Happy Monday–This will probably be pretty random. I got home yesterday afternoon, but I don’t think my brain has caught up with me yet. National has that effect on me. It will be Wednesday before I’m back up to full speed. Between decompressing from all the excitement at the conference and catching up with my life at home, it takes awhile to find my way back to normal. <g>
Bonnie and I did have a great time, both with each other and with other friends. I had a wonderful dinner with the great people from Pocket as well as the other Pocket authors. I sat with my great buddy, Susan Sizemore, and got caught up with each other. She and I are the same age and loved all the same old television shows. Anyone else remember how hot David McCallum looked as Illya in Man from UNCLE?
My friend Janice Kay Johnson, who’s the one who told me I could write books and helped me do exactly that, won the RITA in the series category for her amazing book, SNOWBOUND from Harlequin Superromance. If you’ve never read her books, you should.
The literacy signing had 500+ authors signing their books and meeting with fans (Hi to Stacy and her friend!). We raised over $50,000 for literacy in just about two hours. The only trouble is that if you’re the one signing, it’s hard to do any shopping yourself. I did get Eve Kenin’s new HIDDEN, the sequel to DRIVEN, which I really loved. They’re our kind of books, so check them out if you get a chance. The concept is very fresh and different–and Wizard is a great hero.
More later and I’ll try to figure out where DJ’s run off to this time. And I’ll be having a talk with Rafferty about sneaking in and taking over.
Well, I did snag DJ for a photoshoot over the weekend – but I promise I sent him on his way back… course there were a lot of women watching….
Glad you had fun at nationals.
Welcome back Alexis- Gald to hear you had such a great time….
Welcome home Alexis! Glad you guys had so much fun. I’ve been reading blogs all morning about horible flights, hotel problems mix-ups and all that good stuff. But everyone says how much fun they had and how big the signing was!
Glad you made it back safely and had a good time. It’s possible we scared DJ off. You know how we get when left to our own devices. But I’m sure he’ll turn up soon. And don’t be too hard on Rafferty. He meant well and he knew he could trust us to keep it quiet.
Welcome back Alexis. Glad to hear you had a great time.
Welcome home,
We’re glad to have you back – or the part of you that’s back. Rest, hug all the family and decompress. THEN you can tell us everything.
You know DJ will turn up. (He loves us, but probably needed a break, too.) I mean, We’ve been good and I have no idea why he would run off.
Welcome back!! I’m so glad Jules got to meet you at the signing. And I can’t wait to hear about all the fun you and Bonnie had. Get some rest and join us when you can.
D.J. – Are you still off relaxing? Or did you get in trouble while Alexis was away? LOL
After our discussion on earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes, I am very unhappy to announce that a tropical storm is due to hit my area sometime tomorrow morning. I’m just hoping it doesn’t get to hurricane strength. I still can’t lift over 5 lbs so my husband has to get everything out of the yard etc. Oh, and what am I worried about? The fact that Acheron’s book is released tomorrow and I probably won’t be able to leave the house to get it. **sobbing**
Stay Safe!
Stacy L — Personally, I think that’s a very legitimate concern. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Welcome Back! Glad to hear you and Bonnie had fun. Looking forward to hearing more about the trip. We missed you here.
I have both Driven and Hidden and have read them both. Interesting reads.
I also remember Man for U.N.C.L.E. Puts me in the same age bracket……give or take a few years.
welcome back. So glad you guys had fun.
Stacy L – I feel for you. I got into a wreck thursday so I haven’t left the house and on top of that I have used my book funds to pay for rental deposits and copays for the ER. Their insurance will reimburse me but that is going to take waaaaayyy too long.
D.J. hope you aren’t into trouble
Ok, no bragging! Promise!!
I got it!!
My so ran out of pull ups *potty trained durring day only* so I had to run to walmart. I walked by the books trying not to look, but I saw it!!! I squeeled! I grabbed 1 of the last 3 they had and when I did another lady saw me and she grabbed the last 2 and called her friend to say she got it. In the long lines of waiting I read the first two pages, and said “Nope, can’t do this with out tissues!” and shut it. Grab a box ladies… it’s going to get wet!
Boy it’s Tuesday and still no DJ….. What did it DJ, the bike talk with the hand placement or maybe The paladin dolls.Come on you know you love us and can’t stay away too much longer.You would look great as a colorform
Maybe your miffed over the two new books out or Rafferty sneaking in on your territory again.
And Bonnie your MIA too. Come on we need the scoop… While Alexis is getting her bearings together
Alexis!!! Glad you and Bonnie had such a good time
And glad you’re back safe and sound.
