And what was left out of the reports . . .

The best time to arrive and get in line to pick up badges is NOT three o’clock on Friday afternoon.  That being said, there’s plenty to do during that three hour wait, like take pictures of costumed attendees and laugh back at the businessmen pointing and staring from the parking deck above. 

DragonCon is very educational.  I’m not kidding.  Where else can you learn about crossed letters and medieval poisoning techniques?  You can also discover very quickly what sort of fans are on each track and specifics within each track.  For example – fans of certain anime series.  Why were the only ones excited about my ten year old daughter’s Hikaru (Angelic Layer) costume middle-aged men?  In real life it would be creepy to have strange men grabbing my arm and asking to take my child’s picture . . . and at DragonCon it was, yes, a little creepy to have these men asking just that.  Wearing a costume is asking for attention, though, so we played along and enjoyed it, but I secretly hoped a young girl would approach and recognize my battle doll, just once.

Where else can you find a blue Power Ranger, Gandalf, Afro’thulu, and Obi Wan on stage together, never mind throwing footballs painted as gnomes?  At an actual person.  Standing in front of a sign advertising gnome punting.  This was, obviously, the World of Warcraft party.  Later on the same stage, Finn from Adventure Time approached to choose a raffle prize to shouts of “What time is it? Adventure time!”  He looked back out into the crowd to ask, as he pointed to the prizes, “Which one, honey?” which brought on more laughter . . . later, Finn asked ‘honey’ to marry him during the ‘after hours’ Warcraft gig.  Of course she said yes, because what could be more romantic than a man in a white-eared hat costumed as a child from a cartoon series proposing at a World of Warcraft party? 

The logisitics of ordering pizza for delivery during a DragonCon weekend – an hour on hold, and a three hour wait for delivery.  Upon arrival, the stunned teenager holding pizzas stares at the lobbyfull of costumes.  “What is wrong with these people?” he asks me.  That must be the ten thousand dollar question, and not one we actually ask out loud because after all, if we’re there, he’s asking about us, too.

While waiting for my son to take a turn on Mech Corps, a military simulation game that was very reasonably priced and engaging, the man in front of us – who had a gigantic bag that had a list of why Mythbusters is so awesome written on the side – turned around to complain about a woman who had pushed him around on the escalator.  “I’m fat,” he said. “But she was fatter.  Her fault.  A weapon of ass destruction.”

One of the Tolkien-Lewis panelists, M.B. Weston, caught my interest when talking about her Elysian Chronicles titles.  These sound like must haves for fantasy fans – guardian angel warfare and treason.  Speaking of the T-L panel, I have to mention that someone said The Silmarillion was an academic exercise.  I must must must beg to differ – if The Silmarillion isn’t great storytelling – a long, difficult read, yes, but read it out loud and you’ll see what I mean – I’ll give up coffee for a week.  Okay, a day – but it’s a safe bet and my favorite Tolkien title.

Holly Black, an incredibly popular and successful young adult author, has graphic novels illustrated by the very talented and approachable Ted Naifeh, who allowed me to snap a photo as he demonstrated his talents in the comic artists alley.  Shopping opportunities: we returned diligently to the Dragon Pets booth, where we bought a sweet pink and purple dragon last year, twice; once to buy an armored dragon and again for a multicolored one.  We also found an adorable, soft squid from Cyphre Voudou that has been well-loved and spends his nights sharing a bed with two American Girl dolls.  That doesn’t sound quite right but it’s true.  My quest for earrings – usual travel purchase – brought me back to Ravenwing, where I purchased jewelry last year for myself, my daughter, and my mother, so it was easy for me to pick up where I left off and stock up on some beautiful handcrafted items, including these beautiful beautiful fish earrings in my very favorite color.

Noticed in the parade but too quick for me to catch a photo – in the Star Wars group, a woman with a “Hutters” t-shirt that looked very like a “Hooters” t-shirt.  It took a moment before several men behind me started yelling “Hutters!  Hutters!” and caught her attention.  She turned and waved like Miss America, perfectly comfortable as any Hooters girl would be, but obviously, much cooler.  At least with the DragonCon crowd.

Contemporary:
Cassidy, Dakota. You Dropped a Blonde on Me
Donovan, Susan. Not That Kind of Girl

Erotica:
Harris, Chloe. In Deep
Hawke, Morgan. Insatiable
Haynes, Jasmine. Mine Until Morning
Kery, Beth. Explosive
Lyons, Susan. Sex on the Slopes
McCray, Cheyenne. Kade

Fantasy
Aaron, Rachel. The Spirit Eater

Historical:
Allen, Louise. The Officer and the Proper Lady
Beattie, Michelle. A Pirate’s Possession
Borghese, Lorenzo. The Princess of Nowhere
Burrows, Annie. A Countess by Christmas
Callen, Gayle. A Most Scandalous Engagement
Caskie,Kathryn. The Duke’s Night of Sin
Chase, Allison. Outrageously Yours
Cornick, Nicola. Mistress by Midnight
Emerson, Kate. By Royal Decree
Essex, Elizabeth. The Pursuit of Pleasure
Goodman, Jo. Marry Me
Hawkins, Karen. One Night in Scotland
Heath, Lorraine. Pleasures of a Notorious Gentleman
Henley, Virginia, et al. Lords of Passion
Holt, Cheryl. Dreams of Desire
Howell, Hannah. Highland Protector
Janssen, Victoria. The Duke & the Pirate Queen
Jordan, Sophie. Wicked Nights With a Lover
Kenny, Janette. In a Cowboy’s Arms
Kent, Lavinia. Taken By Desire
Kramer, Kieran. Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right
McKee, Laurel. Duchess of Sin
Maxwell, Cathy. His Christmas Pleasure
Michaels, Kasey. How to Wed a Baron
O’Brien, Anne. Chosen for the Marriage Bed
Plumley, Lisa. Mail-Order Groom
Trapp, Jessica. Defiant

Mainstream Fiction:
Dawson, Lucy. What My Best Friend Did
Geraci, Maria. The Boyfriend of the Month Club
Schlossberg, Linda. Life in Miniature
Simmons, Lynda. Island Girl

Mystery:
Adair, Robin. Death and the Running Patterer
Barbieri, Maggie. Third Degree
Beck, Jessica. Sinister Sprinkles
Blackwell, Juliet. If Walls Could Talk
Childs, Laura. Bedviled Eggs
Connolly, Sheila. A Killer Crop
Ferris, Monica. Buttons and Bones
Lyons, C.J. Critical Condition
Purser, Ann. Threats at Three
Washburn, Livia J. Killer on a Hot Tin Roof

Paranormal:
Archer, Zoe. Stranger
Cast, P.C. Goddess of Legend
Eden, Cynthia. Eternal Flame
Graham, Heather. Night of the Vampires
Ivy, Alexandra. Devoured by Darkness
Liu, Marjorie. In the Dark of Dreams
Perry, Kate. Tempted by Fate
Robb, J.D., et al. The Other Side
Sands, Lynsay. Hungry for You
Willis, Clare. Biting the Bride
Windsor, Anna. Captive Spirit
York, Rebecca. Day of the Dragon

Romantic Suspense:
Ambrose, Starr. Thieves Like Us
Banks, Maya. No Place to Run
Davis, Jo. Ride the Fire
Griffin, Laura. Unforgivable
McKenna, Lindsay. Deadly Identity
Perry, Marta. Murder in Plain Sight
Quinn, Tara Taylor. The Fourth Victim
Tyler, Stephanie. Promises in the Dark

Urban Fantasy:
Bartlett, Gerry. Real Vampires Have More to Love
Collins, Nancy A. Right-Hand Magic
Douglas, Carole Nelson. Silver Zombie
Hanover, M.L.N. Vicious Grace
Henry, Christina. Black Wings
Kittredge, Caitlin. Bone Gods
McCray, Cheyenne. Vampires Not Invited
White, Skyler. In Dreams Begin
Wright, S.L. Demon Underground

Young Adult:
Ferrer, Caridad. When the Stars Go Blue

Contemporary:
Angell, Kate. Sweet Spot
Dimon, HelenKay. Impulsive
Kleypas, Lisa. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
Krahn, Betina, et al. A Harlequin Christmas Carol
McLane, LuAnn, et al. Wicked Wonderland
Michaels, Fern, et al. Holiday Magic
Roberts, Nora. Happy Ever After
Ryan, R.C. Montana Glory
Thomas, Jodi. Somewhere Along the Way
Valdes-Rodriguez, Alisa. The Three Kings
Wilde, Lori. The First Love Cookie Club

Erotica:
Aiden, Nadia. Twelve Wicked Nights
Bast, Anya. Jeweled
Berlin, Eve. Pleasure’s Edge
Bussell, Rachel Kramer. Everything But
Carew, Opal. Pleasure Bound
Dane, Lauren. Inside Out
DiPasqua, Lila. The Princess in His Bed
Johnson, Crystal. Primal Heat
MacNeal, Melissa. Sexual Hunger

Fantasy:
Aaron, Rachel. The Spirit Rebellion
Ballantine, Philippa. Geist
Jemison, M.K. Broken Kingdoms
Wilson, C.L. Crown of Crystal Flame

Futuristic:
Burnard, Marcella. Enemy Within

Historical:
Astor, Kristi. Midnight Clear
Collins, Evangeline. Seven Nights to Forever
Cornick, Nicola. One Wicked Sin
Cosby, Diana. His Conquest
Enoch, Suzanne. Rules of Engagement
Finch, Carol. Lady Renegade
Grant, Donna. Wicked Highlander
Heath, Lorraine. Passions of a Wicked Earl
Howell, Hannah. Compromised Hearts
Hunter, Jillian. A Duke’s Temptation
Jenkins, Beverly. Midnight
Johnson, Angela. Vow of Deception
Kent, Kathleen. The Wolves of Andover
Kramer, Kieran. When Harry Met Molly
Laurens, Stephanie. The Reckless Bride
London, Julia. The Year of Living Scandalously
MacLean, Sarah. Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord
McPhee, Margaret. Unlacing the Innocent
Maitland, Joanna. The Earl’s Mistletoe Bride
Mason, Connie. Sins of the Highlander
Navarre, Laura. The Devil’s Temptress
O’Brien, Anne. The Virgin Widow
Rogers, Rosemary. Scoundrel’s Honor
Thornton, Elizabeth. A Bewitching Bride
Wildes, Emma. His Sinful Secret
Wilson, Gayle, et al. Regency Christmas Proposals

