Caturday!

Today's Caturday has been canceled on account of bad behavior.
(Which Jack would like you to know that Finn started.)

I'm a steppin' machine

So yesterday I posted that the first day with my pedometer on I only managed 7500 steps. Well that changed yesterday. Maybe because I was more conscious of my movement, I'm not sure, but I did 12,424 steps. About 6 miles. Three of those miles were on the treadmill as part of my workout, but still, they count! I'm pretty psyched about that number and am hoping to repeat it today.

I also had a little breakthrough with my workout yesterday - I ran for five minutes straight without stopping, falling off the treadmill or crying like a little girl. I've been running for small intervals for a while now but never really more than 1 or 2 minutes at a time. I guess that work is starting to pay off. I'd love to be a runner. Seems like they can eat whatever they want.

Today needs to be a big writing day for me. I'd love to hit 3k words for the day.

Hmm. I guess I'm all about the numbers lately. 3000 words, 12,000 steps. Kinda bizarre for someone as math-challenged as me.

You've got to move it, move it!

Yesterday, I did two things to improve my life as a writer:

1. I bought a new chair, a Herman Miller Aeron, because it seems to be the one chair most writers mention when they talk about "great chairs" and the chair I have now...well, let's just say I have a love hate relationship with it. I loved it when I bought it, but now I hate it. It didn't hold up well at all and sitting in it has become a study in tolerance.

I can't wait to try this new chair out. I hope it arrives soon. I have high hopes! I'll keep you posted. (For those of you on the fence about spending this much cheddar on a chair, I'd like to remind you that you can write it off.)

2. I've started wearing a pedometer to measure my steps. I've read numerous places that you should shoot for 10K steps a day or about 5 miles. I only managed 7500 yesterday so clearly I have my work cut out for me. (And that figure included my work out time on the treadmill.) It doesn't take a genius to see that the writing life is way too sedentary.

What have you done to make your life better lately?

Now hiring

I can't seem to shake this foggy feeling. I just want to nap! Or lay by the pool. Which would lead to napping. Problem is napping accomplishes nothing. And I have tons to do. Such as:

1. Shop for a fountain so the landscaping can be completed.
2. Shop for food so we can continue eating.
3. Write so I can meet my deadlines.
4. Workout so I can keep fitting into my jeans.
5. Do laundry so those jeans are clean.

Anyone want to volunteer to be my assistant? The pay is zero but you get pool privileges.

Home

I'm home from RT and pretty wiped out. If I was a cat, I'd still be in bed. Being social can really leave a person feeling like they've been hit by a truck. I had a pretty good trip, though - I actually managed to work out every day I was there. Odd how priorities change, huh? Still, I met some great people, including my Orbit editor, Mike, the sales guy, authors Nicole Peeler, Jaye Wells, Mark Henry, Diana Rowland and a bunch of other people my sleep-deprived brain can't remember at the moment. Met a really cool indie bookseller from California. Finally met Toni Blake in person. And Jia from TKA (she rocks!) and I also ate one of the best burgers I've ever had - a bison burger! Man, I could eat another one right now. And then again in five minutes. Lara Santiago knows what I'm talking about.

I had an awesome roomie, the lovely and talented Victoria Alexander, who taught me the value of conflict in writing. ;o)

Today is all about catching up and getting back to work. And possibly napping. What about you?

Caturday!

Dis my impreshun of you in da morning.

Friday Funny

The cuteness! It hurts my eyes!



Happy Friday!

Your hoodie said what?

Designer Jennifer Darmour has come up with a hoodie that allows you to stay connected to your social media networks through movement. Apparently when you receive a message or comment from a friend, the garment "taps" you. Lifting or lowering the hood sends a message, and it's completely washable.

Really makes you think about what the future will bring, huh? What do you think? Would you wear it?

Read more here.

Off To RT!

