Sunday, December 28, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #99!

Happy holidays, my friends! Hope you've been enjoying the festivities with your loved ones! I have some terribly exciting news to share. You ready for it? Okay, here goes...Online Mating releases this week from SilkWords! It's a reader-vote story that's a steamed up version of Adventures in Online Dating, only this time there are only two bachelors to choose between. I also have a blog tour that kicks off tomorrow, so lots to look forward to! :) 

For now, we'll continue with Adventures! Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off:
“Did I miss a spot?” he asked.
            His question snapped her out of her trance. “No, I’m just...you just...you look really good.”
            That pesky, heart-fluttering smile of his grew exponentially. “I’m so relieved you’re still here. I have to admit, part of me worried you’d run for your life. I never meant to scare you. Quite the opposite, actually,” he laughed.
            “Well, mission accomplished.”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors!

Christmas has come and gone again, but it was one of the best ones yet! And with a release this week, it still feels like Christmas! Here's a gift for all of you--new cover prettiness! Wishing you all a fantastic week! :)


Sunday, December 21, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #98!

Ho, ho, ho, happy Sunday! :D 'Tis the season to read and write! Now that I'm on holidays I plan to do more of both. As for all of you, here's a pre-Christmas present in the form of another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating!

First, here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

After the vote last week, the majority of you wanted Sydney to give Charlie a chance, so here's their date continued....

Sydney and her annoying conscience decided it was better to write a note before fleeing without a trace—one of those charming ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ varieties. Just as she finished scribbling her thoughts and feelings on a napkin, the man of the hour stepped out of the washroom and into the number one spot in her heart. Holy freaking cow. As he strode toward their table, she quickly tucked the napkin in her purse, sat up a little straighter, and stuck out her chest a little more.
            Charlie was beaming when he sat down again, a grin broader and more genuine than any make-up could do justice. His eyes were filled with wonder, like he couldn’t believe she was still there, and she hated herself for almost running out on him. 
            She could see every adorable freckle on his face now. His smiling lips looked so kissable, and his hair, dear God, his hair—auburn curls that spoke of a touch of devilishness in this delicious do-gooder.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours! The best gift of all is having your support every week and getting to participate in this wonderful world of word-sharing! Enjoy every moment! :) 

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #97!

Goooooood morning, fellow warriors! Happy Sunday to you! In last week's excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating, Charlie dashed into the washroom to remove all traces of face paint, and Sydney checked her phone to find three texts from Collin, yet another eligible bachelor. 

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt (which is slightly more than eight sentences so I could wrap up this scene), continuing from where we left off: 

She read his first text, her cheeks flaming at the blatant flirtation. The second was just as suggestive, and in the third, he flat out told her to drop any plans she might have and meet up with him ASAP. Her hormones were in overdrive. Charlie seemed like the type who took things slow, besides dive-bombing strangers with hugs; Collin knew what he wanted and wasn’t shy about saying so. Sometimes a woman found that damn appealing...which is why she was considering bolting.
            If she left now, she could start fresh with Collin. Charlie wouldn’t need to know. The very idea that she could ever bring herself to love a clown was preposterous. If she stayed, she’d give the clown false hope.
            Her fingernails danced against the tabletop. She glanced toward the washroom. Taking a long drink of her lukewarm coffee, she rose to her feet. 

So now, my dear readers, it's up to you! Do you think Syd should give Charlie a chance, or should she get out while she can and try Collin on for size? Let me know in your comment!

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors!

I've got some exciting news to report! On December 10th, I was offered a long-term teaching position at Adult High School in Ottawa, and I officially started on the 11th! Two days in, and I'm officially in love with the school, the students, and the courses I'm teaching--Physical Education and Literacy. Just one week to go till I'm on Christmas break! Wishing all of you a fantastic week ahead!! :)

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #96!