Kim, I’m sorry to hear you were in a wreck!! Are you hurt badly? I’m wondering if you can’t leave the house.
SL! I’m curious what kind of surgery you had, but am glad you’re doing better too. I know what that’s like, wanting to do things but you can’t pick up this yet or can’t bend this way or turn that way…BORING!!!!
Delilah, love the pic!! He’s just so drool-worthy!!
Okay, I’m sure I missed people, and I see Bonnie is MIA so I’ll just ignore that for now. She’ll be back…
The weather here Sunday was beautiful. Yesterday and today has been really hazy. This is not why I come to the beach!! I am taking pics but no Paladins incognito…sad to say, there’s not much buff around here at all this year.
Anyway, I’m almost out of my paid internet time (I can barely get a signal on my cell and couldn’t find any unsecured wireless so…) but if the weather doesn’t get any better, I’ll check in later in the week. Can’t wait to read Alexis’s report when she’s ‘together’
And DJ, if you’re out there, you know we’re always just teasing and that you’re our main guy, yes?
See you all later! Hope you all stay safe
nightsmusic got your message did you check your aol acount I sent you a better pic of me than the one on my myspace page Alexis welcome home glad you & Bonnie had a blast & you know DJ will turn up soon Stay safe everyone & have fun
Kim – Are you okay??? Please let us know.
strohs – I was at Walmart yesterday and they didn’t have it out. But since the tropical storm ended up being only a rain event for us, I dragged my daughter to Target this am and got it!! They didn’t have it out so I had the girl check and she went in the back and got a copy for me. I’m a hundred pages in and already cried a couple of times!
NM – My sugery was just something I needed to get taken care of but nothing life threatening. I drove for the first time yesterday. I was sooo excited! Hope you are having fun and we miss you!
Alexis, Bonnie, and D.J. – Can’t wait until you guys have time to come back and play with us!
Stay Safe!
Im doing better. Just mostly some neck and back strain. They were worried about the baby. I am pregnant and when I went to er the heartbeat was too fast and I was cramping with a slight discharge…tmi sorry. Now everything looks good and the baby is doing ok but my O.B. has me on bedrest with no lifting until monday (my next appt) just to be on the safe side.
stacy L- glad to hear the storm wasnt too bad.
OK, OK…no more MIA…sorry, but yesterday was a holiday here, and my dh needed some Bonnie time. He had a LOT of family stuff to deal with while I was away. Brave man told me I *had* to go to RWA, that he’d be fine handling things on his own. Of course, stuff went weird on him and yesterday was a catch up day for me.
Alexis and I did, indeed, have a blast. I have no idea where DJ is, but I tried to get Alexis to spill on his real name: no luck. The woman’s iron clad! And DJ won’t share either. sigh
We got to dance at the Harlequin party (Yay!). I got wined and dined by both publishing houses. Alexis gets picked up and driven for dinner with her house.
And NOW WE’RE BOTH HARLEQUIN AUTHORS. I’m so pleased to be able to say that out loud. Verra verra cool. (g)
Oh, oh oh…I’m very pleased to say that my Blaze will use my title: Possessing Morgan. (ok, that’s the end of my promo…sorry, but I couldn’t resist)
We sat together during the RITAs and applauded mightily (okay, there was a little whooping, too) when Janice Kay Johnson won hers.
Sorry to hear about all the surgeries, the pregnancy scare, NM’s lack of internet (oh the agony!) and the storms. Take care everyone!
Glad to be back, very glad to be writing again (I missed my characters) and I’ll try to check in again soon.
Bonnie
Well I hope DJ shows up soon… I sent the shots from the photoshoot to him….
Stacey L, man oh-hannah,
I’ve finished the first half! (i only have my kids plus 1 today! and she’s my DD’s BFF so I’m good) I am putting it down till Tomorrow… why? Cusz i’m crazy. I have other work todo, and I read two books yesterday…ever read Michele Bardsley??? Well put it this way I finished all 3 of the series in less then 24 hours (started one before bed then finished it plus two others yesterday)!! I was a book whore yesterday! I was sooo happy.
I did cry.. more then I needed to…boy-oh-boy did she want to make klenex some money or what!
Okay ladies in need of some moral support here…. Dropped my 13 year old daughter off to catch a bus to go out of state for four days this morning and she has never been away from home that long
I know some of you are saying WHAT are you crazy. But she’s kind of a home body and always sticks close to home for the most part. Which is a good thing considering she looks 19.