Hey gang, I'm off to RT to mix and mingle. I'll probably be working in the room too, so if you don't see me out and about, it's because I'm being a good little writer. Or you're not looking hard enough. Did you check the fitness center? Yes, I'll be working my body out as well as my mind.

I just hope Hotrod doesn't burn the house down, wreck my car or lose a cat while I'm gone...

The best laid plans

I had every intention of up early (done) and hitting the sidewalk first thing to get my powerwalk out of the way (not done yet) because of the massive To Do list I have today. Instead, I'm just now about to head out because the thunder, lightning, rain and gale force winds have finally let up.

So much for planning.

What are you up to today?

Caturday!

Doorstop. Yur doin' it right, akshully.

Caturday!

Deciding red made him look fat, Scooter ditched the shorts altogether.

Words for the Writer

Just a few observations this Friday on what it means to be a writer...

1. It's a hard job, don't kid yourself otherwise. Not only will you wear out your brain at times, but you may also wear out your hands and your back from hours spent at the keyboard banging away.

2. Rejections happen to everyone at every stage of a career. That means from the unpubbed to the author with 25 books to their name. Don't take it personally.

3. The further in your career you get, the more people are going to want from you.

4. Reviews can kill your spirit. Fan mail can revive it.

5. No matter what book you write, no matter the subject, no matter what lists the book hits, you will not please everyone. Don't try. Worry about pleasing yourself and your editor. That's all you can control.

6. Stress happens. Figure out some coping mechanisms.

7. The good days - and there will be good days - are phenomenal.

8. Learn to take time off. You've got to recharge your creative batteries.

Testing the waters

I've decided to try a little experiment, mostly because Eva Gale exerted serious peer pressure on me. ;o) I've published the first book I wrote (and a Golden Heart finalist in '05) on Smashwords. Years ago I had the first chapter of this book excerpted on my website and I still get the occasional email asking when it's going to be published, so after much thought, I've decided to do it myself.

This article had a lot to do with that decision. Who knows what this will bring, but like I said, it's an experiment. You can check it out here if you're interested. At $1.99 it's a steal and it's available in all formats.

And here's the cover I did for it:


And the blurb:

Eager to find her place in the world and understand the frightening gifts she’s been born with, Jessalyne Brandborn aches to leave her sheltered life behind and take on the job that's been promised to her. Apprentice to the most powerful sorceress in Shaldar, the king’s magewoman. Even if traveling to Castle Ryght means keeping company with the deadliest man in the realm to get there.

On the run, dark elf Ertemis Elta-naya doesn’t want to escort firemage Jessalyne any more than he wants the Legion to catch up with him. He just wants to vindicate his mother’s life before the price on his head results in a knife at his throat. Or in his back. Life as a mercenary has taught him to strike first and ask questions later.

And yet, within them lies the hope of the dying elven race, the renewal of Shaldar's beleaguered kingdom and an incredible chance at love. If they don't kill each other first.

What do you think? Would you ever try a form of publishing like this with your own work?

The perils of exercise

Yesterday, I went for my regular powerwalk around the neighborhood (I do this at least three times a week, sometimes as many as six.) You'd be amazed at how complicated a simple walk can be. Here are a few of my observations:

1. If you have a dog, leash him. I don't care if he's 5 pounds or 85 pounds (well, I care a little) - I have no desire to be bitten, jumped on, slobbered on or harassed by dogs of any weight. Also, when your dog does run after me, GRAB HIM. Don't just watch. I know where you live. Just saying.

2. If you don't have the common courtesy to watch where you're shooting baskets and you hit me with the ball as I walk by, I feel like it's up to me whether I A. kick the ball across the street, B. take the ball home with me or C. return it to you. (Safe money's not on C.)

3. If you're a duck and you choose to yell at me, prepare to be laughed at. Not because I don't take you seriously, but dude, you're a duck. It's funny.

4. In the name of all that's holy, stop parking your car across the sidewalk. It's a side walk, not an extension of your driveway. That big space in front of your garage? That's where the car goes. Figure it out.

