Sonja Foust, Romance Author

I liked this book better than the previous one in the series, Blue Dahlia. I think it’s mostly because the hero and heroine got more stage time than the hero and heroine in the first book did. I was glad that Roz got her share of the spotlight.

Another reason I liked this one better was because of the villains. Blue Dahlia didn’t have much in the way of villains– mostly just the promise of evil to come. In this book, the connecting evil in all three books (a ghost) gets way, way scarier. I read the scary bathtub scene while I was in the bathtub, and it wasn’t such a good idea, but it was deliciously scary! It was on par with the bathtub scene in Fatal Attraction. Yes, that good. Also, the ex-husband villain was one I just loved to hate, and the less-than-tied-up ghost evil was ok to leave that way, since the ex-husband evil was suitably taken care of (i.e. beaten to a bloody pulp by characters you love to cheer for) at the end.

Overall, Roz as a character was entertaining, deep, and different from most romantic heroines. She was refreshing, if not quite as lovable as some of Nora’s other “strong woman” characters (most notably, the pure bitch character Ripley from the Three Sisters Island trilogy or feisty Brenna from the Irish trilogy). Following Nora’s general pattern of starting with the nice girl character, moving on to the lovably bitchy one, and finishing with the mentor/free spirit type, I was expecting Roz to kick some butt, and wasn’t disappointed.

I’m excited to read the conclusion to the series, Red Lily, and find out how Nora treats a young (24 year-old) mother. (Dear god, please don’t have her use the word “awesome” more than is strictly necessary. Apparently, Nora assumes all twenty-somethings use “awesome” as a regular part of conversation. Those of you who know me– a typical 20-something– do I say awesome too much? If so, just smack me and tell me to stop it, because it’s really freaking annoying.)

Yep, it’s time for my semi-annual haircut. (I get my hair cut every 8 years or so, whether I need it or not.)

So I’ve been doing my usual ‘do research. Let me tell you, the internet, for all its glory, is a sad, sad place to find pictures of cute, modern haircuts.

I did have fun playing with the toy at Ladies Home Journal Try-a-Hairstyle, though. So here, for your viewing pleasure, are the many varieties of me.

Here’s how I look now:

(Ignore the crooked eyes, pixelated chin, and zit on my forehead. I know it’s tough, but try.)

Here’s my look from last year at Christmas:

And here’s the new Faith Hill ‘do I’m going to ask for at the Aveda Institute on Wednesday, after which they will laugh and laugh and laugh and tell me I’m crazy.

There, wasn’t that fun? Now go play.

In other news, I’m enjoying Black Rose. Scarier than the usual Nora Roberts fare, but I love it. It makes me get spooky goosebumps and then I laugh because it’s fun when books do that. But maybe I won’t read it before bed anymore.

How I Met Your Mother is my new favorite sitcom. (Desperate Housewives is more of a drama, so it doesn’t count as a sitcom. Don’t worry, I still love you best, Desperate Housewives.) Here’s a little blurb about it:

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER is a comedy about Ted (Josh Radnor) and how he fell in love. It all starts when Ted’s best friend, Marshall (Jason Segal), drops the bombshell that he’s going to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realizes that he had better get a move on if he too hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a friend with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he’s sure it’s love at first sight, but destiny may have something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future.

Ok, so aside from the fact that I think Alyson Hannigan is one of the coolest people ever, and Neil Patrick Harris is Doogie Howser (how can you beat that?!), this show has the best plotlines ever.

We’ll just take last night’s episode:

There was a thing about really good cake, and shoes with snowflakes on them, and buttercups, and all the little details that you thought were just for comedic effect or something all came together in the end. It was a mystery and a romance novel in 30 minutes or less, with NO LOOSE ENDS. The writing is just superb, and of course it doesn’t hurt that the acting is pretty darn good too.

So, seriously, do yourselves a favor and set your DVR to record. CBS, 8:30, Monday nights. I can’t imagine why it’s not making more buzz. Is it up against Lost on the timeslot or something?

Anyway, that’s the end of my product-plugging-for-which-I-receive-no-monetary-compensation segment. I really should figure out some way to get CBS to pay me for this. It’s a damn good review.

Nora Roberts has very few stinkers, and this one was in the majority and therefore NOT a stinker. Generally, I liked the story and I loved the characters. The scenery wasn’t quite as rich in this novel as in the previous ones I’ve read of hers, but it was nice all the same.

My only real objection was that the romance didn’t start until about halfway through the book. Heck, we didn’t even meet the hero until about a third into the book. I wanted more romance, and a little less about the supporting characters. After all, they’re going to get their own books. So I thought Stella and Logan’s story sort of got the short end of the stick, and now Roz and Hayley’s books are going to be better.

But don’t knock her, Nora Roberts is still the reigning queen of romance.

If ever you doubt the existence of real romance, just remember this story. Know what’s awesome? It’s true!