Full Circle by Mona Ingram

Synopsis

This book covers a time period of 20 years. Unwed mother Bella moves to California to make a life for herself and her daughter. To earn some extra money, she sells clothes with her friend in Santa Monica. Because their business is so successful, it catches the attention of Rafael. He becomes a partner in their growing business.

Fast forward to the present. It is implied that Bella and Rafael have been fighting their attraction to each other the entire time. Meanwhile the business is booming to such an extent that they need a manufacturing plant. It is decided that the perfect location is Bella’s hometown. Here Bella has to come to terms with all of the reasons why she left in the first place.

Opinion

The story was okay. After reading it, I felt like saying “Meh”.

For me, there is something about Mona Ingram’s style of writing that makes me think of news reporter’s delivery. She gives the facts. She tries to describe the feeling and emotion, but to me it falls a little flat. Maybe I am used to a more animated style of writing.

In this story, I do not know why but it annoyed me that it took so long for Bella and Rafael to get together. Neither one of them could have a serious relationship since they were in to each other. It seems that the main characters put their love life on hold in the time it took them to figure out that they wanted each other. It took them 2 decades to figure it out!

I am a BIG fan of open communication even it if is “I like you. Do you like me? No pressure if you do not.” The loving-from-afar gets old after a while. Thinking about all the lost years of emotional limbo is depressing to me.

facepalm animated GIF

So much of the main conflict for the plot was internal. However my personality is more of a grab-the-bull-by-the-horns and face your problems head on. I believe that life is too short to let chances at happiness pass us by because we are afraid of rejection. Wondering what could have been is far more miserable to me than rejection.

All that being said, there are probably people that will find Full Circle wonderfully romantic.

Cyborgs need love, they just do not know it yet

Jun5

C791: Cyborgs: More Than Machines ♥♥♥♥

Synopsis

X109GI (named Joe) is a cyborg being held by the military. There is a war going on that began when the cyborgs decided that did not want the military to tell them what to do. Their free will from when they were 100% human was reawakened but the military wants to silence them as if they are just robots that need to be shut down.

While incarcerated, Chloe is assigned to collect body specimens from Joe. At times, Joe seems really human. Though Chloe cannot stop herself, she begins to have feelings for him. Logically, Joe does not understand how Chloe causes him to react irrationally. Maybe his humanity is not all lost.

Opinion

When I think “cyborg”, I think of “resistance is futile” from Star Trek: Next Generation. In this book, the military implants electronic chips and nanobots in humans to cause them to be more like bionic, super soldiers.

Joe is hot, buff, and super sexy. His logical brain makes him say some outrageous things at times. Good thing that Chloe does not hold it against him. While he is not that great when it comes to speaking with tact, the robotic side of him is good when it comes to memorizing how to pleasure his lady.

The twist the author put in the story at about 65% was TOTALLY unexpected. Loved it. I was screaming “WHAT? REALLY? OMG!”

I am not usually one who always appreciates a twist in a story, but this one was so unexpected and a delight at the same time. While I was in shock, I also wondered why didn’t I see that coming.

Overall, the steamy cyborg love scenes are more human than robotic. I like Joe’s alpha male struggle to come to terms with his ability to love even though he did not think it was possible. Chloe was a strong woman dealing with facts that challenged all her preconceived notions about what was true. Together they made a good team against the villainous military that threatened to strip people of their humanity and lives of those they deemed undesirable.

After reading C791: Cyborgs: More Than Machines, I was so pumped for the next in the series. I want all these hunky cyborgs to meet their love match.

Caveat: This book does have some graphic language and love scenes. Since he is a cyborg, he has robotic like stamina.

A short story that can steam up some of your time

May30

Just One Night (Decadence Creek): ♥ ♥ ♥

Synopsis

Chase owes a lot to Addison’s father since he helped him get his life together when he had a jail record. So he knows a relationship with Addison is out of the question.

If only she was not so desirable…

Two years ago, Chase turned Addison down when she wanted a relationship with him. With Addison back in town for a wedding, Chase’s self-control is not as strong. Addison is trying to come to terms with her attraction for Chase as well.

