Please Welcome Genene Valleau writing as Genie Gabriel

Rogues Angels are excited to see Genie's third book in her series rereleased with Rogue Phoenix Press. Genie always brings a bit of humor with her books as well as a series and contemporary story line

Genie's bio

For years I've been fascinated by the puzzle of why some people collapse under life's traumas and others emerge triumphantly stronger. These triumphs of the human spirit over the ugliest of adversities became the basis for my stories. Yet my dramatic stories have always contained touches of humor, and sometimes I have great fun writing romantic comedy novellas. However, in all my stories, my passion for writing romance is an outlet for the powerful messages that people can overcome great difficulties, and true love can turn life’s heartaches into happily ever after.

Interview 

What or who inspired you to start writing? I'm one of those writers who read a book so bad I knew I could do better. I soon realized writing a good book took some effort, so I spent the next half dozen years learning to write--and rewrite. After fourteen years, I sold my first book, which was just re-issued by Rogue Phoenix Press as THE ROCK STAR. 

How do you come up with ideas for your books? Curiosity and asking "what if?" Then my imagination takes off. For instance, the phenomena of teenaged crushes on rock stars (including my own) became THE ROCK STAR. Then the secondary characters demanded their own stories, so I wrote THE BODYGUARD and THE LEADER OF THE BAND. My fascination with people who live through horrific experiences yet emerge stronger plays a key role in the LEGACY series I'm currently writing. 

What expertise do you bring to your writing? My dramatic stories are fueled by over twenty years of working for a social service agency--great fodder for trauma and drama and overcoming incredible odds. 

What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? If it's not in my bio, I don't want anyone to know about it! LOL! OK, a couple things: (1) I'm also a graphic designer and have designed all my own book covers, and (2) I don't talk about my great love and respect for dogs in my bio, because I could go on and on for hours talking about my furbabies. However, dogs or pets of some kind usually show up in my stories. 

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why? Um, the dog Jasper in THE ROCK STAR because he's totally adored. Again, LOL! While I really like the characters in my books--I have to so I can write their stories well--and admire certain traits like boldness and being outspoken, I'm pretty used to being me and would have to start all over with the self-improvement if I became someone else. :)

Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing? I have several critique partners who each bring a different perspective that is invaluable in improving my writing. 

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? I had been hesitantly submitting my work with the encouragement of members of my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. However, Christine Young encouraged me to submit to the publisher who contracted for my first book. (Many thanks for that, Chris!)

What is the best and worst advice you ever received regarding writing or publishing? This advice could actually fit for most things: Use what works for you personally (advice, suggestions, stuff at garage sales) and don't worry about the rest.

Do you outline your books or just start writing? I am a detailed plotter who has developed even more ways to keep track of details (and drive my pantster writing friends crazy) as I've been writing my series of books. 

Your interview will be posted November 30th. Is there a family Thanksgiving tradition or recipe you would like to share? Shannon, the heroine in THE ROCK STAR, doesn't use her kitchen for much besides making cookies. But she does these really well. Her grandmother taught Shannon how to make cookies by taste and the feel of the dough, so this recipe is an approximation for Rock'n'Good Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Mix together thoroughly:

1 C granulated sugar

1 C brown sugar

1 cube butter (can also add 1/2 C peanut butter if you'd like)

Then add 1 egg, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. baking soda and a dash of salt. Mix thoroughly. 

Stir in 2 C flour (more or less), a bit at a time and mix thoroughly--or until your arm gets tired. Dough should be a bit stiff (kinda like play dough but taste much better :).

Add an 8-ounce package of chocolate chips (can also mix in butterscotch chips or white chocolate chips).

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. For soft and chewy cookies, don't overcook! They should still look a bit doughy when you take them out of the oven.

Enjoy!

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?  I have a new series of at least nine books that will start releasing in March 2012. The LEGACY series will feature eight adoptees determined to continue their father's legacy. As they uncover secrets that lead to the truth that killed their father, the action, romance and family drama heat up. 

