When I was about 14 years old, I was babysitting with my best friend Jennie, and we were looking through the VHS collection - yes, that's all they offered in the 80's - Jennie and I came across "Anne of Green Gables" and its sequel "Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel". We were instantly hooked, and I decided right then and there that I wanted to be Anne more than anything. She was fiesty, smart, independent, and always getting into scrapes, but no one had the imagination or deserved to be loved as much as she did. And of course I thought Megan Follows WAS Anne - I can't imagine anyone more suited for the role. She brought an originality to the role that personified Anne. It was, and still is, a true delight to watch her portrayal.

When she went to live with "elderly" siblings Matthew and Marilla, it didn't look good. Out of the two of them, Marilla was the sensible one who made the tough decisions while Matthew was more soft-hearted. Marilla recognized the need to adopt a boy to help them on their farm, yet instead the orphanage sent them a girl. But not just any girl. They sent Anne "with an 'e'" Shirley, who wanted to belong to a loving family more than anything. But she was a scrawny daydreamer, and no family would keep her for very long. Yet from the moment Matthew went to the train station to pick up their "boy", his heart was stolen by a carrot-topped motormouth who jabbered on about every topic under the sun. He was smitten by the chatty Anne, and though he knew Marilla would not be pleased, he brought her home.

Well, without giving too much away, what followed was the beginning of a journey Anne took in her quest to be accepted. Marilla decided, after some thought, to keep her "for the time being", and Anne was sent to school. But all was not smooth sailing as Anne managed to fall into one mishap after another, and immediately caught the attention of the most popular boy in school - Gilbert Blythe.

Gilbert didn't like being ignored - he liked being the boy the other girls had a crush on. Or so he thought. Then he met Anne, and it turned his whole world upside down. Jonathan Crombie sure did set my teenage heart all aflutter, and the one scene, when he's watching Anne having fun with her bosom friend Diana Berry, is one I will play over and over again almost every time I re-watch the movie. It was so innocently dreamy...sigh...

There were good times, and tragedies, and more adventures. She also met many kindred spirits along the way, including one Miss Stacey, a teacher who recognized the potential that Anne had to offer the world. She became a good friend to Anne over the years.

Of course Anne grew up, and followed where she thought her heart wanted to take her. She went to teach at an all-girl school, where she came across social barriers and intimidating rich parents who were used to making the rules. She believed she would meet a dashing hero who would love her beyond reason and would give her moonbeams and shooting stars. As Anne said at the end of the 2nd movie "I went looking for my ideals outside of myself." I think a lot of us can relate to that.

One of my most favorite things about the movie was the scenery. It was set on Prince Edward Island, and boasts some of the most gorgeous scenes you can imagine. It served to add a bit of romance and anticipation to the story, and I fell in love with it just as much as I did the characters.

Just so you know, Jennie and I stayed up all night and watched about 8 hours - all the way to the end. Of course we fought over who would get Gilbert. It was an experience I treasure - discovering Anne - and one that I've repeated many times over the years. I read a few of the books since then, but because I had already seen the movies, nothing could have taken their place. No matter how many times I watch it, I still get choked up at the same parts.

As to the rest of the story, there was a 3rd movie, called "The Continuing Story", released in 2000, many, many years after the first two, and a lot of the original cast was in it. It was nice to see that, but I believe I wish they never would have made the 3rd movie and left it up to our imaginations....I think my dear friend Anne would have preferred it that way....

Note: in the 90's, there was a spin-off called "Road to Avonlea", but that's a blog post for another day......

Hey everyone, I FINALLY got out of work and collected all the entries to select the winner of my contest for Erin McCarthy's book "Heiress for Hire". I was pleasantly surprised by the number of entries, and they were all correct! I know Erin appreciates the time each of you took to visit her cool website and research the answers. Hopefully if you aren't already familiar with her books, this little contest got you interested in reading more. I believe it is money, and time, well-spent.

Anyway, enough blabbing...I know you want to find out who won, right? I mean, that's really why you're here...not to see me - LOL. So enough about moi...drumroll please.....the winner of Erin's book is Jenny! (gryffindoreanbrate@gmail.com) Jenny, congratulations on winning such a fine prize, and everyone, thank you so much for entering the contest! I can't believe so many people came to my little ole blog LOL.

And to leave you hanging a bit, I will be having another contest in June, for much the same reason. I won a book I already had and had such fun with this contest, I decided to do it again. I won't tell which book, but I will tell you it's, um, a little dirty ;)

Adios amigas...until next time :)

***Don't forget, my contest for Erin McCarthy's book ends tomorrow, and I will draw a winner tomorrow, probably late afternoon/evening, when I get home from work. Good luck!***


It's finally summer, and the temps are hitting the 90+ degree mark. It's also when I turn into a girly-girl, which is all relative because I'm still a tomboy at heart. But this time of year is when more skin is showing, and I enjoy being a female more than I do during the winter months. (Let's just say the winter months are more about loose, comfy clothes and less maintenance LOL)

So...what do I do to prepare for the long-anticipated shorts and sandals weather? Well, usually in March, I head to the tanning salon and start working on getting some color.

I know, I know - it's bad for me. Don't yell at me because I do realize this, and I choose do go anyway. What can I say, I'm not always good at taking sound advice, and I am a huge fan of instant gratification. One of my many downfalls. As for the process, I'm not exactly pasty, but I do lose a lot of color over the winter months and try to get it back as quickly as I can. Taking only 10 to 30 minutes a visit is a great time saver. I've also heard a lot about this product


from people who've tried it and swear by it. The trick is to be able to actually find any in the stores - it goes fast. In the past I've used sunless tanning lotions with disappointing results. I was a streaky, orange mess, and it was so not my color! But this stuff is great to even out my tan, and it comes in face tanner, which is great because my face does not tan - it burns. Don't ask me why - the rest of me tans - but that is all part of the mystery that is me.

