What Are You Reading Now? Showing 1,701-1,750 of 8,742

[Leea]

Great!! I have one you could just have... too bad we don't live closer.

[Kay]

Awww, thanks Leea. Wish we were closer.

[K]

I am currently reading Gabriel's Inferno. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now. One of the main characters, Gabriel, is really getting under my skin. Gabriel is not romantic to me, but creepy. Luckily the story is progressing interestingly enough to keep me reading. I'm only about 35% of the way through so hopefully there is a lot of room for some change to happen!

[D.G.]

Aww, that sucks, Kay. Well at least I hope they didn't broke a window or anything.

[Mimi]

I've read and LOVED it, of course. I was kind of worried since Madeleine Urban stepped out, but all's good. Better in fact, since the shifts of POV are smoother and the characters have more depth and the mystery didn't attempt to be complicated and appeared ridiculous(*cough* Cut&Run *cough*)

[D.G.]

If Urban was responsible for the silly mystery plots, then I'm glad she's out. I've just read C&R and almost had a heart attack complaining about the plot so I haven't been crazy about continuing the series.

[Mimi]

I don't know who's responsible but it was pretty bad in that one. Choppy, and I won't even comment on the identity of the killer and everything. As I said, this book has a good plot because it doesn't attempt to be overly complicated... Cut&Run's the worst in that aspect, but there's an element to each of the books before this one where I had to groan and do the "Not AGAIN!", meaning it makes no sense, or they're after a spy the whole book and in the end it ends up unimportant, and i can't help but wonder what's the point.

If I didn't love the guys and the humor so much I would've given up a long time ago. They really grew up a lot in the latest books, IMO. Or at least their relationship has and I can def. see the love now.

[D.G.]

Glad to hear C&R was the worse in that respect. I saw some promise in their relationship and that's why I'll attempt the second book.

[Mimi]

Yes, well, it can hardly be worse than that, right? Yeah, it grows better.

[D.G.]

Mimi wrote: "Yes, well, it can hardly be worse than that, right? Yeah, it grows better."

LOL, very true!

[Leea]

Kelly wrote: "I am currently reading Gabriel's Inferno. I'm not sure how I feel about it right now. One of the main characters, Gabriel, is really getting under my skin. Gabriel is not romantic to me, but creepy..."

Kelly, I have that one on my Kindle and have been putting it off. Can't wait for your review.

[Leea]

Finished and I loved it. Now i'm going to start

[K]

Leea wrote: "Kelly, I have that one on my Kindle and have been putting it off. Can't wait for your review."

I'll definitely give you a heads up when I post my review :-D

[Kay]

I read Gabriel's Inferno awhile back & thought it was ok. It's another one of those Twilight Fanfics.

I'm also reading but my kids won't leave me alone so I'm only on Ch 2.

[Leea]

Same here... I only made it to Chapter 2 lol! Dang kids! The weekends are so busy and i'm a little tired/hungover from my night out last night... haha!

[D.G.]

I started but decided to take a break. I'm tired of her stalking the the guy (because we haven't had enough guy stalkers, we had a girl stalker in this one.)

So I switch to , the novella in the I-Team series (needs to be read after book 3). Really good although I wish it would have focused on the problems with the couple instead of romantic suspense. I think the heroine's issues were enough that they needed to be dealt on their own without a guy stalking her!

[Julie]

Just started Smoke Screen

[Regina]

I like that cover for the novella. :) I haven't read 3 yet, so I will wait.

I finished and while it takes on the appearance of a zombie/post-apoc novel it is really an allegory. I loved it, but now I understand why many people love it and others do not.

[Regina]

DG is the stalking supposed to be sexy/romantic?

[D.G.]

Regina wrote: "DG is the stalking supposed to be sexy/romantic?"

In which book? (LOL!)

If you meant in The Storyteller, I don't think it's sexy at all but then I have a highly developed sense of people's privacy. Having somebody listening in to personal conversations and follow you around everywhere you go seems very disrespectful to me specially when somebody you don't know.

