Year: 2007

  • ·

    Hot Mama book signings …

    I’ve been setting them up. Here’s what I have scheduled so far:

    Nov. 17: 1-3 p.m., B Dalton Booksellers, Bristol Mall, Bristol, Va.

    Dec. 1: 1-3 p.m., Waldenbooks, Fort Henry Mall, Kingsport, Tenn.

    December: I’ll be signing books during the annual Christmas party at Mountain Empire Comics in Bristol, Tenn. Date/time to be announced, but I think it’ll probably be a Saturday afternoon about two weeks before Christmas.

    More to come! :bub:

    I should also have some news regarding the Bigtime series in general by this time next week. No promises. As those of you in the biz know, nothing every happens quickly in the publishing world. Stay tuned for more! 😉

  • One bionic season so far …

    10 Comments

    So, Brian asked about the fall TV season in another post. I’ve been pleasantly surprised so far. I’ve watched a lot of the new shows and my old favorites. Here’s what I think:

    NEW SHOWS

    Bionic Woman: Na-na-na! Okay, I couldn’t resist. I really enjoyed this darker version of the campy TV show. The new Jamie Summers acted a little stiffly, but the chick from Battlestar Galactica made up for it as Psycho Bionic Woman. I always enjoy seeing Molly Price and Will Yun Lee, and the mythology has the potential to be really interesting. Don’t care too much about the sister at this point, though. But it looks promising, and I’ll keep watching.

    Chuck: It’s a spy show, which I am predisposed to like. Not nearly as cool and clever as Alias, but more lightweight fun. I really liked the main character, who is a geek without being overly bumbling, and Adam Baldwin was cool as the trigger-happy badass. I’ll keep watching.

    Dirty Sexy Money: I watched this on the spur-of-the-moment, and I’m glad I did. Oh, those Darlings. They are the most dysfunctional family I’ve seen on TV in quite some time. This has the potential to be a dark, quirky soap opera. And how cool were the ring tones on the laywer’s phone for each twisted family member? This was one of the best pilots of the year. I hope it lasts.

    Moonlight: I watched this mainly because Jason Dorhing from Veronica Mars was recently added to the cast (and Marshall from Alias guested as a cameraman in the pilot). Not the worst thing I’ve seen, but not the best either. Give me more Jason, or I’ll soon be tuning out.

    Reaper: This was fairly entertaining (Ray Wise as the Devil is a hoot). The sidekick best friend got on my nerves, though. And I wonder how many similiar-themed paranormal shows the CW can put on before viewers get tired of them. I’ll probably give it a few more episodes to see if it really hooks me. (Although it’s in Veronica Mars’ old time slow. Oh, the pain of no new VW. The pain!) 

    OLD FAVORITES

    CSI: So, they didn’t kill Sara, but she’s still leaving the show. Did anyone else wonder why she walked away from the car wreck instead of just staying put? Still, this was one of the best CSI episodes in quite some time, right up there with the two-parter where Nick was buried alive (my all-time favorite). Still, I’m a little disappointed in how they wrapped up the miniature killer. I wanted her to have more of a motivation other than just being crazy.

    Grey’s Anatomy: The tone was lighter than the finale, which was good. But enough of George and Izzie already. I did like seeing the interns graduate and become teachers rather than just grunts. And please, please just let Meredith and Derek be happy for a while. Still, better than last year. So far. And give me more Eric Dane!

    Heroes: I didn’t think much happened in the first episode, and it felt more like a set-up for things to come. Although Mr. Bennett was hysterical when he strong-armed his obnoxious boss at the copy store. David Anders as Hiro’s, well, hero was pretty funny too. He looks much taller than he did on Alias. The Peter-has-amnesia storyline could be really good or really bad. I’ll hold my tongue now. The new brother and sister characters didn’t really grab my attention that much. And am I the only one who wants Mama Petrelli to bite it before the season’s over with? And when is Kristen Bell showing up? Give me my Kristen Bell!

    How I Met Your Mother: This is one of the funniest shows on TV. Neil Patrick Harris is hysterical and sooo got robbed of the Emmy last month. The premiere was excellent, as usual.

    Prison Break: So, it’s not the most realistic show on TV, but it’s cheesy action fun, which I always enjoy. Although Michael’s love interest is supposedly not returning to the show, which really sucks. Still, I’m interested to see what happens — and I wonder if this is the last year. Given Fox’s lack of hits, I’m guessing probably not. We’ll see.