Hiya, folks! Happy Sunday! I'm sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating, and we're wrapping up Sydney's date with Charlie...or are we? ;)

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

She smiled and nodded her head. “I’ll wait.”
            “Okay, I’ll be right back!” In another burst of energy and enthusiasm, Charlie was off. 
            Her purse vibrated and she reached inside to retrieve her cell phone. Three texts were waiting for her, all from the same guy--Collin, bachelor number three. The one she failed to mention to Grace. There were a few reasons for that, the main one being that his profile contained less than 100 words of effort. She knew next to nothing about him, other than the fact that he was a blond-haired, blue-eyed sex magnet.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Today I'm off to a holiday potluck with the Ottawa Romance Writers of America! Looking forward to the food and festivities with this fabulous group of ladies. Wishing the rest of you a fantastic day and week ahead! :)

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #95!

Hey there, wordy friends! Welcome back! I'm sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating, and I'm delighted that for many of you, Charlie the clown has redeemed himself. Mostly. We'll see how he fares today. ;)

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

“I guess I was worried about disappointing you. This is your job, and I respect that you love what you do, I mean that, but I’d rather keep on believing you’re one of the Wiggles and not a John Wayne Gacy lookalike.
            He laughed even louder. “I can see where the fear stems from. I promise you my record’s as clean as my face will be after I go and wash off this make-up.” Charlie stood and took a step toward the washroom, then he quickly turned back to her. “Will you wait? Please say you’ll wait.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Happy almost-December! It's the most wonderful time of the year! I'm startlingly organized this year and have already purchased, or at least know what I'm purchasing, all the important people in my life. As for all of you lovely ladies and gents, you'll have to settle for virtual hugs and smooches this year. ;) Okay, maybe I'll share a few extra sentences with you. I might even have a giveaway or two this month. Stay tuned! Wishing you all a magical week ahead! 

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #94!

Hello, friends! Welcome back to another exciting weekend of the warriors who write! I'm still sharing bits and pieces from Adventures in Online Dating, and Sydney is still on her date with Charlie, the clown. I have a feeling Mr. Clown is gonna make a few new fans in the next couple weeks. ;)

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, skipping ahead a bit: 

“I so badly wanted this to work because I just...I really like you. You’re the first woman whose profile really spoke to me and—”
            “I’m afraid of clowns,” she blurted.
            Her admission brought his tangent to an abrupt halt. “What?”
            “Clowns...they scare the crap out of me.”
            Instead of reacting in hurt or anger, the man laughed—the belly-shaking, tear-forming kind of laughter. ‘Why didn’t you just say so?” he sputtered out. 

Well, he makes a good point. lol. Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Sooooo. How about that snow? Ya know, we haven't been hit too hard with the white stuff yet in Ottawa, but it's very early in the season yet. We've got another four months to go. But on the bright side...it's almost Christmas! See, we Canucks are already thinking Yuletide 'cause our Thanksgiving happened back in October. But for all the Yankees out there who'll be celebrating next week, I wish you all an incredibly happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for all of you, for the friendships we've made, the smiles, and the unfailing support. :x

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #93!

Greetings, clown lovers, haters, and in-betweeners! Happy Sunday to you! I'll share a couple more excerpts from Sydney's date with Charlie before we move on to the next 'choice'. But first, a little business....

Here's the blurb for Adventures in Online Dating: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 
“Here we are!” Charlie said as he plopped into his chair again, armed with their drinks.
            “Gah!” The enthusiasm over everything--another creepy clown characteristic. She dove for the monster-sized coffee cup and downed a quarter of it in one gulp.
            “Wow,” he said, "you really like your coffee.”
            “Uh-huh, coffee good.”
            He laughed again--not so much a maniacal laugh, but certainly a boisterous one. “So I read in your profile that you play the piano in an orchestra, and you offer lessons too. I can play the guitar, but it’s just something I picked up for my act because the kids love that stuff....”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

So today is a special someone's birthday. I think you all know her by Maggie Wells. So this is just an extra little birthday wish from me to you, Ms. Wells. Hope your day is as fabulous as you are! xoxo <3 Wishing the rest of you a fantastic week ahead! :)


Sunday, November 9, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #92!

Hi there, my friendly neighbourhood writers and readers! Happy Sunday to you! I'm sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating. Sydney has just officially met Charlie the clown. Too bad she's terrified of clowns. 

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off:
“Oh, where are my manners? What can I get you to drink?”
            “Coffee...in a vat.”
            Charlie laughed, but when she didn’t offer so much as a hint of sarcasm, he hopped to his feet and promised to order the largest size they had. 
            When he was out of sight, she exhaled all the air she’d been holding in. She was petrified of clowns--the freakish grins, the maniacal laughter, the make-up, the shoes. Why were their shoes so damn big? What the hell were they hiding in there? Human body parts, no doubt, because all clowns were serial killers.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Well, after months of waiting, I finally got an MRI on my knee this week. I've never had an MRI before, but I'd been led to believe it was a rather unpleasant experience. My experience, however, was quite the opposite. Why? First, because it occurred in a Children's Hospital, so as soon as I walked in the door, there were games and toys and splashes of colour everywhere. Second, because I got to wear a gown and pants AND keep my socks on. I'm not a big fan of being barefoot and my socks are fabulous anyway. And third, because the MRI technician lady asked if I'd like to watch an episode of Friends while the procedure was taking place. Um...yeah! I had no idea that was even possible! The wonders of technology. So I put on some headphones and then these super-cool goggles that had a screen inside them! A screen! Inside goggles! Mind = blown. The only hardship was trying to keep from giggle-squirming so she could get some good pictures of my knee. I wouldn't mind doing it all over again, but let's all hope that I never have to. Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead!! :)

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #91!

Well, hello there, you beautiful people! Happy Sunday to you! I'm back with another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating! For those who've been following along, Sydney's about to meet Charlie, one of her matches, for the very first time. The guy who claims in his profile to be a children's entertainer. But clearly that can take on multiple meanings.

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt:

The clown took three hurried strides and swept her into his arms in a way-too-friendly greeting. “It’s so nice to finally meet you!”
            “Whoa.” She closed her eyes as the shudders ran through her. It’s okay...it’s over...just don’t look at his face.
            “I’m sorry I’m a bit late. I was just at a birthday party and it ran overtime and the traffic was crazy! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.”
            She just kept staring at her hands which were shaking on her lap. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

So...dating. It's the worst. But it's the only cure for the whole singleness thing, barring a mail-order groom. In my attempts to find Mr. Right, I've dabbled in the world of online dating, tiptoed my way through Tinder, and just last weekend I tried speed dating for the very first time. I would describe the experience as exhausting, entertaining, and enlightening. In that order. I learned three valuable lessons that night: 1. The cutest boys hover around the food table. 2. Pumpkins are NOT a good conversation starter. 3. I'm a sexy beast. Follow-up to the last lesson: Over 70% of the men I dated for 8 whole minutes wished to see me again, and I received a certificate stating as such...which I might have laminated and hung on my wall. :D Wishing you all a fantastically fun and fabulous week ahead!! 

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #90!

Hey! Hi! Hello! Welcome back to another exciting week of reading, writing, and warrior-ing! Based on the votes from last week, Charlie was the top choice. For those who were hoping to see Sydney's date with Joe, worry not. You will eventually! I'm not going to show you every part of the Charlie date--just the highlights. So you ready? Let's go! 

First, here's the blurb for Adventures in Online Dating: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt! To give you a little set-up, Sydney's seated at the coffee shop waiting for Charlie to arrive. She's talking to a super-cute barista named Sam when the man of the hour makes his appearance....

The obnoxious sound of a horn blared through the room, interrupting all conversation. She peered around Sam and saw a terrifying flash of red. “Oh help,” she whispered.
            There were only two kinds of horn-toting harassers: handsy French horn players and clowns. The red nose on the latest offender confirmed he was the latter.
            Another honk of the damned horn. Closer this time. Her hands clenched into fists. When she dared to take another peek, the clown spotted her. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Well, it's most definitely been a news-worthy week here in Ottawa. I'm sure most of you have heard about the craziness that happened in our capital city. I was working on Wednesday at a school about 8 kilometres from the Parliament buildings and experienced my first lockdown. It was a very tense four hours. I'm extremely thankful that all our students remained safe and unharmed, but my heart goes out to Nathan Cirillo and his family. This country has been shaken but we haven't been broken. We're stronger now, more determined than ever to fight for our freedom to live in a world without terror and senseless violence. May we all enjoy a safe and peaceful week ahead. 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #89!

Hiiiiiii! How are you? Good? You look good. Very happy you could join me again today for another round of the WWW! I'm gonna share another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating. You ready for it? Okay!

First, here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D


And here's an excerpt, skipping ahead just a tiny bit: 

So when does Joe wanna hook up?”
            Sydney bit her lip. “Actually, he suggested a Tuesday date as well...at the same coffee shop....”
            “Oh, Syd, my dear Syd.” A smile spread from one corner of her mouth to the other. “I have never been more proud of you, you two-timing date tramp.”
            Sydney laughed. “I feel terrible. I’ll have to cancel on one of them because there’s no way I can handle two dates in one night.”
            “Well, we’ve got G.I. Joe and Wigglin’ Charlie...who’s it gonna be?” 

Time for you guys to make a choice! Do you want to read about her date with Joe or her date with Charlie? Let me know in your comment! Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Just spent the most wonderful time yesterday with the Ottawa Romance Writers of America for a workshop on good plotting and sexing led by Molly O'Keefe...who I happen to have a slight girl crush on now. She's so fun, funny, and a fountain of information. The woman gives great hug too. It's always nice when big league author folk are super-awesome people too. Makes it all the more easy to click that 'buy now' button. :) Wishing all of you a fantastic week ahead!

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #88!

Hello, my friends! Happy Sunday to you! As I mentioned last week, the story I've been sharing with you has been scooped up and will be published...in a totally alternate (and steamed up) version called Online Mating. :D The concept, with the readers choosing the direction of the story, is still very much the same, and when the time comes I hope each and every one of you will participate in the decision-making process. In the meantime, I'll share another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating! 

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 
“He’s probably a janitor or a garbage collector,” Grace said flatly. “That’s the only explanation for it. I bet he lives with his parents too.”
            “Maybe he can’t say what he does. He could be a famous model and doesn’t want to reveal it out of fear that every woman will want to date him.”
            “Honey, every woman in the world already wants to date him.” She scrolled down the page. “So he has a crappy job and lives with his parents. What else is wrong with Nearly Jobless Joe?” 

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Thanksgiving! That's what's happening this long weekend in Canuckland. It's kinda nice having it in October amidst the beautiful fall colours. After much discussion, we've decided to go the traditional route with turkey and all the fixings. And the eating of said food will be excellent training for Christmas...when we do it all over again. Wishing my fellow Canucks a fabulous Thanksgiving! As for the rest of you, may you enjoy a splendid weekend as well, and know how thankful I am that all of you are a part of my life. :)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

An interview with a ghost! A sexy, sexy ghost!

Welcome, one and all! Help yourselves to some treats and beverages and pull up a carpet square because we have something truly exciting in store!

Once upon a time, one of my very best friends in the world wrote a story called Paramour. That story went on to become her first published work and my favourite piece of fiction ever. There are dozens of reasons why I loved that story, the main one being Frank. He’s a dead-sexy ghost with an attitude, and my forever character crush.

Margaret Ethridge is the author behind Paramour. Here’s the blurb:

Camellia Stafford has never been alone in her room. For twenty years, she's been engaged in a fierce power struggle with her bedroom's previous tenant, Frank DeLuca, the ghost trapped in the light fixture above her bed. 

Caustic and cranky, Frank has one soft spot—Cam. Over the years, their feelings for one another have evolved from grudging friendship to an enduring love that burns white-hot until Frank puts his feelings for Cam on ice.

