Two or three?

Bullshit. Utter bullshit.

If you're expecting only two or three characters to die in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...you'd be dead wrong. I won't post spoilers here because I'm all about everyone reading it for him/herself. I will say that I started reading under the misconception that only a small handful of characters I've come to know and love would perish. And when I reached a fifth of the way through the book, and I was past that number...I was displeased. The displeasure built as a character I thoroughly loved and enjoyed was killed.
Picture this:
Mama and the chickens riding in the van one day heading home. I'm driving. *snickering*
Anyway...we start to discuss HP #7. And we all agree that the Triad (Harry, Hermione, and Ron) cannot die. Nope. I'm not digging that at all. And then I name three other characters I just couldn't bear to lose.
Now...picture this:
Me reading #7. It's a fight scene. Huge battle. So far...I'm almost well with those that have passed. And then it happens...one of my three passes. *snap* Just like that. And I cried. Oldest chicken who was reading on the bed (her copy) with me cries just because I do. And it royally sucks. I LOVED this character. So I've got a blinding headache because well...I don't cry pretty. And I'm dashing away tears and telling myself that Jo really just pissed me off. My heart is halfway broke. And thus the power of Potter. So just be warned...if you're mentally ticking off characters that die...you'll be going past six. Easy.

Oldest chicken made me laugh when she said she was researching a bit about the book and was worried before it's release because "British people don't care when they kill people." Lovely, huh? She's such a nut. And she's plowing through at a rapid rate of speed, also. I started at 8:30 Saturday. Finished at 4:00. Took a break for breakfast and one for lunch.

Then when I was done with Potter...went outside and mowed the lawn for a good four and a half hours. Came back in and watched the last two episodes of Dr. Who Season 2. Which, by the way, is also a tearjerker.
Sheesh!

I'm not saying don't enjoy Potter. Because it's a fantastic book. There's a lot of depth. A lot of growing up. And it's fascinating.
I wish the Epilogue would have been longer. And I sure as hell wish she would have spared that one character. But if you've stuck with Potter this long...you'll need to read it. And finally say good-bye to The Boy Who Lived.

Grins*

Biography

You know...I've written works that are over seventy thousand words long. I've compacted the gist of my story in a blurb only fifty words long. But give me a biography, and I absolutely spazz.

The Red Dirt Festival will be here in November. I'm going to have a booth and be on a Romance Panel with Merline Lovelace and Christine Rimmer. I am TOO excited!!! But guess what? I had to write a bio. And for some reason...when it comes to writing about myself...I feel like a complete twit.
Too much? Not enough? Do I sound cheesy? Good Lord! The pressure! Because I don't know how many hundreds of people are going to read this stuff at the site. *sigh* Or if they'll be thinking..."Holy cow! This chick's been sampling the sauce." *grins* Which, by the way, would probably make my biography very interesting.
Grins*

Out of sorts

I'm the type of person who will take what is said and process it over a period of time. If I have some type of discussion early in the day...you can bet I'll be going over it that night as I lay awake studying the paint patterns on my ceiling. It's grand.

So when I have a particularly important discussion early in the day...I stew over it. And since some of today's news was not good...I stew some more. So that's what I've been doing. Taking the discussion and dissecting pieces of it. Wondering if the next news I get will be worse. Probably taking on way more than I should. And it's hard.

I'm out of sorts.

Should I have said more? Did I say the right thing? Geez. I can easily drive myself stupid with this stuff. *smacking self in forehead*
And now I have someone else that didn't like the fact I had this conversation earlier. And isn't that BETTER than grand?
And yes...I'm deliberately being vague. Because this flippin' Soap Opera is my life.
*massive eye roll*
Fictional characters have it so easy.
Grins*

Quilting

I've never been good with a needle and a thread. If a button pops off...too bad for it. Really.
But now I find myself quilting. Piecing together odds and ends to make something.
Something of myself.
Something of Water Goddess.

This is wholly new and different for me. My writing has always come to me in order. But now I find myself writing scenes that just pop into my head and then putting them together later. There are whole scenes that just won't let me go. So I've taken to typing them up and then organizing later.

As for my life...I've found myself clutching mere threads more than once in my world. Straggly pieces of thin thread that's been severed. Sometimes a clean cut. Sometimes the raggedy edge. And it wears on me.
But then I sit myself down and begin to piece together what I have. To see what I need to pull the seams back together. To find the pattern that suits me. That brings out the beauty in what was left behind.
And it's long work. Tiresome work. Work that some days wears me to the bone. And when I've had enough, I set the thread down for awhile and take a deep breath. Find myself. And begin again when I can.
Because this quilt is the fabric of my life. The good. The bad. The straight stitches and the ragged seams.
And I wouldn't change the pieces I've had so far. All I can do is look ahead and do the best with what I have to work with.
That's all any of us can do.
Crystal*

A bit o' the Brit

Took the chickens and watched Harry Potter Sunday. I'd say it was the best movie yet. It stuck to the book, the true story. A lot of people like book 3 better. Followed by book 4. But those struck me (and pardon me for mixing the metaphors here) as books with ill-fitting dresses or trousers, if you prefer.


They didn't gel for me. And I didn't like the creative license that movie 3 took with book 3. It had a lot more special effects, true. But the scenery didn't mesh with what I had taken inside me from the reading.


So I'll take Order of the Phoenix and look for Half-Blood Prince to meet my expectations because the same people will be working on it.
After the movie, and a bit of shopping, we went home. Oldest chicken didn't feel well. Baby chicken went over to a friend's. So I popped in Season 2 of Dr. Who. Middle chicken and I enjoyed ourselves immensely.


Now, for those of you who have read this blog for awhile...I think Dr. Who is the perfect man. Because he's so damn imperfect. And for a bit of a dip in the Harry Potter pool...Dr. Who is played by David Tennant.


Seen here:













Also known as Barty Crouch Jr. or Bad Guy of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. And in one of the episodes I watched yesterday from last season...the man that played Barty Crouch Sr. was the bad guy. LOVE IT!

So I wrapped myself in the Brits yesterday and enjoyed every minute of it. I really must go and visit.
Grins*

Harry Potter phenomenon

Going to go check out Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix tomorrow with the chickens. Ought to be a good time. I warned them it will be dark. But they seem to be okay with that. The older two chickens have read the book. Baby chicken? Not yet. So I did some warning about Harry's punishment by Umbridge. I remember being highly pissed when I read it in the book. I really just wanted to stab her with that damn pen. *grins*

And then we're all waiting for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. *rubbing hands together*
I'm not digging this whole "three characters die" thing. But it's not my baby. It's J.K. Rowling's. So I will take the story she has written and appreciate it for what it is. But I do want to add that I may not be pleased with it. We'll see how that pans out.

I don't like main characters dying. Especially seven books in. By God! We've built a relationship. I know their likes and dislikes. They walk, talk, and breathe in my mind. So to kill them off is painful. Then again...I read somewhere that Rowling holed up in a hotel for three days and cried the entire time she finished the book.
Don't blame her a bit.
So I'll wait along with the rest of the world and hope to God that my favorites make it to an epilogue or something similar in Deathly Hallows.

As for main characters dying...I read an article about that in Romantic Times Magazine. Some writers do it as matter-of-factly as writing the "sky was blue." I couldn't. I can't. Though I may, at times, injure, torture, or maim one. *shrug* You know.
But their heart is still beating.

I tend to become highly irritated at the killing of main characters.
Your thoughts?
Grins*

So I was googling myself...

...'cause I'm a dirty, dirty girl...and what do I find?

Apparently there is a Playboy bunny out there with MY name!!! And since they don't actually employ anyone over the age of twenty or something...it was MY name first! Due to um, age difference and all that.

Now someone will google me and think I'm some chesty chick who likes whipped cream and feathers.
Oh wait.
That IS me.

Okay...some HOT chesty chick who likes whipped cream and feathers. *sigh*
What's a woman to do? And heaven forbid some yahoo googles my name looking for a little magazine action and sees pictures of me. He'll be scarred for life. Hell, I'm scarred just thinking about it.

All right. I suppose I can live with this as long as there is no livestock involved.
And if I don't get any extra sales from this...there really IS no justice.
Grins*

Rome wasn't built in a day

But I doubt they also imported each grain of sand.

I'm having difficulties getting into one of my books. I see the ending as clear as day. And I have two elements that are swimming along in my mind waiting to jump in when appropriate. But it's still rather hard.
And I'm not enjoying it. One. Little. Bit.

And then there's another book which I love. Can't wait to tap along in that one. And it's driving me nuts.
Oh wait! And then there's an Erotic Romance in which I'm targeting Ellora's Cave. And another erotic short story.

Anybody have any ibuprofen???
I'm telling ya. The party never ends here, folks.

And I can't get this line from a movie out of my head: Alcohol is a social lubricant.
Am I hooked by the term lubricant? The reference to alcohol? Don't know. But I find the sentence highly entertaining. And I'm waiting for JUST the right moment to slide that bad boy into some conversation. *grins*

Just another Manic Monday.
Grins*

Medium to well done

Took the chickens to the pool just a bit ago. We stayed for almost three hours. Then our peepers began to feel like hot little coals. So we're zipping around and will head back home in an hour or so.
Tomorrow is a work day. Gotta clean up the lovely firework paraphenalia from last night. And mow the cursed lawn. And write.
OH. YES.