Anything else you might want to add? Many thanks to Chris for inviting me to be a guest at her blog!

Please Welcome Author Rebecca Royce

Rebecca will be giving away a $50.00 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.

Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They live in northern New Jersey and try not to freeze too badly during the winter months.

She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.

In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.

http://www.rebeccaroyce.com

http://www.rebeccaroyce.blogspot.com

You write erotica how important is location to your story?

Its very important.  In several cases, particularly within a series of books, I can see the character’s locations before I see the rest of the story.  I have to be able to see it or the readers can’t.

Is it just a backdrop to put characters on or is the location a part of the story?

It’s as important as the characters, to me.  For the most part, although I do write erotica, I think that most of my books have pretty involved story lines outside of the sex.  The location is pivotal for those parts.

Does the location provide local flavor, i.e., accents and phrases that color the speech or food that plays a part in telling the story?

I have lived in several places that are often depicted in books, for example New York City and New Orleans. I use those places, often, in my own writing. Also, Maine where my sister-in-law lives. If something doesn’t ‘sound’ right to me or is too cliché about one of those areas it throws me out of the story. I’d like to think I do a good job of representing those areas from the way I see them, at least. 

Eighteen years earlier, Charma lost her destined soul mate. Convinced he must be dead, she kept her fears to herself so as not to destroy the morale of the Outsiders who already live with a shaky prophecy as their only guide.

Dr. Jason Randall is a man used to getting what he wants. There has never been a problem he couldn't out think or a situation he wasn't capable of handling.

Now they are both hunted by not one but two demons as they lead the slowly forming group of Outsiders out of the darkness and back into the light. The two strong souls will have to decide if prophecy alone is enough reason to stay together through insane odds...or if love is their true fate.

Excerpt

"Oh, Dr. Randall, you are so limited. The Fates, Destiny, the Gods chose you, however it is that you are comfortable describing it. Veli Destrand, before he died, used to call it 'the good side'. He was pretty accurate in that." She laughed. "Such a shame he's dead and you won't get to meet him until I send you to death. But in the mean time you're so exciting to play with."

He didn't see it coming. The electrical current struck his body with what he could only imagine was the force of an eighteen-wheeler. His entire being shook from the experience. His insides burned as if he were a mere piece of toast. Without surprise, he fell to the hard ground.

Breathe. It was nearly impossible to perform that basic function. Eventually, it would pass. He knew this because he'd been going through this experience at least once a day since he'd been stuck in his own mind's creation, but each time she electrocuted him, it seemed to get worse.

No, she was not nuts. He was here. The nameless man—she'd never learned his name—who had been made for her, chosen for her in heaven was in this room.

And, she had felt him die. Felt it the night he hadn't come to their secret garden. It had been like someone had taken a sledge hammer and demolished half of her body and soul with one hit. She'd known he was dead.

Alone. That was how she'd felt. With other people's problems filling her days, nights, and dreams.

Until now.

Had he been this way since he'd disappeared when he was twelve? Charma's eyes roamed his body for signs. Impossible. He looked too healthy. Muscle tone defined his body. He didn't look like a man who had been endlessly asleep on a bed. His eyes fluttered as if he was in deep REM sleep.

She cleared her throat, afraid to wake him but wanting to at the same time. "Hello."

Nothing. Charma's cheeks warmed. Why had she assumed he'd respond to her? He was in a coma for goodness sake. She was going to have to do more than speak aloud to get his attention. 

Jason shook his head. This wasn't going to be easy. Maybe her arrival was a good thing. Maybe she was another piece of the puzzle he needed to solve his dilemma. "Self-loathing, the woman I've invented to come here and cause me tremendous pain as a way to punish myself for killing a man who assaulted me in the parking lot." Jason gestured around the hillside. "This whole thing is one giant guilt trip."

Standing up, her eyebrows pressed inward, and she held a confused look in her eyes. They seemed to be searching for something but he wasn't clear on what.

