Patti's Page

November and the Holidays

2009-11-11T11:05:00.003-06:00

I lost October somewhere. I'm not exactly sure how or why, but I blinked and it was gone. Yes, I know I have a blog and the concept is that I'm supposed to write it in frequently to keep you up-to-date on Patti doings. So what have I been doing? Glad you asked.

First, I'd like to remind you that this is Halloween/Thanksgiving season and it is definitely the time to revisit a favorite read -- THE DADDY SPELL.

Pumpkin magic is always stronger during 'the season', doncha know. If you follow me on Facebook (and if not, why not???), you'll know I posted a teaser on Kiss Me Goodnight yesterday. My brother thought that was quite the marketing ploy, but truthfully I was having so much fun pulling out the pumpkin magic as a threat to Tom and Summer that I laughed my way to 2500 written words with no problem.

Of course, you're probably sitting there saying - Yeah Patti, but Kiss Me Goodnight probably won't be available to buy until Spring 2011. How do we get our Echo Falls fix until then? My Answer: I'm writing here people, as fast as I can. Harvest Moon Magic is about half finished and hopefully will be on my website before Thanksgiving. Then I'll be writing a wonderfully fun story - Boo and Lindy's Magical Christmas Matchmaking Adventure. What's it about? Ummm...I don't exactly know, but doesn't the title sound great? Yes, I have an evil grin on my face. You're just going to have to wait and see...just like waiting for Santa. I am planning to post that free short story mid-December. 2010 will be littered with several Echo Falls Short Stories to keep you up on the town doings.

The other good news is that Canyon Hearts - Echo Falls #4 - will be finished shortly, too. I've co-written this one with my writing partner and best friend, Kelly McCrady. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my publisher can give you a double whammy of Echo Falls in 2011.

What took so long? Two things. I side-tracked for about seven months to write The Rock Star's Sheriff - Book 1 of a new series set in Parson Corners, Colorado. I sent this one to Harlequin American and it was rejected with a nice personalized letter. I plan to send it to The Wild Rose Press as well -- that means early next year because it isn't being sent until Kiss Me Goodnight has gone - so don't panic!! But hopefully I'll sweet talk you into enjoying another small town love story which has a bunch of sequels planned, too.

The second reason? I'm working on a futuristic, military romance action adventure. I not giving out many details here yet because the idea is cool and unique and I'm scaring myself to death with it. "I can't write this!!!" I wail that frequently. Then my crit group slaps me - "YES, you can!" And I go back to seeing if I can get this tale out of my head.

Have I given up on print publishing? Of course not. I have one completed romantic suspense and a new planned contemporary romance waiting in the wings to be worked on next year to be sent out into that world. There's much more coming from Patti Ann Colt.

In the meantime, I continue to take care of my grandson full-time, work my Amazon Marketplace, and write articles for associated content. Housecleaning and trips to the park fall in there somewhere. And I'm happily anticipating a trip to Nashville next year for the Romance Writers of America conference.

You can find me on Facebook most days - Patti Ann Colt. I also am on Myspace and Twitter - pattianncolt.

I'm going to write now, but I do have a six book weekly reader entry to write. Eventually I'll get tired of the books hanging around on the corner of my desk and I'll get it done.

Happy Veteran's Day to all!

Food Talking and Fun

2009-10-06T22:42:00.002-05:00

It never ceases to amaze me how fast time moves. I feel like I just posted and yet it's been over a week. Time is a mystery to me. I know they say we all get the same amount and it's how we use it that makes it different - but I swear I don't get the same amount as everyone else. Either that or I'm just living in la la land part of the time and I'm unaware that life is moving this fast.

One fun thing - I've posted a couple of great fall soup recipes - go check them out!

I'm writing again. Back at Kiss Me Goodnight - Book 3 of Echo Falls - after taking a brief seven months (HA!) to give Harlequin a go. The strangest thing happened when I pulled the first few chapters that I had complete and reread them. I didn't think I wrote them! They were fabulous and I remember them being more crappy than that. Yes, it's true what they say. Some of us writers are just plain off our rockers.

Canyon Hearts - Echo Falls Book 4 - continues on its merry journey to the ending. Kelly McCrady and I are almost finished with this crackerjack story. It has lots of editing to be done, but we'll hopefully be able to give you a double blast of Echo Falls. If you haven't read it lately, pull The Daddy Spell and get yourself some pumpkin magic going! Two short stories will be coming up on my website, too -- Harvest Moon Magic available 10/26 and Boo and Lindy's Magical Christmas Matchmaking Adventure available 12/14.

I've been watching way too much television, but I have to say that Stargate: Universe had me squeeing in glee! So glad a new Stargate is back. Watched the pilot three times already!.

Weekly Reader is going on hiatus until January. My to-be-read pile is ridiculous, but Fall seems to be the time when I dive into projects around the house and don't read as much as I am used to. Plus, lately I'm reading my favorite authors - Suzanne Brockmann's on my bedside table right now -- and those reviews are simply too easy - A+. I'll be happy to give you reports on home improvement projects, sewing, and all my television watching if that will suffice in the meantime. ;-)

That said. Ta Ta. I'm off to watch NCIS Los Angeles.

Kate Duffy

2009-09-28T17:11:00.002-05:00

Kate Duffy, editor extraordinaire in the romance industry, died today. On this day of sadness, I'd like to remember Kate with my favorite Kate quote:

"Romance entertains me; it makes me happy. I like to say Nora Roberts got me through my divorce; Suzanne Brockmann got me through my father's illness; Joanne Ross got me through my father's death, and Lisa Kleypas got me through yesterday."

Amen. Blessings to Kate's friends and family.

Yard Sale Aftermath

2009-09-27T15:01:00.003-05:00

Oh yeah, enthusiasm increased.

Many $$$ pocketed and lots of items carted off. Things of note if you decide to ever do a yard sale.

--Several people asked if we could break $100 bills. This was early on in the morning, so maybe this was their yard sale budget and they hadn't spent anything yet. But if you're only buying seven bucks worth of stuff, breaking a hundred dollar bill ain't cool. Just saying.

--Sold 90% of our baby clothes, toys, and baby furniture. I can understand that as it's expensive in the stores. I was just glad we had lots to offer.

--I was amazed by the stuff that did sell, i.e. my broken lawn mower and the bins from my dead refrigerator. I was amazed by the stuff that didn't sell - not a bit of our Christmas decorations and two seven foot artifical trees and Anne's old recliner, still in good shape.

--I'd like to express my deep appreciation and admiration for the six foot, long black haired, muscled biker dude who bought my Mom's gaudy 70's blue bubble lamps and the gamer chair. You made my day! No joke.

--I'd like to say WTF to the neighbor who brought over an old 8-track player and about thirty 8-track tapes and asked us to sell them for her. Fortunately, she said the magic word. Keep the money. I actually decided to buy them myself and see if I can sell them on e-bay.

It was a profitable, but miserably hot day. I still have stuff to take to Goodwill, but half a truck load isn't anything at all. A thorough reorganization of the garage will then net me a parking spot for my car. Sigh. The best reward of all.

Yard Sale

2009-09-26T06:14:00.004-05:00

Texas weather finally decided to cooperate. There should be 90 degree weather today for my Yard Sale! Finally will be able to get all this stuff out of the garage. Ultimate goal: Get my car in the garage! Yes, it must seem strange that I'm excited about this, but we've used the garage as a storage unit for boxes and miscellaneous since we moved into this house. 'Twill be nice to finally be able to use it for what it was intended.

I haven't done a yard sale since 1997. We did a major moving sale before we left Cheney, Washington and headed to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, thanks to the Army. I do believe I was heard swearing at that one: "I will never have another garage sale."

And yet, here I am.

There are people that thrive on yard sales - giving them and visiting them, but I am not one of them. Goodwill is my weapon of choice. First, yard sales require a lot of fore thought and work. I have spent the better part of a month sorting, cleaning, throwing out, and adding to the sale pile. Yesterday, Christopher, Tiffany and I spent most of the afternoon and evening doing more sorting, pricing, and arranging tables. It's exhausting work.

Several neighbors popped over yesterday. "Having a Yard Sale?" I pause, schooling the expression on my face to bland. "Uh, no. We're just moving outside. Here's your sign." Sorry, couldn't help it. Thanks Bill Engvall.

Then we come to the day of. We've been talking about doing this for three months so I am thankful the day is finally here. It's 0-dark-30. I slept maybe three hours. I have to be outside in ten minutes to pull the tables from the garage and start loading them up. I'm still in my pajamas. Tiff will be here in 40 minutes and I'm lacking energy and enthusiasm . . . going back to that "I'm not supposed to be doing yard sales anymore. What was I thinking?" thought.

Watch enthusiasm increase as day progresses, as items are carted off, and as money adds up in the pocketbook.

Still I'm looking forward to about 4 pm this afternoon when all is said and done and my feet are up in front of the television.

A View to My Life

2009-09-24T09:50:00.007-05:00

I noted over the weekend as I was formulating goals for this week that I am seriously out of the blogging habit. No excuses, just a promise to get back at it.

Fall has arrived in Texas. Two weeks of rain and the temperature was 59 degrees this morning. I stuck my toes in the swimming pool yesterday and mourned the chill and that another swimming season is definitely over. Time to put the patio furniture back in the garage, get out the long sleeve shirts, and try to kick some butt in the family fantasy football league. How can I go wrong with Peyton Manning?

