Live to Love on the Edge Blog - Caridad Pineiro® Romance Author

February 28, 2008May 9, 2017

Thoughtful Thursday – I spam because I am

Image courtesy of Microft Word Clip Art Today’s Thoughtful Thursday is about spam. No, not that canned spiced ham that Hawaiians seem to love so much (did you know that Junk Food News notes “Hawaii leads the way with 6.7 million cans sold annually, which amounts to 5.5 cans per year per Hawaiian.”)

I’m talking about those annoying e-mails that seem to slip past all our best efforts to catch them, flooding our e-mail boxes with dozens of messages about buying Viagra, getting bigger penises or receiving a check for 5555 bazillion dollars if we would only be so kind as to send them all our banking information.

Sex and money are clearly on the minds of these spammers and their intended targets.

I asked one of our techs, “Why do they do this?”

His answer was simple. Not only because they can, but because they send out so many millions of e-mails, even a low percentage of response is a good thing. According to CNET News “the Web site trustedsource.org, (reported that) there were a total of 154.3 billion mail messages sent around the world Sunday and 117.4 billion of them were spam.”

And the spam isn’t just limited to e-mail boxes. The blogs get hit as well with all kinds of fake comments that need to be caught and purged.

Recently there have been efforts made to establish laws to prosecute spammers. The U.S. Congress passed the CAN-SPAM Act in 2003. (Notice how much less spam you’ve been getting since then — NOT!)

The one thing that the CAN-SPAM Act has done is make it harder for legimate businesses to send bulk e-mails to willing participants. Or at least, that’s been my personal experience.

So what can we do about the spammers? Well, the Internet Service Providers and software companies continue to develop products to battle the spammers. You can download a spam blocker and try to keep it current. Try being the operative word because the spammers seem to find ways around the software almost as soon as it’s updated.

What else can you do? I don’t know about you, but maybe I need to explore whether any of my heroes needs that Viagra or a bigger penis . . . No wait . . . I think we like our heroes ready, willing and able.

So I guess I have no choice but to hit that delete button, again and again and again and again.

February 27, 2008

Wicked Wednesday – Taking It Slow

Today’s Wicked Wednesday is about taking it slow — something that Sylvia and Carlos have a problem with in SOUTH BEACH CHICAS CATCH THEIR MAN.

The two have been hot for each other for several weeks since first meeting in SEX AND THE SOUTH BEACH CHICAS, but now they are pulling back from one another. Realizing that they need to deal with what they’re feeling for each other which goes way beyond the physical.

Here’s a little exchange between Sylvia and Carlos when the frustration of taking it slow and battling that attraction has created enough friction and tension to make tempers run short.

“Can’t sleep?”

Carlos stood in the hallway leading to her room, light limning the silhouette of his lean-hipped body.

There was no sense denying it, so she sat up on the couch, creating another loud cacophony as she did so. “Thinking
about . . . work and things. How about you?”

He walked toward her, the limp in his gait less noticeable than it had been a few days earlier when he had moved in. He had improved a lot in a short time even though she had noticed after their walk that morning that he had taxed himself. He had been tired and in pain when they had returned, although her attempts to ease his discomfort had turned into a rather nice interlude — until her mother had arrived for her surprise visit. But even then Carlos had toughed it out for her during the afternoon and the early dinner they had shared.

Despite this morning’s seeming setback, she could already notice not just his increased mobility, but that he seemed to have more strength. Even his color was better. Afternoons spent lazing in Lummus Park and the morning walks they were able to occasionally take had added a nice healthy glow to his skin and replaced the hospital pallor.

“Can’t sleep. Too much noise coming from in here.” He sat on the couch beside her and it creaked loudly. He met her guilty gaze. “There’s no reason that we both can’t get some sleep if you come to bed.”

“Come to bed? I was worried I might disturb your rest.” Feeling decidedly exposed, although the Victoria’s Secret cotton pajamas she wore were rather tame, she pulled up the comforter to just below her neck.

Carlos dragged a hand through his hair and sank back against the couch, prompting another squeak. “SÃ. In bed. With me. This way I can finally rest because I won’t be awake listening to you toss and turn and maybe you’ll even be able to get some sleep.”

She hadn’t realized she was keeping him up. “I’m sorry. I thought you were comfortable.”

“I am. But I’d be better if you just stopped being . . .”

“Pigheaded?” she offered when he hesitated.

