I’m in a deadline cave right now and comepletely forgot to write a blog this month, so with your indulgence, I’ll re-purpose a blog I wrote for the Sizzling Pens before we all moved over to the Blaze blog. I beg forgiveness if you’ve read it before, but it’s one of my favortites from Sept 09–freshened up.
To make up for my forgetfulness I think it only fair I give away a book. Anything from my backlist. (Only one I don’t have any of is LET IT RIDE)
And now, without further ado…
My husband and I got started on our family a little later in life, and as a result, my hubby will be 65 when our youngest graduates from high school. Needless to say, he doesn’t anticipate retiring then unless I, by some miracle, hit it big like Nora. Yeah, like I said.
But becoming the next Nora isn’t even a goal for me. I don’t aspire to be on the NYT bestseller list or even win a Rita. (Ok, I’d like to win a Rita, but I don’t see it happening) I just want to write a couple of sexy little romances every year and use the money to fix up my house and–my great love–travel.
Those of you who follow my blogs know I checked off a couple of big ones off my bucket list the past several summers: Disneyworld and DC. But there’s still so much more I want to do before I go “sing with the angels” as my mom always puts it.
There’s Europe, of course. London, Paris, the south of France, and Tuscany are on the “Must See” list.
Then there’s New York City, where I hope to go in 2015 when RWA has its National conference there.
I’d also like to take my family to see the Grand Canyon. Hubby went before he knew me. I’ve been too, before I knew him, but we’ve never been together and the kids have never seen it. And one more place I’d like to see someday is the Bahamas. I’d love to lie around the beach under a swaying palm tree and take in the brilliant turquoise waters lapping onto shore while Daniel Craig brings me another frozen Pina Colada. Ok, ok. I realize the Daniel Craig part is NOT going to happen.
In fact, none of these dreams may ever come true. But if I’m lucky, I’ll get to experience the really important things in life. Like my kids growing up to be happy, healthy adults. Maybe a wedding or two…or three. Maybe even a grandchild or two to spoil. But these are all just dreams I hope will come true. I can work toward making them happen, but when it’s all said and done I need to enjoy every day that comes along, and be grateful for my family who love me, (mom and sisters) my kids and hubby all home safe and sound, eating dinner together around the table on an ordinary weekday, squabbling about who’s turn it is to do the dishes. These times may not be on anyone’s Bucket List, but they are the moments that make up a lifetime of memories.

Vacation, wooo!

I’m typing this from my hotel room in Victoria, British Columbia, where the manfriend and I are spending three days of our otherwise Oregon-based vacation. Bonus: they overbooked the economy rooms so we got upgraded to the luxury suite for no extra charge! BLAM!

As a quick and long-awaited aside, I racked up a wholly-worth-it exorbitant roaming charge on my phone, taking a call from the most terrifying-slash-exciting area code there is: 416. Just as I’d been hoping for for the last couple months, it was my intrepid editor, Laura, calling from Toronto to offer a contract for my latest Blaze proposal! To say this was exciting is a gross understatement. To say it was a relief, coming thirteen long months and a few manuscripts that didn’t hit the mark, is laughably inadequate. When the call came through we were driving around the boonies near Sooke, southeast of Victoria, and my phone decided to cut out in the middle of the call, but I heard enough to keep breathing. I sold my second Blaze! I’m not a fluke!

Back to travel news. We’ve been enjoying most of the three-week trip in the Cascades region of Oregon, where my husband spent his childhood and formative years (not that he isn’t still forming). We passed our first day in Portland, staying with my sister-in-law, and got lost in the wonderful Powell’s bookstore for a few hours before retiring to her house to watch a truly abysmal film on TV that would explode any romance novel afficionado’s sense of all that is right and good: Stayin’ Alive, the 1983 sequel to Saturday Night Fever. I love me a cheesy, dance-centric movie, but I defy anyone to watch that one and explain its moral to me. Befuddling.

