A mixture of romance, work and life left to simmer on a weak flame.

"Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker."--Unknown.

"I learned long ago that being Lewis Carrol was infinitely more exciting than being Alice."--Joyce Carol Oates

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Friday, July 21, 2006

Color me suckered...

*clap, clap, clap* Congratulations Mrs. LaBrecque. I tip my hat to you. Your savvyness at turning an honest review into a dog and pony show for more sales was successful, and I, as one who paid to take a ride on the looney-go-round, am quite embarrassed.

Highland Fling tells the story of ER doctor Kate Wexford and her trip backwards through time into the arms of Scottish Laird, Darach MacTavish. Kate is the typical 21st century heroine (lonely, without family, married to her job and inferior in her own eyes) who pines for a man in a painting. After hearing that the man she physically longs for was killed over two hundred years ago at the Battle of Culloden, Kate is pushed into the painting by the strangely perceptive curator, Hamish. Falling back in time Kate lands naked in MacTavish's bed. At this point, the story was going well. Kate had gone back in time, was missing the conveniences of the 21st century and was falling in love with Darach.

However..., when the two decide to go forward in time to find out about the Battle of Culloden and how to keep Darach alive, all went wrong. LaBrecque didn't allow for any conflict in the book. Every time something came up a neat and tidy (and unbelievable) solution appeared for the hero and heroine. When the two arrive back in the museum, Hamish awaits with a perfect set of clothes for Darach and Darach shows no shock at 2000 Atlanta. Once arriving, Laird MacTavish learns how to surf the internet within five minutes, can read present day English with no problems and can cook a full meal with no experience and only a cookbook to guide him.

The ridiculous turns downright outlandish after Darach leaves Kate to go back and save his people. She has period clothes made and packs bags to take back with her. She arrives naked the first time but returns the second fully clothed and with suitcases to boot. With no conflict to speak of, convenient solutions at every turn and an alpha laird who dreams of writing poetry *gag, gag* this book flops. And, aren't Blazes supposed to be hot? Highland Fling was lukewarm at best.

Note: I won't be at RWA, however, if Mrs. LaBrecque would like to reimburse me for the $5.09 I wasted on this book, I will be happy to give her my address. Just e-mail me at addicted2fiona@yahoo.com. Of course, I should subtract the 10% I saved by using my membership card, but then again, if we are going to get real nit-picky, shouldn't we add the gas it took me to get to the store and back home again? My car gets 20 miles to the gallon, the store is 10 miles away, 20 miles both ways, that is one gallon of gas...$3.02. Of course, I think it is only fair that we add my time value which is 2 hours to read times my rate of pay which comes to $58.30 plus the 30 minutes it took me to write this review (because as we all know, LaBrecque will probably make money off this) is $14.57, which gives me a grand total of $80.47 that Mrs. LaBrecque owes me. Of course, I consider it the price paid for being a fool.

...Fiona...

21 touched me

Blogger dancechica pondered...

I must say, you cracked me up with that "note" about how much LaBrecque owes you. ;) But really, I wouldn't feel like a fool. I'm like that too--when there’s a big hype about something, I have to see about it's about for myself. It's just curiosity. Too bad the book was crappy though. Perhaps you can put it on Ebay or something? Or was it too crappy to even inflict on others?

7/21/2006 11:25:00 AM  
Blogger Kerri Wall pondered...

Book is already up on Paperback Swap Chica.

7/21/2006 11:52:00 AM  
Blogger Mailyn pondered...

lmao, that happened to me with two books and I hated myself for falling for a pretty cover. at least you were fooled by all the hype. lol.

7/21/2006 12:30:00 PM  
Blogger Holly pondered...

LMAO! You crack me up with your "Note". HAHAH!

Well, sweet pea, you can chalk it up to a lesson learned, right?

7/21/2006 12:56:00 PM  
Blogger sybil pondered...

omg that note is the shit

dumbass, you should know better, I do believe you were soooo had... maybe she planted the review herself *g*

Did I mention I have Scandal in Spring. heeee I would go buy you a copy but once you add shipping and time you could have gotten it there cheaper and quicker.

Maybe your walgreens will have it? tra la la

7/21/2006 01:00:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous pondered...

That is one funny assed note. Maybe someone you know who is going to RWA can get your refund for you.

7/21/2006 01:06:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous pondered...

Hey, are you going to post your review on Amazon?

7/21/2006 01:29:00 PM  
Blogger Kerri Wall pondered...

Oh, no Mailyn, it has a pretty cover too!

Lesson learned Holly? Gosh, I hope so! Next time I reach for the carrot, smack my hand, will ya?

*hangs head* Thanks for rubbing it in Syb. Love ya too, babe. And stop with the SIS! You know I'm going to go to Walgreens and it won't be there, right?

LOL Jane...you going to RWA? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Now you're just tempting me Jane. I did post it at PBS when I posted the book.

...Fiona...

7/21/2006 01:53:00 PM  
Blogger Rowena pondered...

LMAOLMAO!

Oh I do love coming over here...LOL. That was great stuff to read about this morning, thanks for this, your note had me laughing out loud, oh I just love it!

Sorry the book sucked, well not really since it made you write this hilarious post, hehe...

Hugs!

7/21/2006 02:11:00 PM  
Blogger Tara Marie pondered...

Your a better man than I, Gunga Din, or should that be a better woman Fi.

Suckered you in, I knew better, once I ignored the urban legend part of the original review, I knew it would be for me.

Go ahead post it on Amazon--LOL.

7/21/2006 02:58:00 PM  
Blogger Suisan pondered...

Great review! I could use the 80 bucks--should I pick it up on paperbackbook swap and ... no, wait, that wouldn't work because I'd only click a button and wait for the mailman. Damn.

BTW. I just posted the 115th comment on Smart Bitches about this "Controversy". I think I hurt myself, I got so POed.

One hopes that is my last word on the matter. (Note to self: Keep packing and saty away from certain websites)

7/21/2006 03:33:00 PM  
Blogger Isabel pondered...

I love your note! ha ha. Awwww, sorry the book sucked. Go treat your self to a really good book. :)

7/21/2006 04:11:00 PM  
Blogger Kerri Wall pondered...

Glad you enjoyed Dee...just learn from my mistakes! And we need to talk...sending an e-mail.

I was really hoping that I would enjoy the time travel back to Scotland Tara...tis a secret fantasy of mine. If only Linc would wear the plaid at bedtime...

LOL Suisan, sorry, somebody already swiped it at PBS. Off to read your comment! La, tee, da...

Oh, BTW, review has been posted at Amazon. With friends like you, who needs enemies?

I'm such a sucker for a dare.

...Fiona...

7/21/2006 04:11:00 PM  
Blogger Karen Scott pondered...

That was effing hilarious.

7/21/2006 05:14:00 PM  
Blogger Devon pondered...

Great review! I love the note.

I have to say, I hate it when the heroine/hero is obsessed with a photo/painting/tapestry image. Lame plot device. Probably why I don't really care for time travel stuff.

7/21/2006 10:09:00 PM  
Blogger Kristie (J) pondered...

LOL - You win some and you loose some I guess.

7/21/2006 11:26:00 PM  
Blogger CindyS pondered...

Ahhh, I'm so glad it wasn't me this time. Now see, your review pinpoints exactly what would have frustrated me. Good for you for actually finishing it!

I love the note - course it's not worth the gas to take it back ;)

CindyS

7/22/2006 02:20:00 AM  
Blogger Kerri Wall pondered...

Izzy, I'm trying to treat myself to Scandal in Spring but can't find it!

LOL Karen.

Devon, I don't mind the time travel (when it's one trip). It's the going back and forth through the revolving door that I hate. It's not a freakin' supermarket!

Very true Kristie.

No Cindy, it's not. *sigh* Oh well.

Fiona

7/22/2006 08:10:00 AM  
Blogger ~ames~ pondered...

Good review Fi - it had me laughing. I'm glad I wasn't suckered into buying this book. I was tempted though. LOL

7/23/2006 11:01:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous pondered...

Great review, Fiona! Interesting to see that all the noise over a truly bad book. For me the issues were different. I saw Suisan's post and liked it. I've been on Smart Bitches (and posting) banging my head against the wall mostly. Time to relax and read a really good book.

7/23/2006 02:41:00 PM  
Blogger Kerri Wall pondered...

LOL Ames...yeah, you are lucky.

Desertwillow...welcome! It's such a shame all the noise was over this.

7/24/2006 07:14:00 PM  

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