Inspirational:
Vanliere, Donna. The Christmas Journey

Mainstream Fiction:
Cantor, Jillian. The Transformation of Things
Darling, Olivia. Priceless
Dulong, Terri. Casting About
Garvin, Ann Wertz. On Maggie’s Watch
Gately, Roberta. Lipstick in Afghanistan
Roberts, Sheila. The Snow Globe
Shreve, Anita. Rescue
Villas, James. Hungry for Happiness

Mystery:
Alexander, Tasha. Dangerous to Know
Carlisle, Kate. The Lies that Binds
Crawford, Isis. A Catered Thanksgiving
Dunnett, Kaitlyn. The Corpse Wore Tartan
Goldenbaum, Sally. A Holiday Yarn
Kingsbury, Kate. Mistletoe and Mayhem
Magnan, Pierre. The Murdered House
Meredith, Denise. Devoured
Palov, C.M. The Templar’s Code
Viets, Elaine. An Uplifting Murder
Washburn, Livia J. The Pumpkin Muffin Murder

Paranormal:
Andersen, Jessica. Blood Spells
Archer, Zoe. Rebel
Black, Shayla. Entice Me at Twilight
Butcher, Shannon K. Living Nightmare
Bretton, Barbara. Spun by Sorcery
Byrd, Rhyannon. Touch of Temptation
D’Arc, Bianca. A Darker Shade of Dead
DeStefano, Anna. Secret Legacy
DeWylde, Saranna. How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days
Frank, Jacquelyn. Drink of Me
Frost, Jeaniene, et al. Haunted by Your Touch
Galenorn, Yasmine. Harvet Hunting
Handeland, Lori. Marked by the Moon
Holly, Emma. Devil at Midnight
James, Allyson. Firewalker
Jasper, Elle. Afterlight
Keating, Taylor. Game Over
Kelley, Karen. The Wolf Prince
Krinard, Susan. Luck of the Wolf
Love, Dianna and Sherrilyn Kenyon. Blood Trinity
MacAlister, Katie. In the Company of Vampires
Pineiro, Caridad. Stronger Than Sin
Ryan, Cassie. Seducing the Succubus
Showalter, Gena. Ecstasy in Darkness
Singh, Nalini. Play of Passion
Stone, Juliana. His Darkest Embrace
Warren, Christine. Prince Charming Doesn’t Live Here

Romantic Suspense:
Brant, Kylie. Deadly Intent
Loomis, Gregg. The Bonaparte Secret
McCall, Penny. Worth the Trip
Neggers, Carla. Cold Dawn
Quinn, Tara Taylor. The Third Secret
Thompson, Carlene. Nowhere to Hide
Tyler, Stephanie. Lie With Me

Suspense:
Gagnon, Michelle. Kidnap and Ransom
Lief, Katia. Next Time You See Me
Poyer, David. Ghosting
Robb, J.D. Indulgence in Death

Urban Fantasy:
Beck, J.K. When Wicked Craves
Briggs, Patricia. Wolfsbane
Butcher, Jim. Side Jobs
Elliott, Kate. Cold Magic
Lima, Maria. Blood Heat
Monk, Devon. Magic at the Gate
Navarro, Yvonne. Highborn
Rardin, Jennifer. Bitten in Two
Saintcrow, Lilith. Heaven’s Spite

Young Adult:
Banks, Piper. Revenge of the Geek
Caine, Rachel. Ghost Town
Noel, Alyson. Night Star

The not-so-sunny side of this weekend – really, Carl Edwards is just a tool.  Wrecking a bunch of kids in the Nationwide race, on purpose?  Grow up, man.  Getting loose and bumping another car is one thing, but intentional driving into another car is another, and that isn’t aggressive, that is called assault and is intent to harm.  Nice job collecting a field of kids behind you just so you could win the race.  This is the sort of behavior that will get the Cup drivers booted out of the Nationwide set, damaging the potential for the drivers just moving up to get more practice as they prepare to compete – properly – with the big boys.  What a moron.  And where was the black flag, anyway?  Did NASCAR officials misplace it, or are they just afraid to use it?

Contemporary:
Kauffman, Donna et al. The Naughty List
Linz, Cathie. Luck Be a Lady
Macomber, Debbie. Call Me Mrs. Miracle
Plumley, Lisa. Holiday Affair
Shalvis, Jill. Simply Irresistible
Stewart, Mariah. Home Again
Welling, Tina. Cowboys Never Cry
Woods, Sherryl. A Chesapeake Shores Christmas

Erotica:
Banks, Maya and Shayla Black. Four Play
Danella, Kay. Unbound
Devlin, Delilah. Darkness Captured
Edwards, Bonnie. Men Times Three
Jax. The Bid
Lloyd, Joan Elizabeth. Hot Stories for Cold Nights
McCarty, Sarah. Tracker’s Sin

Fantasy:
Hieber, Leanna Renee. A Midwinter Fantasy
Lackey, Mercedes, et al. Harvest Moon

