The Last of the Summer Reading: September Releases by Andrea Williamson

School is back in session.  And for those of us who have children, that (usually) means — more time to read!!  Or is that just me?  The summer months may be coming to a close, but there are a lot of great books out for September!  Here’s a list of new books and then scroll down to see which ones your RNTV gals consider MUST READS…

Historical

The Rebel and the Lady by Kathryn Albright
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander
The Shocking Lord Standon by Louise Allen
Templar Knight, Forbidden Bride by Lynna Banning
Tempted by the Night by Elizabeth Boyle
The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp
The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman
His Captive Lady by Anne Gracie
The Highlander by Heather Grothaus
Dark Embrace by Brenda Joyce
Double Enchantment by Kathryne Kennedy
Secrets of the Knight by Julia Latham
The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens
The Dragon Earl by Jade Lee
The Book of Scandal by Julia London
Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle
The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney
Unlacing Lilly by Gail Ranstrom
Border Lass by Amanda Scott
Passion and Pleasure in London by Melody Thomas
The Dangerous Duke by Christine Wells

Contemporary

On the Move by Pamela Britton
Can’t Say No by Bette Ford
Hungry for More by Diana Holquist
Mr. Fix-It by Crystal Hubbard
For All We Know by Sandra Kitt
8 Sandpiper Way by Debbie Macomber (Mainstream Fiction)
Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery
The Way You Love Me by Francis Ray
Café Au Lait by Liane Spicer
Three Doors Down by Michele Sudler
Risqué Business by Tawny Weber
Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs (Mainstream Fiction)

Romantic Suspense

Destiny Bay by Sarah Abbot
Cold Hearted by Beverly Barton
Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain (Mystery/Thriller)
Broken Pieces by Carla Cassidy
Always Look Twice by Geralyn Dawson
The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen (Mystery/Thriller)
Loose and Easy by Tara Janzen
Wild Card by Lora Leigh
Running Scared by Cheryl Norman
Crossfire by JoAnn Ross
Aphrodisiac by Allyson Roy
To Catch a Thief by Christina Skye
Now You Die by Roxanne St. Claire
Killer Charms by Marianne Stillings

Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre (Science Fiction)
Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
Immortals: The Redeeming by Jennifer Ashley
Tempt Me with Darkness by Shayla Black
Dark Light by Jayne Castle
Jinx by Jennifer Estep
Dark Curse by Christine Feehan
Servant: The Acceptance by L.L. Foster
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Break of Dawn by Chris Marie Green
Insatiable Desire by Rita Herron
The Storm by Jean Johnson
Pure Blood by Caitlin Kittredge
I Want You to Want Me by Kathy Love
Razor Girl by Marianne Mancusi
Faefever by Karen Marie Moning
Prey by Melina Morel
Hands of Flame by C.E. Murphy
Heart Fate by Robin D. Owens
Dark Hunger by Sara Reinke
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Legacy by Jeanne C. Stein
Bound by Light by Anna Windsor
Beyond Magic by Susan Kearney, Kassandra Sims, Elaine Cunningham
Everlasting Bad Boys by Cynthia Eden, Shelly Laurenston, Noelle Mack

Erotica/Erotic Romance

Game for Seduction by Bella Andre
Swap by Jenesi Ash
Addicted by Lydia Parks
Obsession by Kayla Perrin
Whip Appeal by Meta Smith
Make U Sweat by Amie Stuart
My Prerogative by Sasha White
The Pleasure of His Bed by Melissa MacNeal, Donna Grant, Annalise Russell
Sexy Beast V by Kate Douglas, Vonna Harper, Crystal Jordan

Out of these, some of our MUST READS are:
Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
Seduction of a Proper Gentleman by Victoria Alexander
Tempted by the Night by Elizabeth Boyle
Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
Always Look Twice by Geralyn Dawson
The Price of Desire by Jo Goodman
His Captive Lady by Anne Gracie
The Edge of Desire by Stephanie Laurens
The Dragon Earl by Jade Lee
The Book of Scandal by Julia London
Razor Girl by Marianne Mancusi
The Devil Wears Tartan by Karen Ranney
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Now You Die by Roxanne St. Claire
The Dangerous Duke by Christine Wells
My Prerogative by Sasha White
Just Breathe by Susan Wiggs

Great list, huh?  So, what are your MUST READS from this month or recently?  Which September books are you most looking forward to?  I’m looking forward to Mistress of Pleasure by Delilah Marvelle.  The story sounds very intriguing and one that’s right up my alley.  What are you reading RIGHT NOW?  I’m in between books as I write this.  Also, this month I was introduced to Sasha White’s books (with her latest My Prerogative) and I loved it!  Have you discovered a new-to-you author lately?  If so, tell us about it!

