graduating in green

In my dream, I was about to graduate from college. My mom was with me. I realized I didn't have a graduation gown or a nice new dress to wear underneath it. I also realized that I wasn't sure I qualified. What if I had failed a class? I had never failed a class before but I was worried that might have happened. I hadn't looked at my mail in a long time.
The robes were very thick and green and fuzzy, like lichen.

Soundtrack to this Dream: "Over You" by Daughtry

dreamsigns: setting time, setting place, object form

Oddly Normal volume one by Otis Frampton

Oddly Normal is the name of the protagonist of this comic. Oddly is the product of a "mixed marriage" - her father is a human, but her mother is a witch! On Oddly's tenth birthday, her parents disappear and she is mysteriously transported to the magical land of Fignation. Has she finally found the place where she can fit in?

( I can't stop myself from writing spoilers for this one, but at least I can write them behind a cut. )

So, I can only give the book two stars. If you are not bugged by the unfairness thing the way that I am, and I'm pretty sure most people aren't, then it would be an okay choice, but I don't think it's outstanding.

Blue Moon by Lori Handeland

This is the first in a series of paranormal romances. The main character is a small-town female police officer named Jessie McQuade. A woman is badly injured when she hits a wolf with her SUV, and McQuade is sent to investigate. She follows the trail of a wolf and finds a gorgeous naked man. Are things about to get hairy?*

I am picky about romance novels, but this one satisfied my criteria. There are a lot of things I liked about it.
1) The heroine is smart. She has common sense and she calls for backup when appropriate.
2) Her love interest is a caring, mature person. Specifically, he appreciates the heroine for more than just her body. Also, although there is some sexy R-rated wrestling, he never pushes past what she's willing to give him.
3) I didn't care that I could see where the plot was going. Most romances are a bit predictable. That's okay, as long as they're good enough that you don't mind, and in this case I didn't. I knew who Jessie was going to end up with, but I really wanted to know how it would happen and what they would say to each other and how they would (inevitably) foil the bad guys.
4) Despite my comment on the predictability of romances, who the bad guys are and what their deal is remains a mystery up until the end.

I enjoyed this book and I will be looking up more of Ms. Handeland's work. Recommended for all fans of love stories with bite!* Four stars.

*Sorry, guys. I tried hard but I couldn't resist.