Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Writing Prompt Wednesday

It's Wednesday and you know what that means...Writing Prompt!!

Every now and again we all need a little creativity boost. It doesn't matter that you aren't a writer. We all need that extra incentive now and again and a writing prompt is a good way to get your mind to open up and have some fun.

How does this work?

I post the beginning of a sentence and you finish it. You can write one sentence, a paragraph, or even a page if you like. Just let your mind go and write whatever comes into it. You'd be amazed at the results.

Today's writing prompt - She walked into her apartment. . .

Now all you have to do is write. Finish the sentence and if you feel like sharing we would love to see what you come up with. It's amazing to see how we all go in different directions.

Most of all Have fun!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

End to a fantastic Dewey Read-a-thon

The curtain is closing on another terrific Dewey Read-a-thon along with the curtains in the bedroom. Time for a much deserved nap!

Before I get some breakfast and crawl under the covers, I want to thank the coordinators, the cheerleaders, and other readers of the Dewey Read-a-thon for the encouragement and the boosts throughout the 24 hours. Your tweets and comments really kept my mind on the goal and my eyes wide open. Okay, maybe half open.

It was exhausting and fun, and unbelievably I cannot wait for the next one.

For those of you who didn't participate in the event, please, check out the Dewey Read-a-thon website for information on the event and how to sign up for the next one.

We can never have too many readers!!

Last three hours of the Dewey Read-a-thon

As I enter the last three hours, Mm eyelids feel like led weights are attached to the eyelashes and they are drooping dangerously close to tiny slits. Caffeine is no longer helping.

Jumping jacks, touch your toes, or in my case step outside on the porch for a bite of crisp fall air. That'll wake you up and get you motivated.

On to what will probably be my last book this this read-a-thon. I'm reading The Welcoming by Nora Roberts.

Blurb: He came to the seaside inn with only the clothes on his back and a loaded .38 revolver. His orders: expose a criminal organization based at the quaint vacation hideaway. It was just another assignment for Roman DeWinter. Routing, simple, uncomplicated. He didn't expect to fall for his key suspect, innkeeper Charity Ford.

Charity knew Roman was different. His gaze smoldered with angry passion, arousing a dangerous fascination. His mere presence made her most forbidden desires come alive. Still, Charity knew so little about him, and it put her on edge. Was this stranger a threat to her happiness. . . or the man she'd been waiting a lifetime to welcome?

Who needs sleep when it's the Dewey Read-a-thon

My derriere is pactically numb and I have to shift from one side to the next every few minutes, but yes, I am wide awake now and moving on to my next book.

Next up is Close Call by Carla Neggers.

Excerpt: Adirt-encrusted mountain bike. A battered kayak. Free weights loose on the floor. Gym clothes and squash rackets hanging from a pegboard. Street and ice hockey sticks leaned up against the wall.Brendan O'Malley's idea of how to welcome guests to his place. As she stepped into the foyer, Jessica Stewart told herself there were no surprises. It wasn't as if she'd expected feng shui or something out of a decorating magazine. She loved the guy. She really did. She didn't know if she was in love with him, but that was a problem for later—right now, she had to fight her way into his apartment and find out what he was up to.Jess stuffed the key that O'Malley's brother Mike—the firefighter brother—had loaned her. Brendan was one of the cop brothers, a Boston homicide detective. The other cop brother, the youngest, was just starting out. There was also a carpenter brother and a marine brother. Five O'Malley brothers in all. At thirty-four, Brendan was smack in the middle.

A little holiday fun for the read-a-thon

As we enter the last 6 hours of the Dewey Read-a-thon I decided to throw another holiday story into the mix.

Curled up on the sofa under a blanket, I'm reading The 24 Days of Christmas by Linda Lael Miller.

Blurb: Feeling the chill of winter? Then grab a glass of egg nog, take a seat by the yule log, and warm yourself heart and soul with these four captivating tales of passion that make mistletoe seem so unnecessary...

A matchbox advent calendar first brought Frank Rayner and Addie Hutton together. But that was years ago. There's no way the miracles of Christmas--and the magic of true

Entering the last seven hours of the Dewey Read-a-thon

As all the readers strive to keep thei eyelids by any means necessary. Whether you use toothpicks, glue, caffeine, or sugar it doesn't matter. In my case, I am using mini Snickers and mini bottles of Coke. I've only had one of each and the Coke is still sitting here and has gotten a little warm now.

I added Heather Graham into the mix twice. I read Home for Christmas.

Blurb: It broke Travis' heart to see Isabella go, but he was the Yankee captain who had commandeered her home and she was a daughter of the Confederacy. However much he wished it, there could be no love between them. Yet, even in the war-torn South, there was room for a Christmas miracle or two...

Her next book I read was Wilde Imaginings.

Blurb: Rising out of the murky English moors, Fairhaven Castle housed dark secrets ... and handsome, brooding Brian Wilde. But even as Brian's touch filled lovely Alyssa Evans with fire, his enigmatic manner chilled her with fear. Could she discover the castle's secrets before it was too late?

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Who doesn't like a happy ending?

My next book in the Dewey Read-a-thon is a book titles Ever After by Nora Roberts.

Ahh. I love a little Irish.

Blurb: Wearing an ancient star pendant, an enchanting woman journeys to an otherworldly land -- and introduces a skeptical stranger to the magical powers of love...

Reading Sharon Sala in the Read-a-thon

After my manicure and before the making of 15 gallons of Irish Dry Stout beer, I managed to squeeze in a book by Sharon Sala.

I read The Return of Walker Lee. Great read!

Book blurb: Hard as he tried, Walker Lee couldn't forget the Texas girl he left behind. But after ten years, did Carrie Wainwright still want him?

Audiobooks count in the Dewey Read-a-thon

While I drive today to the restaurant for breakfast, to pick up my earrings from jeweler, to my manicure appointment, to make beer with friends, and who knows where else, I will be listening to a book by Catherine Coulter.


Playing through the speakers of my car I will be listening/reading to Split Second.

Book blurb: A serial killer is on the loose, and it's up to FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock to bring him down. They soon discover that the killer has blood ties to the infamous and now long-dead monster Ted Bundy. Savich and Sherlock are joined by agents Lucy Carlyle and Cooper McKnight, and the chase is on.

At the same time, Agent Carlyle learns from her dying father that her grandfather didn't simply walk away from his family twenty-two years ago: he was, in fact, murdered by his wife, Lucy's grandmother. Determined to find the truth, Lucy moves into her grandmother's Chevy Chase mansion. What she finds, however, is a nightmare. Not only does she discover the truth of what happened all those years ago, but she faces a new mystery as well, a strange ring that holds powers beyond her ken.

As the hunt for the serial killer escalates, Savich realizes he's become the killer's focus, and perhaps the next victim. It's up to Lucy to stop this madness before it's too late.

Courting Catherine in the Read-a-thon


While I wait to get my manicure I will start reading Courting Catherine by Nora Roberts.

Book blurb: STRICTLY BUSINESS

All hard-driving executive Trenton St. James III had on his mind was business-making the final arrangements to buy a run-down old mansion on the coast of Maine. He wasn't expecting any complications. And he definitely wasn't expecting anything like Catherine "C. C." Calhoun.

This feisty, independent-minded young woman bristled at the very thought of her family's most highly prized possession ending up as part of some faceless hotel chain. And she seemed to bristle at the very sight of Trenton St. James, too. But all that was going to have to change, because Trent not only wanted her home, he wanted her, too. And he wasn't a man who took no for an answer.

Read-a-thon continues with Sharon Sala

I finished reading Early in the Morning, a short story by Stella Cameron and now I am on to another short book this time by another of my favorite authors Sharon Sala.

My next read is The Fiercest Heart by Sharon Sala. I'm taking this book with me and going to read it while I'm out at breakfast. Shh...I'll be reading with my mouth full so don't interrupt. It won't be pretty if you do.

Book blurb: Torn apart years ago by a family feud and a deadly accident, high school sweethearts Haley and Mack reunite when Haley returns to town. But someone doesn't want them together and will do anything to keep them apart. Anything...

24-Hour Read-a-thon Begins!

The next 24-hr Dewey Read-a-thon is about to occur. Starting at 8 AM Saturday Eastern to 8 AM Sunday Eastern yours truly will read as many books as possible in support of literacy.

