Monthly Archive for January, 2008

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Christine’s Mid Winter Kick In The Pants!

Published on January 20, 2008 in Kick In The Pants. 22 Comments

I’m not sure if it’s misery loving company, but I have to say that I’m really happy to hear I’m not the only one who is struggling this month to get any writing done. So all aboard Christine’s Kick In The Pants parade! Fo rthe next six weeks we’re going to support each other to help us get our groove back. I’ve decided the rules should be simple.

1. Right now, pick a story you’re going to work on for the next six weeks. I don’t care if you’ve already started it, or if you’re looking to start something new. Just pick something and go with it. The only rule, is that you can’t switch and start to work on something else until you deem this project finished. The whole point of this is having something to show for it when you’re done. You don’t make any headway jumping from project to project.

2. Figure out what your goal for this writing challenge is. Are you hoping to finish a book? Get back into writing on a regular basis? Get though a rough patch in a story? Pick a big picture goal- something that you can look at six weeks from now and say “Woohoo!! I did it!”.

3. Every Sunday, post here what your goals for the week are. Make sure to take an honest look at what’s going on for you in the upcoming week. It’s no good to say you’re going to write 10,000 words if you have ten thousand other things going on. Make a realistic choice. But don’t make the goal too easy either. If writing 500 words a day is easy, aim for 600.

4. Check in on Wednesdays to let us all know how you’re doing! The whole point of this is to support each other. Talk about what is working for you, what your road blocks are, and getting other people’s opinions on what you might be able to do to get past them.

The key thing to remember is this is a challenge for you. The point is to give us all a much needed boots and get us through the January druge that seems to be pulling everyone down. Let us know how you’re doing-post on your site and I’ll do my best to stop by.

So to start us off, here is what I’m hoping to do.

Big Goal - Finish urban paranormal.

Goal for week – 5000 words. Finish chapter 4 and start chapter 5.

Possible Roadblocks – Busy work schedule, makes me sleepy and hard to write at night.

This is so me…

Published on January 18, 2008 in Fun. 6 Comments

LOL Anyone who knows me in person, what do you think? I hate to admit it, but this really sounds like me!!


What Christine Means


You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.

You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.

A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.

Success comes rather easily for you… especially in business and academia.

Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You’re a strong person.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something.

You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense.

You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It’s easy to get you excited… which can be a good or bad thing.

You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don’t stick with any one thing for very long.

You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are the total package – suave, sexy, smart, and strong.

You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.

You don’t always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don’t have as much going for them as you do.

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless – and you have a lot of questions about life.

You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You’re most comfortable when you’re far away from home.

You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.

You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.

You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.

You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.

At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

Need to get my groove back

Published on January 17, 2008 in Goals and Writing. 18 Comments

Anyone who knows me knows that I live to write. I can get lost in my typing and never seem to come out. But recently, I’ve been finding it hard to concentrate. It’s not the story – I love what I’m working on. I think it’s the tired factor.

This is part of the reason I’ve been the worst blogger in the world recently. I’m hardly visiting other people’s sites because I spend most of my time staring at my computer screen, trying to find the energy to write. I can’t blog hop if I haven’t met my quota of works. Needless to say, I haven’t been doing that.

So this weekend I think I’m going to make a bit of a plan for myself. Over the next few weeks I want to set out some goals (because I work well with a goal) and then hold myself accountable. My own version of Sven or NaNo. I need to do this to hopefully push past this lull and get back into the rhythm of writing.

So I wanted to see if there is anyone out there who wants to join me in a bit of a writing bootcamp. We don’t need to be as structured as Sven or NaNo, but act as more of a support group. If anyone is in, post here and on Sunday I’ll post some very basic rules for us to follow. Simple things like – write everyday, set a goal, that sort of thing.

Who is in? :D

I’m it!!

Published on January 16, 2008 in Fun. 15 Comments

I’m sorry I didn’t post sooner today. It was insane at work and I didn’t manage to get up early enough to get a post in before I left. Needless to say, I haven’t done much in the way of writing. I’m actually off to do some now. :D

Apparently I’ve been double tagged (Michelle and Maureen both got me :D ) and since I’m still numb from the crazy day I had at work today, this is a perfect post for me! So here we go…

Seven Random Facts About Me.

1. I’ve never been further west in North America than London Ontario.

2. I can drink at least two cups of coffee and then go to bed and get a good night’s sleep.

3. When I was six I spilled a cup of hot coffee all over my chest trying to “help” the grown ups. Ended up in a body dressing for three months.

4. I have serious OCD when it comes to my email. Serious OCD…

5. I’m the oldest of myself and my sister. We are pretty much night and day in personalities.

6. If you’d asked me what I’d wanted to be when I was a kid (age 7-15), I would have told you movie director. Writer would have been second.

7. I like wine. Red wine. LOTS of red wine…

I now have to tag seven people…I think most everyone has been tagged at this point, but I’ll try Red, Amy, Wylie, Vixen, Karen E, Kelly, and Julia.

Sexy Day

Published on January 15, 2008 in 6 Degrees of Sexy. 5 Comments

Hello everyone!

I’m over at Six Degrees of Sexy today talking about stroy arcs and how I like creating universes. Come over and say hi!

Chasing Phoenix – Silver Star Award!!

Published on January 13, 2008 in Chasing Phoenix. 10 Comments

I’m still grinning like a fool here. I just found out that Chasing Phoenix received a 5 Star, Silver Star Award from Just Erotic Romance Reviews!!

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Title: Chasing Phoenix
Author: Christine d’Abo
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Publisher URL:
www.ellorascave.com
Reviewer: Mahaira Fatima
Rating: Silver Star Award
Heat level: O

Incessant pestering from his friend pushes Michael Quinn to attend a short 10 minute storytelling performance to have a look at the mysterious Lady Phoenix and to find out her identity. Quite shocked to see her co-worker and friend Michael blindfolded at one of her performances, Abbey gives in to her pent up temptation and gives out an erotic performance. Stunned by Lady Phoenix’s sensuality, Michael realizes he wants the whole package, not just the promise of a story, but is Abbey willing to come out and share her naughty side?

Chasing Phoenix is an award worthy short story with amazing characters. Both sides of Abbey’s character are brilliant. She thrills while playing sultry in high heels and is absolutely charming when playing the loyal friend. I joyfully was having a hell of a time while Michael ran around looking for clues to uncover his mysterious woman. I could feel his frustration as Lady Phoenix slipped out of his hands many a time and he couldn’t do anything despite knowing that she was somebody from his office. I couldn’t help but chuckle at his thwarted attempts that mange to leave him in highly compromising positions. Their relationship has generous doses of passion, intrigue and fantasy and doesn’t feel over the top. Sexual tension had me moaning out loud and I was torn between wanting to finish the story and hurrying to find some relief of my own. Ms. d’Abo has covered every aspect of the story despite its short length. The captivating story line will engage readers by making us wonder how and when the truth will surface. No question is left unanswered as the intriguingly passionate plot winds down to an equally thrilling end. Lady Phoenix’s story telling totally mesmerized me and had a double effect, as I knew Michael was having the same intense feelings. As a friend to both Michael and Abbey, Andrew manages to make his presence felt by being a loveable pest. You will feel like you know Ms. d’Abo’s characters and will miss them when you have to put the book down. It isn’t often that I find a book of such a short length that involves me so much that the rest of the world just disappears for awhile.  For all of these reasons, I find that Chasing Phoenix is a quick read that demands a Silver Star Award.

Mahaira Fatima
Just Erotic Romance Reviews

Thank you so much for the fantastic review Mahaira! And thank you to everyone who has bought Chasing Phoenix and have supported me over the past year. HUGS!!

What is is about Friday

Published on January 11, 2008 in Goals, Life and Writing. 5 Comments

There is something liberating about Friday. Even though I have a full day of work ahead of me, I’m excited that today is the end of the week. And boy did it fly by.

Tomorrow I’ll be going to my monthly writers meeting and I can’t wait to see everyone. I always feel recharged and ready to write again once I have those meetings. Considering I’ve barely written a word this week, that would be a good thing.

My historical novel (the first novel I ever wrote) is all cleaned up (thanks Red and Amy!!! :D ) and I’ll be submitting that this weekend. That gets one manuscript off my plate and frees me up to concentrate on my paranormal. I don’t know why, but I really needed to do something with that historical. Maybe something about the fact I had a 92k word novel sitting there without a home…

So next week, back to work on Xander and Alyse. My goal is to have them done before nationals in July so I can pitch the story. Well, the goals is to actually have book two almost done as well, but I’m not going to push it. :D

On another note, tonight my girls are going to a sleep-over for girl guides. That means hubby and I have a night alone!! Lord knows what we’ll do…

*cough*

So what are you up to??

No Thursday Thirteen

Published on January 10, 2008 in Life. 13 Comments

Yesterday I came to a startling realization…I’m a very busy person. Now, you might think I’m a bit slow or something to have only clued into this now, but honestly it only hit me yesterday.

I’m working on four different stories, all in various stages of completion. I’m submitting manuscripts and have at least three out there right now. I’m also happily reading over some other manuscripts for friends (this is important to me so I will never say no to you…you know who you are…) and somewhere in there, I work.

Usually people ask me why I do that to myself. Honestly, it’s because I love it. I love writing, love reading, love editing, love blogging.

But as I said, I realize that I have a bit too much on my plate these days. As a result, I’m not going to be participating in Thursday Thirteen on a regular basis any longer. I might do the occasional list, but I’m finding it a bit too hard to keep up with it every week.

So I’ll be stepping back a bit. The writing and editing are important, so that’s where I’ll be focusing. :)

Horray for Contests!

Published on January 9, 2008 in Contest and TV. 6 Comments

Well so far we haven’t blown away here. The wind has been crazy in my neck of the woods last night and this morning. And to make matters worse, the temperature is going to drop from plus to minus and the rain switch to snow. The roads should be fun today.

On this wild Wednesday I thought I’d pimp a few contests that I’m participating in. If you are a member of my newsletter, you’ll be entered into a draw for this fun t-shirt and a copy of Chasing Phoenix! That’s it! Sign up for here super fun. :D

christine-t-shirt-2.jpg

The Deliciously Naughty Writers is also running a Valentine contest. All you need to do is pop on over to our site and check out the questions to answer! It’s super easy and the prizes…well they’re uber!!

I have a confession to make as well. I’ve barely done any writing this week. But I’ve gotten all caught up on my TV shows and only have CSI left and I’ll have nothing else to watch. Except American Gladiator…which totally ROCKS!!!

The Eternal Bonds

Published on January 8, 2008 in The Bond That Heals Us and Writing. 12 Comments

Yesterday I received some fantastic news! I can now proudly tell you that I officially have a series name. From this day forward, my Bond books will officially known as The Eternal Bond series :D I’m so excited!!

Thank you to everyone who offered suggestions. HUGS

In addition, book two in the series, The Bond That Heals Us has a release date. On May 7th you’ll be able to read Sara and Davin’s story.

I was hoping to post an excerpt for you, but I’m writing this post on my BlackBerry as I wait for an oil change. I’ll get one for you today. :)

*does the snoopy dance*