Thanks for adding some cool, John Green

So how can I go from The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, an intriguing and sexy bodice ripper, to John Green? Cause I'm that kind of girl. If you didn't know that about me, you must be new :) I've already read The Fault in our Stars, finishing the book, horrifically, on a flight to Seattle last spring and sobbing before we even took off. Do not read that book while doing air travel, trust me. I was even forewarned but just could not put it down. And honestly, I DID NOT WANT TO READ THAT BOOK. I didn't want to cry. Beth, Leanne and several of my other book club peeps loved it, but I put it off for like 2 years. I'm so glad I finally put on my big girl panties and read it.

While shopping for a myriad of kid things, I picked up the hard copy of TFIOS for my daughter (I read the Kindle version) and Target in Castleton had this cute little John Green display. I'm so proud that he's a fellow Hoosier. I feel that Indiana is not quite as sexy as many states and he certainly brings an amount of cool to us here. While perusing his other books, I read the back cover of Looking for Alaska and decided to pick it up, having not really heard about it previously. Sometimes I just hit a good one, because as soon as I brought Alaska home, my sophomore daughter said "oh everyeone is talking about that book and reading it." See, John Green just added some cool to me too. So that's what I'm reading, Looking for Alaska. I've just started, but I already know I'm going to love it.

Unicorn Chaser

ThinkGeek actually SELLS it

What is a "Unicorn Chaser" you might ask? In book reference, after you've read a super heavy, sad or deep book, you then read a funny, light and possibly smutty book as your chaser to lighten the mood. Hence, Unicorn Chaser. My darling friend Amy, from whom I first heard the phrase, said it can refer to other things as well and I quote: "You know it's not just for books. If you see a yucky picture or hear a terrible story, anything cute or funny helps erase the bad memory." Amazingly, ThinkGeek also happens to sell a drink that is supposed to have the same effect. But I think smut is more fun.

I have not really been able to get into any good books recently and have gone through a dry spell. Then I found our beloved Deanna Raybourn had epubbed two Lady Julia novellas (one last December! -gasp- and one the first week of November). So I downloaded and read Silent Night and Midsummer Night and thoroughly enjoyed them. Were they heavy reads? No. But I still found myself wanting that Unicorn Chaser and feeling quite in the mood for bodice ripping.

After requesting suggestions from Facebook, the ever fun and helpful Janna suggested several series. The one that caught my attention was the Mackenzie series by Jennifer Ashley, starting with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie. If you'll remember, Jennifer has a book included in Laurie London's USA Today bestselling anthology, Dark and Dangerous: Six-in-One Hot Paranormal Romances. If you have not downloaded and read the entire anthology, do so immediately!

Back to my current read: I am totally engrossed in Lord Ian Mackenzie and Beth. I love them both and am happy to be enjoying a good book with some intrigue, bodice ripping and Parisian nightlife. If you would like to read along, be sure to let me know here or over on the Blue's Book Club facebook page. Cheers to an enjoyable Unicorn Chaser!

Hugs, Blue