THE SPYMASTER'S LADY by Joanna Bourne

I've been dragging my feet with this one. Part of the reason is that any review I do will inevitably fail to do this book justice. To put it simply: I am in awe...and I'm so green with envy that I can barely stand myself. (g)

Quick FYI: I'm putting together a contest to help promote Jo's book. I haven't figured out all of the details yet, but I'm working on them. More when I know more. :)

Okay...Read more. (g)

I shudder...SHUDDER to try a synopsis. *deep breath*

Brief Synopsis: Annique Villers grew up mastering the art of The Game. Known as the Fox Cub, she is one of the most elusive and capable French spies in the field. Able to play whatever role is required of her, her small physique and innocent appearance allow her to slip through her enemies' fingers time and time again. That is, until she comes up against one Robert Grey, British spymaster.

Thrown into captivity together, they reluctantly team up to make their escape. Once free, Grey is determined to uncover the secrets Annique holds--secrets that could spell doom for England. But does she have them? And can he resist the charms that have bewitched so many others before him? Chased by forces on both sides, Grey must both protect and betray her... But is he good enough to do both without giving in to temp... erm...

Yeah, Okay...I'll stop there... it's getting really bad. LOL.

Okay...IGNORE my really clumsy synopsis. This is a FANTASTIC book. I honestly felt this empty space in my chest when I finished. No WAY did I want it to end, and for the first time in a long time, I wanted to turn right back to page one and begin it all over again. Le sigh. It makes me so damn proud to know Jo...and oh so happy to think maybe an inkling of her talent has ingrained itself _somewhere_ in my brain.

Annique... WOW. She's a character. LOL. Her sense of humor is spot-on and she made me laugh out loud many times. She's such a contradiction. She's this young girl who's been thrown into a very harsh world, and without really compromising herself, she's able to survive and do extremely well. Her voice, her general outlook and calm acceptance of things around her were just really endearing. I want MORE. *cries*

Grey...Again, a great character. He's definitely a take charge kind of guy, and yeah... I thought he was great. He always seemed to be a step ahead of Annique. I found it both wildly amusing and slightly annoying (for her sake). But he was always her protector, and man, what more could you want from a hero?

One of the best things about this book -- the secondary characters! Anyone who's having trouble fleshing theirs out should use this book as a study aid. They were all SO real. No puddle characters here, people... they all had unique and very strong presences in each scene. I never felt that they were mere dressing, but living beings who jumped off the pages just as much as the H/H. O'Doyle...so funny and charming. Adrian (fans herself) was simply wonderful. And the antags...great.

The plotting was extremely well done. It had lots of twists and turns that kept me turning the pages in nervous anticipation of what would happen next. The writing is simply beautiful. The dialects...SUPERB. The *cough*sex*cough* scenes...WHOO!! And the ending just lovely. *big sigh*

Folks, I know there's a rather beefy pic on the cover. I KNOW. But let me tell you, do not let it fool you. Go...RUN...right now and get this book. I promise you won't regret it.

Buy or Rent? BUY -- In fact, while you're at it, buy copies for all of your friends.

Double HELL

Janet Evanovich's latest between the numbers books is out: PLUM LUCKY. To top it off, B&N just sent their weekly coupon sheet and it's on there for less than ten bucks. And I have this handy dandy 25% off coupon (not sure I can use it). Grr.. what to do.

*head--desk*

2008

Well, I don't know how I'm going to top 2007. A book on the shelf would definitely do it, though. (g) Anyway, thank you all for your kind words after my year in review... means the world and I still get all misty when I think about it. :)

Yanno, I hate making New Year's resolutions. I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with the negative connotations that go hand in hand with such a list. I mean, let's be honest...everyone expects you to fail at one if not all of them before the the end of January. No matter how many times I say I'll save my money and be less frivolous...it never happens. (g) A-book buyin' I will go...and then blam, I'm scraping my pennies together to get through the end of the semester. However many times I say I'll read all of my class assignments on time and outline early...yeah, not a once have I actually done it.

So yeah...no resolutions for me. Promises, perhaps? Yeah...promises. Here's a list of things I'm going to do this year.