Historical:
Balogh, Mary, et al. The Betrothal
Boyle, Elizabeth. Mad About the Duke
Bradley, Celeste. Scoundrel in My Dreams
Brisbin, Terri. A Storm of Pleasure
Brown, Jenny. Lord Lightning
Burrows, Annie. The Viscount and the Virgin
Carlyle, Liz. One Touch of Scandal
Clare, Tiffany. The Surrender of a Lady
Clark, Deneane. Charity
Cornick, Nicola. Whisper of Scandal
Coulter, Catherine. The Valcourt Heiress
Erickson, Carolly. Rival to the Queen
Gabrielle, Tina. A Perfect Scandal
Goodger, Jane. A Christmas Waltz
Gracie, Anne. The Accidental Wedding
Greiman, Lois. An Accidental Seduction
Haymore, Jennifer. A Season of Seduction
Hunter, Madeline. Sinful in Satin
Ivie, Jackie. A Knight and White Satin
Jeffries, Sabrina. A Hellion in Her Bed
Joyce, Brenda. The Promise
Kelley, Christie. Scandal of the Season
Lejeune, Tamara. Christmas With the Duchess
Lin, Jeannie. Butterfly Swords
MacGillivray, Deborah. To Touch the Knight
March, Ashley. Seducing the Duchess
Milan, Courtney. Trial by Desire
Neville, Miranda. The Dangerous Viscount
Ranstrom, Gail. A Rake by Midnight
Sinclair, Michele. The Christmas Knight
Small, Bertrice. The Border Vixen
Smith, Bobbi. A Cowboy for Christmas
St. John, Cheryl, et al. Western Wedding Bells
Stuart, Anne. Breathless
Wildes, Emma. Our Wicked Mistake

Mainstream Fiction:
Ball, Donna. Love Letters From Ladybug Farm
Bradford, Barbara Taylor. Playing the Game
Brant, Marilyn. Friday Mornings at Nine
Drake, Abby. The Secrets Sisters Keep
Greenwood, T. Undressing the Moon
Heavey, Tara. Winter Bloom
Lane, Vicki. The Day of Small Things
Mallery, Susan. The Best of Friends
Senate, Melissa. The Love Goddess’ Cooking School

Mystery:
Beaton, M.C. Busy Body
Carl, JoAnna. The Chocolate Pirate Plot
Childs, Laura. Fiber & Brimstone
Collins, Kate. Dirty Rotten Tendrils
Connelly, Michael. The Reversal
Penny, Louise. Bury Your Dead
Raybourn, Deanna. Dark Road to Darjeeling
Richards, Emilie. A Truth for a Truth
Rosen, Delia. A Brisket, a Casket
Rozan, S.J. On the Line
Webb, Peggy. Elvis and the Memphis Mambo

Paranormal:
Acosta, Marta. Haunted Honeymoon
Adrian, Lara. Taken by Midnight
Andrews, Ilona. Bayou Moon
Archer, Zoe. Scoundrel
Ashley, Amanda. Everlasting Desire
Balogh, Mary. Bespelling Jane
Betts, Heidi. The Bite Before Christmas
Brook, Meljean. The Iron Duke
Hart, Megan. Selfish is the Heart
Klasky, Mindy. To Wish or Not to Wish
Leigh, Lora. Styx’s Storm
Menden, A.J. Sorceress, Interrupted
Mullany, Janet. Jane and the Damned
Rowan, Michelle. Something Wicked
Ryan, Cassie. Seducing the Succubus
Silver, Eve. Sins of the Flesh
Sparks, Kerrelyn. Eat Prey Love
Ward, J.R. Crave
Wright, Laura. Eternal Hunger

Romantic Suspense:
Kenyon, Sherrilyn, et al. Deadly Promises
Lief, Katia. You Are Next
Novak, Breanda. Killer Heat
O’Clare, Lorie. Play Dirty
Solomon, Annie. Two Lethal Lies

Suspense:
Davidson, Mary-Janice. Me, Myself & Why?
Ellison, J.T. The Immortals
Johansen, Iris. Chasing the Night
Quinn, Tara Taylor. The Second Lie

Time Travel:
Cready, Gwyn. Aching for Always
Hill, Sandra. Dark Viking

Urban:
Adams, Cat. Siren Song
Banks, L.A. Left for Undead
Crane, Carolyn. Double Cross
Estep, Jennifer. Venom
Hayes, Erica. Poison Kissed
Hendee, Barb. Memories of Envy
Perkins, Lori. Hungry for Your Love
Vincent, Rachel.  Alpha

Contemporary:
Andersen, Susan. Burning Up
Ciotta, Beth. Into the Wild
Edwards, Louisa. Just One Taste
Halliday, Gemma. The Perfect Shot
Hubbard, Charlotte. Law of Attraction
Mallery, Susan. Finding Perfect
Phillips, Carly. Love Me If You Dare

Erotica:
Burton, Jaci. Riding the Night
Davis, Jo. I Spy a Naughty Game
Dupree, Delta. Purely Sexual
Harper, Vonna, et al. Sexy Beast 9
Hill, Joey W. Vampire Trinity
Perrin, Kayla. Control
Phillips, Christina. Forbidden

