something to be desired. “No, but why are you glowing?”

“Yes, well,” I wiped my damp hands on my skinny jeans, “that’s my ability.”

He studied me, examining my gold hue—or so I’d been told that is how it appeared—and by his huge eyes this revelation stunned him. “And this ability is how you can see me?”

I wasn’t in any mood to get into this with him. A change in topic was in order. “Have you seen a young girl around here?”

“No,” he responded without haste.

I nibbled my lip, considering that. “Not ever, or not lately?”

“Never.”

If Lizbeth died in misery, it made no sense that her ghost wasn’t here. Ghosts always lingered and needed help to cross over. Someone who committed suicide wouldn’t be a settled soul. And most of the ghosts I’d met returned to a place that had meant something to them. Considering Lizbeth was young when she died, I’d assumed she’d come home. Where else would she have gone?

“How long have you been here?”

“I have no idea.” He paused, thoughtful, then said, “I think it’s been quite some time.”

His response didn’t surprise me. Ghosts never remember much except what they needed to, to move on. Seeing that this ghost would lead me nowhere, I figured I might as well try and help one ghost today. “Do you want to cross over?”

He scowled. “Are you threatening me?”

“Good God.” I dismissed him with a flick of my hand. “You’re foul. I’m asking to be nice. I can help you, if you’d like.”

“This is my house. I don’t want to leave. I want you to.”

I grunted. “Trust me, I want the same damn thing.”

He gestured toward the door in what might have seemed like a bow of respect, if his dark gaze hadn’t thoroughly flipped me off. “Best you see yourself out.”

I had just about enough of his bad attitude. I pointed at him. “You better not go scaring Anna. She’s been through enough.”

“I don’t scare her.” He scoffed. “She’s a lovely woman and I don’t mind her sharing the home with me.”

“I’m glad to hear it, but if I find out you’re frightening her, I will Ghostbuster your ass. Got it, jacko?” I flicked my hair over my shoulder, not waiting for him to respond because frankly, I didn’t give a shit.

I exited the bathroom, heard him grumbling something after me. I really couldn’t blame him, though. If I’d been dead since the eighteen hundreds, from the looks of his clothing, I’d be pissy too.

Once on the front porch, I spotted Zach and Anna. They talked down by a creek that was completely overgrown with weeds, rocks lining the shore.

On my approach, Zach glimpsed at me. I shook my head to indicate I hadn’t found Lizbeth in the house.

He visibly sighed, turning to Anna. “Now that Tess has arrived, would you please tell us what happened?”

I took a moment to scan the area, and listened hard to see if I could hear anything, but only the sound of rushing water and chirping birds filled my ears. The air around the home smelled so fresh, and thrived with nature, it was a wonderful contrast to the dust and mold inside the house.

Anna drew in a long, deep breath. “It was a spooky evening that night. The fog settled above the water and the full moon provided a lot of light.” Her eyes glazed over, lost in memory. “I heard Lizbeth leave the house, so I went over to my bedroom window.”

I glanced back at the house. One lone window faced the creek.

“I saw Lizbeth walking out to the water. She wore just her white nighty, and she was so frail.” Anna shuddered. “She was all skin and bones.”

“She came out here alone?”

Anna nodded. “I didn’t see anyone with her, at the time. She stood by the water’s edge and was so pretty.”

I had a hard time imagining anyone looking pretty in the way Anna had described. But I wasn’t about to bring up that point and merely listened as she went on.

“Lizbeth looked over her shoulder, and I’m still not sure how she knew I was watching her, but she smiled one of the coldest smiles I’d ever seen.” Darkness washed over her expression. “I’m sure that smile will haunt me forever.”

I gulped, a sudden nervousness wrapped around me and icy fingertips ran up my spine.

“What did she do after that?” Zach urged.

Anna shook her head, clearly pulling herself away from the horrifying memory, and refocused. “She turned back toward the water, walked in, and killed herself.”

“Are you saying she drowned herself?”

“I know that’s hard to believe, but the second I saw her walk into the creek, she submerged herself into the water. That’s when I ran out after her.”

“What happened when you reached her?”

Tears welled in her eyes. “She was floating, head first, and so I pulled her out.” A tear slid along her cheek, and she wiped it away, her tone controlled. “I tried to CPR, but it didn’t matter, she was already gone.”

Silence drifted around us. I welcomed it. This story needed some time to process, and even after a minute or so, I still came up empty.

Anna’s gaze stayed focused on the water, as she cried. I couldn’t imagine what it’d be like to be back here, staring at this water, and remembering what happened. How did she continue to live in that house?

A nudge on my arm had me glancing over at Zach. He mouthed the words, “Is she here?”

I shook my head.

He frowned.

Lizbeth’s lack of appearance seemed unusual even to me, but I hoped Kipp had better luck.

Zach cleared his throat. “After you pulled Lizbeth out of the water, what happened?”

Anna cleared her damp cheeks. “My mother and father came down and chaos erupted. They yelled, wanting to know what happened to her. When I told them, it was no surprise they didn’t believe me.”

She brought up a good point. “Where are you parents now?”

“Both, long dead.”

Insert foot into mouth! “I’m sorry.”

Anna sighed. “It’s for the best. Lizbeth’s death hit both of them very hard. My mother was never the same and my father withdrew from life.”

Saddest thing I’d ever heard.

“I can’t find her outside.”

I glanced over my shoulder and Kipp approached, his eyebrows furrowed, frustration emanating from him. Seeing that I couldn’t answer him with Anna here, I simply gave a short nod to show I understood his defeat.

“At what point did you see Hector?” Zach asked.

I jerked my head toward him, unable to hide my shock. “Someone else saw her in the water?”

