Wednesday, December 28, 2016

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2017!

I was going to mention 2016, but really what's to say? Oh wait . . .



Yeah, there it is. My feelings exactly.

My goals for 2017 are huge, but simple. New job and actually putting out books. I know, stunning!! 

I am still staggering through Entangled. I have well over 65k on it and it WILL be finished by the end of January. No matter what. 

I have already started the next Promises book, called Broken Promise and that will be finished as well. 

The next book in the Sandaki series, first book was Mated, is already cooking in my head as well as another book. I have this idea with Shifters so I want that to be another one for 2017. 

Look at me . . . 4 books. They will be finished. I am putting myself on a schedule. I know once I start writing every day the words will flow. It's happened before and it will happen now.

And that's it. My plans for 2017. I'm not going to rehash the horror of 2016, there's no point. It's over and done with. Time to wash my hands, have some wine and move on. If you'd like to join me, please do. 


Now check out what the other lovely bloggers have to say.

Bronwyn
Jessica D
Paige

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

HOLIDAY GREETINGS!!



Happy Yule, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Festive Whatever-Winter-Holiday-You-May-Be-Celebrating!!

Can you believe it's that time of year again? Nope, me neither. And, I can tell you with confidence, that I am so glad it's almost over. LOL! 

One reason is I'm working at the bookstore and, Jeez Louise, do the people get dumber this time of year. I've realized that my most hated phrase is "I saw it on your website." This is said with a tone dripping with smugness. Yeah, that's great buttercup, but my store isn't the website. Surprise! So, the obscure book you want that was printed in 2005 isn't on our shelves. In fact, it's out of print so the reason you saw it on the website is because somebody is selling their copy. Of course, I say it nicer, but still the sentiment is there. This will usually cue the argument.


As I recently told one fabulous person I work with, "Yeah this time of year my spirit animal is a fucking bitch. Woo hoo!!"

So, yeah, I'm glad it's almost over. Not just for that, but because it signals the end of this amazingly shitty year. I will be glad to see 2016 kicked to the curb. You? 

Though, there are things that I love about this time of year. The music, lights, all the amazing food, the gorgeous decorations. Sis and I are once again crafting and cooking. Okay, she'd doing most of the cooking since my schedule is crazy, but I leap in when I can. Our house is decorated within an inch of its life. We both have an unhealthy obsession with the making of wreaths. Right now we have 7 we've made, three just this year. We're also creating another cute house. As soon as it's finished I'll post pics.

I hope all of you have an amazing holiday, whatever your chose to celebrate. Eat and drink lots of good food, hug your family close, and celebrate.

Now you can go over and check out what the other bloggers have to say.

Bronwyn
Paige


Wednesday, December 7, 2016

NOSTALGIC NOTES: TOYS


There were so many great toys when I was growing up. Some, I wasn't allowed to have, like the Easy Bake Oven. Bitter?? You bet I am. Every child needs a piece of equipment they can burn their fingers off with . . . right???

So, here are some of the toys I actually received


This one only lasted maybe a week before she stopped tumbling. I was so bummed.
This, my friends, was the original Barbie Dream House. I know you are so jealous, but, at the time, I thought it was amazing.

I loved this toy!! I carried him everywhere.

This is the doll to make up for my lack of Easy Bake Oven. She was pretty cool, but Mom didn't let me use her all that often.

Yes, I know, how appropriate and Sis and I loved this game. We'd love to find it again. 



As I got just a bit older, Barbie ruled! Whoops, can't forget the airplane. Yep, had that too.





These were some of the dolls I owned. The only one I still have is the bottom one. She was a gift from my dad.


Check out what the other bloggers have to say.


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - LOVE

So, today is wordless and, like always, I have stuff to say. First, I want to apologize for being MIA for many weeks. Stuff happened-work, depression, the stupid election-and suddenly it was a bunch of weeks later. Second, I couldn't NOT do this post. I mean I'm going to show you all the stuff I love. How could I not share?

So, here it is in no particular order what I think of when I see the word Love













And, there you have it. Now go on over and visit the other bloggers and see their amazing pics.

Bronwyn
Kris
Kellie
Paige
Deelylah

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

THE LIST!!!

So, apparently there was this television show called Friends  . . . yeah, I'm teasing you. I never really watched it, but heard all about it. 

Anyway, so on this one episode, someone . . . somewhere had this list of 5 celebrities he or she could sleep with and it wouldn't count. Now, really, let's be honest, this list exists with the idea that it would never happen in a billion million years. Couples could laugh about it, but what if it did? I mean, really, what if someone on that list showed up. Huh, something to think about, right? Awesome premise for a book, right?

Can you tell I have vacation brain? Yeah, I'm on vacation right now and can't string two rational thoughts together though I have been writing. So, let me give you my LIST of men I could so totally have sex with without consequence.

1. Viggo Mortenson
I don't think I even need to add anything. Just the picture will do.

2. Gerard Butler

3. Idris Elba

4. Jason Momoa

5. Daniel Craig

And, there they are, my amazing 5. Now go and check out who the other bloggers have on their lists. Oh, and let us know who's on your list.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Jessica D
Paige
Torrance
Deelylah

Monday, September 12, 2016

TALES FROM A BOOKSTORE PT. 3



Okay, so as you all know I work at a bookstore. And when you work someplace like that you encounter people. All kinds of people. Often, people who don't think before they speak or, bless their hearts, are just plain dumb like a sack of hammers.

We had that kind in the bookstore this past weekend.

When you first enter the store, there's a glass counter set up that showcases reading devices. Now, these devices are always hooked up so that customers can try them out. Because, you know, if you're going to spend $100 or more you want to see how it works. 

These devices are also security alarmed. Because, yeah, they're by the front door and we're not dumb. We know very well that some people are shitheads and will steal.

Okay, so on Saturday, the alarm went off for one of these devices. And it's loud. Really loud. One of my fabulous co-workers rushed to the front to discover a very "special" customer (see entitled and dumb) had tried to unplug the device so she could . . . wait for it . . . charge her cell phone.



When approached, the special snowflake didn't apologize. Oh no, she got snotty and gave attitude.





So, I declare the special snowflake officially wins the Dumbass of the Weekend Award. Woo hoo!!!!

Congratulations!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

NOTE TO MY FUTURE SELF

Dear Future Self,

As I sit here, half asleep on a Tuesday evening, I really and truly hope you are writing. Yeah, I know 2016 was way hard, hell I'm living it, but it's time to move on now. Really.

I'm almost 62k into Entangled and, I know, by the time you've read this note, that particular book is finished. Yay! Hopefully, you'll be laughing and writing down the list of all the other finished books. I have a ton of ideas in my laptop and in my head so I'm crossing my fingers and imagining them all finished and huge best sellers.

In fact, it would be even nicer if you could be reading this from the incredible vacation chalet we own. *snort* NOT! Not even if I had a blue million dollars would I own vacation property. It's so much easier to rent, enjoy and move on. I'm so hoping you still believe this too.

Anyway, writing. Yes, it's been a struggle, but I'm hoping you are finding it less so. I have a huge stack of ideas I need to get to, so I'm hoping, as time went on, the whole writing process got a lot easier. Hell, it couldn't be harder, that's for sure. *knock on wood* 

Oh, and, I also hope you didn't do something dumb like fall down, hit your head, and get married. Blah! I've already told certain friends that if I even acted as if marriage was a good idea they were to knock me out and lock me up until I came to my senses. Let's hope they remembered that. 

Unless, he looks like this

Than it might be worth it. Oh baby!! So, if I'm married to him then go you!!

Keep writing!! hugs and kisses, Gwen

Now run and check out the notes the other bloggers wrote to their future selves.

Bronwyn
Jessica
Jessica D

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

BEHIND THE SCENES OF MY LATEST PROJECT

Happy Gwensday! Today we're chatting about our latest writing projects. But First . . . MHW


Okay, so the project I'm working on is the bane of my existence. I have been writing on this book forever. I started it, abandoned it and came back to it. I have rewritten the beginning of it like . . . 4 times, which is what I did with Dark Promise. Thankfully, I love these people and am not tired of them. I'm 60k into it with maybe another 15-20k to go. I've been working on it so long it already has a cover. Created by the incredible cover goddess, Kris Norris.


I know. It's gorgeous!! I just need to finish the book so it can get the cover.

So, the main characters are Rowan Haggerty, Vladimir Rodzianko, and Sergei Bukolov. She is a forcibly retired government agent and the two men are Vitala. That's a fancy name for vampires, though these guys aren't dead. They're another species that live a long time and drink human blood. Vlad is the head of the Russian Enclave and Sergei is his second.

At the beginning of the book, Rowan discovers humans holding Vitala captive - two adult males and a child. She ends up rescuing the child, which kicks the book into gear. Chases, assassination attempts, and hot hot sex follow. There will be a happy ending, though I'm not there yet. Hey I'm only on page 141 so it has a bit to go. I can't wait for you all to read it, since I've been working on it for so so long.

Now, run out and check what the rest of the bloggers have going on. Oh, and give a warm welcome to the newest member of the blogger family Torrance Sene!!

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Jessica D
Paige
Kayleigh
Torrance



Sunday, August 21, 2016

THE LIEBSTER AWARD


My amazingly, awesome friend Bronwyn Green was given a blogging award by Tumbling Words. Wooo hooo!!! She was then asked to nominate 11 other bloggers for this same award and here I am. Thank you, Bron!



What do you feel is the most criminally underrated movie or TV show? 

This one is tough since I don't watch a lot of TV and rarely go to the movies anymore. But, I think the new GhostBusters was so utterly amazing and it just didn't do that well. I was bummed about it since I loved it.

How do you feel about clowns? 

I can't stand them!!! They scare the crap right out of me. 

What’s your favorite book? 

Of all time, my fav book is The Secret Garden by Frances H. Burnett. So much awesome. I have like 6 or 7 different copies of it, one being the very first one my grandmother gave me.

Where is your happy place? 

In my own head. I love crafting stories and coming up with characters. Now, if I had to chose someplace to go it would be Disney World. That place just makes me smile. I've been 3 times and would love to go again.

Growing up, what was your favorite toy? 

Paper dolls. My Sis and I had a ton of them and we'd set them up as if they were living in this huge apartment building. We had long running story lines for every character.

What was the worst job you ever had? 

I worked at a mortgage place for like three days. I found out that I was hired over someone else who had way more experience. One of my co-workers told me about it as if it was somehow my fault. It was not a good situation. 

What fact about you surprises people the most? 

I'm an introvert. The people I work with are stunned since I'm all sparkling and chatty, but it's an act. I learned to put it on when I taught school and now that's what works at the bookstore.

What’s the one thing you wish you’d known as a freshman in college? 

I was an adult when I started college. I didn't go right out of high school so my freshman year happened when I was working full-time and was 25.

What are two of your bucket list items? 

I want to go to Scotland and tough Hadrian's Wall. And, I want to go to Glastonbury to visit the Tor and Chalice Well.

Do you play any instruments? If so, which one(s)? If not, are there any you wish you could play? If so, which ones? 

No, but I really wish I'd learned to play guitar.

What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever been given?

I didn't think so at the time, but the most wonderful, amazing gift I've ever gotten is my younger sister. She is my best friend and I can't imagine my life without her.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

NOSTALGIC NOTES: MOVIES


I love movies. Always have. When I was a kid we rarely went since the drive-in was the cheapest, but I'm sure Mom and Dad didn't want to be trapped in the car with me and Sis all night long. The first movie I remember going to see, tragically for the parents, was Dirty Harry. LOL


It was I think part of a double feature and Sis and I fell asleep on the first movie, which is what the parents wanted. Yeah, I didn't stay asleep. I woke up for the second movie and sat quietly so they wouldn't know I was awake. I was 5 or 6 and still remember, "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

The first time we went to the fantastic inside cinemas was a huge deal. It was expensive and seemed very far away from home, which it wasn't. Mom and Dad took us to see Disney's Robin Hood.




We had so much fun and Sis found her first crush. Yep, a cartoon fox. She still loves foxes to this day. 

They built a two screen cinema right near us (Yay!!) so now movies were more affordable. I remember my entire extended family going to see Star Wars. I was 11 and utterly loved it.

At the time, the special effects were like nothing we'd ever seen before. I was transfixed and probably went back to see the movie, at least, 4 or 5 times. 

We went back to the big expensive theater when Star Trek The Motion Picture came out. Dad was a HUGE Star Trek fan.

Unfortunately, I didn't make it past the million year beginning of the movie when they did the fly around the Enterprise. I fell asleep  and missed most of the movie. When I finally did see it, I realized I didn't miss much. Whoops.

A movie I can't stand, but can't forget, is the one a cousin took a bunch of the kids in the family to see. She packed us in a car one spring night and we went to the drive-in to see the child scarring movie Old Yeller. To this day, I have no idea what she was thinking. Did she set out to see if she could traumatize a huge group of children? You know, as an experiment? Whatever it was, it wasn't good.

Yep, a car full of crying kids is not the way I'd want to send an evening. You?

My dad was an alcoholic, so was emotionally absent, but for some reason he took me and my sister to see the Jungle Book.

I don't remember why, but it doesn't matter since it was just him and us. 

Of course, nothing can compare to my go-to, watch-a-million-times-move, GhostBusters!
I saw it opening night, I was on a horrible date. The movie was amazing though and it's the movie I can watch over and over and never get tired of it. It always makes me laugh, no matter what.

And these are the movies from my childhood. Now run out and see what movies the other bloggers talk about. I'm going to bet at least one of mine, is on someone else's list. 

Bronwyn
Jessica
Kris
Jessica D
Paige