Wednesday, January 28, 2009

An amazing night!

I had such a cool night last night. I went with a few friends to a bar in Hollywood to see 100 Monkeys perform. The lead singer plays Jasper in the Twilight movie and you all know how obsessed I am with Twilight. Anyway, Jackson Rathbone (Jasper) is so very talented. He sang, played guitar and the keyboard. The man can give 'the look' like no other guy I've seen. When he sang he would look at me (probably not looking at me at all but it felt like it) and give me these eyes that seriously made me get giggly. Heat rushed to my cheeks and I had to turn away. It was the craziest thing. I felt so silly but, hey, what's a girl to do? It's Jackson Rathbone with those dreamy, bedroom eyes. *swoon*

The other band was late so we actually got to see a lot of his band. He also announced everyone so he was on stage a lot last night which was really cool. I wasn't sure if I could like his music but I really did. They're all so talented and love music. You can see it when they play. They have great stage presence as well. Very upbeat and keep you entertained the whole time.

I was able to say hi to him a couple times because I was right behind the rope blocking the stage. He seriously performed three feet in front of me all night. And I got another picture with him! I Like this one so much better than my picture from the movie premiere. Is he gorgeous or what? I uploaded a few below. Hope you enjoy them!







Sunday, January 25, 2009

29th year goals--Check in number one

As you know I made a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish before my 30th birthday. Today marks the first month since I made that list and as promised, here is my progress. The list is below with what I've done so far in italics next to each item.




1. Lose 35 pounds. I lost three pounds. I'm not happy with that. I want to have lost more.

2. Start dressing cuter. See above. LOL. I don't feel comfortable in more than t-shirts at my current weight.


3. Buy myself something special from time to time. A cute ring, or bracelet. New eyeshadow. Stuff like that. Not often but every now and again. Does a new bra count?



4. Get out more with my kids. We do parks and stuff but I want to find more things we can do together to widen their experiences. We've been trying to do more locally. There aren't a lot of other fun things to do for cheap but we're looking. In the mean time we have done parks, Chuck E Cheese and friends' houses.

5. Get an agent. I'm 50k into my 80k book right now that I'm going to submit to agents. I need to get serious about my career and I think agents are one of the best ways to make that happen. I finished, edited, had it beta read, and submitted to multiple agents. I'm very proud of this one. Now the waiting game begins.

6. Sell to NY. Yes I LOVE my publishers now but its always been my dream to be with NY and in my 29th year I'm determined to make that happen. Kind of need number 5 for this one.


7. Find a way to go out with my hubby, just the two of us, once every three months. Once a month would be better but honestly, I know that would never happen. We just don't have the babysitters to help that often. We haven't been able to do anything yet. I'm working on it though.

8. Do more family activities. My hubby works SO much but we have to find a way to do more fun stuff the four of us. Okay, I'm feeling terrible about my progress thus far. Haven't done this one either. My hubby has been working a lot.




9. Meet more friends that I can spend time with. I have such WONDERFUL friends online which I love to pieces but I'd also like a couple that I can go have a drink with, or go hang out at Barnes and Noble with from time to time. That kind of thing. This happened! I haven't done anything yet but I did meet a few ladies and tomorrow night we're going to see 100 Monkeys play (a band with Jackson Rathbone from Twilight in it). I can't wait!


10. Make sure my friends and my family know how much they mean to me. In some ways its been a tough year and I don't know how I'd have made it through without my family and a few friends who really stepped up to the plate to be there for me. I want them to know how much they bring to my life. I've been sure to say thank you to my friends and family a little more often.

There you have it...my progress so far. Next month will be better. I promise.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Want to win free books?

Parker Publishing has started a blog and we're celebrating by offering five free books! Visit our blog any time between now and January 29 and tell us what you'd like to see on our blog in 2009! That's all you have to do. We'll draw winners and post them on the blog. Be sure to keep us on your favorites too! We have a fun year planned and you won't want to miss it.

www.parkerpublishing.blogspot.com

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Coming up for air....

I can finally breath again!! Last time I left you I'd just finished my novel that I'm going to try and get an agent with. I was doing a read through before I sent it off so my reader to read through when my inbox alerted me that I got edits for one of my books. Okay, no biggie. I knew I had a little bit of time and I didn't have much more to read on my agent book so I wasn't too worried. Later that day...guess what...I got proofs on a book from a different publisher. So, I'm DETERMINED to get this agent book done so I quickly finished that, headed straight into edits. Worked my butt off to finish those and then I got to my proofs. It was a crazy week to say the least but now I'm DONE! Well, except for the fact I should be getting Enjoying the Ride proofs any day now but for now I have nothing pressing on my plate. I'm slowly working on my synopsis and query while my reader looks over my book. I made a list of the agents I'm targeting and their submission guidelines last night. All and all I'm feeling pretty good about 2009 so far.

Anything new going on with you? Read any good books?

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Want to talk to Nico?

I managed to get him to do a guest blog at Three Wicked Writers. Stop by and say hi to him.

Friday, January 9, 2009

I'm finished!!

I wrote The End on my work in progress today. It's always a special feeling to finish a book but this time it was different. I've never been as proud do finish a book as I was this one. It's longer than anything I've written, its more emotional than anything I've written, and I wrote it in less time than I did any other novel. I gave myself a strict word count daily to finish by January 15th and I beat my deadline. Man that feels good.

There's more to it than that though. This book is really close to my heart. It deals with something I've dealt with in my life with a family member. So even though I'm scared to death to have the book ever come out, I'm also scared that if no one wants it, it will affect me more than it would have with another book. I know you can't take it personally but writing is ALWAYS an extension of my heart and this book, well lets say its not just an extension but part of my heart. I hope I'm one day lucky enough to be able share it.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Unexpected Mr. Right is out!



Since childhood, Tabith Harris dreamed of the perfect love. Instead, she keeps ending up with a broken heart. When she meets the handsome and available Nico Valenti, she doesn't want to waste her time on another broken heart. Tabby's a new woman and the wrong man is no longer for her. Nico can't get Tabby out of his mind. He's loved and left a lot of women, but Tabby is different. He wants to spend time with her even if her rules say their relationship will be a 'no sex' one. How does a one-night-stand kind of man fall in love with a woman determined to change herself? Nico and Tabby search for a way to meet in the middle and give their new found love a chance. Excerpt:
“Stop thinking so much.” Nico’s voice was low, gravely. He sounded as tired as she felt.

“How did you know?”

“You’re stiff as a board. Loosen up and stop over-thinking last night.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” she rolled quickly to face him. Her lips stopped inches from his mouth. He leaned in. Her heart lurched as if trying to escape her chest. He moved in closer. Oh God, he was going to kiss her and she would let him.

“Don’t worry,” he said a breath away from her. “I’m not going to kiss you. Not until we talk.”

Well damn.

“Now tell me why you’re so stressed out. Otherwise, I might have to kiss you again. And I won’t stop there, Tabby. Maybe you need another round to loosen you up again. What do you think?” His voice was now smooth as honey. Amazing how he could turn on the charm like that. And it worked. Wetness began form at the junction of her thighs.

Temptation almost pushed the word yes from her mouth. It bubbled in her throat but she held herself in check. “I’ve never done this before, Nico. While it was fun, exciting and the best sex I’ve ever had it’s going to take me a while to get used to. I have no idea how to act. Usually when I’m in bed with a man we have a relationship, the possibility of falling in love and settling down together. All the things you’re completely against.”

“The best sex you’ve ever had, huh?” He put his arm around her, his fingers tickling her back.

“Nico.”

“I’m kidding. Trying to lighten the mood a little bit.. You’re too depressed for someone who had ‘the best sex she’s ever had’.”

She shot him a warning look. Her eyes narrowed telling him now wasn’t the time. She wanted him to take this serious. For her it was very serious.

“We have a relationship, just not the kind you’re used to. Last I checked we’re friends, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay then. That solves that issue. Second, I’m not against people falling in love and settling down I’m just not sure it’s for me. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“But that’s what I want, Nico. I’m not saying I’m in love with you or I want us to settle down together but no matter how good this felt, my ultimate goal is forever not just a night or two. You want to steer clear of that. The two just don’t mix.” She hated saying this.. Her body wanted nothing more than to engage in a fling with Nico.

Nico pulled away from her and sat up. His hand immediately ruffling his already mussed air. A deep breath escaped his body. “That’s not what you’re looking for right now. You said so yourself. Right now you want to have fun, to prove to yourself you can spend time with a guy, who would be me and me alone,” he said sounding a bit territorial.

“Without ending up with a broken heart. Since I’m obviously completely wrong for you as you’ve told me time and time again, you know you have no risk losing your heart. Then we both win, baby. We’re great together. Why deny ourselves that pleasure? Who knows where it will lead us?”

He leaned down toward her on the bed. Oh yeah, they were good together. Her nipples perked to attention under his intense stare.

“I have to tell you, I’m not done with you yet. You said you want some kind of relationship? We can have that. We’re friends, good friends that happen to enjoy each other in bed. I’m not ready to give you up yet.” He kissed her, the touch of his lips soft.

“We can do everything together normal people in a relationship do. Hell, we already are. Give us a chance, Tabby. Give me a chance.. I’m really not as bad as you seem to think I am.”

She pulled away, guilt assaulting her. “I know I’ve given you a hard time in the past but it was just because I’m attracted to you and I didn’t want to admit it. I know you’re not a bad guy. We just want different things.”

“I think we want the same things. We both want each other. I know I’m not the right guy for you forever, but I’m right for now.. We have too much fun together for it to be any other way.”

He was right. She wanted him. She didn’t want to give this up yet and why should she? They were both adults. Both friends who she thought could still be friends once they ended whatever it was they were doing. He could go back to his life and she’d go back to hers. Right now, they could pretend they both wanted the same thing. “Can we really do this? The whole friends with benefits thing?”

He buried his face in her neck, kissing the tender spot behind her ear. “It’s more than that, Baby. It’s a relationship, just not the conventional kind. I’m not a conventional kind of guy.”

Didn’t she know it? Without direction from her, her body started to move against his. “Yes, Nico. I want this.”

“There’s only one problem.”

Tabby stopped moving. She somehow gotten used to the idea of their “relationship” fast. Fear tickled her spine wondering what he had to say. “What?” a nervous quiver shook her voice.

Nico looked at her, winked, and said, “I don’t have another condom.”

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Friday, January 2, 2009

Favorite reads of 2008


Eleven thousand years ago a god was born. Cursed into the body of a human, Acheron spent a lifetime of shame. However, his human death unleashed an unspeakable horror that almost destroyed the earth. Then, brought back against his will, Acheron became the sole defender of mankind.

Only it was never that simple. For centuries, he has fought for our survival and hidden a past he’ll do anything to keep concealed. Until a lone woman who refuses to be intimidated by him threatens his very existence.

Now his survival, and ours, hinges on hers and old enemies reawaken and unite to kill them both.

War has never been more deadly... or more fun.


It's Ash, do I have to say anything more? LOL. This was my most anticipated books of the year and it didn't disappoint. Heartbreaking doesn't begin to describe it. I've almost (see below) never been happier to see a hero get his HEA. Ash puts himself out there for everyone and it did my heart well to see him get love in return.



Bella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Bella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Bella, the person Edward holds most dear.

Ahh, the Twilight Saga. I don't even know where to begin. A series of books has NEVER touched me like these did. I was so hesitant to read them it took my wonderful friend (I owe you Tonya) buying me the first book and having it mailed to my house and I can't thank her enough. Edward is my favorite hero I've ever read. Yep, my favorite. I didn't see it coming but it slammed into me and the series hasn't let go since. I can't even tell you what exactly it is about the books but I've never been touched by a series, or by a character as much as the Twilight Saga and Edward Cullen touched me. Stephenie Meyer will be my hero for the rest of my life. LOL.


He wanted all of her—and did she ever let him have it…

Vic Savian knows what he wants when he sees it. And what he wants is his sexy neighbor, Niall Chandler. When he finds her in the hallway of their building being harassed by an aggressive suitor, Vic steps in—and finds himself greatly rewarded…

Sleeping with her gorgeous neighbor—when she didn’t even know his last name—was the craziest thing Niall’s ever done. Now, she can’t seem to get enough of Vic—or the uninhibited passion he stirs in her. Suddenly, with his help, she’s opening to sensual pleasures she’s never known before. But when Niall’s past comes back to haunt her, will she and Vic let themselves venture beyond the bedroom and explore the possibility of the love that’s in their hearts?


Thank you Stacy for reviewing this on your blog. Wow. That's all I can say. This, besides Twilight is my favorite read of 2008. Its so incredibly HOT you will need much more than a glass of ice water while reading it but its also emotional and touching.

Oh, and did I mention it's HOT?





The last thing she needs right now is a man . . .

Lindsey Brooks had it all—an awesome job doling out advice to the lovelorn, a fabulous high-rise apartment, and a to-die-for fiancĂ©. But then she got dumped—wearing nothing but a "Kiss the Cook" apron—and desperate to escape, she retreats to a tiny Montana town to reclaim a family treasure. She never dreamed anyone would try to stop her—or that he'd be sexy as sin.

Too bad she finds such a hot one . . .

Rob Colter isn't into relationships—but Lindsey sees Rob as the perfect guy to help her "get back on the horse." The sex horse, that is. Unfortunately, he comes complete with a mysterious past, which gets even more mysterious when she finds his passionate letters to another woman—whose name happens to be tattooed on his chest.

And too bad he has so many secrets . . .

Now Rob's dangerous past is about to catch up with them both. And if that's not horrible enough, Lindsey is falling for him—hard. For a girl who usually has all the answers, Lindsey is up to her neck in trouble.


I just love Toni Blake. She can write a tortured hero like no bodies business. Her books are sexy and emotional and she will always be on my keeper shelf.





Museum director Mandy Cooper is obsessed with nineteenth-century artist Catherine Burke—and the artist’s erotically charged relationship with Atacar, her enthralling American Indian lover. But Mandy’s link to the legendary couple runs deeper than she knows. She’s having a heated affair herself—with Jared Cabrillo, Atacar’s handsome great-great nephew who knows precisely what it takes to seduce a woman…

He’s in possession of Catherine’s explicit journal. He knows every intimate detail of what she wanted and needed. But he also knows how desperately Catherine had loved Atacar and how dangerously he’d loved her. The journal is timeless and tragic, and the secrets contained within its pages can bring Mandy and Jared together, or just as surely destroy them both—desire by shocking desire.




I picked this up never hearing about the author or the book but was so glad I did. The man story is great but the journal entries from Catherine about Atacar...wow. Left me breathless.

There you have it, my list of must reads from 2008. If you haven't read these I highly recommend all of them. What were some of your favorite reads of 2008?