1. Finish FAKING IT. Whether or not it will be good enough to please DA, it's going to be finished. I'm shooting for the end of January for the SFD, but if not then...soon after. I'll keep working until it's complete and then I'll shine it up and send it. No second guessing, no constant worrying over whether I'm good enough. Cuz it IS good enough, dangit. (g) (Positive thinking.)

2. Finish BY THE PALE MOONLIGHT. I'm frustrated that I haven't completed its revisions yet. It seems every time I go in to look at this book, I'm too overly critical and start ripping scenes apart...never quite "getting it right" in my eyes. I need to realize it's GOOD and just bite the bullet and send it. It shouldn't take long to finish this one up. Not once I really get going. But however long it takes, it will be done in the next 2-3 months -- DEFINITELY before school is out.

3. I will graduate law school. (Yipee and WOOHOO!) I have no idea what I'm going to do after I walk across that stage, but dangit...I have an entire semester to work that out. And I'll know what the best course is when I see it.

4. Start and complete a third novel. Not sure what it will be. There are several vying for attention, but I think I'll leave it open for now. Discuss it with DA when he sells one of the others. (Heh, more positive thinking.)

5. Start a fourth novel. Yeah, I'm shooting for big things this year. (g) But I can see working on both NARC 2 and WALKING IN SHADOW. If not, there are others waiting on the sidelines. I'm optimistic, but that's how I roll. And FWIW, NARC 2 is almost a third completed already.

There are lots of personal goals...the usual suspects, but I won't bother to list them here. One is that I would REALLY like to attend SIWC this year. I don't know if it's possible, but if I can, you know I'll be there. :) I want to meet my forumite buds...and well, yeah... I just really want to. (g) But as I said above, I'm rather frivolous with my money. (w)

The Spymaster's Lady!

In keeping with spreading the word about this fabulous book, I've decided to join the contest Susan Adrian is holding on her blog: here. If you want to join for a free giveaway of _four_...count 'em, _four_ books...snap a pic of Jo's book on the shelf at your local bookstore...or on your own. Either way. Anyway, here are mine... I do plan on reviewing this book, but wanted to hold off just a little while. Hopefully I'll have it up today or tomorrow.

Oh, and if you weren't thinking of or haven't yet purchased this book...

DO IT. DO IT NOW.

My dusty ole' shelf above my bed. Notice there are _several_ forumites pictured. Who can find 'em??? (g)



And now...for your close-up, dahling...

Forward!

I didn't get many words tonight, but I think I've at last cleared up the missing piece I've been stumbling against the past couple of weeks. I knew "generally" what was supposed to happen in the story, but couldn't come up with any solid ideas that would work. Then I came up with this completely nutty slant to the whole thing and kinda got creeped out that my mind went there. (g) But I figured out a way to inject some humor, despite the dark tone of the overall scene. I _think_ this is seriously the last piece of the story I was unclear about. Hmmm. I'm sure other issues will come up as I try to piece everything together later, but I'm feeling good about where I'm at.

I'm still shooting for a SFD by the end of January. I think I can make it. Heh.

So, I finished at about 1200 for the night. I'm exhausted, but happy I managed that much. I'm _determined_ to get started earlier tomorrow. Oh, and I think I have a new LOTD.

And It's A Wrap

Erm, sorta. LOL.

I've got a new ending...a new last line....it's all kinds o' new. (g) The previous chapter topped about 2100...this one about 1500. So yeah, guess I managed to cut a few words.

And the best part: I LURVE IT. :)

Now I have to set it aside so I can see if I still lurve it when I come back to it later. I'm not _positive_ about the last line...but the scene is written. The rest will work itself out eventually.

Up next: the pesky middle of the book... LOL. I do things so ass-backwards...but man, I love it. :)

So Cheesy, But I Love It!

You know you're losing your mind when you're up late writing and find this kind of thing really amusing.

When my sister was here for Thanksgiving, she downloaded a bunch of songs onto my iPod. Some of them have been real treats -- old favorites I haven't heard in years.

Tonight...the creme de la creme came up.

And it must be said--it's frightening when realize you still know every damn word to Cool Rider from Grease 2. LMAO.