Finally, she spoke. "Listen to me very carefully. So much of what you just said makes no sense to me and we have zero time to sort it out. I'm not sure how to convince you that what I'm about to tell you is the absolute truth but it is. This is not some grand illusion. Not really."

"That's just what a falsehood that didn't want to be proven wrong would say."

A Better Tuesday

Hopefully my Virtual Blog Tour will actually begin tomorrow. I will be at the LASR blog first thing in the morning and I will stop by and answer questions and comments. The talk is about brave Highlanders. Men in kilts tossing cabers and falling in love. At this blog we will talk about the best and worst things in Scotland.

Visit at:  http://lasrguest.blogspot.com/

Agh!!!

Source: google.com via Chris on Pinterest

Pulling out my hair. Waiting in such anticipation for my blot tour and now I'm writing about the first day failure on two blogs. I'm supposed to be at Me Want Food    http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com/  and somebody messed up. It wasn't me. I sent the interview on October 30. So she either did not get the media package or she forgot to post it. I am so bummed. My bubble has burst. I guess I will say no more and hope that some higher poser will fix this and make my Monday better.

Highland Honor Blog Tour

Please join me, beginning on Monday the 28th and ending on Friday the 23 of December, for my first time blog tour. We will be talking about Highlanders in kilts, romance as well as the best things Scotland has to offer.


I will be giving away a prize at every stop to a random commenter, so don't forget to give your opinion. At the end of my journey, I will give away a $50.00 Amazon gift card. The more times you leave a comment the more times your name will be placed in the drawing.


I hope everyone enjoys meeting my hero Colin "Hawke" MacPherson and the love of his life Callie Whitcomb. Take a journey through time to the past where castles abounded and love was inspired.

Buy Now @

www.roguephoenixpress.com

Willfully stubborn, innocently courageous, Callie Whitcomb braves a journey through the treacherous highlands to the Macpherosn castle. Callie flees from an unwanted marriage as well as her ruthless halfbrother. Naively she believes Colin MacPherson, the head of the clan, is loyal to her father and will give her sanctuary, protecting her from the vile plans that have been made for her.

As hard and as unyeilding as the winter storms that sweep through the countryside, Colin is irresistably drawn to the impetuous beauty who has magically appeared on his doorsteps. Despite his vows of revenge against her father, she stirs his passion as well as his sense of justice...but to love her would violate all his vows of revenge.






Here is a schedule of my blog tour.


November 28: Me Want Food
November 29: Long and Short Reviews
November 30: Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
December 1: Roz Lee Contemporary Erotic Romance Author
December 2: Book of Secrets
December 5: The Character Connection
December 6: Among the Muses
December 7: The Plot Thickens
December 8: Under The Covers Book Blog
December 9: Reading Romances
December 12: AsianCocoa's Secret Garden
December 13: It's Raining Books
December 14: Seductive Musings
December 15: Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess
December 16: Reviews by Molly
December 19: Reader Girls
December 20: Book Lover's Hideaway
December 21: Sarah Ballance
December 22: Realmantic Moments
December 23: Sugarbeat's Books

The Aphrodite

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Chris on Pinterest

Clan MacPherson merchant ship. I know it says pirate ship on it and I suppose the MacPherson clan has used it for nefarious purposes from time to time. I love ships and pirate ships. In Highland Honor there is a scene where Callie and Hawke spend an evening on board.

Babysitting today and finishing edits on Highland Magic this is Ian and Keely's book. I'm hoping to have it for sale by Friday this week. Actually I'm hoping to have it on sale by Monday but with a grand child in the house I doubt if I will get a lot accomplished. Probably watch a Disney movie.

Ah yes, I'm also going walking with my walking buddy. Hope the rain holds off until after 12:00.

A House Divided

Source: Uploaded by user via Chris on Pinterest

It's the 115th civil war day in Oregon. War between the Beavers and the Ducks. My house is divided in half, the girls are Beavers and the guys are Ducks with the exception of my oldest daughter who in Willamette grad who has gone to the Dark side oh I mean the Duck side.