My middle daughter is moving back home. This necessitated moving the grandson to another room, painting, reorganizing (which netted some good stuff for the yard sale), and coping with the lack of Better Homes and Gardens perfection - not that it ever looks like that, but I'm not even close lately. Thing is I've never been one to invest the hours and hours of work it takes to make it BHG, but clean without tripping over boxes would be nice.

My foot, from my slice and dice last May, is still numb. Not enjoying this much as it's very uncomfortable. And with the colder weather, switching from loose flip flops to wearing shoes and socks is a challenge. The doctor said she wouldn't refer before six months had passed because it just takes that long for nerves to regenerate, but ... pausing to scream here ... strategies for coping are getting tiresome.

In the process of moving bedrooms around and tossing unnecessary stuff, I uncovered several unfinished sewing projects and wondered when I'd gotten so busy I had no time for sewing or cross-stitching, two of my favorite hobbies after home improvement projects and reading. One in particular grasped my attention. I had started a shades/patterns in navy blue bed quilt using a bear paw pattern. I had intended it to be for my bed. I had enough squares finished for one row in a quilt and I'm not sure why I quit and put it away. Fall seems like just the time to get it out again and finish it - considering I need a new bedspread and I noted I'm working too much with no time for fun.

On the work front, those of you who are big fans of Echo Falls are probably chomping for more and wondering what the heck I'm doing. Two short stories are coming up for my website - Harvest Moon Magic - tentative post date October 26th and Boo and Lindy's Magical Matchmaking Christmas Adventure coming December 14th. I took a slight detour from Echo Falls to write a Harlequin American, which has since been rejected and put back in the drawer for later. Moving on from that I'm now working on Kiss Me Goodnight, Tom Applegate's story. AND my friend Kelly McCrady graciously agreed to co-write the next set of Echo Falls books with me - our EF Cop series. This will be Echo Falls books 4, 5, 6, and 7. The first one is Canyon Hearts and we're hoping - fingers crossed - to have that to you shortly after Kiss Me Goodnight so you will get to bask in two full-length Echo Falls books. I also have another secret project that I'm not giving out many details about. Not being superstitious here, just protecting the idea like a newborn babe, because that's what it is...fledgling. Hints? Really . . . adventure, kick ass, and no vampires involved. :-) Sorry. No more.

In other venues of my life, I continue to enjoy taking care of my grandson who is now two and keeping me running. I think I enjoyed his birthday presents as much as he did - seriously, Lego Thomas the Train! Dude! My Amazon Marketplace is taking up a chunk of time and continuing to challenge. If you visit Amazon to buy a used book and see one from coltbooks - that's me. Buy from me, please.

There won't be a weekly reader this week. I'm wading through a writing book this week and reading magazines, but I noted Cindy Gerard has a new one coming out. Expect a trip to Borders and a quick read of that one. In the meantime, Fall is in the air. Once I survive the yard sale I'm having this weekend, it'll be time for pumpkins and Halloween stuff to make their appearance at my house. How about yours?

Weekly Reader - September 16, 2009

2009-09-16T13:46:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted a weekly reader for a month. No, it's not because I've not been reading - as was the case over the summer. No, it's because I've been reading the newest releases from my favorite authors and all the books have been A+ awesome. Unfortunately, this leaves me with not much to comment on except to gush that they are A+ awesome and you should run out and buy them. Here's my rundown:

Joann Ross - Breakpoint (Book 4 - High Risk Series)
Lora Leigh - Bengal's Heart (A Breed Novel)
Nalini Singh - Branded by Fire (A Psy-Changling Novel)
Jessica Andersen - Skykeepers (Book 3 - Final Prophecy Series)
Stacey Kayne - Mountain Wild (The Final Book in her WILD series)
Alyssa Day - Atlantis Rising
"Wild Hearts in Atlantis" in Wild Thing Anthology
Atlantis Awakening
"Shifter's Lady" in Shift Anthology
Atlantis Unleashed
Atlantis Unmasked

Final notes:

With two new Alyssa Day's out during the summer, I decided to reread the entire series. I must say that Ven's book has been upsurped by Justice. Just saying. ;-)

Highly recommend that you hunt down Jessica Andersen's Final Prophecy Series. This series just keeps getting better and better.

All of these go on my keeper shelf. Check my other Weekly Reader posts for previous gushing on these authors' other works.

Happy reading, ya'll!

The Attic, Christmas and Yard Sales

2009-09-09T21:43:00.005-05:00

My last few weeks have been consumed with cleaning out random cupboards, boxes, and yes, even the garage and attic. While I'm definitely more a 'Give it to Goodwill' girl, I'm having a yard sale this coming weekend. I'm insane, I know.

Last weekend, with my nephew and his wife, we sorted through a series of random boxes that were in my attic. The majority of these boxes were Christmas decorations that I had brought back from my Mom's three summers ago when we cleaned out her house after my Dad died.

