Books I'm excited about

A couple of my pals have books coming out this week. Books I've been dying to get my paws on.

First, there's A SUMMER IN EUROPE (which seems very Room With A View-ish to me). Here's the info:

On her 30th birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives and unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea's Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. The prospect isn't entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting -- an engagement ring from her boyfriend -- doesn't materialize, Gwen decides to go.

At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it's the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and beauty of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment -- skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre and taste-testing pastries, wine and gelato. Reveling in every new experience -- especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor -- Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within...

Sounds lovely, doesn't it? You can check out Marilyn's website right here.

Next up, it's time for dessert. Literally. I mean, this cover is so yummy that it should be at least 10 points on the Weight Watcher's Point scale.

SOME LIKE IT HOT by Louisa Edwards.

A sizzling blend of food, passion—and searing romance—the Rising Star Chef competition brings together the world’s hottest chefs for an all-star cook-off that’s sure to stir up excitement...and melt some hearts.

HE’S FEELING THE HEAT

Sexy, single, and even sweeter than the treats he bakes, New York pastry chef Danny Lunden is trying to stay focused on food—not females. With the Rising Star Chef competition approaching, he doesn’t have time to get all steamed up over the gorgeous woman he encounters on the plane to Chicago. Even if she is Eva Jansen—the billionaire heiress in charge of the contest...

SHE TAKES THE CAKE

Danny assumes that “Eva the Diva” is a spoiled rich girl who doesn’t share his passion for food. But when the two meet up again in an elevator—alone—they share more than just passion. They share a kiss hot enough to start a kitchen fire—and they’re hungry for more. To indulge their new secret craving, Eva and Danny have to break every rule in the cookbook. But—like chocolate and caramel—some ingredients are are so sinfully good together, one scrumptious bite is never enough...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I'm heading out of town to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family. This is where we will be. Yep, I'm excited!

I have so many things to be thankful for this holiday. My family is all healthy and that's the biggest blessing anyone can hope for.

Oh, and I'm also thankful that JR and Karina won Dancing With the Stars last night! Because if they hadn't... well, let's just say there would have been one very disgruntled fan.

Today, I'm blogging over at Girlfriends Book Club where I'm talking about how grateful I am to be a 21st century writer. And on Turkey Day I'll be at the Stiletto Gang.

See you on Monday!

These should be outlawed

Chick-fil-A's Peppermint Chocolate Chip milkshake is the bomb. It's only available seasonally, but man, is it worth the wait.

I've been craving one for weeks now and finally gave in last night. I had a girls' night out- dinner at Food, Glorious, Food and then went to see Seussical at YAT. Megan's first big role was playing Gertrude McFuzz in her high school production and I think to date, it's still my favorite role of hers.

Will be finishing a crit on a fabulous romantic comedy written by my new cp (Jamie!) and then watching the Noles beat up on Virginia tonight (hopefully!)

Happy Saturday everyone!

Another Reason to love Susan Lucci

I admit it. I'm a huge fan of All My Children and have been since I was old enough to watch TV. Now that the show has been cancelled, it's like the world just isn't right anymore (dramatic, I know, but it's the simple things that keep us centered).

Susan Lucci (or La Lucci as I like to call her) has come out and blasted Prospect Park (the company that was going to keep AMC live online). Boo, Prospect Park! You can read it right here. It's just so Erica Kane of her and I love it. Tell it like it is, Susan. I think Brian Frons (the ABC exec who killed the show) and the folks at Prospect Park should go on Santa's Naughty List. Don't you?

PS I found this article through the Carly Phillips' Daily Paper, which is a terrific compilation of news from the romance and publishing and entertainment industry. If you don't subscribe, you should!

Sleigh Ride Giveaways

In order to celebrate the arrival of the new winter anthology, Sleigh Ride, there will be lots of giveaways going on this week

I've already given away a copy on Magical Musings, and today, there's another giveaway over at the Girlfriends Book Club blog. Just click here to comment and be entered.

To celebrate our launch, we're doing several great contests including the 7 Sleighs/7 Days of Giveaways contest (now on day 4) as well as the Big Stuffed Sleigh Contest that ends Nov. 30th ($150 value.)

Sleigh Ride is a collection of short stories, all involving a sleigh ride. My story is titled Noche Buena and is of course, a romance, which was lots of fun to write and involves characters from my next work in progress (to be titled later!). Here's an excerpt:

North of Havana, the town’s only Cuban restaurant, was the last trip on Maggie’s “Goodwill Tour of the Fruitcakes.” Every December 23rd, a representative of the Daughters of the Spanish Explorers (the town’s most prominent women’s club) brought a fruitcake and a Christmas card to all the local merchants. This year, as the club’s secretary, the task had fallen on Maggie. She’d purposely kept North of Havana as her last stop. It had given her something to look forward to.

The smell of simmering pork and sofrito made Maggie’s mouth water. She scanned the empty dining room with its scrubbed down Formica tables and brightly colored walls with the mural scenes of old Havana’s Malecón. Nestor had painted those murals himself.

She would never forget the first time she laid eyes on Nestor Vega. It was two years ago that she’d taken Lily, her Bison Frise, for her nightly stroll through down town when she’d spotted the lights in the abandoned restaurant building. Greg, Maggie’s brother-in-law and president of the First Coast Bank and Trust, had mentioned someone had bought the building, but he hadn’t given her details. As a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, Maggie’s curiosity had been aroused. She had put on her best “welcome to Old Explorers Bay” smile and prepared to greet the newest member of the business community, the Cuban immigrant from Miami who’d moved to Old Explorer’s Bay to open his own restaurant.

Faded jeans. No shirt. No shoes. Standing on a ladder and painting the restaurant walls fast and furiously to the sounds of Celia Cruz blaring from a portable CD player. Nestor, with his rough good looks and suave voice with the accent. He was Javier Bardem and Antonio Banderas wrapped up like the finest tobacco leaves to form the perfect Cuban cigar.

Adventures in Painting

This is what I did over the weekend. I painted my interior French doors black. With, I admit, a little help from my friends, those friends being Mike Geraci and Motrin (800 mg usually does the trick).

The hardware is still missing in this picture and the glass isn't scraped and cleaned, but what do you think? I love it. Formerly, these doors were painted a dull and predictable white (see outside door in the sun room). Those babies don't know it yet, but next weekend they are getting the same treatment because once you go black, you never go back (okay, sorry, I just had to say that).

My sister, Carmen (the fabulous owner of Soho Interior Design) and a kick ass decorator told me not to do it. You see, these doors in are in the "great room" (would love to know who came with that expression) and my "great room" has no windows. The only sunlight it gets is from the windows in the surrounding rooms, which a lot of time is okay, but sometimes not so okay. She thought the black doors would add to the poor light situation, but I don't think so. I think it makes my room "pop."

On a side note: painting your interior French doors black is a messy job. My manicure is now ruined, which means I'll have to hit the nail salon tomorrow (and I might as well get a pedi while I'm there too). Plus, all this work really builds up your appetite and take out Chinese on Weight Watchers is a real point hog (just sayin', although the sesame chicken was totally worth it!)

Truffles is Faking It

I think Truffles Geraci is moonlighting as a cover model...