Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion
What Are You Reading Now?
Haha, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer was really good!
I'm going to stick with it because I know i'll like it. I just had to charge my Kindle for the first time since I got it. Crazy!
The battery lasts a while, doesn't it? It lasts longest if you keep the wireless off.
It's awesome. Every time I turn off the wireless It asks me to turn it back on lol! I love it!
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "I also thought the use of stockings and business suits dated the story but I never checked to see when it was published. "In what way the business suits and stockings dated the story, Stacia?
In some industries, stockings are required. :) One of my coworker's fiance works in investment banking and (you guys won't believe it), the dress code tells them what color underwear they must wear (navy and white IRRC), the thickness of stockings and the type of scrunchies women are allowed to wear. He cannot even roll his sleeves while in the office.
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "A few weeks? I'm slipping. Group Hug!"What a cute pic!
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Random, but I also thought the use of stockings and business suits dated the story but I never checked to see when it was published. "Not sure why, but I loved that Lacey wore stockings. I thought it was sexy as hell and Hunter seemed to like them ;)
I love tights and dark stockings. For some reason, it was the nude stockings that threw me off. It made me think 80's era "Working Girl" pantyhose.None of the offices I've worked in over the past 15 or so years really had many women wearing pantyhose.
But then again, I suppose it might be different where you work. Some workplaces are more casual than others.
Ha! That's true. I guess I've never worn anything like that for my husband and I think he'd like it. I Love to keep that man guessing ;)I hate pantyhose, loath it! haha!
Most law firms, corporate hdq for insurance companies and Investment companies require pantyhose. It is the first thing I always turn to in the employees manual when I start somewhere to see if i need to. And I am talking about international law firms with anywhere from 500 to 1000 attorneys and large banks and investment firms. Type of shoe is specified and it is also often specified that cleavage can't show. If a woman goes to an interview at a law firm, bank or investment company she should definitely wear hose v nothing at all. Some things are slow to change. :). So If you are downtown in Chicago or NY and you see a woman in hose, have pity for her! Lol she likely works for a law firm or banking/investment company.And I would agree that it is outdated. But these sorts of companies are very slow to change. I could tell stories. Lol. A friend of mine at work and I often talk about writiing a book about what it is like to work in a large corporate law firm. Many firms even have rules against wearing open toes heels, even with hose! Outdated and slow to change.
Yup, that's what my coworker told me about her fiance. I was all like...if you are a woman, how would they know if you are not following the underwear dress code? (In the case of men, that probably shows up when they are in the bathroom but with women?)The dress code in my office is more relaxed than business casual but I've always worked in Advertising and/or Marketing firms where Creative people would have conniptions if somebody would require them to wear anything but jeans and t-shirts. I go to work wearing my green Converse high-tops almost every day (today I'll be wearing sneakers because I'm going to the gym now.)
In my past law firm people had to change out of their commuting shoes before they got into the office. I have a feeling the rule about underwear was more to set a tone and let people know they were working for controlling assholes. Lol. I am working in a business casual environment now unless I am in court or mediation or deposition or a client meeting. But the women dress up. But i am guessing that is always the case compared to men. The end of this week begins the NATO meetings in Chicago and many uptight law firms are telling their people to dress grungy for work. Lol. So as to blend in and not look like they are working for The Man. I am pretty sure their briefcases and entering certain buildings will give them a way.
Regina wrote: "I have a feeling the rule about underwear was more to set a tone and let people know they were working for controlling assholes. "So true! And I wish those banks/investment firms would pay more attention to business than in wondering what color underwear their employees are wearing. According to my husband (who's an Economist and understand those things), the losses at JP Morgan Chase will end up being closer to 4-6 Billion because of the way those deals work.
DG I was thinking the same thing as I typed. Unfortunately unchecked greed and institutions more focused on preserving the status quo result in crap like that. I may be out there with the NATO protestors. :)
DG I was thinking the same thing as I typed. Unfortunately unchecked greed and institutions more focused on preserving the status quo result in crap like that. I may be out there with the NATO protestors. :)That chase loss is really really scary.
Word!I really wish that the Occupy Wall Street people were protesting against Congress because they are the ones that have let the Banks loose (my husband says Congress hasn't done enough to prevent the banks from doing it their crazy all over again.)
I agree with your husband. I like to think that if I was in their position (the heads of the investement firms or investment branches of the banks) I would act differently. But who knows what making that much money would do to change me? I am guessing it is hard to stay focused, not that this lets people off the hook. I used to be very very into politics and very concerned and active, but somewhere in the middle of 2009 (LOL) I got really disillusioned) and I replaced that obsession with reading. I was always a reader and read about a book a week and occasionally listened to audio books - -maybe one or two a month. But I guess now I avoid reality with my stories. :)
Regina wrote: "I agree with your husband. I like to think that if I was in their position (the heads of the investement firms or investment branches of the banks) I would act differently. But who knows what mak..."I'm the same way with politics, around the time I had Ethan I tried to stay up to date but it became just too hard. It's sad because our ballots came in the mail and I was just like - Oh yeah, it's almost time to vote. haha!
