Woot! February has definitely brought a lot of Blazing Birthdays, hasn’t it? I’ll wind it up today

It’s cake day for me!! That’s my new term for birthdays, since I’d rather not get another year older But I do love celebrations, and am definitely not willing to give up pressies, so I figure cake day covers all the bases.

And since it’s now officially cake day in my little world, let’s talk cake! I love cake. Chocolate is my hands down favorite, but I’ve been known to drool over a nummy carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Moistness is key to deliciousness in my cake book.

My love affair with cake even delved into decorating. Way back when, right after my youngest daughter was born, I took decorating classes. I decorated Blues Clues cakes. I decorated Scooby Doo cakes. I decorated teddy bear cakes (I think there’s a theme here). I even made a dude-in-a-recliner-with-the-TV-remote cake for Father’s Day one year. The best was the monster head on a platter cake my brother and I made for my nephews’ birthday (sculpting isn’t my forte, so bro stepped in. I rocked the little carrots and tomatoes though!).

I was a decorating fool, right up until I started writing, when I found my ultimate (and much less fattening) source of creative outlet. Now I only haul out the decorating tips for the kids birthdays and the occasional party. Which means for cake day, someone else is has to be in baking mode. Which is why I taught my oldest daughter how to make my absolute favorite cake a few years back – German Chocolate with coconut pecan frosting (say it with me, Yummmmmmmy).

I mean, a girls gotta make sure she’s got her cake love covered, right? So how about you? Are you a cake fan? What’s your absolute favorite cake? Is it a special occasion thing, or do you get to enjoy it often? And ya know, I’m always open to yummy cake recipes if you want to share any (In the interest of full disclosure: the only cake I made/decorated on this page is the head on a platter. But they all look great, don’t they?)

Or as I’m calling it these days, What The Hell Was I Thinking?

Last week, I looked up from my cozy lounging spot on the loveseat, across the room to my husband, who was cozily lounging on the other loveseat. We were in our happy place, chatting about nothing in particular, life rolling along in a good way, no major worries or stresses. And it happened. The dreaded words slipped out of my mouth. The ones I should have thought through, should have prepared a plan for first…

What were the words?

“We need to go on a date.”

Now my husband, being a doll, immediately said sure, great idea. I don’t think that response had anything to do with one kid screaming that the computer had crashed or the rottweiler that’d just jumped on his belly. I’m sure it was the lure of one-on-one alone time with me together that had him looking so eager. At least, I’m pretty sure.

Fast forward to last night, which is the next time the subject came up (the screaming kid and jumping dog derailed the original conversation, go figure). The dreaded question – what’re we going to do – came up. Why dreaded? Because our romantic date suddenly had a whole pile of restrictions on it. The earliest we could get a babysitter is 6:30. The weather sucks, so doing anything outdoors is definitely off the table. And budget constraints mean going into the city (San Francisco) for something fancy is out.

We did the whole “what do you want to do?” “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” thing. That’s always fun

And then he suggested the ole standby… dinner and a movie.

Eh.

Don’t get me wrong, I love dinner and a movie. We actually did dinner and a movie on our first official date, so it holds a special place in my heart. But… I wanted a DATE, not eh date. Ya know? Except I can’t think of a single thing to do.

So I’m throwing the door open to suggestions – what, given the above constraints, would be a fun date? If I can get my husband to agree to it, whoever suggests the idea will get the book of their choice from my backlist (and if they have them all – besides my undying love and gratitude, I’ll send one of my buddies’ books). And thanks in advance

Ahhhh, the holidays. The hustle and bustle. The frantic frenzy and the simple joy. It always seems to start around Halloween, that nagging edgy push to get things done over and above normal life ’stuff’. The energy kicks into high gear around Thanksgiving time, as the clock starts ticking louder. December? Crazy time. Parties, shopping, baking, family, juggling finances and sometimes the added stress of travel.

You know, I absolutely love the holidays. We just had a wonderful week of family time, with the added joy of my grandmother visiting us from out of state. The house was full, every hour busy and the vast array of delicious food overwhelming. I’m so full I could burst, the taste of homemade pizza, the scent of succulent roast, the sweet sugar kick of almond toffee still lingering and reminding me to revisit my new-best-friend, the treadmill.

