It's Almost Here!

Tomorrow is the day. The Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands will be released. I'm so looking forward to this one. It's the first book in her Argeneau series that doesn't center around an Argeneau family member. They're in the book, but the hero of this story is Garrett Mortimer. We met him back in Lucien Argeneau's story, Bite Me If You Can. He was one of Lucien's fellow rogue vampire hunters and now he is getting his story.

And what makes it even better is it's releasing just in time for October and Halloween. Since it's a vampire book it is perfect timing. Lynsay Sands is fantastic and one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to read The Rogue Hunter. It releases everywhere tomorrow, September 30th. I have had it on pre-order for months. There are several authors I pre-order ahead of time no matter what and Lynsay Sands is definately one of them. Click on my link to her website if you'd like to know more about any of her books.

Trust me, everything Lynsay Sands writes is absolutely amazing and totally funny. The Rogue Hunter comes out tomorrow. Trust me, you will want your own copy of it. Her books are that good. I get all of her books in hardcover because I read them so much.

Scientology!

My mom made a very recent blog entry on her own blog about a recent news story that spoke of how a man in Bucks County, PA was trying to have his home converted into a church of scientology. It would seem he's having trouble getting approval because a lot of residents don't want that religion in their neighborhood.

Both my mom and I feel that Scientology is a cult. And it's a cult based on the ideas of a science fiction writer no less. Now, if you want to be a scientologist, good for you. I hope you are happy and you certainly have the right to believe whatever you want to. But, some scientologist fanatic decided to leave a comment on my mom's blog that was highly rude and insulting.

Normally, I wouldn't be pissed about it. My mom could easily and without resorting to insults deal with this person and their opinions. But this nut decided to also leave a propaganda link to a scientology information site. We do not promote anyone's religions on our blogs. I've mentioned here on my own that I am pagan but I have never placed up any links to information sites on paganism here and I never will. I've said it before on my blog and I will say it again, no one has the right to foist their own religion on someone.

At my mother's request, I have removed the comment the scientologist made on her blog and I will do so with anyone who comments on my blog and leaves a link to any religious sites. Believe whatever you want to believe people, but you will not be using our blogs to promote those beliefs.

Mana Of The Gods!

We are about to head into October, a month known for Halloween and lots and lots of candy. It got me thinking about what my favorite candy is. I adore chocolate and anything chocolate ranks high up the list for me. But my all time favorite candy is snowcaps. I love snowcaps and can never get enough of em though I rarely can find anyplace local that sells them.

Isn't it always the way? The one thing you like more than anything is always the hardest to find. Does that seem fair to you? It doesn't to me. I have easy access to tons of other delicious chocolate confections, but snowcaps I can only find on the rare occasion. I think all stores should always carry my favorite treats. It should be a law.:-)

So what are your favorite sweet treats? Do you have trouble finding them too or are they always in stock at your local market? Anyone know where I can lay my hands on snowcaps?

Hot Hot Hot!

I just finished reading Pleasure After The Pain by Savannah Chase and all I can say is hot! Serena's friend drags her into a tattoo parlor to be inked. While thumbing through the artist's designs, she stumbles upon a picture that she just knows is for her. Begging the artist to tattoo that picture on her back, Serena gets the tattoo.

But this tattoo isn't just an ordinary one. It just might bring Serena more pleasure than she's ever had. After first experiencing the pain of being inked, Serena is now in for more pleasure than she may be able to handle.

I loved Pleasure After The Pain. It's a quick little story that is absolutely steamy and a fun read. Pleasure After The Pain by Savannah Chase is available now from Red Rose Publishing. I have links up to both Savannah's website and Red Rose Publishing if you want to check it out. But make sure you have flame retardant gloves handy when you read this little gem.

They Think We're Dumb

The phone rings. You trip over stuff in your rush to answer it. It's a telemarketer. Oh Joy! It's not bad enough we get a zillion calls from these bozos, especially when we've just sat down to eat, but then they go and think we're stupid.

