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Favorite Authors - Romance

• C.H. Admirand

  • I've enjoyed every story of Colleen's that I've read so far.  My favorites are A Scot's Honor & Patience. 

• Elizabeth Amber

  • With only one release under her belt so far, this author has already found herself on my must-read list!

• Lisa Andel

  • Lisa Andel writes some very hot, but definitely atypical romances.  These stories are for those who like their romance a bit edgier.   

• Evangeline Anderson

  • Evangeline is one of my favorite authors.  She writes in a variety of romantic sub-genres and handles both M/F and M/M romance equally well.  The majority of her stories are M/F, but she does have several releases now with M/M content.

• Maya Banks

  • There isn't a story Maya has released that I don't love.  Be sure to check her site's front page for the two free stories she has for download there!  Colter's Wife is a free follow-up story to her Samhain release Colter's Woman, so you may not want to read that one if you haven't read its predecessor.  She also writes sweeter, less explicit romances under the name Sharon Long.

• Shayla Black

  • This is one of Shelley Bradley's pen names.  The romances she writes under the name Shayla Black are grittier, but they are most definitely still Romance!

• Toni Blake

  • Toni Blake is a new author for me, and she made my list of favorites after reading only one of her books!  I highly recommend Tempt Me Tonight.   

• Eden Bradley

  • Eden Bradley is a relatively new author for me as well, but I've loved the stories I've read from her so far!  She writes romantic BDSM beautifully.

• Shelley Bradley

  • Shelley Bradley, aka Shayla Black, is at the top of my list of favorite Romance authors.  I don't think the woman can write a bad book if she tried.  She has releases in digital format with Samhain Publishing, and some NY releases that can be found at Amazon.

• Jaci Burton

  • I could kick myself for waiting so long to read Jaci Burton's work, but when you've got a TBR pile hundreds deep, it is hard to find time for all the books you want to read.  Her book Wild, Wicked, and Wanton was wonderful, and she has a follow-up story in the anthology Exclusive.  Now to read the rest of her bibliography...

• Anna Campbell

  • Only one book released, and Anna Campbell blew me away with Claiming of the Courtesan!  I cannot WAIT to read her next book, Untouched!

• Veronica Chadwick

  • Veronica Chadwick is as wonderful a friend as she is an author!  I adored The Warlord's Gift as well as her books co-written with Lora Leigh.  And she is darned sweet in person...

• Bianca D'Arc

  • Bianca D'Arc was one of the first few Romance authors I ever read, and her Dragon Knights series hooked me from the first chapter of the first book!  Then I branched out to her other series - love them all.  She hasn't had a misstep yet.  And still she is ever so humble. 

• Sylvia Day

  • I'd love a week off to just sit and catch up with my Sylvia Day reading.  I've loved every book of hers I've yet read, but I think Passion for the Game is my favorite so far.  But I have so many more to read..

• Cathryn Fox

  • Cathryn Fox is a great author when you want something sweet, fun, and erotic!  I can always count on her stories to give me warm fuzzies.  :)

• Morgan Hawke

  • Morgan Hawke was another author I found when I first started reading Romance.  Morgan's work is definitely on the edgiest side of Erotic Romance, and her fans love her for it!  I recommend everything she has published, but most especially her Interstellar Service & Discipline series!

• Kayleigh Jamison

  • I can't say enough good about Kayleigh Jamison's work.  She is only published in digital formats so far, but I can't wait until she makes it to print and the mass public!!!  Leading Her to Heaven is my favorite of hers yet, and I am itching for the sequel to release.

• Lisa Renee Jones

  • Lisa is an absolute doll!  She is sweet and thoughtful and a fantastic writer!  She has a number of books published through Ellora's Cave, but has made it to NY recently with some novellas released in anthologies, and several books with Harlequin.  Hard and Fast definitely lives up to its name!

• Anna Leigh Keaton

  • Keaton has co-written the Incognito series with Madison Layle, which has rapidly become one of my favorite romance series.  I've reviewed every one of them so far. 

• Sherrilyn Kenyon

  • Kenyon writes under two names - this and Kinley MacGregor.  I've read almost all of her Kenyon titles, and loved those so much I've bought all of her MacGregor titles as well.  I've really got to find time to read them all.

• Angela Knight

  • You have to love an author who describes their work as "blatant smut!"  LOL  I've only read a few of her titles so far, but know I'll need her entire bibliography.  She's that good.  And her stories are a heck of a lot more than just smut, they are chock full of real emotion.