I have a camera filled with pictures just waiting to be scrapbooked into happy memories. I have a fridge filled with leftovers. I have happy kids and a grinning husband, and after a week of company, silence fills the house.

I’m exhausted. How about you? Do the holidays wear you out? Even if you love ever second of them, do they make you desperate for a pillow, blanket and quite hour of solitude? Or is that just me? I’ve spent the day dreaming of my favorite holiday gift to myself… a whole day of self-indulgent alone time. To play with my pressies, to talk to nobody, to decompress curl up with a pile of books, a pitcher of tea and a roaring fire. I’m going to ignore the waiting laundry, pretend the somewhat wilted decorations aren’t begging to be taken down and let the kids run wild in their after-holiday frenzy.

But before I do, talk with me… how were your holidays? Did you have a killer time or are you worn out? Do you have a nurturing, self-indulgent plan to give yourself a little break after all the craziness, or are you still running strong (and if so, what vitamins do you take?) Does the idea of curling up with a pile of Blaze books fill you with joy and happiness (you know it does ) And would you like to kick start your January reading by winning a copy of Blazing Bedtime Stories III? I’ll offer up two copies to random commenters today in an effort to contribute to your indulgent reading frenzy!!

Yesterday was Black Friday. For all the wild shoppers out there, that means a cold, sleepless night of bargain shopping, wristband snagging, killer sales deals galore. For most of us, its that day we sleep off the Thanksgiving feast stupor.

Early in the week, my sister-in-law (hereafter referred to as SIL) asked me if I wanted to go out with her at midnight Thursday to do a little Black Friday shopping. I laughed. Seriously. I’m all for shopping -and am always up at midnight. But Black Friday? Isn’t that the traditional trampling-shoppers-day? Um, no thank you. But then she started quoting deals. iPods, Rock Band (the Leggo version, no less!), dolls and toys and clothes. Suddenly there were a million things NOT on my gift-buying list that I just had to have.

So I quit laughing and told SIL maybe.

She called Thursday night to see if I was ready to rock. I was actually in the middle of making a pie (we celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday since there were so many demands for everyone’s time on Thursday), but stopped crimping the crust to flip through the ads and talk bargains. There were tons. But as usual, time and sanity had cooled my impulse-shopping-jets.

I looked at the ads. I looked at my half-crimped-crusted pie. And It told my SIL I was going to skip the wild and crazy times of Black Friday shopping.

What stopped me? The only thing I was really REALLY tempted to brave the chilly air, crowds and credit card shock on… it was for myself. Hey, that new iPod Touch is awesome! But after long consideration (at least a minute) I decided to stay home and finish making the pie, then reward myself by curling up on the couch to read (Better Naughty Than Nice – its on shelves now!) and relax. But I did put that iPod Touch on my birthday list…

So how about you? Are you the brave-the-crowds-for-a-bargain kind of gal? Or an early shopper, scoff-at-the-idea-of-Black-Friday type? Or maybe you really like to live on the edge and start all your shopping in mid-December??

One of the major points that sold me on buying my new house was having a fireplace again. We’d had one years ago, but when we added a room addition on to the back of the house, we had to give it up. I didn’t know how much I missed having one until it was gone. For years, my husband and I debated ideas for adding something. Another fireplace, a wood-burning stove, heck, even a really big candle. In the end it really was easier to move.

I’ve been waiting impatiently for the weather to cool so i could light a fire and last night it finally chilled down enough to haul in some logs and try it out. I loved it! There’s something hypnotic and relaxing about a fire. I loved it so much, for the first time since I got my own office, I ignored it and curled up with my laptop so I could write in front of the fire.

My mind was filled with romantic scenes, fun ideas and so many hot sexy ways to bring a fireplace into a book! It just screams hot, sexy Blaze, doesn’t it ( okay, bad pun, but still…) I told my husband I’d rather skip our Friday Night Date Night and stay home with a bottle of wine by the fire. Not for the hot blaze angle (although…) but for the sweet hand holding and talking and, you know, all that romancey stuff. That’s what evenings by the fire are for, right? Romance.

And day time? Day’s are for reading. I can’t wait to spend a weekend curled up on the couch, a glass of iced tea and hot fire going (I know, I know, they don’t exactly go together. But other than alcohol, all I drink is iced tea ) and a book or four to dive into. Since my TBR pile is teetering pretty high right now, when I turn in my book this weekend I foresee many an days curled up by the fire reading.

