Last week on another blog I gave my picks for the Oscars this year. I’ll re-post some of those choices below to give you an idea of who might win. But I wanted to talk about my favorite thing about the Academy Awards — the dresses. Well, and then there’s the shoes. I know, shallow much? But I love clothes.

I can sit for hours before the awards begin and watch the red carpet coverage. I like knowing how an actress decides on the dress she is going to wear. How it makes her feel. Why she likes a particular designer over others. Clothes can tell you a great deal about the person, and on Oscar night that is highlighted more than ever. I expect to see a lot of color this year. It’s almost as if people feel the need to make things look better than they are, and color does that.

Have you ever dreamed of walking the red carpet? I have. Maybe one of my books will be made into a film. Or I’ll write an adaptation and it will get nominated. (I said I was dreaming.) I already have the idea for my dress in my head. It’s simple, long sleeves, v-neck and it’s royal blue. The heels would be sparkly and my hair would be long and curly. Yes, I really have thought about this. And I think perhaps George Clooney or Gerard Butler would be my arm candy.

Now on to the Awards…

The Awards: I thought I’d go through the list and talk about some of the folks I’d like to see win. This isn’t necessarily who will win, though I’ll try to help you with that too. We’ll go through the Best Picture and Acting categories.

Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, “Nine”; Vera Farmiga, “Up in the Air”; Maggie Gyllenhaal, “Crazy Heart”; Anna Kendrick, “Up in the Air”; Mo’Nique, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” I think the woman to beat here is Mo’Nique, even though I’m not fond of the film, I get why people are so into this performance. Mo’Nique has a way of making this truly evil woman, pathetic and sad at the same time. It’s a raw performance and the Oscar folks like that. My pick would be Anna Kendrick, she was an absolute revelation in “Up in the Air.” A truly standout performance, but unfortunately she doesn’t have a chance.

Supporting Actor: Matt Damon, “Invictus”; Woody Harrelson, “The Messenger”; Christopher Plummer, “The Last Station”; Stanley Tucci, “The Lovely Bones”; Christoph Waltz, “Inglourious Basterds.” Waltz is the man to beat here. This is a category filled with amazing performances. Waltz picked up the Screen Actors Guild Award, and I believe he’ll be the winner here too.

Best Actor: Jeff Bridges, “Crazy Heart”; George Clooney, “Up in the Air”; Colin Firth, “A Single Man”; Morgan Freeman, “Invictus”; Jeremy Renner, “The Hurt Locker.” This is another tough category filled with incredible performances. Jeff Bridges won the SAG award, and I’m pretty sure he’ll pick up the Oscar. Hollywood considers him one of their under appreciated, and I think they think it’s time to honor him. It was an honest performance and I don’t have a problem with Bridges winning, but Firth would be my choice. He’s in almost every frame of “The Single Man” and he doesn’t disappoint. He can say so much with just a look. It was one of my favorite performances of the year.

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, “The Blind Side”; Helen Mirren, “The Last Station”; Carey Mulligan, “An Education”; Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious: Based on the Novel `Push’ by Sapphire”; Meryl Streep, “Julie & Julia.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Sandra Bullock, and “Blind Side” was one of my favorite films of the year. But was her performances better than her fellow nominees? The answer is, no. Still, I think she’s a safe bet to take home the big prize. This is the toughest category for me. I know you’ve never heard of her, but Carey Mulligan gives such an amazing performance in “An Education.” For me, Meryl Streep became Julia Child. Sidibe is good in “Precious,” but she basically has one expression through the entire film, and even though she is supposed to be shy, it would help if she hadn’t mumbled. Helen Mirren is a bit over the top in “The Last Station,” but she’s absolutely believable. That said, I’m pretty sure Bullock is a shoe-in.

