I’m not all that fond of being punk'd because I’m so freakin’ gullible, I’d have a heart attack. My oldest son Nick is the one for practical jokes.  They’re usually funny and harmless.  Bob tries, bless him.  Unfortunately for Bob, he rarely gets away with a joke on me because I’ve been married to him so long, I can tell when he’s lying just by the turn of his lips.  That Cheshire Cat 'tell' gets him every time.

A fellow marine wife with six kids couldn't tell if her middle child was lying.  Yet I could tell in an instant.  She used to bring him over and ask me if he was fibbing. But Nick could pull the wool over my eyes every time!

But I digress.....

The last practical joke played on me was a while ago.  I was at the sink, turned on the water and got shot in the face with the sprayer.  My guys had wrapped a rubber band around the handle.  They got me twice in the space of an hour, too.  However, the last time, I turned the sprayer on them and HOSED them all.  Aim for neck, they can’t flinch away for a second or two.  =) Then I made them mop it up.

With Zack, he scares me at least once a week without intention.  For an over six foot young man, he steps very softly and I’ve often found him three feet behind me when I thought I was alone.   

I’ve had April Fool’s jokes played on me, but I think the biggest one was Nick calling me after he’d spent the evening in Savannah with his best buddy.  He called me to tell me he’d been thrown in jail arguing with a cop or something like that.  After I stopped having a conniption over that, I said ‘You’re on your own.’ That sorta threw him. But my rule to my men is….get thrown in jail, call someone who cares.  Amy will not be bailing you out.

There was one my husband and my father played on my mom. She’d baked a cherry pie for Bob and the filling was a little watery.  Mom, a fantastic cook, was upset, yet while we were out shopping, Dad and Bob propped the pie crust, removed all the filling, then cooked it thick, and replaced it back in the pie crust!  Since there was one slice missing, they made a foil wedge to keep it properly shaped.   

Is that anal or what? 

Mom and I were eating a slice when we realized what they’d done. 

So bloggers…. When was the last time someone played a joke on you?  Or were you the instigator?  Ever have one backfire?

Have a good day! 

AMY 

Practical jokes J

I am not usually a fan of the practical joke because I don’t like it when the joke falls flat and the person who is the victim feels, well, victimized. (read Rhon’s post!)

That said, the hands down funniest thing that I’ve ever seen was at a family reunion three years ago involving my 83 year old grandmother, a bunch kids, and a fart machine – the memory is making me laugh as I type, lol

Grandma innocently was getting ready for bed when the boys decided to slip the fart machine beneath her mattress. We all waited anxiously (snickering like idiots, she’s deaf as a door post or we would’ve been outed for sure!) in the hall and when we heard the bed springs creak, the person holding the button would pick which farting sound to make. The door wasn’t closed all the way, and just watching her face as she pressed her belly for the fifth time made us lose control of our own bladders and we spilled like hyenas into her room. Even without teeth and practically bald, her laughing face was the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. She was happy to be part of the fun – there were like ten of us, all having a blast in grandma’s bedroom <g>

Dang, makes me want to call her and tell her how much I love her!!

Who can top my farting machine story???

Traci

              The Babes are thrilled to be adding former Harlequin/Silhouette editor Bonnie Crisalli as our new resident reviewer. 

              Bonnie Crisalli began her publishing career as a marketing and publicity assistant at Prentice Hall, with an eye towards editorial.  From there, she became an editorial assistant at William Morrow, and eventually moved on to Harlequin, where she was first an assistant editor, then an associate editor.  As an acquiring editor for both Harlequin Intrigue and American Romance, she managed an author base of 28, and was responsible for getting five books per month into Production.

              When family obligations brought her to Cleveland, Bonnie continued to do freelance editing for Harlequin, in addition to starting her own editorial consulting service, The Write Stuff.  She also wrote several book reviews for Cleveland’s Plain Dealer. 

