July 18, 2008

How to Host a Murder

This past weekend our neighbors hosted a “How to Host a Murder” party. Have you ever played?

Verrrry fun. And if you play it while dining, it becomes a whole party experience.

So, for those of you who may be scratching your heads, here are the rules…

You get a character and a playbook. I think there were nine characters in our game - so nine players each with his/her own book. The playbook gives your character synopsis and perhaps one or two unsavory traits about your character that you might want to keep quiet. You do not share the contents of your book with any other character. And you do not turn the page until told to do so.

After you read your synopsis, it’s game on! The murder scenario is read from the view of the police/Scotland Yard/etc. Clues abound in the scenario. A map is also provided of the grounds/house/train/plane (wherever you scenario is taking place) so that you can visually track clues and character or victim movements as they are revealed. Four rounds are played, each round revealing new clues about each player and what they observed during the time/weekend surrounding the murder (in your playbook you get a couple of clues that you MUST share with the others - which means that sometimes other people reveal unsavory things/actions about your character too). As a character it is your job to try and put people off your scent (you don’t know IF you did it until the end though!) without lying. No lying allowed. But it is quite fun to try and explain sketchy actions and redirect attention elsewhere, all the time questioning other people and putting the clues together as to who YOU think did it.

At the end of the four rounds everyone takes a guess as to who they think did it. After the guessing/accusations are complete, each character turns to the last page in her booklet and reads a synopsis of her character’s less savory aspects and actions, how she “might” have done it had she really done it, and then gives her motivation. The murderer is revealed when the last person reads.

So, have you played before? Or played a similar type of game (like Mafia)? What did you think?

June 10, 2008

In the interim…

Shirley’s post will be up later today, but in the interim, I thought you might enjoy/scratch your head at this:

June 5, 2008

Loldogs

Because the puppies out there deserve some lolz too.

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May 9, 2008

Lolcat Friday - part tres

For your end of the week pleasure…

Wishing everyone a happy weekend!!!

May 1, 2008

Three Nights of Sin released

I have been very excited about the release of this book, and now that it’s here…I don’t know what to say! So, I’ll include the back cover blurb and a snippet from the book and just leave it at that until I recover my tongue in order to give the historical background and behind the scene snippets. If you have any questions about the book, please ask! I’ll make sure to check the comments frequently.

Back cover blurb:

Three nights of danger . . .

When her brother was arrested for murder, the ton shut its doors to Marietta Winters. No one would help her save him from the gallows - no one but Gabriel Noble. In exchange for taking the case, Gabriel requests three favors from the desperate young beauty, and Marietta has no other choice but to make a deal with the sinfully handsome devil.

Three nights of pleasure . . .

Searching for clues in the rough underbelly of London, Marietta must masquerade as a shamelessly wanton wench - much to Gabriel’s delight. But Marietta swears to herself that her passionate moans are just for show. She could never fall in love with such a maddening, arrogant, seductive stranger . . . could she?

Three nights of sin . . .

Night after night, she satisfies his wicked cravings. But soon Gabriel wants more from Marietta than just three nights of sin - and even a sordid secret in his past won’t prevent him from trying to possess her forever.

Small Excerpt:

“You asked for my help, Miss Winters.”

Her fingernails dug into her left palm. She picked up the journal, shaking it in his direction. “Were you going to give me this if I hadn’t walked in on the two of you?”

“And here I thought you trusted me.” His voice was nonchalant.

“I don’t trust you at all. A sin would be less dangerous.”

He was suddenly squatting in front of her, having moved too quickly for her to react. He ran his thumb over the leather top of the journal, the tip brushing her fingers.

“That’s a shame, Marietta.” His voice held the low hum of an ocean wave at night. “If you don’t trust me, your brother is going to hang.” His fingertips moved along the side of her hand and then lifted. The most dangerous man she’d ever met crouched in front of her. “And I guarantee that you will still be serving me. Three services. Three tasks. Three nights of sin?”

April 21, 2008

Neighborhood pests - aka The Mockingbird

Raccoons, opossums, deer, rabbits…neighborhood pests can often be classified by what gets into your trash, your vegetables, or your begonias. But there is a more foul foe about — the mockingbird. Oh, this little bird may look small and sweet, but inside it packs the lungs of a first tier opera singer, one of those shrieking eels from The Princess Bride, and a jackhammer. “Look at the pretty bird!” you might say. Or, “Oh, what a beautiful melody!” But put one of those feathery sociopaths outside your window at 12am and have it sing nonstop for 10 hours, and we’ll see how lovely you find it!

When we first moved here it was fall, and the street was blessedly silent at night. Perhaps the hoot of an owl, the rustle of the trees, or the sporadic noise of a car might sound at night. Then spring came. Mating season. Mockingbird season. Our first guy lasted from February to June laboring in 12 hour shifts from 11pm to 11am. Sometimes he would sing longer. And his vocal range! Truly a talented little featherbrain. He had at least 60 different songs that lasted for a mere 5 seconds each - every one of them loud enough to pierce your soul. A never ending buffet that promised heaping plates of stinging variety. One can never grow bored of a mockingbird.

I nearly pulled my hair out that spring.

Last year we were spared a mockingbird (blissful silence!), but this year they were on the rebound and we were gifted with one that I have to assume is an immature. He only has a handful of songs, and he bops from one place to another. He is ours from 4:30am to 5:15. I had started to think unkind thoughts about the fluffball until the other night when a terrible ruckus was raised and all of a sudden we had a fully matured piercer singing his three dozen tunes outside our window. He stayed ALL night. The horror! He had chased away our pre-pubescent mockingbird! Needless to say, darkness descended.

But thankfully the little guy is back! Our little 45 minute wonder is at it again and boy, am I relieved. Because at least with him on duty we get two or three song repeats (much easier to lull to sleep) and 45 minute shifts. So rock on, little mockingbird. I hope you soon find a young mockingbird lady friend to date!

I’ve taken the tactic of just enjoying him - I can do that for 45 minutes. But honestly, I do not want one of those hundred song singing wonders again! And as they are protected by law, there is not much to be done other than to do this - or

Anyone else have experience with mockingbirds? Or other pesky beasties? Any tricks to tame them? Or ways you’ve learned to coexist peacefully?

March 26, 2008

RITA finalist Shana Galen!

Come in and celebrate Shana’s RITA nomination for Blackthorne’s Bride! Party inside!

If you are saying, “RITA, what?”, then here is a link that might help with the explanation. Go, Shana!!! Go Blackthorne’s Bride! Yay!

March 21, 2008

Lolcat Friday - part deux

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February 29, 2008

Readers’ Groups & Leap Year Babies

I went to a really fun readers’ group at the Los Gatos Borders last night. It was my first time attending a readers’ group and I must say that I plan to go again! Everyone frankly discussed books that they had read and made recommendations to the others based on likes and dislikes. It is super interesting to hear other people speak frankly about the books they’ve read. A little like lurking in a messageboard but with the intimacy of actually seeing the people and reading their expressions and body language. Veronica Wolff signed copies of her debut novel Master of the Highlands and we all got to talk books, trends and some off topic craziness.

Is anyone part of a readers’ group online or locally? Or are you looking for one?

And, of course, it’s leap year today. Anyone a leap year baby or related to one? Happy Leap Year, you every 4 year wonders!

February 11, 2008

Lolcat Monday

Some fun lolcats to start your week off with a smile.

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