Until October, happy reading!

On the recommendation of Kate (Katibabs), I read Chelsea Cain’s book Heart Sick. I was blown away. It’s really TWISTED! –yet incredibly intriguing. It’s not a romance, no, this book is more of a mystery/thriller. Although, the protagonist, Archie, does have some hero worthy tendencies; that is when he’s not into self loathing; he’s certainly not the kind of hero you’d find in a romance novel. Or perhaps, it’s that you wouldn’t find him in this kind of situation. I know, I’m just making you want to run out and pick up this book. Just give me a minute here.

Heart Sick is the story of Archie, a married father of two and a police detective, who spent ten years heading up a task force whose sole purpose was to capture a particularly heinous, evil and prolific serial killer. In a cruel twist of fate she (the serial killer, yes there in lies one of the many rubs in this book, the serial killer is a woman) captures and tortures him – unbelievably he survives. And so the story of how he is tortured to death, yes I said death, AND then is revived, yes I said revived, by the serial killer (her name is Gretchen if you must know) begins. While he is strapped down to a table and tortured to death an inextricable bond is formed between victim and torturer. I warned you, twisted.

The book reveals all of this slowly and is really the B plot in the book. You’re thinking there’s more? Well, yes there is; a lot more. The A plot happens two years after the B plot (remember B plot is capture, torture, death, resurrection, rescue) A Plot revolves around a new task force that Archie is leading. It’s purpose: you guessed it, to catch a new serial killer.

Ms. Cain does an excellent job of weaving these two story lines together and illuminating just enough of both past and present to wet your appetite and create maximum tension while revealing back stories that motivate the characters in present day.

Even though Gretchen (the serial killer) is in prison for the rest of her natural born days, her relationship with Archie is still alive and well and prominently figures into his present day life. Their relationship is sick, heart sick, and is the crux for Archie’s every waking breath.

Heart Sick is crafted in such a way that both the A and B Plot are parallel lines that slowly and beautifully intersect. And that is the brilliance of it. You never see the convergence of these two lines until it appears before you on the page. When the lines finally do cross, it all becomes clear and at the same time leaves you wanting more. No worries on that score, there is a sequel.

This book crossed all of my boundaries. I mean this is the kind of stuff that is splashed across the headline news for maximum exposure and readership. The kind of stuff I stalwartly avoid; I will not give into this kind of news. However, I found myself fascinated, fascinated I tell you, and could not put this book down. I don’t have a clear answer as to why that is. Perhaps it was because the book was so well written, the characters well thought out and the premise both horrifying and intriguing at the same time. As, I’ve said, it’s very twisted but the dynamics, story arc, character motivations and dialog are interwoven and written in such a way that I kept turning the pages… I needed to find out what would happen next. It was powerful and different; but certainly not for the faint of heart. Think Dexter with a twist. With Heart Sick, I crossed a boundary in my reading taste that I never thought I’d cross and I’m ready for more. Her new book, the sequel to Heart Sick, is Sweetheart and I’m going to run out and get it. I’m a glutton for punishment, but I must find out more about Archie, I just must.

When you read a book and it begins to cross some of your boundaries, yet, it’s so well written you can’t stop turning the pages, what do you do?

Put your hands together because today is Ann Aguirre day.  For those of you  who do not know (I can’t imagine who that would be), Ann is the author of the very popular JAX series. The first book in the series is GRIMSPACE, and the second book WANDERLUST, has just been released. Maria and I had the great good fortune to meet Ann in New York where she hosted a terrific gathering for readers – check out the video on the home page as well as the other two on the video page to find out more.  Today Ann is going to give away signed copies of both books, one book each, to two lucky posters.

In which I fall in love with an analogy and thrash about with it in unseemly ways

by Ann Aguirre

A book is like a blind date. You have certain expectations when it begins, and things should, more or less, wrap up by the time all is said and done. There is the possibility it may go further, but that depends on how well rapport is achieved and a great number of other esoteric factors. Most likely, though, even if it’s pleasant, it isn’t going to be repeated. That’s the nature of most blind dates (and standalone books).