You can read in the privacy of your own home, while sitting at your day at the spa, or with other reader friends. You can read e-books, comic books, children's books, fiction, it really doesn't matter. Just read and have fun!

In between getting a manicure and making some beer with friends and who knows what else, I will read a short stack of books. I've already got the books picked out.

Whenever I do the Dewey Read-a-thon I always go to the used bookstore and locate a bunch of old books. This read-a-thon is no different. Join me as I share with you books written by Stella Cameron, Nora Roberts, Sharon Sala, Catherine Coulter, and Merline Lovelace.


My first book will be Stella Cameron's Early in the Morning.

Book blurb: A frustrated librarian is determined to drive her scholarly fiance wild with desire before the wedding, but she may need some heavenly help to ignite the passion of a man afraid of being burned.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fall in New England

My favorite season in New England is fall. From the crisp mornings to the leaves of red, bronze, and yellow to the pumpkins with painted on faces or cut out grins. Mums in every hue smiling their happy faces up at you in the last remnants of brilliant color before winter shows its solemn white face.

Fall in New England provides a great time for everyone every weekend.


Last weekend I went to the Milford Pumpkin Festival. This is an annual event that has a gigantic pumpkin contest. For this contest size does matter.

There is entertainment from local artists on a main street stage in the middle of the town circle and then there is entertainment out in the streets.

Food is everywhere. Actually, there is one road cordoned off that I refer to as food alley. All the fair foods you could possibly want is down this road, including wood fire pizza and one of my favorites, fried dough.

Inside the courthouse and in booths spread out through the main streets is a craft fair where local vendors get to show and sell their wares. You can always find something that you just can’t do without and have to buy.

For the kids and of course people like me, “big kids” there is face painting, scarecrow making, and pumpkin painting.

Overall, the Milford Pumpkin Festival is a three-day affair of fun, food, and fresh air.

This weekend I went apple picking with a couple of girlfriends. Every year on the weekend of October 15th, I go apple picking for my favorite apples, the Mutsu. If you have never had a Mutsu apple I will tell you that you are truly missing out. A softball-size green apple is to die for. It is great eating right off the tree, great for baking pies and cakes, and as my friends and family will attest to, they make the best caramel apples.

The best part of apple picking is truly the time you spend wending your way thru the trees talking with your friends and family and seeing who can pick the best apples or the most. If you have kids, watch out. If you give each kid a bucket to pick their own apples you’ll be eating apple soup, apple, pie, apple strudel every day for the next year.

This is my friend Lisa picking her first apple at an apple orchard.


For the second year in a row, I went with friends (Colleen and Lisa) to Meadow Ledge Farm in Loudoun, New Hampshire. This is a great farm because not only do they have a huge selection of trees to pick from but also they usually have entertainment in the afternoon. A nice local band plays in the “back yard” for your musical enjoyment.

To top off this terrific morning or afternoon, why not share some fresh, hot off the press, apple cider donuts with your family or friends. There is nothing like these and I have never found another place that sells them hot and fresh. It really makes a difference! After you wait in the line that usually winds its way out the door, why not sit outside on one of the benches that are scattered about, listen to the music from the local band, and talk with family and friends while enjoying those fresh cider donuts.

If you’re in the mood next year, feel free to join Colleen, Lisa, and myself on our annual apple picking Saturday. The benefit besides our company is that I take the apples we picked and make the best, most gigantic caramel apples you have ever seen or tasted.

What will next weekend bring? I know that Lisa is going to be going to a Renaissance Festival, yes, dressed in costume. For me, I'll be making beer with a few friends. From then on if I want to find something fun to do all I have to do is read in the local weekender newspaper called The Hippo Press or what I see on the http://www.nhevents.com website for festivals or fairs.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Writing Prompt Wednesday

It's Wednesday and you know what that means...Writing Prompt!!

Every now and again we all need a little creativity boost. It doesn't matter that you aren't a writer. We all need that extra incentive now and again and a writing prompt is a good way to get your mind to open up and have some fun.

How does this work?

I post the beginning of a sentence and you finish it. You can write one sentence, a paragraph, or even a page if you like. Just let your mind go and write whatever comes into it. You'd be amazed at the results.

Today's writing prompt - Had she really said that?. . .

Now all you have to do is write. Finish the sentence and if you feel like sharing we would love to see what you come up with. It's amazing to see how we all go in different directions.

Most of all Have fun!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Join the fun in the Dewey 24-hr Read-a-thon


The next 24-hr Dewey Read-a-thon is about to occur. If you have not participated in the read-a-thon in the past now is your chance to show your support for reading.

The read-a-thon only occurs twice a year, in April and in October.

What is Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon? For 24 hours, we read books, post on our blogs about our reading, and visit other readers’ blogs. We participate in mini-challenges throughout the day.

The idea is to just read as many books as you can in 24 hours and share what you read with others.

Do you actually have to spend the entire day sitting in a chair and never moving, only reading? No. Some people will. Others can't.

The trick will be to stay awake all night and read books whenever you can.

Between other readers and the cheerleaders you will feel tons of love and support for your effort. We will cheer each other on, keep you boosted to stay awake, to finish just one more, book, and to just have fun.

You can read in the privacy of your own home, while sitting at your day at the spa, or with other reader friends. You can read e-books, comic books, children's books, fiction, it really doesn't matter. Just read and have fun!

Join me and other readers on Saturday, October 22 for the next Dewey 24-hr Read-a-thon. Sign up here

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Writing Prompt Wednesday

It's Wednesday and you know what that means...Writing Prompt!!

Every now and again we all need a little creativity boost. It doesn't matter that you aren't a writer. We all need that extra incentive now and again and a writing prompt is a good way to get your mind to open up and have some fun.

How does this work?

I post the beginning of a sentence and you finish it. You can write one sentence, a paragraph, or even a page if you like. Just let your mind go and write whatever comes into it. You'd be amazed at the results.

Today's writing prompt - Jake, Jake. . .

Now all you have to do is write. Finish the sentence and if you feel like sharing we would love to see what you come up with. It's amazing to see how we all go in different directions.

Most of all Have fun!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Writing Prompt Wednesday

It's Wednesday and you know what that means...Writing Prompt!!

Every now and again we all need a little creativity boost. It doesn't matter that you aren't a writer. We all need that extra incentive now and again and a writing prompt is a good way to get your mind to open up and have some fun.

How does this work?

I post the beginning of a sentence and you finish it. You can write one sentence, a paragraph, or even a page if you like. Just let your mind go and write whatever comes into it. You'd be amazed at the results.

Today's writing prompt - The summer. . .

Now all you have to do is write. Finish the sentence and if you feel like sharing we would love to see what you come up with. It's amazing to see how we all go in different directions.

Most of all Have fun!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

How many times equals all night long?

I was writing a scene today and rather than “show” you all the times my hero and heroine made love, which would have turned you on way too much I opted for showing one time and letting your imagination run for the rest of the night.

Now here’s the question. How many times do they do the deed, the nasty, the horizontal mambo in a night?

Is it one time? Please, no offense, but this is a fantasy and that just would not equate to fantasy in my book. That would be more like wham-bam-thank you ma’am. *YAWN*

Actually, as I sit here and ponder this question, I have to wonder is it the number of times that the hero and heroine have actual intercourse or is it the number of times the heroine gets hers. *WINK* You know what I mean. I mean, let’s face it. A guy might be satisfied with one time. . .but hate to break it to all you men out there. . .once is not enough for most women.

After all this is fiction, so why not go for a record.

Maybe all night long equates to the heroine skyrocketing through that state of orgasmic euphoria several times thanks to her selfless and caring hero who wants to make sure she receives the utmost pleasure multiple times before he gets his, ONCE.
Would that be enough for all night long? Or does that make our heroine selfish?

What?! A heroine selfish? Never. *GRIN*

Okay, so maybe we don’t have to go that far, but yes, feel free to let the heroine to get more than the hero. I mean let’s face it, when you insert tab A into slot B, tab A is sure to achieve, uh, satisfaction. On the other hand, slot B may end up whistling Dixie and staring at the ceiling if tab A is not inserted with the right goal in mind. MUTUAL satisfaction.

Back to our original question. How many times equals all night long? What do you think?

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