Fantasy:
Carriger, Gail. Blameless
Golden, Christopher. When Rose Awakes

Historical:
Donner, Kit. The Vengeful Bridegroom
Drake, Olivia. Never Trust a Rogue
Fletcher, Donna. Bound to a Warrior
Gaston, Diane. Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress
Greenwood, Leigh. No One But You
Hill, Sandra. The Viking Takes a Night
Johnson, Kathryn. The Gentleman Poet
Kernan, Jenna. His Dakota Captive
Kyle, Barbara. The Queen’s Captive
Lee, Jade. Wicked Surrender
Linden, Caroline. You Only Love Once
McCarty, Monica. The Hawk
Medeiros, Teresa. The Devil Wears Plaid
Petersen, Jenna. The Unclaimed Duchess
Quinn, Paula. Seduced by a Highlander
Richards, Caroline. The Deadliest Sin
Scott, Susan Holloway. The Countess and the King
Stuart, Anne. Reckless
Warren, Tracy Ann. Wicked Delights of a Bridal Bed
Wildes, Emma. My Lord Scoundrel
Willingham, Michelle. Surrender to an Irish Warrior
Wilson, Gayle. Claiming the Forbidden Bride

Inspirational:
Gray, Shelley Shepard. Autumn’s Promise

Mainstream Fiction:
Ballis, Stacey. Good Enough to Eat
Coleman, Rowan. The Home for Broken Hearts
Hardin, Robyn. Chronicles of a Midlife Crisis
LaZebnik, Claire. If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home by Now
Macomber, Debbie. 1022 Evergreen Place
Michaels, Fern. Exclusive
Noonan, Rosalind. In a Heartbeat
Rendell, Joanne. Out of the Shadows
Riggle, Kristina. The Life You’ve Imagined
Shors, John. The Wishing Trees

Mystery:
Albert, Susan Wittig. The Tale of Oat Cake
Arruda, Suzanne. The Crocodile’s Last Embrace
Baxter, Cynthia. Crossing the Lion
Bowen, Rhys. Royal Blood
Coel, Margaret. The Spider’s Web
Henry, Sue. Cold as Ice
Kiely, Tracy. Murder on the Bride’s Side
Lavene, Joyce and Jim. Deadly Daggers
McGee, Chaz. Angel Interrupted
Mayes, Casey. A Deadly Row
Meier, Leslie. Wicked Witch Murder
Olson, Karen E. Driven to Ink
Paretsky, Sara. Body Work
Riggs, Cynthia. Touch-Me-Not
Ryan, Annelise. Scared Stiff
Stanley, Jennifer. The Way of the Guilty

Paranormal:
Adrian, Lara. Taken by Midnight
Aiken, G.A. Last Dragon Standing
Archer, Zoe. Warrior
Bardsley, Michele. Cross Your Heart
Bast, Anya. Cruel Enchantment
Beck, J.K. When Blood Calls
Burns, Monica. Assassin’s Heart
Castle, Jayne. Midnight Crystal
Cole, Kresley. Demon From the Dark
Day, Alyssa. Atlantis Betrayed
Delacroix, Claire. Rebel
Dodd, Christina. Chains of Fire
Douglas, Kate. Hellfire
Feehan, Christine. Dark Peril
Fox, Addison. Warrior Avenged
Frank, Jacquelyn, et al. Nocturnal
Graham, Heather. Ghost Moon
Howell, Hannah, et al. Yours for Eternity
Ione, Larissa. Sin Undone
Kantra, Virginia. Immortal Sea
Kohler, Sharie. My Soul to Keep
McCarthy, Erin, et al. The Beast Within
Marsh, Anne. Bond With Me
Monajem, Barbara. Tastes of Love & Evil
Sands, Lynsay. Born to Bite
Silver, Eve. Sins of the Soul
Sizemore, Susan. Primal Instincts
Snyder, Maria V. Spy Glass
Strong, Jory. Healer’s Choice
Treanor, Marie. Blood on Silk
Walker, Shiloh. Veil of Shadows

Romantic Suspense:
Adams, Jeanne. Deadly Little Secrets
Banks, Maya. The Darkest Hour
Barton, Beverly. Don’t Cry
Brady, Kate. Last to Die
Dane, Jordan. The Echo of Violence
Leigh, Lora. Renegade
Monroe, Lucy. Close Quarters
Novak, Brenda. Body Heat
Shayne, Maggie. Kiss Me, Kill Me

Science Fiction:
Aguirre, Ann. Killbox

Suspense:
Cain, Chelsea. Evil at Heart
Corin, Joshua. While Galileo Preys
Dittrich, Stacy. The Rapture of Omega
Indridason, Arnaldur. Hypothermia
van Heugten, Antoinette. Saving Max

Time Travel:
Squires, Susan. The Mists of Time

Urban Fantasy:
Bickle, Laura. Sparks
Gay, Kelly. The Darkest Edge of Dawn
Gray, Sarah. Wuthering Bites
Petersen, Jesse. Married With Zombies
Stein, Jeanne C. Chosen
Turner, Joan Frances. Dust

New reviews up at BSCKids include Beezus and Ramona, the Beverly Cleary classic that inspired the upcoming Selena Gomez flick, and Neil Gaiman’s Instructions.

Randomness from Palmer’s Index to the London Times, 1922 . . . death notices/inquests, causes of death:  death from misadventure, suffocated by a cat, fell over a cliff, fatally tossed by a cow, died from injuries received while pig sticking, and cocaine debauchery.

