Debra Dixon is coming to Nashville

Want to learn more about GMC (Goal, Motivation and Conflict) and how those
elements work with the Hero's Journey to conceive and create strong plots
and compelling characters? Check out MCRW's upcoming day-long event with
Debra Dixon. Register before September 25 for only $35!



Visit Music City Romance Writers for more information and to register for this awesome event.

For more information about Debra and to buy her book "GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict, The Building Blocks of Good Fiction" visit her website.

The Most Amazing Thing

KAM finally had the baby. She got admitted to the hospital about noon on Monday and Mason Alexander was born at 10:54 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 15 oz. He's a beautiful little thing and I got to watch the whole affair.

I've been on the pushing end of delivery, but I've never really seen it from the other end. It was completely amazing. The woman's body is designed to do wonderful things. Giving life to another living being is truly the most amazing thing I've ever seen. And I'm truly blessed to have been a part of this one.

Still No Baby

KAM was supposed to be induced this morning, but military hospitals must only be prepared for 1 pregnant woman at a time. She was told to all this morning at 5:30, but they told her to call back at 7. she called back at 7 and was told to call back at 8. When she called at 8 she was told that someone had come in sick and they had to take care of her before KAM could come in so it might be 11 or 12. So, now we're waiting to find out if it's even going to happen today.

This makes absolutely no sense to me. If you're going to be induced your doctor makes an appointment with the hospital for a bed for you. You go in, you have an IV put in and the medication is injected. Soon you have contractions and sometime after that you have your baby. This hospital has you call them to see if you can come in or not. How stupid is that?

So, now we're playing the waiting game. Poor KAM is tired and anxious and these people are playing games with her emotions. Not Good! Grrrr!!!!

Great Finds

I went "yardsaling" yesterday. There were several near the house here and they were all uphill. It seems like everything in this part of town is on a hill. But I got good exercise and I found a couple of really cool items.


This old antique typewriter doesn't work, but I bought it for decoration in my office, not to use, so it works out.


After a couple more places didn't have the one thing I was looking for, I went to a consignment store that used to be located here in Bellevue, but which is now over in Rivergate. And that's where I found it. The rocker I've been looking for. Sure I could buy a brand new one, but those aren't as well made or as sturdy as the older ones. So, I picked this great chair up for less than $100. Awesome find! And now I'm ready for the new baby.

What's Wrong with Me?

I haven't been writing much lately. I'm not sure what's going on with me. I have plenty of time to write, but I don't always sit down and write. I want to. I think about it all the time, but I just can't make myself do it.

I think it might have something to do with my lack of exercise. I go to bed early, I get up late & I don't do anything. I don't clean house except what's absolutely necessary. I don't do anything in the yard even though there are things that really need to be done. I don't like to go out and do things with my friends and hell would freeze over before I'd do anything that even remotely feels like exercise.

My health is slipping, my eating habits have gone completely downhill and I feel like crap all the time. I really need to get back on the wagon and put myself back together again.

Anyone else go through these phases?

It's Almost Time

Well, it's just about that time. My DIL is about to give birth for the 2nd time. That's right. I'm gonna be grandma again soon. This time it's a boy & they're gonna name him Mason. They haven't agreed on a middle name yet. JAM wants Wrigley after Wrigley field & KAM wants something else but she's not sure just what yet. Personally I want Mason James, but I am a little prejudiced about that.

KAM went into labor earlier this week, but she was sent home to walk because she wasn't dilated enough yet. The contractions stopped after she tripped and almost fell, but they've started up again today. With any luck we'll have a new baby boy to spoil in a few days.

And I'll post pics as soon as he gets here.

New Release

You’ve never heard the fable Rumpelstiltskin told like this …

Due to her father’s constant bragging, word of Anna Miller’s beauty and virtue piques the interest of King Thomas.

Upon taking the boasting of her father too literally, the king of Grimbros imprisons Anna and threatens to kill her and her father if she fails to spin straw into gold.

A mysterious and sensual magical being finds himself drawn to the castle – and the beautiful Anna. He offers his help in exchange for the most intimate, precious gifts she could possibly give. Soon Anna finds herself wanting far more than just his help. But he threatens to consume her and all she holds dear.

Unless she says his name.

There's a Mouse in the House

Mickey might be cute, but I soooo do not like a mouse in my house.

Now, I know that mice and rats are different, but to me they are exactly the same. They both carry disease and plague and they scurry around in hidden places jumping out at you at the most inopportune times.

When I was about 5 or so we lived in this run-down old house in Mississippi where there were holes in the floors and walls. And we had rats. Big ugly scary rats. Jump on the table and scream like a little girl rats. Ugh!

My mom put out rat poison, but the little buggers avoided it like the plague (pun intended...lol). But I didn't. I found it behind the dresser and since it looked like candy, I helped myself. Let me just say that having your stomach pumped is not a fun experience for a five year old.

It's also not a fun experience to have a rat crawl up your leg when you're five either (or any age for that matter). Not to mention watching my mom shoot them through the holes in the floor with her little 22 pistol. And let's not forget the puppies.

My German Shepherd, Lady, had puppies under the house. And the rats ate them all. Well, except the little runt. We brought him up into the house and tried to keep him alive, but he didn't make it. Another tragic event in my life to remember about rats.

So, now that I have one in the house, leaving me gifts and trying to be a good little mouse who keeps out of sight, I can safely say "NOT GONNA HAPPEN!" The little bugger will be drawn and quartered if I have anything to say about it.

And Good Riddance!!

30th Annual RWA Conference

Conference week was AMAZING! Or so I hear. Since I did't get to go this year as planned I lived vicariously through Twitter.

There were awesome pics posted throughout the week & Saturday night's Rita/Golden Heart Awards Ceremony had the Twitterdom hot, hot, hot. Congratulations to all the winners.

La Nora's keynote speech was to die for. I can't wait to download that one from www.rwanational.org. And from what I hear the workshops were great, too.

God, I hope I can make it next year. New York City, here I come!!

Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever "business casual" means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference...

The Conference You Don't Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors -- and you don't even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We'll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O'Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL'S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelley:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora's Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora's Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner's choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis.../crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner's choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner's choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner's preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR'S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner's choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner's choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner's choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

Random Stuff

Whew! It's been a month. I've been sick since I got home from Seattle in June and finally made it to the dr last week. The meds he gave me made me sick to my stomach and unable to sleep at night, but I'm on my last day with them and am feeling a bit better now. Nothing like a summer cold to stick around forever.

HNM has knee problems so I've been taking her to the dr, too. The first dr she saw didn't do a good job in my opinion. He didn't do x-rays or bloodwork before he put her on the meds, then after the meds didn't help he decided to run tests. Only the bloodwork didn't take because the steroids he put her on affected their outcome so that now he doesn't know if it's an infection or the meds. He finally sent her to the orthopedist and we're not scheduled for an MRI on Saturday. He seems to think it's the cartilage beneath the kneecap. It's supposed to cupped with an opening on the bottom, but he says hers might be solid instead of open and he wants the MRI to make sure. If that's what it is, then he'll have to insert a scope inside her knee on either side to scrape it down to where it's supposed to be. Doesn't sound fun to me, but if it will help her with the pain and swelling then I'm all for it.

We're still waiting on FEMA, too. We were denied at first because we live in a condo and they automatically deny that. So, we had to file an appeal and we're still waiting on a decision from that. We were also denied an SBA loan so if we don't get FEMA to help, then I don't know what we'll do. We can't afford to put all new duct work under our house and the heat is only going to get worse. Of course, we'll figure it out like we always do.

Next week is vacation. I'm still disappointed I can't go to Orlando for the RWA conference, but at least I still get a vacation. And maybe next year I can go to New York City for the conference. That would be awesome. Staying right on Times Square. Fun! I'm looking forward to that one now!

So, instead of conference I'm going to AR to visit my parents. It's their 25th anniversary so we're gonna have cake and spend the day together. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Genealogy

I've been researching my families genealogy recently and am happy to report I've found my great-great-great grandfather. And I think I may have even found up to 7 generations back, but until I can prove what I've found I'm only going with the 3 greats.

It's exciting to know where I come from. I don't know a lot about them yet because I'm just beginning the search, but it's fun going through all the records online. Of course, there's so much you can't find online that I'm starting to get stuck. Not to mention if I want copies of birth, death or marriage records I'll have to pay for them and that's not going to happen right now.

I'm thinking of putting all the info I find in a family history book for the family. I'm apparently in charge of the family reunion we'll be having for the first time in years, so I wanted to do something special for it. And this is just the thing. Gathering stories from all the family members and finding info on family that far back is going to add a lot to the project.

What about you? You know anything about your genealogy?

Rough Week

It's been a rough weekend. My uncle passed away on Wednesday morning & I left out Thursday morning for the 8 hour drive back home for the funeral. Before I left on Thursday, though, my husband's truck broke down & we had to take it to the shop to be fixed. That cost us a good $600.

The trip was good. The visitation & service were nice & I got to see all my family again. It seems like the only time we see each other any more is at a funeral. But that's about to change. I've been elected by the family to organize a family reunion for next year. Should be fun, though.

On the way home Saturday I got pulled over for speeding, costing me another $170. Only the ticket wasn't written for speeding, it was written for some city ordinance. Supposedly that's supposed to keep it off my record. I bet it costs more than a regular speeding ticket, too.

Then when I got home my husband told me the repairman who came to fix the intake line on our A/C unit says that we need to contact FEMA because we've had standing water in the ductwork and there's mud in the intake line due to the flood in May. Great. We've been living in a contaminated house for 2 months. No wonder my cough won't go away.

Yep. I'd say it's been a rough week.

Good-bye Uncle Bart

Though time seems short and hearts do grieve
The loss of one we love.
And though we mourn and wish him here
He's now with God above.

Fear not this loss, hold back your tears
He sits at Jesus' feet.
Some day, dear ones, when time has passed
Again his soul we'll greet.

For now, take heed, bring forth a smile
Remember all times past.
He watches us from high above
And rests in peace at last.

Back to Reality

I had an awesome time visiting family in Seattle (actually, they live outside Olympia) over the Memorial Day weekend. We got there on Friday afternoon, visited awhile, then went to dinner at Ramblin Jack's. Good food, good company...who could ask for more?

Well, it gets better. On Saturday, my sister-in-law & I went shopping, bought a few cute things for myself and had a great time. Then we went back to the house, gathered up the menfolk & went to the shooting range set up on their property. They had several different guns & we had fun handling those. I shot a 45 pistol (and actually hit the target twice...lol) and a 30-30 (sorry, no hits with that one...I am soooo not coordinated...lol). But the most fun was working the Trebuchet. My brother-in-law built one and loves to fool around with it. That was pretty cool. After that we had a cook-out along with some of my brother-in-law's family. Good people and lots of fun. I was worn out by midnight!

Sunday we all got up and dressed and went to pick up my mother-in-law, then went to Tacoma to the Glass Museum. It was so awesome to sit in the Hot Shop & watch the artists blow glass. They were creating a 5 ft tall "flip" cup. The museum was showing some awesome pieces, including some designed by kids which the artist turned into masterpieces. I loved it!

Then on to the Melting Pot for a 3 hour meal. That was really fun & a definite experience if you've never done it before. I'd love to go to the one here in Nashville sometime.

But the real experience came on Monday. Our flight was scheduled to leave around 11:30 am so we got to the airport around 10 or so. That's when the fun began. There were thunderstorms in Chicago where our connecting flight was & everthing was grounded going in or flying out. We left Seattle around 1pm & got to Chicago around 6:30pm. Our next flight was originally scheduled to leave about that time but was delayed until 8pm...at the gate on the far end of the airport.

Luckily we had plenty of time so we didn't have to hurry. We stopped for a bite to eat once we found where we were supposed to go, then relaxed a bit, hoping our flight would take off when they said it would. And of course that didn't happen. I looked at the board again to check things and they'd changed the flight to leave at 10pm...back on the other end of the airport.

We gathered our things and moved back to where we'd come in originally & waited for 10 to come around. It came around...then passed us by. The flight kept getting delayed. Actually, we had a plane, but no crew to fly it. They were on another delayed flight that wouldn't come in til 1am so we were told we'd leave about 1:30am. Around 1 they let us know that the pilots had made it in, but were back in the middle of the airport...we had to move again. We finally boarded & left Chicago around 2am & got home to Nashville around 4. Needless to say I didn't go to work as I'd planned & spent all day Tuesday relaxing & sleeping.

But all-in-all it was an awesome weekend! And I can't wait to do it again sometime!

Vacay!

Well, tomorrow's the day. We finally go to the airport and hope we get to board our flight to Seattle. I'm so excited. We're going to visit my husband's mother & sister. They've got a big weekend planned for us. We'll go sightseeing & visiting all the other family up there. And on Sunday night we're going to the Museum of Glass and then out to dinner at the Melting Pot. Sounds like a blast & I can't wait. I am sooooo ready for a vacation!

Disappointed

Well, it looks like HNM won't be graduating tomorrow after all. She failed Algebra. I know most of us hated Algebra and it was an extremely hard class to pass. But I'm still disappointed that I won't be watching her walk across that stage tomorrow night to get that diploma.

She'll go to summer school and make up this one class. And at the end of July she'll have a graduation ceremony with all the other summer school attendees. She'll get to wear her cap & gown and walk across the stage to get her high school diploma. And she'll have her party after just like we planned for this weekend. But it's still just not the same. I was really looking forward to one of my kids graduating high school like I did.

I'm just plain disappointed.

The Volunteer State

The cleanup has begun. Nashville is finally beginning to see the surface again. The water has receded and lives are moving on. Almost every part of town was hit by the Flood of 2010. No matter where you go you'll see someone's life reduced to debris piled up on the sides of streets waiting for trucks to pick up and haul away.

But what brings tears to my eyes and makes me feel as if I live in the most wonderful city in the world are all the volunteers who've put their lives on hold to help out a neighbor, a friend or a stranger. Traffic on affected streets is so congested you creep along at a snail's pace, but do so without complaint. And all because there are so many people willing to help. So many people willing to do anything they have to do, from hauling wet furniture to pulling out drywall and hardwood floors to crawling beneath houses to clean out muddy insulation to sorting trash into piles for the trucks to haul away to cooking for the victims and volunteers.

I've heard stories so varied yet so alike from flood victims. Some were evacuated before the water reached their homes, others were rescued by hunters or boat enthusiasts who left their own families to help those in need. But rescued or evacuated, not once have I heard complaints about who was helped first or who helped who. And I've only heard one report of looters that was over so fast we almost didn't know it happened in the first place.

This is the reason we're called The Volunteer State. We rise above ourselves to help anyone who needs it and we do it cheerfully. And even amid all this destruction, beauty and hope will always bloom because....

We Are Nashville!

Do The Write Thing For Nashville

Hey writers! We're raising money for flood relief in Nashville by auctioning off critiques and more from your favorite authors, agents, and editors.


Visit Do The Write Thing For Nashville for more information on how to donate or what's available for bidding.

Unimaginable Devastation

It's hard to imagine that just two days ago our little part of the world was turned upside down and inside out; almost literally. Today, the sun is shining and just outside my window here at work the world goes on as if nothing has happened.

I'm overwhelmed by the devastation I see on the news and as I drive to work and back. I feel guilty because I wasn't affected as others were. And I feel sad that people who had nothing to begin with have even less now.

Tourism will take a hit as well with so many of our local attractions taking on water or without power. Titans Stadium, The Grand Ole Opry and The Country Music Hall of Fame, will all be shut down for clean up and repairs. I also feel personally impacted that the Opryland Hotel was a complete loss. RWA was scheduled to hold their annual national conference there in July. Emails were sent out yesterday to those who had reservations for the next 90 days. All deposits will be refunded and the hotel will be shut down until further notice.

Nashville will need all the prayers and healing light that can be sent its way. Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. And please volunteer to help those who've lost their homes or donate what you can to local charities and shelters.

Nashville Flood 2010

It's been raining nonstop in Nashville for two days. I'm in Bellevue, just outside the Metro area, but have been pretty lucky so far. We haven't lost power but we did lose cable & internet for awhile. I ventured out and took a few pics. It doesn't look good. The far end of my street is completely flooded & looks like a lake now.

The interstate onramp is flooded & no one can get on or off at this exit. A friend one street over is completely flooded out & has lost everything. And that's just on my side of town. Even downtown there are spots that are dangerous and where you can't get through. Interstates are closed & thousands are without electricity or have lost their homes.

Update on School Incident

Thankfully everything is settled and no one was hurt.

Apparently I got my point across when I picked HNM up and told the office what I thought of how they handled the situation. I know of at least one other parent who went off a little harder on them than I did. The principal called me this afternoon and tried to explain things. She swears it was not their intention to lie (technically it wasn't a lie according to her) to the parents. "We should have communicated better with the office." Uh...ya think?

They wanted to keep the kids calm and out of harms way and keep the parents from swarming the school. And while I understand that, at the same time I panicked more b/c my kid was in a situation that could have turned dangerous and I had to find out via the news channels and my daughter's text messages, while the school is telling me a completely different story. And the school still has not sent out an email or a mass phone call to the parents.

But I'm much calmer than I was earlier and I'm glad they found the kids and the gun and got them out of the school and away from the other students.

Don't Lie To Me!

So, my daughter calls me from school this morning on her cell phone to tell me the school is on lockdown and the cops are there looking for a guy with a gun somewhere in the building. Of course I freak out and call the school. The lady in the office told me that it was just a drill they have to do a couple times a year and nothing was going on. Never mind the fact that my child has been in that school for four years and there's never been a drill before.

So, I try to calm my daughter down and let her know it's ok. It's just a drill and should be over soon. Only she informs me that they just came on the intercom to tell the students to remain in their classrooms a little longer. They had a serious situation but not to panic.

So, I call again and am told the same thing. It's a drill and everything's ok. Then I go onto the news website and find out they've arrested two students for bringing a semi-automatic weapon to school. Umm...drill, huh? Yeah, right!!

Of course I panic for real now and leave work to go to the school, just like every other parent on the planet would do. I'm met by a security guard in the parking lot who tells me what's happened. A student saw a kid with a gun on the bus and reported it. The kid with the gun put the gun in a female student's purse. Both were arrested and taken down to jail. When I asked why the school lied to me, the guard says she'd heard that from a lot of parents and couldn't explain it.

When I get into the office, there's not a single office worker, just students trying to help the parents find their students. I asked to speak with an office worker and when I asked them why they lied they tell me "we didn't know what was going on. We didn't know there were police and dogs in the school." Yeah, right. You're on lockdown and you're in the main office and you have no idea that something's going on. I don't think so.

And while I'm waiting for my daughter to get to the office so we can leave I hear that same worker on the phone with another parent telling them "We don't know anything about a gun. We haven't heard anything."

I know they don't want to cause a panic, but for goodness sake don't lie to me. Just tell me there's been an incident but things are fine and back to normal now. Don't tell me a bald faced lie that's only going to piss me off when I find out through the news that someone had a gun around my kid.

Stupid school! I can't wait for graduation next month.

Slow Writer

My writing has pretty much gone from sporadic to non-existent. I read an article recently on "slow writers" and have decided that I'm definitely in that category. I write in spurts when the mood strikes, but when I sit at the computer and see the blank screen or try to concentrate on what I've previously written, I can't seem to write anything. Or what I do write makes no sense; it's just words strung together to make sentences that make paragraphs so that I can up my word count.

I know to be serious about being a writer I'm supposed to write every day no matter what. I've even got BICHOK as the screen saver on my netbook. Only I can't seem to make myself do it. I want to write. I think about writing all the time. I plot and think and plot and sometimes write. But I can't be one of those who sits at the computer for hours and pours out a novel in a few weeks or months.

How about you? Are you a "slow writer"?

Fun New Phone

I finally got the new phone and it's so much fun. It's a little more complicated than any other I've had but I can handle it. And I'm quickly learning whatever I need, "There's an App for that". LOL

Waiting

It's amazing how waiting for something can drive you nuts. I ordered a new phone, the Motorolla Droid from Verizon, and I keep refreshing the FedEx Tracking website over and over again. Even though I'll get a phone call from home when it's delivered I can't stand not refreshing the site. I'm going crazy. Argggghhh! I just want to play with my new toy!!

Flight Fiasco - UPDATE

Ok, so I went to the Airport to straighten things out & make sure everything was right.

Stupid people had my husband's name wrong and it has to match or he couldn't board the plane in May. The boy who was helping me had to call someone to tell him how to fix it. Then I asked him to make sure we had seat assignments & he said we did but it didn't guarantee a seat on the flight. Apparently it's their policy to overbook "just in case someone doesn't show up". So, I told him I didn't want to be bumped from this flight & that I wanted to make sure we'd have a seat. I was trying to be very calm b/c he was just a kid and didn't know what he was doing but at least he was trying to help.

Well, the woman at the next check-in line butted in and said if I didn't want to be bumped for me not to volunteer to be bumped. That's when I started seeing red again. So, I said, "Umm, I didn't ask to be bumped the last time, you people just did it and that's why we've got these tickets we apparently have to jump through hoops to use." She didn't didn't like that much, but she didn't say anything else about it.

The boy finally got everything done and was about to print out what we needed so I'd have it for my records, when she piped up again and asked where DH was. When I told her he was at work, she said he had to be there & I couldn't take care of his ticket for him. I'd already been there almost an hour already so I was getting more ticked off by the second.

I called my husband who got totally pissed and was about to leave work and come take care of the whole mess himself, when a supervisor told the boy to go ahead and do it anyway.

If DH'd had to come down there and I'd had to wait another hour before he got there to handle this I'm afraid we'd both be on the 5 o'clock news. I will never, ever, under any circumstances voluntarily fly this airline again. I'll pay double somewhere else first.

I hate dealing with stupid people.

Flight Fiasco

What happened to good customer service?

Last June my husband and I flew to Kansas City for his grandparents' anniversary. But not without flight issues before we even left Nashville. Apparently this airline overbooks flights quite often and we were booted out and had to make other arrangements to get to KC. My brother-in-law had made the reservations and spent a good hour on the phone with their customer service (while in the airport) trying to convince them to give him his money back. In the meantime my husband and I spent that hour convincing the ticket counter to give us another flight (of course they didn't have any other flights available until the next day which would be too late for the party) and buying new tickets on a different airline at the "last-minute" rate (which you know is twice the cost of what we already paid and didn't leave for hours). So, to make us happy, they gave us all a free ticket to be used within a year to anywhere in the 48 states.

My brother-in-law used his a few months ago to visit his mother in Seattle. My husband and I want to use ours in May to visit Seattle, too. Since it's 2 months in advance there should be no problem, right?

Wrong!

I called customer service last night to book the flight because there was nowhere online to enter the code for the free tickets. The agent who took my call tells me that there are no seats available on the flight I want WHILE I'M LOOKING AT THE SEATING CHART ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT HAS AT LEAST 50 SEATS STILL EMPTY.

Me: "I'm looking at the website and there are several seats available. Why can't I be on that flight?"
Her: "I'm sorry, ma'am, but those seats can't be used with this free ticket code."
Me: "So, I can go online and buy these seats for $1500, but I can't have them as my free tickets when you guys screwed up and bumped us off our flight?"
Her: "Yes, ma'am. That's right."
Me: "I'm sorry, that doesn't make sense to me. Your airline overbooked us and we had to make other arrangements and now I can't even use the free ticket you gave me. But I can buy a ticket if I want to spend $1500. Is that right?"
Her: "Yes, ma'am."
Me: "I'd like to speak to your supervisor"
Her: "Ok. Hold please."
***Music playing for at least 15 minutes***

I finally gave up and called back. The next guy I got asked for the code on the bottom of my free ticket, then proceeded to tell me that there were no blackout dates and when did I want to fly. Um, can you say WTF?

Of course I called back to confirm this morning because I hadn't gotten the email confirmation I was promised. I finally got the email and it says "Reservation on Hold. No ticket issued. Please call customer service to purchase your ticket." Now, I have to drive down to the airport to make sure everything is as it should be and get an actual ticket that's not on hold.

I promise I will never fly with this airline again!

“With a Touch” by Rhiannon Leith

ISBN: 978-1-60504-967-0
Cover art by Kanaxa

Kidnapped by rebels…or rescued by love?

The Guild Chronicles, Book 1

As a prized psychic, Eva’s lived her entire life inside the Guild Compound. While sex isn’t exactly forbidden, she’s rarely indulged—such encounters could swamp her sensitive gift.

A chance encounter with Aidan, a sexy Guild Security Officer, rocks her to the core when she sees herself entangled in his arms. She fights the unfamiliar surge of lust and tries to focus on the job at hand, the interrogation of the subversive Rafael. Yet she discovers that he’s no terrorist. In fact, his capture is a ploy, a way for him and Aidan to infiltrate the Guild with one goal in mind: Eva.

At first Eva fights her captors, but once outside the Guild’s sheltered walls, she realizes she is free. Free to live and love as she pleases. And her two rebels please her indeed, introducing her to erotic pleasures she never imagined. They break down the barriers imposed on her mind and body, making her question everything she’s ever known.

Even as Eva dares to dream of a future with her lovers, she fears for their lives. The Guild wants her back. And that’s not all they want…

Warning: Contains two irresistible rebels working “undercover” to win the woman of their dreams, an evil corporation, rough sex, tender sex, sex with mild bondage, sex intensified by psychic connections and an oh-so-passionate ménage à trois.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM!




A Shifter, A Vampire and A Demon walk into a bar…

Shifting Reality, Book 1

Thomas Lyons is your average cat shifter. Cool, seductive…and bored out of his mind. With the new popularity of all things paranormal, he doesn’t see why he should hide anymore. When his half-demon technophile roommate hooks him up with a computer, Thomas starts a blog announcing to the world who and what he is. Oddly enough, the more he shares, the less he’s believed. In fact, people begin thinking it’s a new online series with fantastic effects.

Margo Sheffield doesn’t dance on tables anymore, not since her reckless naïveté cost her so much. These days, her only guilty pleasures are dark chocolate, shoes—and a certain website with a man whose purring voice sends shivers down her spine. When the show, Shifting Reality, offers a week in a haunted Scottish castle with the stars, it seems a far-off dream. But when that dream becomes reality, her boss’s insistence that she mix business with pleasure—or else—is more like a nightmare.

Thomas’s focus on the show is blown by the luscious, camera-shy handful. And Margo can barely think about contracts when she’s surrounded by newlywed ghost hunters, a matchmaking demon and a man whose addictive touch makes her head spin. A showmance is the last thing she needs, but with a sexy cat like Thomas on the prowl…she just can’t resist.

Warning: Tons of explicit sex.

Buy Here

1000 Words More

I finally made it through Chapter 4. WooHoo!

PRIDE & PASSION
Jenna Bayley-Burke
contemporary romance


He’ll let her have control…until he’s ready to make his move.

The only things Lily Harris inherits after her father’s untimely death are debt, scandal and loneliness. She doesn’t protest when her father’s business partner, Jake Tolliver, steps up to help with the mess she finds herself in—until Jake reveals the last promise he made to her father.

Jake may be as compelling to look at as a marble statue—and stir a frighteningly powerful desire within her—but no way will Lily agree to be his socially acceptable bride while he continues to bed his string of beautiful women—not without getting him to agree to a deal of her own first.

With a well-earned reputation as a feral hunter who goes after what he wants, Jake has his sights set on Lily, and her lack of options puts her right where he’s wanted her from the first moment he laid eyes on her.

Jake’s not above making Lily think she’s having it her way if that’s what it’ll take to have his way in the end. But once he grows tired of playing beast to her beauty, he’s not above changing the rules of the game until they’re both playing for the same prize.

Warning : This title contains a hero used to getting what he wants, a heroine determined not to give in to him, some indecent proposals, a fair amount of pride, and enough passion to burn up everyone’s control.


Read an excerpt from Samhain

Read an excerpt from Books on Board

Exclusive Blog excerpt

From Head to Fingertips

I wrote about 500 words last night and finally got through the 3rd chapter. It was difficult because it was a battle scene and for some reason I just couldn't get the scene in my head to make it's way down my arms and out my fingertips into the keyboard. So, I decided to just put on my headphones, turn up the music, and write whatever came to mind. And it worked. It's not good and it will need a LOT of editing, but it's down and now I can move on to the next scene. I'm slowly but surely making my way to THE END.

Ahhhh!!!

It was a beautiful weekend and the sunshine continues into today. I spent Saturday at the Lawn & Garden show trying to find ways to make my teeny, tiny back yard a little more attractive so I'll spend a little more time out there. And Sunday, my husband and I drove to Horse Cave, KY where we attended a Photographic Art Show featuring my father-in-law. Afterwards we all went out to dinner and had a great time. I'm so lucky to have married into such a talented and wonderful family. And they all believe in me and encourage me in my writing. How cool is that?

Today I'm back at work, but it's such a beautiful day outside that I'm just not gonna let anything get to me. Spring is in the air, we turn the clocks back next weekend and I'm off work all that week. Life is good.

Deadly Ever After; Fun, Fairytales & Murder

This was the weekend for Music City Romance Writer's annual retreat and I had an amazing time. This is a wonderful group of women, both published and unpublished, who don't mind sharing what they know and love. Writing. Just sitting back and listening to them talk gave me a lot of insight into the life of a writer, as well as how to be a better writer myself. There were great workshops and lots of fellowship. I can't wait to apply what I've learned to my own writing.

Our final act this weekend was to discover who murdered Sheharazad. I've never done a murder mystery before and being the shy quiet type that I am I was also terrified. But I made it through and had a blast. We all dressed up as characters from literature and fairtyales. I was Little Red Riding Hood, the innocent little girl from the woods. I loved getting dressed up and into character. And I can't wait to see what we do next year.

Check out this pic of all the group partipants. Aren't we all adorable?

Retreat Update

Retreat is awesome. Learning great stuff, enjoying the company of great writers. I'll post pics as soon as I can get them done. Stay tuned.

Retreat! Retreat!

This weekend is MCRW's annual writing retreat. About 16 of us are going to Natchez Trace State Park for a weekend of food, fellowship, and creativity. I've never been to anything like this so I'm excited. There will be workshops and plotting help as well as a Murder Mystery dinner. I'm playing Little Red Riding Hood and my costume is all ready to go. I can't wait. I need as much help as I can get with my writing and this weekend proves to be all that and more. Not to mention I'm taking an extra day off work just because. Come on Friday!

The Olympics and Writing

I read a blog post this morning that got me thinking. It was essentially about how the olympics is a lot like writing. You have to keep at it, even when you fall, and soon enough your persistence will pay off. But I'd like to expand on that a little today.

Why do we care that these particular olympic athletes win? What makes us root for them? Well, I think it's because we learn so much about them through the media. We know their background and what it took for them to get where they are. We relate to their drive and ambition and their dreams of olympic glory. Because, don't we all have dreams we want to accomplish, even if they only involve getting out of bed and going to the grocery store?

It's the same with the characters in a story or novel. We relate to those characters because we're privy to their thoughts and we feel what they feel. We want them to achieve their goal, be it finding the perfect love, or catching the man who killed their family, or even believing in themselves. When I find a really good story and I immerse myself in it, I often put myself in the place of the protagonist. And when the story ends and the protagonist has achieved what they set out to do, I feel as if I've gone through the battle with them. And it's a great feeling and is often why a book remains on my keeper shelf.

So, when working on your story or novel, make sure you're creating characters that your readers will relate to. Round them out and make them the type of person we all want to be a little bit like. Find the characterists that will make your readers cheer them on.

This Just In

Wicked Wednesday is back with even more hot stuff. Wouldn't you just love to wake up to this ---

or this ---

or even this ---

Bet you weren't expecting that were you. But right now I'd prefer a nice warm beach to a hot body. Winter is kicking our butts this year and I'm so sick of snow I could scream. So, warm sand and surf is definitely on my mind. Of course I wouldn't kick a hot body off the beach chair next to mine, either.

How about you? Tired of winter yet?

Another Snowy Day in Nashville

Well, I made it to work. We woke up this morning to ice and snow again. This has been the worst winter I can remember. I don't think I've ever seen this much snow in a single year. It's nuts. It's cold and it's wet and it's cold. Yes, that bears repeating. I'd love to curl up with my blanket and read a good book or take a nap, but that's not in the cards for me today. Gotta work. But at least it will be a slow day and that's a good thing, because it's also Monday.

Good With His Hands
By: Michelle M. Pillow

Photographer Teresa Kelley is on assignment to shoot old ghost towns and desert scenery. What she doesn’t anticipate is that scenery including the delicious Max Draper. The sizzling desert sun isn’t the only thing heating up the abandoned mining town when the hot, muscled and oh-so-sexy mechanic offers to give her a hand. Dusty floorboards and ghost tales aside, Teresa finds herself on the other end of the lens when she and Max are caught in flagrante delicto by an unexpected…assistant.

Read More/Buy Now: http://www.jasminejade.com/pm-8087-139-good-with-his-hands.aspx

JUST RIGHT

The sexy tale of Goldie and the three werebears

When Goldie Lockwood gets lost hiking and comes upon an isolated cabin, little does she know it belongs to three hot and hunky werebear brothers. The guys aren’t thrilled to discover Goldie ate their food and slept in their beds. Not wanting to go to jail, she suggests the men punish her for her naughty misdeeds—with an arousing round of spanking.

Goldie loves getting spanked and decides that after having her bottom warmed, she needs a little sex to make the night complete. The only question is whether she’s going to sleep with one of the brothers—or all of them.


Read an Excerpt
http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/ExcerptJustRight.html

Buy it at Ellora's Cave!
http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8035-50-just-right.aspx

What's in a Name?

Got this from urbandictionary.com. Seems to fit me pretty well. *smile*

A girl who is known for being beautiful both inside and out. Usually on the shy side, they can come off as boring. However, once a Charlotte opens up, she is charming, kind, intelligent and funny. Usually have great smiles. The girl that all the guys are secretly in love with. Said to be very good in bed. Charlottes are fun-loving and enjoy being around people. Loves to party but is very chill, most Charlottes are not wild and crazy. They have a good sense of the world around them and love their family and friends. Anybody would be lucky to have a Charlotte in their life.

What does your name say about you?

RWA National Conference Registration Opens Today

I registered this morning for RWA. I even volunteered for Registration Help on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. I'm looking forward to all the workshops and meeting all the authors I talk to online everyday. And then there's the Literacy Autographing on Wednesday evening. That should prove to be a ton of fun.

What about you? You ready for nationals?

It's cold and white today in Music City. The snow fell all day yesterday and all night last night. There were over 100 accidents in Nashville alone because Southerners have no idea what to do when something like this happens.

I left work at 4 yesterday and nearly saw someone slide into the ditch along the interstate before I made it home. I slowed down to less than the crawl I was already doing so he could straighten himself out and then made my way home. And promised myself never to do that again.


Unlike the other idiots on the road, I know my limits and I'll be staying home where it's safe, thank you very much!

But I have to admit. It's so beautiful when untouched my man nor beast.

How about you? Do you drive in the ice and snow or do you prefer to stay home where it's warm and dry?

YAY!

I finally finished a basic plot for my WIP! I'm so excited I can't stand it! I'm doing a happy dance right now. Too bad you can't see it! I do a mean happy dance.

I've never gotten this far before. I seem to always get stuck around chapter 3 or 4. But finally there's light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, now I have to sit down and actually write it, and some of the plot points might change once I get started. But for the most part I'm halfway there!

Doesn't it feel great to get past a hurdle you've been struggling with?

Sleep Writing

You know that state just before you fall asleep? That's where I get my best ideas and where my plots seem to work themselves out. Last night I got an idea for the next step my heroine needs to take before she "gets caught". Only I didn't get up to write it down and this morning it's not as clear as it was.

Since I'm right handed, I guess I'll to have to move to the right side of the bed so I can write while I'm sleeping.

Do you sleep write?

What's Next?

The weekend is gone and another week has popped up in its place. I keep wondering if I'm ever gonna finish this book. I can never seem to get past the first few scenes or chapters. I'm stuck at a point where I can't seem to figure out where the heroine should go next. And I've seen this type of plot plenty of times before so I know what needs to happen, I just can't figure out what this particular story should have happen. It's very frustrating and it's driving me nuts.

What do you do in these situations?

Dream Escape

OMG! It was perfect. The story was great, the scenes flowed flawlessly, the characters and their arc were fully formed. But the moment my eyes opened the entire thing disappeared into smoke and I was left with nothing but the vague impression that I had missed something extremely important I may never get back. How sad!

This ever happened to you?

New Look

In case you didn't notice for some reason, I've given the blog a new look. It took me two days and I'm still tweaking here and there, but it's more or less done. Doesn't it look awesome?!?

While I was at it I also created a whole new website for myself. Check it out by following the links in the bar at the top.

Now, I'm off for food and relaxation. Later, ya'll.

Wicked Wednesday

I declare today "Wicked Wednesday" just so I can post this pic. This is William Shockley who played Hank on "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman". I've been watching reruns of the series and though Hank has his moments he can be a good guy, too. But, mmmm...he's definitely wicked. Wickedly Yummy, that is. Happy Wednesday, everyone!

BRUSH STROKES by Jax Cassidy
Release date: January 10, 2010
Publisher: Amber Heat
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-627-7 (Electronic)
*Heat warning: erotic, explicit sex scenes, language

For Sage, attending the Parisian sex club, Plaisirs Sombres, was the ultimate fantasy. So when the conservative gallery assistant is cloaked behind the velvet mask, she never expected to be the object of the club owner's desire. Spurred on by D.S. Gregoire's erotic and sensual brush strokes of the exclusive club, she gives into a brief liaison that leaves her breathless and wanting.

For Damien, known to the art world as D.S. Gregoire, his art has always been an adrenaline rush. But when an exotic and mysteriously uninhibited 'sex club virgin' enters his establishment, he is willing to break his club rules for another taste of the dark pleasures she brings him.


Author Bio:
Jax Cassidy followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.

For more information on Jax, please visit her online at www.jaxcassidy.com or www.jaxadora.blogspot.com

OK

Apparently Mother Nature read my post yesterday and decided to put in her two cents worth. We got just enough snow to go all slushy and turn to ice. All the main roads are salted and easy to get over but the residential streets are sheets of ice. We have drivers who can't drive under normal conditions and now they're going to be driving on ice? I should've stayed home in my nice warm bed. Oy Vay!

Ah! The humor of it all!

For the past couple of days the weather service has been predicting a 90% chance of 1-4 inches of snow for our area. There were runs on the grocery stores so people could stock up on Milk, Bread & Eggs. They filled their propane tanks and made sure their generators were working properly. This is the south and no one knows how to drive when it snows (well, they can't drive under normal conditions either, but that's another story), so they take every precaution they can in case they can't get out of their homes for a couple of days.

The school's closed due to the threat of incliment weather and kids were doing the happy dance all evening while parents were fretting over how to keep them warm when they went out to play in all the beautiful wet white stuff we'd have come morning.

This morning, we wake up to...NOTHING! Not a single flake could be seen from my window while I was preparing for work. Not a single flake fell while I drove to work. And not a single flake has fallen since I've been sitting here at my desk.

Don't you just love God's sense of humor?!?! Personally I think it's funny that he looks down on us and says, "Hmmm...wonder if I can make them run to the store for items they can't use if the power goes out? How about snow in the south? That should do it!"

Have a great "No Snow" day, everyone!!

Time to Rev it Up

It's a new year and time to get with the program. Already I'm falling behind on my writing goals (resolution sounds like I'm resolved to the idea instead of ready to go!). I wrote a little on the first but nothing after that and it's only the fifth day of the new year.

So, tonight I will write before I turn on the TV or the Wii after work. If I don't make writing my first priority I'll never do it. And I love to write. I've just lost sight of that in the past year.

How are you on your resolutions so far this year?

Diving in to 2010

Well, 2009 is almost over and it's time to think of the New Year ahead. Resolutions I make usually get broken so this year I'm setting goals instead of making resolutions. Knowing me it probably won't be any different but a girl can hope, can't she?

I'd like to finish at least one MS this year so beginning now I'm going to write every single day if it kills me. Even if I write only one sentence a day it will add up to more than what I did this entire year. So my #1 goal in 2010 is to sit in my chair and write one sentence a day. Surely I can do at least that much. And for once I may even exceed my own expectations.

So, here I go. I'm Diving in to 2010.

It's a Wonderful Life

I watched my all time favorite Christmas movie the other night; "It's a Wonderful Life". I watch it every year, and every year I cry at the end. But it's not the actors or the set or the cinematography. It's the story itself.

Everything we do or say touches those around us. I love the idea that even I can have an impact on others in my life and I hope that impact is a good one. Sometimes we all wish our lives could be different, as if we missed out on something somewhere down the line. But in the end, our lives are exactly as they're supposed to be, no matter what we go through.

So, when you think things aren't going well in your life and you want to give up, think about all the people who have crossed your path along the way and how your not being there would affect them. I bet you'll be surprised that something as small as a friendly smile when someone is down could be the one thing that keeps that person going. And remember, It's a Wonderful Life.

Missionary

This young man is about to embark on a very interesting journey. He's leaving next week to spend four months in Nicaragua doing missionary work with the locals. If he's able, he'll be sending information about what's going on and I'll post here whenever I can. Stephen is a bright young man with a very generous heart. Good luck, Stephen, and be safe.

Christmas Memories

I remember one Christmas wanting a diamond necklace more than anything in the world. I was about 10 or 11 and I told Mom, even though I knew we could never afford one.

I woke up Christmas morning and we all gathered around the tree. There were no boxes small enough to be a diamond necklace and I was disappointed. I had hoped that maybe, just maybe, that necklace would be there.

All the gifts were opened except this huge box. Mom brought it to me and said it was mine, something I really wanted and she knew I'd love it.

I couldn't imagine what it could possibly be. It was heavy and when I opened the box, I found nothing but old newspapers and sweet potatoes. I remember looking up at mom and wondering what on earth was going on. She told me to keep going and so I took everything out and sat it next to me on the floor. The deeper I got into the box, the more confused I became. Finally, down at the very bottom, was a small jewelry box; my diamond necklace. I was so excited I couldn't contain myself. I got what I wanted and mom got to see my face move from disappointment, to confusion, to excitement.

Isn't that what we all strive for during Christmas? To see that the gifts we choose, whether something they've asked for or something we chose especially for them, give so much joy to those we love.

I lost that necklace (thank goodness it wasn't a real diamond) b/c I wasn't really old enough to treasure something like that. But the memory of how I got it will never be lost. And that's the true treasure.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!!

I'm Dreaming

Hmmm...to be snuggled up in a bay window, watching the snow fall outside, wrapped up in a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa, Christmas music in the background, and a good book.

I could look around the room at the tree decorated with memories from the past and swags of greenery, holly and poinsettas draped all over. A fire would be crackling in the fireplace where the stockings are hanging, full of my favorite chocolate and small gifts just waiting to be unwrapped.

Ah, to be so relaxed and content. Too bad I don't have snow, a bay window, cocoa, a book (good or bad), decorations or gifts.

Nope. I'm at work. But I can still dream.

Family Pictures

We did family pictures this weekend. They turned out great! I'm so proud of my family. The kids are doing great and my husband and I are still going strong. We're so blessed and I'm thankful for all we have. Here are just a few of my favorites.

This one's me and the hubby.
Aren't we a cute couple?


My three adorable babies.


And this is the most beautiful baby in the world. Yeah, I'm a little prejudiced, but so what?



This is my son's family. So sweet.


And this is the whole bunch.
What a great group of people.

Blurb

No ordinary holiday in the country...

When wayward, sophisticated Christabel is forced to take an extended country holiday she foresees only long days of bucolic boredom and sexual ennui. But she has reckoned without the hidden agenda of Nicholas, her deviously sensual husband, and the presence of unexpected stimuli within the grounds of a brooding old mansion house. Almost immediately, she is drawn into a web of transgressive eroticism, where power and pleasure shift and change like the shadows playing across Collingwood's secretive walls. Swept in with her are the delusional but libidinous Daniel, a prisoner of his own obsession with the past; his beautiful wild-child sister, Augusta; and the golden, ambiguous Jamie, personal assistant to the all-controlling Nicholas.

As the summer passes, and ever darker and more challenging liaisons unfold, Christabel quickly comes to relish her enforced sabbatical.

Excerpt

Reviews

Available from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

8 Ways Onto The Naughty List
Rita Sawyer
ISBN Number: 978-1-897560-23-5
Genre: Holiday Romance
Length: Novella
Price: $2.99

Blurb:

Patsy has lusted after her boss for years, but lately it's getting harder to keep that desire hidden. She decides to quit before she makes a fool of herself. Her boss Dexter refuses to accept her resignation letting her out of her contract. So she sets out to get fired without actually screwing up her job, which means some big changes around the office.

Dexter finally admits he can't ignore the way he feels about Patsy anymore. He calls her into his office intending to ask her out to dinner and hopefully bring their relationship onto a more personal level. Before he can say anything she quits. He refuses to let her out of her contract. This gives him twelve weeks to get her to change her mind, so when she starts changing things around the office he gives it a chance hoping to show her another side of him.

Available Now at Blade Publishing
and ARe

"The Scroll Thief: a Tale of Ithian" by R. F. Long

Love is the wiliest thief of all.

A Tale of Ithian

Malachy and his sister rely on his talents as a thief to survive the dangerous streets of Klathport, former capital of the once-great kingdom of Ithian. Stealing a few papers should have been a simple job. Instead, it nearly costs their lives and throws them into an improbable alliance with a shape-shifting official, a desert tribeswoman, and a healer of enchanting beauty.

Cerys is far more than a simple healer—and the roots of her mission go deeper into the past than anyone can know. She needs Malachy’s skills to recover a stolen scroll, one that can be used to rewrite history and, in the wrong hands, release the dark powers of the Demon Realm.

Her mission was supposed to atone for a dreadful, long-ago act. Instead, it unleashes a chain of events which sees them pursued through city and desert by the fearsome Dune Witch and a killer known only as His Lordship. Romance, tragedy, and adventure blend in a tale of a magical land on the brink of war, and five unlikely allies who, by putting their lives—and their hearts—on the line, have the opportunity to finally set things right.

But at a terrible cost.

Warning: Contains scenes of graphic violence and torture, captivating magic and beauty, two dashing heroes, three gutsy heroines, several love stories and a heartbreaking sacrifice.

BUY IT HERE!
Read an excerpt HERE.

"The Christmas She Rules"
Control is her kink…and she’s losing it.

It’s another gloomy Christmas for Pamela Dane. Not only is it the anniversary of a dark period in her life, but all her friends had the nerve to hook up. It’s not easy for a female Domme to find a playmate. Maybe The Cage in San Francisco will be the perfect place to escape—and find a willing man to chase away the memories.

Christian Nolan is at the BDSM club for the hell of it. Yet the minute Mistress Dane takes control of him, she not only stuns him with her talent, he stuns himself with his willingness to surrender. Her offer to meet him there for another night is intriguing—and frightening.

Pamela’s session with Chris shakes her to the core, resurrecting memories she’s afraid to face. But Chris isn’t willing to let her past haunt her…even if it leaves his heart in tatters.

Warning: Hot, strong man on his knees, which will bring you to yours. Strap-on action, anal play, lots of leather and tons of tension. Alpha male who likes to do whatever the right woman tells him to do, including another woman.


BUY IT HERE!
Want a taste? Read an excerpt HERE.

December

December is here and I haven't accomplished any of my New Year's resolutions I made back in January. Like, I'm supposed to have finished at least two MS's but haven't even gotten past chapter 3 on either of the two I've started. And now, here it is, only one month away from making new resolutions. Better get on the ball, girlie!!