Got Any Questions for Me?

I thought about what to post last night and came up blank. Not unusual. That happens to all of us, right?

Anyway, as I sit here this morning, waiting for my new garage door to be installed today, I thought maybe I should put you readers to work.

So let's make it Q&A day today. Got a question for me? Put it in the comments and I'll answer it. But, if it's a question that  requires a long answer, I'll write up a blog post for Monday (and thank you sooooo much for making my job easier).

So... fire away.

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

Reading is going good so far. I might actually reach my deadline. Yay! I’ve decided to start listing the length of the book from now on. Should give you an idea of how MUCH I’m reading. Or why some books take me longer than others. Here’s what I read in the past week:

Jan 21: A romantic suspense novella at 188 pages long. 

Jan 25: A romantic suspense book at 455 pages long. 

Writing is going slow. It’s been over a month since I touched the WIP and I have to get immersed in my characters’ lives all over again. But it’ll happen. I just have to give it some time.

Reviews for Ghostly Liaison have been pretty good so far. Let me tell you, that is a RELIEF. That should be enough incentive to finish GHOSTLY INTERLUDE, though, don’t you think? Yeah, that’s what I thought, but it’s not. I need someone to snap that whip a little more. As Chandler from “Friends” would say, “Whaaa pow!”

So… Did you ever watch “Friends”? I have the whole series on DVD. I love those shows. Even after watching them numerous times, they still crack me up.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

The Softest Sheets – Ever!

The last cruise I went on included a stop at St. Kitts. While there, I decided to look for a store the ship had recommended in their shopping excursion talk.

Now, I don’t go on cruises to shop. I like to sight-see. But I went to the talk because I was hoping to win something (I’ll take something free!). I didn’t expect to be interested in anything to buy. Well, I was interested in the jewelry, but not the price tags.

The “presenter” talked about Cariloha and their bamboo products while a pillow was passed around so we could see for ourselves what bamboo material felt like. It caught my attention. The description intrigued me, too.

So… we had time after our excursion and I found the store. The king-sized sheet sets were $199, and I had a $25 coupon. Figured why not. I needed sheets anyway. We took advantage of the free shipping.

After a few weeks though, we hadn’t received our sheets. I contacted the vendor and discovered there was a problem with the shipment in Long Beach. They apologized for the delay and offered me either a free upgrade to their premium sheets (a $60 value), which they had in stock and could ship right away, or credit to shop in their store (a $40 value). I took the upgrade, since I wasn’t sure I would want anything else.

The sheets came in last week. Let me tell you… I’m in LOVE!

They are the most softest sheets ever. And I’m not sweating in them like I was our cotton ones (hot flashes are a bitch—even in the winter). I may just have to buy another set. Or maybe go on another cruise. Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Wait. What do you mean? Wouldn’t you go on a cruise just to save $25 on the best sheets ever? J

But seriously, they are some awesome sheets and I just had to share. And if you’re in the market for sheets, I suggest you give these a try (and no, I’m not being paid for saying this).

^^^^^^^

I finally (FINALLY) finished the content edits of Blind Temptation. Now the book is with my daughter for copy/line editing. This is the career she wants, so I aim to take advantage.

But do you know what that all means???? It means I can go back to work on Ghostly Interlude!! Yay!!!!

Oh yeah, and read some more. Still have those books I have to judge. Two down, though! Whoo hoo!

So… Who got a snow day from work today? Glad I don’t have to go anywhere!

Stacy

People Who Resemble My Characters

Back in May 2011 I wrote a similar post “Men Who Resemble my Characters” (if you check out that post, you’ll notice I mention my WIP, “Memories.” Well, that became My Sunny Vampire. And that other book I mention, “Sarah’s Turn,” is dead in the water. See… a lot can happen in 4 years!). That post has become my most popular, view-wise. How popular? Well, since then, it received 882 page views.

Okay, I can hear some of you now. “882? Is that all?” I know, that’s not a whole lot (Believe it or not, I don’t get THAT many visitors to this blog). But to put that in perspective, the second most popular post received 252 page views (from September 2013). Third place received 248 page views (from October 2013). In my top ten there aren’t ANY posts that come close to being that old, either. So yeah, it was popular.

And I’m sure it had a lot to do with the two pictures on that post. I mean, who doesn’t like seeing Alex O’Loughlin and/or Brandon Routh? Okay, what FEMALE doesn’t like seeing Alex O’Loughlin and/or Brandon Routh?

While I'm not posting their pictures again, I thought maybe I could create another popular post and show you some more people I’ve discovered who have resembled characters I’ve created. Will it work? Only time will tell... 

 

John Pennington (from Bite Me, I’m Yours and the ill-fated “Sarah’s Turn”) had gone through many formations in my head until I saw Captain America. Oh. My. God. That was John! Not just in the looks, but in the way he acted. So yeah, now I’ve got a little fixation on Chris Evans (sorry, Alex—although you’re still number one).

Rob Gentry (my character from Ghostly Liaison) took on an eerie resemblance to a former boss of mine (which I do NOT have a photo, and yes, he was hot!). It was really awkward since I was still working for the guy at the time AND writing the book. It’s not something I recommend. Sure made it hard for me to focus on my work. Shoot, he probably wondered why I was always staring at him… J

The most recent discovery of one of my characters came from my last cruise. I was just standing there, waiting for the muster drill before the cruise set sail, when I looked at one of the “instructors” who was demonstrating the life vest. It was Victoria Braeden (my character from Blind Temptation).

 

Actually, her name is Natasha, she was one of the singer/dancers for the production numbers, and she’s from England. I tried my best to get her picture (because I was too stupid to do it during the muster drill—doh!). Out of all the ones I took, this one was the best. But let me tell you, I was obsessed with her on that cruise. I felt like I was cruising with Victoria!

Okay… Now that you know what a total nut job I am, why don’t you stop on over at CD Hersh’s blog. I’m over there “talking” about how I came to write Ghostly Liaison. The link to the post is HERE. I’m not giving away any prizes, but could sure stand to see a familiar name (and I’m sure the Hersh’s wouldn’t mind having a visitor or two, either).

So… Do prizes get you to go visit a blog? They don’t for me. Most of the time I don’t want the prize, so then I don’t comment. So I just don’t do giveaways on guest posts. Maybe one day, when I’m rich and famous… Nah.

Have a great weekend!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads

Well, what do you know? I finally finished reading some books! Here’s what I read:

Jan 17: “Forgotten Sins” by Rebecca Zanetti, the first in a series, a romantic suspense. Blurb on back of book: From the moment Josie laid eyes on sexy, mysterious Shane Dean, she was in love. Their desire ignited a passionate affair, and within weeks, Shane had slipped a ring on her finger. It seemed her every fantasy was coming true…until her new husband disappeared without a trace. Now, two years and one broken heart later, Josie is shocked when the hospital calls. Shane has been found…at a crime scene with no memory of how he got there. Shane can’t remember the blue-eyed angel at his bedside—or who he even is—but he knows something isn’t right. His hearing is razor sharp, his physical strength incredible, and the urge to protect Josie overwhelming. For powerful enemies are hunting him, and Josie is the key to discovering why. As Shane struggles to unravel his past, dangerous new truths come to light. Can he protect the only woman he’s ever loved? And can Josie trust a man she thought she knew—one who carries such a deadly secret? I’m becoming a junkie on romantic suspense. And on Rebecca Zanetti’s writing. I love her vampire series and now I love this series. This was a book that I wish I wasn’t working. I would have sat and read it straight through if I could. Lots of yummy suspense and danger! Good reading.

Jan 19: “One Sinful Night in Sao Paulo” by Amber Belldene, a contemporary romance novella. Blurb from Goodreads: Cassie Wilson has traveled to Brazil for her brother’s wedding; yet she’s the one with cold feet. She’s all set to begin seminary, but she’s sick and tired of being treated like a saint, especially by the best man. What she really needs is one sexy night with him to ease her jitters and give her a taste of normal life. Adam Forrester crashed and burned at his dream job, screwing up all his hopes for a better life. Now he’s moved home to start over, but first he must confront the irresistible Cass, apologize for whatever happened on that drunken night he can’t remember, and make damn sure it doesn't happen again. Only she has other plans. He has typecast her as the good girl in his heart. Can she force him to see her as a real woman, desires and all? I love Amber’s books, whether they be paranormal or contemporary romance. Long or short. She tells a good story. This one was fun, too. So much so, I walked on the treadmill way longer than I had intended. See...she's good for my health, too! J

Now, I know I wasn’t going to read novellas just to up my word count, but in this case I needed something short because…

On Monday I received nine books that I have to read in the next six weeks. I can hear you now: “What???” Yeah, that’s what happens when you judge a book contest. You gotta read books. And in my case…nine. I sure hope I make it.

Somehow I’ll figure out a schedule. I still have to get Blind Temptation done editing!

So…for the next few Wednesdays, I’ll probably post about something else, since I’m not supposed to discuss what I’m reading. Doesn’t mean I won’t keep track of them, or count them toward my goal (because I am). And you’ll probably see the book cover of the current book I’m reading listed on the side (as usual). But I won’t be giving stars or any comments here or on Goodreads (too bad for the author if I loved her book). That’s the only thing I really don’t like about the contest, but there’s nothing I can do about it. The rules are the rules. Then again, maybe I’ll go back and add all that AFTER the winners are announced. We’ll see if I even REMEMBER to do that. J

So… Do you think you could ever judge a contest? If so, what kind?

Happy Reading!

Stacy

RELEASE DAY for Ghostly Liaision

Yes! It’s here! It’s…

R E L E A S E   D A Y  ! ! ! ! !

 

Avoiding love is hard. Catching a killer can be fatal…
When Rob’s sister passed away, she left him her dog and her house. He can handle the dog part, but he doesn’t need another home. Especially a fixer-upper the neighbor swears is haunted.

Then he meets Bridget, who’s working on getting her life back together after a car accident left her scarred in more ways than one. She can’t pass up Rob’s offer of free lodging, regardless of the shape it’s in. Or the roommate that’s part of the package. She’s never believed in ghosts, but now she’s living with one who wants Bridget’s help in catching a killer. There’s only one problem: the killer has unfinished business…

Excerpt is posted below, if you’re inclined to check it out. And you can purchase it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Google Play, Kobo, and iTunes.

You’d think I’d have a party or something, but I’m not. I’m not a party-planning kind of person. I think I need a publicist. Or at least a loud fan. I would love LOTS of loud fans!

Want to be my loud fan? J

So far Ghostly Liaison has been getting good reviews. Not that there are a lot on Goodreads, but good is better than not good, right? Now I get to see if anyone has nice things to say on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. **bites fingernails**

Yeah, I’m not nervous or anything.

So… What do you think I should do to celebrate? What would you do?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

 

EXCERPT:

PROLOGUE

Charlene Gentry hadn’t known what to expect upon her death. She was basically a good person, so would Heaven welcome her? Or would those commandments she’d broken condemn her to Hell? Not that she had a choice, but she’d assumed those were the only two destinations.

Certainly not 5542 Sycamore Lane.

She must be dead. How else could she explain the view of her bedroom from above her bed? She didn’t own a mirror on the ceiling, though she’d dreamed of putting one there, and the eyes of the body—her body—lying on the bed below were closed. Then there was that damn needle…

Oh God no. What had that bastard done?

She needed to get back into her body. Maybe then she’d be okay. She moved her arms as if performing the breaststroke, but remained hovering over her bed.

The front door slammed. “Charlie, it’s me.”

Robbie. Oh thank God. He’d help her. Her big brother fixed everything.

“I’m in the bedroom!” She flapped her arms like a bird, but still didn’t move anywhere. How the hell did she get down?

Barnaby barked from outside. The sliding door scraped opened. “Hey, fella. Charlie? You out here?”

“What, are you deaf? I said I was in the bedroom!” No response. What if he couldn’t hear her? What if he left before he found her body? If only she could get off the damn ceiling.

Tick, tick, tick. Barnaby’s claws skittered across the kitchen floor.

“Whatcha hurry?” Robbie asked. Soon the chocolate Lab burst through the bedroom door, Robbie close behind.

“Charlie?” His eyes widened at the sight. He rushed to her body and placed two fingers against her neck.

Thank God he’d found her. But did he get a pulse? Was she alive?

“Shit.” He pulled out his cell, punched 9-1-1, and tossed it on the bed. Ringing sounded through the speaker. After yanking out the needle, he proceeded to perform CPR on her body.

“That’s it. Resuscitate me. Bring me back, Robbie!”

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

“I need an ambulance at fifty-five forty-two Sycamore Lane. Hurry! It’s my sister. I think she OD’d.”

“No, I didn’t,” Charlie said. “I swear.”

“Is she breathing?” the operator asked.

“I don’t think so. Just hurry! Come on, Charlie. Wake up!”

“You don’t know?”

“She has no pulse. I’m performing CPR.”

“Why do you suspect she OD’d?”

“Because… Oh shit.”

“Sir?”

“She has a history of abuse, okay? And I found her with a needle up her arm. Just get the fuck over here!”

Barnaby sat in the corner and whined at Robbie.

“Someone is already on their way,” the operator said.

Robbie pumped her chest frantically. “Dammit, Charlie. Come back! Don’t leave me.”

Charlie pictured standing beside her brother and the next instant she was there. Thank God. “I haven’t left you,” she said. “Don’t you dare give up!”

Her appearance made no difference in Robbie’s actions, so she was invisible, too. Figured.

Where were the damn paramedics? They should have been here by now. She only lived a couple of blocks away from the fire station.

Robbie checked her neck again and swiped at his eyes. “Why, Charlie? Why?”

Was he crying? Giving up? “No! Keep pumping on me!” She reached out to shake him and her hands went through his body. “Holy shit.”

He continued with the CPR. “I trusted you! How could I be so stupid?”

“You’re not stupid, Robbie. It was Carl. He did this!”

Paramedics rushed into the house. About damn time. They shocked her body, but the machine didn’t beep with a heartbeat. They zapped her several more times. All with the same result.

They pronounced her dead.

Robbie fell to his knees and hugged Barnaby. His sobs wrenched her heart. But if she were really and truly dead, why did her chest hurt so much?

Oh crap. Maybe she was in hell.

 

Questions for YOU

Yesterday I was all excited about a fix on a scene my editor commented about and then realized the fix would only work if something ELSE had happened earlier. Like two chapters earlier. Yep, I had to write a brand new scene. Not only a scene, a SEX scene.

I don’t know about you, but those things are harder to write than action scenes.

Well, I got it written. Yep, it’s a first draft. But at least it’s WRITTEN! Yay! Still, it looks like I’ll be going over that sucker several more days. So much for thinking I was almost done…

Because of all that, I’m kind of on the dry-side of things to write about, so how about I ask you some questions and you answer in the comments (I got this brilliant idea from another blog I visited—although my questions are different).

1. What did you watch on your television last night?

2. What did you eat for breakfast this morning?

3. What was the last movie you saw in a theatre?

4. How old were you when you were kissed “romantically” for the first time?

And my answers?

1) Supernatural Season 8 (Watching the DVD series with my daughter).

2) I haven’t eaten it yet, but I’m sure it will be Wheat Chex.

3) Into the Woods.

4) 10 (The boy across the street pretty much tackled me on a neighbor’s lawn and kissed me. Well, more like slobbered. I didn’t even think he liked me! I certainly didn’t like him.)

Your turn!

Happy Friday!!

Stacy

It’s Not as Easy as it Looks

No Wednesday Reads this week. I’ve gone another week without finishing a book I’m reading. Aack! How will I ever reach my goal of reading 90 books this year? What’s happening to me? Oh, I know. I’m editing!!!!

This editing project was supposed to be easy. At least it looked easy. My editor didn’t even mark up all that much. But what IS marked is making me THINK!

I know, the nerve of her, right?

Thinking (for me) is time consuming. And then when I FINALLY write something, I have to go over it the next day and make sure it’s decent. Just like you go over a first draft because those first drafts suck, right? Well, so do my fixes. Sometimes. Okay, most of the time.

See??? TIME. CONSUMING.

At least the book will be better when I’m finished. I’d just like to be finished by now. I’m ready to work on my WIP. I don’t have to do a lot of thinking during a first draft, and I could use a little non-thinking writing about now. Heck, I wouldn’t mind a little time to read, either. Well… I did get some reading done yesterday, so not all was lost!

So… Have you ever started a project you thought was simple but ended up being anything BUT? Please share and show me I’m not alone.

Happy Reading.

Stacy

Musical Monday

It doesn't seem like a lot, hosting a Facebook page for a week, but it's harder than it looks. Just staying on-line, trying to keep the page active (and people commenting) is time consuming. It took me all day yesterday to recover.

And what did I do during my recovery? Got my expense receipts from 2014 all organized. Yeah, that really relaxed me--not!

At least I'm better prepared to file my taxes this year and I won't have to wait until the last minute. Doesn't mean I won't wait until the last minute, just that I don't have to. Got that?

Anyway, as I was listening to my music last week, this song came up and just made me want to dance. Not that I moved like Mick Jagger, though. Haha!

Enjoy!

So... Anyone going to watch the BIG game tonight? Go Bucks!!!! 

Stacy

A Honey Funny

My husband’s brain sometimes doesn’t think right. Case in point:

When the Steelers won Super Bowl XL, he went on line to purchase t-shirts and whined they only came in extra-large. It took me a second to realize what he was seeing. I said you mean Super Bowl XL? Yeah, he slapped his head. Yeah, I cracked up.

Well, last night he did it again.

He told me he was looking in the mirror and wondered when he got a shirt from the USO.

I looked at his scarlet and gray shirt…

with the letters…

O S U.

I cracked up!

Yeah, he eventually realized his mistake.

But ain’t it great he SHARES this stuff with me? I mean, he didn’t HAVE to tell me.

Man, I love that guy!

 

So... Have you ever seen things not quite the way they are?

Happy Friday.

 

Stacy

Cover Reveal for Blind Temptation and Wednesday Reads

Here it is, the cover to Blind Temptation!



Dreading the prospect of losing her position on the Vampire Committee, Victoria is forced to integrate with the mortal population. She hasn’t stepped outside since her husband died nearly 40 years ago and the thought of being treated like the 17-year-old she resembles frustrates her. But when she discovers that Ben, her hot & sexy driver’s ed teacher, is blind, she gives into temptation and flirts. She never expects to fall in love.

Ben knows he shouldn’t get involved with Victoria—she’s his student. But something compels him toward her. She makes him feel young, alive, and more importantly, whole.

Victoria would love nothing better than to have Ben as a mate, but fears he wouldn’t want to be blind forever. As she struggles to keep her identity hidden from him, an old acquaintance of Victoria’s turns up and is willing to do anything to win her love, including disposing of her boyfriend.

When I set out to have the cover made, I went to Maria Zannini because I really liked a lot of her covers. Plus, she’d done a beautiful job with my postcards.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not the best at conveying what I want, since I usually don’t know what I want. But she came through wonderfully and I couldn’t be more pleased. 

Now I just have to figure out when to release the book. Or whether or not I do a pre-order. I don’t want to risk putting too much pressure on myself by setting a date and then not meeting it.

I’m pathetic, aren’t I? J

********

Onto what I read last week. Yes, I finished reading a book. Finally! Really got a good start on my goal of 90 books, huh? Haha! Yeah, I’ll REALLY be surprised if I reach that number by the end of the year. Anyway, here’s what I read:

Jan 5: “The Discarded” by Brett Battles, the 8th book in the Jonathan Quinn series, a suspense/thriller. Blurb on back of book: He thought his final assignment would be simple. Transport a package from Japan to Amsterdam. But for Orlando’s mentor, Abraham, the job was not at all like he expected and ended up haunting him. Seven years later, Quinn and Orlando know something is up when Abraham asks for a favor. At his age, he should be sitting on a beach, enjoying his retirement, not working. After he tells them of his search for the last package he ever delivered, they help him unravel the truth, but soon realize they can’t simply look for answers. They must also protect the package, no matter the cost. I still love this series. And I especially love the end! If not for work (and other stuff), I would have read this book in two days, for sure.

So… Did you get snow yesterday? We did. And now the arctic air returns. Brrr… Grrr…

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Busy, Busy

I’m hosting the Sizzle and Sass page on Facebook this week. I’m totally unprepared for my duties because I procrastinated too long. If you want to see what I can do on the fly, stop on by. While there, you’ll notice we’re having a huge giveaway (which is keeping the page quite busy). Go ahead and enter (information post is pinned to the top). That’s if you’re interested in some gift cards and a bundle of romance books. But if you’re not interested and you know someone who is, then please let them know. We really want to spread the word.

Now, if Facebook wasn’t enough to keep me busy, I’m also starting a month-long class this week. A month-long. With homework. I sure hope it’s not hard (or taxing on my poor brain). I think it's supposed to help me get motivated to work. Kind of funny when I think about it now. 

On top of all that, I still want to finish the edits to Blind Temptation. I sure hope I find TIME.

About Blind Temptation… I decided to reveal the cover this Wednesday. If anyone wants to share in the reveal, let me know and I’ll send you a copy of the cover and blurb. You don’t have to share it on Wednesday. You can do it any day you want. Any help would be appreciated.

I’m still a little grumpy with my new computer. But not as bad as I was on Friday. Once I was able to transfer my e-mails over, my attitude picked up a little. Now I just have to get used to the keyboard. Can’t rely on touch anymore for awhile. I keep hitting the wrong keys!

That’s about all I have for now. NFL Playoff games sucked big time. Guess I can just enjoy hockey now. Oh, and the big NCAA Championship game on the 12th.

So… how long does it take you to get used to something new? I hope it doesn’t take long for me. I’m too busy to have to THINK about what I used to just do, you know?

Hope your Monday is uneventful! I have a feeling mine won’t be. J

Stacy

I Hope I Didn’t Make a Huge Mistake

BUT FIRST… Did you see last night’s game??? Buckeyes are playing for the Championship!!!!!! It’ll be the Bucks and the Ducks on January 12th. I’m so happy.

I stayed up to watch the whole thing (how could I not?) which is one reason I’m late at posting this. The other? The reason for this posting! Haha! J

So…what mistake would that be? Impulse buying.

On New Year’s Eve, the hubby and I went to Columbus a little early because he wanted to stop at Micro Center to get his flash drive replaced (they are guaranteed forever, I guess). While he stood in line to get his replacement, I asked him if the store sold laptops. He said they did. Told him I would just go take a look.

Yeah, I took a look all right. Left the store with a new laptop, too.

I would be writing this ON the new laptop, but I still have to get my files transferred and I wanted to get this posted first. However…the new computer DOES have Office 2003. I may be upgrading my computer, but not my software—not yet, anyway.

I like my old Toshiba (I’ve had it since April 2009 and until recently it’s been pretty reliable), and I looked at those, but the one I would have gotten was out of stock. Did that stop me from looking elsewhere? Nope.

My new laptop is a HP ProBook (business class). It has Windows 7 Professional on it (no Windows 8 for this writer), which was the selling point for me. It will run faster, has a camera (my old one doesn’t), a number keyboard (yay!), a battery that will last about 6 hours (my old one didn’t even last 2), and the space bar works (it has been getting worse each day on my old laptop).

I just hope I like using the new laptop. I’m not fond of change, especially when it comes to computers. At least it fits in my computer backpack (thank goodness—I LOVE that thing), so that’s one thing that won’t frustrate me.

So, if I seem kind of grumpy in the next few weeks, at least you’ll know why.

Then again, I could still be on a high from the Buckeyes win. Maybe I bought the laptop at the right time? Hmmm…

So… Got any plans this weekend? I may take the tree down, especially if my new laptop starts to drive me nuts! J

Happy Friday!

Stacy