DJ you might be able to make me feel better if you made an apperance today and told us what DJ stands for…
NO? Okay fine I’ll just continue to feel like my hearts been ripped out and stomped on..
Good try there, Kelley! It’s hard to let them go, isn’t it. Does she have a cell phone with her to keep in touch? I was that way when I was young (shy, stayed mostly with my parents or other adults) and I always wanted to tell mom and dad everything that had happened every night! Of course, no cell phones then, back in the stone age. Sigh.
My theory is that DJ stole…um, borrowed…the motorcycle and went for a joyride.
You know I think DJ may be hunting Rafferty. You know how he gets about someone taking over his blog without permission.
Hey Wendy she does have a cell phone but they will take it once she arrives at camp
I don’t know she’s really social and goes to friends houses,amusement parks, water parks, dances and is a cheer leader-it’s not like I’m not use to her being out it’s just I’m not use to her being out of STATE and for 4 days….
Kelley, it IS hard. My “baby” is 20 and she’s my only girl (2 older brothers) Cutting those strings . . . It’s not that you don’t trust her, it’s that you’ve always taken care of her and want her to be OK. (or at least that’s how it is for me) Anyway, know that we’re here if you need to vent. . . (worry out loud) . . . .:hug:
We are all anxiously waiting to see where DJ’s been. . . Alexis, any news? I’m kinda hoping that he got away for an extended weekend and like NM is somewhere working on his tan . . . . and in general having fun.
He can’t stay away from his computer for too much longer. . .
stacy l–glad to hear it was just a rain event for you. there were a few of us over her (la) that wanted it to come here (especially since it was just a rain event.) we need the rain…bad. took a trip to the book store with my girls last night…wow…i really didn’t realize that i spent that kind of money on a bi weekly basis. but, went and got all of the books i was looking for. really, really want to start acheron, but looking at the book, i think i’ll need a couple of days of uninterrupted time to read it. that won’t happen for a few days, between work, kids starting school and some cont ed pi course i have to take this weekend (which is pointless).
kim–hope you are feeling better. back pain is a…well it’s a pain. know it well.
bonnie–glad to know you had a good time.
dj–where are you????? hope you’re not in any trouble.
have a good one guys–stay safe
oh yeah, kelley it does get better after the first time you let them fly solo. it gives them a better feel of being independent. it’s nothing for my kids now, to take off with a family friend and their kids for a couple of weeks during the summer, or when they go to camp. she’ll love you more for it because now she’s “cool” and she has a “cool” mom that lets her go places. at least that’s what my girls told me. it does get easier, but there is always that little worry in your mind, no matter how old they get, but it does get easier.
OK, it’s been 3 days and I’m starting to get worried about DJ. Devlin have you seen him? If not for the safety and security of the Seattle Paladins and Peace of mind of the regents FIND HIM! otherwise you are going to have a swarm of DJ’s Ladies invading the caverns looking for him.
Sign me up for the DJ hunt! I’m down one kid as you already know and hubby can take the other..Just let me know when
It will do me good to keep my mind and hands busy…..
strohs – I finished Acheron just a little bit ago. Used lots of Kleenex during the first half. I do wish the second half had been longer. I can never get enough Ash! And yes, I read Michele Bardsley too!
Kim – Glad to hear the baby is okay. Follow drs orders! When are you due? Do you know what you are having? Is this your first?
Bonnie!!!! Congratulations!!! So when will your book be out? I must put it on my buy list. So, will your hubby ever let you go to RWA again? Happy writing!
Kelley – I only have one and she spends time at the grandparents but I’ve never sent her off to camp. She’s only 8 1/2 but I’m not looking forward to her leaving for college. **sigh**
Heather – I try not to see how much I spend on books. Some months it is a truely frightening number. And now that they opened a BN close to my house it will probably just get worse. LOL
Delilah – We need to find D.J.!!!! I’m starting to get worried too.
Alexis – Hope you are settling back in. Hope your house was more mellow than Bonnies!
Stay Safe.
4 mo along…not sure what it is yet that is next months appt. This is my second. My first, Kaden, is 22 mo.
And sign me up for the DJ hunt. I could use a good reason to get out and about.
So, other than Delilah’s photo shoot, any ideas ladies? According to GoogleMaps it’s only about 9 hrs to Glacier National Park. (My Uncle & Aunt are there this week).
I’m actually starting to worry, too. I keep telling myself that it’s DJ and he can’t stay away from the computer for long – and, it’s been a long time! 4 days! So, where IS he!
Trahern, Devlin, are you listening? The Regents et al. do not want us all out there looking for him.
Delilah, any ideas?