We lost our 10 year old German Shepherd on the 13th (R.I.P REX). My hubby called me at work to let me know he passed away. The day before Valentine’s Day, guys–sniffle. We’d gotten Rex when our youngest son, Chase, was a baby. So he grew up with the kids.

So sad.

My other son had to have a bad spot cut/removed from his face on Weds. It went well and you can barely see where it’d been. The doctor did a great job. So that was good.

Work has been insane (day job). Hopefully won’t have to deal with any more angry people (LOL). Ahhhh…

On the writing front: I’ve started working on a new story (yay). After a few months of no writing at all, it’s so nice to dive into things. I’m hoping to start working on chapter 2 pretty soon, although, I’m expecting edits any day now on TFGF. Which, I believe will be releasing in March (HOLY CRAP–so excited).

I’m also waiting to hear back on some things. LOL–I know, I seem to say that every time I blog. But hey, it really should be any day now that I get some news, right? Here’s hoping.

I got my bookmarks in the mail for TFGF this week. I signed over 500 of them to send down to RT (with my publisher) along with over 500 Bookcover Trading Cards. I’m also going to be giving some away on my blog in the next month or so. So definitely keep an eye on info for that.

I have to try to set up some blog tours/interviews for TFGF (which I love to do–LOL). It’s fun meeting people and chatting.

Loved TVD and Secret Circle last night. I’m mad that they’re going on hiatus until March though (grrrr). Don’t they know that I won’t have anything to do on Thursday?

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have Monday off of work for President’s Day, so that’s FREAKING AWESOME.

This weekend basketball season is finishing up for my daughter. She’s had an AWESOME season. Last game they beat one of the hardest teams in the league and she had 16 points and several steals. Also this week, my youngest had to get glasses (gets that from his dad—hehehe). And the three youngest all made honor roll at school (oh yeah).

On the writing front, all is quiet. Actually, next week I’ll be diving into my next two stories. One is a YA Fantasy, which I will call TP (I promise that’s NOT short for toilet paper—snickers) and the other is a YA Paranormal Romance (book 2 to My Dad’s a Paranormal Investigator). I’m VERY eager to get back to it. I haven’t written anything in FOREVER. My creative mind is bursting.

I finished reading Passion by Lauren Kate. It was pretty good. Liked seeing the different versions of Daniel/Luce through history. Can’t wait to read the last book. I’m actually reading my own book: My Dad’s a Paranormal Investigator: Seeking Shapeshifters right now to get myself back into the storyline/characters to write the 2^nd one. It’s kind of strange reading the paperback (LOL).

Oh, and I ordered trading cards/bookmarks for The Fairy Godmother Files: Cinderella complex. I already got the trading cards in and they turned out really nice. I got the bookmarks designed and I think they’re so cute. So can’t wait to unleash them on the world (stay tuned because in the next couple of months I’ll be giving away some loot).

OMG, did you guys see The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle last night? TVD was AWESOME. I can’t really talk about it yet because some of my friends haven’t watched the episode yet and told me not to tell them what happened (hehehe). But I will say Mr. Damon Salvatore (Ian) looks mighty fine in a tux. I have to watch The Secret Circle tonight as I was designing bookmarks with my sister last night and had to DVR it. But the previews looked SO good.

Now, I’m in count down mode for The Hunger Games Movie. I’m SO VERY FREAKING EXCITED for it.

And I have to give a HUGE shout out to my crit partner Vanessa who landed herself a literary agent this last week! So proud of her!!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT WEEKEND! I plan to watch basketball, catch up on tv shows and just chill. Plus it’ll be snowy and I don’t want to go anywhere (hehehe).

This book will be released later in 2012. Will keep everyone posted as soon as I get a specific date!

Welcome again to YAFF Muse: blog rounds. The ladies of YA Fiction Fanatics have come together for YAFF Muse. To have a little fun, explore different styles of writing and to give you some kick-butt shorts to read. Enjoy!

Photo Credit V Barger

I hurried to the front gate, practically dragging my grandma.

“Alice, slow down.” She chuckled, attempting to refold the map of the Tower of London.  “Why don’t you run along and see if you can make some of the tours.”

I frowned. Her poofy white hair looked like someone pulled apart a cotton ball and taped it to her head. “I’m not gonna leave you here by yourself.”

“I’ll be fine. Besides, all this walking made me thirsty. I want to sit in the shade and relax. Now go.”  She swatted me with her folded umbrella.  “I’m sure Elizabeth will be along shortly. Her reenactment group was supposed to be done by one o’clock.”

With a grin, I rushed through the crowd. Tendrils of blonde hair tickled my cheek as the winds picked up. An array of foreign accents swept through the throngs of people. Camera’s flashed as tourists posed in front of the gate. I slowed my pace, not wanting to appear too eager.

My gaze flashed to the White Tower. All summer I’d dreamt of coming here. Grandma had booked the trip to London as a graduation present. She said I needed to have one last “hurrah” before I left for the University of Michigan in the fall. Although, I had my suspicions she was trying to hook me up with some British guy. For an old lady, she seemed pretty obsessed with Prince William. If I had to hear about his “manly physique” one more time…

Oomph.  I crashed into a sturdy frame.

“I’m so sorry.” I glanced up to see a tall, dark haired guy staring down at me. His blue eyes were startling. Like a cold shock of ice on a hot summer day.

He seemed surprised and looked over my shoulder, then in a British accent said, “Are you speaking to me?”

My face burned. “Um—yeah. I didn’t mean to run into you.  I was in a hurry.”

He smiled. It was then that I noticed the old-fashioned garb. He wore breeches, tucked into high leather boots, and a white flowy tunic, with an embroidered navy colored waistcoat.

“Pardon my manners.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Lord Edmond Fuller.”

My pulse quickened at the touch of his mouth to my skin. “Alice.”

“Perhaps, you’ll allow me to show you around today?” He laced my arm through his.

“I’d like that.” Oh. My. God. Grandma would so freak out if she saw me with this guy. Not only was he hot, but he had an accent. A very smoldering accent.

Okay. Stay focused. Don’t act like an idiot.

We walked toward the Tower Green, where two men were dressed in black and red outfits, complete with large hats.

Edmond steered me past the ancient structures and crowds. He pointed out the different buildings, giving me a brief history. It was like my very own tour guide. We chatted about London and the weather and about soccer. The conversation just seemed to flow, like we’d been friends since childhood.

“Do you mind if I have someone take our picture?” I asked when we stopped in front of Tower Gate.

“Not at all.” His fingers brushed mine as he released my arm. Tingles trailed from my toes to the top of my head, my heart beat out of control. For a moment, I thought I might explode. Down hormones.

I stopped a nearby couple to ask if they’d snap the shot. Edmond and I posed together, his arms wrapped about my waist. This feels right. When they finished, I put the camera back in its case and turned to him.

“Thanks for showing me around today. I had fun.” Please ask me for my number. Or kiss me. Or cop a feel. Something.

“My pleasure.” He bowed, giving me a lopsided grin. “How long are you in London for?”

“Another week. My grandma and I are staying a few blocks from Kensington Palace.”

“Only a week?” he said, half to himself. His smile slipped away and he stared at the dark clouds. “Well, Alice, I shouldn’t keep you any longer. It seems like you’re being paged.”

He pointed at Grandma who hobbled toward us.

I moved to her side and when I turned back around Edmond was gone.

“Who was the nice looking young man? You got a hot date?” She winked.

I fanned my face. “No.”

“Tell me you at least got his number!” Grandma Pearl swatted me with her umbrella when I shook my head no.

“I didn’t have time. And now I’ll likely never see him again.” How could I be so stupid? Here I’d just had the perfect day, with the perfect guy and I had no way to get a hold of him again.

Thunder boomed overhead and large drops of rain spattered against my face. Grandma snapped her umbrella open and tugged me beneath it. “He probably works here. We can come back tomorrow and ask for him.”

“But what if he doesn’t want to see me again? I mean, he might think I’m some weird stalker or something.”

She snickered. “As your generation likes to say, you my girl need to grow some.” She gestured at her private parts.

“Grandma, really?”

“You never know when you might meet your Mr. Right. Do you want to chance missing out on it?”

Truth was, I didn’t. But what was the point? I was from the US and although Grandma made frequent trips here to see her friend Elizabeth, I was about to start school. Not to mention being separated by an ocean might put a damper on things like a long distance relationship.

***

I tossed and turned most of the night. All I could think about was Edmond. His smile. His eyes. The way he held my hand. And obviously, I was turning into Grandma with my obsessions. I slurped up the last bite of oatmeal and shoved my bowl aside.

 I have to go find him. Today.

“So, are we making a trip back to the Tower?” Grandma glanced at me over her newspaper.

“Yes. I have to.”

“Then let’s go.”

I wiped my clammy hands on my pants as we approached the gate. With Grandma close behind, I found the closest employee.  “Excuse me, I wondered if you could tell me if Edmond Fuller was working today?”

The lady gave me a dirty look. “Is this a joke?”

“Um—no.”

“Lord Edmond Fuller died in the 1700’s.”  Her eyes narrowed as she walked away, muttering something about stupid tourists.

Shit. This was insane. Maybe I’d dreamt the whole day up. I jerked my camera from its case and scrolled through the pictures. When I came to the photo I wanted, I stopped. He was there. No ghostly see through images. No smoky tendrils. He was a solid human being.

“This doesn’t make sense.”

Grandma leaned closer, gasped, then started laughing.

“What’s so funny?” God, you’d think she’d be more sympathetic when it came to my love life.

“Nothing. Why don’t you let me use your phone so I can call Elizabeth to meet us for lunch. I bet, between the three of us, we can come up with a plan to find your young man.”

“Just face it, Grandma, it’s hopeless. Besides, he gave me a fake name. He didn’t want me to find him.”

****

An hour later we stood in front of the Goat Tavern, waiting for Elizabeth. Traffic buzzed by, while people streamed in and out of shops.

“There she is!” Grandma dragged me toward the curb, where a taxi stopped.

A short, grayed haired woman climbed out. Her black coat unbuttoned.

“Pearl, Alice, so good to see you. I hope you don’t mind, but I brought my grandson Oliver along.” She smiled at Grandma.

