I know, it’s not even December yet.  I should be blogging about what to do with turkey leftovers or crazy family stories. But for me, the Christmas season starts at midnight Thanksgiving night. Yesterday evening I started decorating the house (don’t have the tree yet) and the kids and I are decoratiing our gingerbread house this afternoon. In short, I’m ready to dive headfirst into the season I love best.

All of which means, I’m ready to read some Christmas stories. My all time favorite Christmas Romance is Mary Balogh’s Under the Mistletoe. It’s a collection of five novellas. One is new for this anthology, the other four are recycled from previous collections. When the book first came out in 2006, I was relatively new to the Mary Balogh party, so I hadn’t read any of the previously published novellas. All of the novellas are delightful and fun. And like all Mary Balogh, emotionally complex, even though in this case the stories are short.

As soon as I finish the book I’m working on, I plan to take a little break and get some reading done. I may tackle some of the Twilight books or I might dig back into the Under the Mistletoe and reread those. Or do you have something wonderful and Christmasy to recommend?

By the way, my new website is up and active. So go check it out … and don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter! EmilyMcKay.com.

Music is a part of our lives. When we’re driving in the car listening to the radio helps break the monotony. When we exercise, a good strong beat helps us keep up the pace. Sometimes when we’re sad, a song can either lift our mood or bring us even further down.

Occasionally when I’m writing a particular book, a song will speak to me. It’s not like I go looking for particular song to go with a particular book, they usually just sneak up on me.

When I was writing When She Was Bad, it was a Keith Urban song, Tonight I Wanna Cry . Right now I’m in the process of writing Marrying John Doe, the second book in my RX For Love trilogy set in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I’m about 2/3 of the way done and it didn’t have a song. Then, I’m driving one morning and a song comes on the radio–Come Back to Me by David Cook.

This is the perfect song because the lyrics are an uncanny reflection of one of the pivotal scenes in the book.

I bet you dollars to donuts (I’m not sure what that phrase really means but I’ve always wanted to use it) that you have a song. One that you and your boyfriend/husband share, one that you exercise to or one that picks you up when you’re feeling down. I’d love to know what it is….so could you share??

On Black Friday that could be the first five minutes if you’re trampled by the stampede of rabid shoppers.

The day after Thanksgiving is when stores offer ridiculously deep discounts on big-ticket items in hopes that shoppers will come in droves and save them from facing financial disaster.  I am convinced that the shrewd BF shopper knows in advance what aisle their coveted prize is stored.

I’ve ventured out on one of these predawn shopping nightmares once.  It was enough for me.  People weren’t smiling and singing carols.  There was no excuse me if carts bumped.

They had blood in their eyes.  They crashed their cart into mine to get me out of their way.  They raced down the aisle like contestants in an iron man triathlon and literally grabbed  that coveted item off the shelf.

It doesn’t sweeten short tempers when the stores have maybe fifty of an item and there are two hundred shoppers.  Somebody is going to get seriously peeved, and some feel the urge to vent.  Or just grab the item out of my cart and run for the cash register. 

Just like they came, they leave.  After all, the store down the street has more items that go on sale an hour later.  They pour into cars and tear out of the lot like NASCAR drivers off pit road.

No sale is worth putting myself through the torture of Black Friday shopping.   If I feel the urge to shop that day, it’ll be online. 

What about you?  Are you a Black Friday veteran?  Do you have strategies for getting just what you want most?

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire! Happy Thanksgiving, JQ readers. I am, as ever, your humble servant. And I do mean servant. The JQs have all taken the day off to spend time with their families, while I am left here alone to work. I’ll have you know that I have a family too! Well, at least I hope to one day.

But never mind that! I wouldn’t let the Quills off that easily. Being the investigative reporter that I am, I asked the Quills a tough question today. “What romance heroine are you thankful you’re NOT?”

Ouch! Okay! So Emily asked the Quills that tough question. But here are the answers anyway.

TERRI: I’m thankful that I’m not Lydia Bennett (Pride and Prejudice) because one day I would wake up and realize that I’d stupidly ran off and married Wickham was now a no-good, gambling drunk and know my sisters married men like Darcy (who looks surprisingly like that popular English actor Colin Firth….) and Bingley (who is kind of warm and snugly)!

EMILY: I’m thankful I’m not Maddygirl from Flowers from the Storm. Yes, Christian is simply wonderful, but I don’t think I would have made a very good Quaker. I would have found the sanctimonious Cousin Edward so annoying I might have kneed him in groin.

