I'm reading two mysteries. The Last Embrace by Denise Hamilton takes place in 1949 in Hollywood. It's a time of transition in the U.S., and a young woman, a former spy, looks for the killer of a young woman who went to Hollywood to become an actress. And, I'm reading Hell Hole by Chris Grabenstein. His latest Ceepak mystery comes out Tuesday. These mysteries, set in a resort town in New Jersey, always have a dark side with a trace of humor. I find these satisfying books. Grabenstein has become one of my favorite authors. Lesa Holstine, www.lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com

(((Barb's hair))) I actually didn't color my hair for about three or four years after my mom died. Then when I did it was amazing to see ten years shaved off (hey I'm still on the right side of 40!).
Just finished up Carrie Vaughn's 3rd Kitty book
Amie
www.amiestuart.com

{{{Barb}}}}on the hair. You now have me quaking in my shoes as I'm getting my hair cut next week in prep for RWA SF. A bad hair day can make for a bad month. I hope you complained and either didn't pay or they're going to redo the do.

I feel your pain. Just before a book tour, I went to my usual fixer-upper. She's usually great, but this day, her ex-husband dropped in to pick a fight. Unfortunately, I was in her chair, beneath her sissors at the time. My naturally curls did not appreciate the cut. It was so awful that my daughters suggested I wear a hat during the tour.

I'm growing my hair out to donate for a wig for cancer patients - let's just say that long hair in the summer is problematic for someone with hot flashes... For reading, I'm currently in the middle of The Queen Gene by Jennifer Coburn. Just finished Los Angeles Noir, an anthology edited by Denise Hamilton. I recommend them both highly.

Oh no! I'm getting my hair colored this weekend. Now I'm afraid! As far as books, I have so many right now because of ThrillerFest. I'm reading The Tomb by F. Paul Wilson and Triple Cross by Mark T. Sullivan. I read Dark Curse by Christine Feehan (yeah, another ARC for me! woohoo!) and tonight at 8:30 EST on Reader's Entertainment Radio there will be a reading of Turbulent Sea and of Dark Curse on the show, with Christine Feehan as the guest! Very fun!!! www.blogtalkradio.com/Circle-of-Seven

I burned through "Talk Gertie to me" by Lois Winston last night. What a hoot. On my Kindle I've got "The Beach House" underway. Love the premise and who couldn't love a septagenerian who likes to swim naked in her neighbors pool and steal flowers from their gardens...

Barb! ((Hugs)) on the hair. I totally understand your frustration. I think we've all had those..."Ack haircuts!" at least once. Thanks so much for the review of Scions:Insurrection. I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed it. As for me, I'm currently reading Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. :)

I did tell the hairdresser that I was shocked that she did gray when I said blond, but she insisted that it was close to my natural color (Hello...if I wanted my natural color, I wouldn't have gotten it dyed). The cut looks like I went to the Sheep Shearing place on senior citizen day.

I did pay, but will not go back. Since I've banned all mirrors, it was kind of hard to drive without the rear view mirror and side mirrors, but I'll get used to it.

I'll be looking for someone at RWA with sharp sissors to fix this mess.

I too have a fear of getting my haircut. You are really at their mercy. My read this week was Lifelines by CJ Lyons after I saw her video on the blog. Fascinating look inside the medical profession.

Barbara, Imagine a place where you can get your hair colored, (correctly, blonde, if that is what you desire), and recommended a good book at the same time. I own and operate the ONLY Hair Salon/Book Store in the country, Beauty and the Book, run the largest "meeting and discussing" book club in the world, The Pulpwood Queens, AND wrote a book all about it, "The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life." So honey, if you can get to my shop, prepare for the royal treatment. I will do a color correction, compliments of me, "Hairdresser to the Authors" and may I recommend our book of the month "The Wednesday Sisters" by Meg Waite Clayton. You will not only get a superb cut, color, but I'll send you home with an arm load full of books so you will be beautiful both inside and out! Welcome to the Wonderful World of the Pulpwood Queens! Tiara wearing and Book sharing, Kathy L. Patrick Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs P.S. As far as I am concerned, gray is a color reserved only for bunny rabbits and those clouds when we have good East Texas thunderstorm. My hair will be blonde until I go to that great library up in the sky!

How I wish Texas was close to Wisconsin! The minute I get anywhere near your place, I am stopping by! What a great idea and fun place.

I'm with Kathy. I want to go there!

It can't possibly look as bad as the way my 6 yr old cut my 2 yr old's hair with safety scissors this past Tuesday... *laugh* There's no grey involved, but I certainly saw RED! The book/hair salon sounds amazing!! Oh, and I just finished reading "Not Quite a Lady" by Loretta Chase.

Barbara, Hugs on the die-job. I hate switching hair places. They never do things right. However, I bet you're still as lovely as ever. I'm currently on a Julie Garwood re-read. The Bride. Not exactly sure why. Next up is Karen Rose, who I haven't read, but who I heard is fab. I have to load up on vacation books, too. Taking them to CA. And thanks for the mention!

Barbara, that's awful. You could return and insist that she color it the shade you asked for. But I suppose you don't want her near your hair again. I use Nice & Easy. :) I read an ARC of EVERYLASTING BAD BOYS with novellas by Cynthia Eden, Shelly Laurenstein, and Noelle Mack. The stories were all different and good, but I LOVED Cynthia Eden's SPELLBOUND. The entire time I read it, I was thinking Wow! I'm re-reading Amanda Quick's THE THIRD CIRCLE right now. Any Jayne Ann Krentz book is great. :) Of the books you read, I'll buy Edith Layton's. I always like her books.

I always dread going to get my hair cut, since she sometimes does an awful job. Problem is, sometimes (like last week) it turned out wonderful. Sigh... I've always colored my own hair with Preference by Loreal, then just let my stylist add a few highlights when I'm feeling brave. I just finished the re-issue of Mary Balogh's The Ideal Wife - just wonderful. I had a great time getting to know this fabulous lady at RT in Pgh in April. We had breakfast together two mornings.

Roadtrip! We could go to east Texas.

Well having started to go grey at age 27, I figured I have earned every grey hair on my head. Sorry you had a bad hair experience but grey is the new blond, ask Taylor Hicks. I just finished reading Barbara Erskine's THE WARRIOR PRINCESS, very chilling paranormal/set in modern UK, Rome and ancient Rome. Quiet an interesting direction she took on how Christianity came to the UK, way before he historical markers.

Barbara, you can get someone to fix the color. Trust me on this. I had someone, yes, a trained professional die my hair sort of a pink once when I wanted blonde hilights. Don't, however, let the one who goofed your dye job "fix" it. That just doesn't work out. Just finished reading Rhonda Nelson's THE LONER and I loved it.

That was a wonderful "Bottom Line" Barb! I feel old when my gray roots start to show because, being a bus rider, the bus driver sees the gray hair (I have erect posture & an only slightly wrinkled face) & puts down the handicap ramp at the front door of the bus! Yes, I love to color my hair to look younger!

I can't believe there is a hairdresser out there that would do that. Shocking! You are too good, Barb. I wouldn't have paid her until she fixed it. LOL. For years I would wait months and months because I was scared that the hairdresser would mess up on hair. I've never actually found someone I could stick to. That is, until my sister found her boyfriend. Boy, can that guy do hair. So hopefully things will work out with them and I'll have a BIL someday who does hair. LOL. Cross fingers! Hope you manage to get to a salon soon. Hugs.

Well Barbara--I thought you looked great both ways (with gray or blond hair)! I couldn't even tell the difference! Keep up the good work on the blog!