Shaving/waxing is another necessary evil in the summertime, especially if you're wearing less clothing and especially if you are wearing a bathing suit. I won't spend too much time dwelling on this because I hate it, but it feels so good when the hair is gone. My skin feels so smooth and even glows a little with the tan I've acquired. Sometimes you have to do things you don't like to do to achieve the desire results....and this would definitely be one of those things because it requires more regular maintenance in the summer.

I love wearing tank tops in the summer, especially since I'm not extremely well-endowed, and the ones with the built-in shelf bra are so awesome. I swear everytime I go clothes shopping I buy another one.



In no way do I look like this LOL. I love the colors they come in - pinks and reds are my favorite - and they go with everything. In the fall and winter, I will wear one under a blazer and not have to worry about a bra if I don't want to. It's a beautiful thing....

And of course another girly thing is nail polish. I recently let my nails grow out so I could put pretty polish on them. I've never had a manicure - don't ask me why because waiting for the color to dry, even the quick-finish stuff - is a total pain.



I usually make a mess of it because I can't seem to sit still and not touch anything for more than two minutes, and believe me, I don't care what the bottle tells you, it takes more than 60 seconds for even the express finish color to dry completely.

And it's nice to set this all off with some finishing touches, say, a temporary tattoo or an ankle bracelet (love this flirty skirt)



with some cute (and comfortable!)sandals. It's the finishing touches - and the necessary need to go shopping - that pull the look together. Today was one of those days that I spent finding some great buys and even a new look. I'm more about jean shorts than capris, but today I bought 2 pairs of capris, even one in green! They are so cute and comfy, and perfect for those cooler evenings. And they are also very popular these days.

Okay, so that's my summer ritual. Do you have anything to add? Favorite primping techniques? Hairstyles? Indulgences? Please, share with the group. And welcome to summer....

"Agent Provocateur" by Liz Maverick: Vienna James is about to die until wealthy twins Michael and Devlin Kingston decide she'll be perfect to exact their revenge on a hated enemy. All she has to do is seduce him, then bring back proof. Only one of the twins is falling for Vienna - will he be able to stand by and watch her make love to another man in order to please his brother?

Having read a previous story by Ms. Maverick that disappointed me called "Kiss or Kill", I was pleasantly surprised by the heat and emotional intensity of this story, and I enjoyed it very much. Vienna is fighting for her life, but she is not cold-hearted or vindictive. Both her and the twin training her for the assignment in seduction connect immediately, and it is a very powerful bond. I would love to see more of these two...maybe Ms. Maverick will write the other twin's story???

"Unrequited" by Kimberly Dean: Ty is has always been in love with his brother's wife Trista, and now that she's free, he sets out to win her heart. But when she goes out with other man, all bets are off on a slow and tender seduction. Ty has waited long enough for his woman, and this time there is no question as to how he feels. But does Trista feel the same way?

Hands-down, this was my favorite story in the anthology. I am a sucker for those unrequited love stories, or friends who fall in love. Ty is a very sexual man who has tempered his basic urges to court the woman who owns his heart, and Trista needed a friend after a nasty divorce, so it only made sense that he took it slow. She has no idea of the depth of his feelings, only that Ty was there for her when she needed someone to lean on. Reluctantly getting back into the dating scene finally gets Ty to declare himself, and for Trista to give her heart to a man who truly deserves it this time - her friend and her lover. Loved it. Ty is my kind of hero ;)

Victim of Deception by Lynn LaFleur: Karessa Austin has just lost a beloved member of her family and inherited the family home. In the process of updating it so she can move in has her hiring a construction crew to make some subtle changes to update the house but to retain its charming character. One of the crew members is a man from her past, a man who broke her heart and one she never wants to see again. Little does she know that not is all as it appears and Max Hennessey has more than one reason for coming back into Karessa's life...least of which is to re-capture her heart....

This story has some paranormal elements to it that add to the poignancy of the story. I thought it was a little too convenient that Karessa forgave Max as easily as she did, but then she still loved him, and Max did regret the past way he treated her and had to live with that decision for many years. The HEA was very satisfying and clever.


Grade: 4 stars out of 5. Very sensual, and will definitely give readers who crave a hotter short story what they are looking for along with a lot of emotion. The love scenes are very intense and not cold in the least - you feel the strong connection between characters almost immediately. I believe all the authors have written for either Ellora's Cave or Red Sage "Secrets", both lines are ones I enjoy very much. I would recommend this for anyone who has been hesitant to pick up a book by EC because it's not quite as explicit, but definitely generates a lot of heat.


Order here

I ate at a new-to-me restaurant last night, and just had a good time with a friend. I hadn't been out in ages, between work and all the fun little adventures life brings, and I really needed an evening out to just laugh and drink and enjoy some music. So me and my friend Nancy went to Cheeseburger in Paradise, which sounds pretty darn good to me. We had some yummy mojitos, which we downed like water because they didn't seem to have a lot of alcohol in them, but they were sneaky little devils. I had the St. Bart's Citrus Chicken and Nancy went for the shrimp po' boy sandwich, followed by some yummy chocolate nachos topped with hot fudge, strawberries, and Ben & Jerry's ice cream. (I highly recommend trying those if you've never had them - they are wonderful!) Add that to the conversation about movies, work, weekend plans and lots of hotties, and it was quite an enjoyable evening. Plus there was a live band that sounded great, and fortunately played a lot of different kinds of music, from the Beattles to John Mellencamp. The atmosphere was somewhat tropical, with colored lights to brighten the mid-sized room as it got dark, and there was definitely palm trees and boats and umbrellas to set the tone. It was a nice place, but I think since it's a chain and not a stand-alone, I would describe it more as fast-food carribbean, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.

