I've got Spring Fever

“A feeling of restlessness, excitement, or laziness brought on by the coming of spring,” that’s the dictionary definition of Spring Fever, but I also found this on the Internet and totally loved what reporter John Illman from Channel 4 wrote: The old idea that in spring a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of love is not just an old wives' tale. People do mate more in the spring and summer. It might not sound very romantic, but this trend is linked to a hormonal response to a powerful but little recognized aphrodisiac – light.

Yeah, that’s why I’m feeling restless, must go mate – lol. Seriously, with the longer day light I’m in heaven. I get more energy, I set new goals, and I feel happy. Those three things my family will take on any day.

With that I’ve also decided to plunge deep into my YA novel that for most of all winter sat in the back of my head. Now with the sun shining, the water sparkling and pretending to look warm my young Siren has been calling me, so I’ve decided to let her out – lol. I’m also getting totally geared up for my first Romantic Times’ Booklovers’ Convention in about a month in sunny Florida. Can’t wait for this as it will be a whole week to network with other writers and hopefully meet some fans, but also to have a week to myself as an adult. Did I mention it was an especially long, cold, snowy winter in Canada and lots of snow days – need I write more!

Well, this is March Break and while I’ve set writing goals today with the bright sun I’m packing up my brood for a small car trip as we’re off this week to hit a number of NS museums. I bought a family pass last May and now when I go I feel like it’s free – I know it’s all psychology but let me tell you it’s worth it. So today we’re either going for an 1.5hr drive to visit Lunenburg’s museum of the Museum of Industry and we get to pick many more all week and then tonight with the longer light I’ll be hitting the café to write – yes! Have a great week, everyone.

Juggling, Life as a Writer

Okay, for all those people wondering out there what life is like for a writer I thought I’d dish the dirt. First, let me declare in my holier-than-thou voice, I’m a mother of four children...hear me roar! Now, I love my children in the ‘I would lay down my life for them in a heartbeat,’ but I will admit writing from home with children makes for challenges. Three of my four are in school but when one gets sick, bang...writing is slow and sometimes not even a thought. And, when I’m pressed to make a deadline I get a little crazy. My youngest is in daycare three days a week and I am doing a major happy dance come September 2009 when she starts school. What that means currently is that I tend to write my butt off during those three days, but add in the freaking snow storms which have cancelled school quite a bit and well you get the picture.

I always set weekly goals. Five pages a day and usually make it. That doesn’t mean all my writing gets done in the day, more than twice a week I sneak out to the local Starbucks, where I can plug in my computer, to pound out my story.

So, life as a writer is juggling. I normally sit at my dining room table and start typing around 9am those blessed three mornings a week. If my house is a complete mess, which it often is, I pack up my lap top and after three morning drop offs, I head to Starbucks...I don’t care about their mess, the noise or the people...my goal is letting the voices that are talking in my head morph onto paper. Lately, I’m feeling pulled because I’m working on two stories and some weeks the character for one is stronger than the other and I have to devote my attention to that story for more than I had planned. I’m not complaining I’m just trying to focus.

Ahh, focus. Live in the NOW! I strongly believe in breathing but I also believe in reaching for the light at the end of the tunnel. I set goals and feel a sense of accomplishment when I reach them. Sometimes, they’re not big goals, but don’t forget I’m always juggling and that I live half my life in my van. So, this weeks goal is 5,000 words on my dragon story, 2,000 words on the YA story (because Gemini is starting to scream in my head again), clean the downstairs bookshelf (ugh) and remember to breathe!

Curious? Anyone else out there writing, juggling a family and life. I’d love to hear from you. We, writers, get lonely. Drop me a line.