How about you? What’s your favorite ‘in front of the fire’ pastime? Reading or Romancing? Or better yet, reading about romance?

I bought the cutest plaque to hang over my brand-new office door the other day. It reads ‘And they lived happily ever after.’ I was going to take a picture to share, but I can’t find the box I packed the camera battery charger in It makes me smile every time I look up from my desk and see it – like a gentle reminder of why I write.

I love Happy Ever Afters.

Yes, I read romances for the story. The light or complex plots, the humor or the deep emotion. The inspirationally sassy, strong heroines and the OMG sexy hunks (Okay, so the sexy hunks are a might deserve an extra check in the reason-why-column). I’m a huge fan of reading about relationships, the ups and downs and energy it takes to make them work. I love getting emotionally sucked in to a story, connecting with the characters and their struggles.

But really, its all about the Happy Ever After.

Its knowing that, at the end of the book, I’ll be smiling. Its the assurance that these characters I’ve emotionally invested in will be smiling, too. As my family often teased, its the pollyanna belief that with love, we can overcome all our issues and find joy. Even if only for a few pages.

In my newest book, FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME (ahem, out now ) my heroine returns to the hometown she’d hoped to never EVER see again, to attend a high school reunion she’d vowed never EVER to revisit. Zoe’s got some issues going in, and she’s got a stockpile of excuses as to why she doesn’t need to deal with them (I taught her everything she knows). A reunion party, a costume mixup, a case of mistaken identity and a quest all come together to make this what I hope was a fun read. Lots of hot sex and a very hunky geek-turned-hero make it what I hope is a fun Blaze. But my favorite part is the ending. The Happy Ever After when she finally gets all those dreams she never let herself believe she could have.

How about you? Why do you read? Are you after the Happy Ever After, too? What is it that makes it special to you? Share your thoughts in the comments and I’ll pick a name to win a cute book bag!! (again, I’d share a picture but I still haven’t found the box that camera battery charger is packed in)

We’ve talked a lot about hunky heroes here on the Blaze Authors blog. And why not? Hunky heroes are one of the sweetest benefits of our books, right? Right. Sexy cowboys, Harley riding bad boys, intense soldier boys… mmmm mmmmmmm heroes!

But how about the heroines?

Blaze has tough girl heroines, sassy heroines, sweet heroines and darn near any description in between. I’m partial to the smart-mouthed, strong yet vulnerable ones myself, but always get inspired by the kick-butt gals in Blaze, and drawn to the sweetly old-fashioned girls next door. One things certain in a Blaze, you’ll always find a strong, sexually-empowered heroine.

I think that’s one of the major draws in this line -heroines who either from the beginning, and always by the ending of the story, are strong, sexual women. They know what they want. They know how to get it. They know where they want it and how they like it, and make sure that’s part of their own happy-ever-after. Like the awesomely sexy heroes, these fabulous heroines are just one more thing that make Blazes great, huh?

It’s been said that a romance reader identifies with heroine -she’s the lens we see the story through. As a reader, I don’t know that I identify with the heroine so much as empathize with her, if that makes sense? I like to watch her story play out, see what motivates her to be who she is, and what choices she makes. I guess that makes me a voyeur

As a writer, I do tend to meet the heroine first when I start a book. Once I know who she is, what her goal is and what her fears are, its a lot easier to find her hero. You know, that guy who’ll push all her buttons, seem totally wrong for her and drive her absolutely crazy? The hunky one, with the broad shoulders and tight… abs.

How about you? Do you identify with the heroine? I’ve heard readers say they put themselves in the readers shoes -so to speak- as they read, living the story through her. How do you read your stories? Through the eyes of the heroine? What kind of heroine do you prefer? And which fictional heroine is your absolute favorite?

I’ll pick one random commenter to win an advance copy of my September Blaze, FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME!

