Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Andre Bocelli


Andre Bocelli
by LeeAnn Sharpe

Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was the venue for Andre Bocelli December 14th, 2007.

What a voice. He filled the arena with such a bold and emotional tenor that it didn’t matter if it was in Italian, and the majority of the audience were unfamiliar with most of the arias from operas he performed. The passion came through with such force as to bring tears to your eyes anyway.

Bocelli, a disciple of Luciano Pavarotti, spoke of the great loss of his friend and dedicated his performance to the memory of his mentor and sang "Nessum Dorma", Pavarotti’s signature song. He said, “Tonight he is with us.” It was so beautiful and heart felt. You could feel the love he put into that song.

And for additional motivation for a magnificent performance, Bocelli said he was performing for his personal hero and special guest in the front row. To the audience’s surprise, Muhammad Ali, former three-time World Heavyweight Champion stood up to wave. As the camera came into focus on his face on the big screens, a roar of applause filled the arena. Bocelli ended the concert donning a pair of boxing gloves autographed by the Champ.

There has been much criticism of this concert tour where most dates are booked into large arenas or venues not particularly suited to the esthetic sounds of opera. But they are the only places large enough to accommodate the massive audiences who rush to see this charismatic singer. Glendale’s Jobbing.com Arena was no exception to the criticism depending on where you were seated. On the floor near the stage sound and lighting were pretty good. The only complaint was the cold. With ice under the flooring it’s bound to be pretty chilly. On the upper levels the concourse noise was surprisingly loud and freezing air from doors open to the outside made the distractions pretty annoying.

But the voices and music were still incredibly amazing. The New West Symphony Conducted by Maestro Steven Mercurio was perfection. Mercurio opened with Verdi’s “Overture from I vespri siciliani”. And for an arena, the sound system of the nearly new Glendale arena is state of the art providing the best possible sound in the cavernous area.

Bocelli opened with "La donna e mobile" from Verdi's Rigoletto, which has great popular appeal and is even familiar to non-opera aficionados. Baritone Luis Ledesma joined Bocelli onstage in the duet “In un coup” from Puccini’s La Boheme. Next Soprano Daniela Bruera took the stage with Verdi's “Ah, Fors'e Lui, Sempre Libera” from La Traviata. Bocelli joined on stage for another aria from La Traviata “Brindisi”.

Maestro Mercurio conducted “Intermezzo” from Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini.

Ledesma returned with a beautifully intense performance of Puccini’s “Te Deum” from Tosca. Bocelli followed with the famous aria from Tosca’s violent conclusion “E Lucevan le Stelle”. The first act was concluded with a rather long Madama Butterfly’s “Viene la sera” with Bocelli and Bruera. The scenes from the opera were played on a large screen behind the orchestra. It was beautifully sung, but a little long for the restless audience.

One couple I spoke to said, “We were expecting a show with more "popera" than opera.” The same was echoed by several others who knew Bocelli more from his pop performances on PBS and on Pop radio stations and television, than from his operatic career for which he is celebrated the world over.

After the Intermission they got their wish for some pop.

Mercurio opened the second act with “Overture from Russian and Ludmilla” by composer Mikhail Glinka, often called the father of Russian classical music.

Then Bocelli gave the gift of his beautiful “Ave Maria” by Schubert, followed by the sacred aria “Panis Angelicus” holding the final note in a mood of veneration for a small eternity.

Daniela Bruera brought a bit of German opera to the stage with “Meine Lippen, Sie Kussen So Heiss” from Franz Lehár's Giuditta.

“Musica Proibita”, “Aranjuez”, and “Mattinata” all by Bocelli followed.

At this point Andrea returned to the stage wearing the white jacket saying it was time for a change of pace. He played the flute at the beginning of the “Melodramma”. Then Heather Headley joined him on stage for “Canto della terre” and “The Prayer”.
The finale was “Time to Say Goodbye” with Daniela Bruera. It is considered Bocelli's signature song and what was obviously what the audience wanted to hear from the beginning. A long and appreciative standing ovation followed.

I can not say enough about Maestro Steven Mercurio and his devoted attention and obvious friendship he bestows on Andrea leading him onto stage and together delivering a most memorable performance. Ticket Prices: $81-$281

Bocelli recently issued “The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivire”, his first hits collection. It features his signature “Time to Say Goodbye”.