[Regina]

I agree, I meant does the author mean to convey it as sexy/romantic? It really isn't. Having been stalked and having worked in a domestic violence shelter and then with rape survivors, stalking is super common in those crimes. It is scary. My stalker destroyed my car's windshield (this was as it was winding down and he must have been very angry, he carved epitaphs like cunt and bitch all over the front windshield and side windows), stole my bicycle (and then would ride by my apartment on it and wave to me), he would stand in a stairway in an adjacent apartment building so he could have a good view in to my bedroom (neighbors would call and tell me they saw him) and he would stand at the end of the hallway in a dark corner outside my apartment building (one time a pizza delivery driver called me from his car after he left my apartment to warn me my stalker was there. I had to move, get my name unlisted in the director (including school directory) and I made sure to never ever walk/drive down that area again -- which is hard to do in a college town. And of course the expense of getting a new bike and fixing my car. Not sexy or romantic at all! Then I had an ex who got very angry at our separation and he would follow my now-husband around with a gun -- he would write letters to my mom saying he loved me and would to do anything to make me happy and would walk outside my job and apartment constantly after we broke up, he trashed my now-husband's bicycle (while we were inside my apartment together). Again -- scary not fun! Given my experiences, I have a heightened aversion against stalking and possessiveness. (Whether it is female or male!)

[D.G.]

Yikes! I really feel for you, Regina. I've never had to deal with anything like this.

I don't know what to tell you. In a sense, it's being portrayed as romantic - she's a naive young girl who's attracted to this boy but instead of talking to him, she's following him around. It's not one of those deals where she happened to be in a place he was and was in listening range, she followed him deliberately, put her scarf over her head and put herself in a position to listen in what he was talking. I would be OK if it was only the once, but the next day she was spying him with a teacher and that's when I stopped. If she does it again, I'll just dnf the book.

[Regina]

It was a rough year. :) If I even mention that ex-boyfriend's name for any reason (which is hard to avoid, we are from the same home town, we were together 5 years and his parents are friends with my parents to this day), my husband gets pissed. But he has his own reasons, which I understand.

That just sounds really really inappropriate, I don't think any guy would find that interesting or attractive.

[Kay]

Wow, that's craziness, Regina? did you get a restraining order? I can't imagine a stalker hiding in the shadows at the end of your hallway. That's stuff you see in movies. You must have been freaked.

[Kay]

I put a little dent into last night. I'm on ch 8 now. I'm still not sure how I feel about this book yet. I kind of have a feeling that her falling for him seemed kind of fast. But maybe I could be wrong bc I was reading through very tired eyes last night.

[Regina]

I called the police multiple times, but I didn't know who he was. Beyond a description and while it was a smallish twin city area (Champaign-Urbana, IL -- I think 200k combined?), the university itself is large (maybe 35k) and there is a lot of people who just move in and out of the town to be near lots of young people, so I guess aside from staking out my place, there was no way to identify him. Particuarly, since his mode of transportation was my bike -- registered to me, lol.

About my ex-- no we never got a restraining order. At the time, my now husband was in the country without papers and I thought it would make a difference and honestly, I still loved the boy who my ex used to be and was reluctant to call the police on him no matter what he became. I was young, like 20 so it was stupid. He had a mental break the last year we were together. Honestly, it would make a great story -- but I learned how bad he was later on when his friends would tell me the stories he was telling them. He truly lived in an alternate universe. He never ever had a full life, so it is still sad. I recently saw him (like 9 months ago) standing outside a restaurant I was at with friends. It was 11 pm during the week and in my neighborhood that is late for anyone to be out. He didn't expect to see me, I believe he was randomly there. I almost fainted and started hyperventilating - -he is the reason I still have my number unlisted and I have him blocked on facebook and linkedin. He started to approach me, his face was pure joy at seeing me but a friend helped me flee to a car quickly and we just sort of hid out. He doesn't (never did) have a car (because he can't hold down a job due to his mental problems). It was crazy the type of fear I felt. He is extremely handsome and somehow is able to get people to buy into him. He is an artist and always has people supporting him -- women, gay men -- they are in love with him and he takes advantage of this. I don't know if it is true manipulation or he also believes in the myth he has created. He has lived with rock stars, actors, and writers (all well known ) and even for a short period of time they bought in to him too. Eventually they figure out he is not sane. But he puts on a really good show -- because he believes it too. Ultimately, it is really sad. But I am just relieved that he doesn't know where I live.

[Regina]

Sorry to take over this thread, I am not sure why DG's short comment made me obsess about this, this morning!

[Kay]

No worries, Regina. thanks for sharing. That's what I love about this group and how we are here to read/listen/discuss to one another about our lives...past and present.

It's good that you got out of that relationship especially since he sounds really mental and manipulative. I'm sorry you had to go through all that. I don't know anyone who has been through anything like that. It will make me think twice when I read about possessive characters that authors make so romantic.