• Shelly Laurenston

  • "No one, but no one, writes a cantankerous heroine like Shelly Laurenston."  That's a quote from my review of her fantastic shifter book Go Fetch.  I love her werewolf stories, but her Dragon Kin series are still my favorite.

• Madison Layle

  • Layle co-writes the Incognito series with Anna Leigh Keaton.  If you love romantic BDSM, you will want these books!

• Lora Leigh

  • Ah, Lora Leigh.  The author that first turned me on - to the Romance genre, that is!  She has made me blush on many an occasion, made me cry even more, but always, always leaves me with a satisfying ending.  Doesn't hurt that she's just plain likable too.  She has this wicked little glint in her eye when she is talking to her fans, especially when she is about to divulge a little spoiler...  I love all of her books dearly, the novellas, the standalones, and most definitely the various series.  Pick the Lora Leigh that sounds most interesting to you to start with.  You can't go wrong with any of them.

• Sharon Long

  • Sharon Long is another pen name for author Maya Banks.  She publishes her less erotic stories under this name, but they are no less wonderful than her other titles.  Look for her beautiful historicals at Samhain Publishing.

• Mackenzie McKade

  • I can't say enough good about Mac!  She is a sweetheart of a person and a fantastic author!  The woman creates imagery like no one else, and that talent is exhibited beautifully in her Ecstasy series.  I haven't read a book of hers I don't love.

• Gracie C. McKeever

  • If you are in the mood for a great multicultural story, then McKeever is an author you will want to put at the top of your wishlist!  I especially love her Matchmaker books.

• Annmarie McKenna

  • Annmarie McKenna blew me away with her first book, Blackmailed, and the hits just keep on coming... 

• Lorie O'Clare

  • I absolutely LOVE Lorie O'Clare's shifter stories!!!  I'm planning on working my way through all of her releases as soon as possible.

• Michelle M. Pillow

  • Pillow can write humorous Romance and dark Romance with equal aplomb. Go buy all of her books now. 

• Dawn Ryder

  • Dawn Ryder had me seriously considering a body piercing while I was reading her book Reaching Back.  Then I finished the book and shook it off. 

• Nalini Singh

  • I've only read Slave to Sensation, but I am already a huge fan!  I can't wait to read the next two books in this series.

• Kerrelyn Sparks

  • Sparks tickled my funny bone more than once with her Love at Stake series!  You have to love a series that starts off with  a vampire suffering a broken fang searching for an all-night dentist who he promptly loses his heart too... 

• Katrina Strauss

  • Strauss is another author with a penchant for atypical romances, not to mention a real talent for them!  Her Eldritch Legacy books are dark and sexy...

• Charlene Teglia

  • Charli first caught my attention with her Samhain release, The Gripping Beast and she hasn't lost it yet.  I love her work!

• J.R. Ward

  • Ward knows how to tear you up inside.  You never know which way her stories will go, but they are always guaranteed to wring every drop of emotion out of you.  The Black Dagger Brotherhood is one of my favorite series.

• Brenda Williamson

  • There isn't a genre that this author can't handle well!  From Fantasy to Paranormal to Historical and even Contemporary, she will enthrall you from page 1.  Sword of Rhoswen is still my favorite of all of her stories.

• Mary Wine

  • Mary Wine's Let Me Love You was the first book by her that I've read, but it will most certainly not be my last!  And she's wicked fun to chat with too...  :)

Publishers & Bookstores

• Amazon

  • Probably my favorite online store.  I'm in the Prime club, which charges a nominal annual fee but affords me free 2-day shipping on all items sold by and shipped from Amazon.com (not a 3rd party.)  They even provided the free 2-day shipping on the vacuum cleaner I ordered.  I've more than made my money back on this deal.  Best of all, when I pre-order a book, I almost always receive it the day it releases with the Prime membership.  FYI, if you pre-order an item and the price fluctuated between the date you ordered and the date the item releases, Amazon.com gives you the lowest price it was at during that period.

• Amber Heat

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Aphrodite's Apples

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Avon

  • Print publisher

• Barnes & Noble

  • Online store and Brick & Mortar stores

• Berkley-Jove

  • Print publisher

• Books A Million

  • Online store and Brick & Mortar stores

• Borders

  • Online store and Brick & Mortar stores

• Cerridwen Press

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store.

