Inspired to write. . .Independent Aphrodisiac

This morning when I left my home to drive in my very traffic laden commute to work, I sent out a message on Twitter and said maybe the commute will inspire my writing creativity. Well, it did, only not in a way I had imagined.

The following is a poem I wrote in traffic, but was truly inspired from a conversation I had a few weeks ago over breakfast. I hope you enjoy, laugh, shout.



Independent Aphrodisiac

Independence is an aphrodisiac
Yet you want me to need you
Or is it that you need me?

You encourage me to make friends
Yet you want to tag along
Or is it that you want me at home?

You cheer me on to chase my dream
Yet you have to tell me how to do it
Or is it that you want my dream?

Are you certain independence is an aphrodisiac?
Or is it a goal. . . for you?

Tuesday's writing prompt on Wednesday

Okay, so I admit it, I'm a bit of a slacker this week. Between work, NaNoWriMo, and the wine/mystery event, I have neglected my blog. Let the flogging commence.

Aha! I just thought of a writing prompt. You ready? Here it is.

Prompt: The sound of the doorbell. . .


Now it's your job to go write a sentence, a paragraph, or even a page and share it here. Don't forget to hook your reader! Look forward to reading what you create.

Later!

Mystery and Wine Guest Blogging Week

Next week while Denise is gallivanting around the Zorvino Winery preparing for the huge Friday the 13th Murder Mystery Event I, Heather L'Hoste a.k.a. The Hostest With the Mostest will be high-jacking her blog. Of course a high-tech, super secret operation like this is not a one woman job! My crew is made up of some of the best and the brightest bloggers and writers from around the world and across the web, including April the Mild Mannered Genius behind Cafe of Dreams, Crystal Posey the Unstoppable Powerhouse from ACTUALIZE , Master of Mayhem and Author Jason Myers, Michelle the Insatiable Sneak of Torch Under the Covers, and the Fabulous Fearless Author Loretta Wheeler. Together we will take you on a week long trip filled with murder, mystery, intrigue, vengeance and of course lots of wine.

Uh-oh, here comes Denise - gotta go! More details to come soon, I promise...I-I'll find away...but real quick before I go: Shhh...It's our little secret we don't want Denise to find out what kind of shenanigans are going on here while she's distracted by her own murder mystery and wine.

It's official! The release date for Connect the Dots is...

December 15, 2009 is the release for my next book, Connect the Dots.

(The image appears somewhat red on my screen, but is in fact blue.)

This story revolves around my favorite hero, Special Agent Jake Frisbie (or as myself and my publisher like to refer to him as Mr. Hottie)and the heroine, Charley Duston, a CIA Human Intelligence Operative.

Here's a hint at the storyline.

Connect the Dots

All she did was connect the dots.

Her ex-lover is murdered.

Is she next?

A Queen of Spades appears on her nightstand. The death threat sends her running for cover and in search of answers.

Who wants Charley Duston dead? Why?

Her first clue comes in an email from her dead lover. “Black Sites.”

When his new lover is wrenched from his arms and his bed, Special Agent Jake Frisbie discovers the truth about Charley. She is a CIA Human Intelligence Operative. And someone wants her dead.

Kidnapped, Charley disappears on a ghost plane to nowhere.

Is Jake too late?

Sneaking into the secret prison is easy. Getting Charley out alive. . .the hardest assignment of his life.

Response to Tuesday's writing prompt

Whew! I finally had time to sit for a minute, let my mind go, and write for a writing prompt.

Tuesday's prompt was: Behind her sunglasses. . .

Here is my attempt:

Behind her sunglasses, Jane stared out across asphalt lot. Her gaze fixated on a spot on the horizon, a glimmer of orange and red shimmering just above the black. Leaning against the hot metal of her car, she crossed her arms and looked, her eyes never seeming to blink.

As the burning ball crested, she felt her heart stop. Her mind flashed. She saw the fireball lift the roof off the Starbucks and flames shoot out at her as if a dragon aimed his scorching breath in her direction. Jane ducked, threw herself flat on the pavement, her hands covering her head. Gravel bit into her knees.

“Jane?”

She heard her name, but it sounded like an echo down a long corridor of an empty castle.

“Jane.” Strong hands gripped her around the waist and hoisted her up.
“Don’t. Get down before we burn,” she yelled as her feet kicked air.

Jane swung out with her fists, trying to get the man to let her go, to get to safety. When her hands struck a solid wall of muscle they bounced off and she was enfolded against the same wall with arms tight around her middle making breathing difficult.

“Shh,” the low voice said against her ear as a hand stroked her head. “You’re okay, the fire is out.” He petted her again and when his warm lips pressed against her temple Jane melted and relented. “You’re safe.”

Safe, her mind repeated. She leaned into the warmth, the body, the man. Her eyes closed reflexively as she inhaled him, smelled his scent. Oh, she wanted nothing more than to be held, to be cocooned in strong arms that would protect.
Protect and serve. Her head snapped up. Him!

Difficult part of writing

This evening I went to hear a friend, author, and mentor read at UMASS Lowell. David Daniel is a terrific writer and when he reads his own work it is truly a treat for your mind and ears. BTW - find out more about David and his books at www.daviddanielbooks.com

At the end of the author readings, the speakers opened up for questions from the audience. So first, you have to picture this old room with built in wood cabinets, gigantic old-paned windows that you know are not energy efficient, and this freaky statue sitting behind the speakers staring back at you. Outside the wind is whipping, rain is falling, and steam from some smoke stack is rising in billowing clouds of gray. Then you notice all these college students, some older, most young and completely shy when among a strange group.

So when the writers ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" There is a distinct silence that hits the room like a thud without sound. Too funny.

Of course, I sit there and murmur to everyone around me that they need to ask a question. They all look at me with that glassy-eyed gaze, like no, not me, uh-uh.

I raise my hand and ask, "What do you find is the most difficult part of writing?"

The authors concurred in their response, "Finding time to write."

Now I ask you. . .What do you find is the most difficult part of writing?

Share your experience and how do you overcome that writing challenge.

Writing Prompt Tuesday! - Behind her sunglasses. . .

Today is Tuesday, which mean it is time for a writing prompt.

I looked around my desk for inspiration and my eyes landed on my sunglasses.


Prompt: Behind her sunglasses. . .

Book-A-Week Challenge Reading Simple Genius by David Baldacci

This week in the Book-A-Week Challenge, we are reading Simple Genius by David Baldacci.
David happens to be one of my favorite writers, in particular, his Camel Club series. Simple Genius is not in his Camel Club series, but his series with former Secret Service agents Sean King and Michelle Maxwell.

Who doesn't like a strong, intelligent guy who cares about his partner? Of course, I love a heroine who can hold her own and stand up for others. These two make a terrific team! Plus, there are some technologies in this book that sound intriguing.

Blurb:

David Baldacci's much-loved protagonists Sean King and Michelle Maxwell are having trouble adjusting to life in the wake of the terrible events that drove them to the brink in HOUR GAME. Dogged by hidden demons from her past, then almost killed in a barroom brawl, Michelle agrees to try therapy at a mental-health facility, where she simultaneously busts a ring of drug-dealers. Sean, hoping to right their shared career in the private security sector, accepts an offer to investigate a mysterious death at a scientific think tank called Babbage Town, located suspiciously close to the CIA's most infamous yet covert training camp—"The Farm". In Babbage Town, the security is tight as the world's great geniuses race to invent technologies powerful enough to conquer the most sophisticated microprocessor. Michelle soon joins Sean, and before long both find themselves pawns in a terrifying game whose elusive players cite threats to national security as justification for their most heinous crimes.

Read-A-Thon ending

I just officially finished my last book for the 24-hour read-a-thon.

I can honestly say this was a truly great challenge and if it were not for all the cheerleaders and fellow readers I would not have made it. It was those people who gave me my second wind.

All total, I read 4 paperback books with a total of 723 pages and listened to one audiobook. Not too shabby considering I read about 620 pages of that within the last 10 hours.

Next time, no book signing event on day of read-a-thon.

Thank goodness for my ever faithful Mountain Dew and its boatload of caffeine. Hope everyone ejoyed their reading time and found some great books. I know I loved reading those old Iris Johansen books.

Three hours left in Read-A-Thon

Just finished reading Return to Flores and in spite of the toothpicks used to keep my eyelids open, I am going to try and read one more book.

I simply like the title of this next book. Wicked Jake Darcy



After this book, I may pass out. If not before. Send your read-a-thon energy my way.

Read-A-Thon entering last 6 hours

Ah! I just finished reading Tempest at Sea by Iris Johansen. 182 pages in 3 hours and my poor hiney is killing me. I only drank half of a Mountain Dew so that gives you an idea of how good the story must have been to not need much caffeine at this wicked hour.

After a quick break, I will be returning to my leather recliner, cozy quilt, and the rest of my Mountain Dew to read Return to Santa Flores by Iris Johansen.



Hope all the other readers are enjoying their books!

Read-A-Thon hour 15

Well, between the book signing event and the fun time I had with other writers, I have not accomplished much reading. However, thanks to some friends on twitter, I am determined to make it awake and reading through the next nine hours.

I'm reading Tempest at Sea by Iris Johansen.

Tempest at Sea blurb:

An idealist and activist, Jane Smith stole aboard Jake Dominic’s yacht one warm Miami night as part of an antinuke protest. But in her earnestness Jane hadn’t fully considered the consequences if she got caught or that her act of principled vandalism would end with her serving as Dominic’s part-time prisoner and cabinmate. For the next two months she would accompany this successful, sexy but darkly brooding man aboard the Sea Breeze as they sailed around the Gulf of Mexico from one exotic port of call to another. Danger, close escapes, and erotic adventure await, but nothing can be more unexpected than their romantic destination.

Let's see if I can finish this book in less time and without distractions. Want to help keep me and other read-a-thon readers awake? Ping us on twitter using the hash tag #readathon.

Thank you cheerleaders for all your kind messages!!

Read-A-Thon first 4 hours

Well, I did not get in as much reading as what I had hoped. Instead of reading at 8AM, I chatted with friends at the bagel shop.

I squeezed in 15 minutes of reading ad read the first chapter of Stormy Vows, a whole 10 pages. Then I had to go deliver the caramel apples and run errands for my furry cats (they have to eat too).

As soon as I arrived home, I whipped up some cookie dough and started to read some more of my first book. Since 10:15AM, I have managed to read another 81 pages in between cookie dough scoops and bake time.

Now, I have to pack up to go over to Borders Bookstore in Nashua. I'll be there in the cafe for a little while before the actual book event which starts at 2PM.

Wish me luck on finishing Stormy Vows before the signing. Next up is Tempest at Sea.

If you follow me or the other Read-A-Thon participants on twitter use the hash tag #readathon and give us a shout out of cheer.

Ready - Set - Read!

Happy Saturday everyone and welcome to my first post for the 24-hour Dewey Read-A-Thon.

I am getting ready for my first stop this morning at Big Easy Bagel in Manchester and hope you can join me there for the official kickoff at 8AM with a cup of coffee, a bagel, and of course, a book.

Don't you just love these old book covers? I'd probably cringe if that were suggested for my cover art, but hey! It was the thing and in some cases such as historical, it still is.

I'm starting my reading adventure with book published in 1983 by Loveswept (a publishing house no longer in existence). The book is titled Stormy Vows and written by Iris Johansen. ISBN-13: 978-0553216134

Remember, I am reading a bunch of out-of-print books written by Iris today. You can still find some of these books in used bookstores or online. The last few I picked up I found at Annie's Bookstop and http://acread.ecrater.com/.

Stormy Vows Blurb:
For a struggling actress, a private audition with a young Hollywood turk like Michael Donovan was the break of a lifetime. But Brenna Sloan refused to be intimidated by the temperamental and sensually overwhelming filmmaker, even if it did cost her the role of a lifetime. For Brenna was both far stronger—and far more vulnerable—than Michael could ever guess. And the secret that she was keeping from him would draw them more intimately together with each encounter…and threaten to drive them apart forever.


If I don't see you for coffee this morning, I hope to see you somewhere along my travels today, maybe even at the book event at Borders in Nashua from 2PM to 4PM.

Happy reading! - One hour until kickoff...and counting.

Pre-event pictures of the winery/vineyard

The other day, I met Kristin Callender, CJ West, and Carla Snow at Zorvino Vineyards in Sandown to discuss/plan the wine/mystery event that will take place on Friday, November 13th. David Daniel could not make it, but will be there on the 13th.

Carla is on the left in the photo, then me, then Kristin, and CJ.

Since many of you will not be able to make this unique and fun event, I thought I would share some of the photos of the function hall and winery, etc. that Kristin's mom took for us.



This is the backside of the winery and function hall.








This image shows a greenhouse with a water fountain in the works. Hm...could be a good place for a clue or a dead body.








Always wondered what a wine vat looks like? Well, here's your chance.








Here is the function hall wine bar. Don't you just love that it looks like a wine barrel?









Here is part of the function hall. All of the wood beams and the floors come from the wood on Zorvino's own 80 acres. Beautiful!






For those that cannot make the wine/mystery event on November 13th, not to worry. I'll get some photose from that evening so you can imagine it. :-)

My Dewey Read-A-Thon on the Road Locations

This Saturday, October 24 will be is the Dewey 24-HR Read-A-Thon. For 24 hours, I along with many others, will be reading as many books as we can and blogging about what we read. I will update visitors to my blog about what I am reading, how many pages I read since my last update, and how much time I spent reading since the last update.

Here are the titles of the out-of-print books you have to look forward to me blogging about this Saturday: (all authored by Iris Johansen)

1. Last Bridge Home
2. Tempest at Sea
3. Blue Skies and Shining Promises
4. York, The Renegade
5. Return to Santa Flores
6. Touch the Horizon
7. Stormy Vows
8. Wicked Jake Darcy
9. Everlasting
10. And the Desert Blooms
11. 'Til the End of Time
12. The Spellbinder
13. Notorious
14. White Satin
15. Always

Reading schedule - hope to see you at one of these places.

8AM - 9:30AM - Big Easy Bagel in Manchester, NH eating my egg and cheese bagel, drinking Dr. Pepper, and reading my first book. When I leave there I have to deliver caramel apples.

12:30PM - 1:30PM - Borders in Nashua, NH Coffee shop reading a book for an hour before the Book Signing event.

2:00PM - 4:00PM - Book signing event with Nora LeDuc, Robin Beaudette, and Michaeline Della Fera at Borders in Nashua, NH.

5:00PM - 6:30PM - Reading at Panera in Nashua right up the street from Borders and behind Barnes & Noble.

6:30PM - 8:00PM - I think a margarita will be good right about now so how about Longhorn in Nashua for a little reading and Perfect Margarita with salt. Yum!

8:00PM - 9:30PM - After the margarita, I will need some caffeine so let's head on over to Barnes & Noble in Nashua, right up the street and get a cup of coffee. Well, I will be getting a Raspberry Mocha Cappuccino.

From there. . .who knows. Hope to meet up with at least a few readers along the path, but if not, I look forward to seeing your blogs. Happy Reading!

Writing Prompt Friday - In the middle of the bookstore...

TGIF! I don't know about you all but I am so ready for the weekend. Between making caramel apples tonight, the book signing tomorrow afternoon and the Dewey 24-HR Read-A-Thon from 8AM Saturday until 8AM Sunday, yours truly is going to need a long rest. Ahh...but it will be fun!

To kick off this weekend, we have to have a writing prompt. I think something to go along with the theme of the weekend of books and reading. Gee! Like that's anything different for me.

Prompt: In the middle of the bookstore. . .

Hm. That should work. Let's see what you come up with. Oh! If you haven't already written a response to the "Cafe Conversation" from last week, you need to try it. I'll post mine this weekend.

Have fun and do lots of reading!

24-HR Read-a-thon Reading List

You've signed up for the 24-HR read-a-thon, marked your calendars, and now it is time to make a reading list.


With four days left before the Read-a-thon, have you identified your read-a-thon stack? Even if you don't get through all of them or if you end up reading more thab the beginning stack, you'll want to know what you are going to read so you don't have to search the day of.

I have created my pile for the read-a-thon from a stack of books that I have been collecting. These are older, out-of-print books written by one of my favorite authors, Iris Johansen. If I run out, no problem, I have more in my overflowing library.

Here are the titles of the books you have to look forward to me blogging about this Saturday: (all authored by Iris Johansen)

1. Last Bridge Home
2. Tempest at Sea
3. Blue Skies and Shining Promises
4. York, The Renegade
5. Return to Santa Flores
6. Touch the Horizon
7. Stormy Vows
8. Wicked Jake Darcy
9. Everlasting
10. And the Desert Blooms
11. 'Til the End of Time
12. The Spellbinder
13. Notorious
14. White Satin
15. Always

What are you going to read? Share your reading stack here.

Dewey's Read-a-thon on the Road

Mark your calendars and set your clocks for this Saturday, October 24 for 24 hours of reading and a book event.

Starting at 8 AM Eastern on Saturday until 8 AM Sunday we will be reading and participating in the 24-hour read-a-thon. If you have not already signed up, follow this link for more information http://24hourreadathon.com/ and add yourself to the list. The more the merrier!

Besides reading for 24 hours, readers are invited to come out and meet Robbins and authors Nora LeDuc, Robin Beaudette, and Michaeline Della Fera from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Borders in Nashua. Can you think of a better day to do the book event than on a day when people want to read a lot of books in 24 hours. Stop by and get one of ours to include in your reading list.

Instead of sitting at home and reading all by yourself or with the distractions of laundry, let's make this fun and more eventful. Let's take the Read-a-thon on the road. Not literally, but to visit a few places where a bunch of readers can say hi, meet new people, get a little coffee or food, and of course, read a book.

My favorite spot for breakfast on a Saturday morning is Big Easy Bagel in Manchester, NH. This will be my first stop for the Read-a-thon On the Road. I will be there before 8 AM (which is the official Eastern start time) ordering my egg and cheese or bacon, egg and cheese bagel along with my Dr. Pepper. Yes, this is the one time I do not drink Mountain Dew.

Since you'll want to start reading at 8 AM in order to get in as many books as you can in 24 hours, I invite you to join me at Big Easy Bagel for a read. I will be bringing a book just to read over breakfast.

The rest of the schedule is open except for the 2 to 4 PM time slot where Nora, Michaeline, Robin, and I will be discussing and signing our books at the Nashua Borders Bookstore.

I am open to suggestions as to other places we can read together. If you have an idea, please post a comment back here. I'm not adverse to a little driving so share your ideas. One place I think would be good is a Panera restaurant because they have free WiFi and that way we can post blogs about our many books. The question is which one(s) do we visit?

Keep watching my blog this week for a posted schedule as to where a bunch of us will meet up to read.

Also, get that book list ready. Tomorrow I will post my reading list. Would love to see your list as well.

I urge you to participate in this event, to read as many books as you can in the alotted 24-hour time period, and have fun. Heck! Go check out the other readers and their blogs! http://24hourreadathon.com/ and scroll down to enter your name and URL.

If you don't have time to read on Saturday, October 24 then sign up to be a cheerleader or donate a prize for the event. Again, go to the same link and follow the directions. http://24hourreadathon.com/

I hope to see you at Borders on Saturday or one of the places we can sit and read together.

Book-A-Week Challenge Reading 13 1/2 by Nevada Barr

This week we are reading a psychological thriller written by Nevada Barr. I have read most if not all of Ms. Barr's Anna Pigeon mystery series and enjoy those very much so it's a real treat to read something that diverges from her series. I hope you'll joing me in reading her latest book and tell us what you think.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Vanguard Press (October 6, 2009)
ISBN-13: 978-1593155537

Purchase:
Amazon
B&N

Blurb:

In 1971, the state of Minnesota was rocked by the “Butcher Boy” incident, as coverage of a family brutally murdered by one of their own swept across newspapers and television screens nationwide.
Now, in present-day New Orleans, Polly Deschamps finds herself at yet another lonely crossroads in her life. No stranger to tragedy, Polly was a runaway at the age of fifteen, escaping a nightmarish Mississippi childhood.

Lonely, that is, until she encounters architect Marshall Marchand. Polly is immediately smitten. She finds him attractive, charming, and intelligent. Marshall, a lifelong bachelor, spends most of his time with his brother Danny. When Polly’s two young daughters from her previous marriage are likewise taken with Marshall, she marries him. However, as Polly begins to settle into her new life, she becomes uneasy about her husband’s increasing dark moods, fearing that Danny may be influencing Marshall in ways she cannot understand.

But what of the ominous prediction by a New Orleans tarot card reader, who proclaims that Polly will murder her husband? What, if any, is the Marchands’ connection to the infamous “Butcher Boy” multiple homicide? And could Marshall and his eccentric brother be keeping a dark secret from Polly, one that will shatter the happiness she has forever prayed for?

To find out more about Nevada Barr and her other books, please visit her website at www.nevadabarr.com

Happy Reading!