Best Picture: “Avatar,” “The Blind Side,” “District 9,” “An Education,” “The Hurt Locker,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” “A Serious Man,” “Up,” “Up in the Air.” I don’t believe “Precious” or “A Serious Man” deserve to be in the category. I get that “Precious” deals with horrific subject matter and we are supposed to believe that it is an important film, but if you break it down, it’s not a very well made movie. The editing is choppy, the lighting ridiculous, and the acting is over the top or non-existent, especially in many of the scenes at the school. I just don’t get the love for the film beyond Mo’Nique’s performance. “A Serious Man” is a movie that just didn’t do it for me. I’m a big fan of the Coen brothers and usually enjoy their dark humor, but this movie was a self-indulgent mess.

So let’s talk about some of the films I do like. No one can deny that James Cameron hasn’t done something quite wonderful with “Avatar,” while it’s slow at times, it’s a visual gem. In “An Education” director Lone Scherfig had a deft hand with her actors performances and it’s a great coming of age film. “The Blind Side” and “UP” are both great stories, I’m not so sure they are Best Picture material, but I enjoyed both of the films. “Up in the Air” is movie that I had to think about for a while before I decided I liked it. In the end I decided I love it. My only real problem with that film was the pacing, but the performances by the actors made up for any shortfalls.

That said, for me this year’s two best pictures are “The Hurt Locker” and “Inglourious Basterds.” Director Kathryn Bigelow picked up the Directors Guild Award for “The Hurt Locker,” and this makes me hopeful that perhaps Hollywood is coming around to understanding that this one incredible film. Most people know Bigelow as James Cameron’s ex, but she’s obviously so much more. He even says so. “The Hurt Locker” is a tightly wound film, with intense performance. It’s one you shouldn’t miss. And even though he often gets the cold shoulder from Hollywood, no one is doing more for the film than Quentin Tarantino. The man has such respect for the art of film making and though he’s turned out some winners and some stinkers, this is his best film yet.

That said, I hope “The Hurt Locker” wins. If you haven’t seen it, you need to.

So tell me about some of your favorite movies of the year. They don’t have to be up for Oscars! AND what would you wear if you could walk the red carpet?

Funny how these things come about. It began at a breakfast meeting in Summer 2008 with long-time friend Kathryn Lye, who also happens to be one of the editors of the Harlequin Blaze line. I met Kathryn years ago at local event where I was forced into teaching line dancing for an RWA outing. It’s a long funny story that maybe I’ll share some time. But the important thing for you to know about that night was that I became friends with Kathryn.

We bonded over television and movies. She was curious about what was coming up for the fall season, and of course I had all the scoop. Each year we tried to get together to say hello, have a meal or watch pilots during RWA. Then that summer in 2008 we had breakfast in San Francisco. As usual we talked about everything from our families to TV to books. She always was kind about asking what I was working on, and I told her that I wanted to try my hand at writing something like the Woman’s Murder Club meets Burn Notice. Sexy detectives and spies coming together and solving cases.

She said that sounded like something that would work for Blaze. I was shocked. She told me to put together a proposal. My agent thought it was an awesome idea, and that, my friends is how the Stonegate Investigative Agency came to be. My idea was that these very strong women who ran the agency would have to deal with cases all over the world. Of course, they’d also fall in love.

Mariska, my heroine in Take Me if You Dare owns the agency that was bequeathed to her by her mother. But it was the hero, who really brought this book to life for me. Jackson is a burned CIA agent and all he wants to do is get out of Bangkok. It was kind of my ode to “Burn Notice” and that sexy Michael Westin (Jeffrey Donovan). Jackson needed a heroine who could hold her own, and that is how Mariska was born. Of course, you “Law & Order” fans know where I stole that name from and it fits this character.

What I like, and yes I know I wrote it, is that even though there are mob guys and intrigue, there is also a lot of humor. Jackson and Mariska are fun, sexy couple, who always seem to find themselves in trouble. I had a blast writing their adventure and I hope you’ll enjoy it too!