5. If you say hi to me and I don't say hi back, it's not because I'm ignoring you, it's because those things in my ears connected to that little rectangle on my hip? They're blasting music into my head. I CAN'T HEAR YOU.

I don't know about you, but I feel better now.

Moving at the speed of light

I have a lot to do this week. A lot. I mean, I always have a packed week, but this week is extra busy since I'm leaving next week for a writer's conference. That means there's extra stuff to do to get ready, like hair and nails, making sure laundry's done, getting Hotrod situated to survive while I'm gone, figuring out what I'm going to wear. I even have to whip out a short synopsis. You know how it is.

On a side note, my sooper seekrit project is just about ready to turn into my agent and be submitted to the editor, so fingers crossed! I'm pretty happy with how it turned out - so much so that it's inspired me to finish another sooper seekrit project that's been languishing undone on my computer.

What are you working on?

Caturday!

Can't...wait...for...my turn...at...window...any longer...

You complete me

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about a sense of accomplishment. Come on over and chat!

There might be donuts.

The Dark Side of Women

This little funny is courtesy of my mother. (And I'm posting this because I'm on the verge of finishing my sooper seekrit project and need all the hours I can get today!)

A woman was in town on a shopping trip. She began her day by finding the most perfect shoes in the first shop and a beautiful dress on sale in the second. In the third, everything had just been reduced by 50 percent when her mobile phone rang.

It was a female doctor notifying her that her husband had just been in a terrible car accident and was in critical condition in the ICU. The woman told the doctor to inform her husband where she was and that she'd be there as soon as possible.

As she hung up she realized she was leaving what was shaping up to be
her best day ever in the boutiques. She decided to get in a couple
more shops before heading to the hospital. She ended up shopping the
rest of the morning, finishing her trip with a cup of coffee and a
beautiful chocolate cake slice, compliments of the last shop. She was
jubilant.

Then she remembered her husband. Feeling guilty, she dashed to the
hospital. She saw the woman doctor in the corridor and asked about her
husband's condition. The doctor glared at her and shouted, "You went
ahead and finished your shopping trip, didn't you!? I hope you're proud
of yourself! While you were out for the past four hours enjoying
yourself in town, your husband has been languishing in the Intensive
Care Unit! It's just as well you went ahead and finished, because it
will more than likely be the last shopping trip you ever take! For the
rest of his life he will require round-the-clock care. And he will now
be your career!"

The woman, overcome with guilt, broke down and sobbed.

The woman doctor chuckled and said, "I'm just messing with you. He's
dead. Show me what you bought."

Shake it like a Polaroid picture!

First of all, I'd just like to say that I crushed it in the gym yesterday. (And by gym I mean the space in our house dedicated as such, not an outside facility.) I can already feel that soreness that accompanies a new workout settling in, but it's a good thing and I earned it.

Now that I'm back to working out on a regular basis, I can honestly say I've missed it. Sitting at my desk all day isn't good for me and I know it. Working out gets me energized, makes me feel like I can accomplish anything and many times, helps me work out plot issues.

So here's my challenge to those of you not working out. Every couple of hours, play one of your favorite songs to dance to on your iTunes or stereo or whatever and get up out of your chair and shake it. Move your body! Cut a rug! Get your groove on! Try it a few times a day and see if you don't feel better. I dare you.

Hard-At-Work Monday

Mondays are the kind of days I like to put my head down and really sink into the week's work. Today is no different except at some point I have to run out to do an errand. I'm pretty close to finishing my Sooper Sekrit project and that makes me want to stay in even more.

So here's what my day/week looks like. I find that making lists for both really keep me on track.

