Friday, August 29, 2008

Ring of Seduction CONTEST + the earilier post

This month marks the release of my friend Alexis Fleming’s first Ellora’s Cave story. Ring of Seduction, co-authored with moi, Lyn Cash, is part of the Jewels of the Nile series in which each month the stories are based around the birthstone for that month.

* * *


For Ring of Seduction, that’s Peridot, which is the birthstone for August.


* * *


In celebration of this release, and in conjunction with my co-author, we’re giving away a beautiful pear-shaped Peridot and Russian Diamond pendant to one lucky winner.
* * *

All you have to do to be in the draw is send Alexis the answers to the following questions through her Contact page at Alexis Fleming. net. (answers to be found in the excerpt on her website)

* * *
Question #1: How was Zeb dressed?

* * *

Question #2: What color was Mellika’s costume?

* * *

Closing date will be 30th September, with the winner announced early October.

* * *

Oh, and don’t forget to put September Contest in the subject line. Don’t forget to click "September Contest" in the subject section.



TITLE: Ring of Seduction
SERIES: Jewels of the Nile Series - Peridot
AUTHORS: Lyn Cash & Alexis Fleming
ISBN: 9781419918148
PUBLISHER: Ellora’s Cave
RELEASE DATE: 29th August 2008
* * *
Blurb:

Mellika has lusted after Zeb for some time now, mostly because of his exotic good looks. So when he pauses to admire her peridot ring at an Arabian Nights-themed party, she can’t wait to find out what’s under his genie costume. She’s about to get more than she bargained for, though—Zeb is an actual djinni. As in, the magic-making kind.
* * *
Luckily for Mellika, her ring isn’t the only thing holding the sexy djinni’s interest. The peridot may give them a special connection, but true passion can’t be conjured by magic. Zeb is about to make all her wishes come true, and then she’ll be a believer for good.

Read an excerpt

Buy the book here.

THANKS for stopping by today.

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3 Comments:

At 12:54 AM, Blogger Phoenix said...

Yum. Niiiiiice cover.

 
At 11:17 AM, Blogger Sam said...

*fanning self*
That is a superb cover, and love the blurb, this story sounds terrific. Congrats on the new release!!!!

 
At 3:07 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

Thanks, both of you! I have a lot of fun writing with Lex. We're having a contest, too, if I can get the info up on my blog this weekend.

 

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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Quirky Meme

1) Link to the person that tagged you.2) Post the rules on your blog.3) List six unspectacular quirks you have.4) Tag six bloggers by linking them.5) Leave a comment on each person's blog to let them know they've been tagged.

Bronwyn Green tagged me. Rules are posted above. I’m tellin’ ya’ll that I’m dull as dirt, but here goes.
* * *
I can write with both hands simultaneously, left one going backwards, right going forwards. I think we discovered I was ambidextrous during or after a piano lesson when one hand mirrored the other’s actions.
* * *
Broke a toe while running naked through my house when I was in my twenties.
* * *
Actually like doing laundry. There’s something relaxing about it, and I like knowing my family has the clean clothes. Also, I think in the back of my mind that I don’t trust anyone else to do it – lol.
* * *
Either I am the most gullible person on the planet, or I’m a psychic magnet. Psychics seem to *find* me. In hotel lobbies, in restaurants, just passing me on the street, and they tell me the most interesting things at times.
* * *
I love cooking, but I was never allowed in the kitchen as a kid. Everything I learned was picked up long after I married…the first time…’nuff said.
* * *
I once slid down a very long hill in a cardboard box and ran over a nest of hornets, which chased me…and chased me. I had just moved, I was 29. and I had just been hired to teach at the university. The dramatic-looking hill was in front of my building. Academics aren’t always the brightest crayons in the box, despite those degrees and sharpened pencils.
* * *

Who do I know to tag???

Denise Patrick
Gretchen Jones
Kate Rothwell
Mechele Armstrong
Merry Stahel
Tracy Sharp

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12 Comments:

At 3:00 PM, Blogger Sam said...

That is a fun meme - at least you made it fun! Laughed about the psychics - ouch about the hornets.
I would have slid down that hill with you though!!

 
At 4:39 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

I would have slid down that hill with you

I KNEW if anyone would've been there with me, it'd be you - ROFLMAO!!!

Great to see you again!

 
At 9:52 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

I'm pretty dull, too. So I'll have to see what I can come up with.

 
At 11:00 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

OK, I did it, but you'll have to come and read what I wrote.

and, I think it's petty cool that you can write like that. I have a friend that is ambidexterous - but that's because they forced her to write with her right hand when she was a child.