A series is like a relationship. In both cases, you found something you liked and you want more of it on a regular basis, yes? I’ve been mulling this (yes, just like cider), and I notice that certain criticisms readers have regarding the early books in a series is that X isn’t resolved or Y doesn’t seem to add up, or Z shouldn’t have hooked up with the freak in the leather pants when clearly she was destined for the tall, brooding fellow whose name we won’t even learn until book three. Wow, that was an impressively long sentence. Let’s all admire it for a moment.

And…done.

I think there’s a certain commitment and trust involved between author and reader when embarking on a series together. The reader has to trust the author to answer all questions in due time. The author needs to be up to that task.  A single book without a continuing story arc needs to wrap up before the last word. In a series, an author can leave things dangling, and sometimes it looks messy to the reader, who isn’t privy to what’s going on behind the scenes.

I think the danger comes when the author throws too many red herrings into the soup, and now everything is devilish fishy, and he or she simply loses her way, and forgets what the whole point of the series was in the first place, and just commences writing lovely reams of stuff that come off like a donkey in a handcart — unusual and eye-catching at first, but not serving any useful purpose when you get right down to it. It can be hard to balance.

What do you guys think about series versus standalone titles? (I write  two of the former, so I hope you like them.)  I’m not sure if I had a point, except perhaps that series books should be regarded differently than a standalone book, even one set in a pervasive world. Anyhow, I’m off to put some more herring in my soup. Wish me luck that it’s not too much!

Author Nalini Singh was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand and has traveled extensively throughout Asia. She is the author of several Harlequin Desire books as well as the very popular Psy-Changeling Series. As an author she is known for her creative world building and dynamic characters, and readers can’t seem to get enough. Her new release Hostage to Pleasure is out now – and if you haven’t read it yet, check out Kati’s review.

Why We Love Alpha Heroes?

I love reading and writing alpha heroes. Dorian, in HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE, is very definitely alpha.

But why exactly do we love these heroes? Is it their confidence (some might say arrogance), their determination, their strength? I think it’s all that, plus more. Part of the joy of reading a romance with an alpha hero, is seeing that hero fall hook, line and sinker for the heroine.

For me, it’s not about taming the alpha hero. The way I see it, an alpha hero is still as wild, as uncontainable, and as dangerous—he’s simply decided to behave (well, most of the time) for the heroine. Not for any other woman. Only for the one who owns his heart.

And an alpha’s love? It tends to be as wild and as intense as the alpha himself. These men do nothing by halves—and who doesn’t want to be loved so completely? Is it any wonder we fall so hard for them?

So, those are some of the reasons why I think we love alpha heroes. Do you agree? Disagree? Have some reasons of your own to add to the list? Who are your favorite alphas?

Everyone who leaves a comment goes into a draw to win a book from my backlist (not including the newest release).

I was listening to NPR the other day and they were interviewing Librarians about library attendance in the last year. Not surprisingly, library attendance is up by about 20 – 30 percent. More and more people are going to the library for their books. Why? Well as you might have guessed, when it costs twice as much to fill up our cars at the gas station, and fill up our shopping carts at the supermarket it’s hard to find extra cash lying around. I know some people have a line item for books in their monthly budgets and no matter what; they still buy their books every month. I’m certainly one of those people.

However, I’ve definitely been borrowing money from that line on my budget to feed my face and gas up my car, so I do have less to spend on books than I had a year ago. And while I use to visit my local library at least once a week, now I’m there at least twice a week. I have a fantastic public library and great librarian. I take out movies, dvd’s, read magazines and daily newspapers there. They also have guest lecturers, free movie nights, art exhibits, book clubs, Sunday afternoon concerts and workshops on anything from yoga to book binding. It’s my go to place for absolutely FREE entertainment!

Lately, I’ve been at my local library giving my library card a work out. I’m always going to buy my ‘go-to’ authors latest releases because eventually they’ll find a place on my keeper shelf. But, I’m finding when it comes to debut authors and authors that are new to me, well, to be honest I go to the library first to check out if I want to read that author. If it’s a yes, I’m buying the next book. If it’s a no, I’ll borrow their second book.

What about you, have you been to your local library lately?

Welcome today’s Guest Author, Michelle Pillow. Michelle is an award winning multi-published author who writes futuristic, paranormal, historical and contemporary romances. She also co-hosts a weekly radio show called Raven Radio, with author Mandy M. Roth. Her latest release Recipe for Disaster is on book shelves now.