Chick Lit:
Jackson, Lucy. Slicker

Contemporary:
Bourne, Phyllis. Operation Prince Charming
Brockmann, Suzanne. Infamous
Higgins, Kristan. All I Ever Wanted
James, Lorelei. Corralled
Kelley, Karen. The Falcom Prince
McCarthy, Erin. Hot Finish
Phillips, Carly. Kiss Me if You Can

Erotica:
Alexander, R.G. Possess Me
Croft, Sydney. Tempting Fire
Harper, Vonna. Falcon’s Captive
Hart, Megan. Naked
Small, Bertrice. Passionate Pleasures
Whitefeather, Sheri. Private Dancer

Fantasy:
Sagara, Michelle. Cast in Shadows
Swann, S.A. Wolf’s Cross

Futuristic:
Owens, Robin D. Heart Journey

Historical:
Ashe, Katharine. Swept Away by a Kiss
Bernard, Renee. Seduction Wears Sapphires
Chase, Loretta. Last Night’s Scandal
Crooks, Pam. The Lawman’s Redemption
Dahl, Victoria. A Little Bit Wild
Dare, Tessa. Three Nights With a Scoundrel
DiPasqua, Lila. Awakened by a Kiss
Fyffe, Caroline. Montana Dawn
Gray, Allegra. Nothing But Deception
Heino, Susan Gee. Damsel in Disguise
Hoyt, Elizabeth. Wicked Intentions
James, Eloisa. A Kiss at Midnight
James, Judith. Libertine’s Kiss
James, Sophia. One Unashamed Night
Justiss, Julia. The Smuggler and the Society Bride
Moore, Margaret. Highland Rogue, London Miss
Morgan, Kira. Captured by Desire
O’Banyon, Constance. Wolf Runner
Ranney, Karen. A Highland Duchess
Stuart, Anne. Ruthless
Wine, Mary. Bedding the Enemy
Wolff, Veronica. Devil’s Highlander

Mystery:
Barrett, Lorna. Chapter & Hearse
Cavender, Chris. Pepperoni Pizza Can Be Murder
Douglas, Carole Nelson. Cat in an Ultramarine Scheme
James, Miranda. Murder Past Due
Lee, Amanda. The Quick and the Thread
Martin, P.D. Kiss of Death
Swarup, Vikas. Six Suspects
Warner, Penny. How to Crash a Killer Bash

Paranormal:
Barry, C.J. Body Master
Blair, Annette. Bedeviled Angel
Cooke, Deborah. Whisper Kiss
Feehan, Christine. Water Bound
Glass, Seressia. Shadow Chase
Graham, Heather. Ghost Night
Grant, Susan. Sureblood
Harris, Charlaine, et al. Death’s Excellent Vacation
Kellison, Erin. Shadow Fall
Kenyon, Sherrilyn. No Mercy
Knight, Angela, et al. Burning Up
Morgan, Alexis. Dark Warrior Untamed
Naughton, Elisabeth. Entwined
Pearce, Kate. Kiss of the Rose
Quinn, Devyn. Siren’s Call
Raye, Kimberly. Here Comes the Vampire
Silver, Eve. Sins of the Heart

Romantic Suspense:
Davis, Dee. Desperate Deeds
Eden, Cynthia. Deadly Fear
Fetzer, Amy J. Damage Control
Jennings, Elizabeth. Shadows at Midnight
Novak, Brenda. White Heat
Sala, Sharon. Swept Aside
Shayne, Maggie. Kill Me Again

Suspense:
Finder, Joseph. Buried Secrets
Teller, Joseph. Overkill

Urban Fantasy:
Butcher, Jim, et al. Dark and Stormy Knights
Caine, Rachel. Total Eclipse
Drake, Jocelynn. Wait for Dusk
Frost, Jeaniene. Eternal Kiss of Darkness
Gideon, Nancy. Captured by Moonlight
Hallaway, Tate. Almost to Die For
Kane, Stacia. City of Ghosts
Liu, Marjorie M. A Wild Light
Meding, Kelly. As Lie the Dead
Richardson, Kat. Labyrinth
Smith-Ready, Jeri. Bring on the Night
Twain, Mark, et al. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and the Undead

Contemporary:
Dahl, Victorial. Crazy for Love
Leigh, Lora and Jaci Burton. Nauti and Wild
London, Julia. One Season of Sunshine
Mallery, Susan. Almost Perfect
Miller, Linda Lael. Austin
Ross, JoAnn. The Homecoming
Sey, Susan. Money, Honey
Shepherd, Kandy. Home is Where the Bark Is

Erotica:
Adams, Tessa. Dark Embers
Carew, Opal. Bliss
Dane, Lauren. Insatiable
Douglas, Kate. Wolf Tales 10
Stevens, Shelli. Need Me
Tyler, Alison, et al. Alison’s Wonderland
Williamson, Beth. Unbridled

Fantasy:
Lackey, Mercedes. The Sleeping Beauty
Mills, K.E. Wizard Squared

Historical:
Ashley, Jennifer. Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage
Ashworth, Adele. The Duke’s Captive
Barbieri, Elaine. Renegade
Blayney, Mary. A Courtesan’s Kiss
Bridges, Kate. Alaska Bride on the Run
Brisbin, Terri. The Mercenary’s Bride
Busbee, Shirlee. Passion Becomes Her
Dain, Claudia. Daring a Duke
Dare, Tessa. Twice Tempted by a Rogue
Dreyer, Eileen. Barely a Lady
Feather, Jane. Rushed to the Altar
Foley, Gaelen. My Dangerous Duke
Henke, Shirl. Love Lessons at Midnight
Kalogridis, Jeanne. The Scarlet Contessa
Kleypas, Lisa. Love in the Afternoon
Lang, Emma. Ruthless Heart
Laurens, Stephanie. The Brazen Bride
Long, Julie Ann. I Kissed an Earl
Merrill, Christine. Paying the Virgin’s Price
Parr, Sarah. His for the Taking
Quincy, Olivia. My Lady’s Pleasure
Rice, Patricia. The Wicked Wyckerly
Rodale, Maya. A Groom of One’s Own
Scott, Amanda. Tempted by a Warrior
Scott, Bronwyn. Untamed Rogue, Scandalous Mistress
Simons, Paullina. Tatiana and Alexander
Taylor, Janelle. Cherokee Storm
Thomas, Jodi, et al. Give Me a Texas Ranger
Thomas, Melody. Claimed by a Scottish Lord