I must stop here and explain that my Mom was a freak about collecting things and she was also a freak about Christmas decorating. Combine the two and you get whole bunches of stuff. She would start decorating around Halloween and had a 'themed' tree in every room. By that I mean, she had a tree in the kitchen that was all teddy bears. She had a tree that was all bird ornaments. She had a tree that was all angels (this one is now in my living room every Christmas), etc. You get the idea. Plus she kept adding and adding and adding to her decorations. I don't think there ever was a point where she said: "I have too much." For her it was the ooh factor. "Ooh, wouldn't that be pretty on so-and-so." "Yes, Mom." It was really the only answer to give her. Such enthusiasm deserved to be rewarded and she felt strongly that Christmas was a season, not one day.

I believe I inherited fifteen green storage tubs with Christmas stuff and culled from those the best of the best - nativity sets, porcelain and crystal angels, delicate ornaments, bubble lights . . . you get the idea. These boxes that we pulled from the attic . .. uh hum... are the most random leftover decorations I've ever seen. Hence the reason they ended up in the attic. Unfortunately, the eclectic mix of candles melted in the Texas heat generated in my attic, but some of the other stuff, yeah. I think it's garbage. My nephew says that random stuff sells at yard sales.

We shall see.

Now, if only the four boxes of Beckett's Sports Magazines and the three boxes of National Geographics would make their way from the attic to the tables and sell, I might pocket a bunch of change.

Well, maybe not.

Stay tuned for more adventures in Yard Sales.

My Life According to ...Nickelback

2009-08-22T10:50:00.003-05:00

Borrowed this one from Renee over on Facebook:

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. You can't use the artist I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think!

Pick your Artist:
Nickelback

Are you a Male or a Female:
Rockstar

Describe Yourself:
Old Enough

How do you feel:
Feelin' Way Too Damn Good

Describe where you currently live:
Side of a Bullet

If you could go anywhere, where would you go:
I'd Come for You

Your Favorite form of Transportation:
Animals

Your Best Friend is:
Savin' Me

You and your best friends are:
Far Away

What's the weather like:
Too Bad

Favorite Time of Day:
See you at the Show

If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
Believe It Or Not

What is life to you:
If Today was Your Last Day

Your last relationship:
Never Again

Your fear:
Something in Your Mouth

What is the best advice you have to give:
If Everyone Cared

Thought for the day:
Gotta Be Somebody

My soul's present condition:
Figured It Out

My motto:
Someday

Weekly Reader - August 17, 2009

2009-08-16T08:52:00.010-05:00

It's been a long summer - hot, lots of activities, good food, vacation, time with family - just the type I love. In my normal world, my read pile for the summer would be tipping over, the stacks piling up on my bookcase. Not so this summer. Heck, the girls and I usually do a reading group during the summer and make a trek to the Borders to decide which books we're going to read together. Not so this year. Oh, it isn't that I don't have books to read. The To-Be-Read pile is obnoxious. Nothing stops those trip to Borders or the used bookstore. Nothing stops me from hunting out books by my favorite authors or finding treasures to haul home and put in the pile. The anticipation is like Christmas morning. Delicious. TBR pile is obnoxious. Did I say that already?

So what's up? I have seven books to report on in a summer weekly reader. Seven? Patti Ann, are you sick? Yes, I have been, but that's not the deal. I've decided the explanation lies in the fact that I have lots of not so good stuff going on in my life and I'm afraid to start reading. It's a major escape mechanism for me and just like Alice down the rabbit hole, I'm afraid once I start I'll sink into that fictional world and never want to come out. That idea is holding me back some. Never fear, though. With both Alyssa Day's new books, a Nalini Singh, and a new Joann Ross High Risk book staring at me from the night stand -- and (Yay!) a new one just coming out from Lora Leigh's Breed series - yeah, I'll be reading soon.

Wed to the Texas
Platinum Grooms #1
Sara Orwig
Grade: C-

Sara Orwig has written tons of books for Silhouette. She's a frequent contributor to their Desire line, with good reason. She's tells a good story. But not this one. Skip it and hunt down some of her other stuff. Plot is choppy and under-developed. Characters are immature and one-dimensional. Never got on board with the angst between Emily and Jake. Sad really, but true. So many books, so little time . . . moving on.

The Chief Ranger
Rebecca Winters
Grade: B

Rebecca Winters has a telling style of writing. It's not one that I really enjoy as it turns on my critting brain and makes me spend the book saying things like: "If she'd done this section in dialogue it would have been more effective." Hate that when it happens. However, strong plot with lovable characters and I still cried at several junctures of the book, so this one is definitely worth the read. Loved the front cover, too.

Once a Lawman
Lisa Childs
Grade: A

I bought this one on a whim at the used bookstore and I am now a huge Lisa Childs fan! I love it when that happens. Chad and Tessa captivated me from page one. Plot relied a tad on misunderstandings, but leaned more towards Chad not really understanding who Tessa was. I forgave that because Lisa handled it smoothly and the rest was emotional and sweet. Love it when a book is stuck in my fingers and refuses to be put down until its finished. Makes my day.

Protector of One
Conard County
Rachel Lee
Grade: A

Just a tad different spin on the usual visions plotline made this one a page turner. I love Conard County, as I think I've said before, so I would be hard-pressed to comment poorly on any of these. This one is a page turner, tension-filled, emotional, and throws in lots of old friends. What could be better?

The Unexpected Hero
Conard County
Rachel Lee
Grade: B

Thrilled to see another one of Nate Tate's kids get a book. And I liked the premise - patients dying in her hospital and she's accused. Plot was bogged down a tad by David and Kristin talking alot about their experiences in the war and the fallout from that. I found myself skimming great portions to get to the suspense part of the deal. Still I enjoyed the time back in Conard County and I definitely recommend this series to anyone who doesn't know Rachel Lee's Conard County.

Defender
Dark Ops #1
Catherine Mann
Grade: A

This new series from Catherine Mann rocks! My best advice: Run out and get yours. This one was fun -- fast-paced, characters to die for, lots of cool, edgy dialogue and a busy plot with lots of threads and angles. Up until midnight reading this one. Great Catherine!

Hotshot
Dark Ops #2
Catherine Mann
Score: B+

Number two rates a fab read also. I loved the whole premise. It was different and richly described. Characters were so human that they seem like friends. Only two minor issues - plot was VERY busy. That could be my current distraction level, though, so don't let that put you off. And the plot with Shay's father damn near overtook Shay and Vince's love story. Not off-putting exactly, but the tension in that put Shay and Vince's story on the back burner at times. Still, this book is a fabulous way to kill an afternoon or make a long drive home from the beach seem like a drive to the store.

That's all for this time. Hope your summer has been filled with exciting reads!

Thoughts from the Fridge

2009-07-30T08:52:00.003-05:00

Allposters.com

What I've Been Up To

2009-07-26T20:59:00.003-05:00

Yeah, I haven't posted. Let's see if you can guess why not?

Check List
Books in Stack: 6
Swimsuits in Bag: 3
Sandcastles Built: (counting the ones knocked over) 3 dozen
Sunburn: 1 stretching for four days
Things brought home: Lots of sand in my shoes and a bunch of refrigerator magnets and T-shirts.

Final clue:

YES! I was on vacation. Went to the South Padre Island with my kids and grandson. Had a super time. I'll be back to regular posting here shortly, I promise.

The Sweetheart Dance

2009-07-09T20:55:00.004-05:00

The Sweetheart Dance was reviewed by Melinda at Night Owl Romances. Thank you so much, Melinda. I'm once again stunned and humbled by how much everyone enjoyed Meg and Bret's story.

Hearts: 5.00 / 5 - Reviewer Top Pick

Review:
Welcome back to Echo Falls where the matriarch of the Applegate family is up to her sleeves in matchmaking again. Meet Meg Applegate who is once again mooning over the police officer that her family has adopted. He is everything she wants in a man the problem is Bret Cara doesn't acknowledge her as a woman. Meg has been seeing him at social events, lunches and nightly dinners at her grandmother's house but other than that nothing else. At this year's Sweetheart dance she is ready to make her move. However, other people want something from her and she ends up drunk and acting like a fool by kissing him. Although somewhere in her befuddled mind she recalls someone kissing her back. Can it be true? Is Bret Cara really interested in her? Or is it just her imagination that each time she teases him he has this don't tempt me woman or you will get more than you want look that makes her shiver all the way to her toes.

Bret Cara has endured years of torture attending the Applegates dinners and lunches. Torture because all he wants to do is spirit Meg away and make her his girl in every way. He always thought she looked at him like a big brother but when she kissed him after a drunken night he knows she is the woman for him. The thing is that he is not a commitment guy but instead a no-strings kind of guy. With Meg though he feels something more and the passion between is nothing like he has ever had with other women before. Meg shows him a life he wishes he had but is afraid of committing to. Can he commit to one woman? Bringing Meg into his work life was stupid but she is the greatest help he needs in breaking a case. Can he walk away from Meg's kisses and love without his heart breaking?

Oh my god I was so thrilled when I got this book and read that it was a sequel to the Daddy Spell. Patti Ann Colt had me with the first book and enchanted me more in this beautiful tale. Bret and Meg are perfect for each other yet they are both stubborn. I loved that Meg is definitely all woman for Bret but he is cautious of his love. Burned in the past and raised by terrible parents he is definitely cautious of Meg's affections. What started as a not marrying kind of guy is making him realize that he might lose the best thing in his life. I loved The Sweetheart Dance and can't wait for more of this author's works. I loved that Patti Ann Colt brought back the whole family in this enchanting tale.

Great job Patti!

Melinda, Night Owl Romances

Thoughts for the Fridge

2009-07-02T21:57:00.004-05:00

You too can own this for your refrigerator - visit allposters.com.

It's Olivia!

2009-06-26T11:53:00.008-05:00

Thanks to my writing partner, Kelly McCrady, for sending me the link to this great clip. This delightful woman, Rachel Veitch, captures the essence of Olivia Applegate, my family matriarch from THE DADDY SPELL and THE SWEETHEART DANCE. She's described, accurately I think from the video, as 90 years old, drives a '64 Comet, loves her country, and carries a Taurus .38. If you want to see Olivia come to life take a bit of time and go view this video.

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-21T13:25:00.006-05:00

Orval Fredericksen, 1921-2005

I Had a Father Who Talked With Me

I had a father who talked with me.
Allowed me the right to disagree,
To question -- and always answered me,
As well as he could -- and truthfully.
He talked of adventures; horrors of war;
Of life, its meaning; what love was for;
How each would always need to strive
To improve the world to keep it alive.
Stressed the duty we owe one another
To be aware each man is a brother.
Words for laughter he also spoke,
A silly song or happy joke.
Times runs along, some say I'm wise,
That I look at life with seeing eyes.
My heart is happy, my mind is free,
I had a father who talked with me.
-- Hilda Bigelow

Excuses

2009-06-17T12:06:00.002-05:00

It's been a week since I posted anything. Two weeks since I posted any actual comments on my life in general. Trying to come up with a righteous excuse. How about this?

Update on Foot: Stitches out. Cut pretty much closed, although tender. Nerves are not my friend. They are regenerating in the top of my foot and down one tendon into my toes. Hurts. That's actually mild phrasing. Using the pain smiley faces to depict my discomfort, well :-( doesn't suffice. Bang your funny bone on something and multiply it by ten. That's how my foot feels. Apparently 3-6 months of this. Nothing to be done until the nerves have a chance to heal.

Weekly Reader - Yes, there will be one this weekend. Yes, Alyssa's book rejuvenated my need to read, but not in the way you think. Watch for that blog this weekend.

Am I writing? Why, yes I am. Thank you for asking. Slow . . . like a rusty old truck with a flat tire, but at least I'm back at it. When I get to racecar speed, I'll let you know.

I'm blogging over at Happy Endings today. Come visit me.

Refrigerator Art

2009-06-09T22:56:00.001-05:00

Update on All Things Patti

2009-06-02T12:15:00.006-05:00

Welllll... my life has been a tad too complicated lately. I suppose I am way overdue for an update in all the things going on. So we'll start with the second most tramatic thing that has happened since I last posted an update. (If you've been reading my blog, you know the first was that we had to have our oldest dog put to sleep. Unexpected. Heartbreaking. Sigh. Still miss him).

Last Thursday, I was being an appropriately well-organized home owner and getting all our trash bags to the curb for the garbage man. One problem - forgot there was a broken mirror shard in one of the bags. Yes, you can say ouch now. Nice little cut on my leg; annoying trip to the emergency room; 9 stitches and no cute doctors later, I'm on my way home. Numb foot - as all the nerve endings to the top of my foot were in that cut section, but walking on it, no infection so far, and counting the days to get these pulling, tight stitches OUT. Picture below, if you like the Frankenstein thing.

Grandson is growing like a weed, inhaling all foods as long as they aren't vegetables, and focused on the words "GO!" and "Car!" Working to expand that vocabulary to include ball, mama, up, and Grannie is Fantastic! Well, maybe not that last one.

Pool is now 88 degrees and of comfortable swimming temperature. This just means that everyone comes to visit more [grin], and they all smell like sunscreen and are towing along friends. Hmm. Keeps the conversation flowing. Another picture - Zach's first day in the pool this year . . .

So, Patti, does everything revolve around Zach at your house? Apparently. 200 pictures of him on the camera. Do the math.

Still not reading. Books piled by the bed. Stack is enticing, but Dr. Mario and a new simple cross-stitching project are winning out. Oh yes, and went to Star Trek for the third time -- if you're keeping track.

As for the writing - it's going pretty well. One of these days I'll update the widgets on my blog to accurately reflect the word count, I promise. Here's the update on all things writing:

The Rock Star's Sheriff proposal is just about ready to go to Harlequin American. Keeping fingers crossed.

My out-of-comfort zone - futuristic military romantic suspense is crawling along at a snail's pace. But that's okay. Gives it more time to percolate.

My joint Echo Falls project with Kelly McCrady now has 6 chapters, 31,000 words, and a title: Canyon Hearts. If you're keeping track, this one is fourth in the Echo Falls sequence, coming after Kiss Me Goodnight - which is only a partial manuscript at the moment. Interesting experiment to write the goings on in Echo Falls with the gap, but I'm up to the fun and challenge.