Today's To Do's:

1. Write 1500 words.
2. Workout - I'm thinking about working out twice today, once for cardio and once for weights. For my cardio, I powerwalk and I really enjoy being outside while the weather is still tolerable here.
3. Run errands
4. Laundry - whoop-di-freakin'-do

This Week's To Do's:

1. Make hair appt.
2. Finish and read through Sooper Sekrit project then send to reader
3. Workout every day
4. Pick out plants with landscaper
5. Clean the house a little (no reason to put too much effort into it, it's only going to get dirty again.)

What are you up to this week? Working on anything fun? Getting close to finishing anything or starting something new?

Caturday!

Lights off! I'z sleepin' in. It's caturday!
Go work someplace else, lady.
After breakfast, that iz...

Friday Fog

Don't you hate when you fall asleep thinking about the perfect blog topic, only to wake up and not remember what the heck it was? I even keep a notebook and pen on my nightstand, but I guess I was too sleepy to write it down.

It's an overcast day here. Rain is moments away, I'm sure. I need to make this quick so I can get out for my walk. Speaking of which, I've decided to try listening to some audio books as I walk. Yesterday, lots of people on twitter said how much they enjoy them, but I've never listened to one in my life, so it will be a new "thing" and it's always good to try something new.

I've downloaded the software to my Zune, set up an account at Audible, now I just need to figure out what I want to listen to.

Do you do audio books? What have you listened to lately?

It Takes A Village

A debut book is often a collaboration of efforts. Yes, one person wrote it, but the team of people behind that book can include critique partners, beta readers, husbands, kids, and chapter mates. Then there's the industry village of an agent, editor, art department, copy editor, publicity people...you get the picture. Subsequent books may not need as much "home team" support, but without those people behind you initially, it can be a very rocky road.

First books are very exciting - especially when you were part of the village. Go visit debut author Leigh Duncan and say hi at Everybody Needs A Little Romance today and you can be a villager too. She a good friend and one of the nicest people I've ever known. If you're sick, she's the one organizing the meal deliveries until you're back on your feet. For real - I've been the recipient of this. Leigh deserves great success and I hope she gets it.

Besides, the village could really use a pool.

Eau de Blood & Death?

I love vampires as much as the next slightly-off-center-over-the-top writer/reader (heck, I'm a vampire author!), but I'm not sure I want to smell like one. Or do I...

The perfume is described as "A spellbinding top note of luscious fruits and flowers lurks with desire. Velvet petals saturate the heart with their seductive powers. Finally, an intoxicating creaminess intensifies her charm and lingers with its warmth, like a soft breath on her skin."

Hmm. I'm withholding judgment until I get a whiff. What do you think? Would you wear it? Buy it? Actually tell people what scent you had on if they asked?

Anyway, you can try to win some if you're interested. Just check out the contest here.

A Very Focused Monday

I have three goals today:

1. Meet with landscapers to discuss refurbishing this whole mess of a yard.
2. Workout until I want to cry.
3. Write a massive amount of pages.

Simple. To the point. Perfect for Monday.

What are you up to this fine day?

Caturday - the Easter edition

Filling in for the role of "cat" is Pepper St. Claire, America's top model dog. Isn't she sweet? Thanks to Roxanne St. Claire for the pic!

Have a happy wonderful Easter! Take your family to church!

It's Good Friday!

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about good news! Come share yours and have a happy, safe, blessed Easter!

I Pity The Fool

Who tries to punk me today. Unlike most April Fool's Days, I'm not staying home. I'm going out to meet some writer friends and then to the store to pick up a few things but I am NOT in the mood to be trifled with.

So consider yourself warned. Do not make me go all Mr. T on you. He and I do share a birthday and as many of you know, I have the jewelry necessary to make it happen. So contain yourselves.

Anything you're thinking up wouldn't be funny anyway.

On a slightly related note, I'm sort of jazzed to see the new A-Team movie that's coming out. I loved that show as a kid. Is it just me or are the '80's making a comeback?

I can't believe I'm admitting this

But I've been watching Dancing With The Stars. There, I said it. My secret shame is secret no more. I probably won't watch more than another few shows, but for now it's kind of interesting to me. (Mostly because of the sparkly dresses.) And it occurred to me as I watched Kate Gosselin stutter across the floor last night that the contestants on this show are a lot like writers.

There are the Buzz Aldrin types who grew up with the old school romances and while they might try to write the more modern stuff, can't seem to loosen up enough to really get into it.

There are the Kate Gosselin types who overthink it and are so technical, the story never has any flow or fluidity, and while you admire them for trying, ultimately, you know they're not going to get very far until they learn to let go.

Then there are the Pamela Anderson writers - they're bigger than life and in your face and don't care what anyone thinks. They may not write the best story technically, but they still engage you and keep you interested.

Once in awhile, you have a few Evan Lysacek's - those who succeeded in other areas of life and have decided to try their hand at writing. Sometimes their success in writing is contingent on those around them (ghost writer) and sometimes they figure it out on their own through genuine hard work and talent.

Lastly, there are the Nicole Sherzinger types who seem born to write. They have the perfect storm of great technique and captivating story telling. Usually they have some background in the craft already be it an English degree or a past job as a journalist.

Which kind are you?

Enough is enough

I weighed myself this morning and let's just say the last few weeks of parents visiting, a trip to New Orleans and *snacks* have caught up with me.

It's time to get serious, get back on the good eating wagon and *insert wretched cry here* work out again. And by working out, I don't mean five minutes of vacuuming. (Amazing what we can justify, isn't it?)

Since it's raining, that means no power walk, but thankfully we have an elliptical and some free weights, which I am moments away from using. I'm also seriously thinking about joining the mega-gym down the street and hiring a personal trainer for a month or two.

Wish me luck. It hurts already.

Caturday!

Finn could no longer contain his inner vampire.

How cool is this?

It's called YikeBike and it's a marvel of engineering. Check out the site and see what you think. Would you want one? I kinda do. It's just so cool!

Also, a big shout out to those who finaled in the RITAs and Golden Heart yesterday and a big hug to those that didn't.

Lastly, have a great weekend and get some writing done! I know that's my goal.

What's for dinner?

When my folks were here about two weeks ago, I made bolognese and served it over one of my all time favorite pastas, bucatini. Bucatini is like really fat spaghetti with a hole in the center, like a pasta straw. It's perfect for a really thick, rich sauce like bolognese. Here's my recipe:

1 pound each ground beef, turkey and pork
2 lg white onions, chopped small
5-6 carrots, chopped small
2-3 tablespoons chopped garlic
2 lg cans peeled plum tomatoes, chopped
1 can tomato paste
1/2 bottle white wine
1-2 cups chicken stock (beef would be fine too)
2 cups milk
olive oil and/or pancetta fat
nutmeg, salt, pepper, oregano, rosemary, basil and thyme

In a large stock pan, add some olive oil and some pancetta fat (I always save the fat from pancetta because it has a great flavor - if you don't have that, you could render down some fat back.) Add the onions, garlic and carrots and saute on med until they start to soften. Turn up the heat and add all the meat and a little wine and stock. Stir to break up the meat while it cooks. Then add both cans of tomatoes, the can of paste and more wine. Add your seasonings to taste. *Note - the nutmeg may seem like an odd seasoning, but don't be shy with it. It really makes this dish. Stir often as it cooks down (I sometimes cook mine for as long as 4 hours or more), periodically adding the milk and wine until it's all in.

Serve over your favorite pasta with good grated Parmesan. Remind your family how hard you worked. You can add bread and salad too. This is a very rich meal and the leftover sauce freezes nicely, which is why I make so much at once.

Best video evah

I just posted it at Fictionistas. Check it out! Seriously, if it doesn't put a smile on your face, you might need to check your pulse.

Dude, it's like, totally Monday.