Inspirational:
Noble, Diane. The Sister Wife

Mystery:
Aames, Avery. The Long Quiche Goodbye
Adams, Riley. Delicious and Suspicious
Blair, Annette. Death by Diamonds
Campion, Alexander. The Grave Gourmet
Daniels, Casey. Tomb With a View
Davidson, Eileen. Diva Las Vegas
Johnston, Linda O. Feline Fatale
Lakin, Rita. Getting Old is Tres Dangereux
Laurie, Victoria. A Glimpse of Evil
Lowe, Sheila. Last Writes
Maffini, Mary Jane. Closet Confidential
Peacock, Caro. A Family Affair

Paranormal:
Brook, Meljean. Demon Blood
Cassidy, Dakota. My Way to Hell
Davidson, MaryJanice. Undead and Unfinished
Dodd, Christina. Chains of Ice
Eden, Cynthia. I’ll Be Slaying You
Galenorn, Yasmine. Night Myst
Graham, Heather. Ghost Shadow
Hatfield, Meagan. Shadow of the Vampire
Jackson, Melanie. The Ghost and Miss Demure
Kellison, Erin. Shadow Bound
MacAlister, Katie, et al. Cupid Cats
Marley, Louise. Mozart’s Blood
Palmer, Pamela. Rapture Untamed
Showalter, Gena. The Darkest Lie
Singh, Nalini. Bonds of Justice

Romantic Suspense:
Adair, Cherry. Black Magic
Adair, Cherry et al. The Bodyguard
Bush, Nancy. Blind Spot
Davis, Dee. Dangerous Desires
Garbera, Katherine. The Pirate
Griffin, Laura. Unspeakable
Neggers, Carla. The Whisper
Parrish, Leslie. Cold Sight
Roberts, Nora. The Search
Sala, Sharon. Torn Apart
Shayne, Maggie. Killing Me Softly

Suspense:
Cantrell, Rebecca. A Night of Long Knives
Freveletti, Jamie. Running Dark
Gardner, Lisa. Live to Tell
Johansen, Iria and Roy. Shadow Zone
Mofina, Rick. The Panic Zone

Time Travel:
Bangs, Nina. An Original Sin

Urban Fantasy:
Ashwood, Sharon. Unchained
Brennan, Allison. Carnal Sin
Drake, Jocelynn. Pray for Dawn
Gideon, Nancy. Chased by Moonlight
Holmes, Jeannie. Blood Law
Kane, Stacia. Unholy Magic
MacKenzie, Kasey. Red Hot Fury
Neill, Chloe. Twice Bitten
Peeler, Nicole. Tracking the Tempest
Phoenix, Adrian. Black Dust Mambo
Robertson, Linda. Fatal Circle
Vaughn, Carrie. Discord’s Apple
Vaugh, Carrie. Kitty Goes to War

Young Adult:
Noel, Alyson. Dark Flame

Alive: The Final Evolution at BSC - and Fashion Kitty at BSCKids.

Poetry
Bryant, William Cullen

(1817, 1832) “Thanatopsis”

(1825, 1832) “To a Mosquito”

Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

(1839) FromVoices of the Night: “Hymn to the Night”

(1845) From Poems: “A Psalm of Life”

(1846) From The Belfry of Bruges and Other Poems: “The Day Is Done”

(1856) From Poems: “Wreck of the Hesperus.”

(1858) From The Courtship of Miles Standish and Other Poems: “My Lost Youth” 

Kemble, Fanny

(1844) “To the Wissahiccon”

(1844) “Impromptu” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

(1839) “The Humble-Bee”

(1847) “Each and All”

(1847) “The Problem”

(1847) “Ode, Inscribed to W. H. Channing”

(1867) “Terminus” 

Lowell, James Russell

(1846) From A Fable for Critics: Emerson, Poe, Bryant, Hawthorne, Lowell

(1846) From The Biglow Papers: Letter 6—The Pious Editor’s Creed 

Whitman, Walt (Walt Whitman Archive)

(1855) “Song of Myself”

(1881) “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking”

(1860) “As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life” (1881 title)

(1865) “Vigil Strange I kept on the Field One Night”

(1865) “The Dresser, ” re-named “The Dresser” in 1876

(1865)“When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” 

Poe, Edgar Allen

(1845) “The Raven”

(1849) “Annabel Lee” 

Dickinson, Emily (Johnson or Franklin edition)

(1859) “Success is counted sweetest”

(1859, 1861) “Safe in the Alabaster Chambers”

(1861) “I like a look of Agony,”

(1861) “Wild Nights—Wild Nights!”

