Consider yourself invited!!

I'm the columnist at Romancing the Blog today - please stop by, read my article, and chime in with your opinion!
http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/

Thanks,
Laurie

LOOK!! Free for you, Fun for the troops!

The info. below comes from my friend Cryna; she and I both think it's a great thing and hope that everyone who stops by will go check it out. It only takes a minute to do and will provide a smile to a serviceman or woman on the receiving end in Iraq. Please go take a look!!


Something cool that Xerox is doing - If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ , you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.

Troop stuff and Thanksgiving!

I have finally had to face the fact that the holidays are coming at mach speed. Our town's Christmas parade was yesterday - cold, which is acceptable for a Christmas parade, but the rain/snow mixture sucked big time. It was a fun parade with the high school marching band (Kelsey froze her damp patootie off), girl scout and boy scout troops, dance troupes, baton twirlers, fire trucks and police cars, horsedrawn wagons and carriages, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus. It was great fun, despite the lousy weather. (Kelsey is the flutist in the middle of the bottom pic.)

Add to that the fact that Lindsay came home today after her last exam; she'll be home until New Year's Day. I'm excited to have her home for a nice, long while. I'm giving the girls five days to get along before they have their first argument. Kelsey isn't quite that optimistic, and her estimate is three days. :(

What is everyone doing for Thanksgiving? I hope that no one is having to spend it alone or at work. I have two cousins who have always been like sisters to me; they both live in big old farm houses and they each have our family with theirs, taking turns at each other's house every other year. There are usually friends or other family who might not have anywhere to go, and we've had upwards of 30 people before. It's always a great time with family, friends and good food. My wish is that you all have much to be thankful for and that you have a warm, safe holiday. Please be careful if you have to be out on the road.

My troop packages are being shipped out to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan tomorrow. I thought everyone might like to see a couple of photos - the one on the right is approximately two-thirds, maybe a little less than that, of what was shipped, spread out on my dining room table. The one on the left is of ten of the boxes that are ready to ship. I ran out of packing tape, but there are three more ready to go as soon as I'm able to tape them up. This project was hugely successful and I was repeatedly overwhelmed by the interest and support it received from the romance community. Thank you again to everyone who donated or participated in one way or another, I can't begin to thank you enough.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Laurie

A FRIDAY FUNNY

My neighbor shared this with me - I think it's cute and wanted to pass it on. I hope everyone has a terrific weekend! Be safe if you're out on the road.

It's hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind that these are first graders, 6-year-olds, because the last one is a classic!
1. Don't change horses..........................until they stop running.
2. Strike while the...............................bug is close.
3. It's always darkest before.................Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of.......termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but..... how?
6 Don't bite the hand that..................looks dirty.
7. No news is......................................impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a .................Mr.
9. You can't teach an old dog new ...math.
10 If you lie down with dogs, you'll......stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust.............................. me.
12. The pen is mightier than the..........pigs.
13. An idle mind is..............................the best way to relax.
14. Where there's smoke there's..........pollution.
15. Happy is the bride who.......................gets all the presents.
16 A penny saved is.......................not much
17. Two's company, three's .........the Musketeers
18. Don't put off till tomorrow what..... you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and.... you have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as.......... Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not...spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don't succeed.......... get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you ... see in the picture on the box.
24. When the blind lead the blind...... get out of the way.
And the WINNER and last one!
25. Better late than.................................... pregnant