Monday just sneaks up on person sometimes. It's wrong, I tell you, wrong. Instead of working like you're supposed to, here are some things to help you avoid Monday altogether:

Blink wildly and then close your eyes really tight for an interesting light show
(Amusement Potential: 1-5 minutes)
See a variety of blobs, stars and flashes. Try to make out shapes and see if your subconscious is trying to send you a message (perhaps that funny shape is saying, 'send all your best ideas to kristenpainter.com'?)

See how long you can hold a note
(Amusement Potential: 4-20 minutes)
Not that much fun, but it sure passes the time. Play with a friend, or try to beat your own personal best. Inhale deeply and then try and make a noise for as long as you can. Earn extra points for making your partner laugh or ending on an amusing note.

Try to not think about penguins
(Amusement Potential: 1-5 minutes)
This is especially hard, because by trying too much, you remember what you were trying to avoid thinking of. If you try too little, you end up thinking about penguins anyway.

Use your secret mind power
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes)
Pick a passing by and try to use your mind power to command them do something, like drop their bag or knock into someone. The law of averages dictates that sooner or later one of your mind commands will come true, so you can convince yourself that you really have super human powers and waste even more time trying them out.

Pretend you're a robot
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes)
Walk down the street with mechanical movements, adding 'zzzzzt' sounds with each motion. Pretending to have a motor broken in, say, your left hand can add at least 30 seconds more entertainment.

Scratch yourself
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes)
Go ahead, scratch yourself now. Even if nothing itches, go ahead. Doesn't that feel pretty good?

Rate passers by
(Amusement Potential: 10-15 minutes)
Secretly award passers by marks out of ten as you go along, offering (unsaid) expert criticism over their clothing, hairstyle and footwear choices.

Repeat the same word over and over until it loses its meaning
(Amusement Potential: 1-3 minutes)
Pick a random word out of a magazine and say it aloud to yourself until it becomes a meaningless set of noises.


Pretend to be a car
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes)
Make appropriate revving noises in your head as you walk along and add a racing commentary as you pass strangers in the street. Use blinking eyes as indicators for extra authenticity.

Make Star Trek door noises
(Amusement Potential: 1-2 minutes)
Stand by an electric door to a bank or something and make that silly "Scccccccchwop" sound heard whenever people popped on to the bridge to hang with Captain Kirk.

Look at something for awhile, shut eyes, study after image
(Amusement Potential: 2-5 minutes)
Another great time waster. It takes about 30 seconds of staring to create an after image, and the image is then viewable for about the same length of time. Fun to combine this one with pushing on your eyes.

Invent a weird twitch
(Amusement Potential: 5-10 minutes)
Adopt a bizarre twitch (e.g. flicking your head irregularly, twitching with eye or busting out sporadic cough noises) and try it out when you go shopping.

Make a low buzzing noise
(Amusement Potential: 15-30 minutes)
Hours of fun in libraries! Keeping a totally straight face and looking nonchalant, make a low pitch humming/buzzing noise and see who reacts.

Happy Monday. You're welcome.

Caturday

Cats: Defining comfy since creation.

Naughty Shoe Love

I'm fully aware that these shoes are kind of ridiculous. Which explains why I am madly in love with them. Practicality isn't always my strong suit. But really, aren't they amazing? Like candy. For your feet.

Oh my. SHINY! SPARKLY! WANT!

I got it bad for these shoes.

What do you think? Should I? Or am I crazy?

PS. They also come in pink.

Woot!

I'm finally reading again. I know that's not exactly front page news, but it's been a long dry spell for me reading-wise lately. Want to know what started it?

I got an ARC of SUGAR CREEK by Toni Blake (as seen with top spokescat Jack) and decided to just read the first page. One page led into two, two became a chapter and the next thing you know, I'm half way through.

It's great to be reading again. Reading is, after all, fundamental.

What pages have you been turning lately?

What's your personal shark?

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking about shark jumping. Come chat!

