Guilty Pleasure Monday – Cole Hamels

I think you guys know I so love baseball and although I’m a long suffering Mets fan, you’ve got to appreciate good players, and hotness, even if it’s on the opposing team.

So today’s Guilty Pleasure Monday is Cole Hamels, the 2008 National League Championship Series and World Series MVP. Cole posted a 4-0 record over the two series and helped the Phillies win the 2008 World Series.

Go Phillies! Yep, when I’m not rooting for the Mets, I root for the National League East team and lately they seem to always be in first.

I’m also thinking of offering you guys a baseball romance that I had written for Kensington, but which didn’t get published because the line for which I was writing folded. What do you think of that idea? Would you like a story about a sexy rookie player and an older female trainer? I’d love to hear from you about that.

Also, the winner of the Summer Giveaway Hop is Anne R. Anne, please send me your postal address so I can ship your LOST T-shirt and a copy of STRONGER THAN SIN.

For night owls, come play with me tonight at Linda Mooney’s Other World of Romance Blog Talk Radio where we’ll be talking about THE LOST. You can click here for the station!

Photo Credit: Matthew [email protected]

Guilty Pleasure Cliff Lee

It’s that time of year when a girl’s fancy turns to . . .

Baseball! So today’s Guilty Pleasure Monday is one of my favorite baseball players, Philadelphia Phillie Cliff Lee. I had so been hoping that the Mets would be able to acquire him, but with their financial issues, Cliff went to the Phillies. Don’t even think the Mets were even in the running to get him, although they sure could use some strong starting pitchers.

How about you? Do you have any other baseball favorites you’d like to share? Like David Wright? Or Jason Werth? How about Mr. Utley?

Photo Credit: © Rubenstein, photographer Martyna Borkowski

Setting the Scene & Spring Happenings

On today’s Thursday 13, I want to invite you to take a visit to my fellow author India Drummond who is hosting me today as I blog about the powers of observation and setting a scene. Keeping in line with that, I thought I’d give you a list of the 13 things that I love about spring (not that it’s arrived here yet in the cold Northeast!)

1. Colorful crocuses peeking their heads out of the soil.
2. Golden daffodils.
3. Spring green bursting from leaf buds.
4. Soft pink of my Japanese weeping cherry tree.
5. The smell of freshly mowed spring grass.
6. The bite of wild onions mowed along with the grass.
7. First gurgle of the pond as I start up the pump.
8. Goldfish soaking up the sun.
9. Chatter of birds in the trees.
10. Sun, warm on my face.
11. Splashing through rain puddles.
12. Crisp breeze coming off the ocean.
13. The smack of the ball on the bat! It’s Opening Day!

Thanks for dropping by and don’t forget to visit me over at India’s blog. On this very last day of March and my month long birthday bash, I’m offering up a copy of AZTEC GOLD for one lucky person who leaves a comment on India’s blog by midnight EST.

Fun Friday – Baseball, the Blues and a Guest Blog!

Doing the Friday Happy Dance even though it’s dark, cold and rainy in New York City. But I’ve got some fun things to chase away the blues today, including some fun talk about baseball and a guest blog (with some giveaways)!

Come visit with me at the wonderful Sia McKye’s Over Coffee blog and let me know if you believe in miracles and the power of love. I sure do!

For regulars to the blog, you know I’m a sad sack fan of the Mets and baseball lover so today’s guest blogger is a special treat for me because of that and because she is a dear friend and this is her DEBUT novel!!

So please welcome Ronnie Norpel who will be telling us about her new book, Baseball Karma & the Constitution Blues. Share the love by leaving a comment on this blog or Sia‘s by midnight EST Sunday, November 7th and you could win a STRONGER THAN SIN T-shirt and copy of any one of my earlier releases – you can choose your own prize!

*****

It is a thrill for me to guest on Caridad’s blog today. She has witnessed and supported my transformation from wannabe to published author—thanks, Caridad!

And, hi, everybody! Caridad assures me that among her avid romance readers are a multitude of chick baseball fans. My book is for them – YOU!

Baseball Karma & the Constitution Blues (Three Rooms Press) is a girl’s tale of love, luck and superstition, and it will keep you warm through the long winter without baseball. I worked for my hometown Phillies for seven seasons and so this story is “steeped in authenticity.” Whereas we could have slotted it under Sports/Philosophy, in a nod to James Frey, my publisher (the terrific Kathi Georges) and I settled on our own category: ficto-memoir.

A big theme of my book is how superstitions are all in our heads, but we perform rituals to try to relieve them anyway. A couple of baseball superstitions I touch on in the book include:

1. Pre-game Routines (p. 24):

The idea behind pre-game routines is to over-control the Ordinary in anticipation of handling the Extraordinary. Just as Einstein’s daily “uniform” of white shirtsleeves and black trousers dispensed with the Ordinary, availing his mind of the Extraordinary, so batting champ Larry Walker’s uniform number 33 paced his playing days: he would set his alarm for 3 past the hour, shower at the 3rd nozzle, and take 3 swings before each at-bat. Their embroidered vestments elevate our big leaguers to priestly status, even as they superstitiously covet their own jersey numbers: Mr. Clemens thought his 21 worth a Rolex, and Rickey H gave Turner Ward 25G for 24. (While John Kruk accepted two cases of brew from Mitch Williams for 29.) Culinary habits are also controlled: Wade Boggs ate chicken before every game. From arriving at the yard at the same time and parking in the same spot every day to wearing the same dirty jockstrap, if that’s what the Church of Baseball dictates, these guys’ll do it. On faith.

2. Adjusting Equipment (p. 125):

Meanwhile, post-game, Blues manager Teddy Mack stood in the middle of the visitors’ clubhouse as the players peeled off their muddy uniforms.

“Fellas, you really stunk it up tonight! I see no concentration in the field or at the plate, and every time we get close, we blow it! Would anyone care to explain this for me?”

Problem is, when you’re losing, there is no real explanation. But they were willing to try.

“Well, Skip, I switched brands of dip when we left on the road trip,” Mark offers.

Mack stared at Ridley.

Jack Black attempted a more traditional guise.

“What he meant to say, Coach, is that we have a young team.”

“We have to make a few adjustments, that’s all.” Doug added analysis straight from the Sports pages, those ‘few adjustments.’

“These guys just have to adjust to the bigs. They’ll be all right,” Tommy said.

“They seem like they’re adjusting just fine, Gunner.” Mack looked at Doug.

“They certainly haven’t been making curfew!”

Doug turned back to his locker.

“Sorry, Skip,” Bobby said, “I got a late call from the coast last night…”

Mack rolled his eyes, when will these boys ever learn?

“…from my mom, she found my old glove! It should be at the stadium tomorrow.”

“As should my order of new bats,” said Jack.

“Don’t forget to spit on ‘em, JB,” Moss muttered under his breath. Moss was a spitter.

“Fellas! I don’t think it’s an equipment problem. Please get your heads into the game!”

3. No Hitter Talk (p. 142):

In the Blues conference room, the front office staff sat in silent vigil sipping coffee. Hugh Sargent contemplated periodic ophthalmia and its effect on batting averages. Blake and Whitley straggled in just ahead of Lloyd Preston.

“I imagine you’ve all read today’s Sports.”

He held up a copy of the Daily View. The headline blared: “FULL MOON FULL GAINER; FULL LOSERS,” and a pair of photos showed the fan in mid-fall and then being stretchered into the ambulance.

The staffers shifted in their seats. Preston went on.

“The suggestion box is officially opens, folks. I’m not throwing in the towel, but we have a real bear on our hands, and at this point, anything goes. Let’s brainstorm.”

Whitley whispered to Blake in the corner.

“I just hope that guy makes it.”

“Shut up, Whitley,” Blake whispered back. “That’s no hitter talk.”

“What do you mean?”

“Will you NEVER get it? It’s like a no hitter in the making: you can hope for it, but whatever you do, don’t talk about it!”

She still looked confused, so Blake paraphrased.

“We ALL hope he makes it.”

***

Now, speaking of No Hitters, it was quite exciting as a Phillies fan to see Roy Halladay throw his no-no against the Reds in the Division Series. But, alas, my Phils did not get their rematch against the Yankees in the World Series this year. That said, I lifted the curse at the beginning of the 2007 season, so it’s only fair some other team got in this year! I gave the edge to the Giants – what with their timely Halloween-colored uniforms. And then there’s that young Tim Lincecum – he’s cute! AND he can pitch!

If you worship at the Church of Baseball and would like to get an insider’s peek – from a female perspective, you will enjoy my book. You can go to www.constitutionblues.com to order an autographed copy (PayPal).

Cheers!
Ronnie Norpel
Visit www.constitutionblues.com to order an autographed copy
or you can click here to order Baseball Karma & the Constitution Blues

Photo Credit: Thanks to Heather’s Animations for the Dancing Girl Gif.

Fun Friday – Jersey Shore, Baseball and The Hills are Alive!

Still celebrating the release of STRONGER THAN SIN which means you can visit with me over at my friend Lois Winston’s wonderful blog where I’ll be talking about how to select locations for your novels and why I chose the Jersey Shore. Anyone who leaves a comment will have a chance to win an autographed copy of SINS OF THE FLESH. If you win and already have that one, just let me know and I can substitute another release for you!

Another fun thing for you! With the World Series underway (and me struggling to watch it on MLB.TV which is so much harder to follow than a Fox feed!), we’re going to have some baseball fun here next Friday. My friend and fellow author Ronnie Norpel will be here to talk about her latest release, BASEBALL KARMA AND THE CONSTITUTION BLUES from Three Rooms Press.

Finally, one of my all time favorite movies is THE SOUND OF MUSIC for so many reasons. My family and I went to see it when I was a kid. We did a special trip to New York City in our Easter finery, hats and all for the Easter parade. Then we went to Radio City Music Hall. I cried at the end (and still do) because I could connect with those children who were forced to leave their homes because of a crazy man.

But on a brighter note, the cast reunited recently and here’s a clip for you to enjoy on this Fun Friday!

Guilty Pleasures Monday – Phillie’s Chase Utley

With my beloved Mets out of post-season play (again!), I’m rooting for the NL East Champion Phillies to go all the way!

There are so many players on the Phillies that are certified cuties, but I’ll start with Mr. Dependable – Chase Utley. I just love his work ethic and his boy-next-door charm. Did I mention his good looks as well?

Here’s hoping you get another ring, Chase!

Photo Credit: Googie [email protected]

Fun Friday – The Fashionista is Back!

It’s that time of year when women’s thoughts turn to . . .

BASEBALL!!

Check out today’s report on baseball fashions for women at: http://lifemythlegend.blogspot.com/.

For many many many (did you get that – many!) years of my life, I was one of the guys because there was a dearth of “feminine” sports apparel. No more! Now women can cheer their teams on in style.

Also wanted to leave you with this photo that I shot on the way to work. The flowers are up in Bryant Park! If you’re itching to get out into your garden, just remember to check and make sure you’re past getting a killing frost. Also remember that some plants – like tomatoes, basil and peppers — really hate even chilly weather. If you need to put your hands in the soil, go with pansies and other cool weather choices for now. Also think about using combos like these pinks and blue-purples. Butterflies, bees and hummingbirds love these particular colors.