Hugs!
Laurie

Dianne Castell's I'LL BE SEEING U

Dianne Castell wraps up her O'Fallon series with I'LL BE SEEING U, a fun read filled with laughs, heady passions and excellently written, very touching heartache. Secondary characters have their own stories, making for a well-rounded combination.
Here is my review for I'LL BE SEEING U:
When Quaid O’Fallon learns of trouble at home involving his baby half-sister and her missing mother, he quickly abandons his Coast Guard job and without a backward glance, returns to Fallon’s Landing to be with his father. Quaid was cruelly neglected as a child, stubbornly surviving an abusive environment; he was fortunate enough to be adopted by Rory O’Fallon who raised him as one of his own.
Quaid’s first night at home finds him face to face with Cynthia Landon James, a snobby little rich girl who, being a few years older and the stuff of a young boy’s dreams, never gave Quaid the time of day. Now she too has returned home, albeit under different circumstances. Cynthia has divorced the cheating husband who ran her successful clothing design business into the ground, resulting in her and their eight year old son, Lawrence, being left with absolutely nothing. Cynthia returns to her mother’s home-turned-B&B, shocked to find her gorgeous childhood home more than just a little shabby, and her mother imbibing uncharacteristic quantities of liquor. Cynthia has sworn off men - all men - and is determined to raise Lawrence on her own.
Passions quickly flare between Quaid and Cynthia, and each and every time they are together, Cynthia insists that it has to be the last time. Quaid feels differently and while he has his hands full with the mystery of his father’s missing lover, the relationship woes of a dear family friend, and running his father’s business, all he truly wants his hands full of is Cynthia. He just can’t get enough of her and while he is determined to have more than just a brief fling, convincing her that they could have much more may prove to be the most difficult of all of the tasks in front of him.
Cynthia stands up for herself, for Quaid, and for her friends in town, proving herself to be a strongly independent woman, and not just the snooty bit of fluff that everyone remembers. Cynthia’s son, Lawrence, visibly grows into a strong young man under the guidance of Quaid, and the three of them make a lovely family. Secondary characters, their relationships, heartaches and motives are vital to Cynthia and Quaid’s story.
I’LL BE SEEING U sadly concludes the story of Dianne Castell’s O’Fallons. It has been great fun reading this entertaining series, and this final book provides a satisfying ending, tying all loose ends up in a tidy little bow. While I will miss this heartwarming family, I look forward to Dianne’s next release.
Check out Dianne's website here http://www.diannecastell.com/ - and if you'd like to go straight to Amazon to get your own copy - just click here http://www.amazon.com/Ill-Be-Seeing-Dianne-Castell/dp/0758210078/sr=1-2/qid=1163530553/ref=sr_1_2/103-8997130-2879010?ie=UTF8&s=books
Thanks as always for stopping by!
Laurie :)

AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH

Hey Everyone!
November is American Diabetes Month - check out the link below to see what you can do to further research efforts for a cure. Diabetes is a deadly disease that affects 21 million adults and children in the United States.
I failed to heed warnings from my doctor a few years ago that I was a prime candidate for diabetes - overweight, fairly sedentary, family history, etc. - I did develop diabetes and was diagnosed a little over two years ago. By the time I was diagnosed, I already had damaged blood vessels in my eyes, my liver wasn't functioning properly, and I had slight muscle damage in one leg. I now have good diabetic control with medication, diet and exercise, but I will never be rid of it. I was foolish not to listen, please don't you be foolish too. Know what the symptoms are, get up off your ass and stay active, eat right, and most importantly, if you have children, get them busy too. Turn off the television, video games and computers, and go outside and play ball, walk or ride bikes.

http://www.diabetes.org/communityprograms-and-localevents/americandiabetesmonth.jsp

Hugs,
Laurie

PLEASE NOTE

I plan to work this evening on getting everyone's information pulled together for the appropriate parties! Some prizes are coming directly from the donor, and I will be providing your information to them. There are several prizes that I haven't yet received, but they are on their way. For that reason, it will probably be at least a week before ANY prizes will be mailed out by me.
***AMELIA DURBIN*** If you see this, sweetie, I need your email addy for one of your prizes. I have your mailing address, which will work for all other prizes. Thank you!! If anyone knows Amelia, will you please give her a shout and ask her to contact me? Thank you!
One more thought I'd like to share. If anyone received a book as a prize and already owns a copy of that book, they might consider donating this copy to the troops. This is just a thought - the prizes are yours to do with as you wish!
Thanks everyone for your support, and now for your patience, as I work to get loose ends wrapped up!
Hugs,
Laurie

AND THE WINNERS ARE . . . .

Kelsey drew names for me this evening, each name written on the same color post-it note, folded the exact same way, with the name on the inside. She then stuck each post-it on the prize list next to the number, starting with prize #10. I am seeing the names for the first time as I type them below.
I can't begin to thank everyone who made a donation, whether it was a prize, a box of goodies, a monetary donation, or putting the word out about our project on your blog, reader loop or website. I was totally blown away by how huge this project grew. Monetary donations totaled $650.00 and my dining room is already crammed with boxes of stuff, with more on the way! Simply amazing. You have all touched me more deeply than words can express and I will never forget the love and enthusiasm that you gave along with your support.
I hope you will all continue to keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers, after all, they are the heart and soul, the true strength, behind these projects.

PRIZE #1 HELEN WESTERBY
Lori Foster – t-shirt, tote bag, Santa Baby, The Night Before Christmas, A Very Merry Christmas
Dianne Castell – Texas Bad Boys
Jill Shalvis – Aussie Rules
Lucy Monroe – Beach Blanket Bad Boys

PRIZE #2 CINDY AKA LIL CINNY
Dianne Castell – Texas Bad Boys
Erin McCarthy – You Don’t Know Jack
Jill Shalvis – Aussie Rules
LuAnn McLane – Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots
Karen Kelley – Southern Comfort, Southern Exposure

PRIZE #3 ALYSON HACKETT
One year membership to Moonglade Greetings
Shiloh Walker – Hunting the Hunter
Dianne Castell – Texas Bad Boys
Erin McCarthy – High Stakes
Karen Kelley – Temperature’s Rising
Tonya Ramagos – Heavy Metal Seduction – ebook download

PRIZE #4 KELLEY VITOLLO
One year membership to Moonglade Greetings
Jill Shalvis – Aussie Rules
LuAnn McLane – Hot Summer Nights, Love, Lust and Pixie Dust
Cara North – Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
Karen Kelley – Hell on Wheels, Bad Boys w/Expensive Toys

PRIZE #5 JAMIE KERSTEN
Genesis Promotions – Pillow
Stacy Ahlgren - $25. B&N gift card
Toni Blake – In Your Wildest Dreams
Cara North – Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
Karen Kelley – Texas Bad Boys

PRIZE #6 NINY NEGRON
One year membership to Moonglade Greetings
Moonglade Elite Authors – Jaded Beasts – print copy
Toni Blake – Taking Care of Business
Rita Raymond – Bath and Body basket
Lucy Monroe – Ready, Willing, and Able

PRIZE #7 JUDY FLOHR
Erin McCarthy – The Naked Truth
Jill Shalvis – Aussie Rules
Janice Maynard – Wildest Dreams
Rita Raymond – Bath and Body basket
Lucy M. – Star Quality

PRIZE #8 AMELIA DURBIN
One year membership to Moonglade Greetings
Mucky’s Morsels – 3 dozen baked goodies
Janice M. – Suite Fantasy
Rita Raymond – Bath and Body basket
Kelley Vitollo – download ebook Dream Man

PRIZE #9 LISA FREEMAN
Moonglade Elite Authors – Jaded Beasts – 1 print copy, ebooks from Emery LaRue, ebooks from Jan Springer, one year membership to Moonglade Greetings, bracelet made by Liddy Midnight
Erin McCarthy – The Night Before Christmas
Jo Leigh – Closer and Relentless

PRIZE #10 ALANE COPPINGER
Emery LaRue – Sweet Wishes Hot Dishes, Jaded Beasts
Denyse Bridger – CD with all of her releases
Lucy Monroe – The Real Deal, 3 Brides for 4 Brothers
Jill Shalvis – Aussie Rules
Laurie - $25. Gooseberry Patch gift certificate

It's beginning to look a lot like Halloween!!

I love Halloween! I don't dress up or go to parties, but used to have Halloween parties for the girls and their friends until last year, complete with creepy snacks and drinks and a scary movie. It just didn't work out last year or this year for us to have a party. Maybe next year.
Here's a picture of Fred in his angel costume last year. Needless to say, he didn't have it on very long before he started shaking, trying to get it off! Here's also a picture of the pumpkins Kelsey and I carved this afternoon. The Superman "S" and the Elvis are designs we do every year. Lindsay always used to do the "S" but since she's away at school, we do it in her honor! We might end up carving a couple more tomorrow night, but our hands were too tired to do more.
My mom used to live on a dark, quiet dead-end street, and hardly had any trick or treaters, and then she moved into a retirement apartment, and has none, so she has always come out and sat with me to hand out candy. She's leaving Tuesday for a vacation in Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany (lucky mommy - her first trip abroad!), so it will just be Kelsey and I handing out candy this Tuesday evening.
I hope everyone has a fun, safe Halloween! Don't forget that I'll be drawing names in the troop raffle after trick or treat (sometime between 8 and 9 pm), so stay tuned for the announcement of winning names!
Laurie
:)

INFATUATION by Alison Kent

Okay, the kudos continue for Alison Kent! I picked this book up on Sunday at Waldenbooks in the mall. While standing deep in line to pay, I received a txt msg from my daughter who was in the Forever 21 dressing room (next door) and needed me to look at the dress she was trying on - immediately! Tim stood in line for me and paid for the book, totally unfazed by holding a romance in his rough, calloused man-hands. What a guy.

The last time he heard me talk about Alison was in a different bookstore, different mall, when I was looking for her CIG to Writing Erotic Romance. I was in the store by myself, and not being able to find it, asked a young male clerk to help me find it. This poor boy turned red as a beet, took me to the "Relationships/Self-Help" display and promptly left. Tim choose that moment to track me down, finding me intently searching the "relationship" shelves. I had to explain that there evidently had been a misunderstanding and no, I didn't think our 27 year marriage was in need of mending. I once again approached the clerk, who I swear cringed when he saw me coming, asking if he could look the book up. It was then clear that he didn't hear me say "writing" in the book title - he thought I was looking for the CIG to Erotic Romance, thus the relationship directive. Too funny!

Anyway, about INFATUATION, there are a handful of Blaze authors that I faithfully read. No, I'm not naming names. I've most likely discussed some of them previously, right here. The Blaze line has greatly improved and while I'm not and won't be, a subscriber again, I find myself picking them up more frequently than in the past. I never miss an Alison Kent book and am always confident in recommending them without hesitation. This book is no exception. It is excellent - I only wish it could have been about twice as long! A brief review for INFATUATION:

Rennie Bergen and Milla Page knew each other in college, when she was the girlfriend of his roommate. The two hit it off immediately, proving that opposites most definitely do attract. Rennie came from a hard-working middleclass family and Milla was the cream of the high society crop, as was her boyfriend. When Rennie and Milla had a secret, brief affair, the result was a myriad of hurt feelings and ultimately, changed lives.

Milla works at a dating service, as a reviewer of hot clubs and night spots. When Rennie's name comes up as a potential date from a "pool" of men's business cards in her office, Milla nervously decides to go see him at his car repair/body shop. Rennie is cool to Milla, almost cruel at times, but seeing how his feelings were the first to be stomped on in their earlier relationship, and because he is unaware of the significant changes in Milla's life, he's not a jerk for it. Milla is a small woman, of tempered steel it seems, as she is remarkably capable of taking care of herself. She gives back to Rennie as good as she takes.

The two embark on a new, adult relationship, shocked that the sexual intensity that previously existed is still there, possibly stronger than before. Just when it looks like they might be moving in the direction of a solid relationship, both find that the other has been keeping secrets and that their lives aren't at all what they seem.

Several brief flashbacks into the past help detail the previous relationship of Rennie and Milla. I typically don't like flashbacks, but these are very well done and go far to embellish the story, similar to the flashbacks in AK's FOUR MEN AND A LADY, also excellently done.

I highly recommend this book to all romance fans, whether regular readers of the Blaze line or not. And if you haven't picked up a Blaze lately? DO IT!

Thanks,

Laurie :)