              Three kids later, with the last one starting school full time, Bonnie is ready to return to the editing and reviewing world.  Through several book discussion groups (both on-line and off) and being an avid reader of many different genres, she has kept current with the trends—from memoirs to vanity presses to Kindle--in the publishing industry, and is quite sure she still has a great deal of expertise to offer.

              Among the many authors Bonnie has worked with over the years, Kelsey Roberts was the shining star of her Harlequin Intrigue authors.  Years later, she edited the very candid, nonfiction book, Adoption is Forever, by Rhonda Pollero and Traci Hall.  Other authors include:  Tess Gerritsen, Cherry Adair, M.J. Rodgers, Muriel Jensen, B.J. Daniels, Jacqueline Diamond, and Patricia Rosemoor.

  The Babes

     Before I begin, let me just say, that Brad Pitt was on the Today Show and for the first time in months, he was clean-shaven.  Yeah Brad!  Your face looked like a horizontal vagina with that scraggly goatee going on!

     I came from a family that thought jumping out and scaring the sh*t out of you was a sport.  To this day, I want to put bells around the necks of my hubby and daughter so they cannot sneak up on me.

     However, I digress.  So my sister and I have never had a great relationship.  She took great pleasure in punking me at every chance.  The worst was when she hung my Patty Play Pal.

     Patty was the size of a four-year-old and very lifelike.  I adored Patty.  One day Patty disappeared.  I was crushed, wondering where on earth my beloved doll had gone.  When I woke the next morning, I had breakfast, and then went to my room to get dressed.  Upon opening my closet, I let out a blood-curdling scream.  Someone had hanged themselves in my closet right next to my garanimals!

     My parents came running, looked in my closet while I cowered in a corner.  They gently lowered the naked form with its noose still attached.  You guessed it - Linda had stripped poor Patty and placed her in the closet. 

     Patty is long gone but to this day, I still have a thing about closets.  I remember that incident so vividly.  My sister does not.  In fact, she claims the whole incident was a figment of my imagination.  Yeah, well, I've got her figment (making gesture you can't see)!

Have a great week!

I’m the queen of testing of products. I do comparisons all the time, and I keep a list.   I know, anal, but for a Marine’s wife, times have always been on the skinny.  (FYI, the government only pays well when their in combat) The list keeps me from buying something that didn’t work for me that I forgot.  I’ll try anything for 30 days, but that’s all a product’s got to prove its worth. 

$1 store Orange Cleaner.   I use Orange clean products because they are natural, and work.  Citrus has been used as a cleaner since the fruits were found.  Lemon juice on rust stains and left in the sun will bleach better than bleach without hurting the fabric.  I learned that from a Filipino friend and it works every time.  

Cascade—I use dishwasher machine powder to clean a lot of stuff.  Hot water and a tablespoon dissolved, then soak your dirtiest pans.  I mean the stuck on BBQ sauce types.  Walk away for a half hour.  It will darn near rinse clean, if it doesn’t, do it again.  It will break down the enzymes in the food like it does in the machine.  The same goes for adding a scoop to your wash.  It’s the same components as Oxy-Clean.  Get the $1 store brand.

Carpet cleaner. Got a stubborn stain?  Try this.

½ gallon of warm water,½ C clear ammonia, ½ C WHITE only dish washer detergent.  Saturate first, then scrub stain.  Blot by laying a towel over it and step on it, it goes faster and gets more up.  Then Rinse with 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of white vinegar. You must rinse or it will turn brown.  This removed cat poop stains on my light taupe carpet, several times now.  Test on darker carpets first. 

Green bug for people.   I’ve shared this before.  It’s the best bug spray on the planet. Its natural, eco friendly, cheap, just under $7.00 for a handy spray bottle, and it works.  It keeps away no-see-ums, gnats, mosquitoes , bees, and ants.  According to Rhonda the company’s snake spray is the shiznit. http://shop.greenbugallnatural.com/greenbug-for-people.html

Oil of Olay facial wipes. $7.  Ever want to just go to bed but still wearing make up?  I don’t know about y’all but if I wash my face and brush my teeth, I’m awake for another 3 hours, so on occasion I use these, slap on some moisturizer and hit the rack. They clean well and no rinsing.

