Another interview, this time at Fresh Fiction and conducted by the fabulous and talented Rosemary Clement Moore.
Just think… three more weeks until STARS drops!
On the Blog
Cabana Boys: Thursday TV edition, plus BONUS! Great review news!
Don’t worry, we’ll get to Da Boyz momentarily, but first I just wanted to give myself a hearty WOOOOOOT on another great review for STARS! This one’s over at the Latina Book Club and it’s just lovely! Any time I can start a Monday off with “knock you off your seat” as a review is a good one, in my book.
Go, check it out. There’s even an interview with me in which I come off coherent and passionate about my subject matter. Which, you know, I am.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled boyz.
So, Thursday night. For me, this starts out with Bones which means David Boreanaz. I’ve mentioned more than once that Davey didn’t do it for me when he portrayed Angel. Not sure why other than I was a die-hard Wesley and Giles girl, which tells you something about my particular proclivities.
However.
However—
David’s another one of those to whom age has been quite kind. Something about rounding 40 and the little bit of gray sprinkled through the hair and the lines at the corners of his eyes are just adding up to something very, very interesting. (Same thing with Clooney. I never got Clooney until Ocean’s Eleven, you know?)
However, my favorite on Bones isn’t Seeley, as adorable as he is. Nope, it’s Hodgins. (Come on, like you didn’t see that coming?) And producers? Please to be putting TJ Thyne in t-shirts more often.
John Francis Daley has come a long way from the Freaks and Geeks days, but he still looks like a baby. A very cute baby with adorable dimples, but a baby. Even with the facial scruff he sported at the beginning of the season. He’ll probably have that baby face into his forties.
And looky what I found! A pic of all the male squinterns! Ryan Cartwright, Michael Grant Terry, Pej Vahdat, Eugene Byrd, and Joel David Moore. (Michael Grant Terry’s Wendell is perhaps my favorite, but they all have their charms.)
Thursday also means The Mentalist. Which means, Simon Baker. Who plays a slightly sociopathic Patrick Jane just beautifully. And he’s so pretty.
Actually, all of the guys in this cast are pretty in their own way. Owain Yeoman and his slightly goofy take Wayne Rigsby, but when it comes down to it, a damn good cop and pretty fearless.
And my favorite in the cast (of course) Tim Kang as the dry, sarcastic, absolutely imperturbable Kendall Cho. Seriously, he spends most episodes with this air of puzzled amazement like, “Really? I work with these people why, again?”
Imagine my shock when I found a pic of Tim Kang smiling and discovered he had dimples! And teeth! Lookit what a cutie he is!
And finally, because he’s going to be guesting on this week’s episode and his character was so memorable the first time around and because he’s one of my favorite character actors, Currie Graham who plays irrepressible billionaire Walter. (And for the CM fans, who also played the equally memorable Viper in “52 Pickup.”)
Okay, done now. And yes, I know, my darlings, that Fringe and Vampire Diaries are on Thursday nights as well. I’m starting with shows I watch, then I’ll start back over with shows I don’t watch, then maybe move on to cable shows… shows cancelled too soon… classic shows… I can keep this going indefinitely. ::nods::
Seattle area folks- event tonight!
Tonight I’m participating in my first area event as a Seattle author (hee! I love saying that!) by appearing with 21 other area authors at the SCBWI Western Washington Inside Story.
Inside Story is a twice-a-year party sponsored by SCBWI Western Washington and held at a participating bookstore, in this case, we’re going to be at Park Place Books in Kirkland, and we’ll be talking about the stories behind our stories in front of a lot of librarians, booksellers, and media. Each author is expected to talk for about three minutes about their books and the inspiration behind them and tell a little bit about themselves.
*gulp*
Oy vey.
I have to talk about myself.
For nearly three minutes.
Oy vey.
This is going to be interesting, y’all. I can talk about most anything, but talking about myself? Always an adventure. I never know exactly what to say and I’m always a’feared that I’m going to come off as some big naif. Anyhow, should you happen to be in the neighborhood or feel so inclined to show up, the event begins at 6:30 p.m. at Parkplace Books, 348 Parkplace Center, Kirkland.
And if you can’t make it, don’t sweat it– I have big plans that I’m hoping to be able to share soon.
If I don’t have a nervous breakdown first.
Booklist loves STARS!
And I love Booklist!
From their upcoming November 15th issue:
In a risky career move, ballerina Soledad refuses an offer to join a dance company in order to play the role of Carmen with a Miami-based competitive all-male drum and bugle corp. Although the role and its opportunities are seductive, spending the summer with her new boyfriend, bugle-playing Jonathan, and exploring their fresh, exciting love is equally compelling. As deep as her love is for Jonathan, Soledad finds herself strangely attracted to Taz, a Spanish soccer player—an attraction that threatens not only the couple’s love and trust but their careers as well. Ferrer understands the drive that consumes aspiring artists and athletes, and she conveys this single-minded absorption with charm and intensity. All three teens are likable, even lovable, and readers will empathize with their difficult choices. The story effectively depicts the excitement of performance, the intrigue of one girl traveling among 150 boys, Jonathan and Soledad’s steamy romance, and Taz’s courtly pursuit. Beautifully written, with contemporary characters and an engaging story line, it lacks only the promise of a sequel to make it complete.