    VIEWING PROBLEMS

    What to watch on Monday nights: I already like Prison Break and HIMYMother. But Chuck comes on at the same time too. Decisions, decisions …

    Which shows to drop: I think I’m about done with Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, and NCIS. They just don’t wow me any more.

    (Yes, I watch way too much TV. I should be doing something more productive, like writing). 😉

    What about you? Which new shows are you digging? Which do you think are headed for the chopping block? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • 826 and counting …

    3 Comments

    Also finished Revenge of the Homecoming Queen by Stephanie Hale. I got to sit next to Stephanie during the RWA conference in Dallas, and she was nice enough to sign a book for me.

    This is a young adult novel that focuses on Aspen Brooks. Aspen is smart, beautiful, and one of the coolest girls in school. So, it’s just natural Aspen would be crowned homecoming queen. But somehow, her arch rival, Angel Ives, ends up wearing the tiara instead. As if that isn’t bad enough, weird things start happening to Aspen. Someone slashes her tire. Her inhaler gets stolen. Soon, the so-called Beauty Bandit kidnapper is on the loose, and Aspen’s mom is among the missing. Can Aspen figure out who the bandit is and save her mom before it’s too late?

    I thought this book was going to be your typical, spoiled-girl-gains-a-heart read, but it takes an interesting turn with the kidnapping plotline. Hale also makes some spot-on observations about high school life, and how it can affect people for the rest of their lives.

    Aspen starts out as a snotty, self-absorbed drama queen, but she learns some important lessons along the way, including there’s more to people than just what labels they wear. I wound up rooting for her in the end.

    So, thumbs up.

    Up next: Something from my to-be-read pile.

  • 825 and counting …

    Finished Spare Change by Robert B. Parker. It’s the latest in his Sunny Randall series about a Boston private investigator.

    This time, Sunny is helping her father, Phil, investigate the reappearance of the Spare Change killer, a serial killer who leaves three coins beside all his victims. Phil, a former police officer, was in charge of the investigation the first time around. Now, Spare Change is back, and Phil needs Sunny’s help to catch him. Sunny and the rest of the task force identify a likely suspect, and Sunny starts playing a game of cat and mouse with him … by offering herself up as bait.

    I always enjoy Parker’s books, especially his dialogue-heavy style. But I have to admit I’m tired of characters going over the same ground from book to book. Two of Parker’s characters, Sunny and Jesse Stone, just can’t let go of their exes. A big part of every book featuring either one of them has them trying to come to terms with their feelings.

    In Spare Change, Sunny’s ex-hubbie decides to leave his current wife and try to make things work with Sunny. (Conveniently, the exes can’t let go of the main characters either). I really don’t care if they get back together or not. I just want somebody to make a lasting decision about it one way or another … and never talk about it again! (This also bothers me when it comes to Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. Seriously, Steph, just pick one of the guys already.) 

    As much as it pains me, I have to give this one a thumbs down.

    Up next: Revenge of the Homecoming Queen by Stephanie Hale.

    What about you? What have you read lately? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • ·

    4 stars, baby!

    3 Comments

    hot_mama.jpgI just saw the Romantic Times review of Hot Mama … and the reviewer gave it four stars! Here’s what she had to say:

    It’s back to Bigtime, N.Y., for more sexy, sizzling and offbeat adventures with those zany superheroes. Fiona’s first-person viewpoint reveals a tough, cranky yet caring heroine whose literal flash temper can raise hell. Estep’s twist on the world of superheroes is kick-ass fun!

    Summary: Living a dual life is never easy, but for superhero Fiera (aka fashion designer Fiona Fine), it is especially tough not being able to acknowledge the tragic loss of her superhero fiance Travis. Just as Fiona decides to start dating again, sexy and wealthy playboy Johnny Bulluci hits town, elevating her hormones. Meanwhile two new uber-villains have arrived to wreck havoc, and Fiona runs across the new Johnny Angel, a biker who can either be villainous or helpful. The previous Johnny Angel was murdered and this new incarnation vows vengeance. Good thing Fiona likes things hot, because it’s starting to sizzle! (BERKLEY, Nov., 384 pp., $14,00) HOT

    — Jill M. Smith

    Wow! Thanks for the great review, Jill!

    And if that isn’t cool enough, there’s also a small feature story on me in the magazine. I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s listed in the table of contests. Needless to say, I’m having a great day! :ww: