Things to look forward to.....

Its fall, it gets darker earlier, it's getting cooler (well it SHOULD be getting cooler. Not so much in So Cal), but this is the time of year I love relaxing with a good book or movie. Here are a few things I'm looking forward to in the next few weeks.



Lacey Alexander has a new good coming out November 3. I love, love, love her erotic romances. Their scorching hot, but also emotional. I can't get enough of her books and I know this one won't be any different.




Yep, I'm a Twilight girl. The first movie disappointed me, but I have really high hopes for the second. It's got a bigger budget, and the special effects I've seen so far have FAR surpassed what they did in the first movie. I will be one of those women in line with my friends to see the movie at Midnight the night before it officially releases.



Nothing is as relaxing and enjoyable for me as listening to live music. One of my favorite singers, Bobby Long will be in town next week and I'm giddy with excitement to see him again. Think in the vein of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen or Tom Waits. Though not signed yet, he's phenomenal. Give it a listen. Above is one of my favorite songs by him, Sad Woman Blues.

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Lastly, Desiree Holt has a new release available today! You don't want to miss this one!




Rachel Windsor knew nothing about Gabriel Peralta except that he was walking sex appeal. He blew into her life without notice, here today then always gone on a puff of wind. But each time he appears, he does things to her body that even her fantasies haven’t conjured up, driving her to orgasms that shake her like a raging storm. His mouth knows every inch of her body. The imprint of his intimate kisses linger long after he disappears.

Now he’s back again, his life unexpectedly on the line. But even in the danger zone his sexual demands are more scorching than ever and this time, Rachel is determined not to lose him—or the erotic lifestyle that binds them.

Available

Worthless, Totally Meaningless Songs

Ahhhh. The cold and flu season. Don't ya loooove it? Two-thirds of the Three Wicked Writers crew is sick. Anne is flat on her back with the flu, poor thing, and I carried a wicked head cold home with me from Romanticon. It was almost as if God said...Hey YOU! You had too much fun and now you must PAY! Well, that head cold has morphed into a little flu and I must confess, I've been a little wobbly over the past few days.

Considering the circumstances, I thought I'd run a little poll by you all. Remember growing up and you'd drive along with your friends with the radio cranked to ear-splitting pitch? Some drivel laden song would come on and everyone would sing it at the top of their lungs? I sure as hell do!

So here's my list of totally worthless songs. They have a pretty good beat and are kinda catchy but have no redeeming social value at all. My number one? Sugar, Sugar by the Archies, followed by Dizzy by Tommy Roe. And who can forget Hanson's Mm Bop? And the best of the best? Barbie Girl by Aqua Aquarium which debuted in 1997. The newest of the lot of totally worthless songs? HUMPS by The Blackeyed-Peas. Yeah, kinda catchy tune but no redeeming social value at all.

So put on your thinking caps and tell me...what tops your list of totally worthless songs?

Finally! Pics from RomantiCon

FINALLY!!! Pics from EC's RomantiCon so consider this SHARE DAY! Thanks to all the friends who shared these stellar photos. Registration will open at the end of next month for the Oct 7, 2010 Elloras Cave RomantiCon so be ready to stand in line to sign up for this wonderful event. Watch the Jasmine Jade website for more details!

All I know is, I'm ready to go back NOW. This picture is me at Sunday's huge, ginormous booksigning. Thanks to Tracy Cooper-Posey's sweet husband, Mark for snapping this one!

Here I am with a big group of friends. From right to left it's ME, Desiree Holt, Tessie Bradford, Anny Cook, Dee Brice, and Cindy Spencer Pape.
Umm. Okay. This is Brian, a Caveman, and my cover model for Feral Moon (part of the Tempting Turquoiose anthology). He stopped by and saw himself on my cover. We introduced ourselves and I told him how much we all appreciate the beautiful work they do to help our books fly off the shelves. He was so nice. He left but came back a few minutes later with Rodney, another Caveman, who took our picture. I was so surprised!!!! As it turns out several others stopped to take a pic of the lovely Brian at the same time and I honestly didn't know where to look. LOL. Sooooo...he's looking one way and I'm looking the other. Do I look SCARED???
This is Anny Cook and I at the booksigning. We work together, along with Cindy Spencer Pape, as critique partners. It was the first time we'd met in person and she's just as wonderful as I'd believed!

The ladies from Two Lips Reviews were EVERYWHERE. What a crazy, insane bunch! This is a pic of Laura K. and EC's own Kaenar Langford. Both of these ladies kept me in stitches!

Hope you enjoy my pics of RomantiCon. This is just a taste, I assure you. From Friday nights Psychedelic Soiree, to the spectacular goodie bags, workshops, the Appreciation Dinner, performances by the sexy Cavemen, and lots and lots of friends it was a time to treasure and look forward to again!

My Favorite Shows!!

This topic has come up on my After Dark group and I figured I'd take it to the blog.