I’m all sniffly and stuff, y’all…
Darned allergies.
Cabana Boys- Wednesday TV edition!
Oh boy, have I been waiting for this one. Because I am cheap and easy that way.
Because my Wednesday nights are all about Criminal Minds. Yes, I loves me some procedurals and this one hits all my buttons in that it’s more about the mind than the gore. And have you seen the cast?
Starting with the head guy in charge, Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner. So, so broken inside. And what we (meaning those of us who dissect the show on a weekly basis) have decided is that Thomas Gibson was very pretty as a young man (ala Tales of the City and Dharma and Greg) but age has definitely brought out the best in him.
Shemar Moore, OTOH, is just flat out pretty. A, really-that-borders-on-massively-wrong, kind of pretty. With very expressive eyebrows.
Back to being part of the GCC! Touring Denise Jaden
Where GCC stands for the Girlfriend’s Cyber Circuit blog tour.
I was part of it a few years back, but then went things slowed down for me, I gave my spot up so others could have their turn. But now I’m BAAAAAACK, baby! And I’m touring my first Girlfriend, author, Denise Jaden, who’s written an incredibly intriguing book, Losing Faith.
Losing Faith
by Denise Jaden
A terrible secret.
A terrible fate.
About the book:
When Brie’s sister, Faith, dies suddenly, Brie’s world falls apart. As she goes through the bizarre and devastating process of mourning the sister she never understood and barely even liked, everything in her life seems to spiral farther and farther off course. Her parents are a mess, her friends don’t know how to treat her, and her perfect boyfriend suddenly seems anything but.
As Brie settles into her new normal, she encounters more questions than closure: Certain facts about the way Faith died just don’t line up. Brie soon uncovers a dark and twisted secret about Faith’s final night…a secret that puts her own life in danger.
Rave Reviews:
“Strong in its characterization…satisfying…a thoughtful read.”
-VOYA
“This book is wonderful. I stayed up way too late because I couldn’t put it down. Tessa is one of my all-time favorite characters – fascinating, nuanced – she lived for me, jumped right off the page. Terrific read!”
– Janet Fox, author of Faithful (Penguin/Speak, 2010) and Get Organized Without Losing It (Free Spirit Publishing, 2006)
“Suspense, religion, romance, teenage angst—this book has it all and it is all well done. Losing Faith was an amazing read that hooked me in the beginning and when it was done I was well-satisfied with the conclusion. Great from start-to-finish!”
– Crystal at myreadingroom-crystal.blogspot.com
Bio:
Denise Jaden lives just outside Vancouver, Canada. When she’s not writing, she can often be found homeschooling her son or dancing with her Polynesian dance troupe. Losing Faith is her first novel. Find out more at denisejaden.com.
Hey! She lives just up the road from me, in a manner of speaking. And her bio is definitely intriguing, no? But of course, being me, I had a few more questions to ask. Okay, I totally bogarted the pop quiz from my own bio with a couple of embellishments. So here we go:
Dark or milk chocolate?
Definitely dark. The darker the better. 70% cocoa or higher preferable.
Thin or thick crust pizza?
Hmm. I don’t really care. Pizza is good no matter which way you slice it.
Lakes or oceans?
Oceans. I love the vastness of them and the waves are calming. Plus, I’ve always wanted to learn how to surf.
Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen Dazs?
When I was growing up, we didn’t have Ben & Jerry’s in Canada, so I’m a Haagen Dazs girl. Though, I admit, I love Cold Stone Creamery above all else. (Mmm… Cold Stone…)
Lady Gaga or Katy Perry? (If neither, then who?)
I hate music questions. I have very eclectic tastes in music and I fear if I answer one way people will assume generalizations about my musical tastes. I plead the fifth! (Barb’s note: Oh, I totally get this. Says the woman with over 13,000 entries in her iTunes library…)
GLEE or Vampire Diaries? (Or whatever show currently has your fancy)
We don’t get any channels at our house so I’m totally not up on current TV. I have a set of Friends DVD’s that I can’t get enough of though.
Ten or Eleven? (For the Doctor Who fans– if you’re not one, then has there ever been a show or film or book that turned you into a hardcore fan?)
Nope. Not a hardcore fan of anything, but I have lots and lots of films and books that I love. Some favorite movies: The Matrix, Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally. Favorite authors (including all their books): Sarah Dessen, Sarra Manning, Laurie Halse Anderson
Coke or Pepsi?
Diet of either. I’m not picky.
Growing up, astronaut or supermodel?
Probably supermodel. More likely actress.
Final question: If your book had a theme song, what would it be?
Ugh. Another music question! Actually, a good friend of mine, musician Jerrica Santos, wrote a song about my book called Losing Faith. It will be released to the world soon. Stay tuned…
Thanks so much, Denise and we’ll definitely be checking out Losing Faith!
