September rocks because (1.) the kids go back to school and (2.) it’s like an open invitation for me to run wild through the school supply aisle!
I’m a sucker for colored markers, highlighters, sharpies, etc. Then again, I love the paper/pad aisle and the clips! I could spend all day picking out post-it notes and binder clips. And those big striped paper clips - how fun are those?
But some reason, I can’t pass the date book aisle without stopping and touching every size, shape and style! I have a Palm…why I feel the pull of the datebooks, calendars and agendas is beyond me. I’m addicted to the flowery refill pages, the to-do lists, the mini-zippered pouches - damn all those accessories!
So before I go completely bonkers and work myself into a frenzy that only be cured by ANOTHER trip to the local Staples… I’ve got a contest for you! My daughter and I made some pretty book thongs, I’ve got brand new bookmarks for The Kandy Shoppe and I’ve got some fun fall-themed scrapbooking sticker sheets to give away. To win one of my prize packets all you have to do is comment here - What’s your favorite school supply and why.
That’s it. Have fun and the winning number post will be drawn randomly on October 1st.
(Want to increase your chance of winning? Head over to my CoffeeTimeRomance author forum and comment there too!)
Good luck!
The supplies have been bought, the alarms clocks are set…school starts tomorrow.
And it’s time for the CoffeeTimeRomance authors to celebrate. Click on the Alphabet Author image below and take a look at all the prizes and promotions. (You can get a jump on my contest by clicking the image on my sidebar!)
My publisher, Blade Publishing, has also joined the fun - there will be a new trivia contest posted EVERY day of September - so that’s 30 chances to win! Here’s the Blade contest for today:
Today’s book to win is The Twins of Tribeca by Rachel Pine
The contest question is:
Which actresses identical twin sister played the “T-1000 Sarah” in the movie Terminator 2?
You can post your answer here or email your answer to contests [at] bladepublishing [dot] org
The winner will be announced tomorrow night when the next question is posted.
Good Luck!
~Abby
You’ll need to be registered (don’t worry it’s free) to comment on the CoffeeTimeRomance forum. Don’t forget to tell them I (Debora Dennis) sent you…they’ve got a cool referral contest for us authors going all month too!
Good luck!
Yes, it’s a brand new website design, one that reflects the fun, flirty feel of my writing. If you’re looking for fun, froth and wit with a some spark and sizzle - I’m your girl - and I think this website design screams me! So I’m pretty darn excited about it.
And September is only a few days away…school days, school supplies, new clothes and new routines. I love this time of year.
So to celebrate, I’ll be having not one, not two, BUT three ways to win in the month of September. In conjunction with CoffeeTimeRomance I’ll be participating in their Alphabet Authors September Celebration.
I’ll be posting all the details about the contests over the next few days…stay tuned. 
Yes, last night I made a fool of myself and I’m sure the phrase “I’m not with her” was on the tip of my husband’s tongue.
After living in new neighborhood for the 11 months, we just found out last week that our town has a “residents association” to promote harmony in the community, for beautification of our small town and to address any concerns that the residents might need some help with when taking our grievances to a “higher level” of government…you know the red tape we’re all so fond of.
So since we’re having a problem with the teenagers that frequently hang out at the park across the street from our house, we decided to go see what this group was all about (and the fact that a police detective from our precinct comes to the meetings to address concerns and update the residents on the crime in the neighborhood, was certainly a plus.)
So before we get to the open forum for us to ask for help with our rampant drug using, sexed up teenagers that party in our park after midnight every night…the board racaps the recent activities of the group.
Since we’re the new people at the meeting, they ask if we’ve seen the people in “yellow” cleaning up the town square and all the beautification efforts (basically looking for more volunteers) and I think for a minute then say, quite loudly I might add, “Oh. Those yellow shirts are our community volunteers? I thought they were the convicts on clean-up duty.”
Silence.
Hubby just turned and looked at me. Then he whispered, “you realize you just called all the people this room convicts?
Then they all laughed and said maybe they should be our town association name a little bigger. Let’s just say everyone came over and talked to me when the meeting was done. I think most of them laughed about it with me over coffee and donuts, but I’m pretty sure hubby is mortified. In retrospect I think it was funny. (I didn’t plan on insulting anyone, but maybe I should learn to think before I blurt?) Does that mean I have a warped sense of humor?
