I have a love-hate relationship with autumn, I must confess. I do enjoy these colder nights, grabbing a sweater on my way out the door, the first brush of color on the maple leaves, the way the field grasses turn gold in the slant of fading light.  I enjoy snuggling in with the hubby and my softest blanket and watching the brand-new seasons of a few favorite shows captured on the DVR. I love football and the scent of woodsmoke from my neighbors’ fire and crunching through fall leaves.

Don’t even get me started on the delights of the harvest. Fresh apples (Honeycrisp. Try them. Trust me! You can thank me later). Russets tossed from the ground to the oven to bake. The adorable Jack-be-Little pumpkins I’ve already scattered around my house for decorations (the only thing that really grew well for me this year, for some strange reason!).

The kids are back in school, the days seem more settled, we’re finding our routine for the year. Good things, right?

But fall also tends to turn me pensive. I think about all the beach time we didn’t log, all the camping trips we planned to take but couldn’t quite manage, the perfect summer evenings I wasted stressing about the work I had to do or the appointments I needed to schedule when I should have been sitting out on the patio savoring the first glimmer of stars in a warm cloudless sky. As the days grow shorter, I am always haunted by more than just the cute white kitchen garbage bag ghosties hanging in my neighbor’s tree. I am filled with regret for another summer I didn’t enjoy as much as I should have.

While I do love the scents and sights of autumn, there is also always this vague sense of impending doom <g>. I really dread winter. Okay, not quite true. I love November and December, with fresh snow and my giggling kids and the fun and craziness of the holiday season. January and February, on the other hand, have me wishing I home-schooled and my husband also had a portable job so we could pack up and head south somewhere and escape the cold. It doesn’t help that I live in what is perennially the iciest spot in a state known for its spectacular snow!

What about you? What’s your favorite part of autumn? Bobbing for apples? Curling up by the fire with a good book? I’d love to know what you’re most anticipating … or dreading too! I’ll give away a copy of my latest release from Silhouette Special Edition, A COLD CREEK BABY, to one respondent. 

Must the Rake be Tamed?

I want to thank Margo Maguire for inviting me to post here. It’s an honor to have my thoughts appear among those of so many excellent authors.

There’s no getting around the appeal of the bad boy hero: Dark and dangerous, the most infamous rake in England, an abandoned libertine–if you’re like me, you need only see these words on a cover blurb to reach for your wallet. While others may prefer spies or wealthy dukes, no hero interests me more than the man who, heedless of society’s strictures explores the outer limits of his sexuality 

So when I set out to write the Regency set novel that became Lord Lightning that was the kind of hero I chose to write about. The man society has nicknamed Lord Lightning in tribute to his shocking behavior has behaved so badly he is forever barred from polite society. He is famed for his cold heart and his boast that he will never give his heart to a woman for even a single moment.  He is also, like most bad boy heroes, witty and devastatingly charming, exuding sexual power from every pore.

But what sets him apart from a thousand other heroes of historical romance is this: My hero really is a rake, and as Lord Lightning unfolds he continues to act like one. Unlike so many supposedly rakish heroes, he is not a very nice man pretending to be a rake. He is not misunderstood. The transgressions for which society has excluded him are real.          

Nor does he instantly fall in love as soon as the heroine, the gently bred amateur astrologer, Eliza Farrell, appears on his horizon. For from it. Her confidence that his astrological chart shows him to be a man who needs to love and be loved annoys him, and he sets out at once to prove her wrong.

This should be easy, as Eliza is destitute and easily lured into his bed.  It should be a simple matter to seduce and abandon her, but even her trusting response to his sexual predation does not make him fall in love with her.  We are not following the usual script here at all.

It is only when Eliza gives Lord Lightning a taste of his own medicine—and behaves in ways that are never what he expects –showing herself as capable as he is of outrageous behavior—that he begins to find her interesting. But even then, it is a toss up whether Eliza’s astrological art will transform the notorious rake into a better man or his seductive skills that will transform her.

It’s always been a pet peeve of mine that in most rake stories the heroine falls in love with the bad boy hero and joins him in an adventure filled with forbidden, edgy sex, but by the end of the story this wild, exciting man’s love for the heroine traps them both in a conventional marriage. We find them in the sequel dwelling in their comfortable home surrounded by perfect children—living the same life the heroine would have had if she’d married a nice man who had never thumbed his nose at the rules of the society. The author may wish us to believe this domesticated pair is still having the same kind of earth shaking sex they had when they were strangers taking bold sexual risks, but I don’t buy it.  

So that isn’t kind of ending you’ll find in Lord Lightning. Though the delicious man who loves to shock will, by the end of the story, find happiness with his Eliza, it won’t be because she’s turned him into a nice suburban husband. For before Eliza can finally find happiness, she will have to accept that she loves Lord Lightning for what he has always been—in all his rakish glory—as much as she loves the “better” man he has become. And I hope that when you read Lord Lightning you will, too!

You can read an excerpt from Lord Lightning at Jenny Brown’s website.

Do you believe a truly dark and dangerous hero can be domesticated? Should he be? Post your comments here. One lucky commenter will win a signed copy of Lord Lightning.

I just finished watching Dancing with the Stars and enjoying every single minute of it. I don’t know why I love that show so much but I do. My sister calls it “junk tv” and I get where she’s coming from. I’m not learning anything while watching the show. Or am I?

I get a chance to actually learn about people who I wouldn’t ordinarily have a clue about. One of them is the girl from THE HILLS. I’m sorry I have no idea what her name is but she’s very pretty and a very good dancer. I get to see behind the scenes in the life of Jennifer Grey who I do like and enjoy watching every week. I have gotten to see another side to Mr. Kurt Warner.

Beyond that I have learned about a world of dancing that frankly I thought was boring before I watched this show. Before my grandmother’s death she used to go to Hallendale to the ballroom dancing competition held there. And she’d get dressed up in a ballgown and my grandfather would wear his tux and I thought what is so exciting about watching couples doing ballroom dances, if I’d only known then what I know now!

It is sexy and steamy some times. It is romantic and touching at others. It is everything that good romance is!

So what about you? Have you ever been surprised to find yourself liking something that you thought you wouldn’t?

Katherine

As I have freely admitted on this blog before…okay, just those words alone have my sister Quills wincing. Last time I made an honest confession, one of them politely suggested that our readers don’t need to know everything about my process. I believe this was  in reference to the blog in which I admitted to making out with my hand in order to get the first kiss scene just right. Well, too bad, girls! Here we go again!

I recently moved my office. Up until a few weeks ago, my office was a ten-foot square room in our basement…no heat, no windows, more than its fair share of mold, despite my best efforts. I had a space heater, a bookcase and a bowl of Hershey Nuggets with almonds. But no more! I said a fond(ish) farewell to the Pit of Despair, as I called it, and moved above ground.

Now I get to work in daylight, gang! I have windows—plural! And not just that…it’s an entire, if very tiny, apartment. Little bitty kitchen, bathroom, and a nice sunny room with two skylights. Right now, it’s furnished with a chair, a table and a lamp…oh, and yes, a bowl of Hershey Nuggets with almonds. I have no phone and no wifi, which cuts down on the distractibility factor, not to mention no laundry beckoning, no weeds taunting me. And it’s just down the street a little bit, so the commute is on a woodsy path through the lovely back yard of my neighbor’s house.

But the best feature is the absolute privacy. Previously, if I was (just for an example) making out with my hand, I had to worry that McIrish might wander in and give that puzzled, disappointed stare he’s mastered over the years. Now, though, I have a whole apartment in which to walk, talk, laugh, cry, etc. I can stand in a doorway. Sit on a counter. Roll on the carpet if I want to.

This makes it much easier to get into the spirit of my latest book. In fact, I sort of feel like I’m single again.  And not just single…sort of like I’m dating someone who very much resembles this guy. Froooww! My character’s name is Liam. I know! Do you love it? The first thing I do when arriving at the apartment is gaze upon a few photos of Mr. Hottie here. Okay, okay. More than a few. More like…fourteen. At any rate, Liam and I talk, bicker, exchange insults. We may even kiss pretty soon (well…you know what I mean). Am I forty-five years old, married for nearly 20 years? Yep. So?

Recently, McIrish came over to check in. He heard voices (well, a voice, anyway). “Hey, hon,” he said. “How’s it going?”

“I’m terribly busy and very important,” I answered.

“Who are you talking to?” he asked.

“My boyfriend,” I replied. “Leave us. We’re in love.”

“Do you want lunch?” my sainted husband asked, clearly unfazed.

“Okay,” I said. Because, as wonderful as Liam may be, he has yet to make me a sandwich.

Too Good To Be True, my fourth novel and winner of the 2010 Romance Writers of America RITA Award, is about a woman who pretends to be in a relationship. I can totally see where she gets it.

Have you ever made up a boyfriend? Imagined yourself in a scene from a book? Come on…be honest. Haven’t we all been Scarlett on the road to Tara, listening to Rhett ask for a kiss? Which scene in a book or movie really made you want to be that woman in that particular moment? Do tell!

My husband and I were talking about old, scary movies the other night. We quickly realized we haven’t seen very many and none of them recently.

Old movies are fairly tame compared to their modern counterparts. I confess, I’m a real wuss when it comes to scary-anything. I’ve been known to shut off the DVD player or flip the television channel if I think a character I care about is going to be hurt/killed. I also do that with books. If they get too scary, I shut the book and never reopen it.

How about you? Do you like scary movies and books?