I’m celebrating all month and have lots of ways for you to win cool prizes, so be sure to check out www.candacehavens.com. Oh and you can check out the first episode of RAW CANDY where I talk about books, television, movies and celebs at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6B3slnuGVk

I’d like to hear about your all-time favorite romantic couples. Do you have one couple that stands out above all the rest? Tell me, I want to know!

I’ve decided I don’t want to do New Year’s resolutions any more. They cause me too much stress. Every year it’s the same. I promise to eat better and exercise. I promise to work smarter not harder. I promise to travel and spend more time with family. By February everything is hopeless and I feel like a failure because I haven’t done any of those things.

So I’m trying something different. A little reverse psychology. As long as I make my daily deadlines for columns and such, and my book deadlines, I’m free to do whatever I want. Well, within reason. I’m taking two graduate classes this semester so that will go into the mix. I also have some speaking engagements and things like that I have to do. BUT other than than, my time is my own.

Freedom. It’s something I haven’t allowed myself in a long time. Say I want to take a nap on a Thursday afternoon, well I’m free to do that if I want. I no longer want to make myself feel guilty, because I should be working. If I want to spend an hour trying to get through that last castle on the Mario Bros. game, I can. If I want to sleep in on a Saturday, throw the ball with the dogs, and eat gluten-free pizza for breakfast, I can do that too.

I have tendency to always come from this place of guilt. It’s one of the reasons I’m so productive. I never give myself a break, but that’s about to change. Mind you, it’s not any kind of resolution, I’m calling it Grace. Giving myself Grace. Time to figure out what it is that makes me happy. Take exercise for example: I don’t like traditional exercises like running and tae bo kind of stuff. But I do love to dance. And I love the Wii games where you do downhill skiing and snowboarding. The NFL has this new campaign to get kids moving. It’s called Play 60 (Or something like that). They’re idea is to get kids outside and moving. I’m using it a bit differently. I want to do something for 60 minutes a day that makes me smile.

What I want from you are some ideas. What are some fun things I could try? What would you like to try?

May I suggest you check out the upcoming release TAKE ME IF YOU DARE. It’s loads of fun and I can guarantee you’re going to have a good time. It’s available in ebook this month and in print in February.

Are you making any resolutions this year? Are you trying any fun and crazy things? Tell me, I want to know.

I want to live at the North Pole with Santa Claus. I have this idea that everything is perfect there. They most definitely have a white Christmas. There’s always enough hot chocolate to go around, and there are lots of elves to help with everything from toy making to house cleaning.

I could use a few good elves. I need an elf to help me promote my upcoming Blaze, “Take Me If You Dare.” I need an elf to finish my annotated bibliography for a school project. I need an elf to do my holiday shopping and write those holiday cards. I need an elf to write these three proposals for new book projects that I promised before the first of the year. One of those pointy-shoe folks to do the cooking and the cleaning. One to write all my TV and movie columns over the holiday would be nice. And those are only the first few things on my list for December.

My children will tell you I’m short enough to make a perfectly good elf, and quite honestly if I could clone myself I would. What I’ve learned over the years is that when it comes to holidays, you do what you can. I try to get done the things that make me and my family happy, and the ones that pay the bills.

That means I may not send out those holiday cards, but I will provide a lovely buffet meal on Christmas Eve for family and friends. I will most likely do the majority of my shopping online, though at least one day I’ll stop by the mall to enjoy the decorations and to get that feeling of the holiday bustle.

I’m determined that I will make time to do the things I enjoy. That might mean working some late nights the first part of the season, but that is a sacrifice I’m willing to make. I will DVR my favorite holiday programming, Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, A Charlie Brown Christmas, to watch while I’m wrapping presents. Ugh. I’m so bad at wrapping presents. I can’t tell you how many times someone has said, “Oh, how sweet, you let your kids do the wrapping.” I’m not kidding. I know they make those beautiful bags you can just slide stuff in, but I like watching people rip open that paper. We’ve already decorated for the most part. By we’ve, I mean my husband set up the tree, and I did everything else.

