Thoughts for the Day

1. If you eat a candy bar but no one witnesses it, does that mean you never ate it?

2. Does eating a salad after eating french fries counteract the fatty content of said crispy, golden crinkle-y goodness?

The Book Geek Strikes

I have a separate blog for keeping track of how many books I read (and/or covet). I've been thinking that this is a HUGE time sucker. I mean, I'm a complete book geek -- will read almost anything, and if you impress me, you've got a fan for life (until you do something to tick me off).


Originally, this blog was a place to document my rise from wannabe to published author. As time has gone on, I've come to realize I won't be taking any NY publishing houses by storm. Personally, I'd settle for an e-publisher that may eventually take me to print, but realistically, I'll settle for some fangirls of my own. I do more reading and editing (and fangirl stalking) than writing so I'm incorporating my book geek blog into this one. One of the regular posts I'd like to make is what I -- as a reader and a book geek - am anticipating holding in my hot little hands. Here's what's on my February list in no particular order:

They MADE Me Do It....

Switch to Blogger Google or Blogger Beta or whatever the frell...

I suppose that's okay but I ain't happy about it.

Work + NyQuil = Jibber-Jabber

Word of advice:

Don't try to write a recommendation for a manuscript when you're drugged on NyQuil. It won't make sense to anyone who reads it, especially you.

Cruddy Crud Crud

Winter here in Tennessee is always interesting. Last week, we were in the 70s, sunny skies -- practically summer! Starting yesterday, however, it's been cold and rainy, gloomy in general. Since Mother Nature has decided to play peek-a-boo, I'm now suffering from what my mother used to affectionately refer to as "The Crud."

I woke up yesterday with "The Crud" in my chest so I had a rattling, hacking cough, and couldn't talk for a couple of hours. I began drinking orange juice in the hopes I'd feel better. And I did...until it came time to go to sleep (after I watched the second half of the Colts/Patriots playoff game. Talk about a nail-biter! Go Colts!!).

This morning, I didn't feel much better but I drove myself to work anyway. I'm not sure I'll make it through the day. I'm coughing and blowing my nose to no avail, plus the weather is perfect for OD-ing on Nyquil. Then again, Prison Break and Heroes return to television tonight. I'd love to watch but I'm not sure I'll survive until then.

Where Have All the Good Blogs Gone?

The ones without the snark? (Apologies to Bonnie Tyler. I LOVE her!)

I'm addicted to gossip blogs. I cannot help it! Maybe it's the fact that sh!t that may or may not happen in Hollywood doesn't happen near me, and will probably NEVER happen near me. I'll never live in Hollywood (I may never even visit), but for some reason, I like reading about other people's lives. Or the lives the tabloids suggest they're living.

Lately though, I've noticed a trend with some of my favorite gossip blogs -- snark.

I don't read Perez Hilton. Ditto Ted Casablancas. (Once upon a time, I read both of these blogs only when bored but I've since stopped cold turkey because, well, PH - like his "namesake" is all about him (I don't care about him), and TC won't come straight out and dish the dirt.) I used to love A Socialite's Life until I started noticing the grammatical errors in each post. Just Jared never recovered after a server crash/server switch, in my opinion.

I suppose I should give 'em up. Really -- does the fact that Lindsay Lohan entered rehab effect my life? No! But I still want to read about it!!!

Two of my current favs are: Popsugar and I'm Not Obsessed. The Popsugar gals have an entire network of sugars, and INO is a sweet and light gossip blog.

Anyone else addicted???

I Did It!

Read 50 Books in 2006, that is. Wanna know what I read? Of course you do!!


Twilight
Dark Lover
Heart of the Dragon
Rebel Angels
Grave Sight
Labyrinth of Evil
Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
Undead and Unreturnable
Bitten
Jewel of Atlantis
Stolen
How to Kill a Rock Star
Dime Store Magic
Lover Eternal
Rules of Engagement
Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour
Boys That Bite
Industrial Magic
Lady in Waiting
Midnighters 2: Touching Darkness
Parallel Attraction
A Lady's Guide to Rakes
Savannah Breeze
Definitely Dead
Animal Instincts
Braced2Bite
Enslave Me Sweetly
Angels With Attitude
Rasputin's Daughter
The Romanov Prophecy
Major Crush
Undead and Unpopular
The First Assistant
Between, Georgia
Bye Bye, Black Sheep
Midnighters 3: Blue Noon
Vampire Kisses
Flags of Our Fathers
Parallel Heat
New Moon
The Preacher's Daughter
Vampire Kisses 2: Kissing Coffins
Dairy Queen
The Englisher
California Demon: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
The Brethern
Secret Society Girl
Mistral's Kiss
Grave Surprise


Whew! Last February, I projected I could read 75 books in 2006. That may be true, if I counted all the books/novellas/short stories I edited -- which I didn't. And this year, I'm going for 50 once again! Who's with me???

How Wicked Are You???

TKA Chats are back!!! We'll be chatting Tuesday, January 9th with Shayla Black, author of Wicked Ties, also known as Shelley Bradley.

I spent some time with Shelley at the TKA gathering prior to RWA in July, and let me tell you, she is the funniest person! I had a blast just listening to her stories!!

Though Wicked Ties is a little more R-rated than what she told at the TKA party, it's still g-o-o-d. My copy is waiting for me to crack the spine and dive in deeper.

She didn’t know what she wanted until he made her beg for it…

Morgan O’Malley has seen a lot of kinky things as the hostess of a cable sex talk show. But she’s never met a man like Jack Cole before. A self-proclaimed dominant, he’s as alpha as a male can get–and good for Morgan to have around when an obsessed stalker ratchets up his attempts to get to her.

Though Jack is a bodyguard, Morgan feels anything but safe in his presence. Because slowly and seductively, Jack is bringing her deepest fantasies to the surface. And when he bends her to his will, what’s more shocking than her surrender is how much she enjoys it–and starts to crave his masterful touch. A willing player in Jack’s games, Morgan knows that his motives aren’t pure, but she has no idea how personal they are…

From One Mom to Another (or Many Others)

I'm searching for some entertainment for my 2 1/2 year old. (Yes, I'll debate how I'm a "bad Mommy" at a later date. There's only so many times a day one can play "Let's Bounce on Mommy's Head/Stomach/Back as Hard as You Can.") This weekend, we've watched "Finding Nemo" at least 4 times. Since I'm starting to pick out the inconsistencies within the movie and have dreams focusing on Nemo, Marlin and Dory, I think I'm actually the one that needs something else to watch.

He loves Sesame Street and "A Bug's Life" also but isn't too keen on "Cars." Any suggestions would be great!

God Bless You, Gift Cards

I had a pretty long Christmas wish list this year. Well, it wasn't that long; at least 4 of the items were books! In addition to two of those books I received(Thirteen Moons and The Widow of the South, if you're interested) and a subscription to Romantic Times, I also got two gift cards to bookstores. That's right, folks. Two! A book geek's dream!!

Needless to say, one has already bit the dust because I had to buy:

Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton
Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden
[these 2 were on my Christmas list in hopes they'd appear on the shelves early]
The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
Demon Angel by Meljean Brook
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
Sloth by Robin Wasserman


I'm currently weighing my options on how to spend my second gift card. Choices, choices!!