When she suffers the loss of her beloved father, Cam returns home to say good-bye, and confront her feelings for Frank. She finds an unexpected shoulder to lean on in neighbor, Bradley Mitchum. Cam falls hard and fast for the handsome ad man’s charming smile and passionate nature, but Brad’s easy-going exterior masks a steely backbone tempered by adversity.

Two men: one living, one dead, and both vying for her love. Now Cam must determine if her heart is strong enough to choose which dream could lead to a love that will last a lifetime.





Being the generous person that she is, Margaret has unleashed Frank for a day (Squeeee!) to let me have my way with him. I mean, to answer some of my burning questions. So without further ado, let us begin the undressing, er, interview....

1. Frankie-baby, if you could haunt anyone in the world for one day, who would you choose? I’ve been haunting Cam for over twenty-five years. Why would I want to haunt someone else? She was enough of a pain in the ass.

2. Favourite song and why? I can tell you it’s not that stupid ‘Rock Me Amadeus’ crap. Saw Metallica in concert a couple years ago. They were pretty awesome. That’s where I got this shirt. There was a new Bon Jovi song I heard a few times. Something about living on a prayer. I liked that, but I don’t know if I have a favorite.

3. Who would win in a boxing match, you or pretty boy Brad?  You’re kidding, right? The guy colors cartoons for a living.

4. Favourite famous ghost? Are there famous ghosts? What the hell kind of question is that?

5. If you could die all over again, how would you choose to meet your maker? You ask some weird questions. I guess I’d die in my sleep. When I’m old. Maybe while having sex. Yeah, that would be the best way to go. I wanna die having sex.

6. Captain von Trapp first started loving Fraulein Maria that night at the dinner table when she sat on that ridiculous pinecone. When did you first start loving Cam? Are you high? Who are Vaughn Trap and Frowning Maria? As for loving Cam, that’s none of your damn business. And it doesn’t matter, does it? I’m dead. D-E-A-D.

Quick and dirty questions:

Boxers or briefs? Um, briefs. I died in 1987. No one wore boxer shorts but their grandpa. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi. I took the Pepsi Challenge too. Never could figure out why that was a big deal. Not hard to tell them apart.
Pancakes or waffles? Waffles. Pancakes get too soggy.
Baked or fried? Do you mean food, or are you asking? I think you might be a little bit of both.
Love or money? Well, that’s a tough one. I probably woulda said money if I was still alive, but dying kind of changes your perspective on things, you know? So, yeah. Love.

Bonus question: Would you date me? Uh, I’m still dead. You know that, right?

Hands off! Frank is mine! Yeah, he's a little rough around the edges, but he's snarky and sexy and he prefers Pepsi to Coke. So basically we're MFEO. Thanks so much to Margaret and Frank for the fantastic interview!

You can get Paramour as part of the Enchanted Lover boxed set available now for only $0.99! Seven books for less than a buck! Even cranky Frankie has to like that!

Don’t call me Frankie.

Ahem. Yeah. Okay. Sorry about that.

Here’s the scoop:

Enchanted Lover
Tales of Everlasting Love

Seven Novels of Mystical, Magical and Paranormal Romance

PARAMOUR by Margaret Ethridge (ghost)
Two men: one living, one dead, and both vying for her love. Camellia Stafford has never been alone in her room. For twenty years, she's been engaged in a fierce power struggle with her bedroom's previous tenant, Frank DeLuca, the ghost trapped in the light fixture above her bed.

ENTRANCED by Maddie James (time travel, reincarnation)
Jack and Claire set out on a wild search through time, not only for the resolution to a powerful attraction between them, but also for a historical artifact that holds the key to their future happiness--the coveted silver-plated chalice made from Blackbeard's skull.

MYSTIC THUNDER by JC Wardon (witch, mystic)
Millennia of tempestuous ancestral history forewarn Rayne Cavanaugh to hide her ability to communicate with ghosts. But-- When the nephew of the man she just can't resist goes missing in the mountains of Mystic Waters, West Virginia, she must decide between self-preservation and love.