Review of COYOTE DREAMS: A VERY ARIZONA CHRISTMAS


Review of COYOTE DREAMS: A VERY ARIZONA CHRISTMAS
By LeeAnn Sharpe
It’s amazing how much laughter 6 actors can bring into a room. That’s just what happens when Darknight Productions “Coyote Dreams: A VERY Arizona Christmas” is performed at Grimaldi’s Pizzaria in Scottsdale or Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria. Attendance has been so good, the show has been extended until January 5th at the Encore Room at Arizona Broadway Theatre.

Husband and wife team of playwright Alexx Stuart and director Diedre Kaye relaunch their successful holiday show, “Coyote Dreams: A VERY Arizona Christmas” about a Minnesota couple who contemplate a move to Arizona. Alexx and Diedre are both from Minnesota, so Alexx wrote 20 song parodies of popular carols to tell humorous stories about Arizona from the perspective of newcomers.

The laughs are non-stop with every aspect of Arizona covered. The six actors take on various roles and take us on a journey around the state. Stuart wrote some very creative lyrics to traditional holiday tunes including, “Have Yourself a Tacky Tombstone Christmas”, “Oh Little Town Built by Del Webb”, “Santa Baby” sung by a jail bird inviting Sheriff Joe Arpaio to “come on down to my cell tonight”. And Sun City seniors would enjoy "Silver Hairs," to the tune of Silver Bells. Arizona students can appreciate "All I Want for Christmas is No AIMS Testing." He takes plenty of swings at Arizona sports as well.

The intimate setting and abundant food and drink put the audience into a jovial frame of mind and the laughter is so infectious outsiders might think the room was tipsy. Not a dry eye is simply the result of hilarious puns and cracks at familiar institutions and personalities. Kaye and Stuart have this dinner show routine fine tuned to a smooth running machine with every moment falling perfectly into place. Music, dialogue, and food all choreographed perfectly. They are more than writer and director. They are the perfect hosts for a lovely evening.

Cast include Barbara McGrath (Ahwatukee), Dan Stroud (Phoenix), Barb Ellis (Tempe), Fernando Duran (Mesa), Denise Kelleher (Fountain Hills), Wade Moran (Tempe).

Coyote Dreams East - Grimaldi's in Old Town 4000 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale doors open at 6:30 PM December 8th, 22nd, 23rd & 27th West-Encore Room at Arizona Broadway Theatre at 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria December 2nd, 9th and 30th For details, visit www.darknightproductions.us or call 480-595-7346. Tickets for dinner, show and gratuity are $41.25 plus tax. Reservations are required.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Alice Cooper’s 7th Annual Christmas Pudding Concert


Alice Cooper’s 7th Annual Christmas Pudding Concert
a fund raiser for the Rock Teen Center
by LeeAnn Sharpe

It’s almost 1am and I just got home from the 7th Annual Christmas Pudding Concert by Alice Cooper. What a show! Alice calls all of his friends and they turn out for what has to be one of the best rock shows in Phoenix this year! Starting at 7:30pm it was over 4 hours of incredible jams. My hands are sore from clapping so much!

The finale with Alice Cooper & Band had the place hopping, but then when he brought out all of the performers to sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, the crowd went wild.

Jordin Sparks, the 2007 American Idol Winner, and her band (two guitarists and back up singers) shared her hit “Tattoo” and a new song she wrote “Virginia is for Lovers” as well as the duet from her album, “No Air” she says will be her next single release.

CTA with Danny Seraphin & Marc Bonilla belted out all of the top hits from Chicago days. Danny’s drum solos were an example of how years of experience can out perform youthful exuberance. I remember hearing him years ago and he is so much more exciting now!

Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers rocked the joint with hit after hit. You can see why this Tempe band is the only independent band to have five consecutive top-10 albums on the Billboard Internet Sales Chart.

Flo & Eddie of The Turtles flooded the audience with memories of “Happy Together” and “She’d Rather Be with Me” and more. The generational gap was evident as the parents all knew the lyrics and the kids giggled at their parent’s enthusiasm. By the end they had the entire audience on their feet singing along.

