Category: General Topics

In this section we hope to bring you the latest information on books, movies, music, and more.

4.0 out of 5 stars

Solid, but I miss Hoag’s old more romantic books

This was a solid book, but uninspiring in the romantic suspense genre. Perhaps they are trying to cross over to get guys to read it, but it is not well flesh out if that is the case.

I really don’t think the author writes about men or boys all that well, so considering the main protagonists are all supposed to be male this is a real let down. Also, at the end, when we get the usual rather dull round up of what happens to everyone, there is hardly any mention of Abby the supposed heroine of the piece.  Also, it breaks the rule of show, don’t tell.  It could have used more action.

I like Kev Parker as a hero but a lot more could have been made of him. Any other quibbles I had with his character are in the nature of spoilers, so I can’t be more specific here except to say that all the women are even more flat as characters than he is.

Abby had the potential to be really memorable, but that is lost in the farfetched conclusion of this book.

This is an author with interesting ideas who needs to tease them out more by focusing on character instead of plot all the time. After all, we only care about what happens if we care about the characters that it happens to.

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1.0 out of 5 stars

My radiator gives off more steam!!

This book was terrible. The simple sentence structures and one dimensional characters  were bad enough, but for someone who has tried to make a name for herself with romantica and erotica, there were no heady erotic sexual scenes at all. They spend far more time talking about it, reading and writing emails about it, than they ever do doing it.

The couple of scenes with the hero and heroine read like extremely tame, plain vanilla versions of the absolute worst of the Red Sage and Black Lace books, with a hero who does nothing but grunt and growl. Really, Susan Krinard’s Werewolves are far more sexy, and have better manners! At least they say thank you after the wham-bam.

The whole bondage, domination/submission thing reads more like a text book, and the only lurid details in the book that moved me were the gross descriptions of the killer carving out their hearts. Ugh.

This is a really BAD romance worse than any Harlequin I have ever read, with flat characters and a couple of pistoning scenes. I will not use the word love to describe them.

The ending is trite, cliche, and so dull, as the writer spends PAGES telling us what happened to every single one of the minor characters, all living happily ever after of course, that I just sat their laughing, it was so bad. Again, this author breaks the basic rule of show, don’t tell.

Really, if you want a spicy read, try Shannon McKenna, Susan Johnson, Thea Devine, or any of the Black Lace books if you really want to get daring-do not waste your time with an author who obviously writes a lot, but needs to learn how to tell a HOT story-four letter words, leather and handcuffs are trite and passe.

And erotica and romantica have become so mainstream, well, this author is going to have to come up with a lot better to satisfy a sophisticated audience.
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Skin care should not be complicated but it should definitely be beneficial, leaving your skin in better shape than when you started.

Natural products for the skin can not only cleanse and tone, they can add radiance to your skin without harsh chemicals, preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Herbs and other natural ingredients have been used for thousands of years as effective cleansing tools for the skin. The ancient Romans and Egyptians were famed for their beauty. Only in the past two hundred years have women turned away from traditional home-made skin care to ready-made, store-bought concoctions.

Some of these over-the counter soaps and treatments can have harsh side effects due to the man-made ingredients and chemical additives and preservatives.

Some of these skin care side effects include irritation, redness, pimples, and dry skin.

For a simple, smart skin care routine without chemicals and their side effects, why not consider using natural products that won’t strip or irritate even the most sensitive of skins.

For example, gentle cleansers made from chamomile are excellent. It helps clean the skin, unclog pores, and also serves to soothe your skin and prevent redness. (Chamomile can also be used as an excellent brightener for blond hair).

Another popular choice is cucumber, which has a calming effect on the skin, and can reduce irritation. It also has a wonderful cooling effect, and can be especially good for puffiness around the eyes.

If you have oily or combination skin, choose a cleanser that incorporates tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural astringent, and in this case it decreases sebum production, and also bacteria. It penetrates deep into the pores, and this in combination with its anti-bacterial properties, can help prevent acne.

It has a cooling effect upon the skin as well, so it can be used as a high powered acne treatment, but without the redness and dryness which often goes hand in hand with trying to zap those pesky zits. Comfrey and seaweed can also help keep down acne.

People with dry skin should look for rich, soothing creams that incorporate nourishing and soothing ingredients like chamomile or frankincense. They enhance skin’s moisture levels, help retain moisture and firmness, and thus prevent wrinkling.

Natural skin care has many advantages over the typical store-bought products which are packed full of artificial ingredients. Natural skin care is healthful, safe, and inexpensive. If you have sensitive skin, or are disappointed with products you have bought to try to cure your skin problems, natural skin care products you can make in the comfort of your own home in small, ultra-fresh batches, may be your best skin care option.

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Here you’ll find news on fashion, jewelry, and more.

Allergens in the Home

Recent studies have demonstrated that the air inside many homes is far actually far more polluted than the air in many major cities.

Airborne allergens and pollutants that are often found in a person’s home can cause serious health consequences in both the short and long term.

Ventilation is one way to keep the air fresh in your home. Air conditioners with HEPA filters can help, as can fans, and keeping your windows open. Vacuuming regularly also helps.

Avoid heavy chemicals like air fresheners, and especially those sprinkle-on carpet air fresheners, which have actually been known to KILL pets.

Many people use humidifiers and ionizers. Humidifiers can be dangerous if they are not kept scrupulously clean inside and out. The damp atmosphere can be a haven for bacterial and mold spores. Ionizers and HEPA filters are only as good as they are kept clean.

Many people are not too fond of Clorox and other kinds of bleach, but they are noted for keeping sheets scrupulously clean.

If you suffer from indoor and outdoor allergies, rather than popping a pill, why not do a check of your house to see if it is well-ventilated, that all your filtering devices are clean, and that you regularly clean your soft furnishings, sheets and towels.

Avoid harsh chemicals and perfumes, and also look at your cleaning products and even your toiletries.

One other trick: during ragweed and pollen season, wash your face, eyebrows and eyelashes with baby soap like Johnson’s to help keep yourself free from the microscopic irritants that can collect on them. Change your pillowcases frequently as well.

With these simple measures, plus keeping your home well-ventilated, you should notice a difference in the air quality of your home, and your allergies.

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