Author Christine d’Abo

*scroll down for Thursday Thirteen*

The cover gods at Ellora’s Cave have graced me with another beautiful cover!! I’m so excited to unveil the cover for Sweet and Spicy Spells!! This is the Halloween story I’ve co-written with the wonderfully talented Renee Field.

Isn’t it DROOL worth??

*giggles*

You can read an excerpt here.

So I actually didn’t have much of a list ready this week. So I thought I’d dig into some of my YouTube favourites and share them with you. I hope you enjoy!!

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13. My Favourite…

First off…I sold my house…again!! Only this time the financing is all approved. Now we just have to wait for the home inspection and water test (which I know are fine) and it’s a done deal! I’m so happy because I’m going to be buying a new house this weekend. I’ll keep you posted.

And finally, I was able to make progress on my novella yesterday. And thanks to my very good friend Red, I think I solved what was bugging me about the story. Totally a character motivation thing. I’m going to try and clean it up today to see if it makes a difference.

Tonight on TV we have the premiere of The Bionic Woman and Criminal Minds. I think I’m going to record Criminal Minds and give BW a chance. I hope beyond hope it doesn’t suck. I used to love the original when I was a kid…

Second…OMG House!! I love that show! I love any show that can make me laugh out loud many times, and then turn around and almost make me cry. The writers on that show are brilliant.

I was also able to pick up J.R Ward’s Lover Unbound. I started reading it last night and am already drooling. But I think I might hold off reading anymore until Friday when I’m flying to ON. I need something to preoccupy myself on the plane.

I’ve also posted some Hump Day Hunks over at Six Degrees of Sexy. Come check them out!

Last night was the first night of new TV programming. Yes, I know some started last week, but none of them I watched. Heroes started, and it was…okay. I know they like to start slow and build the action up, but it found last night a bit slow. However, they have Peter and Nathan back in so I’m super happy. I’m not giving up on the show or anything, just hope next week the pace is a bit faster.

I also watched the new show Journeyman. Excellent! Very Quantum Leap ish, which was one of my favourite 80s shows. The acting was good, lots of action, gave me enough information to get me to turn in next week. On my stay list for now.

Tonight…HOUSE!!! I’m so excited about this one starting. Can’t wait to see what they are going to with his character and the ducks.

Yesterday, I made a few decisions about my writing schedule as well. I’m going to write the time traveling Duke’s story for NaNoWriMo this year. I only have one chapter written, and I plan on this being an 85,000 word novel, so I think that’s fair.

Between now and November 1st, I’m going to work on the novella (if for no other reason than to finish that puppy) and then concentrate on the urban paranormal. That one I’m also aiming at an 85,000 word count (or higher), so I really want to take my time planning out the sub plots.

Now that I have a plan I feel like I can get to work once more.

No news on the house front. *sigh*

As you know I was very excited on Friday thinking I sold my house…well it didnt’ go through. The people who wanted it couldn’t get their financing from the bank, so we’re back at the beginning. We still have the conditional offer and there is apparently another offer coming, but they are going to the bank first to find out if they will get the loan.

Finger crossing still required.

I haven’t settled on any one story to work on at the moment. I think on the weekend I worked on three seperate ones, never writing more than a page or so on them. Part of me knows it’s because there is so much going on, but I really need to get back into a writing groove.

So should I write:

• Time traveling Duke
• Taber’s story (Bond that Consumes Us)
• Urban paranormal
• Contemporary novella

Vote please! I need help. I plan to do NaNoWriMo this year, so that will help me focus too.

I’m also in the throws of trying to wrap up one job before I move on to the next one. Lots of things on my plate at work, but nothing I can’t handle.

As my mother said, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person.”

I’ve been a bad blogger for meme’s the last little while. I’ve missed a bunch and I’m going to try and go back to get them done. Julia just tagged me with this 100 question meme. Because I’m brain dead at the moment, I thought I’d go for it. If you want to play along, grab the questions and let me know you’re doing it!