“Okay, if pigheaded is the way you’re feeling. And what does that mean anyway? Pigheaded? How stupid a way is that to describe your stubbornness.”

“Stubbornness? How about understanding that I’m trying to be considerate,” she shot back, anger flaring to life at his annoyance.

“Considerate? The bed’s big enough for an army. What’s so considerate about — ”

“Leaving you alone to sleep? Do you think we would get much rest if I got into bed with you?” she said because she wanted him more than she cared to admit, but was smart enough to know that she also possibly wanted . . . more than something physical.

He sighed harshly and faced her. He wore a white muscle shirt and dark-colored sweats. The shirt did nothing to hide the immense breadth of his shoulders or his well-defined muscles. The sight of them reawakened the desire to feel those strong arms around her and just confirmed to her that getting in bed with him might lead to nothing but trouble.

“Do you think you’re that irresistible?” he said, surprising her.

“Huh? Me? You think this is about me?” she nearly yelled.

“SÃ. Do you think I can’t resist you?”

Well, that was a big ouch in the ego column. “You’re right. You’re a big boy. No reason to think you can’t keep your hands off me,” she said as she regally rose from the couch and wrapped the comforter around herself.

“If that’s what you want, amorcito,” he said and even in the dark, she could see the twinkle in his blue-green eyes. She had been played.

“What I want? I don’t know what I want. Maybe that’s the reason I’ve tried to be sensible and grown up about this,” she finally admitted.

Carlos shook his head. “Sensible? Grown up?”

He stood slowly, a bit of a hitch in the action as his leg protested the rise from her low-slung sofa, but then he stood before her. Leaned impossibly close and in a low, sexy tone said, “I think I like you better when you’re less sensible. When you follow your heart.”

He didn’t wait for her reply and headed for her bedroom, leaving her to stand there and think about what her heart wanted. About her giving in to her itch and finally doing all those things she had only just thought about for months now. Thought about every minute for the five days he’d been in her home.

As she walked toward her bedroom, she reminded herself that scratching too hard wasn’t a good thing. That if she maybe waited a bit, the itch might just go away.

But as she saw him waiting for her, his gaze hot as he tracked her flight to the far edge of the bed, she realized just how hard it was going to be to resist him.

***

Want to read more? Just click here to get more excerpts from the book!

February 26, 2008May 9, 2017

The 100 Calorie Crave

One of the things I’ve found during my last two weight loss campaigns is that it was easier to lose weight if I ate more times during the day, but watched what I was eating.

Why is that? Well, skipping meals may slow your metabolism as will crash diets (anything less than 1500 calories per day). Your body will sense that you aren’t providing it with enough fuel and slow down to retain the stored energy it has (in other words — the fat you want to lose).

The other problem with skipping meals and eating less is that when you do deplete the energy you’ve taken in, you will crash and experience major hunger. That may lead to poor food choices.

What’s the answer and this Tuesday’s Tip? Those ubiquitous 100 calorie packs that are now available everywhere. The problem is finding the ones that are actually satisfying since there’s nothing worse than opening one of those bags and finding that there’s not enough there to satisfy a craving.

Which ones have I tried and found to be fairly good? Here’s a list of some of the better ones I’ve tried:

Is there anything bad about the 100 calorie packs? Price for starters. You’re going to pay more for the convenience. Also, as you can tell from my list, the snacks on my list aren’t all that nutritious — they are for satisfying your sweet tooth.

That also means they are probably high in carbs and may only provide a temporary sugar rush.

The good part about them, besides the taste, is the portion control. You know exactly how many calories you’re taking in without having to count or measure.

What other 100 calorie (or less) things can you eat that are probably better for you? Well here’s some of the things I also munch down on:

Cabot’s Reduced Fat Cheddars (which also come in pre-packaged slices)
Polly-O Skim Mozzarella and String Cheese
Apple
Orange
Low Fat/Fat Free Sugar Free Yogurt
Strawberries (10 large)
Blueberries (1 cup)
Hard-boiled Egg
Jello Sugar-Free (one serving is only 10 calories!)

Not sure of the calories? Click here to use an easy Food Analyzer from Kraft. com.

Hope this Tuesday tip was helpful!

February 25, 2008December 7, 2018

Guilty Pleasure Monday – Eduardo Varestegui

This Guilty Pleasure Monday came about from watching the 101 Top Celebrity Bodies show on E! Entertainment Television while I was exercising over the weekend.

I had been searching for visual inspiration for my new hero — Fisher Yates — who is an Army Captain, dark haired, green-eyed and wonderfully hard-bodied. Eduardo came on the screen and I knew I had my man and today’s Guilty Pleasure Monday.

Eduardo is a Mexican model, singer and actor who has appeared in a number of films including the romantic comedy Chasing Papi. Since then, he’s appeared in Bella, on Charmed and was voted one of People En Espanol’s 50 Most Beautiful People.

I think in any language, Eduardo is totally amazing and just the right inspiration!

February 22, 2008May 12, 2017

Fun Friday – Programmer or Serial Killer?

Besides writing romantic suspense, in my other life I’m an attorney and also responsible for the technology at my office. Plus, I lean toward the nerdy if you haven’t gathered. So, while using Stumbleupon (a very addictive way to surf the net), I came across this great quiz at Malevole.com which kind of combines two of my biggest interests — suspense and computers! 🙂

Take the quiz to find out if you can identify the serial killer or the computer programmer. And remember that old adage, “Don’t judge a book by the cover” while you’re at it.

Here’s the link to the quiz: http://www.mattround.freeserve.co.uk/files/killerquiz.swf

Here’s hoping it at least gets a chuckle from you on this Fun Friday.

February 21, 2008July 6, 2017

Thoughtful Thursday – Cuba Finally Free?

This Thoughtful Thursday may be a little rambling because I suspect it will be an emotional Thoughtful Thursday.

On Tuesday, I had quite a few e-mail and text messages forwarding the news that Castro had resigned. A number of people, especially the political pundits, see it as a sign of welcome change. For a lot of others, like me, it’s just another end run in the game that Castro has been successfully playing for the last 50 years.

Let’s face it. Castro turned over power to his younger brother, Raul, in July ’06. Some say Raul is ready to make changes to better the Cuban economy and has made overtures to the United States since accepting power. With his older brother still alive, I find it hard to believe that the necessary changes will occur.

What kinds of changes? The right to free speech. The right to travel freely. The right to be able to earn a sound living and keep what you earn. The right to freely choose who will govern your country.

In other words, an end to dictatorship, whether it be Fidel, Raul or some other puppet. If that happened, I could finally say that Cuba was free, but not before that.

Many have asked me if I would go back if that happened and the answer needs little thought. I’d go back once Fidel was dead to see where I was born. To see the home my parents lost to the Revolution. The home were Fidel would send soldiers to harass my grandparents and two small children so that my parents, once supporters turned dissidents, would return and face their punishment.

I’d take my daughter with me to see it because she understands the wound in my heart that is Cuba. I remember the early years here in the U.S. and all the sadness in my family and with their friends. I remember being 5 or 6 and asking my mother when we’d go back. She said “Soon.”

I remember my daughter at 5 or 6 asking almost the same thing. “When can I go see Cuba?” I said, “Soon.”

Soon isn’t here yet. It may not be here for awhile. Not until there is true freedom in Cuba. That’s a vow I made to my grandparents and parents who never got to return.

But there’s one thing left to say when people ask me if I will go back. I will go back, but I will also return to what is now my home and my country — the United States. It’s the country that’s made me who I am and given me all that I hold dear, chief amongst that — LIBERTY!

I am proud of this country. Proud of how it treated me and so many others like me. One of the proudest days in my life was the one when I stood up and became a U.S. citizen.

Unlike some in politics today who can’t muster that pride in the United States, I have not doubts about my feelings for the United States and no doubts that freedom for Cuba may still be a long way off.

February 19, 2008July 8, 2019

I’m on the Web, Therefore I Am

An Internet presence is one of the most important steps that an author can take, and it doesnâ€™t require a big financial investment. The problem many authors face is deciding what kind of web presence they wish to have since there are so many types of websites and each has different benefits and burdens.

I hope this Tuesday Tip provides you with some basic information about establishing a presence on the worldwide web and the different ways you can accomplish that.

The most common way of getting a presence on the web is through a traditional website, such as the one that I have at www.caridad.com or THE CALLING site at www.thecallingvampirenovels.com. Websites such as these generally require the following:

1. Registration of the domain name (for example, www.caridad.com).
2. A server to host the site (in laymenâ€™s terms, a computer which will hold
the computer files for the website).
3. An FTP (or file transfer protocol) program to copy/upload the files to the
server.
4. Coding of the website.
5. Maintenance of the website.

