Almost halfway thru the Couch Potato to 5K

We're in week four of our training program and at the end we will be almost halfway through the Couch Potato to 5K nine week program.

Week 4 gets even more interesting. You ready?

Do this three days a week. I do mine Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

Start with a brisk five-minute warmup walk

Then do the following;

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Walk 1/4 mile (or 2 1/2 minutes)

Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Don't forget the cool down walk and to stretch.

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing prompt Wednesday is an opportunity to break that writer's block and boost your creativity.

It's simple and fun and a great way to kickoff your writing.

Here's your writing prompt: The door swung...

Here's how it works.

1. I leave the beginning of a sentence. See above for the writing prompt.
2. You read the beginning of the sentence.
3. You finish the sentence. (Write a sentence, a paragraph, a page, however much your mind let's you create.)
4. Share whatever you come up with here as a comment. (You don't have to share, but it is half the fun.)

Let your mind go, your fingers fly, and have fun. Happy writing!

Valentine's Day Giveaway

The best way to celebrate Valentine's Day is to show the people you love how much you care.

I care about you, the readers.

To show my readers how much I appreciate them and to celebrate the release of my latest novel I'm giving away a copy of Phish NET Stalkings.

GASP! Yea!!

To enter the giveaway is easy. Find out who my latest novel, Phish NET Stalkings, is dedicated to. Leave the name of the person in your comment along with your email.

The winner will be selected at random from the participants who leave the correct name of my dedicatee. Is that a word? Hm...I'm a writer so if not I'll make it up.

Go now and find the name of the person who I dedicated Phish NET Stalkings to and report back to enter to win a free copy of Phish NET Stalkings.

Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day

Couch Potato to 5K continues with Week 3

I don't know about you, but I am really enjoying this Couch Potato training program. Having the program makes having weekly goals simple. And actually achievable.

Weeks 3 of the Couch Potato Program changes things up a little bit. You ready?

Start with a Brisk five-minute warmup walk
The do TWO repetitions of the following:

Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)

Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
Walk 400 yards (or 3 minutes)

Don't forget the five-minute cool down walk at the end and to STRETCH.

Couch Potato to 5K - Week Two

My journey to a half-marathon continues this week, with week two of Couch Potato to 5K workout.

How did you do last week?

I felt pretty good at the end of the week. This morning's workout was a little challenging. I mean I had to jog 90 seconds straight. Sheesh! But I did it.

Join me for the fun and the routine and let's see what happens.

Week 2: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Brisk five-minute warmup walk
Alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes
Cool down for another five minutes

Tuesday and Thursday are cross-training days. These days you build muscles or play another sport so you strengthen muscles. Strengthening is just as important as the running because strong muscles prevent injuries.

My Tuesday and Thursday workouts Week 2 include walking on a high incline, abdominal exercises, along with light weights for arms and legs.

For cross-training exercises I'm doing lightweight bicep curls and tricep presses. I also do flies to work chest muscles. I do these on a fitness ball so I have to balance myself. My leg workout consists of wall squats, no weights and calf raises. One day a week I do walking lunges.

Honorable mention by local radio talent

What a way to get a smile on my face!

This afternon while working I received a message from local radio host Heather Bishop-Dumka telling me she gave me some love.

In the article link, Heather is interviewed fo the UUnion Leader's Top 40 under 40. It's a great article about a terrific, lady, mother, radio personality, and humanitarian. Read the article That midday voice on the radio might belong to WZID's Heather Bishop-Dumka

On the left-hand portion of the article you get to learn a few more personal things about Heather AND how she is reading my book, KILLER BUNNY HILL.

Terrific article, Heather!! Thanks much for the mention. I'll have to make sure you get a copy of PHISH NET STALKINGS when I get it in my hands.

Journey to a half-marathon

A friend of mine sent me a link to a half-marathon race in Ireland. Talk about a siren song. I only debated doing it for about a day. The next day I signed up.

Nope, I have never run a half-marathon in my life. Only the past year or so have I run 5Ks or 5-mile races. But hey! Why not set a goal for yourself, right? And if you're going to set a goal, you might as well make it BIG.

I have eight months to get prepared for this race and I thought I'd invite you along for the journey. I've already done two 5K runs this new year and I've signed up for thirteen more. These races will keep me motivated for the long-term goal.

Along the way though, I have to get in shape and get ready. I'm starting out my journey with the Couch-to-5K workout and I'll continue on from there.

There is no dieting in this effort. Only continuing to eat right.

The workout to prepare for the races is key. Especially when I'm one of those people who can't actually run. I mean, yes, I can run, but not gracefully and not without a lot of sucking wind. According to some friends, the way past this is to try the Couch-to-5K workout for nine weeks.

Join me for the fun and the routine and let's see what happens.

Week 1: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Brisk five-minute warmup walk
Alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes
Cool down for another five minutes

Tuesday and Thursday are cross-training days. These days you build muscles or play another sport so you strengthen.

My Tuesday and Thursday workouts Week 1 include walking on a high incline, abdominal exercises, along with light weights for arms and legs.

Hope you'll join me on this journey and share your experience and fun.

Phish NET Stalkings available on ebook

All Jane wanted was to find love. Was that too much to ask?

How difficult could it be to find one man, the perfect man for her? After dating the losers of the century, Jane decides there has to be a better way. She turns to an online dating service. After all, they guarantee a ‘happily ever after’ or your money back.

Jane East, CEO of Not-So-Plain-Jane’s organic cosmetics wants to fall in love with a man who makes her toes curl when he kisses her. Unfortunately, the one man who makes her toes curl also wears ladies’ pink underwear and a badge. The pink underwear she could probably deal with, but the badge is a different story.

Ever since seeing her mother and granny Pearl murdered by men with badges, Jane has a fear of cops and anyone who carries a badge. Especially, because the killers are still on the loose and searching for her.

Former FBI Cybercrime special agent turned small-town Chief of Police, Cooper Chance, gets caught with his pants down and his family jewels tucked in pink ladies’ underwear with lacy frills when he meets the woman of his dreams. That’s not his only issue. The woman has a fear of cops. If he can get past her guard, maybe he can save her life.

The ebook is out now and available at:

www.allromancebooks.com

www.amazon.com

Phish NET Stalkings will be available at Barnes & Noble and in print soon!!

It's here! The cover for Phish NET Stalkings is here!

The cover to my latest techno-romantic thriller has just arrived!

Look at those legs!

I want to meet the guy who posed for that picture.

Yes, I said guy.

HA! You had to do a double-take didn't you? Don't feel bad so did I.

I'm waiting on a release date, but hope it will be soon.

Chat with author Denise Robbins

The Writer's Chatroom is talking with Denise Robbins Sunday evening and you don't want to miss it.

Chat with Denise Robbins

High-tech becomes high-risk in Denise Robbins' novels. The New Hampshire-based author uses two decades of experience in computers to explore the killer possibilities in technology. Denise integrates her knowledge of computers and technology along with secrets, intrigue, suspense, and even a little romance into all of her techno-romantic thriller novels.

Readers and reviewers agree Denise writes stories that will keep you at the edge of your seat and clamoring for more.

Her fifth novel is about to be released and she's already at work on her sixth.

In addition to writing, Denise enjoys scuba diving (only in warm water), snowboarding, running, and playing in her garden.

WHEN?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Eastern USA Time.....7 PM

Not sure what time that is wherever in the world you are? http://www.worldtimeserver.com

WHERE?

The Writers Chatroom at: http://www.writerschatroom.com/Enter.htm

Scroll down to the Java box. It may take a moment to load. Type in the name you wish to be known by, and click Login. No password needed.

Running the Cabin Fever 5K

Today I continue my Will Run for Beer series in running the Smuttynose Palooza, the Cabin Fever 5K.

Let the craziness begin!

As of January 9th there are almost 400 registered in this race and all will probably freeze their bunnies off.

If you'd like to join me on one of these Will Run for Beer series races, just click here and pick a race the sign up and join in the fun.

Writer's Chatroom - Talking Writing and Books

Join me Sunday, January 15, 2012 between 7 to 9 PM at Writer's Chatroom to talk about writing and books.

There will be a gab session and a giveaway!

Stop by, ask some questions, and just have fun. There's no registration necessary. Just hop on in and chat.

Click here to join me Writer's Chatroom.


Writer's Digest voted Writer's Chatroom one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for the 5th time.

Preditors and Editors voted Writer's Chatroom #1 Best Writing Resource.

Writing Prompt Wednesday

Writing prompt Wednesday is an opportunity to break that writer's block and boost your creativity.

It's simple and fun and a great way to kickoff your writing.

Here's how it works.

1. I leave the beginning of a sentence.
2. You read the beginning of the sentence.
3. You finish the sentence. (Write a sentence, a paragraph, a page, however much your mind let's you create.)
4. Share whatever you come up with here as a comment. (You don't have to share, but it is half the fun.)

Here's your writing prompt: A masked man...

Let your mind go, your fingers fly, and have fun. Happy writing!

A New Year...A New Writing Prompt

Happy New Year! Now let's get those creative writing juices flowing.

How do you that?

Easy. I give you the beginning of a sentence and you finish it. Write a sentence, a paragraph or as much as your creative mind can do.

You don't have to but it's always fun if you share what you write with us. Feel free to paste in your response in the comments.

Most of all...have fun and let your mind go.

First writing prompt of 2012: She rang in the new year...

What will you read first in 2012?

While many of you are recuperating from last night's over-indulgence with ice packs, burying your heads in the pillows, or hair of the dog, I will be doing my first run of 2012. If I survive the 1st Run 5K I will be crashing at the house later and cracking open a book by one of my favorite authors, Carla Neggers.


I am kicking off my 2012 reading list with Saint's Gate by Carla Neggers.

Blurb: When Emma Sharpe is summoned to a convent on the Maine coast, it’s partly for her art crimes work with the FBI, partly because of her past with the religious order. At issue is a mysterious painting depicting scenes of Irish lore and Viking legends, and her family’s connection to the work. But when the nun who contacted her is murdered, it seems legend is becoming deadly reality.

Colin Donovan is one of the FBI’s most valuable assets—a deep-cover agent who prefers to go it alone. He’s back home in Maine after wrapping up his latest mission, but his friend Father Bracken presents him with an intrigue of murder, international art heists and a convent’s long-held secrets that is too tempting to resist. So is Emma Sharpe. As the danger spirals ever closer, Colin’s certain of only one thing—Emma is at the center of it all.

A ruthless killer has Emma and Colin in the crosshairs, plunging them into a race against time and drawing them deeper into a twisted legacy of betrayal and deceit.


What are you reading first?

Last book to be read in 2011

What book are you ending the 2011 year reading?

I read a lot of holiday books right before Christmas. With the end of the year only three days away I decided to end 2011 reading a romantic book by Suzanne Brockmann. It's actually a re-issue that I have never read. GASP! I can't believe I missed a novel by Suzanne.

My last read of the year will be Future Perfect by Suzanne Brockmann.

Blurb: Dressed in Victorian attire, Juliana Anderson gives guests at her cozy New England bed and breakfast a taste of old fashioned hospitality. Whether she’s cooking up delights in her kitchen or maintaining the rooms in her beautifully decorated inn, Juliana stays busy and content. Until Webster Donovan arrives—tall, rugged, and sexy beyond belief.

The lean, dark-haired author (with awesome abs -- see cover art above! ) has a bad case of writer’s block and he’s planned a six-week stay to cure it. But this beautiful woman is proving even more distracting to the cause. For prim, polite Juliana has a wild side: she rides a Harley and hides a troubled past. The moment Webster watched her take off her motorcycle helmet and shake loose those long, flame-haired curls, he found his muse—and lost his heart. But can romance with a woman afraid to trust in love last longer than a moment in time?

2011 - A Year in Review

With 2011 coming to a close I thought it would be a good time to reflect on the year.

Was it a good year for you? What did you do this year? What did you accomplish? What are you proud of? What did you try or experience?

Me? Hmm. Let me see.

My writer side of my personality finished my 5th novel and started my 6th. Yea me! I also presented a workshop at the Rhode Island Romance Writers conference. Loved that!

The athlete in me ran more 5Ks this year than the previous year. That was a personal goal for myself and I did it so I’m happy. I did a run/walk with my Dad on Thanksgiving morning, which was probably the best event. I did the Santa Run in a Santa suit in December with some friends and laughed my hiney off the entire time I was wheezing in the cold.
I started working out with a trainer 2 to 3 times a week. Wow! Does she know how to kick my butt, but I am grateful as my backside has never looked so good.
I played snow softball with people I just met. Talk about a way to meet new friends…just run around a softball field in 2 feet of snow trying to find a big white ball. You’ll become fast friends!

The gardener in me planted more flowers and fruit trees and built my own retaining wall. Not to mention cut up part of the gigantic Ash tree that crashed into my deck. One of the first things I accomplished in my yard this past year was to build my own firepit.

I took more voice lessons the beginning part of the year, but did not do the recital. Yup, I’m a big chicken. I admit it! One of these days I will actually sing in front of people. I know! That will be the same day I get on the NY Times Best Sellers list. [GRIN]

My outgoing personality (I’m really very introverted) allowed me to meet some new friends. One of the new friends I met when we both got lost in a 5K race. Now Kathie and I take a map with us when we run. Are we smart or what? Actually, we’re just quick learners.
I met Dave and Beth at one of the mystery events I do with author CJ West and they are the ones who roped me into playing snow softball. How could I not fall in love with them?

The adventurer in me finally got off her duff and took a vacation. I didn’t just go anywhere. I followed the signs and traveled to Kenmare, Ireland. One of the prettiest places on earth and I highly recommend it to everyone. Cannot wait to go back!

Speaking of Irish. I not only drank Guinness but I learned to really like it. So much so that when some friends asked me to make beer with them, I made a Dry Irish Stout…80 bottles of it. Mm…mm. It’s magically delicious.

Cookies, Cowboys, and Chocolate

Stop on over at Reading with the Baking Goddess blog where they interviewed me about my likes and dislikes.

Somehow we talk about cookies, cowboys, and chocolate. Mmm!!

For a chance for a free book stop by Reading with the Baking Goddess blog and leave a comment.

On the Fourth Day of Cookie Christmas

...my true love gave to me...my favorite oatmeal cookie.

This recipe came from my mom's Better Homes and Gardens cookbooke from like 1960 something. Dad said it could be even older than that. It's older than me and she still has it. I'm so glad she does because she emailed me the recipe so I could share it with you all and with my friends at this weekend's cookie party.

I used to make these cookies for every high school event and oh, yeah, you've heard the saying, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Well, I used this recipe to help snatch my high school sweetheart.

Nothing but good stuff happens when you bake and eat these cookies. Hope you enjoy them as much as I know I will this weekend.

OATMEAL CRISP Cookie Recipe

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
3 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped California walnuts

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

Thoroughly cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well.
Stir together flour, salt, and soda; add to creamed mixture. Stir in rolled oats and nuts. Mix.

Form dough in rolls, 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper, aluminum foil or clear plastic. Wrap. Chill thoroughly.

With sharp knife, slice cookies about 1/4 inches thick. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in moderate oven (350 degrees) 10 minutes or till lightly browned. Makes about 5 dozen.

Christmas Cookie Exchange Day 3

We're Day three into our online Christmas cookie party. Have you gotten any new cookie recipes yet that you just have to try?

Today's recipe is one of my favorites. It's called a Monster Cookie.
Why is it called a Monster Cookie? Because it's a monster mouthful of good cookie!

Seriously, this cookie has a little bit of everything. It's like the kitchen sinck of cookies. Cookie Monster himself would love this special treat.

Monster Cookies

Ingredients:
1 C. Butter softened
2 C. White Sugar
2 C. Packed Brown Sugar
3 C. Peanut Butter
6 Eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Corn Syrup
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
4 tsp. Baking Soda
9 C. Rolled Oatmeal
1 C. Mini M&Ms
1 C. Mini Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In Large Bowl: Cream together the margarine, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth.
Beat in eggs (2 at a time), then stir in the corn syrup and vanilla. Mix in baking soda and oats until well blended.
Stir in M&Ms and chocolate chips.
Roll dough into 2 inch balls and place 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork.

Bake: 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on cookie sheet
a few minutes, before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.