Networking Sites not just for Networking

I remember the first time I ever heard about facebook, twitter, myspace, and all those other sites. They all seemed so overwhelming at the time. I had no idea what to do or where to even start.

As time went by I got comfortable getting around and networking with people who loved to read and write just as I did. I discovered a whole world that I'd never known about. Places that could put me in touch with people from all over.

As time passed I knew there was a whole new world out there I'd not known about for years.

Now there are so many sites out there it is hard to keep up. Every time you turn around there is yet another site popping up. People are chatting, building careers, getting their names and faces out to the world. These sites are some people huge celebrities. You might not know them in the real world but in the cyber world they are superstars. When I first started as a writer I did it on myspace.

With the huge menu of choices out there you have so many options and ways to get out there.

Aside from these sites being networking platforms for many they are places to keep in touch with friends and family.

They are also places that connect people who have lost contact over the years. I myself have found friends that Id not seen in ages and had lost contact with.

It was amazing to reconnect again after all these years. See what they have been up to and where life has taken them.

In a day and age where everything is dependant on technology and computers people are not connecting with old fashioned letters and cards as much as they use to. Now you can send anything with the touch of a button. It's free and gets to it's destination in a matter of seconds.

These types of sites have given many people the chance to reach out to the world.

I know that as technology evolves and time goes on there will be more ways to keep in touch with the world but for now all these so called networking sites have brought together thousands of people.

I for one am grateful to have stumbled upon them.

Have you had any interesting experiences on any of these sites?

I hope you are all having a great weekend...

Savannah

Bestselling Author Of Romance & Erotica
www.savannahchase.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savannahchase/

Time is running out!

February 28, 2009 is the last day to enter my HUGE GIVEAWAY. Want to win a Sony PRS 505 ebook reader or a signed copy of Warriors in Time? Buy any L.A. Day ebook from Ellora’s Cave or Cobblestone Press for a chance to win. Complete details are on the fun/free page of my site.

Details




With February coming to an end, Spring is around the corner and I can't wait. Summer is my favorite time of year. There's nothing better than laying in the sun, reading a good book and watching some half dressed hotties!

Have a good one,

Laura

Luck be a lady...bug?

I have a friend who is always looking for some sign that her life is about to get better. She doesn’t have a terrible life. To the contrary, she has what most would consider a charmed life, but she’s always looking for the promise of more. She phones her psychic regularly, although, I think she needs to find a new one. I’m better at predicting than this lady, and I don’t charge $60 an hour. She buys lottery tickets. And now there's this obsession with ladybugs that started about a year ago. I thought it would be short-lived. Boy was I wrong.

When my friend’s not wasting her money on psychic calls, she’s purchasing ladybugs. Now just so you get the complete picture, let me describe my friend a little better. She has more clothes than anyone I know, and she doesn’t ever have a bad hair day. She’s one of those people who is ALWAYS put together. I’ve been friends with her for 10 years. I see her almost daily, and not once has she not been color coordinated from head to toe with jewels dangling from all the appropriate places. She’s a walking fashion plate. AND her home is so clean it sparkles. You won’t ever walk in unexpected and find a thing out of place. She’s obsessive with the order of her house and her appearance. Okay, you have the image now?

Back to the ladybug obsession. She’s convinced they bring her luck, and she doesn't care how tacky it looks to have them surrounding her at all times. She has them dangling from her car’s rearview mirror (okay, I admit I bought her that one), she has a ladybug magnet over her gas cap, ladybug steering wheel cover, ladybug tag on her front bumper, and a stuffed ladybug sitting on her dash. She also owns several pieces of ladybug jewelry, so they’re almost always sitting on her fingers or dangling from her wrists. She has little lawn ornaments, a baseball cap, clothes (yes, even expensive clothes come with ladybugs on them).

I saw that Williams-Sonoma has ladybug chocolates in their Easter collection this year, so of course I have to get them for her. I'm on ladybug overload just being around her. And if she sees a real one outside, my phone's going to ring! She opens with a squeal. Followed by an "OH MY GOD! I just saw a ladybug at (insert exact location here). Thank goodness! I need some luck right now!"

She's a nut. But I love her anyway. Do any of you have friends like this? Are you like this? What's your good luck charm? If you don't have one, you might want to start looking for ladybugs. I hear they're great. :)

Wendi Darlin
www.wendidarlin.com
www.wendidarlin.blogspot.com

I Updated My Website!

I updated my website! Come on over and take a peek!

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/

*hugs*

Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

Jukebox on the Moon

By A.J. Llewellyn

As my cherished and adored Tess MacKall predicted, I will talk about my experiences as a seat filler at the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, but unlike what you may be expecting, I need to get something off my chest.
I need to bring some truth to what I experienced. Yes, I had fun and yes I can't wait to do it again and yes, I got up close and personal with some of the most gorgeous men and women alive. The real truth is however, I could not let go of the uneasiness I felt over seeing those two tiny kids brought from their humble homes in Mumbai to the Oscars.
Yes, they were the child stars of compelling, rousing and fully deserving Best Film winning "Slumdog Millionaire" but all I could think was, tomorrow...today it would all be over.
Then what?
Apparently, director Danny Boyle and the production company wrestled with the idea of what to do about Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 10, and Rubina Ali, 9, who stole the rags-to-riches-to-rags-to riches tale. In the end, Boyle decided the kids would have memories.
Sure. Yeah. Okay.
Then what?
As I heard his comment backstage after his movie's victory that it was "Like putting a jukebox on the moon" I wondered about his small charges who come from - and still live in - poverty stricken circumstances.
Is it fair or even right after a night of stardust and magic that they go home to, by their own families' accounts, homes built out of plastic tarpaulins and moldy blankets?
What good are memories of one golden night when at some point, maybe not that far away, they can't eat and they can't sleep?
I thought about this a lot over the last two days, especially since I have seen what a lick at the well of fame has done to so many, many people over the years.
I hope these children have money in trust, that the producers of "Slumdog Millionaire" will check on these beautiful little people in years to come and remember they were the foundation on which their successful movie [house] was built.
I hope Azharuddin and Rubina won't just be future footnotes in Hollywood lore. I hope that their small sip at the fountain is their ticket to paradise.
More than anything, I hope that one day, they too, can realize all their dreams, that they can hear all the music their hearts can hope to hear from that jukebox on the moon.

Aloha oe,

A.J.

Toning It Down

So I'm assuming a great many of you watched the Oscars last night. I didn't. I just went over to Seven Wicked Writers and read AJ Llewellyn's blog of yesterday where he talked about being a seat filler for the evening. Check it out:
http://sevenwickedwriters.com/2009/02/oscar-me

I bet he'll have lots of stuff to dish tomorrow here on The Nice n' Naughty Blog.

He mentioned in his blog that he thought there might be less bling (but not to count on it, lol) since the economy was in such bad shape. I do know that I heard somewhere on the news or entertainment segment of a news show (I never watch the entertainment shows, but if it makes it on CNN, I generally hear about it)that the incredibly over the top goodie bags that stars are usually gifted with would be less on bling this year. Maybe AJ knows a little something about that.

I read something the other day that gave me a bit of pause. Maybe someone here knows a little something about it. President Obama left D.C. to travel to Denver to sign the stimulus package. It seems the pilgrimage was made as a symbolic gesture. I guess it was to show Americans that it wasn't all about D.C., but about the country in general. I'm wondering how much that little symbolic gesture cost the taxpayers.

My little boy's school had touted this wonderful trip to Myrtle Beach for the sixth grade class trip this year. Cost--$150.00. They had it set up on a payment plan. You could pay it all at once or in installments. I paid up front in October for the trip in April. Just a one day excursion with a trip to Medieval Times, the beach itself, and a boat ride. Of course those buses down there are expensive as hell.

The thing is, I paid in October, got a letter in November telling me the trip had been canceled due to the economy. WTF? The seventh grade trip didn't get canceled, nor did the $600.00 trip to Disney World over Spring break for the eighth graders. Guess only sixth grade parents have financial woes. Me thinks something else happened in all of that. It, of course, took the school until last week to refund my money. Now I'm on a quest to bring some sort of fanciful entertainment to those sixth graders who have been left out on the trip end of things. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Has anyone here noticed any toning down of the bling, or cancellations due to the economy that have effected you personally? Would love to hear about them.

On another note, tomorrow on the Midnight Seductions Yahoo Group we're celebrating Mardis Gras! Lots of fun stuff will be coming your way. Lots of contests and prizes too. I'm giving away a copy of His Sweet Obsession to one lucky winner. Thinking of a cute contest right now to get everyone involved. Dee Shore, one of our new MSA members is spearheading this event. Stop by tomorrow anytime between Noon est and Nine or ten pm est and join in all the fun. Oh, and Dee designed this ab fab poster for the event. I just love Mardis Gras.

Laissez les bon temps roulet!

The Exterminators

My son & I have found a new show to watch. It’s not just any reality TV, it’s real TV LOL. Yeah okay, I think I grabbed that from some place. Sorry TV people.

The Exterminators,
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe they had Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs come out and do a show with them.

These guys are AWESOME!! They’re not your typical pest control. The company’s name is Vex-Con, and it’s family run. They live in Louisiana.

They don’t believe in killing the animals they catch. Including mice and snakes, and they’re released into an environment where they can strive and survive.
Well, bees and wasps are different, kinda hard to have a controlled catch on those guys. But the outfit Billy wears will have you laughing your socks off!! Skull mask with a black feather boa wrapped around his neck (the bees don’t like it) and leather chaps & jacket.

Another, after seeing them, some people might go into that stereotypical roll. This should teach you people a lesson. DON’T judge a book by its cover!! Billy’s wife Mary was an Air Force Sergeant, and has 15 years of pest management. His Mom, Donnie is a cancer survivor, His Dad, Billy Sr., recently had a heart attack, and his brother Ricky is as crazy as Billy is. You truly have to love animals of all kinds to do what these folks do.

I have to say after watching, I don’t think I’ll be moving to Louisiana anytime soon, LOL. I’m not a bug person, and defiantly not an alligator or snake person. *Snort* yeah and I live in Florida…Am I crazy???? *Grins* But if I do, then I’ll know who to call when I’m running away screaming from some creepy crawly.

My son’s favorite part is in the shows beginning introduction, when Billy, has a snake and says “Ahhhh snake.” LOL. (He’s being sarcastic.)
But if you watch this week’s show coming up, that water moccasin almost gets free when he tries to put it in a container.

The clip I’m going to link you to, is where they’re trying to catch a five foot alligator, and it actually jumps right into the boat with them. Ah, yeah…no thanks guys, I’ll leave the alligator catching to you.


http://link.aetv.com/services/link/bcpid6415357001/bclid13479586001/bctid13483874001

Hope you guys have a great Sunday!!!!

C~
www.casalo.webs.com

Available Now
A Slave's Way Out - Best Selling Torrid Title of the Year 2007
The Devil Himself - Best Selling Title 2008
www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com

Coming Soon...Destined to Mate
www.wilderroses.com

Magazines, Books and Everything Else

With the changing economy the market for print material is changing fast. More and more publishers are turning to e-books and e-magazines instead of doing the old style print. You hear that magazines are stopping their print line of materials and switching to doing everything online. Their reason most of the time is that it is no longer worth to print the material. It is cheaper to just do everything electronic.

As an author who publishes in e-books I think it is fantastic that more and more places are embracing the e style materials, but there is also a part of me that wishes that they would not faze out paperbacks or actual magazines that you can hold in your hand. Yes I know that e-books are cheaper than the paperback. I guess publishers will have to start to develop cheaper ways to print books to compete with the e-market.

I recently talked to a few people about what their opinion was on the whole e-book, e-magazine generation. I wasn't surprised t hear that some have not adapted themselves to e-books or e-magazine. They said that they still prefer to hold a real book or magazine in their hand. Yes they say it can cost a bit more but they still want to be able to have that option.

I think that it is a valid point. There are a ton of people out there who have no idea about this whole side of publishing and how it all works. Our society is now so electronically dependant, but that doesn't mean that everybody has jumped on that train. Many have no idea how to work a computer or all the fancy gadgets that are out there.

I wonder what will bookstores be like in a few years. Will it be all e-books and e-magazine. Can you picture walking into your local bookstore and it is all virtual. You purchase your e-book and download it onto your reader or whatever device at the store.

Times are changing and I know we all have to adapt but I still think print material is something that some people will want and never give up.

What do you guys think about the changing market?

Wishing you a great weekend...

Stay naughty
Savannah


http://www.savannahchase.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savannahchase/

Love Scene Presentation

Next Saturday I’ve been asked to give a presentation at my local RWA chapter on writing love scenes. Those of you that know me know I’m an introvert and hate public speaking but I agreed to do it anyway.

From reading blogs and assorted articles I know that writing love scenes is the worst nightmare of many writers. However, I don’t feel that way. I enjoy writing love/sex scenes. I probably enjoy writing them more than most scenes if you’ve read any of my work you probably guessed that. LOL

Now, I’m wondering what you all think. Do you enjoy writing love scenes? If not why?
Any information you can provide will help me with delivering an effective and helpful presentation.

Just a reminder, my Giveaway is still going on.
From now until February 28, 2009 buy any L.A. Day ebook from Ellora’s Cave or Cobblestone Press for a chance to win a new Sony PRS 505 ebook reader or signed copies of Warriors in Time. Complete details are on the fun/free page of my site.

Find details here

Is he refusing to let go?

Last week a friend of our family passed away suddenly. He was the oldest son of my parents' best friends. By all accounts it was sad for those who loved him. He was the father of a toddler, a husband, brother, and son. No one has an easy time dealing with death, but the circumstances surrounding his final moments have been haunting me.

He was outside working in his yard when he came inside and told his wife to drive him to his parents' house. So many questions arise from that alone. Did he know he was incapable of driving? Did he know this was the end? Did he just have the instinct of an injured child to seek comfort from the ones who always cared for him? Granted he was 47 years old, not a child by any means, but did he revert to that long buried instinct? They were a very tight knit family and so I can find this quite easy to believe. I'm sure in retrospect this final demand of his sets off every possible alarm bell. And it probably triggered some at the time.

Nevertheless, his wife drove him to his parents' house a few miles away. He walked inside and said his chest hurt. His father immediately swept into action and demanded that he get in the car so they could go to the emergency room. He refused. He said he just felt like he needed to burp but couldn't. He said he just wanted to sit down. He sat in a chair in his parents' family room while his daughter played next to him. Within minutes he was dead. The family called 911 and performed CPR while they waited for the ambulance to arrive, but he was never revived.

I'm left wondering how much he knew about what was going on or how strongly he suspected he was in dire straits. And why did he want to be with his parents when he died? Why did he want to return to his childhood home for his last breath? I know how much he loved his parents, and his father has been having medical problems of his own for the past few years. Has he really left them or is he just in a better position to watch out for them? I know that sounds odd, but it has really been spinning around in my mind.

I believe in ghosts. There's no doubt to me that they exist and stay in places or with people they aren't ready to let go of. Is this what he's doing? I don't think he ever consciously thought, "I'm going to die at Mama and Daddy's so I can stick around and haunt the place." But was there something more instinctual in his request to be taken home?

I've often wondered why older houses seem to house spirits more often than newer ones, and I think it's because people used to be more tied to their homes and land than they are now. Homes used to belong to generations of the same family. Land ownership meant something. Now people move. We usually have a starter home, a home we raise our kids in, and a retirement home. Or we live in apartments and condos, places that are never really completely ours. Did we lose one of the bonds that keeps us bound to this world after we die? I don't know. But it does make me wonder, and whether my old friend stays close to his childhood home or not, his actions will continue to haunt me for a long time.

And by the way, his family has owned that land for many generations. His uncle and brother live next door to his parents on several adjoining acres. Family ties to property have never been stronger.

Wendi Darlin
www.wendidarlin.com
www.wendidarlin.blogspot.com

Squee! I Won Best Long Book of 2008 at Whipped Cream!

I'm so excited! My hot paranormal erotic romance Animal Attraction won Best Long Book of 2008 at Whipped Cream Reviews!


Read the Review Here!
http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2008/12/animal-attraction.html

Read Chapter One of Animal Attraction Here!
http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/chapters/AnimalAttraction_PaigeTyler.shtml

Buy it at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=339&zenid=27e60ee9a26d457583a71b1d94858069


Thanks so much for voting for me, everyone!


*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

http://www/paigetylertheauthor.com

Killing the Things We Love

By A.J. Llewellyn

Oscar Wilde, whilst imprisoned for homosexuality in England in 1897, penned his Ballad of Reading Gaol. Years ago, I read it, devoured it and have been haunted by it ever since - especially the lines: "Each man kills the thing he loves, yet each man does not die."
Times and again those words have proven to me to be prophetic.
This past week has seen many tragic incidents...a Muslim TV executive arrested for beheading his wife, children abducted and murdered ...and the incident exposed today: Connecticut resident Sandra Jerold's horrific need to stab her 15 year old chimp Travis, who was like a child to her.
I honestly don't know if given the circumstances, I could take to a knife to the 'thing' I love. I really don't. But that's how much Sandra loves her chimp.
The awful events unfolded quickly yesterday.
Travis, who by Sandra's account - was toilet trained, drive around everywhere with her, fed himself, bathed himself, brushed his own teeth, drank wine from stemmed glasses, logged on to the computer and also adored television - escaped from her house and refused to go back inside.
She called her best friend Charla Nash, who came over to help coax Travis back inside.
Inexplicably, Travis began to attack her - violently.
Jerold ran inside, called the police, retrieved a knife and stabbed her beloved companion animal several times, trying to stop him mauling her friend. She didn't kill him, but it was enough to send him running. Somehow he remained upright, roaming her property until police arrived.
The chimp attacked a few officers who ran to their cars. Used to traveling in vehicles, Travis opened the door of one and was climbing in when a cop shot him.
Travis ran away again...this time, to his sleeping quarters, his comfort zone, where he died.
There was no indication before this horrific event of any type of violent behavior. There is an account of an escape a few years ago, where officers called to the scene were able to coax him home with macadamia treats.
Travis the chimp is dead.
Charla Nash has according to the police, "Life changing, if not threatening" injuries.
Sandra Jerold is a brave, strong woman for defending her friend from the 'thing' she loved. Today, she must be in a world of hurt. There is nothing to be learned from this, except I suppose, we can never truly predict the behavior of any single, living creature be it man or beast.
She took the road less traveled...she had to make a choice. I am certain, although I don't know her, that she did the deed, in Wilde's words, with many tears.

Aloha oe,

A.J.

Somebody Slap Me Please!

In the South we're generally proud of our crazy people. That is if you're native southern and not a transplant, of course. Southerners don't generally ship their family members off to rubber rooms where they bounce all alone, we drag them down from the attic every Sunday and put them out on the front porch to help us count cars. We're proud of our heritage.

Down south we also have another tradition. Slapping. Or at the very least knowing when someone needs to be slapped. We do have some control and don't always actually reach out and touch someone, but it does happen from time to time. One of my favorite sayings is, "He/she just needs slappin'."

I was surfing the net this morning, catching up on all the news. I'm a news junkie for sure. I found some things that made me want to reach out and touch some of these peeps. Yeah, you got it, someone needs slappin'!

First off, did anyone see where the British and French nuclear subs collided in the ocean? Now how the hell did this happen? That ocean is big, and while there are quite a few subs out there, don't they have radar/sonar, that type stuff to see each other? I watched some movie, think it was Red October or something like that. Anyway, they were tracking what they thought was a whale sound that turned out to be a sub running in stealth mode. But they figured it out. Are these sub captains and crew members only smart in the movies? Somebody slap me please!

Oh! And I've decided I'm a fan of the Octuplet's mom. That woman has balls the size of canteloupes. Everyone out there is running after her with a hangman's noose and she signs on with an agent. lol I'm still trying to figure out who paid for the implant surgery. And personally, I think the CIA should be pulled off the search for Bin Laden (they can't find him anyway) and put on the trail of finding the father of those fourteen kids. He needs to get an extra job. And if there is a Stupid Chump Contest running anywhere, he's got my vote. Still waiting to see a plastic surgeon fall out of the woodworks who will admit to giving Mom "Angelina Lips". Mark my words, it'll happen. In this scenario we have at least three people who need slapping. Mom, Doc who implanted her, Guy who donated sperm. SMAAAACCCKKK!!!!

Ok, one more. My sixteen year old started her first job last week. Fast food. Hey, if it's good enough for Bill Gates...lol Anyway, I imagine that is where most kids start out these days. No one else wants to hire anyone without some experience. So she goes into work yesterday and forgot her hat. Yep, a hat. Baseball type of cap that could not have cost over three bucks. And it was at home. The manager, held another hat in her hand, but informed my child that she would need collateral. Yeah, you heard me. The woman made her hand over her ring for her to hold until the end of her shift and the hat was returned. Now that woman needs slappin'! And it's only three miles away.

Don't forget to stop by Whiskey Creek Press Torrid and pick up a copy of my hot hot romance, His Sweet Obsession. Reviewers love it! Here's the link.
http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/torrid/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=378&zenid=f5cecc18ada42bbd7b966c33d0edd961

Till next Monday.
Tess

Himalayan Salt Rock Lamps

I'd never heard of this before one was gifted to me for Christmas this year by my BF here in Florida.
We were walking through the mall Christmas shopping, and saw the booth. She told me about them, to which I was wowed. They looked so neat sitting on the vendors table, some lite, some not.

Well she bought me one, it's the coolest thing. Here's a picture of mine.
Along with some information I grabbed from Wikipedia, because I all I could remember is that she told me, "the ions the lamp gives off are healthy, and keeps away or kills some germs in the air, because they don't like the ionized air. Which makes the air around you a bit cleaner."

Yeah, I love my posies, I'm growing the planter on the floor from seed. They're still alive!! LOL.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Himalayan Salt Lamp:

A salt lamp is a lamp carved from natural salt crystal, often colored, with an incandescent bulb or a candle inside. The lamps give an attractive glow and are suitable for use as nightlights or for ambient mood lighting. Himalayan salt crystals are prized for this purpose, as it is believed by lamp vendors that salt from the foothills of the Himalayas has greater clarity or purity. The largest producers of this product are located near to the source in Pakistan, with Poland and Iran also offering variations.

The lamps are often sold with claims of their health-promoting properties, such as the ability to release ions that purify the air, but these claims have not been substantiated and are generally regarded as pseudoscience. [1] [2]
There are, however, some texts that claim to substantiate the health claims of salt lamps. One such text is the book "Water and Salt, The Essence of Life" by Barbara Hendel.[citation needed]

[edit] References
^ Lardge J, "Salt lamp: heated Himalayan salt improves your health" in There Goes the Science Bit..., Sense About Science, 2007
^ Goldacre B, "Christmas presents to avoid" in "Bad Science", The Guardian, 2003-12-18
This technology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_lamp"

ON another note...

I hope everyone had a fantastic Valentine's Day yesterday!! Mine was AWESOME!! All I can say is...I LOVE my man!!

Tootles all, and don't forget the MSA authors are chatting at Brenda Williamson's yahoo group today. I may be able to pop in for a bit, but I have a manuscript that needs the go over.

C~
Sensual & Erotic Writings of Romance
http://www.casalo.webs.com/

Available Now
A Slave's Way Out - Best Selling Torrid Title of the Year 2007
The Devil Himself - Best Selling Title 2008
http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/

Coming Soon...Destined to Mate
http://www.wilderroses.com/

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day.. Since today is a day that celebrates love and everything that is love I wanted to share with you a few romantic quotes...

Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. - Albert Einstein

Never close your lips to those whom you have opened your heart. - Charles Dickens

There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life. - Federico Fellini

All mankind love a lover. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love you not only for who you are, but for what you are when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but what you are making of me. - Roy Croft

Till I loved, I did not live enough- E.Dickenson

What is your favorite romantic quote?

I hope you all have a safe, romantic and Happy Valentine's Day. Remember to show your loved one everyday that you love them. It makes love that much more special.

Savannah

www.savannahchase.com

Does he think he can ditch me?

It's no secret I like men in jeans. Throw on a hat and boots, and I'm a happy girl. You'd think I'd have married a cowboy, or at least a country boy. But nope. I married a man straight from the streets of Philadelphia.

My husband doesn't even like to ride horses because he doesn't think the horse could possibly enjoy it. I've told him a million times he is less of a weight burden on the horse than our little wiener dog is to us (Sparky wants to be held all day, every day), but he's not convinced horses aren't being hurt when people ride them.

So why would my city-slicker better half plan a family vacation in Wyoming, the cowboy state? He booked the flight and hotel reservations last night, then asked me to book our activities today. This was completely his idea, and I'm more than a little surprised by it.

I have a theory.

He just might be flying me out to cowboy country in hopes I'll run off with a cowboy. What do you think?

Ok, I'm not serious, but the idea is feasible enough that my sister suggested I make sure he bought roundtrip tickets for the entire family and not one rogue one-way ticket for me.

So what am I going to do about this? Enjoy the hell out of it, of course! One of the first activities I plan to book is a sleigh ride to a ranch where we can have a cowboy dinner. And I have a sneaky little plan of my own. My husband's suitcase will be packed with his best fitting jeans, a spankin' new pair of cowboy boots and that Stetson he bought when I was writing Cowboy Games. Yee haww! I do plan to run off with a cowboy...the same one I've been running with for sixteen years now.

Let the cowboy games begin!

Wendi Darlin
www.wendidarlin.com
www.wendidarlin.blogspot.com

Check out the hot new cover of my upcoming release, Devil's Advocate!

I'm in the TOP TEN BESTSELLERS at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!

I'm so excited! My sexy, contemporary, erotic romance Librarian By Day is number 3 and my hot, paranormal, erotic romance Animal Attraction is number 4 on the Top Ten Bestsellers List at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!

http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/


*hugs*
Paige


"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com/

The BLOCK

By A.J. Llewellyn

A funny thing happened on the way to meeting my deadline for one of my two new March 1 books, Molokai Man (Shameless Plug Alert!). A kind of cock block. Truly. I don't know what else to call it.
I am in Hawaii with a few members of my family and I have made it clear we might be in paradise but I am still on a tight schedule. I am still working. Everybody understood...or so I thought...but by yesterday morning, I was struggling to finish it. The block was not mine, but everybody else's. I even rose at 4.30 am to get in some quality work time but alas, my nearest and er...dearest figured it was a fine time to ask me for food, coffee, needle and thread, irons, food, coffee, ironing boards, rides to the stores, food, coffee...etc.
In despair, I sneaked out of the house and went to Starbucks. I see people there all the time working away on their 'puters.
Nobody I knew would think of looking for me there...
Anyway, Starbucks was doing brisk business at 5.52a.m. but there were still a few empty tables so I loaded up on a Grande Americano and set up my laptop at a corner table and got busy working.
Within a minute, I was back where I should have been, on the island of Molokai, helping my hero Jack Christie unravel a mystery, when...a voice dragged me back to the coffee shop.
"Hey...yeah...you."
I looked up to find a guy with an angry scowl staring down at me.
"Is your Internet running fast?"
It took me a few seconds. "I'm not using Internet."
"Mine's running slow," he said. "I can't believe it. What server do you use."
"I'm not online."
"You got a bad wireless server too, huh?"
"No. I am working...I am not online."
For five minutes this guy harangued me. "Which company are you with?" he asked me repeatedly. I was ready to kick his ass by now. I said, "Honestly, I'm on deadline. I'm not trying to use the Internet."
"Which company are you with?"
"Skywave." By now I was ready to lose it. If he asked me for an iron or an ironing board I would not be responsible for my actions.
He walked away and I resumed my work. My hero Jack Christie waved to me from the inside of his black pickup truck and turned the key in the ignition.
"Hey...yeah...you."
Unbelievable. The frickin' twerp was back!
"I just checked. Skywave isn't getting a signal."
I did not respond. I was in clear and present danger of assaulting him. I lowered my gaze and went back to work and he eventually ambled back to his computer.
Less than a minute later another guy came rushing in, came right over to me and asked about the wireless service.
"I'm on my honeymoon. I've been in bed for two days, I have no idea what's going on in the world. You got wireless?"
Go away! "No. I'm just writing."
"Writing?"
He might as well have asked, "What are you, weird?"
What is it about a distressed-looking man pounding on a laptop that invites constant intrusion? I have several friends who swear by their local coffee shops as being havens. I have no idea how.
You attract loons and louts...who insist on telling you their life stories.
The newlywed kept talking. His wife apparently will not leave him and certain parts of his anatomy alone.
All I could think is, I would not be strolling down to Starbucks to complain about this. I'd be making good use of her rampant hormones...
I excused myself, packed up my things and left.I walked by the first guy who, predictably was cruising the porn sites. The photo on the screen showed a rather large lady doing something unpleasant to her er...innie...with a soda can.
I went back home, found a spot in the garden where the only things between me and my deadline were birds and bees and an occasional four legged critter. They don't bug me, block me or blab to the two legged mammals about my secret hiding place and this morning, Jack Christie might just get to solve all his mysteries once and for all.

Aloha oe,
A.J.

Straight from the HOT TITLE list at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid

Take a look at what reviewers are saying:

ROMANCE JUNKIES SAYS:

"This is a beautiful heartfelt story that leaves readers with the feeling that any obstacle can be overcome." 4.
5 Blue Ribbons!

Five Lips from TWO LIPS REVIEWS: "His Sweet Obsession is for anyone with a wildly romantic streak and loves some hot loving!"

Five Divas from DARK DIVAS REVIEWS: "The sex scenes are flaming hot and masterfully done. Ms. MacKall's writing is so polished and enjoyable, I couldn't stop flipping the pages until I reached the very end.
"

MOONDANCER REVIEWS gives if Five Moons!

"Romance will never die as long as Miss Mackall writes with such passion.
"


Blurb

Have you ever loved someone so much you’d wait your entire life for them just to discover love may not be enough? Jack and Addy belong together, but their past haunts them.
Will their sweet obsession be enough to sustain them or will it tear them further apart?

Coming back to Texas was the last thing on Addy’s mind, but with the death of her Aunt Maggie who raised her, that’s exactly where she finds herself-- back under the scorching Texas sun and thanks to Maggie’s last will and testament, tied to the very place she ran from years ago.


Jack has lived and worked on the Double Eagle Ranch all his life. It means everything to him- with the exception of Addy. Years ago he hurt her and she left because of it, but now she’s back and he wonders if God has given them a second chance.


To read the first chapter click here!
http://www. whiskeycreekpresstorrid. com/chapters/HisSweetObsession_TessMacKall. shtml



www. tessmackall. literalseduction. com
Available at Freya's Bower~Gabriel's Gun
Spring 2009 Freya's Bower--His Only Treasure
Available at Whiskey Creek Torrid~His Sweet Obsession

4.5 Cherries...YAY

First off, I have to send out an apology to all my writing and reading friends!

My day job has had me soooo busy for the last two weeks, that it's literally had me waking up in the middle of the night with work thoughts running through my head. Me laying there for two hours trying to fall back to sleep is not my idea of a good night's rest. So by 5 I've been completely exhausted, not wanting to do a damn thing.

Okay, I can't being how to tell everyone how utterly excited I was to get the news that my FIRST review received back for The Devil Himself is just--AWESOME!!

Yes, Lilac at Whipped Cream has given TDH 4.5 Cherries!! WOOT!!

I'm going to give you a teaser. If you want to read the whole review I'll toss the link in too!!

I was intrigued by this story from the very beginning and I longed to know more about these fascinating characters. Luca stole my heart with his insecurities and doubts. He was a perfect example of why people shouldn’t judge others based on their looks.

As for Chandra, I found her very likeable and thought she was very accepting especially once she learned about Luca and his life. They made a lovely pair as both taught each other about love, trust, and acceptance.I really enjoyed the author’s unique approach to a classic love story.

This wasn’t an ordinary boy-meets-girl story as it featured a creature that some might find hard to love, yet the author was able to humanize the beast in the story and make me, the reader, fall for him as well despite what some might consider imperfections.

I found the author’s use of an imperfect hero, at least when it comes to looks, refreshing and interesting.This was a very touching love story that I would definitely recommend to those looking for something a bit different.

http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/2009/02/devil-himself-by-c-salo.html

In other good news...

I have finished the edits for Destined to Mate, Coming soon with The Wild Rose Press - Scarlet Line, and it's been sent off to a proof reader!!

I'm soooo excited!! This has been such a great end to a crappy week!!

I hope everyone out there has a great day and enjoys the last of the weekend!!

C~

That Time Again

So today's blog is a bit later..I was all ready to post in the morning when my modem went bonkers...We have been having high winds and the connection was gone. As I booted up my computer took a little bit longer too boot up...You know that moving strip that flashes across your screen before it starts...Well mine kept going and going and going....

You can guess that the panic light went off since I was doing a backup of my files today and without access to the files it was not going to happen.

The computer repaired itself but every second that went by my heart felt like it was going to jump out of my chest...

Now I'm up and running and to back up everything on my hard drive it will take about 2 hours. I need to backup my music as well since it takes up too much space on the main hard drive....

I don't know if it is only me but when I back up I make 2 Cd's , the hard drive and a USB stick....

Am I the only one who makes that many copes?

Maybe it is because it is my books and writing...I'm so careful to have an extra copy of everything just in case something horrible goes wrong....

I am trying to find a more secure way to back everything up. Does anyone have any suggestions?

How often do you guys back up your work?

I hope to find a better way to get all this done...My nest goal is to get another external hard drive that is a tilabite in space.That will surely last me a while....

Wishing you all a great weekend...

Savannah
www.savannahchase.com

Out of my slump!

Between my surgery, complications, hormones & power outages it seems the fates have conspired against me in recent months. However, yesterday for the first time in several months, I submitted a manuscript to Ellora’s Cave and I almost have the sequel to it completed as well.

I’ve always heard of writer’s block but this is the first time I’ve experienced it for any length of time. It’s not something I want to experience again…ever. Although, I do realize I most likely will. Hopefully, I’ll have long stretches of productivity between the slumps.

In the past, if I wasn’t in the mood to write, I’d pick up a good book and read. That usually did the trick. Didn’t work this time though but I did get to read a few good books. I won’t complain about that.

During my slump, I started and stopped several manuscripts as I attempted to find inspiration. Now, I have seven partially completed manuscripts and my slump appears to be over. Keeping my fingers crossed.

So any writer’s block stories out there? How long did it last and what did you do to get the creative juices flowing again?

Have an awesome weekend!
Laura
website

Talking Belly Buttons

I have no idea why I'm even going here with today's blog. Let's just blame it on the brain mush of a newly finished manuscript and a looming deadline for another one that I've barely started. Alright, now that I've got an excuse, let's dig in.

I read an article about belly buttons and which ones most people find attractive. Apprarently the study showed most people are attracted to t-shaped or oval belly buttons. Outies and extremely deep innies were less attractive to the people in the study. I'm curious how many people care either way.

I know someone who has a belly button fetish, and I'm not going to embarrass him by naming names. He loves belly buttons, but not all belly buttons. He's attracted to the same t-shaped and oval belly buttons that dominated the study. Hmmm...

This belly button thinking triggered a distant memory of a TV commercial with a talking belly button. So of course, I tried to find it on YouTube to give you all a visual. I'm generous like that. LOL!

I typed "talking belly button" into the search box and TONS of videos popped up. Do you have any idea how many people have filmed their belly buttons "talking" and posted the videos to YouTube??? I'm thinking maybe the t-shaped and ovals have some stiff competition from the "talkies." I wish I was kidding, and I admit I laughed at a couple of them. But then I got tired of the talking belly buttons before I found the commercial I was looking for.

So the question of the day is: WHAT KIND OF BELLY BUTTON DO YOU LIKE? DO YOU EVEN CARE?????

And most importantly, has yours ever TALKED? Dare I ask what it said?

Wendi Darlin
www.wendidarlin.com
www.wendidarlin.blogspot.com

Animal Attraction is Up for Book of the Year at Whipped Cream and I'd Love Your Vote!

I'm so excited! My hot paranormal erotic romance Animal Attraction is up for Best Book of the Year at Whipped Cream Reviews and I would so love it if you would vote for me!

The Best Book of 2008 poll will run from Monday, February 2, through Saturday, February 14.

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/WC/BB2008.htm

Thank you so much!

*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com

Ma Ma Loa

By A.J. Llewellyn

I rarely blog about my books and I never post excerpts in blogs, especially shared blogs. I put a lot of thought and effort into each and every blog, but since I am once again preparing to head to Hawaii in a few days, I felt it was important to talk about my new book Ma Ma Loa which was published by eXtasy Books on Monday.
No, I am not going to post an excerpt and violate my own rules…but I do want to mention what inspired the idea. It’s one which has stayed with me since my visit to Hawaii last Spring when I went to the old Chinese cemetery in the Manoa Valley on the outskirts of Honolulu. I was very depressed. One of my best friends had lost a painful battle with cancer. My beloved cat of fifteen years had also passed and my latest relationship was in trouble. I was feeling overwhelmed. I have no idea why I drove to the cemetery since I’d never been into it and whenever I went past it, I got chicken skin (goosebumps).
But I sat in my overheated rental car, pondering my next life move when I saw this procession of very old Chinese men and women emerging from brand new, shiny cars with brightly colored paper and plastic sacks full of…who knew what and the writer in me just had to find out.
Being a white guy, I thought I might have trouble blending in…but they didn’t seem surprised that a volunteer had shown up. I am a big volunteer in life. I give a lot of my time to an animal rescue group, my local library and a homeless shelter. This particular gig though was one which particularly intrigued me.
These old men and women were there to clean the graves of the Baby Section. I cannot describe the mingled sensation of loss and hope as they cleaned off the offerings left on graves - some over 200 years old. These were not their ancestors, but the graves of children otherwise forgotten on the island. They were the offspring of plantation workers brought to the islands under horrendous conditions, longterm contracts and a lot of local hostility.
The ring leader of the volunteers was an 82 year old woman with one tooth left in her head and an abundance of energry that would exhaust Serena Williams. Her name was Marianne.
She told me they came to tend the children once a month. They bring them flowers and candies. I was not allowed to set food inside the cemetery until I left a candy at the gates. I swear I heard the ghosts of those children as I stepped forward. And I sensed their excitement. I have always been attracted to the dead since my mother died when I was six. I suppose now I think of it, since I cannot visit her grave in Sydney, Australia, I am drawn to cemeteries as a way of connecting with her.
This experience though was something else…the Chinese men and women insisted that taking care of the dead is essential, since they watch over us. They left red papers and cloths on many of the graves, fruit, rice cakes, bao…and for the children, tons and tons of candy.
Marianne, liuke most who have suffered loss, knew I was hurting. She came over and placed her hand on my chest. “You will see. You will grow another heart,” she said.
And she was right. I went back to Manoa at Christmastime and found a few of the old folk still there, attending Marianne’s funeral. It broke my heart to know she died, but I felt it was no mistake I’d arrived on this day…her send-off to the hereafter.

I like to think all her children were waiting for her, to reward her with playtime and laughter for never forgetting them.
Next weekend, I will go back and let her know she inspired Ma Ma Loa. That she lives on. And that her humble, unique way of giving back has inspired a light in me.
Aloha oe,
A.J.

Super whaaat?

Ok, all you football fans out there. I'm sorry, but who's playing again?

I just don't get the hype up. I've never been into football or any sport for that matter. Although I will catch the occasional hockey fight, or race car crash.

It's not that I've never tried. During the school years, I went to several high school football games *shrugs* they just weren't my high schools. *Grins* OKAY, I went because my BF's cousin was the quarterback, and well, he was just a cutie!

I was just never that into it. I'm all for a reason for a party, but the jumping up and yelling at the TV never did anything for me.

I did watch the Super bowl several years back, It was when the Patriots were playing. I can't remember which time, or who they were playing agaisnt, but I think they won. All I know is, I was living in Oklahoma at the time.

How many of you out there are preparing for that big party or little party with just the kids at home?

How many of you are football fanatics? Or are you like me?

I dug this little cartoon up. I love this woman, and thought it was laughable. Hope you get a chuckle!!

Have a great day no matter what you're doing, and I hope you have a good time!!

C~