[Leea]

Regina wrote: "I agree, I meant does the author mean to convey it as sexy/romantic? It really isn't. Having been stalked and having worked in a domestic violence shelter and then with rape survivors, stalking i..."

Holy crap! I'm so sorry you had to experience that and that nothing happened to your person.

Yeah, I can only imagine your husband would not want to talk about either of them. It must have been some serious restraint for him to hold back.

[Gwennie]

That's so scary Regina! I would iamgine that a book that maybe glorifies stalking would strike you harder than most.

[Leea]

Kay wrote: "I put a little dent into last night. I'm on ch 8 now. I'm still not sure how I feel about this book yet. I kind of have a feeling that her falling for him seemed kind o..."

I'm not sure what I think about this book. I'm to chapter six. Parts don't feel believable, but then i've never been an escort in SF so I don't really know about this life. I really like Ryan and Sara but her sisters (view spoiler)[Back handed conversations about 'what if Ryan was gay? would you still like him?' Come on! I knew she was gay when she said she was dating someone... What about how Ryan got picked up for soliciting? I just didn't think the police did stings for prostitution anymore? I just must be naive about this subject.

Also, Sara is already talking about falling in love with Ryan and they've just had several conversations and she looked after his animals. (hide spoiler)]

Ryan is just hot! I'm enjoying being in his mind when he's with a client, like him secretly looking at the clock so he know when he needs to be done. haha!

[Regina]

It was scary for Luis (my husband too) as he had only been in the US for like a year when that happened. I think he only now understands how unique all of that was.

Thanks Kay and Leea. So that is my story about why I can't handle possessive and/or stalkers in romance, lol - -and why Edward immediately (in Twilight), 50 Shades and Beautiful Disaster freaked me out. Thank goodness my situation is unique. I do not think it happens a lot. There are positives, after I went through these I was a volunteer for years and I have a lot to teach my daughters (and my son I guess too) and it additionally, it is a great story to tell!

[Regina]

I agree about the (view spoiler)[falling in love when they were only just hanging out (hide spoiler)] I loved the relationship between the sisters.

There are stings in Chicago for prostitution, lol. But usually streetwalkers and the Craig's list posters. Recently, there was a very sad story. A doctor in my community who was married and in the midst of raising money to adopt a blind child from China (the entire town was helping raise the money) was arrested for posting that he would exchange prescriptions for sex on Craig's list. I keep thinking about the poor child in China. http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/... http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/01/1... But I hear about it routinely in Chicago - however I don't hear about it for high priced prostitution. I am just so cheery today!

[Regina]

I had a hard time thinking that a guy wouldn't enjoy being an escort. So I liked the angle (view spoiler)[ with regard to his past that effected who he is/was (hide spoiler)]

[Regina]

Thanks Wendy, exactly. :) -- I appreciate your understanding.

[Leea]

I haven't read much about Ryan's past (view spoiler)[ Except that he grew up in Oklahoma and seems like he lived on the streets. Plus being in the holding cell was really getting to him. He has a past for sure but I haven't gotten to that part. (hide spoiler)]

I agree, don't you think men would love having sex with multiple women?

Minor rant: I just got home from walking the kids to school and my son Garrett is in speech, he's 4 and hard to understand but making great progress. Well we walk with some of the neighbors and their son told Gar, 'you still talk like a baby, I can't understand you.' I almost lost it! Garrett just got quiet and I wanted to cry because he's trying so hard.

[Regina]

Did their parents say anything? I would be really upset. I would definitely say something to Garrett -- feel out if he understood it and internalized it. I notice that sometimes at that age those thinks don't effect kids but sometimes they do to. Then I would say something to the mom -- in a very non-confrontational way. Like start off by explaining the situation and suggesting that they explaint it to their child. Saying -- I don't understand you is one thing, labeling and calling names is another. My 6 year old still stumbles over words like (remember, believe, ask, the, both) and so I completely understand your struggle on this. I would want to cry and hit too.

[Leea]

Regina wrote: "It was scary for Luis (my husband too) as he had only been in the US for like a year when that happened. I think he only now understands how unique all of that was.

Thanks Kay and Leea. So that ..."

I completely understand. I'm just so sorry you had to experience this because I can only imagine how scared you were.

[Regina]

Thanks Leea, it was terrifying. I now feel worse for my parents -- they knew what was going on but were 3.5 hours away. I can't imagine feeling that helpless.