“He’d been the main suspect in her death but—”

“My statement ruled him out,” Anna interjected. “He probably would’ve been found guilty of her murder since he’d been the only other person present at the time of her death.” Her gaze firmed. “But I said it then, and I’ll say it now, he didn’t kill her. I saw Lizbeth walk into the water and drown herself. I couldn’t make up what I saw.”

“Ask her how she can be so sure,” Kipp said to me.

I shook my head, which I tried to hide by shifting my stance. There was no way I would argue with Anna. Kipp hadn’t heard the rest of the conversation and I believed every word she said.

Instead, I pressed on. “Did you know he was there when you first came out of the house?”

“No,” Anna replied. “He showed up out of nowhere. I hadn’t seen him near the house at all and his arrival startled me. But I’ll tell you one thing, his eyes were exactly like Lizbeth’s.”

My heart did that full skip-a-beat thing, indicating whatever she meant by that, scared me shitless. “They were?”

“When Lizbeth smiled at me, Hector did the exact same thing when he approached. To say it was creepy is really putting it mildly, but it was as if I stared at Lizbeth again—or what Lizbeth had turned into.”

The side of my temple hurt. I zeroed in on Zach. “So after they questioned Hector, they released him?”

“Yes,” he answered. “But he’s now serving time for an unrelated crime he committed a month after Lizbeth’s death.”

I gave Zach and Kipp a knowing look, and they returned it. As much as Anna was sure of what she saw, I suspected she was wrong. A person in a state of shock might not be able to think straight. I surmised that’s exactly what happened.

“I know what y’all are thinking, but I know what I saw,” Anna said, adamantly. “Lizbeth walked into the water and killed herself. Trust me, I’ll never be able to forget it.” Sadness gone. Determination risen. “No matter how much everyone wanted me to retract my statement and pin it on Hector, I wouldn’t send an innocent man to jail for something he didn’t do.”

Innocent, my ass!

Zach inclined his head, as if he agreed with her, but I knew better. “Is there anything else you can tell us, Anna, that could help us?”

“I’m sorry. That’s all I know.”

“Thank you for talking to us.” I smiled, reached out for her hand and squeezed it. “We’ll do what we can to find out what happened to her.”

Anna returned the smile, but on her, it was despaired. “I appreciate y’all working on this case again. I do hope that you’ll discover what truly happened to Lizbeth. If it’s all right, I’d like to go back into the house now.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you for your time.” Zach shook Anna’s hand, and then she started back toward the house.

“This is by far the weirdest situation I’ve ever been in,” I whispered to Kipp. “I’ve never experienced a missing ghost before.”

“Quite unusual, to say the least. Let’s head back to the station and fill Max in on what we’ve discovered.” He sighed. “Or not discovered.”

I headed to the truck with the boys following. Anna climbed the steps of her porch, and I remembered there was something I needed to tell her. “Anna,” I called.

She turned. “You have a very grumpy old ghost in your house, but don’t worry, he likes you, and is fine with sharing the house with you.” She didn’t look nearly as surprised as I’d expected. Maybe she already suspected a ghost lived with her. Maybe not. But my job was done.

Now on to finding a missing ghost…

Album Review: MDNA

Madonna has proven over and over that she can be irreverent, as seen by her rewording of "The Lord's Prayer" in the opening minutes of "Girls Gone Wild," however one has to wonder if she's lost her touch. The lyrics are beyond uninspired and the music is insipid.

The album doesn't get much better either.  Madonna was always good with dance music, but she's going down the synth pop route on MDNA and it just sounds a bit to childish for a woman that's been in the industry for nigh on 30 years.

"Turn Up The Radio" is one of the album's high points, and it would be better served by the younger crowd.  The beat is good, but the lyrics are just so grade school. It leaves you wondering who she's marketing the album for, the pre-teens or her fans?

The worst of it is the first single "Give Me All Your Luvin'."  The lyrics are totally cringe-worthy. "L-U-V Madonna!" Uh, after a song like this, not so much. It was one of the low points of her otherwise great Superbowl performance, and the album version isn't any better, though it does sound like it was written for that half time show. It is a little to "Sis Boom Bah" to be taken seriously.

It is hard to find a song that doesn't sound like the previous.  "I Don't Give A" with Nicki Minaj is dull.  It is a confessional sounding song. Which husband is she singing to? Guy? Sean? As always, Madonna tells us that  she doesn't care what the people say. It is becoming old hat after all these years.

Things start looking up with "I'm A Sinner."  It has a good retro vibe that will make you want to dance. It is fun and funky.

Madonna seems to save the best songs for the end of the album. "Love Spent" is a unique dance track, unique in that the sampling and beats don't sound like every other song that you've heard so far on this album. That is probably because it was produced by Orbit. The opening bars have a strange Latin quality.

If you are looking for something of the Madonna we all know and love, look to "Masterpiece" the song from W.E.  This is Madonna doing the whole ballad thing, in a way that she hasn't done since Something To Remember. On an album that sounds like Madonna trying to be someone other than Madonna, this song is a breath of fresh air. She not only sounds like herself, she sounds good.

She follows that with another stunning ballad, "Fallin' Free." This song is free of bad sampling and hip hop beats.  The tone of the song makes it sound like it could have fit on Ray Of Light.  The lyrics have that spiritual trippyness that made that album one of her best.

Compared to 2008's Hard Candy, this album is a breath of fresh air. This is Madonna's 12th album. Old fans will embrace it because it is Madonna, however it doesn't hold a candle to her older material.  The first half of this album is totally forgettable, but the last half makes up for it. Madonna is like the little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead, when she's good she's very good, and when she's bad, she's horrid.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars