LOTR Trivia Contest:)

How to play:

-Read each excerpt between now and Thursday.

-Answer each question about the previous day's excerpt.  Gather the answers and send them to storimom2@aol.com next Monday the 24th and I'll pick a winner:)

Excerpt #2:

“You know this town better than I do. The only place I know that’s open this time of night is Denny’s.”

“That sounds better than Waffle House.” Wayne steered the car in the right direction.

Once seated, Gretchen with a cup of hot chocolate, and Wayne with coffee, and several bacon strips to share, Wayne revealed his turmoil.

“I can’t believe I didn’t see the signs.” He shook his head. “I mean, at first, and please don’t take this the wrong way in any shape or form, but the majority of the girls who hang around the House play by the same rules. There’s no getting serious, they are there strictly for the fun, and if it lasts for a while, it’s great.” He shrugged. “If it doesn’t last longer than one night, hey, that’s cool, and they move on. But Elicia...” He paused. “I don’t know what she’s told you about us, but tonight, she made it clear she’s planning long-term, and I don’t want that.”

“The only thing she’s said is how wonderful, and sweet, and sexy you are.” Gretchen sipped her hot chocolate. “And she glows whenever she talks about you, but even I notice she has a tendency to boss you around sometimes.”

“Yeah.” Wayne smiled. “At first it was cool, you know, kind of fun, because later, I would boss her around. And she didn’t seem to mind it, but lately, she’s fucking insane. She’s actually making plans for things I never dreamed about doing.”

“Such as...marriage?” Gretchen seemed to hesitate over the word.

“God, has she talked about marriage?” Wayne set down his coffee cup. “God damn, we’ve only been together six weeks.”

“Calm down." She placed a hand on his arm. “I thought that’s what you were talking about. What plans is she making?”

“Oh, the damn Halloween party, Thanksgiving, and that stupid Christmas Formal."

*****

Question #1:  What was Elicia drinking? (From yesterday's excerpt, remember...)

Flash Drive Distress

Something's up with one of my flash drives.  The one I bought to hold all the e-books I'd bought.  I think gremlins have invaded, or maybe the pirates.

The first time I noticed anything afoot, I was looking for Tielle St. Clare's Through Shattered Light.  But before I got to her title, I noticed Brynn and Bron's folders were missing.  Two quick emails between friends, plus a quick trip back to the TEB VIP Lounge and everything was restored.

And in the distress of that mess, forgot all about looking for Tielle's book (sorry!).

Fast-forward to last week:  I'm finished with the self-edits on Forbidden Love (book #3, yay!) and want to read a good book.  Hmmmm....think I'll try to find Tielle's again....

Nope.  Gone.  GONE!  And so are-hold onto your hats-Barb Huffert's and Dakota Rebel's!  Once again, two quick emails between friends, plus another trip back to the TEB VIP Lounge and Molly's a happy lady again.  Except, of course, for the book I WANT to read.  It's an Ellora's Cave, and my receipt is lost forever in cyber-trash.   I did recently become friends with her on Face Book, and sent a polite message to her, with hopefully enough details about the plot to prove I actually DID read it back in 2007 or 8, and would she please send me another copy?

Sigh....no answer yet, and I THINK I have the book saved on a 3.5 floppy.  So I guess I'll have to find someone with a computer who still has a disk drive.  Or go buy an external.

You know, if every online publisher/bookstore would have something like the VIP lounge at TEB, this whole thing could have been avoided....imho!

And The Countdown Has Begun!  One Week From Today....
You can own your own brand-spanking new copy of Love On The Rocks:)

And to tease you even more, I'm going to be posting excerpts.  And then we'll play Trivia.  But don't worry; it shouldn't be too painful.

Excerpt #1:

He kissed her again, this time slow and gentle, teasing and nipping the corners of her mouth. Elicia followed his lead, head spinning from the alcohol and the knowledge that Brent knew what he was doing. None of the guys she’d kissed before had his ability, they had all been awkward and sloppy. Here was a guy who knew what to do with his lips, and how long to keep his tongue in her mouth without getting gross about it.

Brent ran his tongue over her ear. ”Sweetheart, you want to see my room?”

His room? All of a sudden, her common sense came flooding back. If she went to his room, there was no telling what might happen, and she wasn’t ready for that. No, it was better to keep him in a semipublic place.

“Why Brent, honey, I haven’t even finished my wine.” Oh my god…are my words slurred? Surely, I’m not drunk! “And it is a Monday night. I’ve got an early class in the morning, and I need my beauty sleep.” She glanced down and looked at him from under her eyelashes.

Brent laughed. “It’s impossible for you to get more beautiful. But I wouldn’t want you to miss your class.” He eased away from her. “Do you want me to drive you back?”