I think those kinds of jobs attract very ambitious people and some of them (not saying all) reach a point where they do whatever it takes to stay on top. It seems sometimes it's more about the power than having money.My family is very into politics (in fact, elections in the DR are tomorrow) and my husband is really into it too but I try not to be. I just vote and try to know what's going on but I don't let it rule my life. The whole thing will drive you crazy if you let it!
Regina wrote: "In my past law firm people had to change out of their commuting shoes before they got into the office."Sorry came into the discussion a little late. I can see the practicality behind commuting shoes, but I've never been able to do that. I'm in the same environment as Regina. Suits (skirt suits recommended for women) for client meetings, hose is a requirement for skirts, no skirt shorter than 2 inches above the knee, no open toes shoes, etc etc. Very conservative on the east coast, especially in law offices.
It sucks, doesn't it? :) I have to do commuting shoes b/c I walk a mile to the train from my house (unless I catch the bus) and then I walk again 8 minutes to my office from my stop. I walk slooooowwww in heels.
Chicago area is great for commuters. So jealous. My commute has always been a bear. While public transportation is decent if you live in the city (Boston), the trains outside the city just don't run as frequently or as late as I need (continual cutbacks in service) and I've missed the last train far too often, so I've always driven to work. Guess that is good, then I don't have to walk too far in heels. And I'm much too short to wear flats.
Haha, I am short too. :) That sounds miserable. You could listen to audio books? I bet it is horrible in the winter in terms of driving. Chicago is decent for public transport.
I'm really thankful I don't have to dress so business-y (I haven't wore a suit in like 4 years since my last interview.) I can barely wear heels as it is (I really don't know you gals do it.)
BTW...I finished
, which I enjoyed a lot but then I'm into art (don't know if anybody who wouldn't have the interest would enjoy the conversations about art as much.) It made me pick dust up some of my old art history books that I haven't looked at in a while and now I'm itching to go the Met to watch my favorite painting.
D.G., I've just started reading MJ Putney. Not sure why I've never picked her up before. But I read an old reprint, I think it was The Rose(?). It was good and I have The Rake on my TBR list too. Do you need to have read the other books before The River of Fire to enjoy the story?BTW, Regina, have you ever been to Hendrickx, on Walton St, btw Michigan and State? Yummy. Best white chocolate Belgian bread ever!
No -- I haven't, but I definitely will now! Kelly, did you used to live here?
Kelly wrote: "D.G., I've just started reading MJ Putney. Not sure why I've never picked her up before. But I read an old reprint, I think it was The Rose(?). It was good and I have The Rake on my TBR list too..."I haven't read them in order but #1, #5, #6 & #7 are very intertwined so I would at least read them in that order. The actions of hero #5 have a lot to do with what happened in #1, the heroes of #6 & #7 are really connected to #5. I don't think #2, #3 & #4 are that connected besides the friendship angle but then I think I haven't read #3 & #4.
No, but my husband was raised in Naperville and still has family back in IL. I love going into the city and getting all the goodies that I miss from the midwest. Funny, how I focus more on foods that I miss from different places than anything else!
I do that too. :) I used to live in Naperville (for 4 years), it was the first house we owned. But it was too far out from the city for my commute and the culture of Naperville was not really our thing. So we moved closer to the city (Oak Park -- which is an urban suburb -- sort of an oxymoron, lol). But Naperville is beautiful and I often missing living next to the forest preserve.Funny what a small world it is. :)
So true, how small a world it is. I completely agree about the culture of Naperville. It has really become quite yuppy-ish and outrageously expensive. Back when my husband was there, it was just the edge of civilization. :)D.G., thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Guess, I'll have even more to supplement my TBR now.
Also, I finished
and enjoyed it. Very different storyline. I think I mentioned that I've never really been into military romances, but this one was smackdab in the middle of that. Iraq and all. Was a little sparse in details but that would be my biggest complaint. Otherwise, good read.
Kelly wrote: "D.G., I've just started reading MJ Putney. Not sure why I've never picked her up before.I've never read her before either, but I just went to her website to check her out. She's got a link on her homepage to a page that got left out of some printed paperback copies of her No Longer a Gentleman which is part of her historical THE LOST LORDS series. After reading that page, which happens to be part of the epologue so major spoiler, I think I want to add some of her stuff to my TBR as well.