Whiskey Falls provided al little country. "Proof is in the Pudding" Winners Brewed to Perfection and Shaun Patrick Moe performed with the hope that their future will follow the footsteps of former “Pudding” winner Jordin Sparks.

Rock Demarco "The World's Fastest Painter" demonstrated his talent and creating a work of art in minutes on stage. The painting was latter sold along with an autographed guitar for $13,000. Two other guitars sold for $8,000 each.

Destiny Dancers led by Cheryl Cooper opened the show with a variety of talented dancers showcasing their dance styles.

Videos were shown, as the stage was being reset for each act, highlighted past “Christmas Puddings” with each year raising more and more bucks for the Solid Rock Foundation. Last year Funds are slated for the Rock, a Teen Center. Groundbreaking is anticipated for the coming year at the present rate of fund acquisition. The website www.alicecoopersolidrock.com tells the entire story of how Solid Rock needs to raise 7.3 million for the 29,000 sq ft facility which will be located on the campus of Grand Canyon University at 33rd Avenue and Camelback. It will reach out to youth and teenagers in the surrounding community and throughout the whole valley. Panorama Hills Newspaper will have continuing articles about the Rock’s progress and how you can help with not only donations of cash and equipment, but mentoring skills as well.

Holiday Tips to Ease Stress and Live a Longer & Healthier Life

Holiday Tips to Ease Stress and Live a Longer & Healthier Life
By LeeAnn Sharpe
The holidays always seem to heighten the level of stress in our lives. What should be the most joyous time of the year often turns out to be the most stressful. After the worst year of my life, when stress put me in the hospital with a heart attack, I finally learned how to distress.

So here’s my advice to help you learn how to reduce stress before it has serious detrimental effects on your health. Stress leads to heart disease and strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, anxiety and depression. It can also create serious problems at work and dysfunctional relationships at home. So before you allow stress to control your life, think about these steps to reduce stress, prevent illness and live a happier and longer life.

First, make stress reduction a conscious decision in your life. Before you do anything think about how much stress it will create in your life. Do you need to bake, cook or decorate so much. Maybe take it back a notch. Spread it out over the entire season, not all the week of the holiday. A little each day is better than overload on one or two days.
Second, make your health a priority. We often think about diet and exercise after January 1st when everyone makes their resolutions. And sure we don’t want to deprive ourselves during the holidays. But your health is precious, and nothing is more important than taking care of yourself. So indulge in moderation. Enjoy each bite savoring the taste and smells for much longer than usual. Use all of your senses. Crush greens between your fingers and smell the fresh pine scent. Fest your eyes on each bite and take in the colors and textures before you enjoy the taste. Take a walking tour of your neighborhood or a nearby neighborhood to see the lights and decorations. Pull the family off the coach and toss a football or soccer ball around in the sunshine. Eat right and exercise!
Third, rediscover the love in your life. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Love the animals and wildlife in your life. Did you know watching birds, puppies or kittens and getting that “ahhh how cute” feeling is actually good for your heart! Do whatever you love, read a book, watch a movie, paint, play sports, shop, or whatever gives you pleasure. Doing and being with what you love is good for you. Make the holidays more about the people, and doing what they like with you, than about the gifts. Take your Mom to a Christmas Choir performance. Enjoy a movie with your sibling.
Next embrace your faith and spirituality. Everyone can benefit from the power of prayer, meditation and turning inward for reflection. Much of the baggage we carry can be released when we mentally decide to let go and move on to be healthier and happier. If you stress over the way the dishwasher is loaded, you need to let go and believe the world will go on even if a dish comes out less than optimal. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You need the mental release to set you free. Forgive those who have done you wrong. Release that stress from your life and it’s more a gift to yourself than anyone else.

Love, laugh, enjoy and appreciate life. It’s a choice we make. You control your mind and make the choice to relax and enjoy the small things in life. Listen to the birds and stop to smell the flowers. Do all that you can to be a more relaxed person. Learning to control your stress begins with a conscious commitment to make healthy changes in your life. Just do it. It can save your life. And it can make a happier holiday season.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Dining Review
By LeeAnn Sharpe

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

“We're not real chefs. We're real eaters.” So say Johnny Carrabba and his Uncle Damian Mandola who founded Carrabba’s in Houston, Texas, in 1986. “We're two big Sicilian boys from Texas who love to cook and eat. We love the Sicilian food our parents and grandparents cooked. We love the Creole and Southern food our family members picked up passing through Louisiana and stepping off the boat right on the dock in Galveston. And we love the Western food that's just part of being in Texas.”

My daughter and I recently had dinner at Carrabba’s in Glendale. I’ve been to the Gateway and Scottsdale locations in the past as well. They have all been good dining experiences.

House specialties include crispy calamari, chicken marsala, fresh steamed mussels, a variety of pasta with homemade sauces, and fresh fish, seafood and steaks cooked over a wood- fired grill. Traditional dishes such as margherita pizza, lasagna, spaghetti with meatballs, and chicken parmesan share the spotlight. They also have a moderately-priced wine list featuring Italian and California vintages compliment the menu. A full selection of liquor and beer are also available. Little ones ten and under will enjoy the “Bambini Menu” and pizza dough is offered to keep young customers entertained.

Past visits I enjoyed the Insalata Carrabba Caesar with Chicken $10.99. It’s as good as any I have had anywhere. I especially love the warm bread and olive oil delivered to our table and kept coming. With a nice glass of wine I could make it a meal in itself!

This last dining experience was the best! They had the “Johnny” and “Damian” Specials which were combination plates with three entrée samplers and a salad along with our coupon giving us the Calamari and wine for free! What a deal!

The Calamari came with the marinara dipping sauce and was super crispy and hot just like we like it. The marinara was tasty and we cleaned the plate with bread dipping so as not to waste a drop of it! We were hungry too!

I had the Lobster Ravioli stuffed with tender Maine lobster in a white wine cream sauce with diced tomatoes, Shrimp and sea scallops coated with Italian breadcrumbs, and Salmon all for $16.99.

The Lobster Ravioli was to die for! I could east a whole plate of those tasty little pillows of heaven! The shrimp and scallops were fine and the salmon just right… but oh those lobster ravioli… Did I say how much I loved them?

My daughter had the Lombardo 8 oz. USDA Choice center-cut tenderloin, Chicken Bryan, grilled chicken breast topped with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and a basil lemon butter sauce and Mezzaluna the delicate half moon ravioli stuffed with chicken, ricotta and spinach all for $16.99.

So we shared and sampled everything! Culinary overload! But it was all fabulous. Her steak was perfect and the Mezzaluna very good in a mild creamy tomato sauce. They were mild but with good flavor. She wasn’t excited about the Chicken Bryan, but I thought it was good too.

Our server was attentive, informative and made the dining experience delightful.

The restaurants are popular and can get crowded so get there early! As for locations check out their website at www.carrabbas.com . There are 8 locations in the greater Phoenix area.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Review of Ballet Arizona The Nutcracker


Review of Ballet Arizona The Nutcracker
By LeeAnn Sharpe

It has been a holiday tradition to go see the Nutcracker. So year after year I go and enjoy it immensely. This year was extra special. I was privileged to introduce my niece Stephanie to her first ballet and what is more perfect for a young girl than the Nutcracker.

Opening night was cold and rain made driving treacherous. Downtown traffic was in gridlock as every venue seemed to have major events. Parking seemed impossible and we found what may have been the last parking spot in the city! The downtown was sparkling with colors and lights reflected in the rain, limos and cabs unloaded gloriously garbed men and women along with young boys and girls in party dresses and suits. Umbrellas bumped as the crowds moved briskly to various destinations. Honks and traffic cops whistles above the traffic noise completed the picture of a big city at full throttle. You could as easily been in London or New York. Phoenix has truly become a big city, although perhaps on a smaller scale.

But the scale of this production of the Nutcracker is anything but small. A spectacular world is created with such beauty and imagination it brings tears to the eye. The mastery of design and execution is flawless. From director to dancers this production is the finest that can be found anywhere in the world.