Currently, my favorite restaurant is The Cheesecake Factory, for several reasons. Their Madeira chicken is to die for, the Godiva Chocolate martinis potent and irresistible, and the cheesecake speaks for itself. From their appetizers (try the Thai wraps) to the main course, I have never had a bad experience - it's all good. I've gone there many times for after-work parties or just out with friends, and had a great time on all those occasions.

A great date restaurant is The Melting Pot, which is all about the fondue. You can go there for a work function or with friends, but I think it goes best with a date. The atmosphere is all about intimacy - sharing a somewhat private booth, with limited interruptions from the staff, and being able to enjoy each other's company gives your the perfect opportunity to talk, wallow in the luscious food and fondue, and focus entirely on each other. Very romantic :) I'll admit that it is a bit pricey, but everything was exceptionally wonderful, and I have no complaints about the experience. Well worth every penny.

So, what's your favorite food and/or restaurant? Any reason that makes it so special?

Okay, I was the lucky winner of a contest not that long ago, and the prize was a wonderful collection of books from various authors. One of them was this delightful gem from Erin McCarthy. Since I already have a copy, I thought it might be nice of me *g* to share the wealth.

Chicago socialite Amanda Delmar thought spending the summer in Cuttersville—Ohio’s most haunted town—would be a hoot, until dear-old-Dad cut her off. Now Amanda has to do the unthinkable and get…A JOB.
Luckily the good folks of Cuttersville will always help someone in need. Even the ghost in Amanda’s cottage is pelting her with pennies. Farmer Danny Tucker would be more amused by Amanda’s attempts at holding down a job, if he weren’t so turned on by the skinny, bronzed, blonde. A simple man with simple needs, Danny knows that courting Amanda would be anything but. Besides, another girl has turned Danny’s head: an eight-year-old daughter he never knew he had. One who takes quite a shine to Amanda and her couture-clad Poodle…
Hiring Amanda to babysit his baby girl may not be the smartest thing Danny has ever done. But seeing how she brings a smile to his shy daughter’s face makes it all worthwhile. Now all Danny has to figure out is how to keep Amanda at arm’s length, when she has already wriggled her way into his heart…

So with Erin's permission, I am having a little contest. There is some effort required, but it's easy and fun - and you get to learn more about Erin, a really cool chick. All you have to do is answer the following questions:

~ Hint: All answers can be found at Erin's website ~

1) which book are Damian & Mandy from and where did they travel to for a business trip?

2) Which anthology can "Snowed Under" be found in?

3)which book deals with a police officer chasing a man suspected of meeting women on-line to bilk them out of their money?

Please send your answers to me at trelainastarblazer@yahoo.com

A winner will be chosen on Tuesday, May 30th - GOOD LUCK!

I will be having a contest in the next few days, but in the meantime, check out some of these cool contests:


Alison Kent "Deep Breath"


Access Romance "Great Beginnings"


Update: Alison Kent "Beach Blanket Bad Boys"

And don't forget to stop by in a few days for MY contest *g*

Your Power Color Is Teal

At Your Highest: You feel accomplished and optimistic about the future. At Your Lowest: You feel in a slump and lack creativity. In Love: You tend to be many people's ideal partner. How You're Attractive: You make people feel confident and accepted. Your Eternal Question: "What Impression Am I Giving?"

Okay, you may or may not care, but here are a few things about me, one of those tag list meme thingies.

1). Was in the audience of the t.v. show "Love Connection" when I was 16. Yup, I got to vote! Chuck Woolery was very entertaining and looked even better in person. To a teenager, he was the quintessential attractive older man.

2). My family is from Finland and I was there for 10 days when I was 22 years old. It was beautiful, clean, and I felt a very strong connection and pride for my heritage. I still do - it's one of my favorite things.

3). Hate onions. Hate them. Evil. Onion rings remind me of circular tape worms - not that I know what tapeworms look like, but I'm sure they look like onions.

4). Never saw "E.T". Now I think watching it now, 20+ years later, might ruin it for me, so I will keep the idealistic classic in my imagination.

5). I'm afraid of flying. Kinda bizaare cuz I used to work for an airline and flew rather frequently, but there you have it. I have a few trips planned this year, so once again I am facing the fear, just haven't conquered it yet.

6). Reality t.v. bores me. Tnere's nothing more to say about it, except that I don't watch "Survivor" or "American Idol" or any of the other similar programming. And it's just because I don't watch much (any) t.v. either.

7) When I was about five, I was terrified of death. I wouldn't go to sleep at night because I was afraid of not waking up. My solution: go live with Santa Claus since he lives forever...

8) I wore glasses from ages 2 through 12. One day they gave me headaches, so eventually I stopped wearing them. Now I don't even wear contacts.

9). I failed my first driving test - the lady was beyond scary. Parallel parking was my downfall.

10) People like Lucy Monroe and Denise Agnew have visited by blog! This might be no big deal to the Jaynies or Karen Scotts of the world, but to me it's surreal, but in a very good way.

11). I had a rather crazy crush for Adam Sandler's character, Robbie Hart, in "The Wedding Singer". I wanted to be Julia (Drew Barrymore) so badly. You have to admit, he was rather appealing in this movie.

12). If I could be (or been) anyone, based on looks, I would choose Rita Hayworth. I think she was just beautiful. Maureen O'Hara would be my 2nd choice. I loved her in "The Black Swan" with Tyrone Power - I wanted to be her - LOL. I think I should have been a redhead *g*

Okay, so there you have it. Exciting huh? LOL. Yeah, well, not all of us can be glamorous and intriguing. But that's okay with me - I can definitely live with that....

You know, I hear a lot about what people CAN'T live without, but what about those things we don't need, or care if we have or not? Isn't there something everybody else has that you manage to survive without having, owning, possessing?

For me, it's actually several things. I don't watch t.v. I have one, but it's not even hooked up. I've lived that way about 2 1/2 years. And it was not easy, because I was a huge t.v. watcher. I think some days I would go straight home from work just to catch up on the shows I'd taped for the day or week. It was soaps, sitcoms, dramas, movies, documentaries, everything. It was pretty sad, actually. T.V. watching had become my social life. Now, I don't go home right after work - I go out, have dinner, catch up with friends, hit the bookstores, read more, and take time to think. I have a life whereas before, I was watching other people have lives LOL. Huge difference. But I was never into a lot of the shows that were popular a few years ago like Survivor or Great Race (or whatever), so I don't feel like I'm missing out with American Idol or any of those other reality-based (yawn-fests) shows. And really, no disrespect to those who love 'em, just not my thing.

I don't have an iPod. Now this is more of a sore subject because I LOVE music. Can't live without it. I have music on my blog (yeah, I love Michael Buble but it's time to change the song. I'm deciding what next) I probably will get one soon, but I haven't decided. I'm one of those weird people that actually listens to the radio instead of CDs when I'm in the car because I'm a huge channel changer (must have been a man in a previous life *g*). I flip between country to alternative to rock to morning talk shows - and it's only a ten-minute drive. And it drives me crazy when the music is not working in the tanning booth - lately it seems like it's been unavailable a lot, and 20 minutes under those hot bulbs makes me antsy if I don't have anything to listen to while I bake. 'nother reason to work on getting that iPod...

I don't have an ebook reader, which explains my reluctance to buy too many ebooks. I read them on my laptop, which isn't the easiest way to get caught up in a story, but for right now, it's all I've got. Lucy Monroe raved about the ebook reader she just got, and I've heard other people praise them to the heavens, but all I have to do is glance at my tbr mountain range and think there's no freakin' way I should be thinking of an alternative way to get more books. But any reader knows, you can never have too many books.

I have a digital camera but I hardly ever use it. I'm a terrible picture-taker anyway. No excuses, but if you've seen the pictures at Michelle's blog, just know I never end up with such radiant, breath-taking visions on my camera. Plus, I usually forget to change the batteries, so I lose my chance at some fabulous photo ops, and I am the queen of disorganization and procrastination, which explains why I don't have many of these wonders of technology - they're wasted on me.

So, there it is, my list of "things I do without".  What's on your list, and why? Any plans to change all that?

Okay, it's bad enough I have a tbr mountain that I am in fear of - one day I know it's going to topple over and I will be found dead underneath it - now I have a freakin' tbb pile! A list I've compile of books I want, like, yesterday.



Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 27, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0345486501

In the charming rural town of Trail Stop, Idaho, accessible to the outside world by only a single road, young widow Cate Nightingale lives peacefully with her four-year-old twin boys, running a bed-and-breakfast. Though the overnight guests are few and far between - occasional hunters and lake fishermen - Cate always manages to make ends meet with the help of the local jack-of-all-trades, Calvin Harris, who can handle everything from carpentry to plumbing. But Calvin is not what he seems, and Cate’s luck is about to run out.

One morning, the B&B’s only guest inexplicably vanishes, leaving behind his personal effects. A few days later Cate is shocked when armed men storm the house, demanding the mystery man’s belongings. Fearing for her children’s lives, Cate agrees to cooperate - until Calvin saves the day, forcing the intruders to scatter into the surrounding woods.

The nightmare, however, is just beginning. Cate, Calvin, and their entire community find themselves cut off and alone with no means to call for help as the threat gathers intensity and first blood is drawn.

With their fellow residents trapped and the entire town held hostage, Cate and Calvin have no choice but to take the fight to their enemies under the cover of night. While reticent Cal becomes a fearless protector, Cate makes the most daring move of her life…into the very heart of danger.




Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (August 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0060562536

I can't find the book description anywhere. Once I do I will post it...



Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: St. Martin's Press (May 30, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0312357435

Susan Michaels was once the hottest reporter on the Beltway Beat until a major scandal ruined her life and left her writing stories about alien babies and Elvis sightings. Life as she once knew it is over, or so she thinks until she gets a lead on the biggest story in town: The Seattle Slayer. She heads to the local animal shelter, expecting a tip on the latest rash of killings. Instead, she gets a story about the mayor feeding citizens to a ring of vampires... yeah. Just another day in her life.

Then she gets talked into adopting a cat she's allergic to. Her first thought is to neuter the cat. But when he turns out to be a gorgeous shapeshifting man who claims to be an immortal vampire slayer she thinks: not so fast. Next thought: seek professional help.

