EP Read Along Week 7 - Chapters 19-22

“I, like Isabella, have paid for others mistakes—namely, my father’s mistakes. I got the scars to prove it—physical and mental. “ – Edward Cullen, Emancipation Proclamation – Chapter 19

Sorry I’m late this week girls!  RL just kept  getting  in the way this week….dontcha just hate that?  Kassie and Fran are preparing for their amazing adventure in NYC tomorrow, so I’m behind the wheel of our little EP drive this week.  Here we go……

Chapter 19 EPOV

This chapter opens up with Edward talking about how much the death of his mother still profoundly affects him.  He is just so good at hiding it.

When Edward confronts Carlisle about what happened with Bella, you can see that their relationship is strained.  Edward is so cocky that his father won’t kill him because he looks so much like his mother.  Do you think that’s true, or did you think if Edward pushed Carlisle far enough, he would snap?

What do you think about Edward going in to see Bella when she is bound and leaving her like that?  As much as Edward wanted to let Bella go, I think he did the right thing for Bella’s safety.  With Carlisle so insane at the moment, there is no telling what he might do to Bella if she had been cut loose.

So Bella is opening up to Edward more and we are learning a bit more of what her life was like back in Arizona.  I mean she is a bit stoned….and I love how this fact causes her to start getting snarky with Edward. 

Chapter 20 BPOV

Bella wakes up and is freaked out because she knows the pain killer she took had her confessing all kinds of stuff to Edward.  Edward returns the massage favor, which is so sweet and shows how much he cares about Bella.  Then later on Jasper  has her feet up on his lap and is massaging her feet.  Do you think that’s a little odd?  I do love that Alice doesn’t even care.   Alice and Jasper know Edward’s secret.  How long do you think they can go without telling anyone else?  Do you think Rosalie has figured it out or is she just being a bitch because Jasper is rubbing the feet of the slave?

Carlisle tries to make amends with Bella in his own way, but it is just too soon.  Bella is scared to death of him and certainly does not trust him nor is she ready to forgive him.   What you think about Carlisle approaching Bella this way, and acting so caring about her injuries?

Chapter 21 – EPOV

Edward’s unbelievable huge ego comes shining through at the beginning of Chapter 21.  He is a cocky little shit, isn’t he????  So Edward says he’s going to ask the first bitch he sees to homecoming, and he asks Tanya to homecoming.  That skank makes my skin crawl worse that Jessica and Lauren.

I really enjoyed Edward description of all the crazy things that Jasper and Emmett do for Spirit Week.   I particularly enjoyed reading about Emmett wearing a Smurf t-shirt and riding around on a tricycle! LOL

Alice corners Edward and has a little talk with him about his feelings for Bella.  Didn’t you just love Alice helping Edward?  Telling him basically to go for it?  Maybe this is the push Edward needs to make his move.  Will Edward take Alice’s advice?

At the football game, Edward keeps trying not to look for Bella, but finally spots her sitting with his family looking really sad.  After the game he spots her talking a boy who turns out to be Jacob Black, and Edward totally loses it.  What do you think happened between Edward and Jacob Black for Edward to react the way he did at the football game?

Edward always knows just what to say at an awkward moment, doesn’t he?  “This tie makes me look fucking fruity, doesn’t it?”  Well, it got Bella to laugh, which Edward really needed to hear.

Edward leaves the dance with Tanya and goes back to her parents’ house.  They start screwing around and then Edward has to stop and leave.  Did Edward just have a epiphany???   I think our man-whore is changing…..all because of Bella.

Chapter 22 – BPOV

Edward gives Bella alcohol and a little pot and gets Bella to play 21 questions with him which is his clever little way to get to know her better.  Bella finds out how Edward got his scar and what happened to the last slave.  Now we see why Edward did not remove Bella from her restraints the night that Carlisle punished her.  If it was like what happened with the last slave, Bella would have certainly been killed.  It’s so sweet how Edward takes a hit from the joint and then blows it into Bella’s mouth.   And staring into Edward’s eyes, Bella finally realized that she is stone cold in love with him.

So, what do you think about the slow burn Khar has created???  It’s delicious, isn’t it?  We are already up to Chapter 22 and E & B still haven’t hooked up! 

For next week - Chapters 23-26

As a native Chicagoan, I have a little interesting side note.  Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside contains the remains of the Who’s Who of the Chicago Mafia.  I have this really interesting book called “Graveyards of Chicago” which contains an entire chapter on Mt. Carmel Cemetery and who’s buried there.  I thought you might find it interesting.  I didn’t want to piss the author off my posting scans of my book,  but I did find the author’s web site and he has a cool link to each of the cemeteries from his book and I’ve included the link.   If Edward’s mom was real, she would be among interesting company .

http://graveyards.com/IL/Cook/mtcarmel/

Also, if you are interested in this sort of thing, I also own some of  the co-author, Ursula Bielski's other books:

LOL!  Do you think I'm a little macabre???  I do own all four of these books (well the last one -Creepy Chicago - is the kids version that I bought for my kids).  I just find this stuff so interesting.

Ooooh! New WFE Clip!

Can you believe it? 

 We only have to wait one more week to see the pretay on the big screen again! In case you can't wait (and I know you can't!) here's a new clip of Jacob and Marlena at the club during the raid! Enjoy!

Happy 21st Birthday Kristen!!!!

Happy Birthday to the amazing Kristen Jaymes Stewart!

I hope your man has something special planned for your birthday!

Like.........

EP Read Along Week 6 Chapters 15-18

So ladies welcome back, we're now onto week 6. How did we all survive? I only needed about half a box of tissues this time around. Before we get to the heavy, let's start with...

Chapter 15
Bella gets sick.
Edward brings Jessica over, has sex with her in his room which Bella overhears and passes out.
Then Edward admits his feelings to her, okay okay so he said it in Italian and she didn't understand but in chapter 16 we find out what he said and now Jasper and Alice know.
Bella admits that it might be nice having a real friend, in Alice, for the first time but is unsure if it's a true friendship or not. What do you think?

Chapter 16
This chapter is basically Edward making some bad decisions.
#1 inviting Jessica over
#2 leaving and getting trashed

We also get a little bit more about Edward's mom; directly from Edward himself. To Bella it is small but more than she knew before. It's like pulling teeth when it comes to the Cullen men talking about their mother.
What do you think of Bella quoting Schweitzer?
We also got to know more about her home life. What did you think of that?

Chapter 17
One thing that I got from this chapter, besides a heart attack the first time I read it, was that for Bella the subject of their mother is not just a memory they avoid but is a subject to fear and run away from.. well when it comes to Carlisle anyway.

What do you think of Carlisle's "punishment"?
My first time through it I felt it. I was literally shaking and crying on the verge of a panic attack, it is probably the biggest reaction I have ever had to a story before. Did you make it through?

Chapter 18
Well Bella endured it and was brought back to a place in her mind that she had started to escape from, being a slave.
What do you think of Edwards visit?
What did you think of him taking care of her afterwards?
What are the ramifications of the "punishment" on Bella? On Edward?

Let loose in the comments

We are going to try for reading 4 chapter this week, since so many of you are reading ahead anyway so for next week - Chapter 19-22. :)

WFE Video Round-Up

I am beyond excited for WFE to come out.  Unfortunately, I'm not as lucky as my bloggy BFF Kassie who is getting to go NYC for the premiere!  I am super excited nonetheless.  Even more excited now that these press junket videos are coming out.

 So here is a collection of them.  Enjoy!

Rob is amazing and beautiful as Jacob......*sigh*

EP Read Along Week 5 - Chapters 12 - 14

Hey mia bella ragazza!  

Welcome back to our little EP read along.  I can't believe we are already on Week 5!  Time flies!  Thanks to our wonderful Bella Tesoro for taking the EP reigns last week! She did a beautiful job!  Hopefully we can convince her to make this a regular gig! :)


So the chapters are starting to get longer, but from what I'm reading in the comments from last week, many of you are finding it hard to stop at 3 chapters per week.  I say go for it! Keep reading.  I know how hard it is to put this story down.  A little Twitter bird told me someone was up until 3 a.m. reading E.P.  (I'm looking at you T & T! LOL)  Well you are not alone and you are in the right place.


So on to this weeks chapters.......


Chapter 12 (BPOV)
I know last week there was a bit of discussion about the flipping back and forth between EPOV and BPOV.  I have to say that as much as I love reading EPOV and I also love reading BPOV because I'm falling in love with Edward (again!) right along with her.
I love the way Jasper is helping Bella acclimate and make her feel comfortable.  It’s not the same as having another girl to talk to but at least she has someone.  And thank you Jasper for telling Bella not to call you 'sir' anymore.  Now if she would just stop calling Edward 'sir'.

Do you think it was a good idea to invite Bella to the football game?  I definitely think it made her feel good to be asked, but is Bella really ready to be around other people yet?  I was thinking that this has "bad news" written all over it, myself.

Let's talk about Edward inviting Bella into his room.  Did you enjoy Edward's inquisition of Bella?  Totally reminded me of Twilight.  And the delicious electricity that is around the two of them when they are in Edward's room?  I could eat that up with a spoon!  Then there is Edward's line of questioning. It is so schizophrenic! I love how he goes from “Do you fear for your life here?” to “What’s your favorite color?” just like that.  The one that made me literally go "awwwwww" out loud was "I need to know why you hate me".  How much do you love this man????? *sigh*  My favorite thing that Edward said to Bella while she was in his room was, "I think you’ll find that we’re a lot more alike than you think, if you give us the chance to even get to know each other.”  Definitely more foreshadowing there but I think it also reveals Edwards desire to get to know Bella - and not in the same way he knows the ho's from school.

Chapter 13 (BPOV)

So after that lovely pap smear experience, Carlisle takes Bella out to lunch.  The things that Carlisle tells Bella in the restaurant are so contradictory.  Basically Carlisle expects her to walk this fine line between being a slave and a free person.  He’s giving her quite a bit a freedom, yet that doesn’t change the fact that she is what she is.  I think that makes it even harder for Bella to know what’s okay for her to do and what not to do.  I also think having this pseudo-freedom makes it much easier to screw up and face a consequence from Carlisle.  Is this making sense?  It would probably be easier for Bella if he just treated her like a slave.  I’m not saying that would be right, but that is all she knows and then she would know how to behave and act.

I FLOVE Rosalie, the salty bitch that she is.  She literally made me LOL in this chapter with lines like “Honey, most of these females here couldn’t care less about football. The only balls they care about are the ones in Edward’s pants.” and “He’s a whore, that’s what he is. Can’t keep his dick in his pants,” I just fucking love Rosalie!  I love Alice too!  Don't want to leave her out.  She is really showing herself to be a good friend to Bella and I think Bella is starting to appreciate it.

Chapter 14 (EPOV)

Okay ladies, now things are getting real good.  Through Edward’s thoughts, we are really starting to see how much he and Bella have in common.  I think it’s because I’ve read this story before that maybe I’m seeing it more, because honestly he is being a little cryptic.  However, the hints are there. He's felt some serious emotional pain just like Bella....he just not saying what that pain is....yet.

And already we can see that Edward is changing because of Bella.  He feels respect for Bella – something that he obviously has never felt for another woman......except maybe his mother.

“La mia bella ragazza,” *sigh* ….and now he starts with the beautiful Italian sayings.  Oh my goodness, I love EP Edward!

Okay, now I’m going to start going gah gah over all the little sweet things that Edward does.  Cupping her chin!  I FLOVE when he does that!  (In Twilight or any other FF)

Bella offering Edward a massage!  Where the hell did that come from????  How did she get from not even being able to be in the same room as him to rubbing him down????  Just sayin…   Where did this boldness come from?  Tracing his scar, tracing his tattoo?  I’m shocked. LOL

Gah! Edward in the wife beater!  Kills me!

So there you have it....my take on Chapters 12-14.

Let the comments roll!

Okay, Kassie and I decided that for next weeks reading

we need to warn you......

1.  You will need Kleenex for Chapter 17

and

2. We are actually going to add on Chapter 18 for next week

so as to not leave you hanging too bad at the end of 17.

So for next week - Chapters 15 - 18

(that's 4 Chapters.....I think you'll be able to handle it - 

and trust me, you will thank us)

Water For Elephants Premiere

Have you heard??? This is big news!!!

Water For Elephants will be hosting a premiere in New York on Sunday April 17, 2011 and

I

Will

be

There!!!

Well not just me but many of my fellow Twitards/Roblovers/Team Robowski/Team-only-for-water-for-elephants-Jacob people... just a crazy huge group, emphasis on the crazy.

Many will be arriving the day/night before to settle in and get plastered meet up for a quiet get together.

So this is a little countdown until we descent on the Big Apple.. you think they're ready for us?

I refused to "go pro" so they took away my picture... so just imagine the picture below in this countdown.

Will you be there? Let us know in the comments.

EP Read along Week 4: Chapters 9, 10, 11

To all Mia Bella Ragazza, Happy Friday!

I’m honored to be subbing for Kassie this week (get better girl, NY awaits!) and thanking Marie for asking me to pinch hit. There’s nothing that makes me happier than taking one for team-EP. So here we go girls. Grab some Toblerone, Cherry Coke, or Grey Goose and let the comments fly!

I know that some people don’t like the in and out of POV’s as they can sometimes be repetitive. But in the case of EP, we really need to hear what goes on from these two very different voices. Besides, you can’t get enough of Edward’s debauchery from just one angle, Seeing him through Bella’s innocent eyes is very revealing.

Chapter 9 gives us Edward’s inner voice and like his outer one, it’s insightful as well as amusing. For example, he comments on Jasper’s “If mom could see you now...” Edward feels that if his mother could see his behavior she would be disappointed with him. He remembers how different he was when she was alive. She raised her boys to be gentlemen and Edward was the one most like her back then. He was coddled and pretty much a mama’s boy. He’s different now, he pushes people away and thinks nobody truly sees his pain. He and Bella have some things in common. They both don’t want people to see them for who they really are. They’re protecting themselves from further hurt, having been broken beyond what others could understand. Edward hides behind his badass, man-whore self, Bella behind the slave who’s most safe taking orders.

This chapter describes how captivated he is with something as simple as watching her moan as she eats chocolate for the very first time. Stunning he thinks, and like the hormonal guy he admits to being, gets aroused by her as she enjoys this simple pleasure. “Something about her being happy made me smile. I had a feeling she had more demons haunting her than me.” This quote of Edward’s sums up their relationship nicely. There’s something he recognizes in her, something he needs to save, something maybe that she might in return save in him.

Don’t you just love how Edward describes moans, and groans and taking care of his release? Yeah, get used to it, he’s a young guy, he’ll be taking care of himself a great deal or looking for someone to do it for him! Did I just make you smile? That’s what Edward does for me, he makes me smile.

Next we’re introduced to the boys. As I said, Edward admits to being an ass, rude, crude, and hot-headed. He’s like his father, he can be intimidating and scary. It’s almost like he’s become what’s expected of him, he’s the bad boy. Both brothers want nothing to do with their father’s business. Emmett is more accepting while Jasper holds on to his mother’s values. We meet Alice, and she’s as you would expect. Edward calls her “short-cake” and she’s in charge of buying Bella some clothes. Rosalie is as you would expect too, she’s Emmett’s bitchy yet devoted girlfriend. kiTT, what were the quotes you liked in chapter 9???

Chapter 10 is Bella’s voice. We learn she’s slowly enjoying her new life. Jasper makes her feel welcome, Emmett makes her feel safe. Edward, well, he’s awaking something in her that scares her. She’s suddenly feeling something she hasn’t felt since she was a child and that is HOPE. “I felt hope, happiness, and I couldn’t allow that, because when it all came to an end, as it inevitably would, it would destroy me. I couldn’t let my guard down-I needed to be strong. And I blamed Edward for breaking me so much already.” Like Edward feels about her, she thinks he’s dangerous “..others could beat me and punish me..leave me battered and bruised but they’d never break me. Edward, ...already had my walls crumbling.” I think Edward’s walls are falling too. I think they both don’t feel like they deserve to be loved, or that they are lovable. At least that’s what I hear them saying in these early chapters. What are your thoughts?

Didn’t you love Alice hugging Bella? I don’t think she’s ever had a friend, and certainly not one as warm as Alice. I loved the football shirt comment...”The girls in this town are nuts over that boy...you wearing his clothes is cause enough for their jealousy to spike.”

I don’t blame them really, I still want one of those shirts to wear to bed myself. Thanks Marie for preparing the ones from Cafe Press, one more Edward shirt in my stash!

Carlisle shows his softer side when he insists Bella eat and puts her dinner in the fridge for her. He also makes an interesting comment after she says she would never disrespect him...”Never say never, Isabella. Disrespect comes in many forms and sometimes we do it without even realizing it.” Any guesses as to what he means by that?

Chapter 11 shows Edward’s childish, needy side. He gets pissed off that Bella seems to be able to sit, eat, and speak with his brothers but him, nothing. He’s also upset at himself, she’s interfering with his bad boy side, even giving him “performance issues.” He's already beating himself up for the way he's coming across toward Bella. He seems to be putting his foot in his mouth anytime he's around her. Why do you think this is happening to him. Where did confident Edward go?

Now for Edward, that’s a major hurtle to over come. But alas he has skanky Lauren to help him out. What did you all think about Edward not allowing Lauren, or any girl to kiss him on the mouth? Like he said, kissing is too intimate and that’s something he hasn’t done since he was a kid. Once again, alluding to the fact that something in his childhood broke his spirit. How did you like Edward’s comment about not having sex in his car but rather outside, on the hood? I wanted to smack him on the first read. But having read it through and falling hard for this “finicky f**ker” the only thought I have now, thanks to Rob too is...”kneel, open your mouth, smile, and pray.” I think that’s pretty much the message Edward was sending Lauren, and dam if she wasn’t left smiling. So, I can’t rightly blame Edward, Lauren got what she prayed for.

Well girls, do you agree that Edward is just giving a girl what she asked for? Or, do you

think he’s just a jerk? What did you think of him walking into Bella’s room as she slept?

Should he have done that given how afraid she would have been to find him there? What do you think of Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie? What about Carlisle leaving Bella and the boys alone? Who’s POV do you like reading the best?

Hang in there girls, the EP journey we’re on gets better with each chapter. Characters grow, plot develops, a bedroom becomes an incredibly sweet bubble, and secrets get revealed...

Sempre,

Fran

For next week, we are reading Chapters 12, 13 and 14. :)

EP Read Along Week 3

EP Read Along Week 3

Chapters 6-8

Happy Friday!

It's my turn to do the EP Read Along post......hope I do as well as Kassie!

Here goes.....

I hope everyone had a chance to read this weeks chapters because we finally get into Edward's head, and I don't know about you, but I find being in EP Edward's head very entertaining.  Maybe it's his filthy mouth or his perverted mind, but  EP Edward is quite fun!

So Chapter 6 and 7 we get our first EPOV chapters and we learn a few things about Edward.  He is the manwhore of Forks H.S. without a doubt.  He is the star of the football team, which has totally gone to his head.  How do you like the way he treats Jessica?  Do you feel bad for her, or is she a slut that deserves it?

We also learn a little more about Carlisle through Edward and what kinds of things he is involved in.  We also learn how he, Emmett and Jasper feel about their father's "business".  

We are introduced to Rosalie and Alice.  Don't you love the banter between Rosalie and Edward?  Rosalie brings up a good point, that it was stupid for Carlisle to bring a teenage girl into a house with three teenage boys.  What do you think about that?  That does seem like a crazy thing to do especially with Edward's reputation and Carlisle is not stupid.  So what do you think Carlisle's true motivation is for bringing Bella there?

Then we have Bella's first day alone in the house.  One thing that creeped me out is that Bella says that even though she is alone, she suspects she is being watched.  I don't know if I could deal with that. She says she is used to having every detail of her life controlled for her. So I guess being watched has been the least of her problems.

I love when Edward says his shirt looks good on Bella....and then kind of takes it back. I guess he thought he was being a little too forward - maybe there is a little gentlemen in there after all.

Did you think Edward was kind of being a dick when he and Bella left for the grocery store,  but by the time the started shopping, something changed between them.  What do you think happened?  Of course at the end of the chapter, we are introduced to Edward's favorite candy bar, which he kindly shares with Bella.  Bella's reaction is the best!  Then again, who of us doesn't moan when we get a good candy bar?

There is a lot of breath hitching and heart fluttering in this chapter, but it IS Edward and a girl can't help it, can she? What do you think? Do they have that inexplicable attraction???? 

One more thing.  Last week, Fran mentioned how she would love to have a Cullen football shirt with 21 on the back like Edward's shirt that Bella is "borrowing".  So I went on Cafe Press and made one, if anyone is interested in getting one for themselves.

  

For next week, we will be reading 
Chapters 9, 10 and 11.

Let the commenting begin.......

Rob on Leno

I'm in Rob overload.....loving it!!!!
Here's Leno

Rob's MTV Interview

Here he is in all his ever lovin' HAWTNESS!

Enjoy! Repeatedly!!!!

UPDATE:  All these videos are sucking all my bloggy juices
so goHERE to watch the whole interview.

I'm just going to keep the new WFE clip

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

Kellan Turns The Big 2-6 Today!

Happy Birthday Kellan

You are now one year older, one year wiser...

one year hotter.

What is on your birthday wishlist this year?? Because I would like to make it happen for you.

Maybe a small vacation...

A nice calm relaxing island. 

I bet your dogs would love to splash in the water here.

How about a toy...

You'd look so hot on one of these. But remember safety first, wear your helmet.

I know how interested you are in inventing things...

You are no dummy but this is somewhere to start.

Since I will not be with you on your birthday to give you these things, I will give you this...

I'll save the kinky stuff for later!

An Award? For Us? Awww Shucks.....

We just received our first award!  

from 17Forever Lisa!!!!!

Thank you Lisa!!!!!

We are so flattered!

We will proudly display it on the shelf on our sidebar.

We  have so many Rob parts to thank......

Rob's jaw...

Rob's scruff...

Rob's smile...

Rob's chest...

Rob's happy trail...

Rob's sweet ass...

Ah.....you get the picture

To accept this award one must follow the rules......

1. Thank the person that gave it to you and link it back to their blog.

2. Post 7 random facts about yourself.

3. Pass the award on to 15 other blogs.

77 Random Facts about UtterlyAbsurd Bella

1. I have been obsessed with the Beatles all my life.

(George and John are my favorites)

2. My original major in college was Sound Engineering

3. I taught myself to knit and crochet when I was in H.S. 

and knitted a full length "Dr. Who" scarf.

4. I have met Paul McCartney and took pictures.

5. I love to cook.

6. I was my oldest son's Cub Scout den leader for 5 years 

and even have the hideous uniform!

7. I went to Tijauna with my cousins when I was 18......nuff said!

7 Random Facts about TheOnlyMrs(Kassie)Cullen

1. I have only been outside of the state of Illinois twice.

2. I can sing almost any TV show theme song from memory including many old shows like Mr. Ed, Bewitched, Green Acres, etc.

3. I have worked at every election as a judge since I was 18.

4. I can't rollerskate but I can rollerblade.

5. I love eating weird combinations of food like Doritos on my PB&J or french fries in my milkshake, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

6. I do not eat any seafood at all.

7. I love watching sports.

And we'd like to pass this award on to........

1. A Twilighty Life

2. Pattinson Ladies

3. Random Acts of Rob

4. Robstenation and All Things Twilight

5. The Daily Twimes

6. Twilog

7. Twilightish

8. Twi-sted Edbrella

9. Tigerlily's Tirade

10. Robsten Dreams

11. Rob's Closet

12. Dr. Cullen's Love Shack

13. Pattinson Gallery

14. Confessions of a Twiholic

15. Cheaper Than Therapy