So my new favorite show is Numb3rs. I'd heard about it awhile ago and had to investigate, given the premise: mathematician brother of FBI agent becomes FBI special consultant.

Every episode, brother Charlie Epps contributes to the solving of a case by using some kind of analysis or algorithm, such as Graph Theory or Fourier analysis. I actually think David Krumholtz (who I vaguely recognized from The Santa Claus) does a great job of delivering mathematical and scientific explanations. However, someone should be vetting his pronunciation from time to time. It's tor-I, not tor-ee, for the plural of torus. And a Princeton math grad would pronounce Fourier French-like, Foo-ree-ay, not Furrier.

But, hey, I just love the mathematical interludes, even though at times, they're more wallpaper and hand-waving than real. I also love that there's a girl math genius, though she doesn't get enough air time.

Actually I think the acting is great across the board. I totally enjoy Peter MacNicol as the physicist friend. And Dianne Farr is great. Finally, I sobbed my way through Ordinary People when I was a teen, and enjoy seeing Judd Hirsch–no, didn't see much of Taxi.

Anyway! I like mystery/FBI shows where the good guys win, but it's intelligently presented with balance. I haven't heard much buzz about Numb3rs, but it is definitely my new favorite show.

The Strength of the Pack is not available everywhere, but it is on sale at amazon.com and amazon.ca right now. Which is very exciting!

There have also been real live sightings in Borders and Barnes and Noble

I'd love to see a picture of The Strength of the Pack in a store. If someone sent me such a photo, I would happily mail out the followup book, The Strength of the Wolf—this would be draw. Your choice of ebook or print book.

Well, I'm a bit behind the times, or I'd be reading Private Arrangements (which is going into my tbr pile). But I'm so glad I finally picked up and read The Spymaster's Lady. Totally absorbing pageturner!

I'm not entirely sure I have much to say beyond squee! or getting into some serious spoilers. The book has lots of actions, and enough depth to sustain it. The pacing was perfect, the heroine was resourceful and active, despite having the cards heavily stacked against her. I liked the hero, too, but the heroine made the book for me.

I like spy stories, but not wallpaper spy stories, which this isn't. The characters are clever and appealing. They do not simply forget they are spies once they fall in love; in fact, espionage and the Game is the engine of the story, driving the characters' actions and circumscribing those actions too.

There's a betrayal that I thought perhaps didn't get enough weight, but honestly this is a wonderful book that makes me very excited about historical romance, writing and reading.