A Fresh Start

At the start of a new year, like many of you, my thoughts turn to making a fresh start and some self-improvements. Here are 13 things I’d like to work on in 2009. Happy New Years!

1. Step away from the computer (I am a complete workaholic and the laptop makes it easy to be working all the time)

2. Make more time for myself

3. Take daily walks, both for the health benefits and for alone time

4. Stop being a yo-yo dieter

5. Make better use of my writing time

6. Travel more

7. Get a passport and go somewhere exotic

8. Learn something new

9. Do something daring

10. Motivate daughter to leave the nest…again

11. Learn flirty words in a different language

12. Commit more acts of random kindness

13. Laugh more and worry less

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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My mother is over Christmas and today dragged Louie’s tree out of the house. He’s been haging out in the corner where it used to be ever since. Poor kitty! He has a whole year to wait for another tree.

Louie is one smart kitty. He’s picked out the perfect spot to wait for Santa’s arrival.

Louie

 

A Politically Correct Holiday Greeting

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, nonaddictive, gender neutral celebration of the summer solstice holiday, practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2007, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our world great and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms:
This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her- /himself or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Aw, to hell with all that mess. Here’s the not-so-correct version. No matter how or what you celebrate, have a very Merry Christmas…

                                           

And a Happy New Year!

Random Thoughts

I am on vacation this week in Panama City Beach, Florida. My mother and son are along for the trip. My daughter had to stay home because of work. It’s not too far from home (6 hour drive) but a nice change of pace/scenery. Here are 13 totally random thoughts.

1. Where should we go for dinner? (Some places are shut down for the winter season)

2. Experiencing the sound of the surf and seagulls live is much better than on my soothing nature sounds CD.

3. How long would I spend in jail for dropping the rude neighbor’s noisy kids down the trash chute? (We’re on the 12th floor)

4. I don’t want to go home again!

5. Some people on vacation have way too much time on their hands.

6. Crap, I have to be back at work Friday night.

7. Did Dani (my daughter) remember to set the alarm or even shut the garage door?

8. I still have to wrap Christmas presents when I get home.

9. Of course, first I have to buy wrapping paper. And I still haven’t picked up gifts for my crew at work. Ack!

10. Why did I think the food at someplace called Dirty Dick’s would be good?

11. Of course such a high-class establishment can’t have a regular old lobster tank. No, at Dirty Dick’s you use a crane to catch your lobster dinner. LOL!

12. This is one heck of a tacky beach town.

13. Do I really have to go home tomorrow?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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I’m getting out of Dodge! WOOT! We’re not going far, just up to the Florida Panhandle for a week. The important part is getting out of the regular routine, having a weekend off from the “day” job, and relaxing! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Y’all have a great week.

Once again, the cover goddess Syneca has smiled down upon me. Wowza! The cover she created for Candyman is exactly what I envisioned with the heroine’s reflection in the glass. Classy, hot, sexy…YUMALICIOUS! Thank you, Syn!

Coming January 28, 2009 from Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Vampire

Elisa Wilde’s recurrent dreams transcend time and place. Dreams so real they seem to be actual memories of a bygone era. Driven to unravel the mystery and reclaim her life, she’s drawn into an amazing adventure—the search for another woman’s lover.

In a tragic twist of fate, Michael Claret lost his truelove. He has waited decades for her return, but getting her back is only a small part of the battle. Edie has changed, evolved into a different woman. Not only will Michael have to once again win her heart, he must also gain her acceptance of his true nature. And to keep her requires she make a huge leap of faith by completing the mating bond—a sharing of blood binding them together for eternity.

Fate is a cruel mistress who will not be cheated or denied. To make the most of their second chance, Michael and Lis must alter the path chosen for them, and rewrite their love story or be lost to each other forever.

Thirteen Things I Won’t Be Getting For Christmas

This is my fantasy wish list. The reasons I won’t be getting any of these should be obvious.

1. Castle in Tuscany

2. Staff to do all the cooking and cleaning

3. Niko from Playgirl

4. Convertible S302 Extreme Saleen Mustang

5. The other Nicole “Co Co” Austin’s body (minus the fake breasts)

6. Diamond heart earrings

 

 7. The Readius ebook reader that’s not out yet

 

8. Kick-ass Newrock boots

9. Red patent leather Dooney & Bourke purse

10. Matching red patent leather wallet (in the same dark red color as above)

11. Peace and harmony between my kids

12. The ability to support myself as a reclusive author
 

13. The guts and right situation to fulfill a long-time fantasy (no I’m not giving details other than it involves #3)

 
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

 

Brown, green, blue, gray…doesn’t matter. Sure, a nice body may often be the initial attention grabber, but then its all about the eyes. Talk is cheap and eyes speak volumes so shut up. I can think of better uses for your mouth anyway. I’m more apt to belive what I see in those bedroom eyes. Draw me in, grab hold and let me get lost in your hot, sexy gaze. Oh yeah baby!

                             

I may not be posting a lot but I have been busy writing. I’ve finished the first two books in a shape-shifter trilogy. The second book actually got written first. It was while writing Eye of the Tiger that I realized Cat’s Meow needed to come first. As of this morning, Cat’s Meow has been sent off to my critique group and I’ll be revisiting Eye of the Tiger to make a few small adjustments required due to the out of order writing. LOL!

Those of you who know me already know that I detest writing blurbs and sucknopsises. I’ve been toying with the blurb for Cat’s Meow. Here’s what I have so far.

The wicked DNA cocktail created in a secret lab will completely alter more than just his life.

The Predator Project, Book 1

Micah Lasiter’s life of action has never been dull, and he’s not going to let age or physical wear-and-tear slow him down. Not until an injury threatens his future. Presented with the chance to be stronger then ever before, he doesn’t hesitate in joining The Predator Project.

Too bad they didn’t conduct enough research to predict the life-changing side effects.

Serious and proper, the focus of Dr. Rebecca Southerby’s zoology career has been working with big cats. When she lands a new job with all kinds of great perks, she’s surprised to learn details of the research performed at Nanotech’s top-secret facility hidden away in the Smoky Mountains.

Even more surprising is finding her dream man—the fantasy lover who holds the key to unlocking her fiery passion—at the lab. But Micah has changed in some very shocking ways.

Ensnared in the same devious trap, they’ll have to work together to bring down the corrupt organization and untangle a web of secrets with the power to either bind them together or kill them.

This book contains a sexy alpha male who can shape-shift into a lion, a heroine who kicks some butt, and lots of hot, explicit make-me-scream sex with the door wide open. Hint: stock up on batteries and ice before reading.

I’m hoping to have both books submitted to my editor by the end of the year.