2006 was both a good year and trying times for me. Of course, life would be boring without challenges and obstacles. And without the bad to balance things out, we just wouldn’t appreciate the good as much. Overall, I consider myself to be greatly blessed! 

Tonight, I will put the past year behind me and begin to focus on the possibilities of the new year. It’s sure to be an interesting ride. I’m hoping to make a big change. Regardless of the drops in the housing market, I’m hoping to sell my house here in Florida. My family and I are ready to leave behind the tropical climate, hurricanes and beaches for an actual change of seasons and the mountains. We are looking to get out of the congested city and go for a slower pace of life somewhere near the Smoky Mountains. I’m cautiously optimistic it will work out as I’d like it to.

I don’t make new year’s resolutions. The way I look at it, I’m a continual work in progress. Each day I try to be a little better and work toward improving myself. Besides, from what I’ve seen, most people don’t honor their resolutions anyway.  

I wish you all a wonderful year full of joy, love and success. May your life be balanced and full, your blessings bountiful. And keep the hope and spirit of the new year alive in your heart. Many great things await us in 2007. 

Hmm…I wonder how long it will take me to remember to write ’07 on checks and paperwork. LOL! Happy New Year!

Every year I go through this same nightmare. You’d think I’d finally figure out a system to survive the decorating, but it certainly hasn’t happened yet. I’ve decided it requires a person much more organized than me. 

The day after Thanksgiving my mother dragged all the lights and various bobbles out and strongly “suggested” it would be nice to have the house decorated for Christmas. My son “helped” figure out what to put where. Of course, this meant I had to watch my language when fighting with the lights. Why do I fall for this each and every year? Ugh!

Rows of white swag lights hung from the roof. The shrubs all got draped by nets of lights. Then there were four different lighted lawn ornaments to assemble and display. A snowman, Santa, and two spiral trees. Large, red plastic bows adorned each exterior lighting fixture. There was even a fresh balsam wreath on the front door. And on Christmas Eve, the driveway was lined with candles in carved up milk jugs. 

Inside the house was a rather sad sight. I love real trees, but it just didn’t work out this year. First of all, I wasn’t about to strap a tree to my new car. Un-unh, no way! Then there’s the fact I couldn’t drag it around because I’d just had surgery. 

I searched the sales ads and what to my wondering eyes did appear but the perfect solution. A really cheap, pre-lighted, fake tree, which my mother and son could drag home. Woohoo! No worries about the cats climbing the branches and settling in for a nap. No watering or vacuuming of pine needles from the carpet. Heck, I didn’t even have to deal with stringing on the lights. Sounds good, right? Sure did. Right up until I assembled the tree.

Let’s put it this way, Charlie Brown’s tree was a major step up from mine. LOL! What came out of the box was the most anorexic Christmas tree I’ve ever seen. Oh well, no family pictures before the tree this year. At least disposal was easy. The ugly thing was so cheap we took it apart and threw it away. 

The only thing worse than putting up all the Christmas decorations… taking them down and storing it all. Double ugh! Where the heck did I have it all stashed? And how the heck did it all fit in the various boxes and plastic bins? Sheesh! Been working on this project for two days and there’s still decorations everywhere. The Lindor truffles and Ghiradelli dark chocolate squares from my stocking are calling my name! 

I wonder if there are people you can hire to come in and do all the decorating and un-decorating? Hmm…if there’s not, someone enterprising could make a lot of money performing such a service. I might just have to look into it. 

Only 360 days until Christmas ’07. *thud*

Sometimes, in life, you find everything you’re searching for right where you started.Gunned down in the line of duty, New York City cop Patrick O’Rourke returns to his hometown of Jamesville to recuperate from his physical and emotional wounds. His partner is dead and his career depends on his ability to recover from his serious injuries. He doesn’t plan on staying for long, so the last thing he wants is a relationship.

Shannon Brooker’s life certainly didn’t turn out the way she’d planned, and she’s returned to Jamesville to help her aunt run the local diner. She’s not looking for a man. All she wants is some peace of mind.

When her abusive ex-husband starts a campaign to terrorize her, Shannon turns to Patrick O’Rourke, the man she had a teenage crush on many years ago. She wants to hire him as a bodyguard, but their relationship quickly becomes more personal than professional.

With Shannon wanting a small-town life and Patrick wanting to return to the life he loves as a New York cop, there seems to be no way for them to build a permanent life together. As the threat against Shannon escalates, they are pushed closer together, igniting a passion that will alter their lives forever.

I still find myself somewhat speechless since reading The Return of Patrick O’Rourke. Each time I read one of NJ’s books, I am awed by her ability to create such vivid images with words. She draws me into the characters lives and I end up with a vested interest in finding out what happens next. Reaching the last page is both satisfying and bittersweet since I never want the tale to end. Shannon and Patrick are easy to relate to and cheer for. And talk about hot…WHEW! Shivers run down my spine just remembering how scorching hot Shannon and Patrick are together. I can’t recommend this third book in the Jamesville series highly enough. It’s already at the top of my to be read again stack!

This H O T, wonderful story can be found at Samhain Publishing

Merry Christmas! Nope, I’m not afraid to say it. I am not Politically Correct, and I really don’t care. It has always been Merry Christmas to me, no matter what anyone says. No matter what beliefs you hold or what holiday you celebrate, I’m still going to wish you a Merry Christmas. It’s what I grew up with and part of who I am.  

Don’t get me wrong. In no way am I trying to be disrespectful, but merely sticking to my own traditions and beliefs. To me, taking Christmas out of the greeting takes Christ out of the celebration. After all, we are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. That is the real meaning of Christmas to me. Whatever you believe and however you celebrate, enjoy! 

If you feel the same way as I do, you will love Larry The Cable Guy’s funny story, T’was The Night Before A Non-Denominational Winter Holiday, on YouTube.com. 

I wish you all peace and happiness. May you revel in the magic of the season and let your inner child out to play. Don’t stress over the gift buying. Instead, rejoice in the spirit of giving from your heart. Celebrate with old traditions and maybe create a few new ones of your own. And be a little naughty. Enjoy some romance with your own sexy Santa.

Track Santa’s prograss with NORAD.

I’m starting to enjoy this whole medical hiatus thing. Heck, what’s not to like. Everyone expects me to just lie around, relaxing and reading. If I even try to do the dishes or pick up around the house, a family member is there shooing me off to perfect the art of being a coach potato. And best of all, I’m actually making some headway with my extensive To Be Read list. 

Sure, eventually it’s going to become boring and I’ll get cabin fever. For right now, I’m rather enjoying my little break from reality. Even caught up on my book recommendations. Hopefully, I’ll be able to get some writing done since I’m not due back to work until January 26^th. 

The plan is to spend a little time tweaking Tamara’s Spirit before returning to my faery ménage story, Out of the Mist. The story is rather different than anything I’ve written before. I was on such a great roll with that one before getting sick, and can’t wait to spend some more time with the characters.

Ellie’s spirit and confidence have been ravaged by the secrets of her past with an abusive husband. When she’s finally ready to try again, there is only one man who will do. 

After falling in love with his best friend’s wife, the only thing Jake can do is keep distance between them. It’s a mistake that cost both him and Ellie a great deal. Unable to forgive himself for being blind to the kind of man his friend was, Jake bides his time, waiting for Ellie to heal. Helping her trust in love again is a task he won’t give up on. 

I flew threw this captivating novella in no time flat, anticipating each turn of the page. Jake is a wonderfully patient hunk who knows what he wants and is willing to do whatever is necessary to get it. What he’s wanted and needed for years is Ellie. Once he has her in his arms, Jake never wants to let go, but is smart enough to grant her some breathing room when she needs it most.

This is a face paced, sizzling hot read you won’t want to miss out on. Check it out at Samhain Publishing.

Candy has a great job working as a publicist for a publishing house. The only downfall is her reclusive new client, Lucas Squires. In desperation, she crashes a party celebrating his new cafe.  Lucas was talked into writing a cookbook by his friend, Katie. He gave in, participating in the project, because of the exposure her art work would receive.  

The moment Candy stepped into the café, Lucas was enthralled and craving a taste of her sweet little body. The instant chemistry is quelled only by a case of mistaken identity, their relationship taking off on a rollercoaster ride of quick starts and even quicker stops. Then the past rears its ugly head and threatens everything. Will they be strong enough to weather the storm and forge a lasting love? 

This is book four in the Awakening Desires series. If the cover alone is not enough to draw you in, the author’s name should! Once again, N.J. will masterfully take you on a wild, emotional trip. You will go from laughing to crying and frustration to joy. N.J. has such a talent for bringing her characters vividly to life and investing the reader in their tale. And it was a blast catching up with Katie and Cain; from book one, in this story. 

Don’t miss out on this phenomenal, hot, compelling read, releasing from Ellora’s Cave on December 27^th.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And what better way to get into the spirit of the holiday than with two hot tales by the incredible storyteller, Mackenzie Mckade. Both stories helped keep my spirits up during my hospital stay. You won’t want to miss out on either of these Christmas reads.

Hi everyone! Sorry, I know I’ve been missing in action for a while. Unfortunately, on December 1^st, I started suffering from rare complications from my medical procedure. On the 7^th I was admitted to the hospital and had an emergency hysterectomy performed the next morning. They released me to come back home yesterday, and now I begin the lengthy recovery period, which will include at least six weeks off from work. This also means there is not likely to be an RT convention for me this year. I doubt that once I get back they’re going to be willing to give me the time to go away. As things improve, I’ll be back on here more often. My sincere thanks to those who have sent their well wishes. The outpouring of love and support I’ve received has been a true blessing and kept my spirits up.

Jordan Christian is sick and tired of well-meaning relatives trying to hook her up every year over the holidays. The men they choose give her a severe case of the blues, driving her to devise an offensive strategy to combat the bevy of unwanted dates.

The creative author figures a witty singles ad is just the ticket to a stress-free holiday season. With a phony fiancé, she’ll breeze through all the hoopla unscathed, helping her guy to do the same.  

Luke has got to find a way to navigate the murky waters of endless family gatherings filled with countless questions concerning his bachelorhood. Jordan’s ad is like a divine intervention. With the mystical pixie by his side, they’ll survive the holidays together. It’s a great deal, that is until their act turns into something more. Much more.  

It’s been a while since I’ve read a story that captured me right from the start and kept me enthralled until the last word. Yule Be Mine had everything I love in a good book. I was drawn right into the characters lives, invested in what happened. Jordan is a sassy heroine I could picture as a friend or neighbor. Luke is every woman’s fantasy hero. Together they are fabulous. The build-up is intense, the sex scorching hot.

You will feel every emotion, laugh out loud, growl in frustration, cheer in triumph…you’ll do everything except put this story down. Once you start, there’s no stopping. Sleep, who needs sleep? Not when you’ve got a great read providing its own source of energy. 

Don’t miss this wonderful holiday tale releasing from Cerrwiden Press on December 7, 2006.