Susan doesn't know what to believe, but as she's drawn into a paranormal world, she comes to realize that the story that could bring her credibility is too unbelievable to expose. Now it's no longer a question of bringing the truth to her readers, it's a matter of saving lives and souls, and her only ally is a man she's allergic to. In the world of the Dark-Hunters, it's always dangerous. But never more so than when one very human woman can shatter their entire world with just one story. The only question is...will she? Dark Side of the Moon is full of Sherrilyn Kenyon's trademark sexy humor and breathtaking imagination.





Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Avon Red (May 23, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 006088536X

Agent provocateur Liz Maverick

A deadly agent is assigned to prepare an exotic beauty to be the ultimate seductress and perfect spy . . . lessons that will require long hours of personal instruction to perfect her ability to pleasure a man . . . and, ultimately, conquer him.

Unrequited Kimberly Dean

After years of secret longing for his brother's wife, Tyler rejoices when she is set free and ripe for new love -- though it may take a prolonged seduction to convince wary Trista to open herself up to pleasure once more.

Victim of Deception Lynn LaFleur

When a woman moves into an old house, she is suddenly tantalized by erotic dreams that cause her to shed her every inhibition . . . leaving her vulnerable to the very real, very irresistible ministrations of the man who'd once broken her heart.





Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 2, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0425209725

Book Description
A delightful new comedy about witches, vampires, and the search for the perfect man.

Recovering witch Garnet Lacey manages Wisconsin's premier occult bookstore. And a fringe benefit of the job is getting customers like Sebastian Von Traum-piercing brown eyes, a sexy accent, and a killer body. The only thing missing is an aura. Which means he's dead. And that means trouble.

So what's a girl to do if she's hot for a dead man walking? Run like hell-and take full advantage of the nights





Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0425210138

Book Description
From the USA Today bestselling author, a vampire-meets-girl story set in the city that never sleeps-except during daylight.

He's a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is actually a nice guy. Not to mention a very hot, wealthy, casino-owning vampire. It's an election year for vampires, which means he'll first have to escape his opponent's hit men. Then he'll have to find a suitable First Lady, preferably here in Vegas.

Brittany Baldizzi fits the bill. She's smart, pretty- and sweeter than a glass of diabetic O-Negative. But her protective sister Alexis steps in with a message for Ethan: Bite me. It's then that he realizes it's the sexy, no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, Alexis wouldn't mind a romp in the coffin with him. But can a mere mortal, even one who risks her life for him, make a centuries-old, womanizing vampire feel something entirely new?

Here is a another fabulous anthology from Kensington's Brava line, and it's just in time for those hot days and sultry nights of summer...so don't forget the iced tea, the sunscreen, or the latest Brava by some of the line's best authors....


Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Brava (June 6, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN: 0758209347

"Luscious" by Lori Foster: Lori has done it again: she's created another sexy, rugged, honorable hero who loves and respects women and wants to take the one special woman he's in love with to heaven and beyond. Lucius Ryder may have a dangerous job, but it's his personal life that gives him an adrenaline rush and sets his soul on fire. Bethany Churchill is the woman who Lucius wants to spend the rest of his life with, but she's convinced he'd rather have her twin sister Marci - every man does. So it's up to Lucius and his heart-stealing pooch Hero to convince Bethany that she is the woman of his dreams, not her twin. Bethany has lived her life in her sister's shadow, convinced she is always second best, and uses fighting words to keep Lucius at a distance, but nothing will hold back a man in love from claiming his soulmate...

"It's About Time" by Erin McCarthy: Prosecuting attorney Trish Jones has been stood up. Again. It could just be her intimidating personality that keeps the men away. She decides to head over to a familiar haunt - Ryan's Pub - to drown her sorrows and comes across a man determined to do exactly the same thing, but for a different reason. Caleb Vancouver is looking to find some love of the physical kind when the irritating yet sexy woman parks her booty on the next barstool. As the two pass the time getting to know each other, they both discover that while they might not have too much in common, what they do share is the important stuff along with a very hot attraction that doesn't fade when their curiosity is satisfied. This is a bit more serious of a story from Erin, one that proves holding out for the "right one" is definitely worth the wait. Words to live by.

"Wish You Were Here" by Amy Garvey: All Mackenzie Pruitt wanted was a new shed for her photography studio. What she got was a contractor who turned her life upside down in the most wonderful ways. Leo Dawson was every woman's bad boy fantasy, but he was here to do a job, not get involved with a sweet and innocent client who fascinates him. But their attraction overwhelms them, and soon they can't keep their hands off each other. The more time they spend together, the more they begin to care about each other. But Leo is just waiting for the other shoe to drop, because he has a secret, one he hasn't told Mackenzie, because once she knows, she won't want to have anything to do with him...or will she?

Aw, three wonderful stories for the summer, all together in one yummy book. Brava is a favorite line of mine, and so far the record remains unbroken - I haven't met a Brava I didn't like. The stories are fun, sexy, and romantic, much like eating a bowl of chocolate mousse - decadent, sinful and satisfying. Hurry up and get your copy now - it's almost beach weather.

Wow. I am in love. Okay, I'm more like seriously crushing on this guy right now (and who wouldn't? Just look at how ruggedly handsome my Nathan is? Sigh... Oh, sorry, he's not mine, I mean, I do know that. I just like think he is. ) but that's no secret. I am impressed by his attitude and his morals - how many people, not just men, would feel the same way about life and his role in it? And how many people take their faith or religion to heart, and live it everyday?

I'm just going to take a moment and admire how good Nathan looks in red - feel free to do the same. Then when you get your fill of that sexy and mysterious smile, those gorgeous eyes, that sexy hair, those very capable-looking hands (oh, sorry) check out part deux of Michelle Buonfiglio's awesome interview. I still like her, even if she does know what his voice sounds like....

Recently I read a post at a blog that I came across in my "travels"; it was someone I don't even know but the latest post at her blog was about an incident that had happened to her very recently.  The reason that I am even mentioning it is because it really struck a cord with me. Here's the situation: This woman explained at her blog that she's engaged, and her fiance had a bachelor party, complete with music, booze, strippers - the whole nine yards. She was completely fine with that - she knew beforehand what his plans were and thought it was okay if he enjoyed himself with his buddies. "Enjoyed himself". Well, that's an open statement because, see, he definitely decided to enjoy himself to the fullest, using the reasoning (however sound or unsound it may be) that it was his last night of freedom and "anything goes". Basically he enjoyed himself a little too much with not one, but three strippers, putting on a drunken show in the living room for the guys before retiring to the bedroom to continue the fun and games. One of the guests at the party was actually the woman's relative, and decided it was best to tell her most of what he saw (which excludes the bedroom activities). The woman confronted her fiance about the bachelor party; he confessed to what he did, stating that he thought it was his "right" to live it up before tying himself down to one woman for the rest of his life. Said woman, understandably upset by those comments alone, threw him out of their apartment, changed the locks, and ultimately called off the wedding. What really confused her was that they never had trust issues before - she never saw it coming. She was hurt, but she was also angry, and not willing to just let it go.

I completely agree with her. I would have done the exact same thing, including going on the honeymoon to Hawaii without the lying bastard. I know that a lot of bachelor and bachelorette parties have similar goings-on, and some couples are totally okay with the "last hurrah", but I would not be among them. Let me explain why.

When you start dating someone, it's not like you give up seeing other people immediately (unless it's decided upon by both parties). You are attracted to this new person, getting to know them, but not thinking about jumping into a commitment right away. As time goes by, you either feel a stronger connection or it stays in the superficial stage, so you pretty much know if it's going to be a serious relationship or a temporary situation lasting a few weeks. If it's serious, usually at this point you agree to see each other exclusively. If things are really wonderful, you realize you're in love and you've met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, and hopefully he feels the same way. Then your life really becomes amazing when he asks you to marry him - to spend your life with him, to start a family, to face the future together, to begin a new and exciting chapter in both of your lives.

Now, somewhere between dating and making a commitment, any wild oats to sow should have been sowed already. If you consciously decide to be serious with someone, and you say the words and agree on it, that should mean just that. And by the time you decide to marry that person, you sure as hell better not be seeing anyone else, definitely not for sex. Once you've decided to pop the question, that's it. There are no "last hurrahs", no "one last night of freedom" before tying yourself down. Nuh-uh. When you make a promise to someone, then your job is to keep that promise.

How can this woman really trust her fiance again? If he can justify his actions once, there's a greater chance he will do it again in the future. Was his night of debauchery really worth losing the woman he planned to marry? I know some guys have a strange thing about the women they marry - they don't want them to engage in certain types of behavior - not the (future) mother of his children, oh no. Heaven forbid they should like to get down and dirty. But that doesn't give him a valid reason for what he did at all. Get over it, dude. A woman can be just as sexual as a man, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. This guy obviously didn't realize how lucky he was.

So you could definitely say I have a problem with what this guy did and definitely feel he betrayed his promise to his fiancee. I just have to wonder how he would have felt if she had done something like that at her bachelorette party (she hadn't, btw) - I doubt he would have been very understanding...

To all the wonderful ladies out there - moms, sisters, daughters, friends, aunts, nieces - have a wonderful day celebrating yourselves and each other!   It's all about YOU!

I must have been born under a lucky star because another wonderful author, Karen Kelley, has agreed to let me pester her, um, interview her for prosperity...I mean posterity. Here she is, in all her charming glory. Any boring questions are strictly the fault of the interviewer....

SA: One thing people first learn about you is how determined you are to succeed at something, regardless of how long it takes. You quit smoking. You got you GED. You went to nursing school. You became published. These are all things that take time and dedication. You should be proud of yourself, Karen, for these accomplishments. What keeps you motivated and on-track?

Answer: Greed---I want more money. Ha! Wrong business. No, seriously, I think I've always felt a need to prove something to myself---that I could do what I set out to do. Besides the fact that I actually love to write and don't mind staying cooped up in a room (or closet) for hours on end and letting the characters inside my head create their story.

SA: My personal feeling about Kensington Brava is that this is a quality line. I seriously have not read a Brava I didn't like. The stories are top-notch and grab your attention from the first page. You must be thrilled to be writing for this line. Tell us a little bit about that journey.

Answer: It started with the fabulous Lori Foster. I entered her Brava contest, but didn't win. She loved my writing enough to pass it along to Kate Duffy who asked for more. I ended up with a three book contract., then another, then another and an anthology inbetween. It's enough to make my head spin---oh, great idea for another book. No, wait. That's been done already---drat!

SA: You are one of the 7 authors, along with Shiloh Walker, Dianne Castell, LuAnn McLane, Lucy Monroe, Janice Maynard, and Toni Blake, who are part of the Vamps and Scamps group. How did you get involved with this group and any fun gossip you can share, on any or all of them?

Answer: The Vamps and Scamps are great. They invited me to join them a few months ago. What fun! Oh boy, do I know gossip on all of them!!! Let me tell you....$#@(_(&^%$%$$$&()_+_&%##@^^&&%$ and then %$#@@&(())))*&%%$ Oh no, it's the you-can't-gossip-about-the-group curse......eghhhhhhhh (SA: Yeah, likely story. I guess what happens with the authors stays with authors. Talk about drat!)

SA: I read at your website it was Rosemary Rogers' "Sweet, Savage Love" that interested you in the idea of writing. What other authors inspire/inspired you, and have you ever gotten an opportunity to meet with any of them? (Note: Out of the other authors you mentioned at your site, I grew up on Johanna Lindsey, and Judith McNaught is one of my all-time favorites)

Answer: Jennifer Blake, Sharon Sala, Helen R. Myers....the list goes on and on. I actually have met Sharon Sala and I was so tongue-tied it was pathetic. She's always been a favorite author of mine. She's one of the few authors who can make me cry, sigh and laugh out loud. Helen R. Myers is another favorite. Her Whispers In The Woods is one of my fav's. And of course Lori Foster.

SA: You have an extremely supportive husband who often goes along with you on various booksignings. Does he also read your books and how has he contributed to what you write, if at all?

Answer: I've been blessed with a wonderful husband. Karl has always supported me in anything I wanted to do, he gave me confidence in myself when I had none, and he showed me the meaning of real love. He reads everything I write and critiques it for me. He loves going to booksignings with me, he runs my contests, makes my calendars, orders my bookmarks---whatever is needed he'll jump in with both feet and get it done.

SA: You do have a book out-of-print, a Precious Gem by the name of "Bachelor Party". Have you come across fans that have read the book? I would love to get a copy!

Answer: Bachelor Party was my very first book. I got fan mail!!! That still surprises me. I kept a lot of the letters I got. Every "fan" letter I get is an absolute treasure. An extra copy---wow, they're really hard to find. Let me see if I still have a copy.



SA: "Texas Bad Boys". Your anthology with Dianne Castell and Rosemary Laurey. Another book I'm looking forward to reading. What is it about bad boys, especially those from Texas?

Answer: I think it's the forbidden fruit syndrome. And Bad Boys from Texas---well, they're not afraid to get down and dirty.

SA: Speaking of hotties, you've made no secret of the fact that Johnny Depp rocks your world. Is there anyone else who might also fit that description, and what do you find appealing about your hotties?

Answer: Oh, my, (fanning self) Johnny Depp---it's got to be is eyes. Shoot, I think everything about him is soooooo hot. I love watching the way a sexy man moves, the way he looks at women, his sense of humor. Too much to list, too many men, so little time.

SA: Okay, you had to know this was coming: is it true you named a dog after your mother-in-law? Do tell us the story!

Answer: Did I? They say the mind is the first thing to go---okay, I can live with that. Hey, I'm happy in my own little world! I do remember naming a pig after my mother. Karl and I tried our hand at raising pigs once. We bought when they were cheap and they got cheaper. But, each one of those little pigs were like puppies to me. They thought they were human.

SA: Other than hubby, who are some of the people that belong to your support system? The ones that read your work, give you encouragement, keep you laughing?


Answer: My daughter reads what I write and does a wonderful critque. I have two wonderful critique partners: Mary Beth Lee, and Sheila Curlin who are also in my writers group. My son-in-law always offers encouragement as does my son. My wonderful agent: Pamela Harty with the Knight Agency. My writers groups: Red River Romance Writers, DARA and NTRWA. keep me laughing? My brain is fried so I can pretty well do that on my own.

SA: Where do you like to go on vacation? What would be your dream getaway? A house on the beach? An Italian villa? An Austrian castle? A ritzy 5-star hotel in New York? Somewhere else?

You hit the mark with two destinations. I've always wanted to go to Italy and I love the ocean. In fact, Karl and I are hoping to get to the ocean this year (Texas coast).

SA: Outside of writing, what other hobbies or passions lay claim to your time? I'm fascinated by what interests people, especially writers.

Answer: I used to sketch and crochet but I don't have much time for either. I'm not a gardener but occasionally will pull a weed or two. Shopping is a passion *smile* and I love antique stores.

SA: Do you like music? What kinds? Favorite movie and why? And what are you reading these days when you're not writing?

Answer: Love music. I listen to it when I write. I'm listening to Shakira with my current book. I like Yanni, Enya, Cher. Just about anything except RAP. As far as reading I just finished Mary Janice Davidson's Undead and Unemployed--I'm hooked. Just started Jude's Law by Lori Foster--HOT!

SA: Anything you'd like to add? Some deep, dark secret, or maybe "people don't know that I...." Well, now here's your chance..... :)

What you see is what you get. I tried to mold myself into what I thought people wanted. I finally gave up and decided to try being myself so what you see is what you get. I'm thankful that I'm getting to live my dream of writing. That Lori Foster saw something in me and that Kate Duffy has given me the chance to grow as a writer. I feel very blessed with all the new friends I've made, the fans who write to tell me they enjoyed a book---that's still so awesome! And that's about it. Now you know everything about me. Except for the time..........Oops, just ran out of room.


ISBN:0-7582-1171-6
Available June 2006



Sure, sure. All good things must come to an end....sigh. Seriously, thanx again, Karen, for playing! It's been a total blast. And readers, don't miss out on Karen's latest release, "Hell on Wheels", coming in June - woo hoo! Sunglasses, leather, and a motorcycle - now that's the ultimate bad boy, and just the kind I like! And because Karen is so funny and interesting, don't miss out on her blog....and don't forget to tell her who sent ya!

Well ladies, she did it! Michelle Buonfiglio, columnist for www.wnbc.com got the scoop on hot cover model Nathan Kamp! He's been on the book covers for such recognizable authors as Lori Foster ("Wildly Winston"); Kinley MacGregor ("Swords of Darkness"), Teresa Medeiros ("The Vampire Who Loved Me") and Lucy Monroe ("The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain"), and now here he is, talking one on one with a very cool lady....gosh I really, really hate her - LOL. Just kidding Michelle. You are the Queen Bella and I wanna be just like you when I grow up!


There's really nothing more to be said....

I'll just give you the link here.....and let you admire some of God's greatest artwork....sigh....

I have seen this author's work a few times, and have even had some of her stories recommended to me, but this story, "Animal Instincts", is the first book I picked up, mostly because of the title, and then from the synopsis:

Animal Instincts -- May 06 In the jungle of life, only the strong survive. Naomi Delacroix isn't strong. She's always been a doormat, allowing everyone she encounters to wipe their muddy boots (and stilettos) on the rug that is her life. When she's given a copy of self-help manual, Unleashing the Tigress Within, a book that promises to transform her into an assertive, take-no-prisoners female, she attempts to follow its advice. Not an easy task at first. Go for the jugular - ouch! Leave opponent in a mentally bloody heap - what a mess! But she begins to strengthen, to become the woman she's always wanted to be. Too bad the new and improved Naomi is driving everyone away -- the boyfriend now taking applications for a wife, the step-dad who may or may not be cheating, and the mom determined to marry her off, whatever the price. What's a Tigress to do?

When I saw the cover in the bookstore, I just had to pick it up, and when I read the previous description, I was definitely intrigued. Gena Showalter has written a very funny, very entertaining love story with some poignant moments. Told in the first person, "Animal Instincts" deals with the insecurities that a broken marriage leaves behind, and how they affect a person's relationships with their future partners, their family, and their friends. A person's self-esteem can be so broken that they are unwilling to risk their heart again, and instead of trust and commitment, they see lies and deception, even from those closest to them.

But this story is not all serious and emotional. Naomi may seem like an unlikely heroine for the rich and gorgeous Royce, but she has a personality and a strength all her own, one that attracts Royce right from the get-go. Her personal experiences with counseling and her fear of flying had me laughing out loud throughout the book. Naomi is a woman worthy of love, but that's really not the issue. It's the long-term commitment she's having a problem with because it's her strongest belief that even the most stable relationship will crumble to dust eventually. So rather than wait around for the inevitable, she wants to avoid what she considers the pretense of a committed relationship. But when it comes to love, it's all a leap of faith, and a life filled with love will be worth the risk. It was a joy to watch as Naomi discovers this.

And the book is hot! Now that's not so unusual these days (see previous post), but to write a scorching love scene and not make it appear gratuitous or boring is not an easy task, yet Gena has done just that. Turn up the a/c because "Animal Instincts" is tons of sexy fun. Doesn't finding your own inner tigress just sound like so much fun?

I would recommend this book to anyone, and I plan on checking out her backlist as well as the coming attractions. Gena Showalter is one to watch :)

Last week I, of all people, was contacted via email by a producer for CBS Chicago News. The t.v. station was doing a feature story on the ultra-hot storylines existing in the modern-day romance novel and wanted some reader feedback. Having this little, itty, bitty blog somehow got their attention because I was asked to be interviewed for the story. Unfortunately, due to the short notice, and prior commitments I couldn't back out of at the last minute, I was unable to meet with the reporter and tell my side - a reader's side - of the story, and hopefully put a positive spin on romance novels and why they are not smut, but wonderfully entertaining and empowering stories about healthy, relationships between consenting adults. Hot, sexy, funny, but not trashy. Believe me, I was actually looking forward to the opportunity, even to the point of making a list and taking notes on things I wanted to say, and if there's one thing that is true about me is that I am so not a listmaker, unless it's extremely important, or something I feel passionate about. As a reader of romances, this definitely qualified. I would have overcome my stage fright all for the greater good. Maybe worn a cape. Red satin.....Okay, no. At least not in public.

Yet maybe it was just as well I was unable to set up a time with the news station since the readers' side of the story wasn't represented very strongly due to everyone's insistence on privacy. Sadly, that would have been an issue for me as well. Basically it would have been an issue with my employer since I have a rather visible position in the company with many of our customers in the Chicago area. So yeah, anyway, blah, blah, blah, the bottom line is that I wasn't interviewed. This is how the story went down:

Turning up the heat

So, tell me....what do YOU think?

Just a little bit of everything today. Starting with the weather. It's been raining like crazy here in Chicago area. When was spring supposed to arrive - I hate when things run late! Must be that Dianne Castell running around the Maypole! Every year we try to stop her, but somehow she breaks free. Guess Bad Barb was sleeping on the job LOL. Don't tell here I said that - she scares me!

And I have another contest coming up - this time there may be a little work involved, but it's all in fun. The prize? Well, I'm not going to tell you, but I will give you a hint: a rich young woman is looking for a job. I'm trying to figure out exactly what to do - getting some author input - to make it more interesting. Stay tuned ;)

Been into a lot of historicals and funny stories lately. Sometimes I go in cycles like that: vamps, category romances, biographies. I love reading about the glamorous movie stars of the 30's and 40's, where there was a lot more mystery than there is today. Not that they weren't wild and crazy, it just wasn't as well-known as it is in today's world. I like reading about Rita Hayworth, Maureen O'Hara, Tyron Power, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier. They are just so much more fascinating than the "stars" of today.

And don't forget to check out Brenda Novak's auction here