Elicia downed the rest of the liquid. “It’s only four blocks; we can walk.” She tried to stand, but the room tilted and she sat back down. “Oh oh, thas’ no good. I thin’ you will have to drive me, after all.” Shit…this is so not cool! I’m acting like that goofball Fred, who got drunk at the Prom!

How to play:

-Read each excerpt between now and Thursday.

-Starting tomorrow, I'll post a question about the previous day's excerpt.  Gather the answers and send them to storimom2@aol.com next Monday the 24th and I'll pick a winner:)

Good Luck:)

Flashback Friday: Marching Band

Oct 1981:
The first two Field Shows, I dressed in uniform and placed the rifles on the field (our entire Guard all twirled flags at first), then joined my fellow alternates at Parade Rest on the sidelines.  The third week, one of the girls injured herself.  I suddenly had to learn her entire field placement, plus her 'count', as some of the flag work was alternating.  On Saturday, we headed for Chesterton HS, and it rained.  We were NOT looking forward to performing on a muddy field; we gals in the Guard had a dance routine to Tuxedo Junction, and at the end, we all dropped in a hurdle stretch.  Yeah, this was not going to be fun.....

Going up, I discovered one of the trumpet players liked me.  I was thrilled to have male attention, so we talked the entire way.  One of my friends J started teasing us about being 'married', since I helped K with his uniform and he helped me with mine.  I also got a secret thrill; I knew K would be watching from the sidelines, and I was now the third flag from the front.  Part of our dance routine included turning slowly around and shaking our asses at the audience.  I would now be 'dancing' for a potential boyfriend!

Before we took the field, the rain slowed to sprinkles.  We marched onto the field; the weather cleared.  One moment of humor:  At the end of Tuxedo Junction, when our Color Guard dropped into a synchronized hurdle stretch, there was a collective 'PLOP' as we all landed in-you guessed it- MUD!

Ever try to maintain your dignity while marching off the field when your backside is cold, wet, and you can feel mud oozing into your underwear?

( We won Best General Effect that day, on top of other awards!  We always won Inspection, Percussion, and sometimes Best Color Guard)

Anyway, after struggling out of uniform and into dry clothes, K and I walked around while we waited for the awards, and got to know each other better.  And had a great time joking around.  As time grew nearer to leave, I noticed K and J 'in conference' a lot.  I asked what was going on; K said he'd tell me later.  So I waited.  And on the way home, he asked me to be his girlfriend.  My sense of humor kicked in after I accepted..."So does this mean we're no longer 'married'?"

Our final competition was State on Halloween that year.  We didn't place in the top ten, so we only had to perform once.  And this was the first Halloween I didn't dress in costume and go around the neighborhood.  But my sister had taken two bags with her and handed me one later that night.

"I told the neighbors you were gone and couldn't trick-or-treat.  K and I joked your costume was a realistic Invisible Man'."

What are some of your childhood Halloween memories?

This Season's TV Viewing

Some seasons I add new shows to my viewing habits; other times I stick with my faves.  This year I've only added one, though one of my shows has been moved to a new night and it's both frustrating, yet nice.  Why?  See below:

Sunday:
CBS Sunday Morning (always DVR'd and sometimes watched later in the week)

60 Minutes (if there's a particular story which catches my attention.)

Amazing Race (I wanted to see how Ethan and Jenna from Survivor would do; sadly, they were eliminated the second episode...bummer!  Haven't figured out who I'm rooting for yet....)

The Good Wife (what was wrong with leaving it on Tuesdays?)
This night has its advantages; since football usually runs over, this is the one night of the week I exercise my right to sit in front of the telly and watch my shows.  We have two TVs and two DVR's, split between four people.  Mine all end up on the DVR, but thanks to whoever moved Good Wife, my Sunday shows get pushed back.  So I feel no guilt at sitting in the living room one night a week while the spouse does bedtime duty with the youngling.

Monday:
Two Broke Girls (DVR'd)

Two and a Half Men (DVR'd)

Mike and Molly (DVR'd)
I've not watched all of TBG or M&M, but they are saved on the DVR because the spouse loves the show.  And TBG I missed a couple of episodes, but there's always reruns later in the year.

Tuesday:
90210 (DVR'd)  Sometimes I'll watch this when I get home from Writer's Guild; other times I'll watch it later in the week.  Like when I'm taking a break from writing/edits or spouse wants to use my laptop.  I also think this one is about to run its course; Dixon's following in David (original 90210)'s footsteps, only with ADHD meds instead of meth.  When they start recycling storylines, isn't that a sure bet it's time to move on?

One Tree Hill (supposed to air as mid-season replacement?) I whole-heartedly HOPE this is the final season of OTH.  Last season was rather painful to watch, so I hope the producers call it quits.

Wednesday:
Survivor (DVR'd) I WILL watch this one if youngling doesn't have football practice and dinner is on time.  But mostly I end up watching it later.  Like last night; settled down at 11pm.

Law and Order:  SVU (DVR'd)  Sometimes this recording gets stopped, since the SU likes Criminal Minds at the same time.  Depending on which DVR records it, either the youngling stops it before he's sent to the tub or the spouse stops it if it's on 'his' television.

Thursday:
Big Bang Theory (DVR'd)  I began watching this show about two or three years ago, and sometimes I'll catch reruns on TBS from prior seasons.  I love Raj's antics and Sheldon's idiosyncrasies!

Friday:
Nothing.

Saturday:
Nothing, unless there's a movie I want to see, or an unwatched L&O:  SVU (see Wednesday).

I'm sorry Eureka is coming to an end after a Christmas episode later, and I still need to watch this summer's Warehouse 13.  I only saw the season finale.  Also on the DVR:  Deadliest Catch (I'm nearly finished with Opilio season); a few Waltons episodes; one Dr Quinn Medicine Woman; last year's Undercover Boss; and yes, even the Royal Wedding.  (The family laughs at me for still having it on there; I'll get to it!)

Any shows on your 'don't miss' schedule, or do you DVR them for a later date?

Two More Weeks!

Once upon a time, the Arbor University Tales series was born.  And since books #2,3,4, and 5 were written, it was crucial book #1 needed to be finished.  Since I wanted 'Love' in the title, and 'Love on the Rocks' was the current working title of #2, I needed something which expressed the drinking/driving issue.  And 'Love is Sober' became the working title.

Fast-forward to 2002.  I discovered the self-publishing industry, and finished writing LIS in 5 weeks.  Ran it past several beta readers who all loved it, and the day after Thanksgiving, uploaded it, paid the $160 fee, and crossed my fingers.  The above picture is their interpretation of my cover sheet request, and being a newbie, thought, "Hmmmm....no college depicted; no party scene, no people...but they're the pro's, so maybe this will work?" and accepted it.  On New Year's Eve, I received the notice it was live on amazon, and made the spouse take me out to dinner.  Ten days later when I received my proof copies, reality set in.  What the hell had I done?

Fast-forward to 2011.  I've changed the title of book #2, so now 'Love On The Rocks' is free to be the title.  An awesome new cover is designed, and a good friend came up with a beautiful logo.

And two weeks from today, you can order the better edited, better titled, better STORY of the fictional life of my first roommate.  I'm thinking of doing a trivia contest to celebrate the re-release, so watch for details in the coming weeks.

Flashback to October 1971:
Yes, I was a bad blogger last week.  My second Halloween in the neighborhood, I dressed up in a witch costume and went trick-or-treating with Kimmy and Tad (I think).  There's a picture of my sister, now age 1, reacting with fear to my costume.  I don't know if I went around with my friends or if a parent went with me.


Fall Festival
Saturday went well!  I only sold one book, but I did meet a few people interested in Kenzie's work, and a repeat customer was looking for more erotica authors.  I pulled out the print copies of Brynn's Tribute For The Goddess and Regina/Cindy/Desiree's Mistlestoe Magic trilogy, and wrote down names, plus Anny's, Mia's, and Bronwyn's books.  Hopefully these ladies will soon see an increase in sales:)

I'm off to do laundry and some light housecleaning before diving into more Forbidden Love self-edits.  Have a good day!

Finally A Break....Or Not?

Finished edits for Teacher's Pet (Kenzie's story which has been coming...and coming....and coming.....) and sent it back to editor yesterday!!  I had a few questions inserted, so hopefully the next round of edits won't be so time-consuming.

Daughter is STILL sick with acid reflux....and our new insurance says not to go to ER unless contacting the doctor first.  Well, there's a problem.
-We just got her insurance last week.  Called the doctor assigned to us yesterday; they say they're full.  Contacted insurance again.  There are NO available doctors in our ENTIRE COUNTY for this (POS??) insurance.  Found one 30-40 mins away who will take my kids.  Bad news:  Can't get her in until next week.

-Yesterday, she seemed to be doing better, so thought she could return to school today.  Nope; she had a miserable night.  Tummy only settles down when she doesn't eat anything.  Liquids don't bother her.

-So this morning, since the new doc is an hour BEHIND us (thank you screwed- up- Indiana- are-we-on-Daylight-Savings-Time-or-not-issue-that-EVERYONE-hates-and-we-don't-know-what-time-it-is-in-Indiana-anymore-did-you-see-that-episode-of-The-West-Wing-where-they-poked-fun-at-it???), I called the 24-hour Nurse line.

-It was a waste of time, in my humble opinion.   All she did was ask questions concerning my daughter's health/pain and tell us to call the doctor and see if we can get her in today.  Hmmmm.....okay.  I'll wait an hour and do that.  Or, I can call the doctor's office and MAYBE they'll have an 'after hours' service???

-No, they don't.  I left a message.  Daughter went back to bed.

-I remember we're still on Charity at the local hospital.  I can go ahead and take her to the ER, and if insurance refuses to pay for it, I can contact Financial Aid and give them our case #.  And this time, the insurance can pay for her medicine.

I'm sorry; I have tried to go through the proper channels in order to treat my child.  Why is it a few people who don't care about their health can f*** it up for those of us who DO?


Back To The Store....
You'd think that with a list, I'd get everything I needed from the store.  Nooooooo.....I forgot to put dog food on that list.  Plus, I entered from the wrong side and neglected to go the Health and Beauty aisle.  I'm starting to stock up on cold meds, plus my spouse is out of his daily dose of baby aspirin.  So back we go....oh, and yes.  I bought the wrong size jeans for my (growing, it seems!) youngling.  The only pair which fit him is a size 8; okay, I bought him three more pairs.  Surprise.....they're too tight!  I guess I'll get him some size 10's!  Shoes, socks, and underwear fit just fine.

I also found two items at Cato I like, and they're both on sale.  Hopefully I can get them today and wear one to karaoke tonight and the other to my signing this weekend (or not; I have another outfit planned).

So instead of working on Forbidden Love edits, I'm headed first to the ER with the daughter and then back to the store!  See you later.

Monday Mania

Had a tragedy occur over the weekend; my son K received the heartbreaking news one of his good friends was in the hospital and pronounced brain-dead.  The SU and daughter S (who'd known her too) left late Thursday night and drove to Purdue to be with him and drive him to Indianapolis on Friday to say goodbye before they unhooked the life support.  An autopsy is scheduled, since everyone wants to know WHY this happened.  Here's the timeline of events leading up to it:

9/26 Mon:  B complained of toothache and went to dentist.  Verdict:  Infection in gums; given antibiotics.

9/27 Tues:  B can hardly stand up; taken to local hospital, who then transferred her to our hospital.  Kidneys were beginning to fail, so they set her up on dialysis.

9/28 Wed:  Life-lined to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.  Given an MRI; told her brain has swelled, then collapsed into the brain stem.

9/29 Thurs:  9pm:  Total renal failure.  10pm:  No brain activity.

9/30 Fri:  Taken off life support around noon.  Friends and family in total shock.

K will be home for the funeral sometime this week.  Keep B's family in your prayers?  Her sisters are 17 and 10; B was only 20.  No parent should ever outlive their children.

In other Manic Monday news:
I finished the 1st round of 'Rocks' edits and sent them back.  Now I'm back to editing Kenzie's Teacher's Pet again (I'm up to Ch 7).

The festival on Sat was a BUST!  I was told it was indoors; it was not.  The wind was horrible, so after 5 hours I called it quits and came home.  The two bright spots were 1) I was able to inform a past customer book #3 is due to be released in January and 2) I met another author who's written a Christian Inspy trilogy and was wondering what to do with it.  I plan to pass his name along to two authors who might be able to help him out.  Also, I'm breaking in a new 'assistant' at Office Max, and my order was so messed up Friday night, the manager gave me the promo materials for free.  Maybe they need to hire me?

Last Sunday I answered a call for help.  My friend J in Bicknell is disabled and has home health care workers two or three times a week in her home.  The last one had not done anything, but gripe about how bad HER life was, so they fired her.  The laundry had piled up, so I went over and spent Sunday and last Tuesday organizing her laundry room and folding clothes.  When I left on Tues, there were only 5 loads of sheets, blankets, and odds and ends left.  Yesterday, I returned and finished the last two loads, plus did a catch-up load.  And then her granddaughter (age 3) wet the bed....and we discovered an entire laundry basket full of dirty clothes and sheets (plus the mates to all the socks I hadn't matched up, lol!).  I'm heading back this afternoon to finish up, and the new health care worker can take over from there or I'll go back every Sunday to help out.  I get to visit with my friends and edit to my heart's content:)

Currently Reading:  Catching up with more classics....read Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and am now reading Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.  I also just finished Cindy S Pape's Motor City Wolf and LOVED it!  Now I want to get the other two books, MC Fae and MC Witch:)  Excellent job Cindy!!!!!!!  Next up:  Sharon Hamilton's The Stimulus Package:)