I love Impressionists and Post-Impressionist paintings. I have the prints on my walls, send out cards from my van Gogh collection and would probably name it as one of my favorite periods artistically. For those of you who don’t readily know the name, van Gogh’s the guy most people recognize as the artist who cut off his earlobe.

A perfect example of fame and fortune after death, van Gogh’s paintings have sold for over 80 million US dollars. In life, he wasn’t so successful and is known to have reused many of his canvases to save money. It’s estimated he painted over a 1/3 of his works and hidden paintings can be discovered beneath.

Did everyone see that news story where scientists uncovered the hidden portrait beneath Vincent van Gogh’s “Patch of Grass” painting? Scientists have

developed a way of looking under paintings using “synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy” to see the work hidden underneath. They’ve used this technique to reveal van Gogh’s “latest” work.

However, this recent uncovering of a concealed painting got me to thinking—while artistically and historically fascinating, maybe Mr. van Gogh didn’t want the thing to be seen. Sure, he was known for painting over things, but hey, as writers we delete stuff all the time. I’ve had a few late night sessions at the computer, drugged with cold medicine and confident what I wrote was solid gold only to discover the next morning my twelve armed hero seemed to have fallen in love with himself. (Ok, so not THAT bad, but close)

On the other hand, perhaps he’d be thrilled to know beloved works he covered were finally going to get their chance to shine. I know some readers love the deleted scenes, just as art enthusiasts love these new discoveries.

Who knows what kind of technology the future will bring. What if someday scientists will be able to read all the deleted scenes and embarrassing works that never leave the cyber graveyard and display them for the world to see—even if you’ve smashed your hard drive?

“Jump the shark” is one of my favorite phrases in TVlandia. It’s an often used phrase which owes it’s origins to the television show Happy Days. If you’re too young to remember, Happy Days was one of the most successful sitcoms on television during the 70’s and ran for ten years. And on one fateful night, September 20, 1977, it jumped the shark – literally. In a three-part episode, hoping to boost ratings, the bright executives and writers in charge, had their beloved character Fonzie, played by Henry Winkler, water ski with a bathing suit and his trademark leather jacket on , and yes, he jumps over a shark. It has become a defining moment in television history that now crosses over into pop culture. It is now used to describe what can happen when something that has been of long and sustained quality begins to spiral into the abyss of ‘been there done that’ or into the ridiculousness of ‘I can’t believe they did that’, where viewers no longer have any interest.

There are many beloved romance novel series out there. The first that comes to mind is J.D. Robb’s In Death series – with over 25 books. Then of course there’s Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Series, Brenda Jackon’s Madaris Family Series, Victoria Alexander’s Effington Series, Jo Beverley’s Malloren Family Series, Stephanie Laurens Cynster Series, Mary Balogh Slightly Series, Rochelle Alers Hideaway Legacy Series, Catherine Coulter FBI series – and the list goes on. Personally, I’m a series kind-o-gal. You all know I love revisiting characters, places and continuing story arcs, so when some one says series, I’m pretty much there. But, what happens when a series jumps the shark? It’s a hard question for me to answer.

I’ve recently read two different books from two different series from two of my favorite authors with mixed and surprising results.

The first book I read was Dark Curse by Christine Feehan, which releases September 2, 2008 and is the 19^th book in the Dark Series. Now, see, this is a series that I thought had definitely jumped the shark, oh, around book 15 – but I kept buying and reading. I still wanted me some dark, uber alpha Carpathian male to beat his chest and say ‘you are woman I am man and you belong to me’. I also really enjoy the way Ms. Feehan writes and the world building was quite fascinating to me. I think her mythology is unique and original– the first book in the series, Dark Prince, debuting in 1999. Her heroines have always intrigued me, running the gamut from head strong, willful and dominant to unsure and questioning; but always intelligent and eventually fearless. However each book continued to re-hash the same mythology and pathos of the world and the characters, until finally after book 17, I said NO MORE, and totally skipped reading book 18, Dark Possession. So, when my ARC of Dark Curse arrived I was like an addict alone in the room with a fix and a war going on in my head – don’t do it, but I can’t stop myself, but you said no more, I know but just one more time… until finally the addict in me won out. And I’m glad she did. I was surprised and delighted by Dark Curse and it sparked renewed interest in the series. In this latest addition to the series, Ms. Feehan expounds on the world and characters she has lovingly created and goes beyond the pathos to some real answers for the characters. This book has real depth to it, going beyond the ground work she has laid down in previous books to get to the crux of the matter - why the Carpathian race is dying out. In addition to the very romantic and compelling story line between the hero and heroine Lara Calladine and Nicolas De La Cruz, we also get to visit with many other characters from other books and even some from the novellas, Vikirnoff and Natalya, Gregori and Savannah, Francesca, Mikhail and Raven, Shea and Jacques to name a few. They don’t just have a walk on, mention what fine weather they’re having or drop off a bunt cake. They have substantial roles to play and bring cohesiveness to the story and believability to the universal story line. The intrigue and mystery to some of the long standing questions readers may have had begins to be illuminated and I say bravo and about time. As a reader, Dark Curse finally made me feel as if I was reaching for something that was attainable. It was like when they announced that the TV series Lost was going to have an end date. From then on each episode was that much clearer and sharper and relevant. So I suggest to long standing fans of this series, if you thought about giving up, don’t, and pick up Dark Curse. Who knew you could jump the shark and come back.

