Hi, all!

I’ll be guest blogging for Hannah Howell tomorrow (Monday, December 7th) at http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.com/ .

Hope to see you there!

The Ja(y)nes at the Dear Author blog are currently exploring the cover trend of novels featuring a heroine’s back.  I may be biased with my own gorgeous cover, but I must admit I love this trend.  It leaves quite a bit to the reader’s imagination and allows them to picture the heroine however they’d like. 

Check out the blog at http://ow.ly/v4Yc then tell me what you think?  In the words of Sir Mix-a-lot, “Baby got back.”  Are you buying it?

Who caught last night’s episode of Brothers and Sisters?  I did and must admit that I cried several times.  It was heartbreaking, absolutely heartbreaking, to watch Kitty (Calista Flockhart) dealing with her cancer prognosis.  When she said that all she is thinking of is her newborn son … heartbreaking!  And when her mom (Sally Field) opens up to her brother, revealing that it should be her, not her daughter who is sick … heartbreaking! 

I’m fairly new to Brothers and Sisters, having begun watching it last year with the recommendation of Leanne (thanks, Leanne).  Still, it has quickly become one of my favorite shows and this season is already shaping up to be a must see one. 

So, what’s on tonight?  One Tree Hill, of course, which is still one of my favorites.  Who needs Chad Michael Murray when you have such a fantastic cast like Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Galeotti, James Lafferty, Austin Nichols, and Paul Johansson?  Yes, the show is different but it is also well written with characters I still love. 

Happy viewing! 

I am thrilled to report that my favorite football team, the New York Jets, is officially 3-0.  This marks this first time since 2004, I believe, that they started a season with 3 wins.  Fabulous!  I’m so excited about brand new Quarterback Mark Sanchez and Head Coach Rex Ryan.  Both have been positive additions to the team.  The Defense is doing great, too, IMHO.  What will happen next week?  Who knows but, right now, the Jets are on a winning streak with a flawless record for the season.  Go Jets!

So, how are your favorite teams doing? 

So, what are you watching tonight?  I’m excited about the return of Grey’s Anatomy (loved McSteamy & Little Grey last year as well as the Owen and Christina storylines).  But there’s more.  Take a look at what I’ll be DVR-ing.

Grey’s Anatomy - McSteamy and Little Grey’s relationship came as a pleasant surprise last year but my favorite couple has to be Owen & Christina (Kevin McKidd, formerly of Rome, rocks as war vet Owen who comes back scarred).  Between those plot lines, George’s death, and Izzie’s survival, tonight’s premiere should be well worth the summer hiatus wait.  DVR-ing?  Absolutely.

FlashForward - Autumn is always difficult for me because one of my absolute favorite shows, Lost, is not on.  I’m hoping FlashForward will fill some of the void made by Lost’s hiatus (I’m eagerly anticipating the addition of Dominic Monaghan to the cast).  The only show I’m looking forward to more than FF is the remake of V, one of my all-time favorite series ever.  Happily, V premieres on November 3rd.  DVR-ing?  You bet! 

Vampire Diaries - I find this show intriguing so far.  Ian Somerholder shines portraying a truly evil character, a far cry from his role on Lost.  DVR-ing: of course.

Fringe - Premiering on its’ new night, a show I’ve been hooked on since it premiered last year.  I love Joshua Jackson and John Noble, their quirky chemistry as son/father is truly funny.  The show itself is supernatural/mystery and gets pretty creepy at times.  If last week’s premiere is any indication, this should be a great season.  Side note: could they have ended last season on a more surprising note?  Seeing Leonard Nemoy and Anna Torv’s characters standing in an office may not have been surprising but when the camera panned out to show that they were actually in one of the two World Trade Center towers (in a parallel universe) was shocking. No other show like it on TV.  DVR: yep, working overtime tonight.

Honorable mentions:

The Mentalist and Project Runway - I can’t promise I’ll watch them both tonight, but I am definitely recording them to watch on a less-busy TV night. 

So, there’s my must see Thursday list.  What are you watching?

Welcome back regular season TV shows!  Technically, some shows (like my favorite One Tree Hill) returned last week but this week marks the return of most.  What are you watching, or (if you’re like me, DVR-ing) tonight?

My Monday night Must see TV shows are:

One Tree Hill - One of my favorite series is back, sans Hillarie Burton and Chad Michael Murray and, if last week’s season premiere is any indication, this will be an awesome season!  Yep, Sophia Bush, Bethany Joy Galleotti, James Lafferty and Paul Johansson can carry the show by itself and new cast members like Austin Nichols are welcome additions.  I’m DVR-ing this show, as usual.  Welcome back, OTH!

Castle - Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic return to ABC tonight in Castle.  My one complaint from last season: not enough episodes.  This show is smart and sassy while the chemistry between Fillion and Katic sizzles.  DVR - heck, yes.

Gossip Girl - Those crazy kids are back and my DVR is set to record all of the Chuck and Blair antics.  This show is one of my guilty pleasures.  DVR is set.