I love television and movies. It's definitely one of my favorite things to do. Like reading, I like getting lost in those other worlds and forgetting my cares for an hour or so.

In no particular order, here are some of my fall faves.

Criminal Minds

Favorite Character: Garcia. She's such a quirky lady!

Supernatural

Favorite Character: Dean. His tough guy attitude and witty comments, I love it! Plus, he's got that awesome car! hehe

Heroes

Favorite Character: Peter. He's such a good guy and I love that!

The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Character: Jeremy, the brother (not pictured here). He's so sweet and a little tortured.



Psych

Favorite Character: Sean. He makes me laugh. I love a guy who can make me laugh. :)

Castle

Favorite Character: Rick. He's gorgeous and witty and a writer...come on! LOL

Leverage

Favorite Character: Elliot...he kicks ass. *grin*

So, what are some of your favorite shows and characters? Maybe I can add to my list! Tell me! Give my DVR more work to do! LOL

The cold of flu season...YUCK

Even though I look forward to this time of year because it's such a welcome break from the hot summer, there's also a part of me that dreads it. This is the time of year so many people get sick. I have a Kindergartner this year which means days spent in class with 20 other five and six year olds so this year, I'm dreading it even more. I worry she'll catch more this year with the germs, the weather and being around so many other children all the time.

I've always gotten my kids the regular flu shot. I never really thought twice about it. They said it was good for the kids and so I did it. I've never had any problems with it and plan to get theirs soon for this season as well. I'm learning of the h1n1 though...I've spent a lot of time thinking about this and I'm just not sure what to do. I always stress when it comes to important decisions for my children. I'm always so scared of doing the wrong thing for them.

There's a part of me that thinks...'duh, it's obvious you should get the shot'. The strain of flu is so dangerous for kids and I would hate to risk my little girls getting it. Especially since my oldest kiddo is in school now. But then there is the other nagging part of me that worries about the shot as well. It's completely knew and so there's no way to know if there are any kind of long term affects, especially for children. I've read a little online and the experts are saying its much safer to get the vaccine then risk contracting the virus. They said they spend the same amount of time creating the vaccine for h1n1 as they do the regular flu shot each year because the flu changes each year so in response they must chance the vaccine each year.

Still, there are so many out there who are nervous too. I read that something like 50% of Americans polled don't plan to get the shot for their kids. I have mixed feelings about that. It makes me feel a little bit validated for my fear, but on the other hand, it's scary too. I'm just not sure what to do.

Do you get flu shots every year? Are you planning to get h1n1?

EC ROMANTICON...Felt like FAMILY!!!

Just got home from Ellora's Cave's first ROMANTICON. Can't describe how truly wonderful this event was. There were no strangers. Everywhere you looked authors, readers, reviewers, and other industry professionals were dispensing hugs and smiles as if they'd know each other forever. Such a warm and fuzzy feeling that I came home knowing this is one event I would never, ever miss. I don't know the exact numbers of attendees but I learned the hotel had booked two hundred rooms and most of those were double occupancy.

First let me say that I have a serious lack of pics because I kept forgetting my camera so I'll be sending out begging and pleading emails for pics that I hope to post on Friday. I'm sooooo bad. Was just having such a good time that I wasn't thinking about pics. Baaaaad Regina!

I roomed with the insanely sweet and funny Desiree Holt. We traveled from Texas together, trudging through airports and hanging out just about everywhere during the convention. Friday night we attended the Psychedelic Soiree and had burgers, hot dogs, and lots of dancing and singing provided by the uber-sexy Cavemen. Honest to God, the Cavemen alone made the registration fee seem a pittance. They were everywhere throughout the convention, hanging out with everyone and happily posing for pics. The Friday night event featured lots of 60's costumes (think go-go boots and mini dresses) and the music ROCKED! Tons of door prizes were handed out and I'm not kidding...these were BIG prizes. Of course, we filled the place and most of us kept the bar hopping, too! Think we didn't go to bed until 2 a.m. or so.

Saturday was filled with workshops for both authors and readers. We asked the big questions of readers...what do YOU like in your stories and what do YOU hate! Authors and editors took notes and LISTENED to readers. Let me tell you, it was eye opening! The only problem with Saturday was every workshop was so damn interesting that it sucked having to make a decision about which one to attend. Choices, Choices! That evening we attended an Appreciation Dinner. It was a dressier event and the food was delicious with many entree choices. The Cavemen were available for pics and again there were lots of door prizes. Matter of fact, there weren't any events were things weren't given away and these were BIG prizes. Computers, Sony eReaders, books, gift baskets.

I'll write more on Friday (and hopefully have pics) but I CAN say were are definitely having this bash again next year. I can't think of a single soul who attended this weekend who won't be back. That's just how much fun it was.