RUNNING OUT OF TIME by Cheryl Norman (time travel)
When Stacy Webber travels to Germany for her best friend's wedding, she loses more than her luggage and purse. She lands in a different time, fifty years ago, with no idea how to return to her world.

TIMELESS by Jan Scarbrough (psychic, ghost, reincarnation)
When Beth Abbott receives a surprise inheritance from her birth mother, she travels to the family's nineteenth century mansion in Old Louisville, KY, now a bed and breakfast. There she meets the resident ghost, a little girl whose crying not only scares, but also intrigues guests.

MAN OF HER DREAMS by Cat Shaffer (dreams, parallel times)
Jessi Flint has a perfectly good life with a successful business and the perfect man. So, he's only in her dreams...until her flaky assistant goes to a New Age fair and Jessi suddenly begins receiving gifts with love notes signed by a mysterious Damian.

ALMOST MAGIC by J.M. Kelley (magic, witch, gifts)
When it came to Vivian Burroughs' unique connection with nature, her grandmother always said, 'Mediocrity may not burn as bright as a firecracker, but it seldom blows up in your face.' But the old woman never advised her on what to do when a sexy new neighbor stokes the flames of attraction.

Buy now at:


Sunday, October 5, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #87!

Hello again, hello! I have some exciting news to share! Y'know that story I've been sharing as of late called Adventures in Online Dating? Welllll, it's gonna be published! But not in its exact form. In a totally alternate version with the same sort of concept. lol. It shall be called...Online Mating! :D Just so you know, I've finished Adventures and I plan to continue sharing excerpts from it for your reading pleasure. Consider it a free read. ;)

Here's a blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 


  “Okay, but I’m telling you, the rest of his pics are of him fully-clothed. Not that his clothes don’t reveal the treasures hidden beneath, but—”
            “Gimme that.” Grace yanked the laptop out of her hands and flipped through the series of pictures with her tongue hanging out of her mouth.
            “Stop drooling on my laptop.”
            Grace swiped at her chin. “All right, let’s read about Joe.” She clicked on his bio and her brow wrinkled in confusion. “Why does it say ‘employed’ under occupation?”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

It's been an exciting week around these parts! I got the new publishing contract, had a spectacular teaching interview, and made it to stage four on my application to Harvard's Graduate School! Just for kicks. :D Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!! 

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #86!

Happy, happy Sunday, my friends! Welcome back to another weekend of writing and warrior-ing! You all look fabulous in your battle attire. I'll be sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating, but first, here's a blurb!

After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, skipping ahead a little bit (and yes, I was a bit playful with my punctuation): 

With a few more clicks Joe was revealed, in all his bare-chested glory. “Be nice,” Sydney warned.
            Grace cocked her head to the side. “I’m sorry, I may be more tipsy than I think I am, but is he not wearing a shirt?”
            “Yeah, I know it’s kinda lame, but do you see his body?”
            “Oh, hello, pecs; lovely to see you; abs of steel, so kind of you to make an appearance; chiseled jaw and perfectly sculpted biceps, I’ll be dreaming of you tonight....”
            Sydney burst with laughter. “You’re drunk.”
            “Let’s see more, let’s see more!”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

I'm off to a surprise 91st birthday celebration for my grandma today! We've rounded up the troops, we've ordered the cakes (yes, multiple cakes), and Mother Nature has done her part with the beautiful sunshine and spectacular fall colours. Can't wait to see her face when she sees her whole family gathered on the lawn to celebrate. Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead! :)

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #85!

Hello to you and you and you! Happy Sunday! Today I'll be sharing yet another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating! 