Dancing With The Stars - Am I watching Dancing With the Stars tonight?  I’m honestly not sure.  The cast hasn’t jumped out at me but I may channel surf and decide if it’s worth watching.

Okay, you’ve read about my must-sees.  It’s now your turn.  What are you watching tonight?    

Well, it has finally arrived: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, the long awaited film adaptation of JK Rowling’s beloved novel.  Of course Greg and I had a front row seat this weekend (not even severe morning sickness could keep me away).  My grade: an A-.  Why an A-?  Because, though it was a strong movie as a whole, much was lacking from book, including the magic of the Harry/Ginny relationship.

I expect that these movies will differ from the novels.  How else can you bring a 700+ page book to the large screen, for a two and a half hour movie?  Plots will be changed.  It happens.  However, the extent that the Harry/Ginny relationship suffered wasn’t expected.  After all, a large portion of The Half Blood Prince was spent exploring Harry’s feelings for Ginny … she’s the girl he can’t get out of his head, the one he can’t take his eyes off of.  Ginny is smart, brave, and funny with this sparkling personality.  In my opinion, the character’s personality came off rather flat in the film adaptation and I was slightly disappointed.

Another disappointment for me was, again, Michael Gambon’s portrayal of Dumbledore.  Professor Dumbledore is a strong wizard, yes, but he is also a kind hearted man with a gentle spirit.  Sir Richard Harris embodied this Dumbledore to perfection.  Unfortunately, Michael Gambon’s Dumbledore is much more abrasive.  It is evident, at least to me, that Michael Gambon hasn’t read the novels (he’s admitted as much in a few interviews that I’ve read).  Unfortunately, I still miss the sweet side of Dumbledore.

The rest of the cast, as always, is superb!  Alan Rickman, always awesome, added so much depth to Snape in this movie.  Watch his eyes during the final scenes … they are filled with unspoken grief and remorse.  It is truly heartbreaking!  Maggie Smith is another brilliant performer and she too brought me to tears at the end.  I think the Actors as a whole, especially Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, so embody these characters that they make me yearn even more for the Dumbledore from the novels.  Daniel Ratcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermoine), Rupert Grint (Ron), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), Tom Felton (Draco), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Evanna Lynch (Luna) … they all bring the characters we love to life and do justice to JK Rowling’s skillfully crafted characters.  Bravo to Jim Broadbent for his wonderful portrayal of Professor Slughorn, as well. 

I enjoyed The Half Blood Prince and thought it was a really good film adaptation of a wonderful novel.  It sets up The Deathly Hallows beautifully.  And I think the next time I see it, I’ll like it even more (now that I know what not to expect).

You know my grade.  What’s yours?

Greg and I saw the new Transformers film this weekend.  What could be better than seeing Revenge of the Fallen in IMAX?  Seeing the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer in IMAX, of course!

While we enjoyed the Transformers sequel, I have to admit that the Harry Potter trailer that ran before the movie began blew me away.  I cannot wait to see this movie!  Cannot wait.  We’ll be at the IMAX theater opening weekend, I promise you!

Well, not quite.  But kind of.  My husband and I celebrate our fourteenth wedding anniversary this weekend.  How are we celebrating?  Why, by spending it with Hugh Jackman, of course!  

I have the best hubby ever for so many reasons (too numerous to list) including the fact that he’s taking me to see Wolverine.  I love all Hugh Jackman movies, especially the X-Men films, and can’t wait to see this one.  It takes a secure man to spend his wedding anniversary watching Hugh Jackman, don’t you think?

So, have you seen Wolverine?  If so, what did you think?  And let’s talk anniversaries … how do you usually spend yours?

I am so excited about tonight because, drum roll please … One Tree Hill returns!  Woo-hoo!  I cannot begin tell you how much I’ve missed my #1 guilty pleasure.  It seems like a lifetime ago since Julian left for California, Brooke missed her chance to go with him, and Hayley taught her students in her living room.  Flash ahead to tonight where we will see the return of Brooke’s Mommy Dearest, played with 100% bitchiness by Melrose Place alum Daphne Zuniga.  OT — does anyone else think Mommy Bitchy would be a perfect pairing with Dan?  Could just be me but that is one pairing I’d love to see.

I was thrilled to hear that Austin Nichols signed on for next season.  Another woo-hoo!  Julian is the guy for Brooke, understands her completely and loves her for who she is, a first for Brooke, IMHO.  It will be wonderful to see their romance blossom next season.  

What else will happen this year?  For certain, we’ll see a wedding and a pregnancy in peril with Peyton and Lucas.  Karen and Whitey will return for the finale.  Sam’s mom will be back in the picture while Brooke and her own mom will deal with their many issues.  Julian will eventually return from California (yeay).  What else?  We’ll have to wait and see.  Waiting is the hardest part, isn’t it?

Here’s a peak at tonight’s episode:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLsCjBSGQME

I love Brooke and Sam!  Sam: “She frightened me.”  Brooke: “Yeah, me too.”  Too funny.  This will be another fabulous episode my fellow One Tree Hill-ers. 

Enjoy!