Put your foot in your mouth recently?
would you believe…STARBUCK’S IS NOW SERVING CHOCOLATE FLAVORED CARDBOARD? Okay, I admit that may be a bit harsh, and for everyone that loves their new Viviano drink, then I apologize and am happy for you. Really. BUT the texture is akin to ground cardboard and after I choked down 1/3 it quickly found it’s way into the trash - there’s $4 down the toilet…yes, I mean that literally.
would you believe…RESEARCH BOOKS EXCITE ME? I had a Barnes & Noble gift card that’s been burning a hole in my wallet for about 6 months (yes, I know that in itself should be a “would you believe!”). Why is it when you have money to spend you can’t find something to spend it on - and when you’re broke, you want everything you can’t have? Anyway, up late the othernight and cruising along the site - I decided what I really needed was a few research books on clothing. My order had to be split it two - but I got my first book yesterday, “What People Wore When” and I’m enthralled! I ordered a second “history of costume” book that should come tomorrow. I also bought a DIY home improvement book for my current writing project. Woohoo!
would you believe…I HAVEN’T MET MY WRITING BUDDY AND GOOD FRIEND FOR COFFEE ALL SUMMER? I can’t and I’m ashamed. Have we both been that busy? I guess between my three kids and her two - sneaking away for a cup of joe just doesn’t work out as much as we would have liked. Luckily, I think we’re going to meet this week - I hope so, I miss her! (Yup Gina, you know it’s you! )
would you believe…MICHAEL PHELPS AND ALL THE MEDALS THAT MAN WILL BE WEARING HOME? Holy Moly - he’s been amazing to watch. And I think just as exciting as watching him swim is watching his Mom and sisters in the stands - the looks on their faces, the tears in their eyes and the shouts of joy. Great stuff!
What’s on your list of “would you believe” this week?
I’m about to admit something I hate to say out loud. I wasn’t going to watch one minute of the olympics - why? Because of my intense feelings about the venue. Why is the world pumping tourist dollars into a nation that will not use one “red” cent of it for the good of the people? Everyone knows China has the worst human rights policies on earth, doesn’t give a rats ass about their people…so why give them this opportunity? Why put our atheletes through the torture of playing in a place where air quality is completely unhealthy? Why not just force them to smoke a few hundred packs of cigarettes on our turf? Why?
But yesterday while suffering through a brief writing block on edits for my latest novella, I was of course cruising the web. And what did I see? Gold, silver and bronze. Michael Phelps and the US men’s swim team - smiling and celebrating victory.
I saw inspiration. I saw pride. And somehow I got sucked along for the ride and I tuned in last night with my three kids. Within minutes Michael Phelps was in the pool, his mother cheering from the stands. The US men’s gymnastic team was busy pulling out all the stops to go for a medal no one back at home thought they could achieve - if that’s not inspiration, folks…what is?
My kids and I watched the American flag as it rose high above the crowd, our anthem played to tears of joy on the faces of our olympians, their families and mine. I can’t imagine standing there hearing the words of what our country represents blaring for all to hear - hands over heart, what a rush!
So, for now, I’ll put my feelings for the venue on hold and cheer for our team. They’ve paid their dues, done the drills and practiced. They deserve to be there, for themselves, for our nation and for the world. They deserve us to watch
Are you watching?
Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak smashed the former world record in the men’s 400m freestyle relay by four seconds at the 2008 Olympic Games. Their gold medal-winning time of 3:08.24 edged runner up France by eight-hundredths of a second! Woot!
Go USA!
And I didn’t make a fool of myself (at least I don’t think so ) Pop on over to CoffeeTimeRomance and read it for yourself.
Another Monday in the trenches, ladies…a tough job but someone has to do it right?
I think my first introduction to Benjamin Bratt was in Demolition Man, which of course I was watching because of Sly Stallone Then he popped onto my radar again with Miss Congeniality. Now I see he’s got a new series called “The Cleaner.”
I’m not usually one for real-life drama type shows - I prefer the land of romance and things that don’t depress me and remind me how tough the real world is…but still it looks like this show might have a good message, so I might have to check it out.
Until next week, enjoy the view above…
Another great review:
This one is from Chris at Night Owl Romance.
What’s a little unsatisfied lust? What is a wanton ice cream freezer slut? Read and find out! You won’t be sorry. And be sure to have some ice cream handy to cool you off!
4.25 hearts!
A new way to win!
My publisher, Blade Publishing, has a really cool game to play on their website…”Win a free book the Vegas Way!” So if you don’t already have “The Kandy Shoppe” or have been eyeing one of the other’s on the site - why not take a fun chance today!