• Changeling Press

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store.

• Cobblestone Press

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.) 

• The Dark Castle Lords Publishing

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Dreams By Night

  • Lora Leigh's online bookstore.  She sells her print books and memoribilia through this site.  Books ordered through her store are autographed.

• eHarlequin

  • Print publisher - I love their Blaze line and their Nocturne line!

• Ellora's Cave

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store.  

• eXtasy Books

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Fictionwise

  • Online digital bookseller.  They have titles from many publishers, both digital and print (print books released in digital.)  If you buy a bit from Fictionwise, you may find it worthwhile to purchase the Buywise Club membership.  This gives you a discount on purchases off the top, rebates on bulk purchases, and periodic sales.  I've been a member for almost 2 years and it has paid for itself.

• HarperCollins

  • Print publisher

• Kensington

  • Print publisher

• Lady Aibell

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Liquid Silver

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Loose ID

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• My Bookstore & More

  • Samhain Publishing's online store.

• NAL

  • Print publisher

• New Concepts Publishing

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store.  

• Phaze Publishing

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Random House

  • Print publisher 

• Samhain Publishing

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• Siren Publishing

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• St. Martin's Press

  • Print publisher

• Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

• The Wild Rose Press

  • Digital book publisher - they sell in their own store as well as through other online bookstores (i.e. Fictionwise, etc.)

Favorite Authors - Other

• Douglas Adams

  • Fans of Monty Python's humor and Sci-fi will appreciate the blend of both in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 'trilogy'.  Even though there are now 5 books and a short story, Adams never stopped calling them a trilogy...   

• Sherry Argov

  • Argov's book Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl - A Woman's Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship will change the way you treat yourself and improve your responses to other people.  The book is not really about being a bitch, but treating yourself with respect.

• Jill Conner Browne

  • The Sweet Potato Queens books are side-splitting funny!  Supposedly based on true stories, your jaw will drop as you wipe away tears of laughter while reading the Queens' exploits.

• Bruce Campbell

  • Yes, that is Bruce Campbell the actor from the Evil Dead movies and the Hercules & Xena TV shows!  Never is the man's wit and intelligence more evident than in his autobiography.  He chronicles the journey he took with Sam Raimey and Rob Tapert in trying to get the Evil Dead movies made and distributed, and discusses his childhood and career in depth, joking every step of the way.

• Philip K. Dick

  • Philip K. Dick wrote the stories that spawned classic Sci-Fi movies such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers, Minority Report, Paycheck, and more.  The books are even better.

• Dune Novels

  • Frank Herbert's Dune saga left an indelible impression on me, and I devoured all of the books he wrote for this series back to back.  His son Brian Herbert found his notes for prequels and more sequels after Frank passed away, and Brian partnered with popular Sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson to continue the series.    

• Diana Gabaldon

  • Gabaldon's Outlander series is usually classified as Romance, but I don't believe she ever meant them to be such.  Yes, they have a bit of romance in them, but to me they fit better in the Historical & Time Travel genres.  Whatever genre you decide the fit best in, the stories are phenomenal.  And that's really all that matters.

• Terry Goodkind

  • Goodkind's Sword of Truth saga brings out the Fantasy nut in me that loves wizardry and magical creatures.  The stories are rife with political intrigue, following the ongoing story of the same couple, Richard & Kahlan.  Each story is not necessarily guaranteed a happy ending, but rest assured that the stories are continued in each new release.  I am hopeful for a satisfying series ending when the final book is released.

• Laurell K. Hamilton

  • You either love or hate Laurell K. Hamilton's books.  A good number of those who don't enjoy her books simply don't like stories written in the first person.  And a number of others are bothered by the sex in the books.  I don't fit in either category and both her Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series and her Merry Gentry books are on my pre-order list.

• Ursula K. Le Guin

  • Le Guin's Tales of Earthsea books are absolutely lovely.  My interest was stirred in them when the Sci-fi channel began airing trailers for their mini-series based on these books some years ago.  The books were wonderful, the mini-series was atrocious.

• Brian Lumley

  • I am a HUGE fan of Brian Lumley's work!  His Necroscope saga was the first to win me  and is still my favorite by Lumley, but every subsequent book I've read from him are amazing.  Keep in mind that these stories are definitely in the Horror and Sci-fi genre and are not guaranteed a happy ending in each.  But they are guaranteed to be compelling and entertaining.  Heavily influenced by H.P. Lovecraft, he has published quite a few books with a Cthulhu Mythos theme - I highly recommend them.  And then there is the Psychomech trilogy - a series sure to delight hard-core Sci-fi fans.