This year there is nothing on the line for the Beavers. They don't have enough wins to qualify for a bowl game but the Ducks... Well the ducks are fighting for the Rose bowl game, I think. Now that we are the Pac 12, not the Pac 10 and we have a play off game to decide who is the champion, I tend to get a little confused.

I want the Ducks to have that Rose Bowl  seat but I have to root for my alma matter no matter what.

So GO,  Fight,  Win Beavs!!!!!!

The Day After the Feast

Source: oddballdaily.com via Chris on Pinterest

Still counting down but now I have new targets. The first target is the start of my Virtual Tour on November 28th. Wow that is Monday. I will be at MeWant Food. And I'm remembering I still have my last interview to complete.

The next countdown is for my youngest's arrival from New York via Jet Blue. That would be on December 4th. Then we have her husband coming in, on I think, the 14th. Then of course Christmas and after that my oldest daughter's birthday. I'm going to quit counting down because we have so many birthdays and special days after that.

I think I am going walking if schedules work out. And how about this gorgeous fall day in the Willamette Valley?

What are you doing that is special?
Any countdowns in your life?

Happy Thanksgiving

Source: theblogattheendoftime.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

Eeeekkkkk....... Is that Big Bird?

Well, turkey day has arrived. We have a sunrise over Mt. Hood this morning--gorgeous. The rain won't be coming back until this afternoon. Thankful for that even though I like to watch the rain. I think my walking buddy and I will get a short walk in this morning, another 4.2 miles. Crazy but just about every loop around our homes equals 4.2 miles. LOL. Nice to have a little exercise today, it means one more scoop of mashed potatoes.

I'm so thankful the family is healthy and wishing my youngest daughter could have been here. Yet I'm hopeful she and her husband will find jobs in the northwest and will be able to move back. Although New York is fun to visit, I wouldn't want to live there.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

And the Count Goes On...

Source: piccsy.com via Chris on Pinterest

One more day until Thanksgiving and five more days until my virtual tour for Highland Magic starts.

The rain goes on too. I woke up to a warm, rain and very blustery day. Still in bed I listened to the rain and the wind. When I was in New York city this fall, Hurricane Katia blew up the Atlantic side of Manhattan Island and Hurricane flew by on the west side of the island. For a couple of days rain inundated the city. My daughter chided me that I was an Oregonian and why was I complaining about the rain. Well, I said, I stay inside when it rains, I don't tour the Statue of Liberty, or stroll in Central Park.

So, I ask, what do you like to do in the rain?
I like to...
1. Listen to the rain and the wind
2. Watch the leaves and the bushes sway in the wind
3. Sipping hot chocolate (my walking buddy would want to add amareto sp?)
4. Read a good book
5. Crossstich
6. Knit
7. Sit on the couch by the window and look outside
8. Write blogs
9. Catch up on my soaps
10. Do you like to dance in the rain?
11. Sip Hurricanes in the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia

To fill in later (look above)
What do you like to do when it rains it pours?
35 mi/hr gusts this morning. Oh, Hurricane Irene you got nothing on this storm.

Home/Expecting Rain

Source: google.com via Chris on Pinterest

After a wonderful 2 days spent with my parents in Medford, we are now home. Sunday evening we went out to a nice Italian restaurant. The spicy calamari in plum sauce was scrumptious. After that my mom and I talked and enjoyed each others company. Monday we did some needed banking stuff then made our way to the yarn store. I bought yarn for various gifts. I forgot the unused skeins I was going to return so I could start my own afghan. Monday night we watched dancing with the stars and I, for one, was disappointed at J.R.'s scores for his first dance. And also puzzled that Rob could have such great scores when he is the worst dancer left. I am truly hoping either J.R. or Ricky Lake win the competition. Although I am rooting for J.R.  GO J.R. Tuesday we drove back to Salem expecting the weather to be windy, rainy and horrible all the way back. We were pleasantly surprised when we didn't hit rain until just north of Albany. Yay!