[Leea]

Regina wrote: "Did their parents say anything? I would be really upset. I would definitely say something to Garrett -- feel out if he understood it and internalized it. I notice that sometimes at that age those..."

His mom jumped right one him and Garrett didn't really seem upset but once he's done with speech we'll talk about it. Most of the time with him, people calling names or saying negative things about him just roll off his back - he's very confident. He's still my baby and I was so pissed (still am). Don't bring out my mama bear. haha!

These neighbors are ones we have issues with. My other friends kids would never say anything like that - ever!

[Leea]

Regina wrote: "Thanks Leea, it was terrifying. I now feel worse for my parents -- they knew what was going on but were 3.5 hours away. I can't imagine feeling that helpless."

Yes, they must have been out of their minds. That's the hard part as parents, we must at some point trust that we raised them to make the right decisions and take care of themselves. But if someone tried to mess with your kid, not matter how old they are... yikes!

[Regina]

That is good the mom intervened -- for both the child and Garrett. Garrett learns that nobody accepts that behavior. I would be pissed too. The other day my daughter (12.5/6th grade) was punched in the face at a soccer game (it is traveling team) and her coach didn't see it and the ref didn't say anything. Even though I am always confronting opposing counsel, cross examining witnesses and going before judges this had me shaken up! It was the one time my husband was gone at the playground with the little kids and my daughter's coach wasn't going to do anything about it, so I approached the other team's coach to talk about it -- my voice was shaking and b/c I was so emotionally effected! It is amazing how incidents like that effect us.

[Leea]

Punched in the face? Oh, I hope she's okay and yes, you had to stand up for her and that coach needed a talking to. What's wrong with people?

I know just what you mean. I'm very even toned, I hate people yelling (my father is/was a yeller) and I just shut down. But I had a man yell at Ethan, my 6 year old and I flippin' lost it. My husband came running from another field because he could hear my voice. haha! But after, I was shaking and could hardly walk.

This last weekend was so busy. I'm just worn out from all the activities... this is our last week of school and I can't wait for summer.

[D.G.]

Regina wrote: "I had a hard time thinking that a guy wouldn't enjoy being an escort. "

The way I see it, women who hire escorts are probably not Victoria's Secret models but oldish women who may not jump the boat of a young, attractive male. So if you imagine him being with a overweight 60-year old crony, you could understand why he may not be into it at all. ;)

Also, I think that at the beginning he didn't mind but that it weighed on him over the years. After a while, being treated like meat and not having the choice of which women you get to sleep with may be tough on you.

[Leea]

D.G. I was going to say the same thing... shit, i'm no VS model haha!

It sounds like Ryan has been an escort for 3 years, that's what it sounds like when he was talking with Catherine his boss or pimp. I would think that not having the choice is who your sleeping with would affect you. I'm very curious about Ryans past.

I love books where younger men fall for older women. I always want to bonk those women on the head. Yes, this hot 26 year old wants you... enjoy it!

[D.G.]

Don't feel bad for sharing, Regina! As Kay said, one of the things that I like about this group is that we get to talk about all sorts of things.

I'm sort of depressed today. Don't know what's going on. I think I'll go have a beer with lunch.

[Regina]

I know Leea, although I might be insecure about it. I remember when I was 20/21 and a waitress at a club frequented by older business men (DG I know that was around the age you met your older husband, I was just odd!) and was asked out by older men (late 20s to late 30s) and I never ever would consider them. I thought - -man they are oldddddddd. LOL. I was so limited and narrow.

Good point DG.

[D.G.]

The problem I have with the older woman/young man scenario is that (in general) men are more immature than women the same age (unless they're 50, LOL!) so when a woman dates a man younger than her (I say 8 years or more), I imagine him being almost in a completely different universe maturity wise.

But that's because of my experience. I always say that for an old/young relationship to work, the old person must be young for his age and the young person must be old for hers. And I can't never imagine men being more mature than their age (it may sound sexist but I've yet to meet one who is!)

[Regina]

Very very true and people are conditioned to think women get less attractive at a certain point and men get more attractive, so that is a hard barrier. My husband has a soccer teammate who is very very attractive and at 21 married a 36 year old woman!

[D.G.]

WOW! Good for him! I wonder if there's a study somewhere of the length of relationships of older women/younger men vs. older men/younger women and how they compare. If I were that woman, I'd be seriously wondering what would happen when she's 50 and he's in his mid-30s (where he'll still be in his prime.)