I mentioned earlier that my friend Colette Gale has offered to let me give away an advance review copy of her erotic Phantom of the Opera novel, UNMASQUED, and I'll be doing that in a week or two, after my own contest (see above) has finished.

But for those of you who want another chance to win, check out her post at The Spiced Tea Party today. She's giving away a copy there, so if you can't wait to find out what really happened during the "Music of the Night" scene, toss your hat in the ring for a chance to win.

Her contest ends Thursday morning.

So…the fifth "space tourist" is up there now, at the space station.

So if you had the money…and could spare it…would you go? Would you go to space?

I don't believe I would. Not quiiiiite yet.  You?

says PW*, on Rises the Night. W00T!!!

Here's more:

"…Those who've read the first title, however, won't be disappointed: Victoria is a more determined, fleshed-out character, having grown wiser, sadder, and more ambiguous about the morality of her mission.

"Her world, too, expands significantly in this adventure. A tense plot line and refreshingly diverse supporting characters complete the package, giving series fans plenty to sink their teeth into–and plenty more to look forward to."

I'm absolutely delighted!

So…if you haven't read The Rest Falls Away…enter the contest! Comment here or on the post above for a chance to win.

*PW=Publishers Weekly, 4/9/2007 

It's been a few weeks since I've done this, but here goes…

Thirteen Records I Can't Live Without

1. Jeff Buckley | Grace  "Lover, You Should Have Come Over" has the most beautiful, poignant lyrics ever. "…all my blood for the sweetness of her laughter…she's the tear that hangs inside my soul forever…." Love the entire album.

2. U2 | Rattle and Hum  Every track on this double CD set is fabulous–from "Helter Skelter" through "Bullet the Blue Sky" and Bono's commentary to "All I Want is You." "Heartland" is one of my other favorites.  

3. Liz Phair | Liz Phair  Gotta love a girl rocker who says it like it is. Even though my favorite track by her isn't on this album ("Supernova"–"…your kisses are as wicked as an M-16, and you f&ck like a volcano and you're everything to me…" ), I have to put this whole album as my fave. Particularly "Why Can't I" and "Extraordinary."

Love the line in "Rock Me," (an autobiographical song about her picking up a younger guy): "Your record collection don't exist…you don't even know who Liz Phair is…"

And don't even get me started on "H.W.C."!

4. The Phantom of the Opera Original London Soundtrack (2 CDs)  My friend Colette would likely agree, don't you think?

My favorite tracks are "The Point of No Return" and I can't think of the title, but it's the song Christine sings when she's in the graveyard visiting her father's grave. (Speaking of Colette and her erotic Phantom novel…she's been so kind as to offer me to give away an advance copy of it verrrrry soon. So stick around.)

5. Two Rooms: Celebrating the Music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin  I usually listen to this CD while cooking. Love all the covers of the Elton/Bernie songs, but particularly Sinead O'Connor's "Sacrifice" and Sting's "Come Down in Time." In fact, I prefer Sting's version to John's….but that should come as no surprise to any of you who visit here often. It's an amazing song, perfect for Sting's voice. Mmm.

Plus there's the cover of "Tonight" by George Michael. That song has a particular meaning to me, because when I first met my Music Man, I had no idea how talented he was (I had dated wanna-be musicians before). But then he sat down at an open-mike-night piano one night and began to play this song…if you've never heard it, and its long, piano intro, hie thee to Rhapsody or iTunes and give a listen to either the original or George Michael's version. And then you'll see why I was a lost cause after that!

6.  Rob Mathes | Christmas is Coming You can't find this album anywhere but on Amazon anymore, but it's fabulous. It's a beautiful jazzy Christmas album, also featuring Michael MacDonald and Vanessa Williams. My favorite tracks: "William the Angel" about an angel who's been sent to earth to find good in man and he can't go back until his broken wing is fixed, and "My Mother's Prayer."