I just got a call for the second time today from the same company. Both times they asked for my Mom. The first time, when I realized it was a telemarketer I just hung up the phone. The second call just came. The guy asked for my mom. I said she wasn't available, and really she wasn't I didn't lie about that. I swear. You believe me right?:-)

Anyways, I asked if I could take a message. So he asks if I'm a family member. Very reluctantly, I say yes. Then he goes for the big lie that I guess he figures I'm just to dumb to realize is a lie. He says he's calling because my mom expressed an interest in starting her own home-based business. Woop woop woop. The sirens sound. Guess what? I knew it was a lie.

7 years ago, 11 days after 9/11 my mom was involved in a car accident. A girl on her cell phone ran a stop sign and plowed into my mom's car. She suffered serious injuries and has been disabled ever since. A couple weeks ago, she had a minor stroke. No way in hell is my mom going to be trying to start up a business, not even one based in the home.

I told the idiot that no she hadn't expressed any interest in starting a business and to stop calling here. But that's how these clods work. They seriously think if they aren't talking to the person they were calling for that lying and saying they expressed an interest in whatever the company is selling will convince us to take leave of our senses and give out our family's personal info.

I used to work for a telemarketing company when I was going to college. I know how these places work and they really do think we're dumb. The sad part is on occasion they do manage to successfully dupe someone into giving out info. So as a former telemarketer, let me tell you, everything they say to you on the phone is pre-scripted. They really are looking at a printed script telling them what to say.

NEVER believe them if they tell you someone expressed an interest in what their selling. It's totally a con. If a person really expresses an interest in whatever is being sold, they can handle it themselves. Never give them any info. You'll find yourself getting hounded just as much as the person they were trying to reach. Save yourself and your loved ones the hassle.

And one of word of advice to you lovely telemarketers out there...no we really aren't dumb so stop treating us like we are.

Religion!

PC Cast has an interesting topic going on over at her blog about religion. It so got me going that I decided to blog about it here too. I'm pagan. I'm polytheistic and a follower of Demeter, the Greek Goddess of the Harvest. I was raised Roman Catholic and I consider myself to be a recovering Catholic.

I'm very proud of what I am. I discovered paganism when I was sixteen. My mom was going through cancer and I needed something to believe in. Though I grew up technically as a Catholic, none of us ever really followed in the ways of the church. My mother was a victim of rape when she was younger and the priest told her that the only way God could forgive her, the victim of the crime, was if she became a nun. It was impossible to believe in a religion that blamed her for the criminal act of another.

So, years later when my mom was diagnosed, I went on a spiritual quest. I started reading Greek myths and fell in love with the story of Demeter and how she dealt with the kidnapping of her daughter Persephone. I knew then and there that following her was right for me. But, just because it's right for me doesn't mean it's right for anyone else. Heck, my brother is a Buddhist.

I have never denied my religion. I'm not ashamed of it or feel the need to hide it. But I also don't advertise it. If you ask me point blank I'll tell you straight up that I'm pagan. But, aside from this blog entry, I don't talk about it. Two topics you should never discuss in public; religion and politics.

A couple years ago a couple of coworkers asked me about my faith and I told them. They were genuinely interested in my beliefs so we chatted while we worked and I answered their questions. Another coworker overheard us and waylaid me during a break. She was a born again Christian and considered it her sacred duty to save my soul before I was damned to hell.

I have never tried to convert anyone to my religion. All I ask is for the same courtesy. In the first place, I don't believe in hell. I also don't believe my soul needs saving. I'm not saying my religion is right or better than anyone else's. All I'm saying is let me believe what I believe and leave it at that. What you believe is your own personal business and if it makes you happy than that's great. I'm happy with what I believe and that's all that matters to me. In the end, everyone has the right to follow what's in their own hearts. That is what freedom of religion is all about.

If you'd like to see PC's blog about this topic, just click on the link I have up for her. And there ends my sermon for the day.:-)

NO REST FOR THE WICKED!

A little while back I responded to a blog post on NJ Walter's blog about how an author is never totally satisfied with the final product and is always tweaking their stories. I mentioned how I'd written a story a long time ago but had never tried to publish it. NJ encouraged me to try and I finally did a few weeks ago. I sent my story off and am waiting to hear about it.

But, it was as if finally actually trying to publish my book had opened the floodgates and I haven't been able to stop writing since. An idea for a series of novellas came to me and I have been writing non-stop since then. I'm halfway through book three in this new series. I've sent off book one and I'll let you know if it's a go.

However, after I finished this third novella, I figured I'd take some time off. Not long, just figured I'd take a week to read, watch movies and stuff like that. Since I began this series, I have only taken one day off. But you know what they say about the best laid plans right?

All last night, a new idea for a full length story was haunting me. The whole thing just played in my mind like a movie and I know that I'm going to have to write it as soon as I finish my current story. I have no choice. It's the whole reason I wrote my very first story, the one NJ encouraged me to try to get published in the first place. The story wouldn't leave me alone until I'd written it.

The same goes for these novellas I have been writing. Once the idea came to me, I had no choice but to sit at my computer and write them. The idea for the fourth book is also already in my head, but this novel that came to me last night is demanding I tell it first. I can see I'm going to be very busy for the remainder of this year. There is no rest for the wicked.:-)

Book One

Ok, it's finally time to talk about some of the fantastic books I was reading over the course of being sick. And yes, I still am. I'm going to the doctor's today and hopefully I will finally be feeling better. Anyways, book one that I want to talk about is called BID FOR LOVE by Savannah Chase.

This story was awesome. Nico and Jeff are star crossed lovers. Both want the other one, but neither has the courage to say anything. So, Nico's friends hatch a plan in secret to help them get together. They organize a charity bachelor auction and invite Jeff to be auctioned off. When Nico discovers the object of her secret desire on the block, she must decide if she has the courage to make a BID FOR LOVE.

This story was hilarious. Both Nico and Jeff have quirky friends who try and help them get out of their dating ruts. Some of their plans are not only unsuccessful, some are downright hilarious. I loved this book. Actually, it's an e-book. If you want to check out BID FOR LOVE by Savannah Chase, click on the link I have up for Lyrical Press Publishing. It's so worth it.

A Slight Change

I know I said I'd blog about some great stories today but I had to change my plans. I want to instead talk to you about an author whom I adore. NJ Walters is a story-telling GODDESS. I just finished her most recent release, Lily Blossoms and it was phenomenal. This woman simply can't tell a bad story. Everything she writes is not only beautifully written and sensual, but each story touches your emotions.

She has become one of my three top authors and you knew that already if you have been reading my blog. I just can't get enough of her wonderful stories. She's become one of my heroes as well. You'd really love her books if you read them. If you want to check out her stuff, click on the link I have to her website. Make sure you check out her blog at www.njwalters.blogspot.com/ as well. This woman is totally awesome and amazing. I really can't go on enough about how fantastic she is. I'm a fan forever.

I Can't Catch A Break!

I have been sick most of this year. Two months ago, when I was finally feeling better, I ventured from my house for the first time since January. I thought it was finally okay for me to go out again. I should have known better. I'm not that lucky. Yes, I am sick again. And once again, by the order of my doctor and my mother, I am on restriction again.

That means no going out except for doctor's appointments again for who knows how long. The way things are going, I might not be allowed out of the house until next year. This is totally driving me nuts. I can't tell you how sick I am of being sick. On the plus side though, I have been too tired to do anything but read lately. I'll be talking about some of the fantastic stuff I've been reading over the next few days. But I am still tired of being sick.

I don't mind the tiredness, but I am so sick of sore throats. It is driving me insane. Anyways, tomorrow I'll be telling you about a great new book I just read and I'll be covering some of the other ones later on. Happy Labor Day all.