Ib Andersen has once again chosen a team of top designers from throughout the theater world to create a magical, grand-scale Nutcracker exploding with holiday charm and wonder. Choreographed by Ib Andersen , Set Design by Carey Wong and Ib Andersen, Costume Design by Fabio Toblini, and Lighting Design by Michael Korsch, the best found anywhere.

The lavish new sets and magnificent costumes from around the world make this magical holiday event such a joy. And the talent of these dancers is so incredible to watch. The leaps and lifts and twirls make your head spin.

The costumes of Herr and Frau von Stahlbaum and their children, Clara and Fritz and their party guests are more realistic of German families of the era. They provide a stronger contrast with the colorful costumes of Clara’s dreams. There are 260 costumes in The Nutcracker, requiring more than 6,500 yards of fabric. The costumes were created in 17 shops across America, including Ballet Arizona’s, with final assembly by Ballet Arizona’s costume shop personnel. During the run of the show Ballet Arizona dancers will use up to 300 pairs of pointe shoes. Most pairs of shoes last one performance. The budget for pointe shoes for December alone is $45,000.

The set design and transformation as the Christmas tree grows gigantic and the furniture disappears, leaving a huge, empty room that will soon become a battleground for an army of toy soldiers is magical. More than 100,000 Austrian Swarovski crystals were used to create the Snow scene. The production uses 25 different backdrops.
My niece gasped and then giggled as all the mice in the house have grown to enormous size. Costume designer Toblini didn’t want the mice to be too cute, so he modeled them after New York City subway rats. The Mouse King is 9 feet tall without his crown.

When the Nutcracker is revealed to be a prince who gives Clara a crown, the fantasy of every young girl is born. The Snow Queen and King and a magical journey to the Land of the Sugar Plum Fairy plant the seed of beautiful dreams. The dancers among the falling snow and twinkling stars transport you to a place where you wonder am I dreaming or is this real?

As always the music of the Phoenix Symphony is perfect. I was shocked to learn my niece’s elementary school’s limited music program does not teach Tchaikovsky, but they do learn rap and hip hop. That’s all the more reason to expose the next generation to as much classical music as possible.

Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker cost $1.8 million to create, involving more than 300
people. The production was made possible with a $1.3 million grant from the
Sybil B. Harrington Trust. Revenue from The Nutcracker accounts for 30 percent of Ballet Arizona’s annual income with ticket sales of more than 50,000 seats.

Once again Ballet Arizona has brought talent and inspiration to create a production of such beauty it will stay in your heart forever. To this day I can recall the Nutcrackers I saw as a child and this one seems to have grown to a much more sophisticated and beautiful place. You really must see this exquisite ballet. It will fill your soul with the magic and beauty that should be Christmas.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

The Seventh Batch of Christmas Pudding


The Seventh Batch of Christmas Pudding is coming December 15th 7:30PM at the Dodge Theatre, 400 West Washington, in Phoenix. This year’s show is one that is sure to stick to your ribs. It's the same great flavor that melts in your mouth, makes you remember your favorite song, and tickles your funny bone. We expect this year to be as spectacular as ever with new music and comedic acts and some old friends, it's definitely promises to be the best concert on record!

Of course, all proceeds support the Solid Rock and Arizona's youth. So please join us.
The tasty ingredients for this years Christmas Pudding so far are Alice Cooper & Band,
Jordin Sparks - 2007 American Idol Winner and her band, CTA - Danny Seraphin & Marc Bonilla, Flo & Eddie (The Turtles), Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and Whiskey Falls.

The "Proof is in the Pudding" Winners including the Group – “Brewed to Perfection” and Soloist – “Shaun Patrick Moe”. Plus we’ll jiggle to the Comedy of Mike "Black Jack" Wilson, Brad Perry of Channel 3, Rock Demarco - "The World's Fastest Painter", and the Destiny Dancers. Don’t forget our Pudding Chef - Mark Tarbell.

It’s always a star studded event. Every year Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding brings out the best talent and personalities in Phoenix and around the US.
The Proof Is In The Pudding was born out of the desire to showcase local talent. A type of "American Idol," if you will, the Proof was designed to find local talent then allowing them to showcase their talent at the Pudding.

There are two categories: bands and soloists. The winner of each category performs on stage at the upcoming Pudding event. During our first Proof Is In The Pudding in 2004, then 14-year old, Jordin Sparks wowed the judges and everyone in attendance with her performance winning the soloist category hands down. Her performance at the Pudding was nothing shy of incredible mesmerizing the packed house at the Dodge Theatre. Now she is back as the real “American Idol”.

Visit http://www.alicepudding.com for more information or go to Live Nation for tickets at http://www.livenation.com/artist/getArtist/artistId/621582/ . VIP Package: $303.00, Reserved 1: $63.00 or Reserved 2: $33.00. Remember it benefits the Solid Rock Foundation!

Book Review: “Peeking Over the Edge… views from life’s middle”


Book Review: “Peeking Over the Edge… views from life’s middle” by Cathy Jo Marley
Reviewed By LeeAnn Sharpe

Have you ever opened a new book and suddenly feel as if you are in the company of an old friend? That’s the way “Peeking Over the Edge… views from life’s middle” by Cathy Jo Marley made me feel. She instantaneously became my oldest and dearest and wisest friend telling me stories from her life experiences. Some I would shake my head and think yes, yes, yes, she gets it! Other times I would think, I need to share this wisdom with my daughter.

It’s not a big book, only 163 pages with large enough print even fifty some things can read without their glasses. But I warn you, once you pick it up you won’t want to stop reading. That’s a problem when you pick up a good book like this as you crawl into bed thinking a half an hour will put you to sleep. Two hours later I was finishing it off!

Nothing is off limits. Weight, vanity, aging and family are all discussed. Each chapter is a brief little vignette into her life’s experiences. Each chapter begins with a poetry verse, proverb or quote. Some even have song lyrics and one ends with a recipe. She brings humor into sad situations we all face in life and shows how life goes on, maybe not as we expected, but it goes on.

If you are looking for light hearted optimistic read for someone on your Christmas list, consider going to Cathy Jo Marley’s book signing and get an autographed copy as an extra special gift.

Award-winning Phoenix author Cathy Marley will be signing her heartwarming book, Peeking Over the Edge...views from life’s middle (Infinity Publishing, April, 2006), at two locations in December. The first signing is scheduled at Karen’s Hallmark, 10639 N. 32nd St. in Phoenix, from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Monday December 10. The second signing is scheduled at A Peace of the Universe, 7000 E Shea Blvd, # 1710 in Scottsdale, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday December 15.

Peeking Over the Edge...views from life’s middle takes a philosophical look at those moments and memories that contribute to a life well lived. Poetically fashioned and emotionally candid, this collection of personal reflections savors the joys of life after 50. As Ms Marley says, “In my writing, I talk about love, self acceptance, connection to the world and the legacy we choose to create for ourselves by the life we live. What I have said here goes beyond my own experience to truths that apply to anyone who has achieved middle age or just hopes to someday.”

Since its introduction in May 2006, Peeking Over the Edge has received high praise. In its Small Press Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review said, “From coping with a hysterectomy, to fondly recalling distant memories, to the luxurious yet tawdry experience of reading "bodice ripper" romances and more, Peeking Over the Edge offers a candid glimpse of the simple moments in life, and the relish of adapting to new changes with aplomb. A wonderful amalgamation of insights into the pleasures of life well lived.”

The first question she raised to which I could relate, and probably anyone over fifty, is “What mark?” That is what mark will I leave on the world? Writers are especially prone to ask the question and even write it down. Some people want to leave a grandiose beautiful mark that everyone stands up and cheers. They are usually artists, actors or politicians. But I like detailed drawings where hundreds of little marks add up to create a full picture. I hope my life of little marks adds up to a beautiful image. I know my main mark, my daughter, is a pretty good contribution toward a life worth living. Cathy Jo Marley offers this book and it is a nice stroke in her life painting.

Body image, family, mush brain, aging, and pack rat life are all things I found in common with Cathy. Her elephant in the room and little beasties leave enough room for anyone to fill in their own animals. Her words resonate in different ways for each person reading her book. She says she began crafting words to reveal her hearts deepest feelings.

Most of all her optimism about the rest of her life and where it has lead her to today made me think and hope for a future open to the possibilities of love and adventure. And it reminded me to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Peeking Over the Edge...views from life’s middle (Infinity Publishing, April, 2006), ISBN 0-7414-3169-6 $14.95

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE


I will be reviewing this book soon...

an excerpt from...

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE

by Julie Anne Long
Coming February 2008!

It was early summer, and accordingly, hedgerows were a riot of Hawthorne blossoms. Horse chestnuts, beeches and the occasional old oak stood sentry over the roads, and songbirds rustled amongst all the greenery. Up ahead, around the bend, Madeleine could see the branches of an enormous oak splaying out in every direction, taking up more than its share of roadside.

"Do you know what I haven't done?" Colin said suddenly. He stopped, allowed her to catch up with him.

She sniffed indelicately. "Very little, if you believe the broadsheets."

"I haven't yet kissed you."

And then he snatched hold of her hand and pulled her behind that oak, barely giving her time to squeak.

Blessed shade the tree provided, with arms that splayed everywhere like a mad octopus. It hid two of them from the road, but not from the gaze of a gently curious sheep, who paused in its grass cropping to stare. Colin spun her about and had her up against it in a thrice, pinned between his arms, and he towered over her, staring down for a moment. At the stars in my eyes or my great white forehead? She wondered.

"Don't—" she began nervously.

"Don't what, Mad?" Colin laughed softly, in a voice that stroked up her spine like velvet. His arms dropped from the tree, went around her waist; he pulled her hips hard against his hips, very familiarly; she felt the outline of everything male about him. "Don't…what?" He whispered it this time, and when his hands went up to her face, it was she who closed her arms around his slim waist, flattening her hands to feel the hard muscles of his back, keeping him pulled close to her body, keeping the two of them groin to groin. She wanted to feel again the heat of his body over the entire length of her.

His knuckles dragged softly over her cheeks, and she closed her eyes, because his eyes were too merry and too hot and too soft and too knowing, and she, at the moment, didn't want to be known by a man who had known nearly every woman in London, if rumors were true.

She did want to be kissed.

And then his fingers opened to feather across her ears, along her throat, the nape of her neck, and she felt her head tip back trustingly into his hands.

Cradling it, he touched his lips very, very softly to the pulse in her throat.

"Oh, Mad." It was half sigh, half soft laugh.

Colin dragged his lips softly from the arch of her throat, to her ear, to her lips, which were parted, while her eyes were still closed.

"Now I'll kiss you properly," he murmured.

She knew how to do this. She'd done it before. Her body knew where it wanted to be touched, and how it wanted to fit against his, and oddly nothing had ever seemed more right. And still somehow it became a little battle, as it always was with the two of them, in part because Madeleine only felt safe in the midst of battle. Their lips brushed, bumped, nipped softly, Madeleine now afraid to surrender to this. Too late she recalled how a kiss sometimes had the power to split one dangerously, vulnerably open. More so even than lovemaking.

"Shhhh," he whispered against her mouth, although she wasn't making a sound. It was as though he wanted to soothe the battle inside her. "Shhhhh."

His hands were at the back of her neck, soothing, stroking, and he brushed his lips over hers, urged hers apart with tender strokes of his tongue, sending a rain of silver sparks down her spine, and she gave a sigh. It was part pleasure, part some unexpressed sadness. The sound of something released.

Madeleine's hands slid up to the hard blades of his shoulders, pulling him closer, and her lips fell open beneath his. His tongue, at first, was a gentle invader, warm, velvety soft, finding and twining with hers softly in a tentative foray.

He took his lips away from hers, looked into her eyes, as though looking for some sort of answer, or wanting to see what the kiss had done to hers. His own eyes were hazy with desire.

And then his firm, clever lips took hers again, more decisively this time, and she was ready. Her arms slid up his chest to wrap round his neck, and he pulled her into his body, and his iron-hard arousal pressing against her was a maddeningly erotic contrast to his soft lips, his soft tongue. He drove the kiss deeper, and she met him; their tongues touching and tangling, part dance, part duel. He moaned softly, the sound of it vibrating in his chest beneath her hands. He withdrew his tongue to bite her bottom lip gently, a sensation startling and erotic.