 
At 8:31 AM, Blogger Bronwyn Green said...

See? I knew you weren't boring like you'd claimed. I'm fascinated by the writing thing - that's wild!

 
At 8:54 AM, Blogger Phoenix said...

LOL!!! excellent six, Lyn. And it doesn't surprise me at all about the psychic thing. You have a vibe.

 
At 9:47 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

*waves to Denise, Bronwyn, & Kelly*

The ambi thing is cool to an extent. My problems arise when what's before me is something new, because it takes my brain a while to engage, especially NOW, after the head injury - lol. But...

again, it IS cool at times.

 
At 1:57 PM, Blogger Gretchen said...

OK, that is so not fair. I don't think I KNOW six people who blog. I'll keep it going though. I think Carla maybe.

Did I tell you we have a "certified" psychic at MARA?
(she wasn't there this month)

No doubt Katie will love you.

 
At 6:48 PM, Blogger Kate said...

'k I posted yesterday.

 
At 2:02 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

Just read yours, Kate, and it was VERY INTERESTING!

 
At 2:03 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

...and noooo, Miss Gretchen, I don't think you told me that!!!!!!

 
At 9:25 AM, Blogger Merry said...

http://merrystahel.blogspot.com/

I did my quirks! But I don't blog much anymore and don't know 6 bloggers to send it to.

 

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Monday, August 25, 2008

Writing Tidbits

Ring of Seduction Debuts This Week!

As most of my readers know, Alexis Fleming and I are great buds, critique partners, and sometimes co-authors. Alex’s first book with Ellora’s Cave debuts this week (if it doesn’t, boy do I feel like a fool).

Here’s a sneak peak.

Ring of Seduction by Lyn Cash & Alexis Fleming
Release date: 8/29/08
Genre: Paranormal
New site Line/icons: Twilight
ISBN: 9781419918148
Price: $4.45



* * *

Well, the darned cover won’t load, but here’s the link to see it on the Coming Soon page.



I don't know for sure if our cover model is Rodney Chapman or not, Mister Romance a couple of years ago, but he looks like him. Rodney's a sweet guy...devoted husband and family man when I met him.




* * *




Kicking Back




I can’t believe summer is almost over! September will be a busy month for me writing-wise. I have probably three manuscripts to finish (and each is a big book, not a novella). September is the beginning of sweater, sweats, & sweets (particularly hot chocolate) weather for me, which means I’ll have to pump up the walking, which wouldn’t hurt me anyway.

I had the best time this past weekend, though. Gretchen had invited me to a MARA meeting. Mid-America Romance Authors, MARA, is a Kansas City area chapter of Romance Writers of America. I’m not a big “joiner”, but I said I’d go, thinking that maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad way to spend a couple of hours. Not bad? I got to meet the likes of Carla Cassidy (I love that woman and her books – she’s wonderful). The program was given by Karen King, who is a fabulous speaker. An interesting lady named Tess sat to my left and the webmistress for MARA was to my right. Both ladies were a blast.

Gretchen, of course, is a character, and we talked practically nonstop that afternoon. First the meeting, then lunch afterwards at Waid’s, a place that serves great home-cookin’. After that, Gretchen and I chatted over beer at Maloney’s Sports Bar & Grill, with a gentle breeze keeping us cool as we sat at one of the outdoor bistro tables. Gretchen agreed to let me read one of her works in progress and emailed it to me later that evening.

Let’s put it this way, the day was conducive to writing. I went home eager to get back into some stories I’ve begun but not finished, partly because I had new ideas springing up that begged attention.

Have a great week, peoples.

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9 Comments:

At 9:06 PM, Blogger Gretchen said...

Here I thought it was YOU that was the character...go figure.

:) gj

 
At 7:22 AM, Blogger Alexis Fleming said...

ROFL I think you'll find you both fit that description. Wish I'd been there to join you.

 
At 9:56 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

I'm boring as hell - I just have interesting friends - lol.

 
At 10:15 AM, Blogger Phoenix said...

Lyn, hon, if you're boring, then the rest of us are drooling weasles. I'm just sayin'. Wish I could have been there. Sounds like it would have been fun to gather the ECPI folk around for solid chatting.

 
At 11:57 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

*waving hello to Kelly*

Well, Raelene will be at the October meeting, so if you know of any ECPI authors in this area willing to attend and do a small book signing afterward, let 'em know! :)

 
At 7:56 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

Sounds like a good time was had by all. I'm glad you're off and writing more, but geesh you've got a lot to do in a short amount of time. Good luck with it all.

And, of course, I couldn't come out without telling you my next book came out today. You'll have to check out my blog and website for details.

 
At 9:00 AM, Blogger Bronwyn Green said...

Woman, you've got to be the LEAST boring person I've ever met!

Whatever.

Also...I tagged you for blog tag - cause I suck like that. (rule are on my blog)

 
At 11:52 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

bron, you heifer - lol. okay, just for you...and because I can be evil to 6 other people in the process.

 
At 9:00 PM, Anonymous Macie D said...

Great post, thanks.

 

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

As Gilda Radner said, It's Always Somethin'

Dinner
A wonderful Chicken Bruschetta.









Perfect pasta. Fettuccini.









A marvelous tomato & basil salsa.







Alfredo sauce.

Marinara sauce.

Delicious--both of 'em.






And the shittiest mozzarella sticks imaginable. I couldn't fry 'em, I couldn't bake 'em, I couldn't...aaaaack.



Next time, must read recipes THOROUGHLY. That part where they need to be double-dipped in batter (thanks, Alex, for the tip)...that part where they need to be FROZEN before dumping them into the fryer?

* * *

That's what I get for rushing the small stuff. I was so pissed off at the cheese sticks that I didn't even bother with salad or veggies. And I forgot to make the iced tea.
* * *
I did get 3 pages written on that femme/femme book, though. Talked to Carol. Talked to Alex. Got an invitation to attend a MARA meeting from Gretchen. Did 5 loads of laundry and 2 loads of dishes. Even found the Benadryl for the dogs and their hot spots.
* * *
Tomorrow a nice salmon steak dinner, no mozzarella sticks involved.

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7 Comments:

At 8:22 AM, Blogger Phoenix said...

Your blog hates me. This is the first comment I've been able to post all week. So I luuurve the headlines you posted. OH MY GOSH, nearly wet myself.

:) Have a great weekend.

 
At 11:55 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

It hates me as well, so you're in good company - lol. Good to see you! (You should have snail mail from me by now, Kel.)

 
At 10:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

DAMMIT Bobbie will you e-mail me??? kathy from coweta class of 70 ring a freakin bell??? or else i might just show up on your doorstep dressed as chad or jeremy.
kitkat 12951@yahoo.com

 
At 12:18 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

of COURSE, I remember you!!!!!! - ROFLMAO - email comin' your way, kit kat. :)

 
At 10:28 AM, Blogger Kate said...

yummmmmmmm

 
At 7:51 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

I need to come to your place for dinner. Although, now that the kids are gone, dh and I go out more.

 
At 9:00 AM, Anonymous Ogden Sandblasting said...

Good reading thiss post

 

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Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Destination Procrastination

















Headlines

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Panda Mating Fails;
Veterinarian Takes Over
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Miners Refuse to Work
after Death
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Juvenile Court to Try
Shooting Defendant
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
War Dims Hope for Peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cold Wave Linked to
Temperatures
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enfield Couple Slain;
Police Suspect Homicide
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Man Struck By Lightning:
Faces Battery Charge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Astronaut Takes Blame for
Gas in Spacecraft
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hospitals are Sued by
7 Foot Doctors
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through
Cemetery; Hundreds Dead


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







There's no way I can top the above, which I ripped off of Janet, but I DO remember one that got me in the 80's. I was living in a town populated with more Cherokee than whites, and two cousins got into a fight. Headline the next morning read: Turtle Shoots Bird.


So what keeps you away from your story?


There's an old joke about a hunter doin' his thing in the woods when he accidentally hits a big ole bear. Bear is pissed off, grabs hunter, drags his ass through the woods, and screws him then leaves him to die. Hunter doesn't die. Gets back home, pulls out a bigger gun, cleans it, vows to take revenge. Goes bear hunting. Gun misfires. Again, bear takes hunter deep into the woods and screws him blue. Third time it happens, regardless of hunter's intentions, something goes wrong. Bear grabs him up then shakes him and sez: You don't really come here for the hunting, do you?



Some of us writers are like that hunter, we get to the computer and find other things to do, whether it's clean the monitor, inspect the keyboard for lint and hair, check out our floors, turn on the television, listen to music, or write a letter, when we know we'll berate ourselves later for not having worked on that chapter that was waiting.




Or we read email and find headlines.




I have one friend who figures I'm writing if I update my blog (don't ask me why) and that I'm sick if the blog gets neglected. One of these days she'll figure out that if the blog is fine, I'm procrastinating, and if the blog is dead, I'm writing. Or it's summer. Or the cute guy asked me out, and I'm...researching.




I don't beat the hell out of myself for procrastinating, though. Angst is just another excuse to me. I look at it like this, if I'm gonna do it, I want to ENJOY it, whether it's writing OR procrastinating. As long as I get "the job" done, let me do it my way - lol. Life is too friggin' short to spend it complaining about the means when the journey is at hand.


If you WANT the story, you'll find a way to get to it.




















Will Power. That's the name of the dog.

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6 Comments:

At 2:02 PM, Blogger Gretchen said...

How dumb am I. I didn't even notice the dog didn't have any front legs until the last photo.

E-mail is my poison.

gj

 
At 5:49 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

:) you weren't supposed to figure it out too soon, so ya did good.

my poison is whatever is attractive at the time - lol. casino, pretty weather, friends or family who phone or drop by.

 
At 10:10 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

My poison is the new game I loaded on my computer. Bookworm. Bad idea. Maybe I need to take it back off.

How are you today?

 
At 11:33 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

I'm draggin - just did too much today, but you brightened it by saying hello, Denise! THANKS.

Bookworm. Sounds interesting. Like something I'd enjoy - lol.

 
At 11:18 AM, Blogger Brynn Paulin said...

Excellent blog. Loved the dog pics too. What a champ.

I didn't know you were out here for some reason. I've added you to my blog list.

 
At 11:56 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

Isn't that dog wonderful? My friend Janet sent me that one.

Thanks, Brynn - great to see you!

 

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Weekend Pizza Recipes & A Joke

Sunny’s Quick & Simple Thin Crust Pizza Recipe

2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
3/4 cup hot tap water (110 degree or so)
1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon saltpizza sauce
shredded cheese toppings
* * *
Dissolve yeast and sugar in water then allow a few minutes for mixture to rise.


In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt.

Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture and mix well.

Slap dough onto floured surface and kneed.

Flatten dough to fit your cookie sheet or baking sheet.

Spread dough onto cookie sheet/baking sheet, and smooth dough to fit the edges.

Spread sauce, sprinkle toppings.Bake 425-450 degrees for 15 minutes or until pizza dough edges are a golden brown.

We like Chicken Alfredo Pizza using one of the Classico Alfredo sauces as our base then topping it with pre-cooked chicken breast chunks, spinach, mushrooms, and mozzarella. Recipe Zaar has a slew of recipes using Classico products, in case you’re interested. I think this one calls for me to try it.

Another of our favorites dishes uses Emeril’s Home Style Marinara Sauce as base and topping it with either beef and onion or pepperoni with shredded cheddar and mozzarella. Here’s a link that shows all of Emeril’s pasta sauces shelved at our local grocery.

If the adults in your family love spicy food, brush a coating of chili oil on the dough with a kitchen brush or an inexpensive brush picked up at your local dollar store (thoroughly clean it first, of course).

If they love artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes, brush on a little olive oil, bake the pizza dough five minutes, remove, then top with fresh veggies like the artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes, maybe a bit of onion, crispy bits of pre-cooked bacon, and some cheese, and once it’s baked about 10 minutes, let it cool then drizzle ranch dressing across the pizza and sprinkle on chopped up Roma tomatoes.

For what it’s worth, kids usually love helping out in the kitchen, and decorating pizzas is something fun to do with them. My son wasn’t a big fan of sweets, so every year for his birthday, the kids in his class looked forward to his birthday pizza, which usually spelled Happy Birthday in pepperoni.

Enjoy.

-----------------------------------
Nun Golf Joke

(Okay, don't be hatin' on me - this was funny.)


A nun walks into Mother Superior's office and plunks down into a chair; she lets out a sigh heavy with frustration.

'What troubles you, Sister?' asked the Mother Superior, 'I thought this was the day you spent with your family.'

'It was,' sighed the Sister, 'and I went to play golf with my brother. We try to play golf as often as we can. You know I was quite a talented golfer before I devoted my life to Christ.'

'I seem to recall that,' the Mother Superior agreed. 'So I take it your day of recreation was not relaxing?'

'Far from it,' snorted the Sister. 'In fact, I even took the Lord's name in vain today!'

'Goodness, Sister!' gasped the Mother Superior, astonished. 'You must tell me all about it!'

'Well, we were on the fifth tee...and this hole is a monster, 540 yard Par 5, with a nasty dogleg left and a hidden green...and I hit the drive of my life. I creamed it. The sweetest swing I ever made. And it's flying straight and true, right along the line I wanted, and it hits a bird in mid-flight not 100 yards off the tee!'

'Oh my!' commiserated the Mother. 'How unfortunate! But surely that didn't make you blaspheme, Sister!'

'No, that wasn't it,' admitted Sister. 'While I was still trying to fathom what had happened, this squirrel runs out of the woods, grabs my ball and runs off down the fairway!'

'Oh, that would have made me blaspheme!' sympathized the Mother.

'But I didn't, Mother!' sobbed the Sister. 'And I was so proud of myself! And while I was pondering whether this was a sign from God, this hawk swoops out of the sky and grabs the squirrel and flies off, with my ball still clutched in his paws!'
'So that's when you cursed,' said the Mother with a knowing smile. 'Nope, that wasn't it either,' cried the Sister, anguished, 'because as the hawk started to fly out of sight, the squirrel started struggling, and the hawk dropped him right there on the green, and the ball popped out of his paws and rolled to about 18 inches from the cup!'

Mother Superior sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, fixed the Sister with a baleful stare and said......'You missed the fucking 18 inch putt, didn't you?'

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8 Comments:

At 3:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh yum. Now I don't want the chicken I just put in a marinade. I want this artichoke pizza or the alfredo one. Maybe I'll make this tomorrow. Hungry now...

 
At 5:45 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

hey, girl - long time no see - hope all is well in your world (heard you've had a few bumps in the road - ugh)

MISS YOU!

 
At 11:10 PM, Blogger Phoenix said...

Easier Pizza recipe.

1. Pick up phone.
2. Dial Papa Johns
3. Wait 30 minutes.

Mmmmm.

Good joke.

 
At 12:39 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

Dial Papa Johns

*snort*

 
At 8:40 AM, Blogger Gretchen said...

A frenchman walks into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder. The bartender says "Wow, that's really cool. Where'd you get him?"
The parrot says "In France, they got millions of 'em."

Pizza recipe sounds really good. I'll have to give it a try.

 
At 10:47 AM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

hehehe - that's so bad it's good, Gretchen.

 
At 10:02 PM, Blogger Bronwyn Green said...

I want someone to come to my house and cook for me...

The joke was brilliant - sending to hubby - recovering Catholic *and* golfer. ;)

 
At 1:22 PM, Blogger Rinda Elliott said...

The kids and I put in music and made these pizzas Saturday night. They were FANTASTIC!!! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.

Oh, I miss you, too. All my surgery stuff seems to finally be over. Been keeping up with you mostly on Bloglines due to long hours in a pay job--but that stopped this week, so I'm hoping to have more commenting time.

Congrats on the new release!

 

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

Conversations This Morning

Me: I need prescriptions for both dogs’ meds.
Vet Clerk: Why?
Me: *patiently * Because we’ve already paid for them, and 1-800-Pet Meds says that your office wouldn’t give the okay for their office to send them. They need those prescriptions if you won’t okay the fax.
Vet Clerk: Doctor doesn’t like using them. Their meds are inferior and they get them from China or some place.
Me: *stifling an urge to call bullshit* Then Doctor needs to lower his prices by $75 for me.
Vet Clerk: Well, we can mail them to you.
Me: No, I’ve tried that. I’ll wait.
Vet Clerk: Doctor is very busy this morning.
Me: I just saw him and paid him $74 for two heartworm tests on these dogs. I’ll wait.
Vet Clerk: Just a minute. *she walks behind the doorway then comes back* The doctor is taking an X-ray at the moment.
Me: *all but shouting bullshit at this point* He’s behind that partition—his shoes are showing while he stands there eavesdropping when he could be out here doing his own dirty work. I’ll WAIT.


Vet Clerk: Just a minute. *she waddles back to the partition and comes back* It’ll be a few minutes.
Me: That’s fine. I’ll wait.
Vet Clerk: Maybe even several minutes.
Me: I’ll stay here until you close if I have to, but I’m not leaving without those ‘scripts.
Vet Clerk: *defeatedly* Fine. Have a seat.
Me: I’ll stand outside. I want a cigarette.
Vet Clerk: It’s raining.
Me: Well, unless you have a ‘script to stop it, I guess it’ll just keep raining. (And I'm thinking P
ush it, and I’ll picket your ass.)
Vet Clerk: (looking past my shoulder) Next?






Vet Clerk doesn’t want to deal with me again so sends out one of the pet groomers with the ‘scripts later when they see me headed for the door. Ask me if I give a damn.






Me: (on the phone to #1 Son) We’re at the dealership, and they found out what’s wrong with Lola (the car).
Son: What?
Me: Rodents.
Son: Pardon me?
Me: We have mice or rats or squirrels under the hood chewing the wires, and they’re building a nest in the engine.
Son: (yelping) You’re kidding, right?
Me: Oh, I wish.
Son: Our insurance won’t cover that!
James the Mechanic: (who can hear my son and shakes his head) Nope.
Me: They’re waiving the diagnostic fee if you go ahead and get the tune-up done today. It’s due now anyway, and they’re already under her hood.
Son: So what do I need to do, find Mother Nature Insurance in case this happens again? Shit!
Me: *mouthing gratefully, to mechanic* Thank you. *then calmly speaking to son* We’ll pick you up in the rental car at four o’clock. Have a Coke and a smile and plan on cleaning out the garage tonight so Lola won’t have to brave the squirrels tomorrow evening.
Son: What’s this going to cost me?
Me: Two pedicures and dinner.
Son: Smartass, I mean Lola.
Me: I know—I’m just getting the good news out of the way first.


**************



I was awakened and told to phone the vet, tell them we'd be running late. I was told to call somebody else for something I can't remember. I spent an hour battling two hyperactive dogs in the back seat of a car that has been dying for some weird reason then battling same dogs inside the pet clinic and back home in the car.



After that, we went to our regular mechanic who said he hated to turn down business, but we could probably save money since car is under warranty if we took it to the dealership. Then we grabbed a quick burger and went to the dealership.


Waited...waited...had Lola diagnosed then waited for Enterprise to pick us up and take us to their place so we could rent a car for the next twenty-four hours. Went to the grocery store to pick up trash bags.



We live in a very picturesque place, with lots of rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, community cats, families with dogs, a Geritol Avenue coinciding with Young Couples Lane. Don't want to risk killing the next door neighbor's cat just to keep mice off of Lola's engine block.



I need to write, and the Romance Muse has definitely taken a back seat to the Bitch Muse. Maybe it's time to switch genres, if only for a few hours a week - lol.



Hope YOUR day has gone better. - grrrr

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5 Comments:

At 6:54 AM, Blogger Merry said...

Write this as a story, mouse in heroine's car, hero comes to the rescue! Foundation of good romance!

BTW, the two mice in my car ate the pastic off the back of the wheelwells.

Then they shit in my front seat, just because they could.

Richard took 'em out with a Have-A-Hart trap and peanut butter because Jenny freaked about killing the little pests. Right after we released one, her cat tromped out to the field and caught it, dragging its lifeless, bloody body home to deposit on the kitchen floor.

 
At 12:37 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

omg - roflmao! you're not yanking my chain, are you? "have a hart" MOUSE TRAP??????

poor jenny.

 
At 8:27 PM, Blogger Michele said...

Wow!
That beats my mouse story hands down.
My mouse scared the crap out of me while driving.
I'm going along when out pops the head of the mouse and he climbs UP the windshield and STARES at me!

No lie, AS I DRIVE.

Two weeks later, I go to pick up my son from the sitter and I had to park in a different spot from where I usually do in the mornings.
There, were one of my tires would have been was the flattened mouse.

Seems when the car stopped, the furry thing thought I was home and went to explore for food, I guess.
Or, he was coming back from foraging, either way, Im sure his little mouse legs were going a mile a minute trying to keep up with the rotation of the wheel before he lost.

Forgive me if I laugh at the visual. I still think it's funny.

 
At 7:04 AM, Blogger Beth said...

Some days are like that.
A sense of humour and a potty mouth (and the ability to use it) help!

 
At 12:03 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

I'm slow in reading what others have posted. Howling here, Michele - aaaaack.

You got it, Beth - LOL. As long as others don't mind my mouth, I don't. *hehehe*

 

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Monday, August 11, 2008

Knights & White Satin By Cash Cole

I had a book debut while I was in San Francisco. Considering this blog is where I should tell you about it, here's the info. Before you get too excited, ask yourself if you read erotic male/male romance (emphasis on romance for this particular book). If the answer is yes, continue...if not, see you on the next blog post.

Torrid Tarot - Knights & White Satin By Cash Cole

Mike is a swinging bachelor with a big empty house and plenty of time and money to spend as he likes. But the second he sees Lee in the bar, he knows something's about to change. He brings Lee home for some hot-tub fun — and plunges headfirst into love. And Lee is right there with him.

But Lee isn't flying solo. Years ago, he married his best friend Cate so they could please her parents, share a household and have a baby together. Their relationship is strictly platonic, and Cate is thrilled that Lee has found someone. She doesn't want him to give up his love life to care for her, but she's living on borrowed time due to a terminal illness.

As Mike discovers passion the likes of which he never knew before Lee, he realizes he needs to step up and think of others for a change. And Lee — and his family — are about to learn what it's like to have a real-life knight in shining armor.

Knights & White Satin

An Excerpt From: KNIGHTS & WHITE SATIN.

ISBN #9781419916328

Buy the book here!

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11 Comments:

At 10:05 PM, Blogger April said...

Good luck with the new release! Thanks for all the info from San Fran. I'm gobbling it up! :o)

 
At 8:21 AM, Blogger Phoenix said...

Howdy, sweet thang! It was so good to meet you last Saturday. I love your energy and frankness. :)

 
At 10:05 AM, Blogger Gretchen said...

Hey Girlfriend! Your cover is very nice. I think that fella will do! Glad to hear you got back in one piece. I had a ball visiting with you in SF and think after reading your very sharp analysis of the business side of publishing that I need to take you out to a really nice lunch and pick the hell out of your brain. Just as soon as I get my very disorganized stuff organized. I swear I've got business cards coming out of every orafice.

Take care and good luck with the book!

Gretchen

 
At 1:08 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

HELLO, you 3 - great to hear from you, and THANKS for the feedback.

Uh, Gretchen, I'm not that informed, really - just read a lot and know a lot of folks, and am always happy to share info with a friend. :) Can't wait to see you again! You just made my week in Sam Francisco.

Kelly, right back atcha - I so loved meeting you. (and loved your EC novella Beloved Brother)

April, glad you're getting something out of my musings. Do you even have TIME to write now? - lol - love your photos of the munchkin. Adorable baby.

 
At 1:09 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

(and I really DO know how to spell San Francisco - blame it on the fingernails - they're driving me nuts...still can't get used to 'em)

 
At 3:32 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

Hey there! It was great seeing you for a few minutes in SF. I'm bummed we didn't get to see more of each other, but, there'll be other conferences.

Congrats on the new release. It sounds wonderful.

 
At 3:42 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

thanks, Denise! - yeah - I'd looked forward to more chat time with you. it was Monday...then it was Saturday, and all I could do was rub my aching feet and scratch my head.

wanted to talk with your sis, too!

 
At 8:14 PM, Blogger Tracy Sharp - Author of the Leah Ryan Series said...

You must be psychic, woman! I was here earlier today and wanted to post a comment so badly but I was at work, so at the last second I deleted it. Then you show up and comment on mine! WOW!

You're awesome. Look at all the stuff you write. What an inspiration you are.

 
At 12:30 PM, Blogger R.G. ALEXANDER said...

Hey there! It was great meeting you in SF!
Congrats on your release-oh and I made you and the lovely Ms. Fleming part of my current blog contest :)

 
At 6:33 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

The new book sounds fab. Good luck with it.

As per RWA-SF people should watch their mouths.

 
At 3:43 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

aaw - THANKS, RG - and THANK YOU, Ashley! Great to see you both.

 

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Things Not To Do At Conference - lol


I feel for some folks at these functions - I really do. They go in fully expecting to snag an editor or an agent, to wow the masses with their brilliance and talent, and they walk away quite disilusioned.
Then there are those who are mindless, people who just open their mouths and spew whatever has been brewing in their brains. Take the woman who raised her hand in a forum in San Francisco and wanted someone to confirm her suspicions that Nora Roberts has ghost writers.
For one thing, you don't walk into what is basically Nora's house and crap on the carpet. Even if Nora isn't present, her friends, readers, editors, and/or her agent most likely will be, and there you'd be, swathed in ignorance and self-righteous and not much else. All you need to do is THINK before you enter the room. Read. The organization's LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD is named for the woman, for godsakes.
When she was plagiarized years ago by another author (and noooo, I'm not going into that - the other poor lady has had enough grief in her life already), Nora donated all the proceeds from the suit to charity.
Anyway, for any of you still wondering, uh...no. Nora doesn't use ghost writers.
Something else you shouldn't do - don't ignore weather reports from those who live there. They have little reason to lie to you, and there are plenty of things for them to laugh at, so if they tell you that you need to bring a jacket, take a freain' jacket. 'Nuff said.
Don't plan every move you'll make. Leave down time, time for resting, reading, chatting, having that extra stroll through the park or area of the city. Act like you're a participant in your own life, not some game show with the clock ticking.
Just sayin'...ENJOY YOURSELF.

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Thursday, August 07, 2008

San Francisco: Tips 4 Writers

The most shocking moment for me was in the Harlequin/Silhouette booksigning (the free books, that is) when an inspie writer apologized for what she wrote - basically. I mean, there I was, there she was, and she said in a low voice "You do know that it's inspirational, right?" - and I didn't have my badge on, so unless she just hangs out incognito at the Passionate Ink parties, or unless she was a smoker, she had no way of knowing that out of those 3000 women at the conference, the one before her was me.

That said...the inspie publishers seem to want more of what used to be plain Jane Harlequin or Silhouette Romances, something that doesn't beat the reader over the head with the inspie part of it, but a book that doesn't go beyond the closed bedroom door. They want intrigue, mystery, suspense, sweet romance.

I noticed a decline in sci-fi/fantasy. Everything close to that was labeled paranormal or urban fantasy. Lots of those two, and editors seemed to want more, more, more.

Both keynote speakers were historical writers, and the historical authors even had their own mini-conference the week prior, same hotel - we're talking nearly a full week of just them, if that tells you anything about how hot historicals are becoming.

Booksellers told me that they can't get enough erotic ficton and that those historicals are indeed in demand, whether hot or not.

I spent a lot of time with 3 ladies from a California book shop who said that if you're an author, make sure your publisher uses Ingram.

My new Irish friend said that Mills & Boon's "Modern Heat" was called "Presents' Little Sister" by the authors in the UK, said that they have purchased 1 American author during the past 2 or 3 years, but the door is open, and she said that they are a welcoming bunch who support one another. I read the 2 books she gave me, and to me they're a cross between Presents and the old Temptations.

Young Adult is HUGE and is growing so fast that the publishers and bookstores can't keep up with it. A former chick lit author who now writes YA and a new YA author both were bowled over by the response to this genre. Oh, and YA stretches boundaries...no longer the Sweet Valley High type books, although there are those out there as well.

Talked to historical author Hannah Howell every day - and she has changed to writing a different series. She, like other historical authors I met, seemed frazzled at trying to keep up with the demands on them, especially for series.What types of historicals: Scottish anything. (Spent a lot of time with author Sandi Blair who writes those) Highland, English, Welch. I didn't talk to a single person who was writing American or French historicals.

DRAGON historicals. Dragon contemporaries - we are loving dragons at this time, it seems. Shape-shifters seemed in demand, particularly Native American (yes, yes, I told an editor I'd go for one).

There were a ton of Aussies there this year - I mean several. One pitched to Desire and was picked up on the spot on a PITCH. Harlequin opened their Friday night soiree, that has always been by invitation only, TO THE PUBLIC, meaning to ANYONE at the conference who wanted to attend.

There really are a LOT of newer, younger editors.

Everyone is picking up that ebooks are good business. Harlequin, RedSage Publishing, even Random House - publishers who only did print - are now on the ebook bandwagon.

In summary: Chick lit seems to be dead as a doornail. YA has been ressurected. Inspies and erotic fight for the top spots (erotic is winning so far). Sweet romance readers have battled and won the good fight, proving that sweet romance is still in high demand...authors just need to look for where to send it, and Mills & Boon is one place not to overlook.

The overall atmosphere of this conference reflected the current/outgoing board...very upbeat, light-hearted, nothing overtly politically motivated, everything of the "let's get along, we're in this together" mindset.

More later.
Sunny Lyn

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5 Comments:

At 4:10 PM, Blogger Denise Patrick said...

Hooray, you made it home safe and sound! Sorry we just seem to miss each other so much, but I had a blast. I do wish I was pushier, but it's just not me. If I was, the two times I met Melissa Endlich, I would have chatted her up about my current project which is targeting the line she's the editor for. Oh, well. Another time - maybe.

As you saw, I have neglected my poor blog all week, and next week I'm gone again. Maybe I'll be able to post again soon. *sigh*

TTYL

 
At 6:20 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

oh, honey - I was so far behind, I had to do MY blog, my spot for TEB, my spot for an EC blog...and I had to catch up on READING BLOGS. I spent the afternoon doing all of that - lol. didn't get squat else done, but I did get my reading fix.

:)

 
At 9:33 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for the tips. It's good to know what's going on in the industry.

 
At 9:37 PM, Blogger Bobbie (Sunny) Cole said...

you're welcome - it's a part of the biz that I love - lol

 
At 7:21 AM, Blogger Beth said...

Great post - thanks for sharing the info. I've noted it for future use - if I ever get back to writing!

 

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