Weekly Goals

Monday always brings to mind my goals for the week. As you know, I believe goals are super important and ultimately, the keys to success. I tend to keep a floating list of them near my computer for quick reference. Unaccomplished goals from last week get transferred to the new list and new goals get added.

So far for this week I have:

1. Write 30 pages minimum
2. Start newsletter article
3. Organize thoughts on using social media as an unpubbed and pubbed author

Then there are all the non-writing things, like laundry, cleaning, groceries, etc. My favorite part of my goals list is crossing them off.

What's on your list of weekly goals?

Caturday!

re·laxed - adjective
1. being free of or relieved from tension or anxiety: in a relaxed mood.

Or this:

What the... Really?

Color contacts are one thing but permanently changing the color of your eyes? Through surgery? Um, I'm going to pass. Also, instead of inventing crap like that, why not devote some time to curing cancer. I know, I'm such a dreamer.

*insert eye roll here*

Take a look at that site - why would anyone opt for that? The irises look plastic in all the after pictures. It's a little freaky.

Happy Friday, for what it's worth.

Sooper Sekrit

I'm working on a secret project and yesterday I had a pretty good breakthrough. I'm finally excited about this project in a way that makes me think I can really do it. If/when I finish Project X, it will mean I've broken into two new "areas" of writing. For that reason alone I really want to make it happen.

Are you working on anything secret? Have you done anything like that in the past?

The cog in the machine

I'm over at Fictionistas today talking steampunk. Come chat!

Monday Question

Have you ever watched that show Hoarders? It's riveting in the way a bad car wreck is riveting. You can't look away and you feel bad for those involved.

It's also a great way to motivate yourself to clean. Just saying.

I don't happen to be even close to a hoarder, in fact, Hotrod thinks I lack sentimentality because I never hang on to stuff like Christmas cards. I just don't need a lot of things to hold on to the memories attached to them. He, on the other hand, has some borderline hoarder tendencies that I have to really keep an eye on. Mostly by throwing crap away when he's gone. Seriously, it works wonders.

What about you? Do you hoard stuff? Are you a pack rat? Or do you keep things neat and tidy regardless of sentimentality? Tell the truth!

Caturday

This is my serious face.
Because you seriously need to stop playing on the internet and get some writing done.

Hot AND Steamy!

On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards hit the bookstores on Tuesday, so if you haven't got your copy yet, get out there and snag one before they're all gone!

She’s Never Met A Man So Mouth-Watering

When Lilah Jane Tunkle fled her dull life in Virginia for the bright lights of New York City, she didn’t expect to wind up a nanny to a gorgeous celebrity chef’s ten-year-old son. Working for the delectable Devon Sparks is a sure-fire recipe for disaster, especially after Lilah gets a tantalizing taste of his perfectly seasoned kisses . . .

And He Can’t Resist Her Down-Home Spice

Devon’s not sure he can handle one more surprise ingredient in his life—he left his popular TV show, his culinary reputation is on the line, and now the son he barely knows is back for seconds. Lilah’s Southern sass is supposed to keep the boy in line, but soon enough she’s teaching Devon a thing or two about homespun food . . . and turning up the heat.

This is the second Recipe for Love novel, and it's packed with just as much delicious food, restaurant drama, and hot chefs as my debut culinary romance, Can't Stand the Heat!
Here's a little taste to get your mouth watering for more.

Now available at Amazon, Borders, B&N, BooksAMillion, Indiebound, and Target!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I won't tell you how old my mother is, but I will tell you she looks awesome and totally doesn't act her age. She pretty much rocks. And I love her madly - she's the best mother/friend/supporter a girl could ask for.

Have a great day, mom!

Down time

Today I'm over at the Fictionistas talking about down time and how to spend it. Come share!

This week

Blogging will be scarce this week. My folks just arrived and between them visiting and the writing I need to do, time is at a premium. If something interesting comes up, I'll share, otherwise, have a great week and get some writing done!