Hers to Desire, Menopause, Spa-ahhh

I finished Margaret Moore's Hers To Desire late, late, late last night and I must say it was an enjoyable read! (Take that, Amy!!)
I haven't read a medieval romance in years - YEARS, so it was a pleasant change of pace. Having attended Margaret's lecture at a recent Toronto Romance Writer's meeting, I actually had her voice in my head as I was reading -- which was kinda creepy -- but didn't deter from my enjoyment. Thankfully!
Very early in the book, it was quite clear that Hers to Desire was part of a series, as references to past adventures with other characters were referenced and relationships were already established between most of the people involved. It was a little like joining a circle of friends for the first time and hearing them refer to past experiences together! I was jealous, but loved them none-the-less!

I've been meaning to talk about my birthday-present weekend but as Sweetness (aka younger son) is napping-no-more, I just haven't had time. Let me say this:
Menopause Out Loud is perhaps the funniest thing on stage I've ever seen. Four women, representing stereo-typical figures -- the career power woman, farm-state housewife, earth mother and aging movie star -- meet in the lingerie dept at Bloomingdales. They sing and dance for about 90 minutes, sharing their tales from 'the other side of 50'. The songs are all re-worked baby-boomer era hits, so every tune is familiar.
Though I'm not of an age to experience 'the change' (yet!), I completely understood the references and laughed out loud with the rest of the ladies in the audience. It seems menopause and pregnancy share many of the same symptoms, so many of the experiences were very relatable! After an hour of giggling, gaffawing, chortling and chuckling, I didn't know what to do with my laughter. It wanted to explode out of me. I slapped my legs, held my sides, my cheeks hurt from smiling and I was exhausted after the show.
If it's playing in your area -- GO SEE IT. No matter your age. And take all your girlfriends. And your mother. Hell - take your mother-in-law! The few lucky men in the audience seemed to appreciate the humor as well, so it's certainly not gender restricted (but many men wouldn't see it on principle, I'm sure. Their loss!)

The next day, my friend and I did a day at the Nouvelle Maria Day Spa in the Royal King Edward Hotel in Toronto. Bliss! Facial, massage, manicure, pedicure, . . .
I'm not going to give the details, because that would just be bragging!!! Let's just say that turning 40 was totally worth it ;)