(1861) “I felt a Funeral, in my Brain”

(1862) “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—”

(1863) “Publication—is the Auction”

(1863) “Because I could not stop for Death—”

(1865) “A narrow Fellow in the Grass”

(1868) “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant—”

(1879) “The Bible is an antique Volume—”

 Melville, Herman

(1866) From Battle-Pieces; or Aspects of the War: “The Temeraire,”

 “A Utilitarian View of the Monitor’s Fight,”

“Stonewall Jackson,”

“The College Colonel”

(1891) From Timoleon:“Art”

“After the Pleasure Party”

 “In a Church of Padua” 

Crane, Stephen

(1894) “Black riders came from the sea”

(1897) “A man adrift on a slim spar”

(1894) “The wayfarer” 

Dunbar, Paul Laurence

(1895) “Accountability”

(1895) “We Wear the Mask”

(1897) “An Ante-Bellum Sermon” 

Memoirs & Autobiography

(1845) Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

(1854) Thoreau, Henry David. Walden

(1861) Jacobs, Harriet. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Written by Herself

(1863) Alcott, Louisa May. Hospital Sketches

(1883) Winnemucca, Sarah. Life among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims

(1901) Washington, Booker T. Up from Slavery

Essays & Speeches

Emerson, Ralph Waldo

(1838) “The American Scholar”

(1838) “Divinity School Address”

(1841) “Self-Reliance”

(1844) “Experience”

(1844) “Nature”

Poe, Edgar Allen

“The Philosophy of Composition.”Graham’s Magazine (1846)

“The Rationale of Verse” (1848)

Thoreau, Henry David.

(1848) “Resistance to Civil Government”

Lincoln, Abraham

(1863) “Gettysburg Address”

(1865) “Second Inaugural Address”

(1884) James, Henry. “The Art of Fiction”

(1895) Twain, Mark. “Fenimore Cooper’s Literary Offences”

Criticism

(1835) Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America

(1941) Matthiessen, F. O. American Renaissance

(1960) Fiedler, Leslie. Love and Death in the American Novel

(1985) Tompkins, Jane P. Sensational Designs

(1993) Sundquist, Eric J. To Wake the Nations

1900 Sister Carrie – Dreiser

1903 The Call of the Wild – London

1909 Martin Eden – London

1919 Winesburg, Ohio – Anderson

1922 Babbitt – Lewis

1922 The Hairy Ape – O’Neill

1924 Desire Under the Elms – O’Neill

1925 Arrowsmith – Lewis

1925 Manhattan Transfer – Dos Passos

1925 An American Tragedy – Dreiser

1925 The Great Gatsby – Fitzgerald

1926 The Sun Also Rises – Hemingway

1929 The Sound and the Fury – Faulkner

1929 A Farewell to Arms – Hemingway

1929 Look Homeward, Angel – Wolfe

20s-30s Life Being the Best, etc. Boyle

1930 USA Trilogy/42 – Dos Passos

1930 USA Trilogy/1919 – Dos Passos

1930 USA Trilogy/Big Money – Dos Passos

1932 Light in August – Faulkner

1933 The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas – Stein

1933 Tender is the Night – Fitzgerald

1935 Waiting for Lefty – Odets

1936 In Dubious Battle – Steinbeck

1936 Absalom, Absalom – Faulkner

1937 Nightwood – Barnes

1925-1938 Collected Short Stories of EH – Hemingway

1937 Their  Eyes Were Watching God – Hurston

1939 The Grapes of Wrath – Steinbeck

1940 The Iceman Cometh – O’Neill

1940 For Whom the Bell Tolls – Hemingway

1945 The Glass Menagerie – Williams

1946 All the King’s Men – Warren

1947 A Streetcar Named Desire – Williams

20s/30s Short  Stories of FSF – Fitzgerald

1947 Invisible Man – Ellison

1948 Guard of Honor – Cozzens

40s/70s Short Stories – Welty

1955 Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Williams

40s-60s A Good Man is Hard to Find, etc.  – O’Connor

1955 Lolita – Nabakov

1955 Catch 22 – Heller

1960 Zoo Story – Albee

1960 The Moviegoer – Percy

1963 Lost in the Funhouse – Barth

1969 Slaugherhouse Five – Vonnegut

1973 Gravity’s Rainbow – Pynchon

1976 American Buffalo – Mamet

1984 Slow Learner – Pynchon

1982 Glengarry Glen Ross – Mamet

1985 White Noise – Delillo

1988 Libra – Delillo

1990 The Things They Carried – O’Brien

1973 The Pound Era – Kenner

1989 A Homemade World – Kenner

1987 Postmodernist Fiction – McHale

Robert Frost

Wallace Stevens

William Carlos Williams

Ezra Pound

Marianne Moore

T.S. Eliot

John Crowe Ransom

Robert Penn Warren

FTW, again!  We were so excited about the HSM parody, that we weren’t expecting the princess sketch at the beginning of Sunday’s SWAC.  Fine family fun and then some – I love how Zora, who looks like she’s grown a foot since last season, was part of the sketch, and not as the little girl she used to be.  As long as they aren’t trying to keep her in that role, it’s all good, and actually, it’s better than last season.  She’s a great addition to the rest of the teens, and she fit in perfectly with the other girls as a non-Disney, Jersey princess.  Can’t wait ’til next time, as always.