It’s been an adventurous visit so far. Between lazy jigsaw puzzling days and delicious family meals, we’ve gone on a half dozen hikes, including two overnight camping trips. Having grown up in Maine, I’m blown away that there are forests you can camp in without dying of massive blood loss to the mosquitos and blackflies in the night. What a concept! The first backpacking excursion took us four miles into the cedar-tastic Middle Santiam Wilderness, where we made camp at Pyramid Creek. Lovely falling asleep to the sound of the river. We had to wade through a far more formidable river to reach the inner trails, and on the way out, the water was so deep and cold my legs seized up halfway to the far bank. The manfriend had to wade back out and lead me the rest of the way. Very intrepid.

Back at my in-laws place, my stepdad-in-law taught me how to cast for flyfishing, which I spent two hours practicing, sans fly, in their driveway. Relaxing, the way that darts are relaxing. He’s a tough sensei, but he said I’d taken it to it better than expected. Maybe one day he’ll deign to take me to an actual river!

We’re greatly enjoying our side trip in Victoria…very romantic after two weeks of crashing at my in-laws’. We drove up through Washington and took the ferry, a pleasant and scenic hour and a half. Victoria reminds me a bit of one of my favorites places in the world, Wellington, New Zealand—sunny, bustling port city, only with spruces instead of palms. Bonus, this bird-nerd has been treated to multiple sightings of one of her favorite species—guillemots. We’re going to drive out and explore more of Vancouver Island tomorrow. Luckily few people have asked where we’re visiting from, and those who have didn’t seem to hold our Bostonian status against us. You never know. Hockey fans are passionate.

Off in search of a drink now; have to celebrate the new sale, of course. Hope wherever you are, life is treating you well!

Meg

Each year, I try to plan a vacation that will be memorable for the entire family.  Last year, we flew out to Seattle and spent two weeks exploring the Olympic Peninsula and islands, even traveling to the town of Forks and staying in a cheesy, Twilight-themed motel room!  My teenaged girls loved it, even if my husband was less than thrilled with the black and red walls and posters of Jacob Black and Edward Cullen staring down at us. 

So this year, I tried to think of something that my husband would really enjoy, too.   He loves Irish history and our bookshelves are filled with books about the Picts and Celts and ancient kings of Ireland.  He comes from a proud Irish family that literally counts the days until St. Patrick’s Day, and I feel like we eat soda bread and Irish stew for the entire month of March.  But even more than Irish history and traditional Irish food, he loves Irish beer.  Murphy’s.  Guinness.  Smithwicks.  He isn’t partial.  So I think, what better place to go than Ireland?  

I love the movies Far and Away, and The Quiet Man, and after watching Falling for a Dancer, I knew I had to visit the Dingle Peninsula.  We’ll all enjoy the gorgeous scenery and while my guy explores the ancient passage tombs and ring-forts, the girls and I can stimulate the local economy by exploring the shops.  And then we can wrap up each day in some cozy pub with some traditional music and a pint of  local brew.  Sounds ideal, right?  Did I mention that we’re going with my parents? 

Seriously, when I first proposed that they join us, I wasn’t sure they would agree.  My mom hates to fly and both of them recently had some scary health issues that I wasn’t sure they would recover from.  But thanks to some wonderful doctors, they are both the picture of health and I’m really looking forward to spending this time together.   My mom and I planned the itinerary, which includes a week on the west coast and then four days in Dublin.  She wants to see the Book of Kells and my dad wants to tour the Guinness factory (I think they call it the Guinness Storehouse), which makes him a hero in my husband’s eyes.  My older daughter wants to see baby sheep (I don’t think that will be a problem) and my younger daughter wants to “meet a cute Irish boy.”  That could be a problem.   And for myself?  I just want to soak in the culture and beauty of the country and come back with some wonderful memories…and I wouldn’t say no to a few pieces of Irish pottery!

What about you?  Is there some place you’ve always wanted to go?  Who would you choose to go with you?  And if you’ve been to Ireland before, are there any sights that are must-sees while we’re there?  Comment here, and I’ll choose someone at random to receive a wee special gift from the Emerald Isle!   Slan go foill!

