Author Christine d’Abo

Sorry I didn’t post at my normally perky hour. I was home sick today with a headache and a dizzy head. I even went to the doctor to see what is going on. I’m never going back again. He told me I had to give up caffeine. All of it.

*sob*

Basically my daily intake of tea is the equivalent of taking high blood pressure medication. Now for someone with low blood pressure, this is a bad thing. So for the next little while I’ll be weaning myself off the big C and moving over to decaf.  

*sob*

I don’t care what it does, I’m not giving up chocolate!

I’ve been working away at my Halloween story. I read through it as I was laying in bed and added some bits so it joins with Renee’s chapters better. I love the contrasts we have in the story. Her characters have a great sense of humor, mine are darker. But somehow, it all comes together.

*spoiler alert - talking about Heroes and 24 finales* 

Last night was the season finale of Heroes and 24. Heroes didn’t disappoint at all. I knew Nathan was going to come through in the end, but it sucks he died! Mind you, with the whole time traveling thing I guess no one is really dead. I loved how they wrapped the season up, but still gave us a cliffhanger for next year. September can’t come soon enough.

24 ended on a strong note as well. I was scared what they were going to do, but honestly, as soon as Bill showed up again I was happy. I love Bill! It’s his voice. And the last scene in the show was perfect. Jack was alone again, but somehow he seemed to come full circle. I just hope they are able to shake things up next season.

Well I had a pretty productive week last week. I was able to finish up the chapter I was working on for the halloween story. I also wrote the first chapter of  my time traveling duke story.

On top of that I did some editing for Perfect Match and am feeling a bit better about it. I was worried that it was missing something major, but I don’t think it is now. I found a dangling thread that I think I was able to fix. Now I just need to start going through and clean up some of my typical typos and get it ready to send out.

This week I’m anxious to get the halloween story finished. I only have one chapter to go, and then it’s only a matter of blending my chapters with Renee’s. I can’t wait for us to get together to smooth everything out and get it polished. It’s been a fun one to write.

So, my goals for the week are as follows:

• write last chapter of halloween story
• try and come up with a title for the halloween story
• start chapter two of duke’s story
• clean up next few chapters of Perfect Match

What is everyone else up to?

For a book review!! Two actually.

I’m going to start with Destiny By Design. (sit down Wylie! Tie her Amy.)

This story is about Ellis Strathmore, a designer who others describe as a “room whisperer”, and Simon Callon, owner of Callon and Son construction company. Ellis has been chosen to participate in a contest for the Oak Ridges Development. Each designer is assigned a room and must wow the judges with their concept with only a limited budget. Ellis is thrilled to be participating as this will give her the big break she has worked so hard for.

From the moment they meet both sparks and saw dust flies. Simon can’t get over how demanding Ellis is, and Ellis can’t seem to understand why Simon can’t see that the room isn’t happy. But when things start to go missing from the site, and slowly each designer’s room is sabotaged in little ways, Simon and Ellis have to work together to solve the mystery of who is behind it.

(Putting on impartial reviewers hat) I want to let you all know, I’m  not a professional reviewer. I read Destiny by Design in one sitting. I was immediately drawn to Ellis’s character and enjoyed watching her deal with every situation that was thrown at her. I really enjoyed the banter between her and Remi, especially their discussion about how most guys named Simon are bad guys. The love scenes were hot indeed. I was anticipating the naked painting scene, but I also really enjoyed the closet and bathtub. If you want more details you’ll have to buy the book.

(Taking off my impartial review hat) OMG Wylie way to go!! This was a purely enjoyable read and I found myself laughing out loud more than one. I love how nasty Cynthia was, but loved that Ellis always defended her. Simon was described so clearly I could reach out and lick him. Loved it!!

Review number two Spin Devil By Red Garnier

I know I’ve already told Red what I thought of her story, but I want to share will all of you. This is the first Ellora’s Cave Exotica book I’ve read. And I have to say it doesn’t disappoint.

Six friends reunite after four years. Cleo Sonterra, the buttoned up prude of the group has been harbouring secret desires for Sebastion (Bas) Russon. Bas has teased and tormented Cleo throughout college but she’s never given in to him. He’s been cruel, but she wouldn’t admit her feelings for him. But the night of their reunion they pull out a plush red devil doll that they use as a spin the bottle substitute. With each spin Cleo and Bas fight their emotions and each other, until they can’t fight it anymore.

Even knowing it was coming from the Exotica line, I have to say this story is HOT!! Wow! Bas is a dark hero who you’re not really sure of his intensions at first. He is mean to Cleo, but it’s what she needs to yank her out of her negative self image. When they finally come together they sex between them is smoking. I love the ending of the story, and how Cleo and Bas finally come together. Awesome job Red!  

…it’s time for you to buy Destiny By Design and Spin Devil! Congratulations to both Wylie  and Red on your first EC releases! I’ll be getting my copies as soon as I get home from work. I plan on curling up on the couch with my laptop and settling in for a good read.