• Anne Rice

  • Anne Rice is one of those authors I can't buy everything for.  I absolutely love her Vampire Chronicles and Lives of the Mayfair Witches series.  I found the Sleeping Beauty saga interesting, and enjoyed the Blackwood Farm books.  However, most of the standalone books didn't suit my reading tastes.  I never could finish Belinda or Cry to Heaven.  The writing in both was stellar, it was just the topics and premise that really didn't appeal to me.

Friends

• Ali Flores

  • Ali has a really great blog with lots of fun features, including authors guest blogging, and contests!

• Denise McClain

  • Denise is sweet, funny, and an all-around interesting person to know!  I know her from the net, but one of these days we have got to meet in person!

• Lue Anne

  • This is the MySpace page of one of my best friends, Lue Anne.  We love chatting about favorite books, cutting up, and Ruckusing together!

• Maura Anderson

  • I 'met' Maura on the Wicked Writers loop, and instantly liked her!  I haven't yet read it (although I've bought it), but her first published book is out!  Check her bookshelf at her site for more information on Del Fantasma:  Texas Tea.

• Nat

  • Nat is another wonderful friend, and rounds out our little trio of Best Friends and Ruckusers!  She is so sweet one can hardly believe the stories she tells of her childhood exploits...  LOL

• Nikki Duncan

  • Nikki is an up and coming author...  Watch for her first book.  It's gonna be great!  Oh, and she is sweet and funny and very talented...  I can't wait to meet her in person at RAW 2007!

• Romantic Realm of Shadows

  • Nikki Duncan shares a message board with some other authors.

Favorite Bands

• The Beatles

  • Who doesn't love The Beatles' music?  Deceptively simple, their songs changed the world.

• The Bee Gees

  • I never stopped loving The Bee Gees music, even when it wasn't cool to.  Words is one of my favorite songs ever.

• Billy Joel

  • I've long loved his music, but it wasn't until I saw Joel live in concert with Elton John that I realized what a charismatic person he is, a fact further proved during his interview on Inside the Actor's Studio.  He absolutely blew my mind when he pointed out that the song Piano Man is really just a limerick.  Go on, recite it to yourself out loud and see if it isn't true.  How many musical geniuses' egos would allow such an admission?

• Black Eye Peas

  • I like Rap music in the Eighties, before it got all violent and misogynistic.  The Black Eye Peas made Rap palatable to me again.  They have a great sound, and the mix of Fergie's vocals with the guys' rap is an intriguing combination.  

• Boston

  • Who doesn't love Boston's music?  I'll never forget the night I got to hear them perform my favorites live:  More Than A Feeling, Peace Of Mind, Smokin, Hitch A Ride, Something About You, Let Me Take You Home Tonight.

• Chicago

  • Every incarnation of Chicago has been fantastic.  I'm still partial to the Peter Cetera era, but I love their music with him or without.

• Cat Stevens

  • I've been listening to Cat Stevens' music for as long as I can remember.  He is probably my favorite Folk artist ever.  Who else could make a song like I Love My Dog a hit?  And the way he builds the instrumentals in each verse during My Lady D'Arbanville is amazing.  His songs never fail to touch both me, and when my soul is in need of rejuvenation, songs like On the Road to Find Out, Father and Son, and The Wind are at the top of my playlist.  Many know his music, even if they don't realize it.  His songs continue to be covered by other artists - First Cut is the Deepest, Wild World, Peace Train, and more.

• Deana Carter

  • Deana has a beautiful voice, and her songs are fun and lovely.  I'm always happy listening to her CDs.

• Don Henley

  • When I hear the songs End of the Innocence, Last Worthless Evening, and Heart of the Matter I realize - Don Henley could so have me without even trying.  It would be a clever man who used Don Henley music to woo me.

• Duran Duran

  • Simon LeBon was my major teen-age crush, but besides his looks, the music was just damn good.  Innovative, with fresh themes and a unique sound, the music has stood the test of time.  And when I saw them in concert some years ago, I saw they never ever stopped being good.  I count Ordinary World and The Chauffeur among my favorite Duran Duran songs.

• The Eagles

  • Classic band.  The music speaks for itself.  I'm singing Seven Bridges Road as I type this, actually.

• Elton John

  • Another musical genius.  I was lucky enough to see him and Billy Joel perform live together in Nashville a few years back.  Expensive concert, but worth it at least once.  Favorite songs by Elton include Grey Seal, This Song Has No Title, and I've Seen That Movie Too.  His Yellow Bridge Road album is probably my favorite.

• Evanescence

  • Haunting melodies and innovative lyrics that evoke powerful imagery and emotions make up the Evanescence catalogue.  I first heard their music when I looked them up after a friend said they hated their music.  Funny thing was, I looked up a clip to see how bad they were and instead I loved them!  I'm sure it is no surprise that my favorites are Call Me When You're Sober and My Immortal.

• Faith Hill

  • I've got all of her albums, and I love her music, no matter the genre she performs in.  Country, Pop, R&B, Gospel - she's good at it all.  I love It Matters To Me and When the Lights Go Down most, but I adore the duets with her husband, Tim McGraw.

• Fleetwood Mac

  • Fleetwood Mac is my favorite band ever.  Although my favorite albums are those with both Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, I also love their music pre-Buckingham/Nicks, with Peter Greene and later Bob Welch.  How many know that Santana's hit Black Magic Woman is actually a cover of the original Fleetwood Mac's Blues version?  And who doesn't know the song Sentimental Lady when they hear it play?  You might not think you know it, but you do when you hear it.  I have every album that has Stevie or Lindsey on them, and the box set which includes a lot of their older material.  One of these days I'll buy their older albums too.  Meanwhile, I don't tire of hearing Rhiannon, Dreams, Sara, Bleed to Love Her, Big Love, Monday Morning, Second Hand News, Beautiful Child, Storm, Silver Spring, I'm So Afraid, Crystal, World Turning, Steal Your Heart Away, Oh Well Part 1...  Oh heck, I could go on and on.  There isn't a song on any of their albums that I don't at least enjoy, but more likely love.  I finally got to see them perform live in Nashville a few years back.  I wouldn't have missed it for the world.  They are amazing live performers, even now.

• Lindsey Buckingham

  • Another musical genius.  Fleetwood Mac was at their best when he was in the band.  Although I enjoy his solo work, his own music was also at its best when part of FM.  Of course, Go Insane and Slow Dancing are exceptions to that.  And yeah, I'll admit it.  Watching him play that guitar live turned me on...  Wow.

• Little River Band

  • Cool Change, Reminiscing, Happy Anniversary Baby...  Does it get any better?  Another band who gives a great live performance.

• Loggins & Messina

  • Loggins & Messina is another of my very favorite Folk bands.  Their music has been a part of me for as far back as my memory goes.  I wouldn't be surprised if the lyrics to House At Pooh Corner were my first words!  LOL  Their music soothes, rejuvenates the soul, and is just pure and good.  My favorites include Watching the River Run, A Love Song, Danny's Song, Nobody But You, Long Tail Cat, Angry Eyes, Thinking of You...

• Mindy McCready

  • I love Mindy McCready's music.  The woman has a gorgeous voice, fun songs, and great arrangements.  I never tire of Maybe He'll Notice Her Now, Only a Whisper, Fine Art of Holding a Woman, Long, Long Time, Lips Like Yours, You'll Never Know.  She's got a great catalogue of music.  It's a shame how her life has gone downhill.  I really hope she can turn her life around soon.  She has so much to offer.

• Peter, Paul & Mary

  • I was bred on Peter, Paul & Mary music.  My mother, aunt and I used to sit around the house or dock, strumming an out-of-tune auto-harp and harmonizing on Peter, Paul & Mary songs.  I have so many favorites from them, but the top few have to be Cruel War, Ballad of Betty & Dupree, The Rising of the Moon, I Dig Rock & Roll Music, Lemon Tree.  This is another band I could probably just list their entire catalogue as favorites.

• Shania Twain

  • I admire the person Shania Twain immensely.  Where she came from and how she made something of herself while raising and supporting her younger siblings when their parents passed away, the good works she does now - she is truly a celebrity to look up to and emulate.  Her Woman In Me album was the best she ever was, in my opinion.  I like her other albums, just not as much as that one.  Every song on that CD is stellar.

• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

  • One day I realized just how many songs this man has released that are in my favorites.  So I went out and bought his box set.  I've never regretted it.  Something about Breakdown, Refugee, Don't Do Me Like That, The Waiting, Free Fallin'  is just RIGHT.  Every song on the box set rocks.  Much like Tom himself.

