WOOOOO!! Go NEW YORK STATE!!!

ALBANY — New York lawmakers narrowly voted to legalize same-sex marriage Friday, handing activists a breakthrough victory in the state where the gay rights movement was born.
New York will become the sixth state where gay couples can wed and the biggest by far.
“We are leaders and we join other proud states that recognize our families and the battle will now go on in other states,” said Sen. Thomas Duane, a Democrat.
Gay rights advocates are hoping the vote will galvanize the movement around the country and help it regain momentum after an almost identical bill was defeated here in 2009 and similar measures failed in 2010 in New Jersey and this year in Maryland and Rhode Island.
Though New York is a relative latecomer in allowing gay marriage, it is considered an important prize for advocates, given the state’s size and New York City’s international stature and its role as the birthplace of the gay rights movement, which is considered to have started with the Stonewall riots in Greenwich Village in 1969.
The New York bill cleared the Republican-controlled state Senate on a 33-29 vote. The Democrat-led Assembly, which passed a different version last week, is expected to pass the new version with stronger religious exemptions and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who campaigned on the issue last year, has promised to sign it. Same-sex couples can begin marrying begin 30 days after that.  
The passage of New York’s legislation was made possible by two Republican senators who had been undecided.  
Sen. Stephen Saland voted against a similar bill in 2009, helping kill the measure and dealing a blow to the national gay rights movement.
“While I understand that my vote will disappoint many, I also know my vote is a vote of conscience,” Saland said in a statement to The Associated Press before the vote. “I am doing the right thing in voting to support marriage equality.”
Gay couples in gallery wept during Saland’s speech.
Sen. Mark Grisanti, a GOP freshman from Buffalo, also said he would vote for the bill. Grisanti said he could not deny anyone what he called basic rights.  
The effects of the law could be felt well beyond New York: Unlike Massachusetts, which pioneered gay marriage in 2004, New York has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license, meaning the state could become a magnet for gay couples across the country who want to have a wedding in Central Park, the Hamptons, the romantic Hudson Valley or that honeymoon hot spot of yore, Niagara Falls.
New York, the nation’s third most populous state, will join Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C., in allowing same-sex couples to wed.  
For five months in 2008, gay marriage was legal in California, the biggest state in population, and 18,000 same-sex couples rushed to tie the knot there before voters overturned the state Supreme Court ruling that allowed the practice. The constitutionality of California’s ban is now before a federal appeals court.
While court challenges in New York are all but certain, the state — unlike California — makes it difficult for the voters to repeal laws at the ballot box. Changing the law would require a constitutional convention, a long, drawn-out process.
The sticking point over the past few days: Republican demands for stronger legal protections for religious groups that fear they will be hit with discrimination lawsuits if they refuse to allow their facilities to be used for gay weddings.  
The climactic vote came after more than a week of stop-and-start negotiations, rumors, closed-door meetings and frustration on the part of advocates.
Online discussions took on a nasty turn with insults and vulgarities peppering the screens of opponents and supporters alike and security was beefed up in the capitol to give senators easier passage to and from their conference room.
The night before, President Barack Obama encouraged lawmakers to support gay rights during a fundraiser with New York City’s gay community.
The vote also is sure to charge up annual gay pride events this weekend, culminating with parades Sunday in New York City, San Francisco and other cities.
Despite New York City’s liberal Democratic politics and large and vocal gay community, previous efforts to legalize same-sex marriage failed over the past several years, in part because the rest of the state is more conservative than the city.
The bill’s success this time reflected the powerful support of Cuomo and perhaps a change in public attitudes. Opinion polls for the first time are showing majority support for same-sex marriage, and Congress recently repealed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that barred gays from serving openly in the military.
In the week leading up to the vote in New York, some Republicans who opposed the bill in 2009 came forward to say they were supporting it for reasons of conscience and a duty to ensure civil rights.
Pressure to vote for gay marriage also came from celebrities, athletes and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Republican-turned-independent who has long used his own fortune to help bankroll GOP campaigns and who personally lobbied some undecided lawmakers. Lady Gaga has been urging her 11 million Twitter followers to call New York senators in support of the bill.
While the support of the Assembly was never in doubt, it took days of furious deal-making to secure two Republican votes needed for passage in the closely divided Senate.
Representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox rabbis and other conservative religious leaders fought the measure, and their GOP allies pressed hard for stronger legal protections for religious organizations.
Each side of the debate was funded by more than $1 million from national and state advocates who waged media blitzes and promised campaign cash for lawmakers who sided with them.  
But GOP senators said it was Cuomo’s passionate appeals in the governor’s mansion on Monday night and in closed-door, individual meetings that were perhaps most persuasive.  
The bill makes New York only the third state, after Vermont and New Hampshire, to legalize marriage through a legislative act and without being forced to do so by a court.  

Read more: http://auburnpub.com/news/state-and-regional/article_a7201928-9ee4-11e0-ba8e-001cc4c002e0.html#ixzz1QIWhneEP

Can I just say, finally?!

Today's Review!!

So I couldn't quite decide on which book to review today. My brain might still possibly be a tad mushy from the weekend. So I'm doing a whole series! hehe

The Demonica Series by @LarissaIone 

What can I say... This series rocked! I was totally non functioning while reading these books! The world building, characters, romance, adventures... ALL A-MAZ-ING. While all hell breaks loose in these characters lives, they still hold true to themselves and keep right on going. Underworld General, which brings all of this together IMHO, is the BEST! This is the type of series that makes you really wonder, "what if this is all real?". The romance is roller coastered just enough to keep you tied into it, but each adventure and twist is completely compelling. Hope to see more and more of these characters in the new series she writes!

Halfway Hexed by Kimberly Frost

First, there are the local residents who form a scripture-spouting posse and kidnap Tammy to "defend" Duvall, Texas, against witchcraft. Next, someone saddles her with a secret package chock full of dangerous visions, just as the president of WAM-the World Association of Magic- arrives with his entourage to investigate her. And who worse to examine Tammy's entanglement with off-limits and drop-dead gorgeous wizard Bryn Lyons than his ex-girlfriend? Not to mention that the clash between the locals and the magical visitors leads to a series of unnatural disasters that may doom them all.
While the fate of the town hangs in the balance, one thing's certain: this would-be witch is ready to rumble, Texas style.


Tammy Jo is still learning her new powers and about herself. The newest witch in a town that knows nothing of the magical world struggles to find her place in it, both the town and the magical world. When the president of the magical community makes a unprecedented arrival to the little town and reaps all sorts of havoc, including trying to buy the whole town, its up to Tammy Jo to rescue her town and the people in it. Along with finding herself in some pretty serious trouble too! Her wayward ways and total lack of knowledge make this story completely compelling and of course who could forget the TOTALLY smexy Bryn Lyons. Tammy and Bryn are so entwined she doesn't know how to stay away! Even though she's supposed to! Doing the impossible in this book is what its all about. With major surprises as she learns more of the truth about herself and the reasons Bryn Lyons is off limits, Tammy Jo never ceases to amaze! Loved, loved, loved this series! Can not wait for the next book!!  

Super busy day, but here's today's review!!

The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed -- vampyre, demons, shape shifters -- and mankind fight their last battle for survival.

Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen... and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission -- to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity -- Kyana has no choice but to accept.

She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort... Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both...

Awesome debut novel that has an amazing start to a series! 


Giving a whole new spin on the apocalypse, Sable Grace entertains and enthralls with Ascension. Kyana, Dark Breed, protector, and smart alec, rushes in to an assignment she never expects. An assignment that will pair her up with her best friend, favorite-ish colleague and a super hot ex-fling, that she's still not over... The assignment, given to her by the Fates, takes her on a journey where she finds her limits and herself, only to lose some important stuff and gain things she never imagined. Light-speed paced all the way through, you will have trouble putting it down. Witty banter and exceptional world building keeps you wanting for more. Excellent read IMHO, can't wait for #2!!

Awesome Summer Giveaway!!!

So this is one of my newly found favorite blogs!!

Larissa's Bookish Life! She and Paranormal Haven are doing a summer give away, giving away books EVERYDAY this month!! Woo!!

Larissa's Give Away!!

First Grave on the Right by the fabulous Darynda Jones!

 

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to go into the light. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. 



Charley Davidson is a private detective by day and the Grim Reaper by night. Not only do the ghosts frequently wake her up, they want her to give them justice. And she does. Charley is a smidge peeved about being woken up, that's only because she dreams of a smokin' hot mystery, who keeps her wishing she could go back to sleep. But when her justice dealing day job stumbles across some serious danger, its her mystery dream guy who jumps out to save the day, or just be jealous. Charley quickly realizes he may not be a figment of her imagination or a ghost, but someone in need of some serious help and only Charley with the help of some awesome sidekicks, can do it. Absolutely amazing story. Can't wait for the second, Second Grave on the Left!! Darynda Jones has an amazing talent to keep you at the edge of your seat, drooling, begging for more!


When I found this book, I had no idea I would be so completely immersed that I forgot about the real world IE, letting the dogs go potty... Yeah.. I didn't put it down. Not once. 

tweeter. tweeter.

I did it. I started a twitter. God save me. Its bad already.

First Review EVAR! Hunt the Moon by Karen Chance!

Cassandra Palmer recently defeated a god, which you'd think would buy a girl a little time off. But it doesn't work that way when your job description is Pythia-the world's chief clairvoyant. Cassie is busier than ever, trying to learn about her power, preparing for her upcoming coronation, and figuring out her relationship with the enigmatic sexy master vampire, Mircea.

But someone doesn't want Cassie to become Pythia, and is willing to go to any lengths to make sure the coronation ceremony never happens- including attacking her mother before Cassie is even born.

Alright, got this the day it came out. Read it before the day was over. Total AWESOMSAUCE! Especially after waiting what seemed to be forever for the next Cassie book. If you haven't read the series it starts with Touch the Dark.

Hunt the Moon started off in typical Karen Chance style, jumping head first right into the story. Cassandra Palmer, world class seer and soon to be crowned Pythia. Known clutz and self proclaimed screw up, Cassie has quite the battle coming to terms with her new position that is still pulling her unwillingly along the timeline.  As always with Karen Chance, you never know what to expect with her characters. Mircea and Cassie's "relationship" has been a bumpy road, with never knowing where she stands and the long lasting tension with Pritkin is finally, sort of, explained. Along with total mishaps and adventures with the amazing Palmer Universe, Hunt the Moon will leave you drooling for more Mircea, or Pritkin, I can never decide which. The cliff hanger at the end is tear jerking, yes, cliff hanger, they are the bane of my existence. If I explain more I will include too many spoilers, and I really, really hate spoilers!

Woo! Newbie here!

Alright, I'm home all day. I read like it's my job (and oh, how I wish it was!). And I read blogs about books. So why not start my own?! Maybe because I'm one blunt biznatch and can't really string words together for long periods of time. BUT I am going to do this. And I am going to try to put a review up everyday. At least one. I hope. Maybe two if you're lucky.