This year we are traveling for Christmas Day, which means even more to do. But it’s okay. We’ll have Christmas Eve here, as we have since the kids were tiny. None of it matters as long as we are together. My kids are older and I know there will come a time in the future when I will have to share them, but for now I’m holding on as tight as I can. The best part of the holiday for me is when we are sitting around on Christmas Eve singing carols. The kids grump and complain, but the one year we didn’t get to do it because of a family illness, they were depressed.

Normally, Christmas isn’t about the gifts for me, but I’ve been very lucky in that department the last couple of years. This year all I want is for us to be happy, healthy and together. Though, um, I will be purchasing all those December Blazes for myself.

So I want to hear about your plans for the holidays. I’d love to hear about some of your holiday traditions, food or fun stories from the past. Is there a gift you want for this Christmas? Don’t be shy! If you don’t celebrate Christmas, tell us about your holiday traditions too. I’m always curious.

Santa, if you’re reading this. I’ve been very good this year, except for that one time, and um… You know what? Never mind.

Happy Holidays Ya’ll

I love Thanksgiving. I know those of you in other parts of the world may not understand, but in America it’s big holiday that is focused on two things – eating and sleeping. I don’t know about you, but those happen to be two of my favorite things. Oh, I know, it’s also supposed to be about giving thanks. And I am thankful for so many things my family, my friends and my career. Oh, my dog Gizmo just jumped in my lap. Yes, I’m grateful for my dogs too. (He’s so pushy.) In fact, I feel so blessed that it’s hard for me to sleep sometimes, which is why I need those naps on Thanksgiving day.

Seriously, how can you not nap on Thanksgiving Day? The food, from those carbs in the yams to the Tryptophan in the turkey is tailor made for snoozing. And it forces one of those drooling-on-the -pillows-zombie kind of zonks. You know what I’m talking about. If you wake up and you don’t have serious pillow case lines on your face, it wasn’t a real nap. It’s the only time I’m rude when there are guests in the house. If they aren’t gone an hour and half after Thanksgiving lunch, I have to excuse myself with a headache (all that stress of preparing the meal, ya know), curl up with a good book and then get my nap on. (It’s important to get as much rest as possible on Thanksgiving Day, because the next day is all about shopping. I’ll talk more about that in another post.)

So here’s how it usually goes down here in the Havens house:

If we’re having the meal here, and we usually are, I’m up early to make sure the turkey and the roast are on. Then I start preparing all the side dishes. I don’t have to do many of those, because it’s pot luck and the rest of the family brings sides and desserts. There are HAVENS STAPLES for every holiday. These include Cheezy Green Beans, cranberry sauce (I’ll share the recipe for my favorite in a bit) and some kind of sweet potato/yam dish. The food is put out in a banquet style, because at the minimum we’ll have 20 peeps to feed, and it’s usually more. We have family spread out all over the downstairs at various tables and it’s a blast. The more people eat, the sillier they get. My face usually hurts I laugh so much. And then everyone leaves and it’s nap time. It’s a really wonderful day.

I want to hear about how you spend your Thanksgiving Day. Do you help out at a soup kitchen? Do you have favorite foods? What traditions do you have?

To show my thanks for you guys hanging out on the Blaze Blog here’s one of my favorite recipes for Cranberry Sauce. I found it in the November 2007 issue of Domino Magazine.

Cranberry-Clementine Sauce
Serves 8-10
2 clementines
2 packages (12 oz) fresh cranberries
2 cups sugar
Slice clementines thin (with skin on) and then place in a sauce pan with the cranberries, sugar and 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to simmer and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool before serving.

It’s so easy, and so tasty! People will think it took you forever to make.

Happy Thanksgiving, Ya’ll

Do you dress up for Halloween? Its a fun day and I enjoy seeing all the little kids dressed up in their favorite superhero, Transformer and princess costumes as they parade around the neighborhood. The little ones take it all so seriously and they look at you as if they aren't sure you are going to give them that candy you have in the bowl.

We live in what I call Beavercleaverville. It's a small village type neighborhood tucked into a sprawling metropolis. Many of the neighbors do elaborate decorations and have very cool haunted houses. I'm lucky if I remember to put the fall wreath on the door, and to tell my husband to buy candy. But I enjoy the festivities just the same. This year Halloween falls on a Saturday so there's a pretty good chance we'll be invited to more than one party.

And that's my problem. I'm not big on dressing up in costumes. I like them, but only when other people wear them. I've been this way since I was a little kid. I never wanted those store bought costumes my kids adored. Put a rain hat, rain coat and galoshes on me and call me the Morton Salt Girl and I was a happy kid. (That was a rainy Halloween, and man did I rake in the candy. My dad took me around with his umbrella, but we only saw one other kid doing the same.) The crazy thing is, I don't know why I'm that way. I love the way costumes look, and the idea of masking one's identity. But I don't like wearing them. If I do anything it's something like a sweatshirt with a giant P and I blacken my eye so that I'm a black-eyed pea. Or a t-shirt with a small box of cereal velcroed to it and a knife stuck in the box, so that I'm a cereal-killer. And one of my favorites, a witch's hat and black clothes.

My friend Shannon was gnome last year. It was hilarious. My friend Deb was Elvis down to the wig, jumpsuit, white shoes and dark glasses. She also did the coolest Medussa costume ever. I wore black.

So I'm curious about several things. Do you like to wear costumes? What are some of your favorites now, and from when you were a kid? Do your kids like dressing up? (My oldest is into it, but it depends on the situation when it comes to my youngest.) What do you think will be some of the popular costumes this year? What will you be wearing?

And I'd like to know your thoughts about my new cover. Consider it my treat, no tricks, for you! I LOVE IT! TAKE ME IF YOU DARE is a Feb. 2010 release. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Take Me If You Dare Cover

I thought it might be fun to give you a bit of a heads up on some of the new TV shows coming this fall. That way you can plan your DVR time accordingly and have lot more time to read wonderful romances like those written by friends over there to the right of this blog post.

I’m going to share with you the 11 new shows on Broadcast TV that will be making it onto my DVR for at least a few more episodes. If you see them here, it means I liked the pilot and want to give it another chance. These are in no particular order. You’ll notice I seem to like the ones that have a paranormal or romantic elements. I can’t imagine why. If you have questions about new or returning shows, post them here. I probably have scoopage for you.

1. Vampire Diaries (CW, Thurs., Sept. 10) Kevin Williamson (Dawson’s Creek) brings L.J. Smith’s books to life. While it may start out a little Twilighty, it takes a different turn very soon into the series. Love the casting in this one. Nina Dobrev is a great Elena, and Paul Wesley embodies Stefan. He has that very old soul look about him.

2. The Beautiful Life (CW, Wed., Sept. 16) from Ashton Kutcher is going to be one of my guilty pleasures. It’s hot young models who discover the glam life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I like it far better than the revamped Melrose Place the CW is doing. Though the latter will get more press.

3. Eastwick (ABC, Wed., Sept 23) is loosely based on the film by the same name. It’s about three women who discover they have more control and power in their lives than they could have ever imagined. I want to hate Rebecca Romijn for looking so great after having twins, but I just can’t. This is a great cast and a fun show. And I love the New England feel of it.

4. Flash Forward (ABC, Thurs., Sept. 24) Joseph Fiennes stars in this unusual series. Everyone in the world passes out for a couple of minutes and many of them have a glimpse into the future. It’s cool how this whole thing unravels and how the stories tie into one another. Cool concept and great pilot. I can’t wait to see what they do next.

4. Cougar Town (ABC, Wed., Sept. 23) Don’t judge this one by it’s name, it’s not at all what you would expect. Bill Lawrence (Scrubs) helms this comedy with edgy humor and great comedy talent from Courteney Cox and the rest of the cast.