I'm also partially into part two of Olivia's romance with Thomas, If I Give My Heart - Thomas has come home from the war and the adjustments are more than they both bargained for. Hoping to have it posted on June 22nd - what would have been my parents 68th wedding anniversary.

Finally, taking a great workshop from Margie Lawson on using body language in your writing. Her workshops are so high-powered, but worth the time and effort - plus she's great fun!!

I guess that's all I can think of. Still posting recipes over on my Worth A Damn Recipe Site. Come on over and visit if you need some everyday cooking ideas.

Weekly Reader - May 2009

2009-05-27T20:04:00.009-05:00

Confession time. I don't know if you noticed, but there's been no weekly reader on my blog for several weeks. Alas, that's because I haven't been reading. "Egads, Gladys, call an ambulance!" Ha! Not necessary. I'm not sick, no fever, no chaotic filled life - well, that's not true, but that has never impacted my reading. And it certainly isn't because I don't have stacks and stacks of wonderful choices. Can't really say what's up with the lack, I just haven't been in the mood to read. Shocked me, too. This doesn't happen very often, but occasionally I just don't want to. So there it is. So instead today, I want to talk about a few things that are in my to-be-read pile.

First off, Rachel Caine's Undone.

Once she was Cassiel, a Djinn of limitless power. Now, she has been reshaped in human flesh as punishment for defying her master - and living among the Weather Wardens, whose power she must tap into regularly or she will die. And as she copes with the emotions and frailties of her human condition, a malevolent entity threatens her new existence...

Ann Aguirre's Book Club will be reading Rachel's book. Visit her website for all the dets. I've got my copy. Do you?

Second, shouting out from my e-book file is this great entry by Donna Michaels.

In the Andromeda Galaxy, XANDRA MONOCERROS, Princess of Lacerta, dreads the coming of the Fourth Moon. Every five years it appears, drawing death to someone dear. First her mother then her husband. Will this cycle take another loved one? Even worse, Lacerta is heading for the same implosion disaster as their ancestral planet Earth.

Seeking a solution, Xandra crosses paths with DARIUS VAN LAARS—the dangerous outlaw from her visions. Will their intense attraction dissuade Darius from carrying out personal revenge on the man key to saving Xandra’s planet? Can she save Lacerta or will she fall victim to the Legend of the Fourth Moon?

Here's the excerpt. This is what put this in my Had to Buy category.

Xandra sighed. “Don’t tell me you’re still mad?”
Silence.
“Come on. All I wanted was a ride to the planet where you were already heading. Jeez. Whoever it was that claimed women are moody obviously never met you.”

A string of curses assaulted her ears before Darius’ fist pounded a switch. Cold shackles clamped her wrists and ankles and held her immobile to the seat.

“What are you doing?” Heart slamming into her throat, she yanked the restraints and stifled a yelp as hard steel bit into her skin.

Grim-faced, her captor flicked the auto-pilot button, unstrapped himself then stood. Fear—sudden and sharp—stiffened her spine and hiccupped her pulse. Now what? Sense of survival kicking in, she inched her fingers toward the knives sheathed under her sleeves. Drat. The shackles prevented access. Should I use my magic? She chewed her lip and eyed the approaching stranger. Powerful, dangerous; her mind registered him as such while her body heated in response to his strong masculinity. Very dangerous. Forcing her fingers to relax, she drew in a steadying breath, and bless the heavens, logic returned. Magic would only render him unconscious and she’d still be stuck in this chair.

“Give it up, Princess.”

Deep and menacing, his voice echoed through the craft and tripped her heart—along with his next words.

“It’s no use. You’re at my mercy now.”

Large hands curled around her wrists and restraints, sending a shockwave of shivers up her arms. Eyes, no longer frosty, blazed with desire and ravaged her face as he leaned in. She stopped breathing.

Holy cosmos! He was going to kiss her. And she wanted him to.

And finally, I'm in countdown. Five, four, three, two, one!

Alyssa Day, Book 3 - Warriors of Poseidon - June 2nd! YaY!

Poseidon's warriors swore eleven thousand years ago to save humanity from those who stalked the night. Now two souls - immortal and human - are all that stand between justice and the eternal darkness: a warrior prince and the beautiful and prescient archaeologist he's been sworn to protect.

Following that will be Book 4, Alantis Unmasked in July. That always necessitates going back to the beginning and reading them all again. Yes!

Same month, Branded By Fire, a new Nalini Singh psy-changeling book will be out! Nothing like a one-two punch from two of my favorite authors to break my mood.

So what have I been doing instead of reading? Umm.... I've seen Star Trek twice -- awesome movie, BTW, go see it. I'm going again on Thursday - #3. I've been cooking - trying my hand at old recipes that I learned to make with my mother and just hadn't done so in awhile -- those included: homemade applesauce, onion rings, bread - and next up is jelly and pickles. I've been moving furniture - don't ask. It's not very interesting. I've reacquainted myself with Dr. Mario on my DS (darn addictive Nintendo!). And I've been trying to get grandson to say 'mama' and 'up' - repeating those words at least 100 times a day. Geesh! Stubborn kid - everything is GO! Oh yeah, and I've been writing. I'll update that in another day or so.

