#WriteWed All my bags are not packed! #RWA17

I love attending the RWA Conference every year. It’s such a fabulous time to network with readers, writers and so many industry professionals. It’s also a chance to catch up with old friends who I only get to see at the conference and renew those bonds.

Right now I’m in the final stages of getting ready. Last night I got part 1 of the packing done, namely, the swag for the conference attendees.

Next is some extra-special swag for those of you who want to come by and chat with me at the Sourcebooks Casablanca book signing! I’ll have some handmade bookmarks and other goodies for you there!

If you’ll be at the conference, please let me know! I’d love to get together with you! If you won’t be there, look for photos next week as I share my adventures at the conference with you!

July 18, 2017

#TransformationTuesday Small Steps = Big Strides

A few weeks ago I posted about falling back and gaining weight. It’s been a tough thing to work so hard to lose 40 pounds and gain it and some more back. It made me uncomfortable and created worry about the health consequences of it. Things like stroke, cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Because of that, I went back to work on a lifestyle change, trying to take small steps in order to get back on the right path to being healthier. I set a reasonable goal: 10 pounds lost by the RWA Conference in Orlando. Why only 10? Well, 10 seems more doable than 40 or even my ultimate goal 75 pounds. Setting a seemingly unattainable goal would only make it that much harder to commit to change.

So here I am, a week away from RWA and guess what: 10 pounds lighter since June 27 when I posted about my yo-yo weight gain.

How did I do it? Small steps. Upped my cardio exercise by 10 minutes. Walked faster on my way to work. Cut down on carbs. You’ll see that I didn’t say eliminated them because that seems to not work since the moment I have any carbs, I yo-yo and go on a carb binge. So an occasional roll, piece of bread, rice or even pasta mixed in seems to work.

I increased fruits and vegetables. Perfect in summer when we’ve got luscious peaches, plums and nectarines available. Mangoes also. Love them!

What’s the next small step? Another 10 pounds by Labor Day. I’ll keep you posted on how it’s going!

July 17, 2017July 17, 2017

#ManCandyMonday Male Model Ben Dahlhaus

Who is this mysterious Man Candy? Apparently, little is known about Swedish Male Model Ben Dahlhaus according to Beardaholic. Ben dropped into the fashion scene in 2014 and has already appeared in ads for watchmaker Brathwait and more recently pen legend Mont Blanc.

Chiseled, bearded and long-haired, he’s still sexy!

Click here if you cannot see the Ben Dahlhause Rhino Shirt video below or use this link: https://youtu.be/S3IpcjPvCdw

July 14, 2017October 30, 2018

#FunFriday & #Giveaway – Running of the Bull . . . Dogs that Is!

It’s that time of year for the running of the bulls in Pamplona. You’ve probably seen news stories about people being gored or injured as they try to outrun the large bulls on narrow Spanish streets. The practice began when cattle had to be transported from one location to another and local youths would run and dodge in front of them to show how brave they were.

But now, there is another fearful animal to dodge: the bulldogs. This commercial from Geico is hysterical! Click here if you cannot see the Geico Running of the Bulldogs commercial below.

https://youtu.be/0maaH2gUWa4

Beach Bag Beach Read Contest

Starting on July 14, please visit my Facebook page to enter the Beach Bag Beach Read Contest. To enter, all you need to do is tag a friend (one per comment) for an entry to win a $25 GC, Kobo Pocket Reader, cozie, bookmark (made by me) & a T-shirt. Each tag is another chance to win! Share the post for a chance to win a Second Chance Prize of a $10 GC!

July 13, 2017

#ThrowbackThursday A Trip to Mexico

I’ve been very lucky that my day job has let me visit Mexico on a number of occasions. I’ve been to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Tequila. Fascinating places, great food and good-hearted people.

I’ve been fascinated by the Aztecs and the Maya since I read The Conquest of Mexico and Peru as a kid. It’s no wonder that I decided to set two of my books in Mexico: Aztec Gold and The Fifth Kingdom. The Fifth Kingdom in particular is one of my favorite books and it features the Sun Stone, a symbol of Mexico, in the story. That’s the Sun Stone in the bottom left of this photo! It was truly a pleasure to share with you how the Aztecs lived and their culture, as well as their gods and goddesses.

P.S. – My fascination with the Maya was in large part responsible for inspiring the Sin Hunters and the special powers that you first see in THE LOST.

July 12, 2017

#WisdomWednesday Nothing Worthwhile is Ever Easy

My mom was an amazing lady. She had courage and wisdom that inspired me throughout my entire life. She told me that anything was possible if I worked at it hard enough. She also told me that nothing worthwhile is ever easy. She was right about both. Whether it’s a relationship or being a writer or trying to lose weight, it’s not easy, but if I want it and since it’s worthwhile, I need to not give up!

July 10, 2017July 10, 2017

#ManCandyMonday Chris Pine from Wonder Woman

Chris Pine’s baby blues first caught my attention in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. I thought he was so handsome and since then, he’s just kept my eye through the rebooted Star Trek movies, Unstoppable and now Wonder Woman. I can’t wait to see that one! So without further ado, the sexy Chris Pine.

Photo Credit: Eva Rinaldi [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons