|
Sara Reyes | Dog Days of August...
August 21, 2010
 Age of Treason Movie Poster
Geez, it's August in Texas and in our part it's been over 100 degrees since
sometime in July. If I was feeling crazy, I'd actually track it, but trust me on
this one, I'd prefer not to know how long it's been this hot! And the news keeps
coming...migraines go up some kind of percent for every degree over 100°
like that is information I wasn't already aware of! So, the bottom line is, it's
hot, stay out of the mid day sun, do the best you can to stay civilized. Well, for me that means, catch up on a little reading. I got two great books
this week: THE RED QUEEN
by Philippa Gregory and
NEMESIS by Lindsey Davis. A little
secret, I know you love those, but I feel in love with Falco when I saw an old Saturday movie
with Bryan Brown. I know Ms. Davis loathes that movie, apparently took lots
of liberties with her books but it introduced me to Marcus Didius Falco and I
went out and bought EVERY SINGLE book I could find in the series, even spent an
obscene amount of money on out-of-print editions and then bought them from the
UK since they come out a year earlier there then in the US. So, I think Ms.
Davis should credit an awful adaptation with at least one new fan, and isn't
that worth something. By the way, Byran Brown was not hard to look at back in
the day! As for the latest book in the Falco series, NEMESIS it's a great
rollicking great read. It starts out very sad, Falco and Helena lose their
infant son and Falco loses dear old Dad in the first chapter of the book -- so
it's not really a spoiler, I wouldn't do that! The changes in circumstances, at
least for Falco means more trouble: with his marriage, his family, his status in
Rome, and of course his decision to take on another case (or is it two cases,
hmm). Ms. Lindsey sweeps us back into Rome AD 77 and seamlessly gives us the smells,
noises, and climate of what we'd normally just skip over in history books. It's
one of the reasons I adore her books. Yes, there's a decent mystery with lots of
murders to solve but the feeling of being in Rome is amazing. And, yes, I spend
too much time on the Internet looking up old tidbits of information about Rome,
the marshes, swamps, etc.  Then it was THE RED QUEEN book 2 in the
Cousins War or the period in English history of the battles between the
York and Lancasters - Wars of the Roses. Or consider it the prequel of the Tudor
period. The first book in the series, THE WHITE QUEEN came out
last year and is in paperback now. It was about Elizabeth Woodville who married
the York Prince who won the beginning battles of the Wars of the Roses. The York
was the "white rose." Now Ms. Gregory turns her eye to the "red rose" side, the
Lancasters and is her wont picks one of the women involved. I must say, after
reading these two books, these are not women I'd like to have as friends, or
enemies, or even at the dinner table! I know she's supposed to make them in some
way sympathetic, but for me, Margaret Beaufort was a true nutcase. Just saying.
I made it through the book, read it all, but I came out of it a bit sympathetic
to the men, especially Jasper Tudor and Henry Stafford. Her final husband,
not-so-much, she got what she deserved. And I wonder, were all the women of that
period forced into the either you're pious or you're a witch? Just wondering.
But don't just take my word on this, we've got a special contest running this
month, where you could win a copy of THE RED QUEEN, just hop
over to RED QUEEN
contest and enter. Then after you read it we can compare notes. A deal,
right? And don't forget, our Dog
Days of August is running! Be sure to sign up for the contests to
win some truly stunning prizes and be sure to leave us your thoughts about what
you're reading, what you want to read still this summer, and cooling recipes to
go with reading!! (you know, things to make fast so you can read MORE!)
 Until next time...Get
out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW
Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers
'n 'ritas November 12-14, 2010! with Sherrilyn Kenyon and more guests See you on the Twitter (@FreshFiction) PS: We picked up over 600 books, most signed, in the past month! So be sure to
comment today and tomorrow to be entered to win! Everyone LOVES free books!
Comments
44 comments posted.
Re: Sara Reyes | Dog Days of August...
i would love to win the daly
blog contest and would like the book i do facebook and goodread and then i also do the
twitter
(Desiree Reilly 2:50pm August 21, 2010)
It's been hot here too but
thank goodness it's only been
100 or over once! 90 degrees
are common, 100 or up quite
rare. It's been hot and humid
but we haven't had enough rain
this summer. However, we wound
up with a tornado in the Bronx
a few weeks back!
(Robin Greene 3:03pm August 21, 2010)
It finally cooled off a bit here (South Carolina) and now it is only in the high 80's for a few days. Mother Nature decided to grace us with sporadic rain for a week or so. Otherwise, once the calendar turned June, it was high 90's and no rain. Enjoying the clouds while they last!
(Cynthia Netherton 3:42pm August 21, 2010)
I've been meaning to try
Philippa Gregory's work. Maybe
I'll start with the Cousins War
series.
(Jacqueline Cook 3:45pm August 21, 2010)
In San Francisco we're still waiting for
summer to start. The weather has been
pretty cool.
(Sue Ahn 4:38pm August 21, 2010)
Summer is the best time to catch
up on some good books. =)
(Alice Xiao 5:02pm August 21, 2010)
The White Queen and THE RED QUEEN are both books that I want to read.
(Carol Mintz 5:33pm August 21, 2010)
I am in Milton, FL and we are having the same heat wave you are. Thank you for the giveaway!
(Lisa Garrett 5:55pm August 21, 2010)
It's been a hot summer in New England. Use the AC and read.
(Deb Pelletier 6:07pm August 21, 2010)
It is 91 at 5pm here in Iowa. Inside with the air on and reading Stolen by Jordan Gray. The Red Queen is on my to read list.
(Teresa Ward 6:25pm August 21, 2010)
Hot weather, hot books. Wonderful!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:27pm August 21, 2010)
I would love to read either of the Red or the White Queen!
I love reading and turn on the AC and put my feet up and read!
(Brenda Rupp 6:34pm August 21, 2010)
I'm actually re-reading Pride
and Prejudice as I wait to find
another book that sparks my
interest. Always looking for
something new!
(Margay Roberge 6:49pm August 21, 2010)
I am at the tail end of Winter here in Australia. Can't wait for warm weather. Not reading much. Re-reading favourites as well.
(Mary Preston 7:11pm August 21, 2010)
It has just cooled down in my area of the world. I haven't read much with either setting that you discussed. Sounds like I need to hit the library.
(G. Bisbjerg 9:29pm August 21, 2010)
I would love to add to my reading list. Thanks for the chance!!
(Carol Conerly 9:57pm August 21, 2010)
I would love to sit down and read a good book, but outside activities have had my undivided attention as of late. Gardens don't weed themselves, and houses don't get cleaned by themselves. I have a list of books I want to read, and hope that I can win some of them. The daily blogs just add to my list, but it makes it more exciting as well. Thank you for my daily insight!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:04pm August 21, 2010)
In the summer, I read lots of Harlequin
Intrigues and Historicals or the
comparable Silhouette books. Our
schedule is chaotic. I don't have time
to sit around and get serious about
substantive books. That is OK. I have
some authors in these series I enjoy.
Once the cooler weather settles in,
that will be the perfect time to curl up
with something warm to drink and a
good, serious book.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:14pm August 21, 2010)
Hi Sara!! It's been hot as hell here in Mississippi,also. We've had more 100+ days than not. Even when it's in the high nineties the heat index has been running like 115-120. I have just about melted. I'd love to win some books, you can never have too many!!!
(Martha Lawson 11:39pm August 21, 2010)
It's been hot here too and we haven't had rain in weeks. We're supposed to get cooler temperatures and rain for the next few day. I hope they're right.
(Maureen Emmons 6:13am August 22, 2010)
Oh, I love these historicals from real life!!!
It's been hot here too, and now the weather is starting to break with some cooler spells and even a bit of rain...yippee!!!!
I read all year round, whenever I can, can't help it, I'm a bookaholic. I've read some lovely historical romances of late and a couple of paranormals.
Valerie
[email protected]
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 6:19am August 22, 2010)
I read all year round and try to get in as much reading time as possible, more when I am off from work.