Opinion

Since this was a short story, there was not much to review. The couple has history which is alluded to many times. It is the love-lost-the-first-time trope. Chase does not think he deserves someone like Addison even though it is obvious that he is head over heels in love. Addison has a way of breaking through his resolve. Overall, I liked how the story ended. Happy. It is great that the villains attempt to separate the couple backfires and results in them coming together. This is a very short novella and will probably take about an hour or less to read. Hence, the review is very short as well.

Note: the love scenes are steamy and there is some profanity (more than a few F – bombs)

If you do not mind steamy love scenes or profanity, this is really cute short story.

To buy Just One Night (Decadence Creek) on Amazon click any of the links in this post

Taco Boy- Charleston SC

May26

Taco Boy – Charleston, SC

Taco Boy is an upscale taqueria in Charleston South Carolina. I say upscale because the tacos are about $4 each. This is far, far from the $1.75 that we are used to paying for tacos.

Prices aside, the tacos were pretty good. My usual order is a taco al Pastor (pork taco) but if I am paying four dollars, I want something special. I ordered the Baja fish taco and the grilled fish taco. The fish was flakey but firm enough to hold up to being in a taco. The cabbage was crisp and added crunch. I also got a side of Mexican street corn and tres leches (three milks) cake for dessert. Mexican street corn is cooked corn on the cob with mayo and cotija cheese (hard, crumbly Mexican cheese). This side dish is one of the few ways that I will eat mayo.

Their tres leches cake was OUT OF THIS WORLD. I felt like I was in Mexico eating at someone’s abuela’s (grandma) house. Tres leches cake is a sponge cake with has been soaked with 3 types of milk: whole milk, heavy cream, and sweeten condensed milk. And it is topped with whipped cream and cinnamon. This was worth the trip alone.

Taco boy has a lot going for them. They are serving quality ingredients. This is not mass-produced, frozen food. The flavor combinations are true to their Latin roots but with the modern, bold twist. I thoroughly enjoyed the food and the laid-back atmosphere. As you can see from the pictures, we sat outside. We went in October and the weather was nice. Not too hot or too cold.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself. On the other hand, hubby was grumpy.

Was there a problem with the food? No.
Was there a problem with the table service? No.

His complaint was that there were “too many hipsters”. Plus, he balked at the $4 per taco price tag. In his defense, our local taqueria makes tacos that are just as delicious and half the price (although they do not offer a fish taco).

In defense of Taco Boy, I will also say that I have finally found a fish taco I like this side of the East Coast. Paying four dollars beats a plane trip to California in my opinion. I have been known to travel for food.

I once went to Vegas for cake…but that is a story for another time.

It is true that hipsters have been known to mess up a good restaurant. Hipsters find a “hidden gem”. Bring all their friends and then the quality of the food begins to decline.

As long as Taco boy keeps their high standards of food preparation, they should be okay.

First Aid Kit- the band, not the obvious

May20

If someone asks me what type of music I like, I will respond that I like a little bit of everything.

So when I heard that an obscure folk band from Sweden named First Aid Kit was playing at The Orange Peel in Asheville on November 19, 2011 as the opening act for Lykke Li, I kept an open mind.

These girls as cute as a button, but their demure presence reflects their modesty and leaves the listener to focus on their soulfully talented voices. There is a bit of haunted quality in their tone which pulls at your heartstrings. The lyrics are poetic and draw you into their songs.

They gave a great show performing some songs from their latest album at the time Big Black & the Blue.
Afterwards, they hung around to take pictures sign CD cases.

As you can tell, I have some lovely pictures of them after their performance. I think that they did better than Lyyke Li and that was who I originally went to see. I am glad I saw them before they got too famous. I am happy that they are doing well and are being recognized on a larger scale. Their new music shows that they have not sacrificed any quality but are content to do what they like musically.

Hopefully, I will get to see them again. Since they are more popular, the venue might be bigger but I hope the ticket prices stay reasonable and the show is as awesome as the last.

Other notes about First Aid Kit

In February 14, 2013, they were awarded the Nordic Music Prize for the best Nordic album in 2012.

In February 20, 2013, they were awarded four Swedish Grammy awards for 2012 Artist Of The Year, Songwriter Of The Year, Best Pop Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

Altogether in 2013 they performed in about 30 concerts and 10 festivals.

“Other notes” information obtained from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Aid_Kit_(band)