KRISTAN: I’m thankful that I’m not Lady Katherine (Island Flame), the virginal 17 year old who is kidnapped and ravished by Captain Jonathan, a terrifying pirate whose throat I plan to slit until I, alas and o wondrous day, fall madly in love with him. Because that’s just too complicated for me.

ROBYN: I’m also thankful I’m not Bella from Twilight. While Edward is intriguing and sexy, I find it creepy that he watches me sleep and that he loves me only because he likes the way my blood smells. Not to mention he doesn’t seem bothered by the fact that I’m clumsy as hell and freakishly pale.

KATE: Hmm, I’m thankful I’m not Lizzie from Pride and Prejudice. I never would have made it to the altar with Darcy because I’d be in prison for murdering my mother.

CINDY: I’m thankful I’m not Bella Swan in Twilight because I would find it extremely hard to choose between Edward and Jacob!

KATHY: I’m very grateful not be Offred in The Handmaid’s Tale and not to live in a world where I’d be forced not to read or think or have the right to decide if I wanted to bare a child or not.

SHANA: I’m grateful I’m not Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s series. I wouldn’t want bad guys shooting at me and my cars blowing up and two hot guys fighting over me…wait a minute. Hmm. Maybe it’s not so bad to be Stephanie Plum!

JAN: I’m thankful I’m not the King’s bastard daughter Philippa de Beauchamp who is rescued from a wool wagon and then taken prisoner by rogue Dienwald de Fortenberry, for while he is charming and funny and sexy as hell, I’d knock his block off for constantly calling me his “big girl who was sure to break his back.” Even then men were clueless about the weight thing…

MARGO: So thankful I’m not Princess Leia with those awful ear-buns and the ambiguous brother (am I mistaken, but wasn’t there some chemistry between them in the first film? ew.) And Darth Vader as my dad? No thanks.

NANCY: I’m thankful I was never married to Henry VIII. Even though Jonathan Rhys Meyers has elevated the crazy king to a new level of super-sexy studliness, I prefer to keep my head intact, and would hate being married to a man who PMSed worse than I did.

CATHERINE: I’m thankful I’m not Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor from the Legend of the Seeker, a medieval/fantasy series my family and I have really enjoyed watching. Kahlan is the ideal heroine: she’s beautiful, intelligent, has magical powers, and can kick butt in a fight. However, she can’t ever be intimate with the man she loves because her magical powers will enslave him to her, and she’s not willing to take his free will. Wow. Talk about heart-wrenching story conflict.

Oh, and you want my answer? Considering it’s Turkey Day, I’m glad I’m not a turkey!

Farewell for now, dear readers!

Only one more day until our big turkey day. Are you ready? Have you done your grocery shopping? Have you chilled the wine and pre-made any of the side dishes?

Most people have that special recipe they make each holiday, or at least they have one they love that someone else makes. Like I love my mom’s cornbread dressing recipe – so tasty! I’ve even successfully made it myself a few times, but it will be so nice to have hers this year. Especially since this is actually the first Thanksgiving The Professor and I have spent with my family since we got married. Living in Tennessee made it difficult to travel so it’s so great to be living back in Texas.

Now I normally make the pies in the family as well as my sweet potato casserole. Several years ago I found a recipe that I’ve tweaked a little and I make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas and everyone in my family loves it. Even those who don’t normally like sweet potatoes. A fair warning though if you don’t like really decadent sweet potato casseroles that taste more like they should be severed in a crust with some cool whip on top, then feel free to pass on this recipe. But I wanted to share it in case anyone wanted to try it this holiday.

Robyn’s Famous Sweet Potato Casserole

4 cups sweet potatoes, peeled & cubed (can use 2 large cans drained)
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, beaten
¾ cup melted butter
1 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
2 cups marshmallow
1 cup coconut

Topping
1 ½ cup crushed corn flakes
½ cup brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
¾ cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 400°. In large bowl, mash potatoes. Mix in sugar, eggs, butter, evaporated milk, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Fold in marshmallows. Add coconut. Bake 20 minutes.

Mix the topping ingredients in a small bowl then crumble onto the casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes.

This year I’m making this recipe like always, but I’m lightening it up to make it more Weight Watchers friendly. I have no doubt it will be just as delicious without quite so much butter. But for those of you not watching your waistline this holiday season feel free to indulge. And the praline topping is to-do-for.

So how about you? What’s your favorite holiday recipe? Do you make it or does someone else?

So, it’s release day! Yay! The sequel to Before I Wake is officially on shelves, so to celebrate the release of DARK SIDE OF DAWN, I thought I’d post some dream interpretations. Personally, I believe the meaning of a dream is a personal thing, but there have been tons of books on the subject, and we’re all human so there are bound to be some common denominators.