5. Modern Family (ABC, Wed., Sept. 23) This is a mockumentary comedy that shows there are all types of loving families. It’s slightly twisted and yet heart-warming at the same time. This one made me laugh out loud more than once.

6. V (ABC, Tues., Nov. 3) You’re going to have to wait awhile for this remake with Elizabeth Mitchell, Morris Chestnut, Scott Wolf and a great ensemble cast. The effects and the story telling in the first episode are stellar. I can’t wait to see more.

7. The Good Wife (CBS, Tues., Sept 22) If you told me three months ago that this show would be on my list I would have called you crazy. But that was before I saw the pilot. I will tell you right now it is so much more than the advertising makes it look. The writing is superb and Juliana Marguilies had finally found a role that does her justice.

8. Glee (Fox, Wed. Sept. 16) I heart this show so much it hurts. There is great music, a talented cast and great story telling. I’ve seen the first three episodes and I am in love with this show so much I want to send it a box of candy.

9. Community (NBC, Thurs., Sept. 17) This ensemble comedy featuring Joel McHale and Chevy Chase is clever, and it made me laugh out loud. McHale holds his own, but it’s the ensemble cast that makes this show come alive.

10. the forgotten (ABC, Tues., Sept. 22) I haven’t had a chance to see a full pilot of this series starring Christian Slater, but I’m curious about the premise. It’s about civilian volunteers who dedicate their lives to finding the names of the Jane and John Does. And they almost always solve a mystery or two.

11. Human Target (Fox, Jan. 20) Okay, so we have to wait until next year for this one, but it’s so much fun. For those who like a healthy dose of action adventure this is the ticket. Mark Valley, Chi McBride and Jackie Earle Haley star.

I’m heading out to Los Angeles for the TCA (TV Critics Press Tour). It’s a cool event where TV critics from all over the U.S. and Canada convene to do interviews with the stars, producers and writers of the shows for the new TV season. If someone was looking for trends this year, it would be a little difficult. The shows are all over the map. There are paranormal ones like Vampire Diaries (CW) and Eastwick (ABC), and action-adventure like Human Target (Fox, with the very hot Mark Valley. Yummers) and Spartacus: Blood and Sand with Lucy Lawless and Andy Whitfield. There are new dramas with everyone from Julianne Margulies and Dylan McDermott to Shiri Appleby (Life UneXpected, CW).

Some of the people I’m excited about talking to are David Tennant (Dr. Who), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Alex O’Loughlin (Formerly of Moonlight, now on Three Rivers), Chris O’Donnell, Linda Hunt, Joss Whedon, Joseph Fiennes, Alan Alda, Jimmy Smits (Just talked to him, but can never get enough), the gang from The Office, the gang from Fringe, Lie to Me and GLEE and so many more you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I come home from these things with hundreds of interviews.

We sit in through panels, attend parties thrown by the various cable and broadcast networks, and we work our butts off. I know it sounds glam, but there are long days and it gets to the point where you’re like, “Oh, look, there’s Tom Hanks.” And you turn back to your conversation.

If you’re interested in keeping up, I’ll bet on Twitter (twitter.com/candacehavens) and Facebook and I’ll be trying to blog daily on livejournal. You can get to all of those through my website on www.candacehavens.com. I even ask questions that my fellow tweeters and facebook friends ask.

While I’m doing this I will also being working on my revisions for TAKE ME IF YOU DARE, my new Blaze. I begged for these revisions, and while they are scaring the beejezus out of me, my editor Kathryn, is making it a much stronger book.

So life will be a little insane for the next few weeks, but when I stop and thing about it, my life pretty much stays that way. I’ve sort of learned to live with the chaos.

If you’re interested in any of the new shows let me know here, or keep up with me on one of my social media hangouts. I would like to know your favorite TV shows now, the returning ones, and if any of the ads for the new ones are interesting to you. Tell me. I really want to know.

As much as I travel for the day job and my books, I’m still the worst packer in the world. I’m one of those women you see who has to get the cart for her huge suitcases. Yes, even though now she has to pay $35 for that second one. This is only if I’m traveling for a week or more.

The thing is, I love clothes and I like to plan for all contingencies. The Romance Writers of America Conference is my next trip. I’ll have meetings with agents, editors and other writers. There will be lunches and dinner. And parties. Hello, lots of parties. And I need shoes, accessories and clothes for all of these events. I also have straight irons, curling irons, and I like my creature comforts like candles and perfume. So all of these things must go with me.

Not long after I return from the conference in Washington, D.C., I’m heading out to Los Angeles for the Television Critics Associate Press Tour. That’s where I interview actors, writers and producers every day. Attend parties for the shows/networks at night, and gather a multitude of stories for the coming months.

Again, I usually need at least two outfits for each day. The event is a little over two weeks, so you see my dilemma. In January when I went to Hollywood, I ran into a friend of mine at the airport. We decided to share a taxi, and when he saw my luggage he laughed out loud. “Are you moving in for a month?” I forgave him because he’s a man.

I used to feel a little guilty about my luggage. That was before I found out a friend of mine (I won’t out her here.) traveled with two suitcases too, but one of hers was filled with nothing but shoes. I take pride in the fact that at least I’m not that bad.

Another friend of mine can travel to Europe for weeks on end with a small carry-on suitcase, and she always manages to look wonderful. Though, she does wear black exclusively, she only takes things that need no ironing and she doesn’t wear makeup or worry about her short hair. I admire her, but I’m a little more high maintenance.

So how about you? What’s the one thing you never leave home without? Are you a light traveler or a heavy packer?

And I have a new book out this month, “Dragons Prefer Blondes” (July 7). By commenting here (ONLY TODAY ON THIS POST) you are automatically entered into a contest to win an Amazon gift certificate and other prizes. I’m also running a treasure hunt and you can find all the details at www.candacehavens.com.

It has been 15 years since I’ve taken more than three days away from work, but I won’t be able to say that much longer. My in-laws are celebrating their 50th anniversary and wanted my husband and his sisters’ families all together. In one place. All of us. Together. Sigh. For an entire week. It’s not that I don’t love them, I do. They are all good people. But I’m usually good after about four hours of their company, and I’m sure they feel the same way about me. You know, like at Christmas? We get together, we eat a meal, we open presents, and then we go our separate ways.

This isn’t the first time they’ve done one of these big family things, but I’ve always had to travel for work during them. Sheer dumb luck, I promise. The phrase I keep telling myself is, “at least we are on the beach.” Crystal Beach, Fla., which I know is beautiful. They’ve rented a McMansion and my husband and I will have the carriage house all to ourselves. So that will help. A week from today, we are celebrating our 25th anniversary (Yes, I married very young. And yes, I can think of many, many ways to celebrate such a milestone that don’t include my in-laws.)

So… It’s been a really long time since I’ve had time off. I will have to do some work, but only about a day’s worth while I’m there. My plan is to sleep, eat, play in the ocean, and read — a lot! I’m downloading the June Blaze’s to my Kindle, and I’m open for suggestions as far as books. I’m in the mood for humorous reads, and anything paranormal.

Are you guys going on vacation this summer? Where are you going? Do you have have suggestions on how to handle these big family vacations? I asked my mom how she survived when I was a kid and we traveled with my dad’s family. “Valium, lots of Valium,” she said. I told my doctor this, and she laughed at me. But she wouldn’t give me a prescription. Sigh. It’s okay, knowing me I’d fall asleep on a floaty and drift out to sea where a handsome sailor…. Hmmmm.

Do you have funny vacation stories? I want to hear them. Book suggestions? Coping with large family gathering suggestions? Tell me!