Picked up the Writer's Market 2008. This book is utterly invaluable. And my stationary/office supply fetish kicks in whenever it's around. Then I post-it note to the nth power and tell myself that it's not really a sickness. Oh. And paper clips. And highlighters. *swoon* Love me a big book to play in.
If you write...you should have this. No doubt.
AND Stephen King's On Writing. You will learn more about the craft from him than just about anyone else. It's a very personal and valuable view into his mind and the craft of writing. Not to mention, it's funnier than hell. And I do mean LAUGH OUT LOUD.
Of course...if you're not much for cursing...you may want to take that sharpie and mark out all the curse words. For me? They just added the realism value.
It's as if he and I were sitting at a large lovely oak table with a fireplace crackling behind us. We sipped our drinks and mulled over the intricacies and delicacies of our writing. He, the tutor. I, the apprentice.
Good times, my friends. Good times.

Well. I've got to peel off the first two layers of skin I burned off myself and inhale some medicinal Diet Pepsi. Then I'm off to comb through my Writer's Market and tap out a few words on a couple of projects.
Hey! Somebody's gotta do it!
Grins*

Yahoo hell

Tried to access some of my email this morning, and Yahoo is acting like my ex. Uncooperative and irritating.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

So I'm piddling around with that this morning and waiting for um...five o'clock. *looking at computer screen and groaning* You know...an eternity from now.
But it IS Friday. So that's all good.
Going to drop by the grocery store after work and pick up a few things. And since it doesn't look like it will rain, the chickens and I will go swimming Saturday. Sunday looks like mowing the lawn. *GROAN*
Man, if that isn't an all day thing. Ok. Actually two. But I'll still squeeze in a bit of writing. I'm doing the Big Mull right now. You know...when you mentally sift through characters, plot, and dialogue and see which direction you're going to take.
Plot? *snort* Are you kidding me? Tried it. Thought I'd have to slit my wrist with my pen. Just doesn't quite work that way for me. The basics are fine. But I cannot and will not map down everything that happens in my stories. That is akin to shoving bamboo beneath my fingernails.
*wincing* Yeah. Hell of a visual, huh?

So, I'm off to see the Wizard. Or oil a Tinman or something.
And no. That's not nearly as kinky as it sounds.
Grins*

Mild, medium, hot

I struggle with this every time I have a new book come out. If it's hot...it shoots up on the bestseller list. The mild stuff? Not so much. And I understand why. Hell, I write HOT. I like it. But there's also a place for the milder, but still intense, love scenes.
But all of my stories compartmentalized in my wee little cranium are already classified with the appropriate level of hotness.
Anyway...such as it is. It's not going to change.

How was your Fourth? The chickens and I had a great time. Popped some fireworks. Saw a rather huge display in the nearest city. Ate chips and drank soda. I'm sure that's what our founding fathers saw when they declared our freedom from England. *nodding* Suuuuuuure it was.
Lit several smoke bombs at the house. The kittens ran for cover and wouldn't come out for an hour or two.
Almost set my baby chicken on fire. Hey! It was an accident! I swear it!!! I had two sets of these new firecrackers. Had no idea what they would do. Me=bad mama
So I light one FAR away from the chickens and myself. Doesn't do much of anything. So, in my maternal brilliance, I decide to set the other one of the sidewalk in front of the house. We're all gathered around.
I disavow all knowledge of proximity. But it was um...close. ANYWAY...lit the little sucker, and one comes flying for baby chicken like a guided missile. OMG!
Once we all realized she wasn't hurt...(AT ALL)...I almost fell on the ground laughing. That girl can MOVE! And as, once again, oxygen flowed to my brain...I apologized.
This incident ranks right up there with the time I almost got all of us hit by lightning. I'll have to pull that gem of a post out and let everyone see what my poor chickens have to put up with.

But all in all...we had a good time. And my chickens only have about six more weeks of freedom. Anyone else looking forward to the start of school? *sigh*
Grins*

My self-interview in the WCP Newsletter

Just so you don't miss anything...*grins*

WHISKEY SPOTLIGHT
Crystal Inman on her new release, Fire Goddess


Hello my lovelies! Crystal Inman here. I'm an author with Whiskey Creek Press. Kate asked if I could swing by and chit-chat a little about my books, myself, and my newest release—Fire Goddess. And since I talk to myself frequently…this should be a piece of cake.
I live in Oklahoma in the middle of nowhere with my three beautiful daughters. (I think this will come in handy when they want to date in a couple of years.) I work full-time and write for Whiskey Creek Press under this name and Whiskey Creek Press Torrid under the pen name C'ann Inman. I grew up reading romance and am beyond thrilled to be writing it.
I enjoy writing characters who feel as if they live and breathe off the pages. Because when you have days when your Weather Pixie on your blog (http://chryscat. blogspot. com) wears better clothes than you…you have to have a rich, fantasy life. And I do.
I've written several sub-genres of romance: Contemporary, Time Travel, Erotic, Fantasy and Paranormal. The Portrait, a paranormal romance, garnered four and a half stars from Romantic Times Magazine (July 2007). What He Wants, an erotic romance, has been in the Top Ten Titles for WCP Torrid for a year.
Writing and reading romance are two of my greatest pleasures. I'm all about the happily-ever- after, especially when life doesn't quite turn out the way we think it should. And doesn't that happen more often than not? And heaven knows, sometimes this is a daily occurrence. But when I can engage two or more characters in a literary dance…there is magic. And you and I are swept away to another place. Where the women give as good as they get, and the men are hotter than hot. Not a bad way to spend some time. *grin*
I developed the Guardian Goddess series from a simple premise: Every woman is a goddess. Wait! Don't choke on your drink! I'm serious. We are multi-tasking, hard-working individuals who sometimes forget about ourselves in the day-to-day we call life. Each Goddess in my books must choose a mortal to nurture, guide, and protect. And only when the four Goddesses work together and triumph, shall they move on to greater responsibility and power. And we mortals can be difficult. *laugh*
I gave each of the Goddesses an element to correspond to: Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth. And then I set about matching them up with a mortal who truly needs a Goddess. I believe you'll enjoy the results.Fire Goddess is available July 1, 2007 from Whiskey Creek Press. The incredible cover comes from Jinger Heaston, the wonderful editing by Chere Gruver. (When they say it takes a village…they aren't kidding.) And I'd like to thank both these women. But I'd also like to thank you, the reader. You inspire me to greater heights in writing. And you push me to come up with ideas and stories that that will engage us both.
************************************************************************************

What? No "R"???

Royalty resides here

Sunday was an interesting day. I wrote (about 8000 words). I split those between two different works. One that's already contracted...and um, one I can't get out of my head. *grins*
Oldest and baby chicken were reading in baby chicken's room. Both hovered over an air vent. *eye roll*
That left middle chicken at odds with the world. So what does she proceed to do?

Well...she grabs a white fitted sheet and drapes it around her neck. Then she pomps and circumstances down our long hall while looking for her "subjects." And when she finds them, she tries to "knight" them.
I. Am. Rolling.

Then...as I meander off to bed last night...what do I see?
This note on middle chicken's door: (the name has been changed to protect my royal heathen)

Do not come in! I am busy for the rest of my (Queen) life.
Middle Chicken of
Middle Chicken Land

And I thought I had it rough. LMAO

And just in case you didn't know...Fire Goddess is available NOW~! Hie thee to Whiskey Creek Press and check it out.

What else? Well...What He Wants is in the Top Ten Bestsellers for WCP Torrid for the eleventh month!!! Yay!
Makes me a happy camper, my friends.
Grins*

It's still not Friday, is it?

Saw a friend of mine today that I haven't seen for YEARS! And I've known her since third grade. Yeah. You just hush. I'm aware of how many decades ago that was. *grins*

So we caught up a bit. And I saw her daughter. And she saw two of my three chickens. Wow. Time really DOES fly. And just for a refresher...ALL my chickens will be in middle school next year.
*sinking into chair*
Yes
Heaven help me.

In other news...the kittens are now getting about in the yard by sitting in the girls' shoes and rowing with a popsicle stick.
I. Am sick. Of this blasted rain.

Hope to go swimming Saturday. We'll see how that pans out. And I'll be writing Sunday. Yes. ALL DAY. Come hell, high water, or um...whatever else. It must be done. Also sending off money for my next Romantic Times Ad. I think it's going to be out in November. Yeah. Pretty sure that's the month.

We're closed the Fourth of July next week. And we close early on the third. Yay! So we'll have to see what mischief and mayhem the chickens and I can stir up. *rubbing hands together*
Woe to the unsuspecting is all I'm saying.
Grins*

addendum: And when I check my sitemeter and it says people are finding their way here by googling or searching "anbesol addict"...I worry. I really do. *snickering*

The scenic route

Got off at 5:30 pm yesterday and didn't get home until a little before 7:00 pm. A twenty-five minute trip took a little bit longer than expected. I usually head down a backroads highway (it's a straight shot from work to home). No such luck.
The road flooded.

Of course...I didn't know it until I was RIGHT ON TOP OF IT. And then two men blocking the road gave me the "turn around" signal. I wanted to give them a signal, too. But I was afraid I'd see them in town somewhere.
I ended up going about thirty-five miles out of my way just to get home. And with the price of gas the way it is...I was none too happy. In fact, I'm sure I ground my molars back a bit more. While clenching the steering wheel with white knuckles.

This rain is a complete 180 from last year. You know...112 degrees outside. Sweltering heat.
I would surely love a medium ground here. You know...somewhere between "hell on earth" and "build an ark."

Onwards and upwards.
Is it Friday yet? *laughing*

This has been the longest week, I swear. And although I appreciate the necessity of slowing down and enjoying life...the enjoyment of this week is pretty much over. Let's all move it along now.

I thought I had writing news. But I guess...not. *snickering*
I do have a short story in Summer Solstice Scorchers available now. And so I'll leave you with a bit of a blurb and excerpt.

"Conjuring Cade" by C'ann Inman
blurb:
Witchcraft in the wrong hands can be…exciting as hell.
Bliss Monroe hates her sister’s reading material. She considers it trashy and ridiculous. Until the quiz about finding the perfect man catches her eye. But Bliss doesn’t realize that her sister hexed her magazines. And every answer that Bliss marks down will change her life. In a most delightful, erotic way.

Excerpt:
Bliss picked up the magazine on the kitchen table and frowned. Her younger sister was reading that trash again. All the bullshit advice on how to find a man or how to orgasm or where to touch herself/her man/or anyone else.
Yeah, right. She snorted and started toward the trash when Harmony came rushing through the door.
“Drop it!”
Bliss narrowed her blue eyes. “Drop what?”
“My magazine.” Harmony scowled. “You know I like reading those.” She marched over and snatched the magazine from her sister’s hand. She uncrumpled it with a low growl. “Just because you don’t like reading it doesn’t mean it doesn’t serve a purpose.”
“Yeah.” Bliss walked over and picked up her cup of coffee. “Its purpose is to rope you into spending money on shit you don’t need and buying into that whole shallow world.”
Harmony rolled her dark green eyes. “And here I thought they were just trying to make some money. I didn’t realize they had such a sinister purpose.”
Bliss held out her hand, and the magazine flew over to her and landed neatly in her upturned palm. “Hmm. Let’s see.” The pages rippled for a second before they stilled. Bliss nodded. “How to Make Magic with Mortals.” She rolled her eyes. “What kind of bullshit is this?” She flipped another couple of pages. “What To Do When His Wand Won’t Work.” Bliss snickered. “And they’re not talking about the one he holds in his hands.” She chuckled. “Or maybe they are.” She started to move a couple more pages when Harmony stood with fists clenched.
“Just because you’re a total failure in the male department doesn’t mean the rest of us should have to suffer.” Harmony held out her hand, and Bliss let her will the magazine back to her. She held up her head. “I’ll look for an article about witches who turn their men gay. Okay?”
“Hey!” Bliss growled. “There were only two of them. And I had nothing to do with that!” She shrugged. “Besides. Steve and John are going to help redecorate my bedroom. Could be worse.”
Harmony stared at her. “Are you hearing yourself?”
“Yes.” Bliss studied her younger sister for a moment. “How did you know I was about to trash that, anyway?”
Harmony’s cheeks flamed, and she looked everywhere but at her older sister. “I put a little spell on it,” she muttered.
“You’re hexing your reading material now?” Bliss narrowed her eyes. “You were careful, weren’t you? We both know you’re not quite ready for your witch’s license yet.”
“Of course I was careful! I cast the spell because we both know you don’t like what I read! You think I should have my nose buried in a textbook like you did.” Harmony sighed. “But that’s not me.”
“I’ve seen your grades, sister. I know that isn’t you. That’s why when you head off to camp tomorrow, this little piece of joy will stay here with me.” The magazine floated in the air over to Bliss, and she closed her hand around it.
“You’re so unfair!” Harmony stomped her foot and glared at her older sister. Her green eyes shot sparks. “Do you even remember what it was like to be nineteen?”
“It was only a decade ago, Harmony. Not a millennia. Of course I remember.” Bliss looked at the clock. “Time for you to go to school.” She made shooing motions. “Off you go.”
Harmony scowled. “I really don’t like you.”
“I know.”
She slid her shoes on and grabbed her backpack. “Really, really don’t like you.”
“I’m aware of it.”
Harmony’s mouth flattened into a tight line. “Tyrant.”
“Have a good day at school.” Bliss opened the door, and Harmony stomped out loudly and down the street. Bliss closed the door with a sigh. Was I that strong-willed when I was nineteen? She’d have to ask her parents next time they were in town. But somehow, she doubted it.
Bliss brought her hand up and studied the offending piece of material in it. What did Harmony find so interesting in here? She walked back into the kitchen and sat down at the butcher-block table. She turned to the Table of Contents and studied the articles. Fashions for the forward-thinking witch? How to brew up an evening he wouldn’t forget?
Bliss took a sip of coffee and then promptly covered her mouth before she spit the liquid back out. Conjuring the Perfect Man. She blinked twice and studied the title again. Surely, they weren’t suggesting actually conjuring one, were they? And what did her nineteen year old sister need with a man? Bliss scowled. Not a damn thing.
***********************************************************************************
© C'ann Inman 2007

Evan had the right idea

It's raining here. Again. Flood warnings. Rivers pushing over their banks. Quite a precipatory cluster.
I just finished writing an article (about myself *snicker*) for the WCP July Newsletter. And now I need to get back to the business of writing.
I know what I SHOULD be writing. But I'm being torn in two different directions. OK, possibly three. We all know what a literary schizophrenic I am. So I have Water Goddess. And a short story. And I was going to abbreviate the last title, but you would probably be shocked and offended. Apparently the letters spell out an um...not-so-nice word.
Hell, I was shocked. LOL

Finally firmed up plans to take a vacation in August with the chickens! Yay! I'm so excited. Going with a friend. And we are going to have such a great time. The girls and I haven't been on a vacation in I don't know when. So this'll be really nice for them. I've already got the days off. And now...the countdown commences. And don't think I haven't been fielding THAT question six times a day. *eye roll*

And you know all those vampire romances and whatnot I've been reading? Well...apparently I've O.D.'d

Had a dream about three nights ago that I was bitten by some bad vampire individual. So I'm woozy and must go appeal to the higher echelon of vampire society. And I remember in the dream that it was Mikhail from the Carpathian series. Wrath from the Brotherhood series. And the demon king (can't get a grip on his name right this second) from the Jacquelyn Frank series.
Oh yeah. *nodding*
Then I woke up.

Perhaps I should ease back from the vampiric reading a bit.
Grins*

addendum: I had this revelation at 10:35 last night. The demon king's name is NOAH. Sheesh!

Book Binge

Where have I been? You've been pondering that, haven't you? Besides being busier than nine kinds of hell...I've read.
That's right.
I have pushed cleaning to the side and actually read.
Ah...bliss. I've probably read a dozen books in the last week. If not more. I've read all but three of the Carpathian books by Feehan. I read all of the J.R. Ward "Brothers of the Black Dagger" books. And all I have to say in reference to the Black Dagger books is...GO BUY THESE BOOKS! Now.
I've read P.C. Cast's Parthelon series. I LOVED the first two...Goddess by Mistake and Goddess by Choice. Don't miss these. But the second two just didn't have the spark the first two did.
I reread Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank. And I'm really going to be excited when I get my hands on Gideon (the second book in the series). Um...figuratively speaking. *grins*
I also read a couple of non-fiction.

But here's the surprise...and my internal editor was doing cartwheels...each and every book had at least one mistake in it. *holding hand up* I swear.
I know one of the non-fiction books referred to "sheer power" as "shear power." I'm quite sure that scissors or other cutting utensils had no bearing on the phrase.
In one of the Black Dagger books...the sentence in quotes had "heard" spelled as "herd." And I believe it was Goddess by Mistake that had an error in it that only an Oklahoman would have caught. The heroine refers to an Oklahoma restaurant as "Bram's." And as we all know...here in the heartland...it's "Braum's." I, myself, put the ice cream and burger place in Perfect Timing.
And just to make sure that's what she meant...I emailed P.C. (Wonderful, gracious woman...by the way.) She assured me that-yes. It was supposed to be Braum's.

Mistakes happen, my lovelies. No matter how many hands your precious book passes through...mistakes happen. I could pick my first release to shreds, but I won't. Because it's part of me. It's part of the process. And I think it deserves to stand on its own merits.

Another reason I decided to give myself a reading frenzy was to increase my vocabulary. My phrasing. My sense of perfectly proportioned writing.
Reading someone else's work is a great teacher. A tool to use. As long as you don't take the other author's words as your own. That's a hanging offense around here. And I'll bring the noose. Just so ya know.

On a completely unrelated subject...my chickens rock. Oh yes. *grins* Yes, they do. We have a rather large lawn to mow. And oldest and baby chicken pitched right in. Middle chicken took care of the house stuffs.
We went swimming this last weekend. Watched movies. It was great. And I absolutely refuse to think about the fact that school starts in two months.
Well, okay. Except for the days when I want to strangle them. Then I clutch the fact tightly to my chest while whispering the Lord's prayer.
Grins*

Monday didn't happen

I didn't stand on my feet seven hours out of eight yesterday. We weren't bombarded with customers. My hip didn't throb (and it still isn't) from the constant going and doing. We weren't shorthanded. I didn't take *ahem* several ibuprofen. Nope. Uh uh. Refuse to even go there.
Monday didn't happen.

Today? Much better. I'm still keeping my mental block up so I don't harm someone, but other than that...SO MUCH BETTER!!!

And for the reading/writing part of my program...picked up Christine Feehan's "Dark" (Carpathian) series. And I've enjoyed most of them. There's a recurring theme (okay, several). But my romantic little heart just goes pitter-pat for the whole "lifemate" business.
That's what keeps those romantic little books flying off shelves. *nodding*

What have you read lately that struck a chord?
Grins*

Here and now

I STILL haven't gotten my July Romantic Times magazine in the mail. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
So I will wait and post the dang review when I finally receive that.

Work has been hell on wheels with people out sick and vacations and whatnot. I'm mentally shredded right now. And I just finished the Errata for Fire Goddess. Due out July 1, 2007. Damn time flies.
Also...Summer Solstice Scorchers is out NOW!!! Hie thee to Whiskey Creek Press Torrid and getcha some. Romance Junkies gave us 4.5 ribbons. *grins* Not bad at all.

The girls and I have been piddling around together. Nothing helps mend wounds like togetherness. So, believe me, we're together.
Watching movies, Finding Waldo (I kid you not), foraging through I Spy books (yes. My children ARE adolescents...and your point is?), doing tricks in the front yard, and playing charades.
The charades were flippin' hilarious. I'm trying to explain the concept. Middle chicken wanted to spell out (in sign) who or what she was. *snickering* Too damn funny. And then she proceeded to bring imaginary trays out and set them on the ground. Oldest chicken pretended to grab them, so Middle chicken took out her imaginary tape (picturing me rolling on my bed laughing) and taped them down. They are too much fun. Seriously.

We're going swimming Friday. Going to put some sun on this pale body and (hopefully) be energized by the rays. Not burnt, mind you. Energized. There is SUCH a difference there.

Thanks for all the congrats on my review. *ahem* That I STILL haven't read. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Grins*

OMG!!! Romantic Times Review!!!

Ok. I'll get to my post about what I did this weekend in just a minute. I promise.
But the good news???

Romantic Times gave The Portrait FOUR AND A HALF STARS!!! *DANCING*

I am so damn excited that I can barely stand myself. I had two reviews for the July Issue. Perfect Timing didn't do quite so hot. But considering it was the second book I ever wrote (I mean literally. The first I never even subbed) I'll take that review with a grain of salt.

I don't have the review in my hot, little hands yet for The Portrait. But as soon as I check my mail and find the magazine...I'll post what it says.
Four and a half stars. I am SO blown away!

*BIG GRINS*
Crystal*

Almost June???

Why yes. My head IS spinning. However did you know?

The good news being the three day weekend that's just around the corner. *looking at clock*
Actually five hours away. hehehe

The bad news? Christmas is only about six months away.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Uncalled for, huh? *grins*

Ok. No really bad news. I plan on spending the bulk of my weekend writing. Cleaning a bit of the house. And, of course, taking the chickens to the Skate Park so they can risk life, limb, and my sanity on their collective rollerblades. Because they are inherently, genetically predispositioned for insanity. *nodding*
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

I hope you and yours have a lovely weekend filled with BBQ's and good times.
Grins*

Let the good times roll!

For the chickens.

Yep. It's the last day of school. *sigh* I would have rallied for year-round school, but no one asked. Damn it.
So the chickens will be home for about 2 1/2 months. Then back the academic grind. And I've (fortunately) got quite a few things planned this summer so there will be no whines of "I'm bored!"
*collective Mama groan*
I know you're feeling me. :)~~

I've also finished editing Fire Goddess! Yay!!! Let me just say...I do NOT enjoy the editing process. And by the time I've finished looking at my own story (SEVERAL times)...I just want to scream, "Take it!" and shove it in someone else's hands. Mebbe that's just me. *grins*

It's only Tuesday. A fact which I am in denial about. I've thought it was Wednesday since I woke up. That doesn't bode well for the rest of the week. Know what I mean?
But I've had a good day. And I'm glad for it. Even if *sigh* it's NOT Wednesday.
Have a meeting tomorrow in Norman. One which I think I will really enjoy. It's about Publicity and Marketing. And what author couldn't use a little more info in that direction?

I'm going to go make a difference now. Enjoy the day!!!
Grins*

One damn productive weekend

I gave the chickens options this weekend. One play day. One work day. (Because that's just how I roll. *grins*)
They chose Saturday to be play day.
So...we get up. Go bowl two games. (And yes. For you inquiring minds...I got my ass beat again). Then we head to a grocery store and pick up some fried chicken, potato salad, rolls, and soda. Then we head to a park in the next city over. And they have ramps!!! *insert picture of oldest child salivating as she just got new rollerblades*
So all three chickenbutts rollerbladed at the skate park. Then we zip back to town, and I let them skate at another park which has walkways. Then we go to the sno-cone place where we've gone for the past 7 or so years. Every year. It's a tradition with us. And there is NOTHING like the first taste of the first sno-cone of the season. Seriously. (I always order pink lemonade. Mmmmmm)
Then we travel back to another close city where they skate some more!!! Oh...and we had some Mickey D's.
So there. *big sigh* BUSY DAY!!!

Sunday was work day. Alas. My poor little chickens. *snort* And I worked their tiny collective butts into the ground. *grins* Yeah. I roll like that, too.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
We cleaned. And I mean not just a little bit. Finally got all those clothes out of my laundry room and into the back of the van to donate. Everything swept, laundered, cleaned, and vacuumed. Whew! I even got some writing in. *nodding* Pretty damn special.

So there's my weekend. Busy. Productive. Fun. Hope yours was a good one. And I know I can wake up tomorrow (unfortunately at the buttcrack of dawn) and say...hell yes! I didn't waste a minute.
Grins*

The shucking of the drawers...AKA...Torrid Teasers Vol. 33-Moon Goddess/Sun Goddess

The wonderful Senior Editor at WCP Torrid (Hi Jan!) informed me that we would be switching Torrid Teaser covers between the first one...and this one. My two hot Goddess stories will host the FIRST cover of this kind. Reowrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Gotta love that. I'd love a bit of his cheek even more, but that's neither here nor there. *wink*
Grins*

Yep. That happened.

Horoscope for the day:

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Today's Moon in Gemini reflects your comfort and you are likely to glide through even the most difficult of circumstances. Even though it's a workday, you can still manage to make time for a fun activity or two. Give yourself the benefit of any doubt. If something enjoyable is presented as an option, go ahead and have the good time you deserve.

I ran up to Norman to pick up a filing cabinet I bought from a co-worker. Then I zipped back to Tecumseh. I called my sister who suggested lunch the other day with her and Mom. She tells me that she has to go pick up Mom so I tell her I'm closer and will do it.
I go pick Mom up and head back to town where we meet and have lunch at the Chinese buffet. (Mmmmmmm. Love me some Chinese buffet. *satisfied smile*)
We eat and are done in about an hour, and then Amber looks at us and says, "Let's go bowling."
LMAO
I have approximately an hour before I have to be at work. Mom has no plans. So off we go. We bowl two games, and I have a headache now because I laughed so hard.
Mom whooped our collective asses. I'm just saying. The woman has bowled a 300 game before and has bowling trophies. Of course, it's been fifteen years since she bowled. Or so she kept reassuring us.
Did I already tell y'all she whooped our asses? Yeah. No kidding. *grinning*
I, um, rather needed those bumper thingies. Mom bowled 100 the first game and almost 200 the second. Amber and I are obviously not recipients of the bowling gene. That's all I'm saying. There shall be no more talk of our rather lackluster performances. *snickering*

Almost too pooped to pop here. I work until nine o'clock tonight. And I'm thinking that'll be just all kinds of fun. *eye roll* But there ya have it.
Had a great day with the Mom and Sis. Ate way too much Chinese. And was schooled by my mother in the art of bowling. Doesn't get much better than that.
Grins*

Grizzly Adams...eat your heart out

I went out on the porch earlier to smoke a cigarette (yes. I know. Awful habit. And one I only recently picked up. Don't worry. Still have time to save myself). Anyway...I sit down on the porch steps and am studying the sky.

The cats are hissing and spazzing. (You know...the two knocked-up strays) And I thought...Good God! Give me a break! Why are you two fighting? So I turned around on the porch and there it was!

A racoon. A very fluffy racoon. Eating the food we'd put out for the cats. So I immediately jump up...because all I see is a bunch of fur. And it takes off. So I scoot up closer to the door, and it comes back. I open the screen and tell the girls there's a racoon in the yard. And the next thing you know...three little faces pressed up to the glass watching little Miss Thing eat. And she's cute. (Well. I don't know if it was a "she" or not. But it was pretty bold. And fluffy. And didn't seem to care too much if she had an audience.)
So I tell the girls never to get too close. Issue all the parental warnings. And we just watch her.
She's just so damn cute. And then she heard something and sat up like a Meerkat. Can I get a collective "Awwwwwwwwwwwww"?
Yeah. I thought so.
So there ya have it.
If they coyotes aren't howling...the wolves aren't baying...and a racoon isn't eating four feet away from you...you just ain't living.
Grins*

Happy Mother's Day

Mothers are special creatures. In fact, I have little memory of my life B.C. (before children). I vaguely remember evenings out and movies that I could go to and not worry about the R rating. Long lunches. And having money to actually buy myself a CD.

But life is altered with children. You are no longer simply a person. You're the heart and soul of someone's world. The protector. The guardian. The one who bandages the boo-boo's and makes it all better. The changer of diapers. The studying of homework. The one who listens. The one who weighs in. The one who loves this child more than anything in the world.

I was pregnant three years in a row. My girls are (for all intents and purposes) a year apart. All born in October--> 1993-1995. And I have never had more fun than when I'm with the girls. (Ok. The PG version. *grins*)

They make me laugh. They have a wicked sense of humor that never fails to slay me. They're goofy. They're loving. They're mine.

One of my favorite stories about the little people: Having three girls so close in age wears on a person. I had NO time to myself. When they were younger, and I had to go to the bathroom, I had at least two children in there with me. At night I would rotate them out in my bed so they could take turns sleeping with the Mama.
NO TIME FOR THE MAMA!

I decide to hop in the shower one day for a breather. And it's blissfully quiet. No yelling. No children talking. Still. Peaceful. I'm congratulating myself on my ten minutes of heaven and turn the shower off. I pull back the shower curtain, and there they are. They've pulled their little red plastic chairs into a row and await my arrival from the other side of the shower curtain.

It's a good memory. A favorite of mine. That's motherhood to me. The mutual knowledge that we are there for each other. And even though there will be breathers, we're connected. Linked. Loved.

The girls' vital statistics:
Oldest Chicken- Born 11:00 pm at night. 8 lbs. 12 oz.
Middle Chicken- Born 4:37 in the afternoon 7 lbs. 3 oz.
Baby Chicken- Born 8:11 in the morning 6 lbs. 5 oz.