1. Slept naked? A few times…
2. Taken a shower with someone? A few times…
3. Kissed a member of the same sex? Yes, but it was a cheek thing.
4. Driven a car? I love to drive, and do it everyday.
5. Stolen anything? I “borrowed” a notepad from work once.
6. Been in love? Of course, and I still am. My husband is the love of my life. We’ve been together for eighteen years, and married for eleven.
7. Been dumped? Only once, my one boyfriend before I met my husband.
8. Stole money from a family member? Nope.
9. Gotten in a car with people you just met? Yes, but she became a good friend of the family, so it’s all good.
10. Been in a fist fight? No, I’m more of a passive aggressive person. J
11. Snuck out of your/someone’s house? Nope.
12. Had feelings for someone who didn’t have them back? Yes, I don’t know why Gerard Butler won’t return my calls.
13. Been arrested? Not yet…
14. Hugged a stranger? Sure! I’m a firm believe in random hugs and acts of kindness.
15. Met up with a member of the opposite sex somewhere?  Sure, I’d met my husband places all the time. J
16. Left your house without telling your parents? Nope, I wouldn’t do that to them.
17. Had a crush on your neighbour? No, my neighbours were usually older…way older…and women…
18. Ditched school to do something more fun? Are my parents reading this?? Yes, I did. J
19. Slept in a bed with a member of the opposite sex? Of course, but only with my husband.
20. Lost a friend in a shop? No, but I think I’ve been ditched a few times.
21. Been on a plane? Yes. I’ve flown from Toronto to London, UK and back and from Halifax to Toronto.
22. Been to an island? Yes, I’ve been to St. Thomas, St. John and Tortola BVI. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
23. Slept in until 3? Ah those were the days. Back before I had children I had a few sleep ins like that.
24. Miss someone right now? My parents.
25. Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? Yes, and this is more fun to do with my girls.
26. Made a snow angel? Every winter. J
27. Played dress up? Every Halloween
28. Cheated while playing a game? Not since I was a little kid.
29. Been lonely? I’m lonely whenever I have to travel by myself.
30. Kissed more than 4 people in one night? Nope.
31. Touched a snake? Yes and it was much softer than I was expecting.
32. Ran a red light? Nope.
33. Been suspended from school? Lord no, I was pretty vanilla in school.
34. Had detention? Nope.
35. Been in a car accident? Yes, three. I was driving once and a passenger twice. I was rear-ended twice, once two weeks after buying my first car and once on my way to my wedding rehearsal. The other accident my husband and I hit some black ice and spun into a ditch. We weren’t hurt but our SUV was toast.
36. Used a fake id? Didn’t need to. I looked twenty-five when I was seventeen.
37. Crawled through a window? Nope.
38. Been lost? I’m directionally challenged. But funny enough give me a map and I can give great directions to a driver. My husband and I work well together.
39. Been to the opposite side of the country? Nope. The furthest west I’ve been in

This has been one crazy ride. I can’t believe everything that’s happened in only five days. First off, I sold my house!!! What I’m not sure yet is to who LOL! We had one conditional offer on Tuesday, and then last night we got a second offer, non conditional. Now we are waiting for the first couple to come back and tell us if they can drop the condition or not. Either way, I have a sale. It’s like this huge weight has been lifted and now I can move forward. We’ll be going on our house hunting trip next weekend, so I’ll be able to buy a house without condition.

My good friend and fellow Six Degree of Sexy author Amy got her very first cover from Ellora’s Cave last night! OMG you have to see it, it’s beautiful!! Congratulations Amy, you deserve this!

With everything that has been going on, I’ve been a bad blogging friend this week. While I’ve been posting, I haven’t done a lot of visiting. I’m very sorry about that. I’ll try and make the rounds a bit better next week.

On the writing front…well I did a little bit of writing on Monday, but I haven’t touched my keyboard since then. Not that I haven’t wanted to, but there’s been so much going on I haven’t had the time. I hope to be able to get around to getting some done this weekend. I was making progress with my urban paranormal so I want to get back to it before I lose the momentum.

What do you have planned for this weekend?

I’m so happy that one of my favourite shows is starting back up this week. I’m going to miss Stargate: SG1, but at least we still have Stargate: Atlantis to keep us happy! So I thought it might be fun to post thirteen of my favourite Atlantis quotes featuring Rodney McKay. For those of you not familar with the show, Rodney is a brillant scientist, who is a cocky jerk…and Canadian to boot! I hope you enjoy.

1. Carson Beckett M. D.: He fainted.
Dr. Rodney McKay: Oh there’s gotta be a better word.
Carson Beckett M. D.: Faint is a proper medical term.
Dr. Rodney McKay: I passed out from… manly hunger!

2. Dr. Rodney McKay: I’m sorry. It’s just… I react to certain doom in a certain way. It’s a bad habit.

3. Dr. Rodney McKay: I built an atomic bomb for my grade six science fair exhibit.
Lt. Aiden Ford, USMC: They let you do that up in Canada?