Hair product… Infusium shampoos and conditioners.  Best I’ve ever tried and my hair is oily and I wash it daily.  I used to be a hairdresser, I bet I have 10 half finished bottles of shampoos, and Infusium is the only one that doesn’t build up and leaves hair shining.  I’m all about the shine.

DonQuai… Got PMS?  This will take the edge off, really, like a warm shower.  It’s a Chinese herb used for centuries for women for PMS symptoms.  Years ago, I had a Chinese herbalist mix it for me. 

Ped Egg. For your feet.  Better than a pumice stone, but get the replacement blades.  Which actually cost the same as a new Ped Egg. About $10.00.

My favorite under $20 products….

Best plumping lip gloss.  Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes… it comes in 20 shades, is $18 a pop but after paying $36 for one, its bargain.  It tastes good and isn’t sticky. 

http://bareescentuals.com/Lips/BE_LIPS,default,sc.html

Scentbug from Bath and Body.  $12.50. This is a cute little thing.  You pour a few drops of essential oil onto the pad that slips into a teeny drawer and turn it on.  The fragrance fills a room in less than a minute.  It runs on batteries and comes with a couple pads to change scents. My sister gave me a cute pink one. I love it. http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3841419&CAWELAID=413492925

Have a good... no go make it a great day!

AMY

This week we're sharing some of our favorite inexpensive items.  So . . . 

My first 'must have' is OPI nail polish.  It runs around $9.00 and is worth every penny.  The color lasts and let's face it, the names are cute.  I'm a fan of The Lifeguard Makes me Blush (pink).  Unfortunately they discontinued the color.  However, I found it on eBay and snatched up 4 bottles.  FYI, keep polish in the fridge so it retains its integrity.  BE WARNED - OPI and Sephora have joined forces so OPI now does a line exclusively for Sephora.  I purchased 2 different shades and discovered that unlike regular OPI, the Sephora stuff chips like a crushed bag of Lays.

My second fave is Gold Bond Quick Spray.  It runs around $6.00 on http://www.drugstore.com and is a miracle.  It soothes bites, stings, rashes, and even gets rid of those unattractive red bumps that can happen after shaving your whoops-a-daisy.  It doesn't stink, relieves pain and relieves itching.  They used to carry it in Walgreens but I haven't seen it for a while.

Got a little extra cash?  I'm a MAC junkie.  I like their products because I have ultra-sensitive skin and this line works really well for me.  If I could only buy 2 products, I'd grab up the make-up remover wipes - about $18.00 for 45 sheets (1 takes off normal make-up; you'll need 2 if you go glam for an evening).  They also offer a bulk version of 100 wipes for about $26.00.  You can get the items online at maccosmetics.com or at a MAC store or at many Dillard's department stores.  The other MAC must-have is Prep + Prime for eyes.  This runs roughly $16.00 of .17 ounces.  I go through a pot in about a year since a little bit goes a long way.  (Remember NEVER to use your fingertips to dip into the pot, you want to avoid contamination.)  You apply this product to your lids and your shadow will stay put for hours and hours.  It's really light on the skin and creates a perfectly blank palate for your eye colors.

Got a little more extra cash on hand?  I wear Lulu Guinness perfume and I wouldn't buy it any place other than http://www.beautyencounter.com/.  This site is NOT a knock off site but the real deal.  For example, at a retail store, be prepared to pay $80.00 for 3.4 ounces.  At Beautyencounter, the price is $26.95.  Even with shipping, you're way ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They have tons and tons of products drastically reduced so run and check if your favorite scent or brand of cosmetics are on the site (they just started carrying MAC - YEAH!). 