Now besides some excellent reading this weekend (snoopy dance) I plan on finishing up some writing of my own. I have about three pages left to write in my current chapter of my halloween story. I also plan on making a good start on the last chapter. This week Renee and I are getting together to work out the kinks that connect our chapters together. After taking a quick read through, I’m really excited with how it’s turning out!

I can’t wait to be finished the halloween story so I can start to work on my Duke. I might turn his story into my own version of book-in-a-month. The faster I get this one written the better. My excitement will come through better.

What are you up to?

So I asked my husband what I should do this week for my Thursday Thirteen list. He suggested I list thirteen ways to love your lover. He does my book titles too. He’s mine - back off!

Now I’m not talking about sex here. It’s sometimes nice to show your significant other how much you love them in unconventional ways. It helps to keep the spark alive in any relationship. So here we go…

Thirteen Ways To Love Your Lover1. Love notes in their lunch bag. There’s something very sweet about opening your lunch and finding a little love note tucked between your sandwich and yogurt. It’s guaranteed to put a smile on their face, and can be just the pick me up you need through the work week. 2. Give flowers on a normal day. We’re so used to getting and giving flowers on special occasions, I think they’ve lost a bit of the beauty. I love it when my husband buys me some carnations from the store, just because. 3. Random daily hugs. You can never get or give too many hugs. It makes everything seem better. 4. Give them your undivided attention. I don’t know about you, but when someone is listening to me…really listening to me, I feel amazing. I know how much they like/love me with that simple act. 5. Hold Hands. Again, something simple that says more than any words can. 6. Give each other sexy looks. I love being a tease. I love to drive my husband nuts with little teasing looks and…gestures…okay enough on that. (Not sex!) 7. Flirt with each other. Again, I’m a terrible flirt. But it shows that the spark is still there in your relationship. Plus flirting with your spouse is pretty much guaranteed to get you laid! (Not supposed to be about sex - bad me!) 8. Snuggle. (Not sex!) This can be on the couch, watching TV, in bed (not sex!), in the car (not sex!). Anywhere! 9. Give them surprises. I love the little things my husband does for me. Buying me chocolates when he knows I’m desperate. Getting me a movie that he knows I’ve been wanting to see. Cooking me a special meal just because. It makes your lover feel special. 10. Make out! (Not sex!) But there is something to be said for kissing. It’s wonderfully erotic without having sex. It also brings the passion out in your relationship. So pucker up! 11. Watch a movie together. It doesn’t have to be a romantic movie either. As long as you’re watching it together. And by together I mean sitting side by side, in touching range. Not each of you in different chairs on opposite sides of the room. 12. Have a picnic indoors. We do this occasionally when the kids are in bed. We buy wine, get cheese and crackers, some fruit, sit on the floor and talk. (Not sex!) 13. Body massage. This is a great way to relax…okay and this one does lead to sex. But this is your lover your with so go for it!

So I’ve seen this little test around a few sites and thought I would try it. I’m not sure if this describes me or not…I think it does. I do avoid drugs, but I like my wine.

Now where are my meds…

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I just found out that my friend Renee Field’s debut novella Love Me Wild just won the Best Shape Shifting category for the Night Owl Romance (NOR) Award!

I’m so excited for her! It is a wonderful novella and if you haven’t had a chance to read it, I recommend it. You can buy it from Ellora’s Cave now.

Congratulations Renee!

I am proud to stand here before (I’m actually sitting at my desk) to remind you all of a wonderful event that will be happening this Friday, May 18th.

Destiny By Design by our very own Wylie Kinson will be going on sale!!!

I know my credit card will be out and ready to purchase this hot, little story as soon as Ellora’s Cave gives the go ahead on Friday. I’m so excited I can’t wait! So make sure to support a wonderful fellow blogger and make a purchase.

Last night I set aside the halloween story and took a running stab at my time travel Duke story. I was surprised how easily I slipped into the first chapter with my heroine. I like her. I also can’t wait to introduce her to the Duke at the end of chapter one. Once I get the first draft of the halloween story done (only two chapters left), I’m going to burry myself in this one. I think it might be another really fast write for me.

I love the little buzz I get…

Hello everyone!

I had a wonderful Mother’s Day yesterday. Breakfast in bed, followed by some wonderful presents from my girls and my husband. Plants and books, oh how well they know me. I even managed to get outside and did some work in my yard. My flowerbeds have been cleaned out and my tulips and various other plants that I don’t know what they are yet are coming up. I need to do some plant moving, but I think I’ll wait another week.

On the writing front I finished my fourth chapter of my halloween story. I went back and read my chapters with Renee’s and I have to say I really like it. I’ll need to go back and add a few details to make everything sink up, but that’s to be expected. I also did some edits on my Quickie for EC and submitted it. I hope to hear something about it this  week. Cross your fingers!

My goals for this week are:

• finish chapter five of the halloween story 
• do edits for first three chapters of Perfect Match
• Get the RWAC newsletter finished and mailed out

What are your plans for the week?