60 hours of labor
654 gray hairs
4 body parts that will never be the same
But...3 precious girls. And the gift of being able to look at my grandchildren and tell my girls...What goes around, comes around. LMAO

Grins*

I showed my ass the other day

I'm sure everyone is aware of my dislike of clothes. The running joke used to be to wait five minutes when you knocked on the door of my home because I was busy getting dressed.

Yesterday morning, I went back to bed after the chickens got on the bus for school. Then I got up, still drowsy, and decided to start my day. I pulled on a shirt, nothing else, and stepped on the front porch for a cigarette.
Keep in mind...my house is a bit back from the road. Not a mile, by any means, but I'm not right on the highway. So I'm standing with my butt toward the door because, well, it's uncovered. Mostly.
And then what happens?
Oh sure. Somebody in a red car pulls into my driveway. I hurriedly put my cigarette out and run into the house (showing my heiney on the turn) to pull on my pajama pants. At first I thought it was idiot ex. But it wasn't. It was some guy who wanted to talk to me about trapping turtles in the pond.
And he had a HUGE grin on his face the entire time we talked. Which was brief, I can assure you.

The problem being...I don't have any comfortable shorts to wear since the fire. So I, obviously, must go forth and find some. For the sake of my dignity.
Grins*

It's Rene's fault

*peeling Meme off my forehead*
Apparently I've been tagged. Thanks Rene. You cheesehead.

8 Things Things You Probably Didn't Need to Know About Me
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

OK. I'm skipping three and four. Because I'm a nonconformist Memeer. BUT...if you DO take this Meme upon yourself...drop me a line and let me know. I'd love to read it.

And in no particular order:

1. I skipped second grade. Took a fourth grade SRA in first grade and missed one. Was given the option to skip second grade. Which after much soul searching of my six year-old self said...what the hell? And gave it a go. Altered the course of my life.
2. I stop the microwave timer on odd numbers. My favorite is 11. And I hate to hear the microwave ding.
3. Dandelions are satan's little flower. I can't get near one without turning into a whimpering, sneezing, life-hating individual.
4. I straighten my bangs everyday.
5. I don't wear socks to bed
6. I can read a 500 page book in less than two hours. (OK. As long as it's not itty bitty font.)
7. I used to ride my tricycle naked in my grandmother's yard.
8. I like having my eyebrows waxed. Enjoy other waxing? Not so much.
9. I sleep on my stomach.
10.I can watch the Princess Bride over and over and over and over again. (Oh. And repeat most of the dialogue. It's a sickness, I tell ya.)

Allrighty. It's on you. Copy. Paste. Spill your guts. And then drop me a line.
Grins*

Progress. Sweet progress.

I worked on PCA today. That's about 3000 words a week for me. Well, *ahem*, because I only write on Sundays. But the story is flowing. And I feel good about it. That's the best.

Oldest chicken finally came home this afternoon. She was over at a friend's for the weekend. And baby chicken went with her friend to church. So it's been rather sporadic childwise around here. (Not complaining)

Tomorrow is, once again, Monday. I really don't know why that keeps happening. *scratching head* Seems to me that we deserve a couple of extra Sundays a month to even things out.
I have a long list of things to do tomorrow. Haven't eaten dinner yet. And I picked up makings for strawberry sundaes...so the girls have been on me about that for the last twenty-four hours. *eye roll* Heaven forbid there be ice-cream in the house, and we don't immediately suck it down.

I picked up Hannibal Rising from the library to read. But I read Hannibal and had nightmares. Never mind the fact I couldn't bring myself to watch it. *shuddering* Spooky. But I find the maniacal genius of Hannibal fascinating.
Now if the guy would just quit eating people. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww

(Geez. From strawberry sundaes to cannibalism. I need to work on my segues. Seriously.)

I'm off to oversee the spooning of the ice-cream. I WOULD like to have some, ya know.
Grins*

My blog

See the title of my blog? Chrys' World. Because in this lovely Internet journal, I share pieces of my life. Both personal and professional. Right now, the professional rocks.
I'm editing Fire Goddess. Working on a submission for Ellora's Cave. And also working on a short story and Water Goddess. All good. I'm also thinking about what I want to take with me to the Red Dirt Festival this November. Promo items and the like.

Personally...my life has taken a turn of late. Everything that once was is now no longer. And I like to have my blog to bounce off of and share thoughts on this.
I'd like to thank the co-worker who reads this blog and confronted my ex about making themselves look good but in actuality...it was anything but. I'm sucking the backlash right now, but I appreciate the thought. More than you know.

My ex made promises that they didn't keep. Left a phone bill that exceeds $500 dollars. And continually tries to make my life a living hell. I'm moving on. This person has no bearing on my life anymore. It's a malevolent person who will take a child's security and screw it to the wall because they can. And one in denial who blames everyone but themselves.
I was no model partner. I know this. But I tried so damn hard to make it work. All for nothing. Let's just say this was one hell of an expensive learning experience. That's the reality of it. (A small postnote...I just got a 48 hour cut-off notice for the electric this person was supposed to pay. Just another example of what a worthless ass this person is.)
My ex told me to quit writing about them. About where there living now. About the backstabbing bitch who used to be my friend. Because this ex still wants control of my life. A control I'll never willingly give again to this person. Decisions were made. Words said. Actions taken that altered more than one life. Selfishness rules supreme. And I'm working through it. In my way. On my blog. Through friends and family.
And I'm so much better without this person. This toxic individual full of lies, deceit, and broken promises.

I love my children. My life. My job. And I'm talking to someone right now who gets me. Not the me that they want to support them while giving nothing in return. Someone who hears me. And someone who didn't just want me to "take care of them."

I'm over you.

Bye Chance

This is Chance

He passed away yesterday. He was hit by a van in front of us. Flew into the air and landed in a ditch.

I've got to bury him today after work. This is hard for several reasons. But the one that sticks out in my mind the most is that he was the last piece of my old life. Before the fire. We ushered his great big heiney into the van and carted him off to where we were staying. Man, that dog could ride.

We love you, you big damn doofy dog. Go chase rabbits in Heaven.

Rest in Peace. 5-1-2007

Fire Goddess

Jinger has worked her magic. Again.

Available July 2007 from Whiskey Creek Press.

What do you think?

Crystal*

Blah blah blah

I'm feeling rather blah today...in case you hadn't noticed. I'd like to crawl back in bed, pull the covers over my head, and wait until tomorrow. Not a great plan, by any means. But definitely one that is appealing.
We moved middle chicken's stuff into the spare bedroom so she now has a room of her own. (Maybe the cluster that follows her will be ALSO be restrained to that room. Somehow I doubt it.)

So. I'm supposed to be writing. But I'm having some seriously financial issues due to the worthless shit I was with for quite some time. Nothing like running up a massive phone bill...getting your own phone...and refusing to pay the massive bill you ran up. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Seriously.

I'm rather foul right now. Which, as you all know, absolutely murders the creativity. Quicker than staking a vampire. *tapping fingers*
Does Red Bull work? 'Cause I need some wings.
Grins*

Is it Friday yet?

Yes! It is! *kissing my desk calendar*
Best news I've had all day.

This week has been interminable. But baby chicken assures me hers as flown by. Hmph. Go figure.
Oldest chicken went to a band festival yesterday. Got in a wee bit of a go-kart accident. *eye twitch* The band director suggested a bubble for her. I would have to concur. The child seems to bump/bruise/injure something about every other day.

April is winding down rapidly, and I find myself wondering...Where in the blue hell did a quarter of my year go???

Had a twinge last night. I missed my house. My stuff. My old life. The normalcy of it all. It kind of lingered like the remnants of a strong headache. I'm moving on, but I didn't expect to be blindsided by the nostalgia. Guess it takes quite a bit of time to iron it all out subconsciously.

I'm writing this weekend. And Lord does THAT need to be done. But I woke this morning, cranky-mind you, but with a sense of purpose that has long been missing in my life of late. I feel strong. I feel capable. Damn it...hear me roar! *grins*

That's about all the randomness for now. I work until five. Then it's off to check in with the chickens and enjoy the fact that I don't have to work this weekend.
TGIF
Grins*

Scared to death

I received my daily "We just got home from school and are checking in" call. And what did oldest chicken tell me?

That the school was put on a Code Red lockdown. If you ever want to strike fear into a mother's heart...you will utter the words CODE RED LOCKDOWN.

So after I squash my panic attack...I ask exactly what went on. Apparently there was a girl in Oldest chicken's class that had a "hit list" with names on it. A few of the girls saw it and went to the principal. Handcuffs, three sherrifs, and one dog later...everything was supposed to be okay.
But it's not.

I appreciate the fact the school was locked down even though it scared the shit out of the girls. But I didn't get ONE piece of paper with any type of explanation (even a little one). And this all happened BEFORE NOON.
Needless to say, I will be at the school bright and early tomorrow morning with questions and opinions.

But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that it happened. And it upsets the hell out of me. The girls go to a LITTLE school. The graduating class is usually between 12 and 20.
And the fact that something so heinous could happen here scares me to death.

What the hell is the world coming to?
Violence will solve your problems? Parents not knowing that there are some SERIOUS anger issues going on? A principal that keeps parents in the dark?
Screw that.

Give extra hugs and kisses this evening. I know I will.
Chrys*

Hot dreams about...Robbie Benson?

Okay. I admit it. I had some pretty *ahem* hot dreams about Robbie Benson last night. Is that weird? Um...yeah.

First...I have vague memories of the dude. I think he was in "My Bodyguard" and some movie about ice skating. Dunno. Like I said...vague. But OMG...in this dream he was HAWT! Holy cow and then some.
Young, lithsome, tan, etc. etc. etc. *wiping drool off keyboard*

What prompted this impromptu appearance of Robbie Benson in my rich fantasy life? Not sure about that either. I think he symbolizes someone in my world right now that I find sincere, attractive, and very beta. Therefore, voila, my wee little head conjured him up.

Interesting. Odd as hell. But highly interesting.

Wonder who's going to make an appearance in my subconscious this evening? Wonder if I can campaign for Hugh Jackman? *drool*

Grins*

Toxic People

I consider myself a fairly intelligent person. And I tend to want to see the best in everyone. But I'm seriously plagued right now by Toxic People.
You know...the assholes that seem to want to cling to you and pull you down into their collective depths of hell? Yeah. Those.

I'm trying to rock right along with my own life. Get my stuff straightened out. Live right. Be happy. All that good stuff.
But I keep getting the Toxic People roadblock. Irritating, that.

So. Seriously. Go back and dredge along with your pathetic life and stay out of mine. Quit texting. Quit calling. Quit being a large size pain in my ass. I don't want you. You don't belong in my world anymore. Get a clue and leave me alone.

*ahem*

Onto sunnier posts tomorrow.

Grins*

I blog; therefore, I am

Well. If that was true, I may as well cease to exist, huh? LMAO

How's it been in your neck of the woods? It's been crazy hectic here. The kids have about one more month of school. *sigh*
Is it REALLY hateful to wish for fall already?
Work is busy, and I have NOT been writing as I should.
And, of course, I had two more GREAT ideas for books. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Wouldn't you know it?

I toy with the idea of an agent every now and again. And I'm seriously considering branching out into different publishers. But we shall see.

Received a fan letter the other day asking if I was thinking about a sequel to What He Wants.
Hmmmmmm
Mebbe

Cloning is still illegal, right?
Too damn bad.

Some good news? I'm off tomorrow, which is so incredibly lovely. But I have to work Saturday. So that will limit my weekendness to Sunday. And I need to write!!!

Thanks for visiting. Musings from My Mercurial Mind will probably resurface sometime this weekend for bitching, whining, and generally moaning.
Grins*

And now...for my next trick...

We had pea-sized hail yesterday. Twice. Once in the morning...once in the evening.
*shuddering*
And it's one cold son of a gun here. I've got the heater cranked and don't plan on leaving my domicile until Monday. When I have to.

I'm ready for Spring. Not this half-assed...hahaha...fooled ya kind of weather. When it's 75 one day and 23 the next. NO. I want the real honest-to-goodness start of Spring.

I love Spring. Times of new beginnings. Flowers bloom. The air is sweet. I can drive down my country road and watch the cows get busy. And hope blooms in my heart.

Winter has been a bitch. And I'm ready to shake that off and proceed with whatever is next down the road. So I'm going to kickstart it.
I have a pdf of Spring Flings for someone Sunday. I have a short story in there. And it's all seasonal love. *grins*
Leave a comment. Tell us what you like about Spring. I'll draw Sunday evening around 6 pm CST.
And yes...this is Erotic Romance...just so ya know.
Best of luck!
Grins*

Chemistry

Oooo la la

Nothing like the first stirrings of romance in the air. Whether it be a mutual spark or just strong feelings whenever that other person is in your vicinity. And when you fight those feelings...it's the verbal repartee that ensues. Oftentimes brutally honest and entertaining.

I love character dialogue. When the hero and heroine engage in verbal foreplay. Because that's where chemistry starts. Sparks. And ignites.
The two may be oh-so-hot in the bedroom, but if they can't hold a conversation that holds my attention...I don't really care.

Chemistry is the glue that binds the hero and heroine. So it's incredibly important to give them traits that spark off one another. Interests that may be diverse and polar opposites.

You can't have Jack and Jill walking the same path, holding hands, and whistling a tune. How boring is that? Too boring to even contemplate, quite honestly.

Don't be afraid to shake up the status quo. Throw in some conflict. Make your characters as human as possible. Make them fallible. They don't have to be perfect.
But, by God, they HAVE to have chemistry.

You can't go wrong with naked

Here it is, my lovelies! The cover to Summer Solstice Scorchers available June 2007 from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. My story is "Conjuring Cade."

When Bliss Monroe takes a quiz in a magazine about what she likes in the bedroom...she has no idea that her answers will conjure the perfect man to fulfill her every carnal desire.

Until Cade knocks on her door and magically binds her to her bed. With magazine in hand, he's more than willing to make sure Bliss gets what she wants. Over and over again.

Come one...come all

I left work early today because, frankly, I feel like hammered dog shit. I don't believe that's a medical term. But it really does sum it up nicely. Came home, crawled into bed, and slept like the dead (probably looked like it, too) for four hours.

HOWEVER...
Before I departed, I got a bit of good news. I will be on a panel with Christine Rimmer and Merline Lovelace at the Red Dirt Book Festival slated for November 1-3, 2007 in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
How exciting is that???

I did a panel with Christine Rimmer in February and absolutely loved it. Great lady. And I recently saw Merline speak at a conference. So I'm very excited about the opportunity. Plus, I can showcase my works to readers and writers from all over Oklahoma.
*blissful sigh*

And on another professional note...ALL of my books, and I do mean ALL, are in the top fifty for Fictionwise right now. My publisher has around 400 books listed, so I'm loving that. Not to mention that I have a book that's a year and a half old that suddenly made a spring forward. And another that's over a year old. I think it has to do with my two books being reviewed in Romantic Times Magazine.
We'll see. *fingers crossed*

And for more professional good news (as my personal life sucks right now, and we all know it)...What He Wants is STILL in the Top Ten Bestsellers at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. That's TEN months on the list. And it's NUMBER TWO!!!
Wow. I am very professionally humbled by this. Flattered. Honored. All of the above.

It's such a great feeling. Knowing my words are being read. That one of my stories may, right now, be in someone's hands. And that they have entered a world I created with only my mind.
And all I have to say is this...don't get lost in there. Stay OUT of the closets on the second floor. Stick with the travel guide. *grins* And don't forget the map at the doorway. This mind has lots of twists and turns. Maybe better leave a trail of breadcrumbs. Or articles of clothing. lmao
Grins*

Thank you, Easter Bunny!

I opened one eye blearily at eight something this morning to have oldest chicken's chocolate breath blowing on my face.
"I got chocolate."

Well. No kidding. Not only did the chickens get chocolate...they also received a stuff bunny, windmill pen, and assorted candies and chocolates.

The Easter Bunny was a busy little critter last night. He had to hide 48 eggs. Yes. That's no typo. Eighteen for each chicken. Poor Easter Bunny. Probably tired and frazzled this morning.
Yeah. I'd bet on it.

I was going to be a woman of leisure today and kick back and do nothing, but unfortunately, there are dishes and laundry to take care of. So that's what I'm doing right now.
I do believe I may try and take a nap later. Wonder of all wonders. I can't remember the last time I actually took one. Hmmmmm *pondering*
I'm making the ham and accessories early so that the short people may munch the rest of the evening and not be asking, "What's for dinner?"
Heathens. *grins*

It's cold here as it is over most of the country. I've got my red, fuzzy socks on and the heater turned up.
And even though we all are reaping the benefits of the Easter bunny...let's not forget what else we're thankful for.
He is risen.
Grins*

Literary disappointments

I realize that most readers have stacks upon stacks of TBR (To Be Read) piles.
Quite frankly...I'm not one of them.

I will pick up a "hot" author. You know the ones of which I speak: Christina Dodd. Lisa Kleypas. Christine Feehan. LKH. Authors in the genre which I write.
And then I sit down and read. Once.
And the Christina Dodd I picked up...I didn't get to the second chapter. Does this mean she's not a great author? Not at all. But she's not suiting my reading right now.
And heaven knows...with my time at such a premium...I don't have time to jack with stuff I know I'll simply slog through.

There is nothing more disappointing than sitting down with great anticipation with a book and then closing it ten minutes later and knowing you will NEVER get those ten minutes back.
Rather inhales.

I used to be able to read anything and everything whenever I wanted. But it's just not possible any more. I've become pickier (MUCH) in my chosen selections. And when they don't measure up...the authors don't get another chance.

If you write...make your seventh book as fresh and exciting as your first. Make us love the characters. Enjoy the plot. And embrace the whole experience with every part of ourselves.
Don't become lazy. Don't tell yourself you'll do better next time.
Because if there are readers like me out there...there won't BE a next time.
Grins*

Moon Goddess

“You’ll grow old, fat, and die alone.” Celine tossed her ebony locks over her shoulder and gave her fair-haired sister her most-pitying stare. “So sad. But you, alas, cannot attract even the most simple of men.”
Kyra glared at Celine, sparks shooting from her amber-colored eyes. “Oh really? You would do well to attract the keeper of the dogs. I’ve heard he has fleas. You should be so lucky.”
Celine looked away, and her shoulders shook. When she turned back to her sister, she held up her hands. “You win. This time.” She snickered. “Fleas. Honestly.”
Kyra grinned. “I thought you would like that. Spur of the moment it was.” She pulled her flaxen locks back into a simple braid and wound it around her head like a sunlit crown. Her skin glowed, and her golden eyes gleamed. “Do you really think Mother and Father speak of us like that?”
Celine shrugged. “There really is no telling what our parents discuss when we are not about. And I, for one, don’t care.” She tucked her glorious black locks under a circlet and growled at the loose tendrils that always escaped. Her pale skin accented the deep blue eyes that now studied her sister.
“I have no wish to marry. Our parents know this.”
“Nor I.” Kyra tossed her head. “We are goddesses. Why do we need some man grasping after us and clinging to our clothes?”
“Why indeed?” Celine shot a glance to her younger sister. “Though you seem to like Kane trailing after you.”
“Jealous?” Kyra arched an eyebrow, and Celine snorted.
“Never. Simply an observation.” She glanced at the sky. “We only have a few hours before our parents call us in for the evening. Let us make the most of it.” Celine closed her hand and opened it slowly. Six metal discs with a crescent moon emblazoned on them shone brightly in her palm.
“We play for honor, sister. Do you accept?”
Kyra closed her hand and opened it to reveal six metal discs with a blazing sun on each one. “I do.”
The sisters disappeared.
* * * *
“They will be the death of me.” King Thane sighed and looked to his wife for sympathy. He found none.
“I suppose you want biddable daughters. Ones who do as you say and never question anything?” She arched a delicate eyebrow, and her golden eyes bore into him.
“And why would I want a biddable woman in my life?” The king snorted. “I would die of shock, my love.”
Queen Ara eyed her husband and fought the laughter. “What grieves you the most? The fact that our daughters are the two most precious beings in this universe or that they have bested every man who approaches them?”
“Both?”
Ara tilted her head to the side. “Maybe it’s not time for our daughters to find mates.”
“Oh, it’s time all right.” The king stood and paced in front of his dais. “It’s past time. Just because they are fairly immortal is no excuse for not marrying and giving me grandchildren. But they are more concerned with their games than finding a man. It pains me.” He threw up his hands. “I need grandchildren. Wee ones to bounce on my knee.”
Thane stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I realize the girls are still learning their roles in the kingdom. Assimilating their duties. Meeting all facets of people. But how are they to rule this land without a partner to lean on? Such as I have you, my love.”
Ara chuckled. “Flatterer. And as for children to bounce on your knee…do not look at me, husband. I’m past my time for childbearing. But maybe we can think of a way to show our children the light.” She looked at her husband slyly. “I believe that Celine will find a mate before Kyra.”
“Bah.” Thane rolled his eyes. “Just because Celine is your favorite does not mean Kyra is without talent.” The king stroked his dark beard again. “Yes. I believe Kyra will find a mate before Celine.”
“Do you now?” Ara’s voice was silky. “A wager then?”
“Aye.” Thane looked at his beautiful wife with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “We might be able to work something out.”
“There must be rules.” Ara plucked a parchment and quill out of thin air. “The wager begins tonight at midnight and ends when Celine marries.”
“Kyra,” the king growled.
“We shall see.”
She began writing.
************************************************************************************
"Moon Goddess/Sun Goddess"
Torrid Teasers Vol. 33
Available from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
August 2007
© 2007 C'ann Inman

La. La. And then some.

You know it's been a bad day when I tell a lovelorn friend that "love is a bitch. A dominatrix with a cat o'nine tails ready and willing to whip your ass."
(THIS from a woman who writes romance. *snickering*)

I've been a bit cranky the last couple of days. Lack of sleep, methinks. And I worked Saturday which shortened my weekend considerably.
Damn it.

I need a Spring Break. A "Big People" Spring Break. I don't need to flash my breasts and change swimsuits with the opposite gender. I don't need to imbibe countless drinks and sleep with strangers. (I really want to say something off-color here but will refrain)
I don't need to do stupid shit and then wonder if I need to be tested for diseases when I get home.
I simply need a break.

A break from the dipshit that constantly haunts my life. And the friend who turned out to be a backstabbing bitch from hell. That's about it.

A time to recharge the batteries and sip something cool while sunning my buns on the deck. No watches. No place to be. And certainly no damn deadlines or cranky people.
No manipulation and people that change their minds on a whim and look at you like you're crazy.
No bullshit. (Seriously. I need a "no bullshit" policy because I have ZERO TOLERANCE)

Why, oh why, do only students get Spring Break? Don't the rest of us need that time?
Hell yes, we do!

Now excuse me while I lay butt-naked on the deck while sipping my Diet Pepsi and forgetting what assholes some people can be.
Grins*

I wanna go to rehab

Sure. Why not?

No interruptions. Meals I don't have to cook. A nice quiet place to lay my weary head. Staff that will talk to me and not give me hell for mismatching their socks. No homework. No worries if my van will have a flat at the most inopportune moment.

And the pricey places give massages and gourmet meals. *swoon*
Yeah.
I wanna go to rehab. *grins*

Last night was quite an eye-opener. Had to actually go henceforth to our cellar so as not to be swept away like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. We were thisclose to a tornado. Rotation. But didn't touch down. A bit spooky. Baby chicken was upset about the whole ordeal. And I, just for a moment, almost had a panic attack when I couldn't help but think...Holy shit. If I have to start over with nothing again, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown...
But then the Mama gene kicked in, and I was good.
The tornado literally breezed by overhead. But no funnel formed. So no spinning on the house. Good deal.
Because the Lollipop Kids get on my nerves.
Grins*

The Sex Talk

I've done been over the birds and the bees with the oldest. I had planned to talk to my middle one this last summer. But she persisted in making herself scarce at every opportune moment.
Last night, it was her turn to sleep with me, and I casually rolled over and said:
Me: So. When are we going to have our little talk?
MC: *doesn't even PRETEND ignorance* Don't want to.
Me: You know that we were supposed to talk about it this last summer. You missed yours.
MC: I know. And I appreciate that.
*silence*
Me: Do you think your friends are going to fill you in?
MC: NO!
Me: You think that information is just going to filter through the air and into your brain?
MC: No.
Me: Who's going to tell you?
MC: Nature.
Me: *not knowing whether to laugh or curse*
*silence*
Me: We are going to have that talk. Being informed is the best thing.
*MC rolling over and facing her ass toward me*
Me: Um...are we done?
MC: Yes.
Me: Are you ignoring me?
MC: Yes.
Me: Goodnight, sugar.
MC: Night, Mom.
*silence*
Me: And yes. We ARE going to have that talk.

Grins*

When the words won't come

And for that writing post I promised ya...

I have a slow start, bookwise, the beginning of this year. Summer through the end of the year picks up considerably.
Just contracted a short story for Torrid's Summer Solstice Scorchers. The title is "Conjuring Cade." More details and a blurb as I um...throw them together. *grins*
I'll have two reviews and an ad in July's Romantic Times Magazine. They gave What He Wants four stars in their February 2007 issue. How exciting!
(You know...you always have that nailbiting experience when someone reviews your work. Thank God that all worked out all right.)
The two reviews will be for Perfect Timing and The Portrait. Perfect Timing is my Time Travel Romance. The Portrait is a Paranormal Romance.

I am VERY much looking forward to my Torrid Teasers due out in August by my naughtier (but not much) self...C'ann Inman. The titles are "Moon Goddess" and "Sun Goddess." They will be available only in eprint. But oh man! They are delicious stories. Full of humor and sensuality.
I'll add more about that later, also.
July brings out Fire Goddess. That is Book 1 in my Guardian series. The rest: Water Goddess, Wind Goddess, and Earth Goddess will release every five months after.
November brings Programmed for Pleasure. And yes, it's a Torrid title. How did you guess? LMAO
Next year will see my first Fantasy Romance...One Enchanted Evening. My longest piece I've written. And the one I wrote in a month. Flat. It rather poured itself out onto the keyboard. Wish they were all like that.

More details as the months continue to fly by. I'm working on another short story for Torrid due out in October. Must have it finished by the middle of May.
And that's about it. For now.
Have a great weekend!!!
Grins*

Emperor's New Groove

There are several parts of this movie that were laugh aloud funny. And two that stand out in particular are when Eazma and Krunk ride the roller coaster down to the secret lab. *insert visual of Eazma smoothing down her feathered plume after she licks her hand* OMG.
And the other one? When Krunk screws up the poisonous drinks and is trying to tell Eazma DON'T DRINK THE WINE...POISON. And he makes that little chopping motion with his hand towards his throat.
Hilarious.

What is not so hilarious is what I'm afraid to eat these days. Fresh spinach salad consumption? Down. Hamburger? Down. Peanut butter? None in my cupboards. Seems like every time I turn around...something is hazardous to my health.
Meat. Veggies. Nothing is safe. And that worries me.

Shall I shun the modern world and go Amish? Nah. But I'm extremely careful with my edibles. And that makes me wonder. What has all this food recalled done to you and your grocery shopping? Made a difference? Not?

I'll post momentarily about writing and all that good stuff. But I'm curious about this.
Grins*

Shifted In Death

I read the new JD Robb book "Innocent in Death." And here's what happened...not the plot, mind you...the mindset.
I didn't give a damn who got murdered. I didn't care who did it. I read the book because there was trouble in paradise with Roarke and Eve.
And God! Doesn't that make for great copy???

I totally shifted the perception from Murder Solving to Relationship Issues. And it works for me. I read the last one in the series and was thankful that Mavis finally had her baby. Yay! I've been waiting forever.
Do I remember who died? Whodunit?
Nope. Not a damn detail.
But I do know that I laughed my ass off at the tweaked out Eve and Roarke over the whole baby thing. Good stuff.

*shrug*
I suppose a romance writer always looks for that. I do, anyway. I remember being so damn mad after reading Ivanhoe that he didn't end up with who I wanted him to end up with. And this was DECADES ago.
"The Scarlet Pimpernel" is one of my all-time favorite books. It's historical. But I, quite honestly, didn't pay much attention to that. Because the romance plot ROCKED!!!

So there you are. I'm a sucker for romance. Its facets. All the ins and outs. And if you want to kill someone or have a fight...go for it. But don't expect me to remember any of that.
I read for the romance.
Grins*

Yeah. That's me. Okay. Except for the "waif" part. LOL

My favorite search phrase to get to this blog EVAH:

boss spunky seductress librarian waif free spirit

Back to your regularly scheduled reading.

Grins*

Are you kidding me?

We've been closed to the public this last week. New flooring and whatnot. By the way, looks good.
Anyway...what is it with people who walked through the doors, past the "We're closed" signs, and stepped over the workers to get inside here?
Seriously.

Why is it that people will NOT see what's right in front of them? Or choose not to? I would like to know. Because it confuses the hell out of me. And it's irritating beyond all measure.

A little FYI: You are NOT special. We're closed means just that. *ahem* WE ARE CLOSED. Yes. Look at the dozen men on their hands and knees putting in flooring. Yes. Look at their tools scattered all over the ground like little land mines on your way to the Promised Land (my front door). Yes. Look at the very irritated look on my face as I curse your ancestors mentally.
WE ARE FLIPPING CLOSED.
Have some respect. Read a sign or two. And for Pete's sake...WE'RE CLOSED!!!
*eye roll*

Pros and cons

Writing, as in everything, has its up and downs. Pros and cons.
Here are a few of my thoughts on the matter.

Pros:
I love it
Making other people (albeit fiction people) do my bidding...rocks!
There's always a happy ending
Fan letters
Bestseller lists
Name recognition

Cons:
Redoing my damn web page. (Yes. This IS a pet peeve. I need enough cash flow to pay someone to torture themselves with html and jpg. *sigh* That is SO not my forte. Nor do I wish it to be.)
Pressure. (Yes. Usually my own. The self-imposed GOTTA GOTTA GOTTA I give myself.)
The sagging middle. pffffffffffftttttttttt
Redoing my damn web page. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Synopsis
Squeezing a blurb into fifty words

And you?
Which is magic? Which is mayhem?
Grins*

Own it

Writers can sometimes be reticent with saying that they are, indeed, writers. When I applied for a library card at a small library, it asked for occupation. And I, boldly, wrote down "writer."
And it was rather freeing.

A young man looked me up the other day because he knew I wrote. Asked me some questions about what he was writing. Asked about resources he could look at. And then he says, almost bashfully, I'm a writer. Followed closely by...well, not really...I just write.
I l0oked at him for second and then said...
"Own it. You do not simply "write." You ARE a writer. Don't dismiss it. Don't shove it under the rug. Own it. Because it's who you are. No matter if you publish or not. No matter if no one but you ever reads your work. You. Are. A. Writer. OWN IT!"
He looked at me rather surprised (unused to my bluntness and um...stubborness), but then he smiled. And I knew I made my point.

What is the difference between Nora Roberts and I? We both like Diet Pepsi. We both write romance.
The difference is in the scope. Me=a little fish. She=a big fish.
But we're both writers.

The difference between this young man and I? We both write. We both live in the same town.
Me=progressing down the published road. He=just starting out.
But we're both writers.

Writing is a rocky path. A path with pitfalls and jubilation. Highs and lows so dizzying that we should probably all be on medication. But it's the path we choose. The path we love. The path that is meant for us. Our souls cry out for us.
Don't deny it.

OWN IT
Grins*

Writers are needy creatures

First, let me clear this up...Bryan, you are so droll. Truly.
Wish that it would have happened like that. But, alas, it's not to be.
Some facets of my life seriously inhale right now.

On with the show...

I've already confessed, many times, my issue with numbers. I must check numbers. See if they've gone up. Gone down (God forbid). Just checking what the blazes is going on with them.
Because numbers, in my mind, are a barometer of my work.
I've received a few fan letters (WHICH I LOVED!!!) from readers. But I usually receive most of my feedback from numbers.

Are any of my books in the Top Ten Hot Titles for either publisher? Did I make the Top Ten Bestsellers for the month? How am I doing on Fictionwise? Who rated my book Excellent or merely OK?
I gotta know.

Writers for the most part are solitary creatures. I'm one of those. And these words that come from me are the creative part of me reaching out to others. Did four more people rate What He Wants on Fictionwise? BANZAI!!! Excellent news.
How far have my other titles slipped? Isn't it amazing that The Portrait is moving back up the ranks?

Numbers, my friends. Numbers.

I need for my words, through my writing, to touch others. To laugh. To snort. To cry. To affect some part of their day. Their mood. I need it like I need the Diet Pepsi. Because then, and only then, will these words wrap around someone else's head and find a home.
Just a few keystrokes on the board. A few thoughts blended together. But a symbiotic relationship that affects us both.
Writer and reader. Moving in tandem toward a happy place in the story. One guiding. One trusting. But both hoping that the end will bring forth a satisfying conclusion.
Powerful and pleasing.
What a wonderful job.
Grins*

Where's Crystal???

Ayuh. I'm thirty-five.

Happy Sunday all!

It's my birthday. I'll be out of the house all day. But I'm leaving my horoscope for the day as the post.
I think it sums it up nicely.


Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18)
Dancing between fantasy and reality has become your way of life as you attempt to reach your dreams while keeping your feet on the ground. If you have been working too hard, now it's time to once again regain your balance. But this isn't time to give up if something is standing in your path. Don't get discouraged; determination and extra effort can make the difference.

Well then. I've got a lot of determination. So it'll all work out. Now. If I can only get that damn balance thing down.

Grins*

I inhale...I exhale

Let me just get this off my chest. I'm having personal problems. And the damn things seem to be interferring with life in general. Sorry bastards. So apologies to everyone who popped by only to see a week-old blog. Me=do better.

Professionally...life rocks!!!
I attended the Romance Writer's Panel Discussion in Norman sponsored by the Norman Arts Council and had the BEST time. The best. Yep. You heard it here first.
The crowd was great. Ron Stahl is wonderful. Mel Odom, Sharon Sala, and Christine Rimmer are absolutey fantastic. It was one of the best professional experiences I have ever had. Had lunch at Legends in Norman. (Never been) And the food was delicious.
Robyn, who drops by here on occasion, won my door prize. A $50 B and N gift certificate and a basket of hershey kisses. Books and chocolate...what else does one need? So Hi Robyn! Hope you enjoy the books you get.

I took names and emails to send out a free book to those that stopped by my table. (Yes. I had my own table!) I didn't realize I would have that so I didn't have many books. And my postcards didn't make it on time. Damn it again. But I'll send everything out when I get it. The book offers will be sent out this weekend.

*deep breath*

Valentine's Day? That would hereby be known as Black Wednesday. Next year it shall be Black Thursday. Get the picture? It isn't a pretty one. So. Valentine's Day officially sucked for me. Thankyouverymuch. Now let's move on.

I had my hair done today. Straightened and highlighted. And it's pretty. I absolutely love it. Will I straighten it everyday? Probably not. But right now, I'm enjoying it.
I'm going out tomorrow and kicking up my almost thirty-five year old heels. Drinking, dancing, whatnotting. Ya know. Fuzzy details may be provided if I remember them. *grins*
Also...doing a little something for myself tomorrow before I go out. Pictures will be posted. hehehe
Can't wait, can you?

My birthday is Sunday. Actually at 8:02 in the morning. So I'm pretty sure I'll sleep past the actual time. But the chickens and I plan on going to see that new movie with Nicolas Cage. Where he's that death dude on the motorcycle? I can't remember if it's Pale/Death/Ghost Rider. But you know the one to which I refer. Can't wait. Looks highly entertaining.

Take care of yourselves. Stay warm. It's flippin' snowing here again. I swear. And yes. I did swear.
Grins*

Now...THIS is romance

5,000-Year-Old Skeletons Locked in Embrace

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered a couple buried 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, hugging each other.
"It's an extraordinary case," said Elena Menotti, who led the team on their dig near the northern city of Mantova. "There has not been a double burial found in the Neolithic period, much less two people hugging -- and they really are hugging."

Here's the link for the photo.

Very touching. Can you imagine? I think it speaks of old romance. Seriously. Where just the right grunt and piece of animal flesh bonded you. And to be buried wrapped up in another? That's some serious stuff.

Who says romance is dead?
Oh, um. Right.
In this case, I suppose it is. At least in the earthly sense. But look at the long-term possibilities.
Grins*

Courtesy of Crystal Jordan

Here's my Peculiar Aristocratic Title:

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Honourable Lady Crystal the Chimerical of Old Throcking in the Hole Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Sounds dirty, eh? LMAO
That's why I like it so.
Grins*

So THIS is what's going on...

Horoscope for the day:
Your life is reaching a crescendo and you might think everything is going to fall apart. But there is a profound reorganization occurring within your psyche as you process whatever is in the way of your progress. Find an acceptable way to express your buried feelings, especially anger, or potential rewards could elude you.

Well then. I feel very crescendo-like today. Like something is building up, though I haven't the foggiest what that may be. I suppose I'll excavate those buried feelings and deal in one way or another.
I AM going out this evening and drinking/dancing. Think that will do?

Still haven't gotten a desk put up for my computer yet. Thus, the sporadic blogging.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

See? I just unburied some of my anger. *blinking* That was cathartic. *grins*
Probably best to eke this out a bit at a time.

I'm nervous about the Romance Writer's Panel Discussion next Friday. I'm not bringing a big stack of books to sign because:
A) The fact that I write Erotic Romance is going to spazz some co-workers out.
B) A lot of people will NOT buy Erotic Romance in front of others. (I have no such compunction. I used to buy Playgirl all the time in high school. hehehe)
C) I've decided to put up a nice door prize and pass out postcards with bookcovers on them.

Speaking of Erotic Romance...What He Wants is the #2 bestseller for WCP again. It's been out eight months and consistently pops up on the bestseller list. Gotta love it.

Personally...that's another blog.
Stay warm!!!
Grins*

Nonetheless, I'm slightly freaking out. Me=peon. But, by God, I'm a budding peon. LMAO