If youâ€™re not tech literate, you may require someone who can do the above steps for you. Companies such as Stone Creek, Moonglade Designs, Crocos Designs, Noveltalk, Writerspace, Coffee Time Romance, Romance Designs, and others will provide packages that can do all or part of the above.

One advantage of going with such a package is that you can choose for your website to be listed with other websites in the companyâ€™s â€œcommunity.â€ Belonging to such communities may result in increased traffic to your site and added benefits, such as the ability to chat with readers who visit the community, or inclusion in a monthly newsletter. Most of these packages include maintenance as part of the services offered.

Another option is to register the domain name on your own and then have a programmer do the remaining steps or a combination of same. For example, I registered my own domain, engaged a hosting service (siteocity.com or bananahosting.com are ones I would recommend) and had the programmer do steps 3 and 4. I do maintenance and upgrades on my own.

This has the benefit of allowing me to control the website and do unlimited updates whenever I want. The down side to this is that I had to learn some HTML coding in order to update my site. A great site for information on HTML codes is HTML Code Tutorial at http://www.htmlcodetutorial.com/. The other down side is that doing the web coding will take time away from other things. However, if cost and control are factors, this is a nice mix.

If youâ€™re not tech literate, you can reduce the need to learn a lot of code by going with a platform such as WordPress for your website. WordPress is a free program that has quite a number of additions (plugins) that make it relatively easy to maintain the site or even add features such as video trailers, flash, etc.

WordPress also has a number of free themes (themes are the look of the site). You can choose from a wide variety of themes or hire a programmer to create a unique theme for your site.

If you are not familiar with hosting, FTP, or coding, you will likely need a programmer if you are going to install the WordPress site on your own, but if cost is an issue, there is the alternative to create the website right at the main WordPress site at www.wordpress.org. This will avoid installation, hosting, and FTP issues.

One nice feature of WordPress is that it is basically a blogging program, so you can create a site that has traditional website features (pull-down menus, etc.) as well as a blog. There are a number of other free blogging programs, but I am going to save that discussion for a future article.

Once youâ€™ve decided whether you are going to go with a hosted website in a community or a website you will manage in whole or in part on your own, what do you need to do next?

Research, research, research. You want your website to reflect your unique style, and the programmer (or you if you decide to do it on your own) will need to make basic decisions about the following:

1. Colors and fonts
2. Kinds of pages you want (For example biography, booklist, contest)
3. Menu Styles (Will you want them to drop down, or will they be links on the page? Will they be on the side or along the top?)
4. Flash or no-flash (Those animated intros that so many sites have)
5. Blog
6. Getting listed on the Search Engines
7. Joining a community

For the first four, take your time searching the web for sites that you like. Make a list of the sites and what you liked about each particular site. Check the site to see who designed it if youâ€™ve decided to go with hiring an individual programmer rather than going with one of the packages. For fonts, one good site to visit is cooltext.com which lists a number of different fonts grouped by styleâ€”for example, horror or gothic fonts.

Whether you are going with the package, individual programmer, or on your own, make a list of all the things you wish to see immediately on the website. The price of the site is oftentimes linked to the number of pages you wish to have.

Then, make a wish list of those things you would eventually like to do, but canâ€™t do right now. For example, those flash intro pages can be quite eye-catching, but sometimes slow to load when using dial-up lines. They can also be rather expensive, ranging anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars for a small header flash to thousands for larger and more complex flash elements. Let the programmers know what you would like to add eventually so that they can create the flexibility in what they are programming to allow for change.

Good programmers should show you a mock-up or two of a possible site based on the information you have provided them. This way you can fine tune the general look of the site before developing all the pages.

Some other things to remember:

1. Make sure your name or the name of the site is clear and prominent. The purpose of the site is to build your brand.
2. The site should reflect your writing style or theme. Again, this will help to build your brand visually.
3. If you are going to add a blog, Myspace, or other page, try to keep the above two items in mind and create a unified brand across all of your web presences.
4. Have key information on the main page and keep it current. There is nothing worse than visiting a site that has outdated information.
5. Give your visitors information about yourself, and give them some fun things to do while they are visiting. Fun things can include: video trailers, recipes, photo galleries, excerpts, contests.
6. Ask the programmer to include some kind of site meter so you can see how many hits you are getting and from where. Google has some wonderful site tracking software that is free for sites below a certain volume of hits.

If you do not have a web presence, I hope the above will help you in establishing one. If you do have a presence, maybe this information has provided you with some new ideas.