4. Dr. Rodney McKay: I’m picking up a strange reading from right over there.
Maj. John Sheppard: Define strange.
Dr. Rodney McKay: [pause] You don’t know what strange means?

5. Dr. Rodney McKay: [the team is trying to come up with a solution to a problem while being very short on time] You’re right. If only we had a magical tool that could slow down time. I foolishly left mine on Earth - did you bring yours?
Dr. Zelenka: You know, you’re not pleasant when you’re like this, McKay.
Dr. Rodney McKay: I’m always like this.
Dr. Zelenka: My point exactly.

6. Dr. Rodney McKay: Seriously, am I the only one creeped out by that guy?
Maj. John Sheppard: They’re politicians, Rodney - they’re all creepy.
Dr. Rodney McKay: Margaret Thatcher wasn’t creepy. OK - well, maybe a little. In fact, she was like an aunt of mine - same hairstyle, facial structure, only my aunt was much taller, and remarkably hirsute. Oddest thing: she had to shave twice a day.

7. Dr. Rodney McKay: Look, the first siege of Atlantis lasted for years. I mean, with only one functioning Zed P.M, we can’t expect to hold on that long.
Col. Steven Caldwell: Can we submerge the city again?
Dr. Rodney McKay: [sighs] It’s a city, not a yo-yo.

8. Dr. Rodney McKay: You’re referring to the ship you just shot down! One that doesn’t stand a hope in hell of ever flying again.
Torrell: The ship that you’re gonna fix, yes.
Dr. Rodney McKay: What am I, MacGyver? Fix it with what?

9. [Sheppard is giving McKay flying lessons, and they get into an argument]
Maj. John Sheppard: This is why parents get someone else to teach their kids how to drive.
Dr. Rodney McKay: I’m both insulted and touched by that.

10. Carson Beckett M. D.: [sighs] We believe ATA or Ancient Technology Activation is caused by a single gene that’s always on. Instructing various cells in the body to produce a series of proteins and enzymes
[McKay is staring at syringe]
Carson Beckett M. D.: that interact with the skin, the nervous system and the brain. In this case we’re using a mouse retrovirus to deliver the missing gene to your cells.
Dr. Rodney McKay: [Looking worried] A mouse retrovirus?
Carson Beckett M. D.: It’s been deactivated.
Dr. Rodney McKay: Well, are there any side effects?
Carson Beckett M. D.: Dry mouth, headache, the irresistible urge to run in a small wheel…

11. Dr. Rodney McKay: All I know is that she’s not who she’s pretending to be.
Elizabeth Weir, Ph. D.: And you know this because…?
Dr. Rodney McKay: What, I’m not allowed to have intuition?
Elizabeth Weir, Ph. D.: You? No.

12. [Sheppard and McKay whisper while spying on a Wraith in disguise]
Maj. John Sheppard: That’s her!
Dr. Rodney McKay: That’s the Wraith?
Maj. John Sheppard: Yeah.
Dr. Rodney McKay: Wow… She’s hot! I mean seriously hot!
Maj. John Sheppard: Rodney, you’re drooling over a Wraith!
Dr. Rodney McKay: I know, I… disgust myself sometimes.

13. Carson Beckett M. D.: You have a date, Rodney? With a woman?
Dr. Rodney McKay: It is simply two adults sharing some friendly… Yes, with a woman!

Hello everyone.

Today is a crazy day for me both at work and in life. My house has only been on the market four days and it looks like we are going to have an offer on it this morning! Cross your fingers for me.

Since I don’t have time for a double post, please pop over to Six Degrees of Sexy this morning for some Hump Day Hunks! I hope you enjoy.

I have to say, I’m very excited for the new TV season to start. I know some shows are getting off the ground this week, but  most of the ones I watch start next. I don’t watch a lot of TV, but do have several shows that I follow. CSI, Heroes, House, Criminal Minds are all  coming back. They also had a cliff hanger of sorts that ensured I’ll be tuning in on premiere night. .

This got me thinking about hooks. I’ve always been impressed with TV shows and books that can build a great hook into their story. That little nudge that keeps me coming back for more. There are the obvious big hooks: explosions, death, fights, kisses. 24 does this very well–plus they have a ticking clock which adds to the tension.

But what I like watching are the more subtle hooks. The looks one character will give another, giving us a hint that they are interested, or angry, or scared. In books, it’s the internal conflict that drives the hero and heroine together/apart that really gets me as a reader. I love seeing how other writers accomplish this.

What are some of your favourite books? What made it a page turner for you?