Abduction

To dream of being abducted, indicates that you are being controlled by your circumstances or by someone. OR you’re the heroine of a historical romance hoping that rakish hero finally notices that you’ve left your bedroom window unlocked.

Baggage

To see or carry baggage in your dream, refers to the problems and things that you are carrying on your shoulders and weighing your down. OR you’re a historical romance heroine and this seems to be the hero’s pet name for you.

Celebrities

To dream that you are having sex with a celebrity, indicates your drive to be successful. Consider what movies you associate this celebrity with or what makes this celebrity famous for clues as to where and what you want to achieve success in. OR Gerard Butler, Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt are hot and you’re doing research even as you sleep. What a good author you are!

Dartboard

To see a dartboard in your dream, indicates that you are feeling hostility from someone. You  need to express your anger and feelings more directly. Alternatively, the dartboard may symbolize a goal that you are aiming for. You need to try and take a shot at something new and overcome your fear of failure. OR You just got a bad review and that dartboard has the reviewer’s face on it.

Eel

To see an eel in your dream, indicates that you have issues with commitment. It also means that you have problems holding on to things. OR it means your plot has so many twists and turns even you don’t understand it.

Fire Drill

To dream of a fire drill, represents something where you need to devote more attention to. Something requires your immediate action. OR your hero is a fireman. With a big hose.

Genie

To see a genie in your dream, represents your creative and mind power. OR he’s a sexy genie and you write paranormal. Not to be confused Jeanie.

Hemorrhoids

To dream that you have hemorrhoids, indicates difficulties in accepting who you are and loving yourself. Alternatively, it suggests that you are suppressing your thoughts and feelings. OR you’ve been in that office chair too long, darling. Time to get up, even if deadline looms.

Ice Cube

To make or see ice cubes in your dream, symbolizes your frigid emotions. Alternatively, it suggests that you need to cool off. You are letting your temper get out of hand. OR it all depends on where the ice cube is, and who’s holding it.

Junk

To see junk in your dream, symbolizes your need to get rid of and discard old ways of thinking and old habits. OR you’ve reached that point in your manuscript where you think the entire thing is garbage.

To dream that you are taking part in karaoke, suggests that you are acting too overly confident in your abilities or in your accomplishments. Alternatively, you may not be utilizing your talents to its fullest potential. OR you’re practicing your Rita speech.

Lagoon

To see a lagoon in your dream, denotes that there is a misunderstanding and doubt in what you are saying. Alternatively, it symbolizes stagnant emotions. OR your characters are trapped on an island with plenty of coconut oil but very little clothing…

Madonna

To see the Madonna in your dream, symbolizes the mystical mother and the giver of life. She represents blessings, purity and virginal love. Alternatively, this image signifies feminine power and change. OR you’ve spent waaay too much time praying for a higher print run.

Naked

To dream that you are naked, denotes the fear of being found out and exposed about your activities and misjudgment. OR you’re having one of your celebrity dreams again…

To dream that you suddenly discover your nudity and are trying to cover up, signifies your vulnerability to a situation.

Ogre

To see an ogre in your dream, signifies self-criticism and discipline. OR you’ve had THAT copy editor again.

Page

To see or read a page in your dream, signifies a summary of your life. Alternatively, it suggest that you are on the rebound from a broken relationship. OR deadline is two weeks away and you still have 50 000 words to write.

To see a blank page in your dream, suggests that you are not doing anything with your life. You are stagnant and feel that you are going nowhere.

Quarry

To see a quarry in your dream, indicates that you have dug yourself into an emotional hole. OR a plot hole, which you’re secretly hoping will fill with water and drown your characters so you don’t have to write about them anymore.

Romance

To dream of romance, suggests that you need to be more affectionate in your waking life. Perhaps you are longing for more romance in your personal relationship. OR you’ve turned in your book, have already forgotten how many teeth were pulled in the writing of it and are already plotting your next masterpiece.

Scarecrow

To see a scarecrow in your dream, indicates depression. You are going through some crisis in your life. OR you went to the bookstore in sweats and no makeup — and were recognized by fans. With cameras.

Tassels

To see tassels in your dream, foretells that you will attain and reach your goals and ambitions. OR you’ve taken up burlesque dancing just in case this writing thing doesn’t work out.

Uniform

To dream that you or others are in uniform, signifies your need to belong or be part of a group.Alternatively, the dream may suggests that you are conforming too much to the beliefs of others.  OR you just finished watching the entire run of Horatio Hornblower (or Sharpe) on DVD.

Vampire

To see a vampire in your dream, symbolizes seduction and sensuality, as well as fear and death. The vampire represents contrasting images of civilized nobility and aggression/ferocity. Vampires also sometimes relate to decisions about sex and losing your virginity.  OR … wait, this one’s pretty much bang on. And you thought vampire romance was on it’s way out.

Wager

To dream that you are wagering on something, represents a risk that you may be taking in some waking situation. In a sense, life can be a gamble. OR, you’re that Regency heroine again, and the hero’s just made you the talk of White’s.

Xylophone

To dream of seeing a xylophone, foretells you will achieve your greatest ambitions with recognition and honor. OR… I’ve got nothing.

Yeti

To see a yeti in your dream, suggests that you need to learn to find balance between your reasonable, rational side and your emotional, instinctual nature. OR you’re desperately trying to find a new race of shape shifters to sell to your editor.

Zoo

To dream that you are at a zoo, symbolizes loss of freedom. Your abilities and talents are going unnoticed. You or an aspect of your life feels caged in. OR you’re at at RT/RWA (pick your association) annual conference and you’ve had one too many martinis.

* All non-romance interpretations shamefully and unapologetically lifted from dreammoods.com Romance related silliness is purely my attempt to avoid real work.

Any dream interpretations YOU would like to share?

I’ve been having a really busy summer and fall, keeping one eye on the calendar moving ever forward and at the same time blissfully ignoring it.  All summer I was waiting for August and my trip to Scotland. Then I was pushing August to move so I could leave. Then, once in Scotland and in spite of using my willpower, I discovered that I cannot control the flow of time to make it slow down when I want! And visiting places like this….I really did want time to stop.

Then I was back and out of town again…on what I call my husband’s consolation prize trip — you see he has no love of historical places like I do, so having him accompany me to Scotland would have inflicted needless pain on both of us. So, he stayed home while I ‘researched’ in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.  But he does like cruises — so we went on the Caribbean Princess and visited Bermuda, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Thomas and San Juan.   This is just one of the lovely beaches where I managed to grab some R&R during our cruise….

Then real life hit and I’ve been running at full speed, trying to stay ahead of life in general, but I’m really looking forward to this week and Thanksgiving.  And, I think it will even be better this year because I’m not having my usual 20-25 dinner guests! I’ve decided to ease back and only have my immediate family so we’re down to about 10 – gosh, we’ll all be able to sit down at one table and the same time!

And, I may be able to have some leftovers (the best part of cooking Thanksgiving dinner to me)! 

I found a really great evil recipe for something that uses leftover turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing — check out the recipe on Food TV –   http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/turkey-balls-recipe/index.html —mmmmmmm!  I’m hoping that there will be extra turkey gravy to pour over these when I make them.

But before I begin to drool, I did want to take a moment and share a few things I am thankful for as the day approaches.

I’m thankful for my family who has been incredibly supportive in my writing life as well as during this last year as I’ve been on a weight-loss program (now you know why I’m craving things like turkey balls! LOL!).

I’m thankful for my friends, especially my writing friends, who have encouraged me during the hectic and dark times and celebrated with me in the good times.

I’m thankful to my editors who have been my partners in this writing experience. . . and thankful that I had the chance, though a much too brief one, to work with the phenomenal Kate Duffy before she passed away.

I’m thankful for my readers who have made all my efforts feel appreciated — through buying my books, visiting my website, posting on blogs (like this one!), stopping in at booksignings, emailing and writing to me.

I’m thankful for my coworkers in my ‘real life’ job for backing me when I need to shift my work schedule or go onto my binges of deadline writing (um…that’s the two weeks before every writing deadline/due date that I have!).

There’s more but I think that’s enough for now….How about you? What are the one or two things that you’re most thankful over this last year?  Post a comment to let me know and I’ll pick a couple at random to win an autographed copy of my July Harlequin Historical, THE CONQUEROR’S LADY,  or my newest book, A STORM OF PASSION, which hits the shelves tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Terri

Terri is also running a website contest to celebrate the release of her first BRAVA romance. Since it’s set in the Hebrides Islands which were ruled by the Vikings at the time, she’s found some cute Viking t-shirts to give away….along with books and some Scottish souvenirs (no, unfortunately not men-in-kilts!). Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com and click on Contest to enter.

Congratulations Jane!

You’re the winner of the Anthea Lawson book. Please email them at anthea@anthealawson.com and give them your contact information.

Thanks to all who posted!!

 Most people don’t think of writing as a team anything. We carry the image of the writer alone, struggling with unyielding pages, or tap-tapping into the night, driven by inspiration and caffeine. Writing is a solitary profession, right?

 Not if you’re married to your co-author!