Today, I wear purple…
It’s no secret to those who know me, that purple is my favorite color. I joke that it’s the sole remnant of twelve-year-old girlhood I possess, my love of most shades of purple.
Today I wear it not just because I love it, but to show my support. To LGBT teenagers and adults– to anyone who’s been bullied for being who they are.
I know for so many, it does get better. I want it to continue getting better. I want, when my kids have children of their own, that days like this will be obsolete and they’ll be asking why such a thing was even necessary and be appalled as to the reasons.
I want to help make it better if only by showing, through the color I wear today, that I care.
Meep! A 4-Star Review for STARS!
From the upcoming December issue of RT Book Reviews magazine!
All the pain, passion and consequences of first love, told from the heart of a bold, feisty heroine make this a hard-to-put-down read. Ferrer elegantly captures both the certainty and doubt of young love and combines it with the lessons of growing up and coping with change.
Soledad’s life revolves around dance. She spends every waking moment practicing or dreaming about spending her summer working in a studio and then auditioning in New York come fall. Then Jonathan Crandall, a talented musician who also attends the Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, approaches her for the first time. He offers what seems like a crazy proposition: Would she spend the summer traveling and dancing with a competitive drum and bugle corps? Soledad agrees, and as the summer progresses her feelings for Jonathan grow, but there is also another guy competing for her attention. Tension builds until one terrifying, fateful night threatens to destroy their relationship — and their careers.
Now, isn’t that sweet!
Cabana Boy Monday: Tuesday TV edition
Keeping on with the theme established (and supported last week) of dedicating a television day of the week for the Boys, so today is Tuesday and that means…
GLEE!
Oh yes, indeedy. The boyz from GLEE are very nice to look at and across such a wide spectrum. First there’s Matthew Morrison. We all know how I feel about cuties who are multi-talented and he definitely fits the bill:
Then, there’s his new competition for Emma’s heart, played by the formerly adorable, always smokin’ John Stamos. Now, as cute as John was during his mullet days:
I think he’s definitely improved with age. Like a fine, fine wine:
The rest of the cast offers quite a bit of pretty as well, starting with the adorable, angsty woobie, Mark Salling:
To Cory Monteith, who’s got that wholesome thing going for him. (I know a lot of people have the hate on for Finn, but I think Cory’s adorable.)
Mike Chang sings! (sort of) And we know he dances like a mad fool. And Harry Shum, Jr. is just completely engaging in his portrayal.
Most people don glasses to look a bit older/more mature, but Kevin McHale actually looks older without his signature specs. And kind of reminds me a bit of John Francis Daley.
And while Chris Colfer is but a wee one and has that fresh-faced persona, this picture that appeared in Rolling Stone brought to mind a young, beautiful, broody James Dean and boy, was that surprising! (Not to mention, his voice makes me think Inappropriate Things. Let us say no more.)
Much as one might believe it, though, GLEE is not my only Tuesday night show. Nope, with my weakness for police procedurals and Michael Imperioli, I’ve been watching Detroit 187. Because, you know, Michael Imperioli is absolutely brilliant as a twitchy, eccentric homicide detective. (Not to mention, Imperioli’s just plain brilliant—a phenomenal writer as well as an actor. He’s just totally cool in my book.)
And poor Jon Michael Hill’s character, having to cope with Imperioli’s Fitch and a crazy-possessive wife. He often has this trapped rabbit expression going on, poor noodle.
And my last one for the day, promise, is D.J. Catrona, playing a former undercover narc turned homicide detective. He’s got a lovely, exotic look to him that puts me in mind of Michael Weiss from The Pretender (oh, how I loved that show!).
Okay. That’s it for today. And next week… Wednesday Boyz! (I know some of y’all know what I’m looking forward to!)
The Return of the Cabana Boy
Because I’m just so giddy with relief that I finally finished this sucker, I wanted to look at some pretties.
And it’s Monday night! Pretties abound!
Like Zachary Levi!
Or Nathan Fillion…
Funny discussion with a friend last week. We were discussing who current Beta heroes were in popular television (Since I love Betas with a mad passion) and she said Richard Castle, definitely. Which, yeah… but what cracked me up was she said, “I love Nathan Fillion, but Castle does nothing for me, whereas as Captain Tightpants, mmmm…” To which I replied, “And see, Captain Tightpants did nothing for me in the RAWR dept, whereas I could take Castle out behind the woodshed and do baaaaaad things to him.”
Same outward package, but the character is the difference. I actually think there’s the making for an interesting writing workshop there.
Anyhow, Cabana Boys. Yes. Moving on.
Oooh, and Monday nights now also mean the remade Hawaii Five-O which is just cracktastic pretty fun. I mean, look at this cast! Alex O’Loughlin, Daniel Dae Kim, Scott Caan, and in the girl crush category, Grace Park, who rocks the house as Kono.
Bonus! Waterlogged Alex!
And that’s just Mondays! (That’s how I should resurrect the Cabana Boys. Feature one night of television each week. Like underwear.)
Barbara Ferrer 