Back from the mini vacation I am once again blogging and I'm hoping to have Highland Magic read and released by next Sunday.

Winter

Source: foxandcrown.tumblr.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

It seems winter has arrived a bit early. The weather here is cold and the snow level is at 1000 ft. I see pictures of friends who live in central Oregon playing in the snow. Mt Hood and Government camp have snow falling and it appears the ski areas may open early.

I love the snow but let it stay in the mountains where it belongs. I don't like to drive in it and I really hate it when the power goes out--no internet, no TV, no lights. I'm not sure I could have survived in the past without our modern day conveniences. When the power is out, I wander around the house like a lost puppy.

Sometimes the snow is better than the rain. There is nothing I like better though than to lay in bed and listen to the rain fall. I live in Oregon so it is a good thing, I like the sound of the rain. I like to watch the rain but I don't like to be outside when it is falling so hard everything is soaked, from the inside out, within a couple of minutes.

Many of my friends live for the sun. Sun is good, it warms a person and they say the vitamin D is good for you too.

What weather do you like best?

The day following

Source: Uploaded by user via Chris on Pinterest

Go Beavs. They won! They won! This brings me back to the 70's when the beavs and the ducks never won. Beavers played well and beat Washington--wasn't expecting that.

Ducks played bad the first half and couldn't make it up the second half. Really sorry to see Oregon lose. I have never liked USC and I don't care who is playing them I want the other team to win. And that goes for the Rose Bowl because the Rose Bowl isn't the same any more.

Looking forward to next weekend civil war. But I had hoped that it would be the beavs who dethroned the ducks. Now I'm afraid it will be a runaway for the ducks.

Count Down

Source: Uploaded by user via Chris on Pinterest

I have 2 count downs. The first of course is to Thanksgiving. Not counting today there are, drum roll please, 4 days until Thanksgiving. Yummm... turkey and mashed potatoes. I always made a rice stuffing and I was told by wonderful children a couple of years ago that they wanted stove top stuffing.

Sigh...I don't really care about bread stuffing so I guess I will save a few calories there. And oh my, at weight watchers they do a Thanksgiving plate and count the points plus value of the food you choose. That little exercise is definitely an eye opener. Although you can only choose what the host has prepared. I do cook light and my points plus values are not very high.

Source: potterybarn.com via Chris on Pinterest

Excitement! The Virtual Tour for Highland Honor will start 11/28. Everyone should visit everyday. There will be a different blog host every day until 12/23 (week days only) My first stop is at the blog: Me Want Food, interesting title. And I am giving away a $50.00 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Also, I will give away a MacPherson Clan book mark at each stop to one randomly drawn commenter.

Ah, Colin "Hawke" MacPherson you sly devil you. How did you win Callie's love so easily. Was it that kilt you wear so nobly or was it the way you treated her as if she were a queen. Oh, I see, she is your queen.

And I forgot the countdown number: Not counting today we have, second drum roll please, 8 days!

Thanksgiving Quotes

Source: decorhappy.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

Erma Bombeck


Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.



Highland Series

I'm working on my rerelease of Highland Magic the second in a three book series. And I am anticipating a great blog tour beginning November 28th at the blog Me Want Food. I love these books. The Scottish Heros are larger than life and so very easy to fall in love with. Colin MacPherson the oldest of the clan and sometimes known as Hawke falls in love with the daughter of an enemy he has sought revenge against.

I am having such a great time meeting these characters again. In Highland Magic Keely is a healer and can see into the future. She doesn't like the gift but has learned to live with it. When she foresees the death of King James, some begin to call her a witch and a traitor. Highland Magic should be available next week. Hopefully, I will be able to set up a virtual blog tour in February to have an official celebration of Highland Magic's release with rouge phoenix press.

To purchase Highland Honor go to  www.roguephoenixpress.com

Pictures, pictures and more pictures.

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Chris on Pinterest

I know, I know, the dragon has nothing to do with this blog. But I loved this dragon. Maybe I could write a highland story with dragons hmm...

I love pinterest. The fact that I can type in anything and get pictures is wonderful. I can't believe how easy it is. Thank you my youngest daughter for introducing this to me and teaching me how to upload or download, (vocabulary I can't seem to get right) the pictures to my blog. Today I looked for pictures of cliff hanging for my Rogues Angels blog. Eeek and I know why they call it cliff hanging. The reader wants to know what is going to happen next!

And the reader is left on the edge of the cliff.

A must turn the page happening.

I'm getting ready for my goddessfish virtual tour blog to start November 29th. I hope lots of you come by and leave comments. I will be featured at 20 different blogs on 20 different days. I'll be talking about scottish highlanders, men in kilts...wow...their courage, honesty and integrity as well as other characteristics.

Who is your favorite Scotsman? hmm... I think I know who my eldest daughter would pick.
 Oh, the tour is celebrating my rerelease of Highland Honor.

LOL

Source: weheartit.com via Eva on Pinterest

I just discovered that someone posted a used copy of Highland Honor at B&N for $196.00. Wow!!! And if they happen to sell it, I won't see a darn penny. However, the thought that someone could even laughingly post a used copy of one of my paper back books is highly flattering, amusing, and CRAZY. Who would pay that much money for any book?

But it does bring up an interesting idea. I have about 40 paperback books of various releases over the past ten years. I think I may post them as used copies and sell for $6 or $7 dollars. I will have to think about this. They typically sell for about $15.00 so this would be more than 50% off. I will have to figure out how to post this sale.

Have any of you posted your books as used copies? If so, how did they sell?

the day after

Source: ourbestbites.com via Chris on Pinterest

I think these cookies look really good.

The after the party and I'm absolutely, totally, and yes...extremely exhausted. I have worked on business and thought about writing. I have worked on business some more and thought about posting reviews. Yes, I am still working on business and thinking about writing my last virtual tour blog--maybe tomorrow. Now I am still working on business but will finish in about ten minutes. I'm on photo shop creating a spine and back cover for a pod.

After that I'm going to go watch a rerun of the closer, go to jazzercise and workout then I'm going to watch dancing with the stars--go Hope and Max. Maybe tomorrow I will work on something just for me. But with my luck I will probably get a cal to go sub at the high school.

Is next week really Thanksgiving week? OMG, when I'm not teaching, I certainly don't keep  up with the holidays. I didn't even know 11/11/11 was Veterans day holiday until their was no mail. Of course I now have to think about what day of the week it is. I guess that is a good thing.

Giving Thanks

Source: marthastewart.com via Chris on Pinterest

November 13th my granddaughters 2nd birthday and giving thanks takes on a whole new meaning for me. I give thanks that all my family are safe today and I am looking forward to celebrating Ana's birthday later this afternoon. Life is so precious and fragile. It must be guarded, protected and cherished. While I put a smile on my face looking forward to seeing both grand babies, I wish my youngest daughter and her husband could have been here too. My message to them is to relax and try to look on the positive side this day.

I love you all so much.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Source: Uploaded by user via Chris on Pinterest

Another reason I love the fall is FOOTBALL. I loved high school football and have always loved college football, at least rooting on the Beavs and the Ducks. My family is what--here in Oregon--we call platypus. Don't know the plural. The dictionary doesn't like platypii. Half my family are Oregon grads and the other half minus one are Oregon State grads. The minus one is a Willamette alumni. I can't convince her to root for the Beavs...sigh...she just want to root for the Ducks.

Beavs meet Cal today. They will play well but they are on a building year. Their freshman quarter back is pretty good but sometimes inconsistent. James Roger a phenomenal player is still recovery from a horrible injury that occurred last year. And OS has several promising young-uns. Hopefully they will mature by next year.

Number 7 Ducks meet Number 4 Stanford today. This game should be a real treat. I think the Ducks will just wear Stanford down as they do most of their opponents. But the game could and should be a real cliff hanger. It all starts at 3:30.

Go Beavs!!!!!!
Go Ducks!

I guess I have to try to be PC.

Thanksgiving Quote

Source: swagbucks.com via Chris on Pinterest

Maybe I love fall because of the beautiful change of colors on the trees. Maybe I love it because my birthday is in October and it signals the beginning of holidays: halloween, thanksgiving, and christmas. Maybe it is because of college football and the smell of autumn in the air. But I love fall and I suppose it doesn't really matter why. Today will be another beautiful day here in the Willamette Valley at least until the predict rain comes in tonight.

Change of plans

Source: google.com via Jacki on Pinterest

No IKEA today. Guess we will go tomorrow. So...I'm writing blogs and working on Sharks today. Love the new twist. Will Jacob find the courage to ask Lilly to marry him? Or...will Lilly find true love with a most unlikely man? Hmmm...

And with either choice how do I make it plausible. It's coming along and I hope it all works. But I am going to have to go back to the beginning and fill in the holes.  Believe me, now there are so many gaps and they are large enough to fill a canyon--maybe not the Grand Canyon--it is a novella after all.

I made a commitment to write one Virtual Tour blog a day. First on the agenda is to finish an interview and get it sent off to Marianne at Goddessfish. Love that name and every time I see it, I wonder where they came up with it. Very unique.

Doubling Up

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

Today is a double duty day. I plan on finishing 2 blogs for my Virtual Tour beginning November 28th for Highland Honor. Then I need to write at least 2 pages on my April Fools Day anthology. I know how I want it to end, but I'm just not sure how to pull it all together so it seems possible. A lead weight will be off my shoulders when I finish the tour and the anthology.

I can't decide what question I want to answer for the Among the Muses blog. Maybe I will go with: Love before Duty or Duty before Love...hmmm... Is that kind of like which came first the chicken or the egg... don't know.

Then, my walking partner has been back from Hawaii since Friday and I haven't seen her, not entirely my fault. But if I go to Ikea tomorrow, our normal walking day, have our once in a great while Jazzercise dinner with buddies going back 30 years, then a rogues angels meeting, I won't be able to walk. So...I am doubling up today, walk this morning then Jazzercise tonight. I feel tired already.

What are all of you up to today?

Finishing the kitchen remodel

Source: craftily-ever-after.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

The house is freezing for the third day in a row and will most likely be the same tomorrow. The tile guys are here again and finishing the tile and the backsplash. Still can't find handles and knobs for the cabinets so we're off to IKEA again on Thursday.

Geez, it's been so busy. I never knew that remodeling sucked up so much time. Boy do I know now though. The kitchen looks absolutely beautiful and the new island is wonderful for cooking. Everything, the spices the measuring tools, everything is close by. I no longer have to traipse a mile to get a tsp.

So looking forward to Wednesday. They say they will be by noon. And I have to work this afternoon at the high school (half day math sub job) gets a quarter of a plane ticket to NY. I tell everyone, including my past students, I work for plane fair.

Everyone have a good day.

Power Outage

Source: google.co.uk via Vicky on Pinterest

It never ceases to surprise me how much I depend on electricity and how much at a loss I feel when I have none. Yesterday the power went out at about 9:00 AM. We were told a car hit a power pole and the estimated time the power would resume was about 11:30. Okay I can deal with that. My husband an I went shopping for hardware for our remodeled kitchen then we did a little grocery shopping. We were sure we would arrive home and the power would be on. No such luck awaited us.

This time when we called the estimated time of renewed power was 12:30. So we dabbled in this and that. I read but even wrapped up in a blanket, I was freezing. 12:30 came and still no power. The new called estimated the time to see lights and heat was 1:30. We decided to go back to town and do a little birthday shopping for our November birthday angel. Mission accomplished and the call to the power company resulted in a now estimated time as 3:00. Next we went to the T Mobile store. I needed help getting the predictive spelling off my new android. That done we sat in the car wondering what we should do. The lady at the electric company now said she would call us when the power went back on. Heading home, hoping to find something to do in a freezing house, the call came through.

Success, power at last!