Then he took her mouth again, ferociously this time, and she took as much as he did, devouring, needing him deeper into her body. He tasted sweet and dark and as she kissed him everything in her was melting, dissolving, until Madeleine knew that terrifying, exhilarating sense of having no other existence outside the heady, penetrating bliss of this kiss.

And then Colin suddenly broke the kiss with a gasp.

He tucked his cheek against hers. His whiskers rasped at her delicate skin; his breath was hot and swift the crook of her neck.

He was quiet for a long time. His arms loosened on her.

Confused and strangely bereft, Madeleine's clung to him for a moment longer. Then her arms loosened about him, too, uncertainly.

"Just a kiss," he whispered, sounding dazed.

She didn't quite understand what he meant.

They remained close but not nearly as close as moments before, their breathing slowing to before-kiss rhythms.

Colin lifted his head up, looked down into her eyes. He looked as if he was considering whether to speak.

"Did you love him, Mad?"

The question surprised her so completely that she didn't have time to disguise the truth, and she was certain it was written all over her face.

Why did he do this? How did he do this?

"Life can be the very devil sometimes, can't it?" he said softly.

She stared at him.

"The very devil," she agreed thickly, after a moment.

He smiled down at her, as only Colin Eversea could smile.

And when he took her by the hand back out to the road Madeleine felt feeling as though she'd been thrown from the moon back down to earth.

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Thanks for reading! Like it?? Here's a preorder link, if you're interested!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0061341584/1n9867a-20



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Copyright 2008 Julie Anne Long

Monday, December 03, 2007

Holiday Tips to Ease Stress and Live a Longer & Healthier Life

By LeeAnn Sharpe
The holidays always seem to heighten the level of stress in our lives. What should be the most joyous time of the year often turns out to be the most stressful. After the worst year of my life, when stress put me in the hospital with a heart attack, I finally learned how to distress.

So here’s my advice to help you learn how to reduce stress before it has serious detrimental effects on your health. Stress leads to heart disease and strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, anxiety and depression. It can also create serious problems at work and dysfunctional relationships at home. So before you allow stress to control your life, think about these steps to reduce stress, prevent illness and live a happier and longer life.

First, make stress reduction a conscious decision in your life. Before you do anything think about how much stress it will create in your life. Do you need to bake, cook or decorate so much. Maybe take it back a notch. Spread it out over the entire season, not all the week of the holiday. A little each day is better than overload on one or two days.
Second, make your health a priority. We often think about diet and exercise after January 1st when everyone makes their resolutions. And sure we don’t want to deprive ourselves during the holidays. But your health is precious, and nothing is more important than taking care of yourself. So indulge in moderation. Enjoy each bite savoring the taste and smells for much longer than usual. Use all of your senses. Crush greens between your fingers and smell the fresh pine scent. Fest your eyes on each bite and take in the colors and textures before you enjoy the taste. Take a walking tour of your neighborhood or a nearby neighborhood to see the lights and decorations. Pull the family off the coach and toss a football or soccer ball around in the sunshine. Eat right and exercise!
Third, rediscover the love in your life. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you. Love the animals and wildlife in your life. Did you know watching birds, puppies or kittens and getting that “ahhh how cute” feeling is actually good for your heart! Do whatever you love, read a book, watch a movie, paint, play sports, shop, or whatever gives you pleasure. Doing and being with what you love is good for you. Make the holidays more about the people, and doing what they like with you, than about the gifts. Take your Mom to a Christmas Choir performance. Enjoy a movie with your sibling.
Next embrace your faith and spirituality. Everyone can benefit from the power of prayer, meditation and turning inward for reflection. Much of the baggage we carry can be released when we mentally decide to let go and move on to be healthier and happier. If you stress over the way the dishwasher is loaded, you need to let go and believe the world will go on even if a dish comes out less than optimal. Don’t sweat the small stuff. You need the mental release to set you free. Forgive those who have done you wrong. Release that stress from your life and it’s more a gift to yourself than anyone else.

Love, laugh, enjoy and appreciate life. It’s a choice we make. You control your mind and make the choice to relax and enjoy the small things in life. Listen to the birds and stop to smell the flowers. Do all that you can to be a more relaxed person. Learning to control your stress begins with a conscious commitment to make healthy changes in your life. Just do it. It can save your life. And it can make a happier holiday season.