This week marks my 3 year anniversary since I first sold to Blaze (yay, cue balloons and confetti). Depending on how you count, it was either Monday or tomorrow See, I sold on Memorial Day, but the date was May 29. So… this is party week. And a great time to acknowledge what great support I’ve been given since that fabulous day.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I had incredible support before I sold. My family is awesome, my hubby my biggest cheerleader and my critique partner the most amazingly patient and amazing woman on earth (just ask her). I belonged to incredible RWA chapters and some wildly awesome writing groups. So I had support.
But then I became one of the Blaze Babes. What a group!! Not only did they warmly welcome me – they made the whole scary process of transitioning from unsold to sold to published to multi-published so much easier! They’ve invited me to blog with them, included me in series/anthologies, rallied together when anyone needed help and, well tons of other stuff. Bottom line, the Blaze authors are great gals (and Tony ) and inspirations.

So when I tossed out the idea of a Blaze Author blog, it wasn’t just to promote the sexy fabulousness that is Blaze, but also to share this cool community of authors – all different, but all coming together That our editors jumped on board just goes to show that they rock, too! (Okay, I’ll stop before we all have to hands and sing Kumbaya).

Okay, so I admit, I have a reason behind all the rah-rah cheering. Sarah Mayberry reminded me last week that a number of our authors, and editors, have once again stepped up to the plate and contributed to community. Every year, HQN author Brenda Novak holds an auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes. And every year, the authors and editors contribute. Time, books, critiques and more – it’s all there for the bidding. And what are some of the things our authors are donated this year? Funny you should ask

Sarah Mayberry
A full set of autographed books
A critique of a synopsis and first three chapters

Leslie Kelly
The complete Santoris of Chicago series
An ARC of her first Leslie Parrish novel: FADE TO BLACK
A 15 minute brainstorming session which includes a read of a synopsis &3 chapter proposal

Samantha Hunter
A handmade purse filled with books and goodies
A handmade purse in pink filled with books and goodies

The Soapbox Queens – aka Rhonda Nelson, Jennifer LeBrecque and Vicki Lewis Thompson
A career planning session

Julie Leto
An autographed copy of Phantom Pleasures

Stephanie Bond
An autographed copy of WATCH AND LEARN

Tawny Weber
A personalized altered motivational clipboard and copies of GOING DOWN HARD and COMING ON STRONG
A personalized accordion album brag book of photos or book covers and autographed copies of DOUBLE DARE and DOES SHE DARE?

And the amazing Brenda Chin
A read of a book proposal and a telephone conference –within 2 WEEKS!!!

and there are tons more awesome items and critiques or services to check out.

So my question to you is- what community do you belong to that makes your life that much brighter? And have you checked out the auction? There’s an autographed Johnny Depp picture I’m eyeing… what’s on your radar?

Since this is my first post on the new blog and the theme this month seems to be firsts, I thought I’d share one of my favorite first stories. And we also have a mini-theme going about Brenda, it fits in perfectly!! You see, my husband is crazy about my editor. Seriously.

Now, keep in mind that my husband is notoriously easy. All it takes is a good meal and he’s your best friend. Make his wife happy on top of that meal? There you go – absolute devotion.

Here’s the story: A few years back my husband got to meet Brenda Chin and a few Blaze authors at a dinner we’d attended at a small regional conference. He was so impressed. Even though he was 100% behind my writing dream, he’d never realized how cool it would be. There he was, at dinner with writer’s whose books stacked the bookcases at home. He had a great time. With the people, definitely –but also with the fabulous food All he could talk about afterward was what a great deal it would be if were eventually able to write for Brenda and for Blaze.

About six weeks later, I sold my first book! After we’d finished celebrating, I figured he’d go back to his happy but quiet (quite being the key word here) support of my writing career. But noooo, he’s apparently on Brenda’s payroll now. Right after my sale, I broke my foot. So there I am with my very first broken bone and my very first revision deadline. My husband was a doll, setting up a comfy writing place on the couch, my broken foot elevated, my glass of iced tea kept full. Sweet, right? Except the man wouldn’t let me off the couch or give me my pain pills until I’d finished my pages each day… telling me that he promised Brenda I’d have the revisions in on time and hey, hadn’t that been a great dinner?!

Every once in awhile we get to reminiscing. I’ll say something like, “Remember my first sale? Wasn’t that so freaking amazing?” And he’ll respond with a huge, beatific smile and say “Yeah, I remember the barbeque. By the way, shouldn’t you be writing?”

So this brings me to my question – As you chase your dreams in life, who is your biggest supporter… and are they in it for you? Or just the good food?