I’d also like to know the scariest movie you’ve ever seen (so I can make sure never to see it) and/or what book kept you up at night (in fear) .

This is a special week for me. Tomorrow is my baby’s first birthday, and in 10 days my new book, The Making of a Gentleman will be in stores.

I’m so excited about both events, but the thing that really makes this new book special is—

Jaunty: I’m here! So sorry I’m late!

Shana: Jaunty, you’re interrupting my blog.

Jaunty: How can I be interrupting? I am the blog. And, you haven’t introduced me. Ahem. This is Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire!

Shana: Jaunty, everyone knows who you are. Go away!

Jaunty: Well, someone hasn’t eaten her pine nuts this morning. I can’t go away. I haven’t interviewed you yet.

Shana: What are you talking about? What interview?

Jaunty: The interview we always do for your new books. I’m here to interview you about The Making of a Porcupine.

Shana: No. Oh, no. Jaunty, we are not doing this. Not this time.

Jaunty: What do you mean?

Shana: I mean, every time we try to do an interview, you make it all about you. You try to find out if there are any porcupines in the book or if the book was based on you. You talk all about yourself, and no one learns anything about my book.

Jaunty: That’s not true!

Shana: Oh, really? Then what’s your first question?

Jaunty: Let me see…Oh! How did I influence…er, that’s no good. Um…what porcupines…ahh…

Shana: I knew it! We’re not doing an interview about The Making of a Gentleman. Not this time.

Jaunty: We’ll see about that.

Shana: Yes, we will. Check back October 5th for the release blog that is not an interview.

Jaunty: Check back October 5th for the release blog that is an interview!

So, it’s no secret that I love makeup, right? Well, I’m popping my head up from working on the next Kady Cross book to share my excitement over a recent batch of cosmetic making supplies I ordered. I thought to celebrate, I’d share with you all a very easy way to make your own lip gloss! Here are some things you’ll need:

Vaseline (or no name petroleum jelly)

bee’s wax (You can get this at a craft store)

castor oil (optional)

flavoring (dig out your baking supplies — although non clear flavors will darken the gloss)

colorant — micas, dyes (FDA approved!), kool aid, old lipstick…

containers (little pots or tubes, depending on consistency) You can get them, and other supplies HERE.

microwave safe container or double boiler

Before you begin, dampen a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol and use it to clean the inside of the pot you plan to pour your lip gloss into. If you’re using a wand and tube or pen style container, put a couple of drops of alcohol in it and swish around, then empty.

Okay, so the amount of ingredients you use depends on how solid or thin you want the gloss. If you want something that you put in a windup pen or squeeze tube, you’ll want to use more jelly and oil. If you want to put the gloss in tubs, you’ll want more wax.

So, for a nice normal lip gloss with a lot of shine and a little firmness — the kind I’d put in a pot, I want to use probably equal amounts of jelly and wax. I eyeball most of this, so I’ll say we’ll use half a tablespoon of wax and half a tablespoon of petroleum jelly to make the base. Put these in your microwave container or double boiler and melt with/over low heat until blended and liquid. Remove from heat.

As the mixture starts to cool, add your color. I have colorants I purchased from TKB Trading that have a little castor oil in them, so I don’t add oil to this recipe. If you use dry colorant, you might want to add oil, but it’s not necessary. Typically I’ll put in some colorant oil and then mica. BUT if you’re doing this for fun and don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can use an old lipstick. You know when you get to the bottom of a tube, there’s always a good amount left below that rim. Use a toothpick or something to scoop it out. Add it to your mixture when it’s still on the stove, or before you pop it in the microwave.

Stir the colored mixture until it begins to cool (you’ll see it start to thicken or harden on the sides of melt container), add a couple of drops of flavor of choice — I like cherry or vanilla — then pour it into your pot or alternate container. Pop the pot into the fridge or freezer to harden the gloss.

Wipe out melt container with paper towel while the stuff inside is still warm — it’s easier to clean that way!

This is just one way to make your own lipgloss. A web search will yield all kinds of different recipes, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Lots of places, such as TKB sell premixed bases so all you have to do is melt and add color. Shea butter and beeswax makes a great lip balm, or you can use petroleum jelly all by itself. It really can be as simple as petroleum jelly and Koolaid to as complex as several kinds of oils and waxes blended with specialty colorants and micas. It’s really up to you. Mica will make a much lighter color but give a little shimmer. For deeper hues, a colorant or dye is needed.

If you don’t like to play and see how things turn out, there are plenty of simple lip gloss recipes out there. Just do a web search and see which one works for you!

So that’s my lip gloss post. Anyone have their own recipes to share? Or is there another kind of makeup you’re interesting in trying to make but not sure where to start? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

I’m taking two days out of my schedule of work, family, writing and other commitments this week to attend an industry tradeshow in Atlantic City. I’ll be participating to promote the romance genre and to meet booksellers from all over the mid-Atlantic region.

I’ve attended this tradeshow (one of six regional shows) for the past 11 years or so and it’s a great chance for an author to meet with and promote their new or upcoming books to the people who can/will handsell them to readers. And I get to just talk books with people who love them and live them every day!

Last year, I managed to claim an advanced copy of one of my newest favorite author’s books – The 13th Hour by Richard Doetsch. I admit it – I coveted that book, hoping it would be there and it was…three months before it would hit the stores (and the lists!). This year, I’m not really coveting any particular book but will wait and walk and browse the floor, finding out what’s hot and what’s promising. I can’t wait to find a treasure among the hundreds of books.

So…are there any books you’re waiting for? Any favorite author whose next book is highly-anticipated…by you? Post a comment and I’ll pick two people to receive a ‘treasure’ from my visit to NAIBA and a copy of one of my books which I hope is highly-anticipated, too!

‘

Terri is highly-anticipating the second book in her STORM trilogy from Kensington Brava – A STORM OF PLEASURE – which hits the shelves on September 28. There’s a new book trailer and some signings to celebrate so visit her website for more info – www.terribrisbin.com

Have you ever been told you look like someone famous? You see these things in magazines all the time, people who resemble famous people. It’s always something of interest to me for some reason or another. When I was younger people told me that I looked like DJ on Full House, of course I’m a smidgen older than Candance Cameron so I maintain if there was any resemblance at all, she looked like me.

I’ve never found any famous person that I think The Professor looks like, though I do think his eyes are very similar to Gary Sinese so I find myself fond of him as an actor because there’s just that something about him. I think my editor looks very much like the late Brittany Murphey.

Then there are famous people that look like other famous people. Or at least sort of resemble them. So here are my random observations about that which I’m sure many of you have made as well. And sorry in advance that all of the pictures are in a column, I couldn’t get the formatting to work so they’d be side by side.

I’ve always thought Gordon Brown looked like Mr. Bean and Dan Rather’s love child – my apologies to the prime minister.

Mr. Bean

Dan Rather

Gordon Brown

They look alike, don’t they? There’s just that something that’s sort of familiar, only he’s not Brad Pitt.

Hot Brad Pitt

not so hot Brad Pitt AKA Benicio del Toro

Well, I suppose everyone has noticed the connection between these three guys. Personally I think Robert Downy Jr. is by far the most attractive, but I think that could have as much to do with his level of talent than anything physical.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Javier Bardem

Robert Downey Jr.

So how about you? Has anyone ever told you that you looked like someone famous? I have three copies of Desire Me I’m ready to put in the mail to some lucky participants.

So sings the White Rabbit in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. 

I can certainly relate.  Though I’m usually early or on time, there have been those occasions when I arrive late for an appointment or work. 

At the day job, I’ve heard just about every plausible as well as bizarre excuse there is for patients being late for their appointments to those who downright miss them entirely.  We’ve had people argue that their appointment was for another day.  That they overslept, got lost, ran late at a previous appointment, forgot where we were, to those who simply fess up and say time got away from them or they simply forgot the appointment.

Some are repentant.  Some take the who-cares attitude and will either be late or miss their next appointment (or one down the road) as well. 

One thing is for sure.  When you’re in the business of booking repeat appointments for clients/patients, it doesn’t take long to figure out which ones are repeatedly late. 

Here is an encapsulated rundown of ten top tips to avoid tardiness that might help you or that someone in your life who is always running late.

1.  Know your numbers.   Be aware and honest about how long it takes you to wake up, get going and get out the door, set your alarm allowing an extra 30 minutes.

2. Don’t get sidetracked.  Let answering machines screen calls and don’t get involved watching the morning news.

3. It only takes a minute.  In truth it never does, so allow double the time you are sure you’ll need to get there. 

4.  Use multiple alarms.  Use one to get out of bed, and another to sound off when you should be heading out the door. 

5.  Be prepared.  Get everything ready the night before an appointment (or work) so you aren’t rushing around last minutes getting ready.

6.  Give yourself extra time and forget about it.  Set your clocks 10-15 minutes ahead of time if you’re a habitually late person.

7.  You snooze you lose.  Don’t hit the snooze button, no matter how tempting.

8.  Map out your route.  Know how to get where you’re going before you head out. 

9.  Plan B.  Have an alternate route in mind in case the first one is gridlocked with traffic, construction, accidents or bad weather. 

10.  Be an early bird.  Make it a point to be 15 minutes early, giving yourself time to freshen up, have a cup of java, relax. 

I’ll admit I have employed a couple of these tips just to be on the safe side.  For me it’s a whatever works deal because I hate to be late.  What about you?  Are you always on time?  A chronically late comer?  Or an early-bird?  Please share your tips for success as well as the ones that failed you.