 As a couple writing romance together, there is nothing lonely about it. In fact, sometimes we could each wish for a little *less* input into the process (grins). But like any other team sport, we each take the role we’re best suited for. Anthea is our historical researcher and the one that stares down the blank page and powers through first drafts. She also writes the spicy scenes (it is woman’s fiction, after all). Lawson is the plot fixer, dialogue shaper, and the sneaky inserter of quirky characters like the man in the bottle-green coat in our first book Passionate and the villainous sportsman in All He Desires. Always we talk, talk, talk about the characters and the story, growing it through a dialogue that stretches over weeks and months. It’s not always easy, but even when we disagree, we know that together we write better books then either of us could alone. Our goals are the same: to write in the big leagues and tell stories that sweep readers away to another place and time.

Our writing process is a social one, but we are not alone in that. We know many writers – published and pre-published – who have all kinds of players on their team. Critique groups, writing partners, RWA chapters, on-line loops. And yes, sometimes even spouses.

 We’d love to give away a copy of our brand new book, ALL HE DESIRES, to one lucky commenter. Tell us — Who keeps you going, who is on your home team?

 Anthea Lawson is the pseudonym for a husband-wife team who write spicy Victorian romance. Their debut novel, PASSIONATE, was nominated for a Best First Book RITA in 2009, and their newest book, ALL HE DESIRES, is being called “luscious”, “sweeping” and “a powerful love story.” Find them on FaceBook (Anthea Lawson), follow them on twitter (AntheaLawson) and visit their website (www.anthealawson.com) for all their latest news!

We’ve all know someone who’s totally butchered the lyrics to a song. Not us, of course, but maybe a family member or a close, personal friend. Someone who was belting out a tune – in total rock star mode - when it happens –“WAIT! What did you say?… NO!  That’s not how the song goes! Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha!!”

They’ve bungled the lyrics.

For me, the most delightful episode of misheard lyrics happened when my daughter was three. I was working in my office. She was playing quietly by herself in her room when she started to sing. Her sweet little voice carried down the hall, and the song went like this:

“You’re a grandma flag,

You’re a hot flying flag,

And forever in peace may she wave.

You’re the emblem of the land I love,

the home of the tree by the lake.

Every heart beats true for the red, white and blue

And there’s never a loaf of bread.

May all the Lincolns be forgot,

Keep your eye on the grandma flag.”

I nearly wet my pants.

Seriously.  I had to clasp my hand over my mouth to keep from ha-ha-ha’ing out loud. Once I contained myself, I walked into her room.

“Whatcha singing?” I asked.

“A song I learned in school,” she said.

“Really?  Sing it for me again.”

And she did.  With gusto.

Exactly as I’d heard it.

Lincolns and all.

To this day it’s my favorite misheard lyrics story. Even better than my high school friend singing, “HAM ON RYE” when Kenny Logins sang, “I’M ALRIGHT.” Or when a girl at a party was belting out, “YOU GOTTA DANCE TO THE LEFT, DANCE TO THE RIGHT…” as Jimmy Buffet sang, “YOU’VE GOT FINS TO THE LEFT, FINS TO THE RIGHT.” (She even had her own little dance to go with her imagined lyrics)

It even aced the time someone I know sang, “STOP! In the NEIGHBORHOOD before you break my heart.” When everyone knows Diana Ross says, “STOP! In the NAME OF LOVE before you break my heart.”  To me, it’s even better than the king of bungled lyrics - that line from Jimmy Hendricks’ “Purple Haze,” “Excuse me while I kiss THIS GUY” when it should be “Excuse me while I kiss THE SKY.”

Okay, if I’m telling on everyone else, I suppose it’s only fair to fess up. It happened to me the other day.  As a general rule, I don’t sing in public, because… well, I just don’t. If you heard me you’d understand. But I’m a diva in the car, and I was singing along to Jordan Sparks’s song, “Battlefield.”

Total bungle.

You’d think the title – BATTLEFIELD – would’ve clued me in, but rather than, “Why does love always feel like a BATTLEFIELD.” I heard and sang a heartfelt, “Why does love always feel like it’s BAD FOR YOU.” That was forgivable, but when she got to the part where she sings, “Go get your ARMOR.” I could’ve sworn she said, “Go get your MAMA.”    <hanging head in shame>

For my daughter, it was ultimate payback time for the mileage I’d gotten out of her “Grandma Flag.”  Not only did she Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha, she pointed her finger at me and clutched the area where her belly would be if she had one.  Touché.  

How about you? Have you ever misheard lyrics or know of someone who has? Share it with us so we can all ha-ha together.