Tricia, hope reading the spoiler doesn't ruin the books. Although, it doesn't sound like it, since you added some of her books to your TBR. :) If you get to them before me, be sure to let me know what you think. I always love to hear what others have to say about new-to-them authors.
I haven't read anything recently by Putney but the Fallen Angels series is really good.
So I started (DG turn your eyes, lol) the audio of
I am reading
And I just finished (I loved both), the audio of:
and the print of
LOL, I'm not looking!! *dg averts her eyes* ;)I just started
. I really need something funny to balance
. I don't know what it is with Tana French's books that makes you want to chuck yourself out of a window and end it all.
Kelly wrote: "Tricia, hope reading the spoiler doesn't ruin the books. Although, it doesn't sound like it, since you added some of her books to your TBR. :)No, actually I'm guilty of being one of those people who starts a book and then can't wait to see how it ends so reads the last few pages. I always go back and read the middle of the book to see how the author got to the endpoint, though. Plus, with romances, you kind of know that most often everything will work out, and there will be a happily ever after. So, maybe it wasn't a real spoiler after all.
D.G. How is the FBI/US attorney series? I have the first book but i'm not sure if it's my thing.Before I became a stay at home mom (aka free labor :) I worked for a not-for-profit company and we created jobs for people with disabilities. So, I would dress up, slacks and heels in the office but i'd often have to meet our clients in the strangest places, so I could really wear whatever I want. I feel for your ladies and the strict wardrobe for work.
Leea wrote: "D.G. How is the FBI/US attorney series? I have the first book but i'm not sure if it's my thing."I like Julie James a lot - her books are fun, sexy (although not that steamy) and her plots are really well developed.
My favorites by her are Practice Makes Perfect and Just the Sexiest Man Alive. This series is very good as well so maybe you'd like to try out the first book and see if you like her. They are not overly angsty but light and with humor.
I have her books and keep meaning to get to them.
Just thinking about PMP can make me giggle. I haven't read her last two books and have been meaning to get to those.Leea, loved your comment about free labor! But seriously, I admit I'm totally jealous of you being a stay at home mom with your kids. I'd love to but, one, we could never afford it and two, I'd give myself free reign to look like a slob every day instead of just the weekends! No self control. I need structure and at least having to go to work makes me attempt to look half way decent.
I work for a non-profit at the corporate office. I get to dress business casual but no jeans unless it's friday. I was just talking about corporate dress codes w a friend yesterday. In my area, there are a lot of tech companies (such as many in the Silicone Valley) so many people are way casually dressed. When I lived in Hawaii, an Aloha shirt would be considered dressed up. hahah..i love that. My friend also mentioned that Florida is pretty lax where some corporations allow their employees to wear flip flops. I guess it all just depends on the location and type of business.
Leea, I really like Julie James and all her books. Just be warned that her earlier books do not have much sex or none at all. But the story and characters are very likable. Regina, have you read any of her books? I wonder how you'd like it since some of it has to do with lawyer stuff and I think in the Chicago area too.
I finished
and I really liked it. I thought it was funny and had just the right amount of SMUT. There's no true HEA but that's cuz there's a sequel which I will read eventually.I might read a YA next but not sure which one.
Kay, I need to read them. I think I will just read her next. She went to the same law school I did (although I have never been able to determine timing) and based on her bio, it seems we have worked in similar atmospheres. So I am really interested to see how her experiences helped her in her work. Damn I wish I did what she did! I do believe you are right that it is type of work and location. I have a friend who is an in house attorney at google -- he has it so sweet and the atmosphere is so relaxed (people bring their pets to work, google takes them to work on a special bus, they dress way down). I don't have it that good at all. :) I do have good coffee though at my job.
Oh, good! I am very curious of your opinion about the books by Julie James. I really like her and just wonder if she has realistic facts when it comes to the lawyer stuff.I have a few friends who work for Yahoo and Apple. Then I have friends of friends that work for google and facebook. I hear they all have it really good but sometimes really long hours. But it's good to know that they are treated well.
That is interesting about late hours, but I guess it would make sense. I wish I worked for a non-profit! It sounds like such a rewarding thing. But I am guessing took, that work = work. And we all just want to go home in the end.
Finished
and it was extremely funny and absolutely sexy. I had a few issues with some crazy hyper personalities, a few cringe-worthy terms and nicknames, and comedy to the point of being gimmicky, but I still enjoyed the read and will check out the next book in the series.Onward to a book I've been waiting for over a year to read. It's a post apocalyptic book but there's supposed to be an extremely taboo element in it.
Romance, Historical or Otherwise
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I want to read Hold Me Closer, Necromancer and I read the first chapter but i'm on a huge romance kick... I might need to pick up another romance book. ha!