(Pat Lieberman 6:59am August 22, 2010)
I just finished Sarah's Key and really got a history lesson there. I have the Red and White Queens on my To Buy list. And last night my husband said that he thinks man's greatest invention was air conditioning! :>)
(Karin Tillotson 9:53am August 22, 2010)
It's been a hot, sunny summer here in Maine.I have been reading alot of historical, Harlequins and paranormal books.
(Cheryl Lynne 11:02am August 22, 2010)
Everyone loves free books indeed! I just wish I had more time to read them!
(Molly Wilsbacher 12:00pm August 22, 2010)
I'd love to win this prize.
(Wilma Frana 12:01pm August 22, 2010)
You are so right. As a fellow Texan, I whole-heartedly agree that it's too hot to do anything but sit in an air conditioned area and read!
(G S Moch 12:17pm August 22, 2010)
Great contest. I use summer vacations and Christmas vacation to catch up on the books that have piled up.
(Pam Howell 12:35pm August 22, 2010)
It's really hot in Corpus, but staying in & reading is great. Right now I'm reading Running Scared by Lisa Jackson, it's worth reading. Ready for cooler weather but it's a long time coming.
(Pat Wilson 12:47pm August 22, 2010)
I feel so blessed when I read of all the horrendous hear you all are having, here on the west coast we really have not had summer yet. Near the water so overcast, windy, foggy, just good reading weather. Havn't had my nose out of a book in ever so long.
(Elizabeth Parzino 12:58pm August 22, 2010)
I live in Ore. and the weather have been great this summer with just a few hot days but I love it here.
(Vickie Hightower 1:01pm August 22, 2010)
I'm in NM and we've had 100 degree weather too...but now we're in the 90's and it's monsoon season! Thunderstorms and rain everyevening...so the humidity is really high! Miserable weather....good reason to stay inside and read!
(JoAnn White 1:30pm August 22, 2010)
Weather is in the hundreds here... can not wait for it to go down...
(Colleen Conklin 2:11pm August 22, 2010)
ilove the book titie and cover and the boa weo pick me and i let you now about the book
(Desiree Reilly 2:22pm August 22, 2010)
Yes the weather is a bit much
this year and I know we are
all looking forward to fall
season. I think making a tuna
or chicken pasta salad is a
great summer meal. My boys
love it and they do not see
all the veggies I put in it.
Also a fruit salad is great
too. I am almost at the end
of a book of Amish and I am
loving it, The Honest Love by
Kathleen Fuller. Thank you
for the chance to win.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 2:48pm August 22, 2010)
Got a lot of reading done even though
here in New England it hasn't been as
bad as you have had it, It has been
higher than usual for this season. Isn't
it wonderful how books can rescue all
of us, not just those without AC.
(Sandra Spilecki 2:54pm August 22, 2010)
The humidity is what does me in. I just have to run thru the sprinkler with the grandkids to feel better.
(MaryEllen Hanneman 6:24pm August 22, 2010)
Even though I have a TBR pile, I'm re-reading Linda Lael Miller's Creed Series and the Rough Rider Series by Lorelei James.
(Leni Kaye 6:50pm August 22, 2010)
Hot days, hot nights and hot books! WOW!!!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 8:15am August 28, 2010)
I enjoy entering these contests and reading the articles. However, I have received several e-mails about the August contests. Should I re-enter each time?
(Karin Tillotson 10:10am August 28, 2010)
It's autumn here, now.
(Minna Puustinen 10:16am August 28, 2010)
Looking forward to fall, the reading season is starting. Love your site and the reviews.
(Phyllis Lamken 3:24pm August 28, 2010)
it's been over the 100's here two ecept to day it's raining and in the 70 that a big change I guess I will injoy it for as long as it stays here.I'm reading Cursed to Death by L.A.Banks to catch me up for I can read her new book to the series Never Cry Werewolf.
(Stacey Smith 4:39pm August 28, 2010)
Really enjoy reading your blog and
love the site. I love that you guys
are as passionate about good books
as I am. Looking forward to
September book releases now the
kids are back in school.
(Jennifer Haag 1:09pm August 29, 2010)
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
| 
© 2003-2024 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy