Word of warning on this gorgeous Monday morning — beware the photos of today’s Guilty Pleasure Kellan Lutz, better known for his turn as a vampire in the Twilight franchise. There is absolutely nothing that out-glitters these shots of him for the latest Calvin Klein commercial. So take a moment to sit back and enjoy — but keep all liquids and other spewables away from your keyboard. Or maybe not. On second thought, maybe have a big glass of ice cold water ready for today’s hottie!
Fun Friday – Arts, Crafts & News
This weekend will be hopping for me! First there is the Liberty States Fiction Writers Mayke It Happen get together! Can’t wait to go and hang out with all of my buds and talking about our writing projects.
I’ll be down the shore and hoping to see some sun! But just in case it’s rainy, I’m sharing a fun project with you from my friend Kathy Cano-Murilla, the Crafty Chica aka the Goddess of Glitter! As writers and readers, we always seem to have a vast collection of pens and I thought this crazy pencil cup would be fun to share with you!
If it is sunny, I hope to get some time in along the boardwalk, researching some more spots for . . .
BOOKS 3 and 4 IN THE SINS SERIES!
Yes, you heard it here first! I’ve accepted an offer from Grand Central Publishing for two more books in the SINS series. Not only that, you won’t have to wait that long to read about the continuing adventures of the Carrera clan as well as some new and very dangerous people that will enter their lives (can we say some non-human people with very unusual and deadly powers?)
As you know, STRONGER THAN SIN will be out in November 2010 and you’ll be able to read both Books 3 and 4 in 2011 if all goes as planned! I can’t wait to share these exciting paranormal romance stories with you and I know you’ll all like to see what’s up with Mick, Caterina and Liliana as well as find out more about the dark creatures who will threaten the Carrera clan. As for who will be the hero and heroine in book 3 — here’s a hint: You’ve read about them already in one of the SINS-related books/prequels and you’ll see more of them in STRONGER THAN SIN!
That’s all the beans I’m spilling for now! Hope you all have a great weekend!
106 Years Young – Doris Eaton Travis
Doris Eaton Travis, the last of the Ziegfield Follies women, died yesterday at the age of 106. Most people were saying she was 106 years old, but considering all I’ve read about her and seen, I think it’s better to say she was 106 years young. Just get a glimpse of Doris hoofing it up at 101!
May we all be so graceful and full of life in our coming years and remember — You’re as young as you feel!
Travel Tuesday – Westminster Abbey and Parliament Area
Yet more photos from England for you, this time of the area around Westminster Abbey and Parliament (aka the Palace of Westminster)!
We had a great time strolling around this historic area. The only bummer was that you couldn’t take photos inside Westminster Abbey. There was so much to see there and that I wanted to share with you. But the good news is that Westminster Abbey has some great information and photos. You can click here to see some of the sights and get an idea for yourself of the immensity of this cathedral which was built in 960 and holds hundreds of tombs and monuments.
My favorite was the Poet’s Corner where many famous writers are honored, starting with Chaucer. Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Rudyard Kipling are buried in the Abbey and there are monuments to Jane Austen, William Shakespeare and T.S. Eliot just to name a few you might know! We also took a moment to check out where Charles Darwin was buried beside a number of other famous scientists because the geek in me just couldn’t resist.
Big Ben (apparently the name of the big hour bell and not the clock!) is nearby as are the Houses of Parliament. Unfortunately Parliament was closed due to the “bank holiday”, so we missed seeing the House of Commons and House of Lords, but the outside is quite impressive and we had the treat of getting a glimpse at English politics at work when the Prime Minister asked the Queen to disband Parliament and set a date for new elections.
In Britain they only have a month to campaign. What a grand idea! Too bad we can’t do that here!
Almost directly across the way from the Westminster area is the London Eye — a giant ferris wheel of sorts. I wanted to go for a ride, but the lines were very long and my family – knowing my fear of heights – feared I’d freak out since it takes at least 45 minutes to make a complete loop on the Eye.
I hope you enjoy the sites of this part of London! If you can’t see the slide show below, you can also visit my Facebook Page to see the photos of Westminster and Parliament!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2058803&id=1130005412&l=a5a6721ca7
Guilty Pleasures Monday – Mr. Romance Jamie Ungaro
This morning’s Guilty Pleasure is none other than this year’s Mr. Romance Jamie Ungaro! Not only does he have great dimples and wonderful blue eyes, he seemed like a really nice guy.
A local Ohio boy, Jamie was selected as Mr. Romance 2010 at this year’s RT BookReviews Convention in Columbus, Ohio.
You can visit Jamie at his Facebook page!
Fun Friday – RT Convention Photos!
As you may recall, I was hard at work last week at the RT BookReviews Convention. Met lots of friends and fellow authors. I want to thank all of you who came to visit during the conference and at the book fair. It was awesome to get to meet you face-to-face.
It was also great to premiere the next book in the SINS series – STRONGER THAN SIN! I’ve got the covers and some excerpts for you.
If you haven’t been to RT, it’s quite an event. Dozens of wonderful panels as well as some great balls and mixers. It’s in Los Angeles next year and I’m already excited about going.
Wanted to share some photos with you from the convention! If you can’t see the slideshow below, you can also click on this link to my Facebook page or cut and paste this link into your browser.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2058425&id=1130005412&l=d1363d1735
Seriously Mayor Bloomberg!
On Sunday morning while I was at RT, I heard the news that my beloved New York City was once again under attack.
As always I feared for the people of the city as well as the courageous police officers and firemen who protect us every day.
When I arrived home, I heard Mayor Bloomberg’s take on the attempted attack. To quote:
Seriously, Mayor Mike! You didn’t just say that, did you?
I guess being a multi-billionaire who owns Bloomberg News isn’t enough to keep Mayor Mike in the loop about what recent polls (Courtesy Rasmussen) are saying, namely:
- 52% of Americans say the bill will be bad for America
58% favor repeal of the bill
60% believe that the bill will increase the deficit
Only 33% of Americans think America is headed in the right direction
I’m not going to do the math, but based on the above poll figures, the Feds and NY law enforcement would be chasing after lots of average Americans instead of Muslim extremists (and I say extremists because not all Muslims are terrorists) if they had the same initial impression as Mayor Mike.
Which makes me wonder why it is that some politicians and media folk are busy trying to portray average Americans as crazies and terrorists? Worse yet, why is it that some politicians and media folk are initially downplaying that these acts might be the work of terrorists from abroad or working with those who are in other countries?
Given that in the last year and a half we’ve had at least 3 attacks by Muslim extremists (the Christmas Day bomber, the Fort Hood massacre and now the Times Square bomber) with contacts overseas, I think it’s time to turn our attention away from average Americans who are exercising their right to voice a different opinion and look in the right direction.
What are your thoughts on this Thoughtful Thursday?