Author Victoria Dahl

It is a lovely morning here in Salt Lake. Yes, it's cold and the ground is covered in snow, but I am huddled inside in comfy clothes writing and I have finally completed a challenging task that procrastination and illness have kept me from completing for several weeks - I wrote my fist synopsis. I am basking in the glow of this accomplishment. But thinking of things writerly, I want to share with anyone who enjoys romance an author that has quickly crept to the top of my list of favorite authors: Victoria Dahl.

I have now finished reading every book she has out (except the stories in anthologies - working on those next) and love them all - okay there is one I like a lot but don't love like I love the rest. But of her eight novels and one novella (not including the anthology stories), I think that's some pretty good stats. She writes both contemporary and historical. Her characters are rich and believable, the stories engrossing and funny, the sex steamy (sometimes uber steamy) and her voice is like wrapping yourself in a comfortable blanket you know and love. And since I've met her, I can tell you she is a genuinely nice person. She has a new trilogy coming out in 2011 I can hardly wait to buy and read as well a sequel in the wings I am eagerly awaiting.

If you like romance and great writing - do yourself a favor and check out Victoria Dahl at http://victoriadahl.com.

'TRON: Legacy' and a brief rant

I have been sick lately - the last three weeks have been a blur of cold, fever, bed, then my tooth getting pulled out (another story for when you're really bored) and then having a cold relapse. I feel very rested now that I only have a lingering cough and the grand canyon in my mouth. So, here we go - back on track.

I took my son and his girlfriend to see TRON: Legacy on it's opening day...in 3D...on the IMAX. Did you just think 'AWESOME'? I did! And I was there and thought that then too. I have mixed feelings about this moviethough. Let's start with the love. Love Garrett Hedlund. Love Jeff Bridges. Love, love, love the special effects and the stunning visuals of this movie. Love Michael Sheen, who kind of stole the movie for me with his flamboyant David Bowie homage inspired character. Love the main cute girl (Olivia Wilde) - she is stunning. What didn't I love? I didn't love that sometimes you couldn't understand what was being said because the 'programs' speaking were made to sound electronic. And this isn't a love/no love situation, and it could be I needed to see the original more recently than a decade ago or that my brain was fuzzy from being sick at the time (I'm siding with this one) or I really am slow sometimes, BUT Jeff Bridges' zen thing going on in the movie and the point of it all (I'm guessing) threw me and thus the story line didn't always track for me. It could be it was just too esoteric for my wee poor brain.... or not - who knows. I'll have to watch the original and then this one again when I'm feeling good and sharp and see if I still have the same problem. But I had fun and enjoyed the ride (pun intended).

Now on to the brief rant. I just want to say damn you Hallmark (and occasionally Lifetime) channel! During my convalescence, I have watched 15 to 20 Hallmark channel Holiday movies (with the occasional Lifetime movie as well). Every one meant to be a feel good, cheesy, sometimes love story, always family centered, holiday warmth extravaganza celebrating Santa, the holidays, family, relationships and all things good cheer with the express purpose of making me cry at least once during said film. And I hate crying. I kinda hate being all warm and fuzzy too. And yet I can't stop myself from watching them - year after year. I'm obviously a glutton for punishment. No one does these type of films better than Hallmark - let me say that. So, damn you Hallmark for making me soft and gooey inside when I hate being that way and have no resistance to your wily, emotional charms. And I still have a few on my DVR to watch... and I'll love them... and hate them for making me cry and feel warm inside. I'm having a bit of a Grinch identity crisis over here. You know - that moment when his heart grows three sizes that day.... it's painful troops - don't kid yourselves. Grrr ... and Happy Holidays!

"The Tourist'

...with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. So good! Kept me guessing throughout. Also stars Paul Bettany, Timothy Dalton, and Rufus Sewell. Did I mention so good? Jolie is really gorgeous in this and Depp is utterly adorable and cute and sexy and beautiful and just always, always, always amazing. I may have a teeny tiny enormous crush : )

It's got action, suspense, mystery, romance and is set in Venice for the most part. I now have to go to Venice. Going to a Ball wouldn't hurt either. And a train ride and a boat ride. And since we're on a wish list, I'll just add kissing Johnny Depp to it : ) No spoilers folks - just a resounding Go See It.

A marathon of movie thoughts

Over the holidays, 1) I didn't post anything, so I'm behind & 2) saw a ton of movies, so I'll do a quickie marathon of thoughts... I caught up on some DVDs and streaming movies as well - but today I'll focus on new releases.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Pt 1: LOVED IT. Special effects rock, story and acting always rock, and it ends in a natural place - can't wait for Part 2 next summer.

Unstoppable: Stars Denzel Washington and Chris Pine (yummy). Really good - on the edge of my seat and couldn't sit still for all the action. And it's based on a real story.

Tangled: Rapunzel as only Disney can do it. Great movie. Laugh out loud funny, beautifully animated, our hero as voiced by Zachery Levi is delicious, and a tear-jerker as well (if my adult daughter, who was sobbing at certain points, is any measure). Not just for kids, folks (we had none with us).

Love & Other Drugs: Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway are wonderful in this. It's an emotional roller coaster full of gorgeous naked bodies (fun for all). I found it an interesting study on medicine, disease, doctors and sales people as well as being a really good love story. At the end - SPOILER ALERT - Jake's character turns out to be the perfect romantic hero as defined by romance writing dictates. I'd buy this one because it's so watchable and not just because I get to see so much of Jake (if you know what I mean).