And last but not least  . . . the chill-out caddy.  Yep, you heard that right.  I live in Florida, so melting lipstick is a huge problem.  My solution, a chilled make-up bag I can freeze, then put in this incredible invention and know I can keep mu cosmetics cool all day.  It runs about $39.00 and you can get your own - in a range of colors - I have pink) for about #39.99 at http://lorisgolfshoppe.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Loris+Golf+Shoppe&Product_Code=CICPYTHON&Category_Code=SUNPROTECTION

So those are my favorite finds and deals.  Have one of your own????  I'd love some hair product tips.  I have VERY dry hair and have gone through nearly every salon offering.  So far,  Garnier Fructis  for dry, damaged, color-treated hair works better than any of the pricier salon stuff.  Still, I'd love any insights you have on helping me with my hair challenges.

Happy shopping!  Rhonda

I woke up 'on the wrong side of the bed' as my mother would say, so this will be harsh.

Reality TV.  Or as I call it, Idiot TV.  No, I don't watch it, but the commericals are enough to gag a maggot. The last thing I want to see on TV is some highly paid piece of trash getting into a fist fight on the Jersey Shore.   Or a rich housewife with no skills whine about her Prada bag and bad room serivice.  America, stop giving these idiots a forum to be idiots.  Producers in Hollywood have a bank of great writers left untapped. There is ALWAYS a new story idea from a writer.  Ask them, hire them and get that crap off TV.   

Teen mothers, stop killing your babies.  In the last five years we’ve heard stories that horrify the sane and those are the ones that get reported.  This happened here in SC yesterday.  2 babies died because teen mama wanted to 'be free.'  I can’t even wrap my brain around hurting a child.  If you don’t want your babies, call an adoption agency and give them to families who will love and cherish them.  And want them!  You made the choice, don’t let the innocent suffer for it.  Imo, kill a child, you should get the death penalty because if that were my child, I’d kill you myself and sleep very well.

Politicians.  I don’t believe a word you say and I’m not alone.  You’re making deals with American’s livelihood to suit your political agenda.  Stop it.  Billions of dollars spent and still 10% of this country is out of work?  It's not working.  Someone's pockets are filled and it isn't the working stiffs. We are tired of you spending billions and porking it up with crap none of us want or does not benefit all Americans.  Talk is cheap, show me your plan for better education, for the economy, for our veterans.  The government isn't listening to the People and a revolution is coming.  When it does, I’ll be in front of the pack.

Personally, I think we should oust every single member of congress and senate over the age of 40 and replace them with 20-30 something people who have great ideas but are too young to be heard and heeded.  Don't think that's old enough?  Steve Jobs was in college when he started Apple and changed the world with his computers.

People—Give gays the right to marry.  I can’t understand the protest.  They are Americans.  They deserve every right afforded to all of us.  What people do behind closed doors is THEIR business, not ours.  Denial is unconstitutional!  And let me just add, when did the rest of us get to make that decision?  Wake up!  Deny gays the right to marry, and you are denying an American their right to BE an American.  How would the heterosexuals like it if gays denied some of their rights?   Not so great now, is it?

Anchor babies.  If you’re born in this country, you’re an American.  If the parents are not American citizens, that doesn’t change the fact that their children ARE Americans.  This is a wishy washy issue. Don't penalize the kids because the parents didn't sign the guestbook on their way in.  Parents should have 2 years to become a citizen, imo.  But if they don't, should we send the whole family back?  No.  But I think they should be fined every year they don't pass that citizenship test.  We are the land of opportunity. They came here for a better life.  Let them make it. 

If you're in this country illegally, we'll forgive you if you just sign the guestbook and start the process to change that.  Otherwise, we have every right to kick you out and make you do it correctly. 