Elemental Love - my latest hot paranormal

“You thought to capture me.”
It was a mocking statement, not a question, but the sound of his voice roared of thunder, vibrating along the sensitive hairs in her ears that tingled for just another word from him. And it was a him. The masculine deep cedar woods scent of him filled the air where she lay.
“You cannot ensnare me, waikta.”
Waikta. It was a word she knew. It was the language her mother spoke and a long time ago it was a word her mother had used to softly chastise Ashanti. Now there were a dozen harsher words her mother used to remind Ashanti of what she was. Other. Beast. Demon. Unclean. Unworthy. Freak. The last word manifested itself only a dozen years ago after her mother finally secured a television.
Finally regaining all her senses, it was then Ashanti realized she was naked and collared. It wasn’t an electrical collar and she was thankful for that. Instead a wide black leather fastening was tightly clasped around her neck. Attached to the collar was a black leash.
I am not a dog. Her anger flared to life as she attempted to stand. She couldn’t. She fell to her knees, bracing her body’s weight with her hands.
“This I like.”
Then Ashanti felt the man’s large hands on her and she fought the tremor of lust that ripped like a lightning rod through her entire mind and body. She twisted her head around, trying to see him, but there was no one there. Her senses and the voice told her otherwise.
“You want me to fuck you. I can smell your wet arousal.”
Crude words that should make her despise him. They did the opposite. Before she could bark a forced reply, the man’s tongue lightly flicked over her exposed rump. She sucked in her breath sharply. Pleasurable goose bumps formed along her skin. Without words he widened her stance, forcing her knees to open more as he licked and nipped at her ass cheeks. It was the most erotic sensation Ashanti had ever had. To simply experience the sensations but not see the man pleasuring her was a powerful feeling. So intense was the want of what he was doing to her body that she fought the pleasure…fought the craving…fought the wicked licks and nips from his mouth that moved from her ass to her now wet pussy.

Elemental Love purchase today at http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419919114

Must read - Broken Wing

Over the holidays, I had the distinct pleasure of reading Judith James first romance novel, Broken Wings, published by Medallion Press. To say I was totally blown away would be an understatement. Broken Wing is nothing like I've ever read. From the first page I was gripped in steel. The character development that James brought forth will leave you shaking...with passion and complete understanding of such a strong complex character. Gabriel St. Croix is real. You will discover that yourself by the end of the first chapter. I have become an avid fan of James and can't wait to read her new book she's working on. I know she's working on it because James is a member of my local romance chapter. Knowing James as I do, I can't begin to express how totally fullfilling this book was...it allows romance to move to a new, more engaging, fullfilling level.

Here is a snippet from the back of Broken Wing:

Abandoned as a child and raised in a brothel, Gabriel St. Croix has never known tenderness, friendship, or affection. Although fluet in sex, he knows nothing of love. Lost and alone inside a nightmare world, all he's ever wanted is companionship and a place to belong. Hiding physical and emotional scars behind an icy facade, his only relationship is with a young boy he has spent the last five years protecting from the brutal reality of their environment. But all that is about to change. The boy's family has found him, and they are coming to take him home.

Check out James website at http://www.judithjamesauthor.com/ for more information. Add Broken Wing to your Must Read List for 2009.

Snowmageddon and Burl Ives

Yep, I'm snowed in. We got 30 centimeters of snow easily, which is roughly 11 inches of snow. The drift outside my back door was two feet high and made of Artic quality snow, meaning hard and easily cut. The kind to make igloos out of. LOL.

It's luckily sunny today (Saturday), but more is coming Sunday, and this lot we have now isn't even going to melt. So I'm inside, snuggling from the warmth, working on my writing and watching Christmas specials.

So to wish you all a Happy Holidays I thought I would leave you with this happy message from the late Burl Ives!

Hugs!! May you have a prosperous and safe Holiday Season.

Fun with the kitties . . .

I promise you, these cat pics make me wish I had a kitten . . . :)

Christine's New Obsession

Okay, so anyone who knows me, knows how much I love a good TV show. I have certain criteria that the show has to meet in order for me to commit the time to watch it. You've heard me go on about Doctor Who, Torchwood, Stargate, Dexter...well, I have a new one.

Supernatural.

Yes, yes, I know I'm late to this game (I usually am), but OMG!!! Hubby and I have been watching the show on DVD after the strong recommendation from a friend. It has everything I adore in a good show. The acting is strong, the plots are entertaining...the guys are hot. Wait, did I say that out loud?!?

We just started season two last night, and I have to say it is only getting better as time goes on. I have a feeling I'll get caught up on the show over Christmas so I can watch it on TV when it starts back up in the New Year.

Again, what has drawn me to Supernatural is the characters. Dean is my favourite for so many reasons. He hides his true feelings behind sarcasm and dry humor. He's also the oldest of the brothers, and I find myself identifying with him.

So are there any Supernatural fans out there? Why do you love the show?