7. James Blunt | Back to Bedlam  Since Jeff Buckley (see #1 above) died so young and tragically, I was lost without this kind of operatic rock (as I describe it)…so when I first heard Blunt's music, I was blown away. Now, although he'll never replace Buckley as my fave, he's pretty darn close. Love "Goodbye My Lover" and "Tears and Rain."

8.  AC/DC | Back in Black  My first heavy metal album, and still one of my favorites today. "You Shook Me All Night Long" still stops me in my tracks, and gets me to doing the air-guitar thing. 

9. J. Geils Band | Blow Your Face Out  Man…I was a JGB freak in high school. Loved them, owned every album they ever put out, and cried when they broke up. This double album set is the JGB at their best…my faves are "Shoot Your Shot" and "Lookin' For A Lover."

10. Sinead O'Connor | I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got  This whole album is brilliant, including the overplayed "Nothing Compares to U" (which I still love). My other favorites are "The Last Day of our Acquaintance" (remember when she did that on SNL, strumming her guitar like she was going to kill it?) and "Black Boys on Mopeds." 

11. Oliver! The 1994 London Soundtrack  My Music Man and I met doing this musical in 1990, so I love all the songs to it, and have many memories of backstage antics, etc., during this show. My favorites include the exchange between Mr. Bumble and Widow Corney "I Shall Scream" and also "Oom-Pah-Pah" and "As Long As He Needs Me."

12. When Harry Met Sally… Soundtrack  It stands to reason that I'd love the soundtrack to my favorite movie, and it's true. Harry Connick, Jr., does a great job remaking those fabulous Sinatra songs…My faves include "But Not for Me" and "It Had to Be You."

13.  Sting | Nothing Like the Sun What can I say? I love the guy. I love the literateness (I know that's not a word, just go with it!) and the depth of his lyrics…and that voice. Love the voice.  My faves are "Little Wing" and "Sister Moon."

…Since it's Thursday Thirteen, please let me know in the comments if you want to be entered in the contest to win a copy of The Rest Falls Away.

About twelve years ago, my Music Man and I spent two weeks in the UK. We didn't have a plan, nor did we have reservations (except for our three nights in London)–but we did rent a car.

We drove from London to Bath, then through the Cotswolds and into the Lake District where we spent an extra night at a great little inn. After that, we drove into Wales, starting at the southern end and then up and into the north, stopping at all of the medieval castle ruins we could find. (Loved it!)

By the time we got to Scotland, we'd been on the road for over a week, and I'd read all of the books I'd brought with me. I fell in love with the rugged beauty of the Highlands, and we spent an entire day driving from the southernmost end of Scotland up along Loch Ness to Inverness.

We didn't have a place to stay, or any plans…only a list of B&Bs and inns. So when we got to Inverness, after a looooong day of driving, we were exhausted and cranky. Yet, none of the inns I'd highlighted in the guide book appealed to us, and I didn't want to stay in the city. There was nothing in Inverness.

So it was after seven pm when we drove out of the little city, heading north to goodness knows where, hungry, tired, and annoyed, and just by the most serendipitous of accidents found Bunchrew House.

A lovely little estate house had been turned into a B&B, right on the shore of a small firth. It was elegant and tasteful, set away from the city of Inverness and the road that went by it….

We loved it. It was the highlight of our trip, and we stayed there for two nights. The food was fabulous, the accommodations lovely and private and romantic.

The next day, we went back into Inverness with a much more cheery attitude. I wanted to see if I could replenish my stock of reading material–as I said, I'd finished everything I'd brought with me and even though we were doing a lot of sight-seeing, I still read a lot on holiday.

So we went into the little Waterstone's bookstore in Inverness and I bought three Amanda Quick books that I had never read. 

As I said, then, we spent two nights at Bunchrew House and the headed back down to England and then home.

I tell you all this because the coolest thing happened. I got an email from Meardaba, one of my regular blog visitors. She wrote that she had been in Scotland over the weekend, and had found my book in Waterstone's in Inverness (and also Glasgow)!

She took a picture to send to me. 

Is that not the coolest thing?