A Mosque at Ground Zero.  I have feelings on this like every American.  I think it’s a New Yorker issue.  It’s their neighborhood.  They will have to live with it.  But there wouldn’t be a stink if it was a Catholic Church being built, would it?  I do not doubt for a moment that a fanatical hate loving asshole will try to hurt that Mosque and the Americans in it.  Let me repeat.  The Americans inside it.   

Which leads me to Politically Corrected to death.  Learn the difference between insulting someone and speaking your mind like an educated human being.  Calling yourself an African-American, Italian-American or a Mexican-America when you've never set foot outside this country is just assinine.  If you are anything except first generation (immigrant) you are not African-American.  You're an American of African decent!  You want to be treated like an American, then drop the label that separates you from the rest of us who get it, and stop expecting special treatment for it.  No, no oh hell no.  I sure as hell don't call my self a Sicilian-Irish American.  You're either an American or not.  Pick one, then get off the PC wagon. 

My work is done.

Amy

I posted this hours ago, but I guess it didn't take, lol

What I’d like to tell America:

I am not a politically minded Babe. I am grateful that I live in the United States of America, and I appreciate all of the liberties we have compared to other countries. Are there problems? Of course, lolol. I remember talking with a friend about how America – supposedly one of the richest, best places to live in the world – consumed the most medicine. If we have it all, why are so many of us sick? Maybe we aren’t really sick – maybe our doctors are too eager to prescribe things to make us feel immediately better. Which worries me, because – in my opinion – we have become an immediate gratification society.

I feel like we had the bad economy coming. We sued for money, we faked injuries for settlements, we as a society wanted everything and weren’t used to hearing the word ‘no’ – which should have come from our inner moral compass before ever having to be monitored by the government. I am not perfect and I’m as guilty as the next person – like others, this economy has hit our family hard. As a result, my kids didn’t get cars for college. You know what? They biked. Yes, exercised, lol – rain or shine. They both enrolled in the two year community college before transferring to university. They learned how much it takes to buy groceries, and that ‘movie money’ doesn’t grow on trees. They got jobs and earned the cash to split meals with friends when going out to dinner. They understand that hard work will at least pay the most important bills and that success comes from within them – we can’t give it to them like a new computer or x box. In retrospect, this ain’t so bad.

I am not a complainer, but I would like to see more people becoming involved in their own health.  Diet and exercise are something that we can control – and honestly, moderation for everything is key. You like pie? Eat pie! A slice though – eating the whole thing at one time is just over kill J

What things do you see happening that you wish you could shout out about????

If only!  I'll admit, there are times when I'd like to be the Supreme Ruler of the World.  Since that isn't going to happen - and since our topic this week is what we'd say if we could speak to the American public about anything.  My anything is political commercials. 

I loathe them.  It doesn't matter which team you play for, positive or negative, I find them all irritating as hell.  Instead of a 30-60 second spot of out-of-context quotes and happy families frolicking in parks, I'd just as soon read candidate websites.  Or flyers, or anything that would tell me what a candidate supports rather than what they think about their opponent or opponents.  What?  They think we're too dumb to grasp the concept that they don't want us to vote for the other person?  Don't tell me what you're against, tell me what you want to do aside from winning.  And be specific.  "I support education."  Really?  Like you're going to say, "I'm opposed to supporting education."  If you support something, then let me know why and how you plan to address an issue.

I believe strongly in lively debate between people who disagree on issues.  I just wish that happened in real life.  Stand in front of a podium and screw rules, pre-vetted questions and just discuss your differences.  And while I'm at it, could politicians please stop attacking one another and focus on their own agenda?  As they stand, live debate is an oxymoron.  They spend way too much time providing creative, professionally crafted, well rehearsed comments than pensive, honest responses.  Even if I disagree with someone's position, that doesn't mean I don't want to hear what they have to say.  Hell, who knows?  I might be persuaded to change my mind.

Living in Florida is a problem.  Candidates pound signs into the ground and run ads but they rarely mention party affiliation.  Why does that matter to me?  Because I know in reality these people go to Washington and tend to trade their integrity for the sake of making a party statement. 

Lastly - I'd ban the words conservative and liberal.  At this point they are used as accusations.  I don't care when and if you go to church any more than I care if you smoked weed in the 1960s.  I care what you plan to do.  Sorry, but history has taught us that some of the greatest people also have personal flaws.  So, along that vein . . .

If you could bring only 1 of these flawed yet brilliant people back to life to continue, who would you pick and why (remember both of them had affairs; both had religious affiliations and both had families):

1. John F. Kennedy

2. Martin Luther King

I'll tell you my answer when I get back from family vacation.  And a shout out to Babe Amy for posting this for me!

Have a great week - Rhonda

The Ghost and Jacob Moorhead  by Jeanne Savery

 4 shoes

This novel starts out with an amusing misunderstanding between Verity Tomlinson and Jacob Moorhead. Verity is at the late Earl of Everston’s estate to care for her sickly aunt when the handsome Jacob arrives to claim his possible inheritance. According to the late earl’s will,, Jacob must give up his rebellious ways and settle down in Yorkshire for a year in order to gain the prize  – which doesn’t include Verity.

Jacob is surprised by his feelings for the young lady, but he admires her spunk. Verity has had the misfortune of being raised in an unconventional manner, making it difficult for her to follow the rules. She knows she shouldn’t have lustful thoughts toward Jacob, just as she knows that once he inherits she wouldn’t make a suitable wife, yet her pride won’t let her become his mistress.  Jacob has his own opinions about what is suitable and what isn’t. Meanwhile, the ghost of the late earl tries desperately to guide events as he wishes including matchmaking from beyond the grave.

There’s a light mystery element that adds to the tension, and a cast of characters that layer in depth and emotion – and humor! Ms. Savery has done an excellent job creating a heart-warming regency era romance.

We aren't saying good bye to summer anytime soon here.  It was 100 degress here in SC yesterday with the army of cable people here too.  Many bottles of water were given out.  The heat index rose to 121!  That's Iraq weather!

Now.... I'm behind the norm with movie viewing, but writing for a living means that if I'm not at my desk, I'm not working.  Leaving my desk involves guilt and I need it to be a worthy cause before i do it. 

My most recent....

The A Team.  It rocks!  The opening gambit blew me away and I was arm pumping yes! yes!  (much to the embarrassment of my sons) Fans of the show will not be disappointed.  The characters are perfectly cast, their personalities the same as the original show, and even Quinton Jackson who played Mr. T was fabulous, a better actor and  WAY better looking too.  You have to watch till after the credits (I get character names from there) there is a scene with 2 of the original cast.  The great asset is that the original creator of the TV show, Stephen J. Cannel, was the executive producer.  Apparently Mr. T didn’t want anything to do with it, which stinks since he came to fame through that show. 

Robin Hood.  Russell Crowe is loaded with hotness, but in this movie, he shines.  The retelling of the legend for this film is slightly different that you might know, but for me, a history buff, it’s more accurate.  I truly enjoyed this.  It was like a historical romance novel come to life. The costumes and dialogue had a wonderful period feel.  The relationship between Robin and Marian is believable and strong, well earned through trial like a true romance.   I advise watching it on the big screen because the scenery is breathtaking.  Russell Crowe should be cast in more historic films. Like Sam Elliott or Robert Duvall, they have that 'look' that makes them believable historical figure.  

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

As Disney movies go, it was typical.  G rated, simple plot like the cartoon.  The special effects were incredible, beautiful works of art.  Kids will love it.  I loved Nicholas Cage in Lords of War and National Treasure, and don’t get me wrong, he’s great in this, but my brain just wouldn’t wrap around him as the magic master.  Same with the young man, the Apprentice, Jay Baruchel.  He’s good, but he didn’t look comfortable in the role. 

I was going to The Losers, which is a film version of Dragon One and a few other TV shows (Leverage, Burn Notice) and some novel series.  It's the Bad Boys Save the Down Trodden, but I fell asleep before the intro after dealing with cable people for 75% of the day. 

We still don't have the cable fixed to perfect, but I expect them today.  This is after 3 weeks of numerous repair calls.  Thank you Lois, the woman who listened to my complaints and sent the calvary to my house.  Four trucks showed up with the supervisor!  

Now I can watch Rizzoli and Isles without the Sci-Fi channel like a negative over it!

So readers, what movies have you seen lately?  Anything the reviewers are slamming but you loved? 

Happy writing, reading and viewing! 

AMY

Summer has whizzed by - I haven't even been to the beach once in the last month. I am looking forward to the tail end of the season - home for two months straight

I love walking on the beach. In Florida in summer this should be done in the early morning, or risk heat stroke, lol.  At night you can go and search for brave sea turtles making the beach to lay eggs. Then the eggs hatch and it's amazing to watch those little buggers scamper across the sand to the crashing waves.

I plan on enjoying the next month - living in the moment. Because things have been so hectic, I want to be in the NOW. Wish me luck, yeah?

Hard to bid farewell to summer when you live in Florida - ask me again around the middle of November.

That aside, my summer was pretty much devoted to driving to and fro various activities; attending RWA; and next week we do the family vacation thing before school starts on the 23rd.  I did manage to grab 2 movies this summer.

Prince of Persia was hardly high art but it was entertaining and Jake Gyllenhaal is nice to watch, even if I am old enough to be his mother.  I liked the sexual tension between the lead characters.  So I'd say it was worth matinee price.

This weekend we saw Leo DiCaprio in Inception.  Now I'd watch video of Leo grocery shopping, but even my adoration wasn't enough to overcome the head-shaking experience of the movie.  I'm a pretty bright person but I'll admit, I had a hard time following this disjointed film.  Like most writers, I dissect movies as I watch them . . . pacing, logic flow, characterization and motivation.  This flick failed in all those areas.  SPOILER ALERT . . . In a nutshell, Leo gathers together a team of people who can infiltrate dreams.  Of course they never explain why or how this is a better way to accomplish a goal.  Worse yet, they don't explain how they do it.   Even the guy who hires him doesn't question how or why this will work as opposed to just mounting a good old fashioned corporate takeover.  Then there was the attempt to create a ticking clock.  I say attempt because they kept changing the math on real time versus dream time so the whole clock thread became pointless.  But my two major grips were the pointless violence and chase scenes and the terribly flawed way they were 'kicked' out of the dream.  Without gravity, they can't accomplish the kick.  Solution - put the sleeping characters in an elevator and cut the cables.  Opps - no gravity, so why does the elevator fall?  I'm assuming it happened because the van hit the water (don't ask) but an MTV editing style and a super-imposed chase/gun battle made that a little hard to follow.  All in all - even with the cutting edge special effects and lovely Leo at the helm, I want my money back.

Based on the buzz I'm sure someone out there can disagree with me - feel free.

Happy writing,

Rhonda

Hey all! I'm bumping T today to share the cool new authors I found at RWA in Orlando. Publisher's do signings at this event, giving their author's a chance to sign books for posible new readers as well as faithful old readers - for FREE. Crazy, I know.

I just am sharing a few that are new to me - I drove, so I got enough to start my own library, lol.

Nancy Haddock - Last Vampire Standing

Lauren Willig - The Betrayal of the Blood Lily

Sophie Littlefield - A Bad Day for Sorry

Judi Fennel - Catch of a Lifetime

Meredith Duran - Wicked Becomes You

Michelle Marcos - Wickedly Ever After

Donna MacMeans - The Seduction of a Duke

Carolyn Brown - I Love This Bar

Jennifer Echols - Forget You

Tried and True authors:

Madeline Hunter - Ravishing in Red

Nora Roberts - Hot Rocks

Cindy Gerard - Risk No Secrets

Erin McCarthy - Hard and Fast

Alexandra Sokoloff - Book of Shadows

Cherry Adair - Black Magic

Of course Rhonda and Leanne were there too - and even though it wasn't at the RWA signing, I saw Amy Fetzer's Damage Control at Books a Million!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the last half of summer as August is about to start...I am off to North Carolina for a few days and I'm reading a fabulous book called Panic to Power

Traci

ps - next friday we will have a review of Jeanne Savery's The Ghost and Jacob Moorhead

I can think of a lot of moments where I’ve witnessed some terrific payback.  I firmly believe that what you send out there, comes back to you, three fold.  Put out mean and nasty, it will come back to you.  It may take a while but it will arrive.  Send out good vibes and support, you’ll get love back. Love?  Yes.  Everyone likes to have their latest venture supported, if only by a couple ‘good going, I’m happy for you.’

I love it when the mean and nasty get their just desserts.  Who doesn’t? 

My best personal payback ever was when I was about 18.  I weighed over 240 pounds at the time and I say that because after 200 I wouldn’t step on a scale again.  I’d had a boy friend.  He loved me for ME.  His mother, a former model, loathed me for the simple reason I didn’t fit her image of the girl friend she wanted for her son. We worked around it, but I knew whenever I saw her, she’d level some dig at my weight.  She treated me like I was some poor dumb creature who needed everything explained.

One day at the Officers’ Club in front of about 30 dignitaries visiting Parris Island (my home at the time, Dad was a Colonel) she let me have it with both barrels.  She left no stone unturned at how I wasn’t smart enough or pretty enough to be with her son.  Then she proceeded to tell me how I should change my life.  In loud detail.  I’ll add she was drunk, a constant state for this woman. 

I was humiliated and emotionally destroyed.   My parents were upset, but my grandfather got in a few digs at her.  Yet it was a turning point in my life.  Embarrassment grew to anger, then to outrage. I was more furious that I allowed that bitch to get to me than I was about being humiliated in front of all those people.  After that, the boyfriend succumbed to mama pressure and broke up with me.  Via a letter, the wuss.

I vowed that no one would ever treat me like that again.  But I also knew the only reason I was being treated poorly was because of my weight.  None of these people knew me as a person.  None tried.  So I dieted, went to Cosmetology school during the day and ran 3 miles at night, in a woman Marine sweat suit so no one would recognize me.  I stayed hidden for a few months and reappeared 100 pounds lighter. 

The payback….Not long after, I attended a retirement ceremony for Mrs. Mean’s husband (boyfriend’s dad) I was going through the receiving line and she tried to introduce me to her son, my ex.  My ex was completely amused that she didn’t recognize me.  I had to introduce myself.  The look on her face was priceless.  It wasn’t nearly enough to soothe the absolute hatred I had for her, but it was a good start.  Extra payback came when the ex-boyfriend tried to woo me back.  I told him I didn’t want any man who couldn’t stand up to his mama for the woman he'd claimed to love.   

On a different note...today is my husband’s 57th birthday.  He’s requested for his birthday dinner, an old family recipe.  From my family.  I’ll be cooking Chicken Castellana like my Nana used to make.  Nana created the recipe during the depression.  My grandfather was a barber.  People needed a hair cut to get a job and would pay him in chickens, day-old bread, eggs, etc.  From that, this recipe was born.  It’s been passed down in my family, yet I have the unique advantage.  Nana taught me how to make it when I was 13. The same year she taught me how to sew and chose a lobster. It’s time consuming, but worth it. Bob’s also requested banana pudding, the old fashioned way.  No instant. While I make all this with a smile, despite that I could be writing, when it’s my birthday, I won't make it so easy for them with my usual Chinese take-out and the latest DVD release.  =)

I see a soak in the pool in my near future.

Happy reading and writing. 

AMY