The second book I read was Into the Fire, from the ever brilliant Suzanne Brockmann. It is the 13^th book in her Troubleshooter Series. I’ve been on board from the beginning, actually from before the beginning. And those of you who have read Ms. Brockmann’s Tall Dark and Dangerous Series (all of which are being reissued, so definitely pick them up if you can) know what I’m talking about. I’ve been on board through Sam and Alyssa’s story line which carried through several books and made me totally psychotic and anxious, and through Jules and Robin another story line that carried over through several books and again made me bite my nails to the quick, and even Tess and Nash’s story line which was resolved and then unresolved and is now just up for grabs. The reason I hung on was because the characters are so thoughtfully written and three dimensional. They deal with both everyday issues like laundry and food shopping but at the same time they’re usually putting their lives on the line fighting some terrorist organization hell bent on destroying the world. All of them, from Decker to Dave and Izzy to Tom have captivated my emotions and imagination. And there’s the fact that Suzanne sure can write dialog, yes she has a way with words that succinctly and immediately let’s you in. However, I’m thinking Into the Fire may have jumped the shark. I say MAY, because there aren’t any ‘ridiculous’ plot points or any of the ‘we’ve been there read that’ – but because she leaves so many unresolved story arcs between love interests that you want to hurl the book across the room. I have to say, I’m really not a big fan of the long drawn out misunderstanding because of lack of communication. I know, I said I hung on for Alyssa and Sam and Jules and Robin. But truth be told, I’m a bit tired. It’s exhausting rooting for certain characters and then left hanging time and time again.

Unlike a weekly television show where you only have to wait seven days until some kind of resolution after a cliff hanging situation, books are different. You often have to wait up to a year, sometimes more, before you get the next book in the series. To be fair to Ms. Brockmann, on her web site she says that the next book will in fact start the exact same day that Into the Fire Ends and will be a direct sequel releasing in February 2009. So we only have to wait six months? As Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy would say, Seriously?

Given that, I’m still on board, I’d even go so far as to say I’m on board in a big way. Ms. Brockmann always gives us a great ride, dramatic, romantic and suspenseful. And Into the Fire is no exception. It’s a pulse pounding, exciting, sigh worthy book. So yes, I’m buying the next book, ‘gotta find out what happens next.

What I want to know from you is, when, as a devoted reader to a series, have you had enough? What is the turning point for you? When does a series jump the shark? And if it jumps the shark, are you willing to hang on in hopes that it will find it’s way back ?

Book #7 of the Bastion Club Series
Reviewed by PJ Ausdenmore
5 stars

Stephanie Laurens is one of my auto-buy authors. I can always count on her Cynster and Bastion Club books to be an entertaining read. That’s what I was expecting with her new release, THE EDGE OF DESIRE, the 7th book in her Bastion Club series – a good, entertaining story. What I got was so much more.

Twelve years ago Christian Allardyce, Marquess of Dearne, and Letitia Vaux were young, in love and planning a life together. She promised to wait when he went off to war but broke his heart when he returned to find her happily married to someone else. They haven’t spoken in twelve years but now her husband has been brutally murdered, her brother is the prime suspect and, even though she’s sure he hates her, Christian is the only person she trusts to solve the crime and prove her brother’s innocence. Christian has never moved past the devastation of Letitia’s betrayal but agrees to help her, fully intending to exact his revenge on her in the process. As they begin their investigation into her husband’s murder three things quickly become apparent - her husband hid many secrets of a life she knew nothing about, her marriage was not the love match everyone thought it was and the desire between Letitia and Christian burns as hot as ever.