• Sheryl Crow

  • She's fantastic.  This chick totally rocks.  Her music will last for decades and I'm sure in 20 years we'll see her songs covered by newer artists.  Songs like Steve McQueen, Every Day Is a Winding Road, Strong Enough, and All I Wanna Do should never die.

• Simon & Garfunkel

  • Good for the soul.  They were magic together.  I never want to live without Sounds of Silence, The 59th Street Bridge Song, Homeward Bound,  A Hazy Shade of Winter, Cecilia, So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright, El Condor Pasa, The Boxer.  Yep, another one I could list every song for.

• Steely Dan

  • If you get the chance to see them perform live, GRAB IT.  Stunning live performers.  The music will last forever. 

• Stevie Nicks

  • Stevie is my favorite solo artist ever.  Her songs are poems, the arrangement of words breathtaking, and her performances are always unbelievable.  She gives her all to her music and her fans, and she definitely gave great duet.  I could list all of her songs as favorites, but I won't.  I'll tell you my very favorites, though:  Wild Heart, I Sing For the Things, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, Bella Donna, Edge of Seventeen, Nightbird, Leather & Lace, Stop Dragging My Heart Around, Whenever I Call You Friend.

• Sting

  • Genius, genius, genius.  The way this man has evolved as a musician is impressive.  And old or new, the music is timeless.  Gotta love these:  Be Still My Beating Heart, We'll Be Together, Fragile,  1000 Years, Fields of Gold, Desert Rose, If I Ever Lose My Faith In You, Fortress Around Your Heart, Englishman In New York, I Hung My Head, I Was Brought To My Senses, I'm So Happy That I Can't Stop Crying.  But really, it's all good.

• Styx

  • Styx gives good concert.  That's all there is to it.  Another innovative band whose music stands the test of time.  Favorites:  Lady, Fooling Yourself, The Grand Illusion, Don't Let It End.

• Supertramp

  • Oh, I love this band.  I never heard of kippers until them.  Not that I'd eat them, but I know what they are now. It's Raining Again, Don't Leave Me Now, Gone Hollywood, The Logical Song, Breakfast in America, Goodbye Stranger, Oh Darling, Take the Long Way Home, Bloody Well Right, Dreamer...

• Tim McGraw

  • Tim doesn't miss.  Ever.  Don't Take the Girl makes me tear up every time I hear it.  His duets with wife Faith Hill absolutely melt me inside, but this man can sing a rip-roaring good time with hits like I Like It, I Love It, Real Good Man and more.  Whether he's singing the sweetest ballad or a fun honky-tonk song, it's always good.

• Toby Keith

  • What this man's voice does to me shouldn't be legal.  Love it all.

• The Who

  • Behind Blue Eyes just does something to me.  And there isn't a song I've heard by them that I don't like.

Favorite Movies/TV Shows

• The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the Eighth Dimension (movie)

  • I'm a sucker for a good B-Movie, and this one definitely counts.  The cast is impressive, though, with Peter Weller, John Lithgow, Ellen Barkin, Jeff Goldblum and many more recognizable faces and names in the movie. 

• Angel (tv)

  • Great paranormal series.  Joss Whedon is a TV god.

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (tv)

  • Also from genius Joss Whedon.  The movie was entertaining, but couldn't hold a candle to the tv series.  My favorite episodes are Hush and Once More, With Feeling.  

• Desperate Housewives (tv)

  • Is it a comedy or is it a drama?  Both.  The show has a great cast, a fantastic premise, and the writing is stellar.

• Farscape (tv)

  • I miss this one.  I miss it a lot.  One of the best Sci-fi series EVER.  Plus, it had Ben Browder in leather pants.  What's not to love?

• Firefly (tv)

  • Prematurely cancelled.  This show was amazing.  I have the DVD set.

• Flash Gordon (movie)

  • Another B-Movie.  I loved it.  I had every line memorized at one point.

• Galaxy Quest (movie)

  • It doesn't get funnier. 

• The Jerk (movie)

  • This movie stays with you.  I still quote lines from this movie all the time.  Steve Martin was at his comedic best here.

• Lost (tv)

  • I didn't want to pick up a new show, but dang if this one didn't hook me.  I am completely captivated by this story and its sub-plots.  

• Matrix Trilogy (movie)

  • Yes, I loved all three of the movies.  