So stay tuned. Alyssa Day is about to break me out of the reading doldrums! Thanks Alyssa!

Memorial Day Remembrance

2009-05-25T09:45:00.004-05:00

Fallen Heroes Memorial

Fallen Patriot Fund

Special Operations Warrior Foundation

Isn't She Great?

2009-05-22T09:42:00.003-05:00

I stumbled onto this relatively unknown movie on cable this morning. This movie is about Jacqueline Susann (Bette Midler) and husband Irving Mansfield (Nathan Lane). It chronicles how they met, fell in love and how she got "Valley of the Dolls" published. I've read that it isn't anywhere near accurate to Susann's life, but still it is a totally entertaining flick. Didn't see all of it, unfortunately, but if you're looking for ways to procrastinate this morning, this gem of a clip is worth the ten minutes. Enjoy Bette Midler and Nathan Lane.

Upcoming Posts

2009-05-20T22:02:00.003-05:00

On my list of upcoming blog topics: A new weekly reader, a new "A Picture is Worth a 100 Words" contest, an update on all things Patti, and many other odds and ends. Watch for them. I promise a new blog post is coming soon.

Allposters.com

Why Are Dog's Lives so Short?

2009-05-15T19:03:00.007-05:00

CJ in better times

Facts about our beloved CJ

Valued member of the Colt House since 2000
Adopted from a Dog Rescue home after being abused by a mean man
We loved the stuffing out of him for ten years
He liked to groan when he was really comfortable
He talked - having a whole vocabulary of squeeks, moans, and barks

CJ on his last day on earth

"Not the least hard thing to bear when
they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so
many years of our lives. Yet, if they
find warmth therein, who would
begrudge them those years that they
have so guarded?
And whatever they take,
be sure they have deserved."

--- John Galsworthy ---

We love ya, CJ. Rest in peace.

AmaZing!

2009-05-14T23:03:00.006-05:00

STAR TREK 2009

Yes! I escaped with my son this morning for my usual Mother's Day present. A trip to the theatre. Ticket, popcorn, coke in hand. Star Trek. Ahhh. Finally.

I am an original Trekkie girl. I was ten when the show started on television in 1966. I used to have to sneak time to watch it, as my mother didn't think it was an appropriate show for a ten year old. She didn't like it much better when I was thirteen either, but I watched many of the episodes anyway...usually by begging my dad. I was a Kirk girl.

Flash forward to 2009. Forty years later, I'm still a Trekkie. I've been anticipating this movie since they announced they were making it. I was literally terrified they would screw it up, much the same as Star Trek The Movie - which wasn't that good - and I'd be utterly disappointed.

Thank GOD, that was not the case. It's stunning. Brilliant. Entertaining. Humorous. Fun!

The plot is a standard, tried and true story, much like many westerns and many of the old ST shows. I actually was glad of that. That allowed for the ultimate connections with the new characters. You didn't have to wade through a complicated plot, or one that twisted with huge surprises, or spend more than a half second to figure out what was going on. You got to spend your time gawking at the technology (which is stupendous!) and basking in the byplays between everyone. They're like old friends, yet new ones.

I loved the way these actors thrilled us with the well-known sayings from the original series, yet their delivery was fresh and original -- as if the words were being uttered for the first time and they didn't know they have been oft repeated since the television show.

I like the fact that Spock got the girl in this one and Kirk doesn't ( I didn't count the gratitous half-sex scene with the green lady.) Totally hated the fact that in the original series Jim Kirk had to kiss the girl on every damn flipping episode. Of course, I was a Kirk girl, so yes, jealousy was involved.

Did you notice, in keeping with tradition, the guy in red uniform died. Kirk, Sulu, and Olsen - wasn't it? - don their parachute rockets and take off for the planet to try and save Vulcan. Who dies? The guy in red. Who died in the old series? It was always the extras dressed in red.

Finally, totally unexpected was a sudden lust for a down home southern boy. Sigh.

I said to John during the closing credits that I intended to see this movie 10 more times in the theatre before it went away. Why? he asks. Because the first time you watch to see what happens, to see if you love it or hate it. The second time is to pay attention to dialogue, bits and pieces you missed. From then on it's about nuances - I told you I'm a trekkie. And it's probably the only movie in my recent memory that I'd pay out $9 to see any time, any where. (And seriously, I saw Star Wars in the theatre ten times, and it seems I've found a movie I can break that record with.)

Message to: J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, Paramount and Spyglass Entertainment - another dozen Star Trek movies please...make them as good as this one!

"You bet your ass, Captain!"