Here's the blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off (Grace is speaking first):
            “Oh, here we go. This is what Charlie’s looking for in a partner: Beautiful eyes that tell me how much you care.” She rolled her own eyes. “Is he for real?”
            Sydney read the next bullet point. “Someone to share my love with.”
            “Our two hearts will beat as one...Oh my God!” Grace blurted. “The man is a Lionel Ritchie song!”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Soooo...guess what? No, guess again! Nooo. Guess again! Okay, fine. I'll tell you! Ready? I'M GONNA BE AN AUNT!!!!!!! Yeppers. My one and only brother managed to knock up his wifey and the two lovebirds are expecting a tiny bundle of joy next March! I am like WAY beyond excited. I've already picked out a baby Adidas tracksuit and baby Nikes. I'm gonna be the best aunt ever times a thousand. :D Wishing you all fantastically awesome week ahead! 


Sunday, September 14, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #84!

Greetings, my friends and fellow authors! Happy Sunday to you! I'm gonna share another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating today, but first, here's a blurb:

After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :-D

And heeeere's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off (best friend Grace is speaking in the first paragraph, FYI): 


            “Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty stuff.” She clicked on Charlie’s bio and scrolled down. “Whoa, what is with his occupation? It says he’s a Children’s Entertainer. What, like, is he one of The Wiggles or something?”
            “Does it matter?”
            “No, not really, but he might be a bit squirmy in bed.”
            Sydney playfully shoved her friend. “Okay, moving past his occupation now....”

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors!

I'm writing this post on Saturday, September 13th, which happens to be my incredible Mommy's birthday AND the day of my cousin's wedding! Lots to celebrate today and tons of cake to eat! Wishing you all a fantastic, cake-filled week ahead! :) 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #83!

Hi there! Happy Sunday to you! Today I'll be sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating.

Here's a brief blurb: After too many failed relationships, too many shots of tequila, and too many not-so-gentle nudges from her best friend, Sydney Montrose joins an online dating site in hopes of finding THE ONE. During her adventures, she crosses paths with a professional gamer who lives with his parents, a sweet and sarcastic parking enforcement officer, a flirty barista, a mystery man, a touchy-feely former felon, and a clown. Which one will she choose? Well, that's all entirely up to you! :D

And heeeeeere's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

“Okay, let’s check out Charlie first and then we’ll give G.I. Joe a thorough inspection.”
            Sydney slid closer to her so she could help her friend navigate faster through the profiles. “That’s him.”
            “Ahh, he’s a ginger. Dimples--always a good thing. Oooh, look at him posing with kids in one of his profile pics. Smooth move, bud. I hope they’re not yours.”
            “No, it says in the caption they’re his nephews.”
            “That’s acceptable.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

I've spent a very generous portion of my weekend catching up on episodes of Outlander and drooling over the heavenly deliciousness that is Jamie. I would very much like to marry him--or Sam Heughan. If any of you know how I can go about doing that, please help a sister out. I'll even invite you to the wedding. ;) Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead! 

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Weekend Writing Warriors #82!

Hello, my friends! Happy Sunday and (hopefully) long weekend to you! Hooray for LaboUr Day! Yes, we spell it with a U here in Canuckland. We're Unique that way. ;) Today I'm sharing another excerpt from Adventures in Online Dating, a choose your own adventure romance! To give you some background, my heroine's name is Sydney Montrose, and she's currently perusing her online dating matches with best friend, Grace, who forced her to join the site in the first place. I should also mention that Syd plays the piano professionally in an orchestra. Are we good? Good!

Here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

Sydney laughed, mostly at the God-awful English accent Grace attempted in her perverse version of flattery. “Look, I’ve been through the entire woodwinds section and most of the brass. I’m tired of men full of hot air.”
            Grace plopped back on the couch with a snort. “So you like Joe. Any other prospects?”
            “Well, there’s Charlie. We’ve been chatting for a while and he wants to meet up. Joe wants to meet up too,” she added meaningfully.

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Well, school starts up again this week. I'm both excited and terrified to be back at the front of the classroom. I fear the teenagers will eat me alive in my injury-weakened state. But I will fend them off with my crutches and infectious positivity! :D Wishing everyone a marvelous week ahead!