*Portions reprinted from a Sept 09 Sizzling Pens Blog.
My husband and I got started on our family a little later in life, and as a result, hubby will be 65 when our youngest graduates from high school. Needless to say, he doesn’t anticipate retiring then, unless I, by some miracle, hit it big like Nora. Yeah, like I said.
But becoming the next Nora isn’t even a goal for me. I don’t aspire to be on the NYT bestseller list or even win a Rita. (Ok, I’d like to win a Rita, but I don’t see it happening) I just want to write a couple of sexy little romances every year and use the money to
A)fix up my house and
B)my great love–travel.
Those of you who follow my blogs know I checked off a couple of big ones off my bucket list the past few years: Disneyworld and DC. But there’s still so much more I want to do before I go “sing with the angels” as my mom always puts it.
There’s Europe, of course. London, Paris, the south of France, and Tuscany are on my “Must See” list.
Then there’s New York City, where I HAD hoped to be right now for RWA’s National conference. sniff sniff I’ve never been. But with a daughter starting college in the fall and several major appliances needing replacing lately, I just couldn’t justify the expense. So, look out NYC/ RWA 2015!

I’d also like to take my family to see the Grand Canyon. Hubby went before he knew me. I’ve been too, before I knew him, but we’ve never been together and the kids have never seen it. And one more place I’d like to see someday is the Bahamas. I’d love to lie around the beach under a swaying palm tree and take in the brilliant turquoise waters lapping onto shore while Daniel Craig brings me
another frozen Pina Colada. Ok, ok. I realize the Daniel Craig part is NOT going to happen. But the trip to turquoise waters should be doable someday. Until then, I guess I’ll have to settle for looking at all the pictures I used for researching my July Blaze BY INVITATION ONLY. It’s an anthology with NYT bestseller Lori Wilde, and Wendy Etherington called BY INVITATION ONLY. All 3 novellas are about heroines who each crash the celebrity wedding of the century. Texas Tycoon J. D. Maynard Jr. and famous actress Holly Addison are getting married on exotic Rapture Island . And you’re not invited! My story is called SECRET ENCOUNTER.

What’s a serious scholar like Dr. Peyton Monahan doing crashing a celebrity wedding? Though a disguise gets Dr. Peyton Monahan into the celebration, it doesn’t help her find the elusive philanthropist she’s seeking to fund her latest research project. But she does find one hot gorgeous guy. Too bad Quinn Smith’s hiding a few things of his own….

So, what’s on your Bucket List? Are you taking a trip this year? If you could go anywhere, where would you travel? I’m giving away 3 copies of BY INVITATION ONLY (or anything from my backlist) to 3 randomly drawn posters today.

It’s travel time!  The annual Romance Writers’ of America conference is at the end of the month, which means I’m headed to New York.  I don’t travel as much as I used to and I’m out of practice.  I haven’t been on a plane since the new passenger screening rules were put into effect.  Does it take longer to get through security than it used to?  And packing–it took me forever to pack for last year’s conference.  Why?  It’s not like I haven’t done it before.

I learned about those space-saver bags that you can squash your clothes into, but they still weigh the same and I have had to take stuff out of my suitcase and cram it into my purse to get under the 50-pound limit at the baggage check-in counter.  I am not a light traveler.

Who’s going on a trip this summer?  Any travel tips?  Please share!

My Stonegate series is filled with spies, detectives and mystery, along with a whole lot of romance. In order to do some down and dirty research for these stories, I’ve volunteered to go on a series of Super Secret Spy Missions. I travel a lot, but it’s almost always to New York and Los Angeles for day job related stuff.

This is different. I’m hitting out of the way points of interest and doing super secret spy stuff, along with my research at the same time. Each trip has a mission, which I unfortunately can’t share, but I also manage some fun along the way. I mean, where does it say in the spy handbook that spy girl can’t go shopping? As long as I get the “job” done, the rest of the time is mine.

Below the first few pictures are from the last mission. Piece the clues together and see if you can come up with what you think the mission was about.

I’m so lucky for this next mission. GM is actually providing me a Chevy Traverse, because part of this trip means hauling stuff. (I have to tell you I’m loving this car. Cool gadgets and super secret compartments galore. Perfect for a spy.) I’ll be posting pictures on my own blog at www.candacehavens.com. Make sure you keep up with what I’m doing, because you might just have a chance to do some spying of your own very soon.

And tell me about your favorite getaway. Where do you go to hide from the world? Where is the one place you are most relaxed? Have you ever had to keep a secret so big you thought you might burst? Tell me, I really want to know.
-Candy
www.candacehavens.com

The beginning of Mission #2

This is one awesome spy mobile.

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.