Ms. Laurens has written a fast-paced mystery interlaced with a sizzling hot love story and dialogue that fairly leaps from the page. It’s clear that Letitia and Christian still have feelings for one another but there is much between them to be overcome if they are to have a second chance at happiness. Though Christian has always been sure that he was the injured party in their relationship, as layers are peeled away and truths are revealed it becomes clear to him just how much Letitia has had to endure during eight long years of a forced marriage to a man she hated and that she has as much right to feel betrayed as he. As they feverishly work to discover the murderer’s identity before he can strike again, they also grow closer, much to the delight of Letitia’s relatives and the ladies of the ton. Christian is surprised to discover that Letitia has matured into a strong, independent woman, though her famed Vaux temper is still intact, but I loved that he never tried to change her and, indeed cherished her beyond measure exactly as she was. The love scenes in this story are all beautifully written but the one where he finally, through his actions, opens himself to her completely, revealing the depth of his love and devotion, is one of the most sensual, exquisitely written love scenes I have ever read.

THE EDGE OF DESIRE is not only my favorite book of the Bastion Club series, I think it’s one of the best, if not the best, book Stephanie Laurens has written. It has all the critical elements of a story that will keep you turning pages late into the night and two lead characters that I fell in love with, agonized with, cheered for, and celebrated with tears of happiness. An extensive cast of secondary characters – some new and some old friends from previous books – add to the richness of the story and, for those of you who have followed this series, the identity of the mysterious Dalziel is finally revealed as we are given a tantalizing glimpse into his past…and future.

Today I’m celebrating the Movie Musical because we need a little song in our lives.

So everyone, grab a dvd, pick up the remote and sing along with me.

West Side Story (1961)

Maria and I have been known to break into song at a moments notice - ‘A boy like that who killed your brother…” or “today the minutes seem like hours, the hours go so slowly and still the sky is bright…” or “go man go, but not a school boy, cool boy, play it cool…” Oh yeah, I only wish I’d been a fly on the wall when Arthur Laurents (book) Stephen Sondheim (lyricist) Jerome Robbins (choreographer and director) and Lenorard Bernstein(score) – four of the most creative and talented men in the performing arts – were creating this musical. Imagine sitting in the same room with them when they created this timeless and dynamic musical, first for the stage and then for the screen? Yeah when people ask me who I would invite to dinner if I could have any one dead or alive – I’d have a special dinner party for these 4 guys.

Bye Bye Birde (1963)

TWO WORDS – ANN MARGARET!

Yes, one of my all time favorite ‘movie stars’, and I do mean movie stars. I know I should be all politically correct and say that it is a satire of the time, reflecting the woes and foibles of American society – with an Elvis like character enlisting in the army and going off to war. But nah, I’m going to stick with – ANN MARGARET. Of course Dick Van Dyke is also quite wonderful as well as Janet Leigh and Maureen Stapelton. Two of my favorite songs – How Lovely To Be A Women (yes I have that as a screen saver) and What’s the Matter with Kids Today? – are definitely classics in my book. Check it out, you’ll be humming and tapping your toes before the movie ends. The Technicolor is fantabulous and the set design and costumes are such a testament to the time when the 60’s movie musical was at its glory.

Guys and Dolls (1955)

Okay, who can resist a young Marlon Brando singing to the young Jean Simmons …”Woman in Love”? It is one of my all time favorite songs and there is one moment in the movie where Sky (Marlon Brando) looks at Sarah (Jean Simmons) with such tenderness and affection that you loose your sense of time and space. Check it out, this is one of the most romantic moments in movie musical history. It makes your heart beat just a little faster, and a sigh come to your lips. I also love how they re-created Times Square on a Hollywood Sound Stage, how men are men and women are dames and no one apologizes. It is a throw back to a time when ‘romance’ in the movies was all about the alpha male and the damsel in distress. How far we’ve come and how fun it is to look back at a by gone era set to music.

What musical makes you break out into song?

Oh yeah baby, fashion pays. Especially if your currency is rubles. It seems that Glamour Magazine thought it would be sporting if a group of Russian women participated in their sprint race. Racing isn’t particularly unique, so to spice things up, they had the women race in their high heels. I couldn’t make this stuff up if my job depended on this marketing ploy. The video is below – see for yourselves.




The winner was paid about $4000.00 American dollars.

Would you dust off your stilletos for the money?