• Nip/Tuck (tv)

  • This show continues to find ways to surprise me.  They put on a great show, but don't just hand viewers what they think we want.  They challenge us, over and over.  The bend the rules, cross the lines, and it always works for them.

• The Pretender (tv)

  • Another great show with premature cancellation.  And now the airwaves are filled with those crap 'reality' shows.

• Serenity (movie)

  • Great movie.  I want more.  It can't end there, dammit.  

• Star Wars saga (movie)

  • Yes, yes.  I loved all six of them.  Even that one with Jar Jar Binks.  Seriously.

• Stargate (movie)

  • The movie is classic Sci-fi meets Earth Mythology.  The writers crafted a wonderful mythos in this world.

• Stargate SG-1 (tv)

  • As much as I loved the movie that inspired the series, the series kicked it up a notch.  Sci-fi doesn't get much better than this.  I miss it now that it's gone, but the series had a decent life.

• Xena: Warrior Princess (tv)

  • Loved it.  The relationship between the female leads was inspiring.  Although I never once noticed the lesbian undertones that everyone else talked about.  I was inspired by their enduring friendship.  The writers for this series was very creative, finding new ways for Lucy Lawless to showcase her diverse skills time and again.

Interesting Sites

• Trojan Tales

  • Think Mystery Science Theater as done by the Trojan Condom company.  The videos are hysterical!

• Angry Alien Productions

  • Popular movies, re-enacted by bunnies in 30 seconds or less.  What's not to love about that?  LOL  I am particularly enamored of The Shining, The Titanic, and Office Space, but they are all pretty funny!

• Movie Quote Generator

  • This cracks me up every time!  You can waste a lot of time here.  

• Sloganize your name!

  • Another way to waste time.  But damn funny, still.

Useful Things

• Microsoft Excel Viewer 2003

  • Microsoft provides a free viewer for Microsoft Excel files (.xls.)  You can open, view, and print Excel files using this tool, but not modify them.

• Vonage VoIP Phone Service

  • I love my Vonage phone service.  I've been with them for several years now, and I am very happy.  You can't beat paying $25 per month for unlimited minutes across the USA and some other countries. 

• BroadbandReports.com

  • This site has very handy tools for testing internet speed, checking IP addresses, and more.

• IMDB - Internet Movie Database

  • This site has everything about every movie you can think of.

• Babel Fish

  • Need some text translated?  Paste it into the translation field at this site and it'll convert to a number of different languages for you! 

Favorite Stores

• All Jewelry Great and Small Inspiration Gallery

  • All Jewelry Great & Small has a blog to interact with their customers!

• All Jewelry Great & Small

  • A friend of mine, Diane, and her Mom Betty have launched an online jewelry store with some beautiful pieces!  I've seen their work up close and personal and can tell you it is as gorgeous in real life as it is in the photos on their site!

• Amazon.com

  • I do a lot of my online shopping with Amazon.com.  They don't charge sales tax, and this saves me 9.25% right off the top.  Add to that my Prime membership, which affords me 2-day shipping at no charge (other than the Prime Club annual fee, which is small), and I almost always find that Amazon has the best price for any item I want, whether I compare to a brick & mortar store or another online store.  Oh yeah, and when I pre-order books with my Prime membership, they almost always arrive the day that the book releases, which is sooner than if I had driven to the bookstore after work that day!

• Clubs of America

  • If you are stuck for a good gift for someone, check with Clubs of America.  They have lots of great clubs:  Beer of the Month, Cigar of the Month, Wine of the Month, Fruit Gift of the Month, Flower of the Month, Coffee of the Month, Pizza of the Month, & even Chocolate of the Month.  I've been a member of the Wine of the Month club for years and have tasted some excellent wines from them.  I've never had a bad one.  I've given the Fruit of the Month club and the Wine of the Month club as gifts and they've been very appreciated.  You can sign up for a whole year, month-to-month, a few months, whatever meets your need.

• iGourmet.com

  • If it is gourmet food, then iGourmet.com probably carries it.  I especially love their selection of cheeses!  They always ship promptly and the items always arrive in great condition.  I highly recommend this store!

• Omaha Steaks

  • I've always had great food from Omaha Steaks!  Funny thing is, as good as their steaks are (which is really good!), I most often order their chicken breasts.  The Chicken Kiev can't be beat, and I love their Chicken Cordon Bleu as well!  Oh, that cheesecake?  Scrumptious.