So now I'm home and already missing Desiree, Anny Cook, Cindy Spencer Pape, Bronwyn Green and Kelly Kirch, the gals from Two Lips Reviews, and many many others. There are just to many to name. They feel like family now! Anyway, I'm off to do my mountain of laundry and nurse the head cold I brought home with me and hunt down some pics!!!!

sweatin' off the pounds

So, with the change in season, I find myself having to switch up my workout routine. I've been using the elliptical machine we have in the basement, which gives me a great workout, but it's COLD down there these days. I don't like the cold!

I looked up manual treadmills today. Checked out a few reviews on them and I've come to the conclusion that I don't know the good from the bad. LOL One reason I want a manual is that it's quiet. I can do it in the living room and still hear the TV. The othe reason, and this is the more important reason, I don't have a lot of space. I need something I can fold up and put away. The Denise Austin treadmill is foldable and seems like it MIGHT be a good deal. At about $180 I can get a treadmill that will fit in my living room, it's fairly quiet and I can tuck it away when I'm done--or when people come over. But, do manual treadmills give you a good workout?? Hmm, I'm not really sure.

Next, I went looking at some aerobic videos. Most of the ones I have are a bit old. Kathy Smith, Denise Austin. I have a few Billy Banks too. But I sort of wanted something different. To mix it up a little. Of course, most of the ones I saw online use a step. I don't like those types of workouts, it's hard on my knees. Plus I'm not coordinated enough. So, I'm left with the same old tapes, I guess.

My third option? Bring my problem to you all! LOL What type of workout do you do? Are you like me where you'd rather workout in your own home? Do you swear by aerobics, treadmills, stair climbers or what? Help a gal out here! :)

Friday Hotties!!

Okay, Regina is gone, hopefully having a good time!

I figured we might as well have a little fun too!

TGIF, baby!!

Today is a GOOD day!

By the subject line and the Homer picture you've probably guessed I have good news to share, huh? LOL

Well, I do. This isn't about publishing though. It's personal good news. Recently, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with uterine cancer. We were all pretty devastated by the news. At the time, we didn't know anything more than that. Cancer. We hear that word and our world falls apart. I didn't realize just how big an impact it would have on me, until someone close to me ended up with it. My first thought was how unfair it all seemed. She's the sweetest lady in the world. The type of person who rarely gets angry, never holds a grudge, and prays daily for everyone, including strangers. Why would someone so good have to go through this? But, I don't suppose I'm the only one who has felt that way about a sick loved one.



I struggled, but she was in good spirits. Her attitude (once again) quite frankly amazed me. Despite how I felt inside, I knew I had to put all that aside and do what I could to make this whole thing as easy on her as possible. It was our turn to be there for her. To show our support and be the caregiver for once.



Earlier this week the first big step in ridding her body of cancer took place. She had a hysterectomy. The operation went well, but we didn't have any news, good or bad, regarding the cancer. Had it spread? That question has been on all our minds for the last few days and I can easily say we've been holding our breath. Well, this morning we finally got word that her cancer has not spread into the lymph nodes. This is the best news!!



She's being released from the hospital today and will be going back in a few weeks for some type of follow up treatment. We aren't sure what sort of treatment exactly, but we're thrilled to know that she's feeling good, the surgery went well, and no cancer in the lymph nodes. Yes!



Between my dad's strokes and my MIL's cancer, it's made one thing very clear in my mind. Life is damn fragile. Live it to the fullest. Cherish your friends and family. Eat that piece of chocolate. Take that weekend away with your spouse. Enjoy the leaves falling from the trees. Read that book you have next to your bed....because you never can tell what tomorrow will bring!

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In other news. If any of you are around at noon est today come and party with me and a few of the other Red Sage authors at After Dark. I WILL be giving away a few ebooks, sharing hunk pictures, and posting a few hot excerpts. *grin*

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rb_afterdark/

A wave of new milestones

I'm sure most of you remember my mini-freak out session back in August when my oldest started Kindergarten. That was a huge milestone for us and one she passed with flying colors. She's doing great in school and absolutely loves it. She's made it to the ABC club which means she knows all her upper and lowercase letters and sounds. She's been star of the week and kiss kicking that sight word list in the rear! She's making friends left and right and I love it.

Usually I pack her lunch but she's really been interested in trying to buy lunch at school. She's been asking and asking and this week I finally cave. Each student has a six digit lunch number they have to memorize which is did! This Monday morning I gave her a five dollar bill when I brought her to school. Its the first time she's had money like that without me right there with her. She felt like such a big girl and has been buying her lunch all week!

Then this morning she came crashing into my room all excited and woke me up by telling me she has her first loose tooth! At this moment she's showing it to her almost two year old sister and explaining that "I have a loose tooth and that means it wiggles".

I know its just a tooth but it's so crazy how fast they start to grow up. It's like all of a sudden it's milestone after milestone. Its exciting and scary at the same time.

All I can so is sit back and enjoy the ride. She's a special little girl and I love watching her grow!