I gasped as my “Edmond Fuller” slid from the taxi.

“Alice?” He seemed as stunned as I was. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.”

“I went back to find you today, but you gave me a fake name…”

He blushed. “Sorry about that. I was helping Gram’s reenactment group yesterday. We have to stay in character. And then I had to leave before I could give you my real name or get your last name.  I started to call the local hotels to look for you, but realized I only had your first name.”

I stared into his eyes as he took my hand.

“Luckily, I recognized him in the picture,” Grandma said beside us. “Elizabeth has been bugging me for ages to introduce the two of you. But it looks like you’ve done all right on your own.”

“Maybe I ought to give you another tour.” Oliver smiled. “My flat isn’t too far from here.”

“Oliver Russell!”

“I’m kidding Grandma.” His fingers traced my cheek. “How about lunch?”

“I’d love to.” I didn’t know how things would work out, but I knew fate had intervened.

Thanks for coming by. Please be sure to drop by my fellow YAFFers blogs and don’t forget to leave a comment.

Traci Kenworth

Vanessa Barger

Kit Forbes

Tomorrow (weather pending) we’ll have my daughter’s basketball game. So hoping it’s a good one. Last week was a little rough as 2 girls got injured, 1 girl was sick and didn’t show, and another dropped off the team. So yeah, they were a little short. Erin had all but one of the baskets for the team (woohoo). She was amazing on defense (lots of steals), but yeah, they lost by 6 points.

And ZOMG, Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle were flipping AWESOME last night. Seriously LOVING these shows. Thursday is like my favorite TV night (well, I also like Wednesday (Ghost Hunters) and Sunday (Once Upon a Time) too-hehe). Hmmm…on the VD front methinks Stefan might be starting to show signs of caring for Elena again (much to my dismay—LOL). I so LOVE Damon and want him and Elena to be together. And I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with Alaric and the Dr. There’s something up with her. So don’t trust her. Definitely some interesting turn of events (Bonnie’s mom). HOLY CRAP, I didn’t see the Elijah thing coming, great plot twist.  So much going on. Can’t wait until next week.

Oh, and on the Secret Circle, I love me some Jake. He and Cassie have a GREAT connection. I’m anxious to see how it’s played out. And I can’t wait to see more on Cassie’s dad. And of course, I know there will be some major craziness coming especially if Faye gets hooked on this drug. I really liked seeing a little bit of the past and seeing that softer side to Jake last night. Still like Adam, but want to see Cassie and Jake have a moment or two. I’m wondering how long Diana will stick with “just being friends” with Adam. I have a feeling they’ll hook back up for a little bit. Still hoping they have Adam go look for the Master Tools. But we’ll see.

My TBR pile is still humongous. I’m almost finished reading Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris. I’m really liking it so far. After that, I’ll read Passion by Lauren Kate (which I bought last October for my birthday). Yeah, as you can tell my TBR pile hasn’t been touched much lately (LOL). And with Valentine’s Day coming up, I hope my hubby gets me a gift card for books (or a bouquet of books would be kind of flipping awesome).

Have some crazy stuff going on regarding the writing front. Still waiting to hear back on some stuff (eek). I’m leaning toward writing two books at once. I want to get book 2 for My Dad’s a Paranormal Investigator written. I’ve got some research I need to do on it, but I’m hoping to get that underway soon. I also want to work on another book that I have some great ideas for (YA Fantasy). But that’s going to be more of rewrite/overhaul than anything.

Also, have to give props to my girls over at YAFF (Traci, Min, Pen, Vanessa, Jenn, Barb, Rachel, and Kelbian) and also my Non-YAFF writing friends (Angie and Lee) this week for your lovely emails/PM’s etc. You’ve totally been dolls.

I hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend. Try and stay warm!!!!

On the writing front, I’m waiting to hear back on some projects, not to mention, I’m still trying to decide what story I want to work on next. I have 3-4 possibilities, just not sure which is calling more at the moment.  Figure I’ll give myself til next week to start figuring it out (LOL).

And OMG, my football team (Detroit Lions) are in the playoffs (holy crap—squuuuuuuuueeeeee). This is their first appearance since 1999. Totally stoked. Unfortunately, our first round opponent is New Orleans (boo/hiss). LOL. Yeah, it’ll be a tough game, but I’m so excited. I SO SO SO hope they pull of the win. ROAR (that’s my lion impression).  And speaking of football, don’t want to forget about my boys at the University of Michigan, who won the Sugar Bowl (OH YEAH). Totally humming the fight song. Hehehehe.  Lots to cheer about.

Finally, I come to the portion about The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle  (spoiler alert).

ELENA AND DAMON FINALLY KISSED!!!!! That’s right, the moment I’ve been waiting for since the beginning. Hehehe. And I admit that I rewound the DVR a few times during that scene! Really loved all the twists last night. The fact that Stefan is back and town and being a bad ass is kinda cool (LOL). Although, I wonder where Katherine has run off to again. And I didn’t see the whole using compulsion on Jeremy thing coming (Damon/Elena sending him out of town). I liked the united front of Alaric, Damon, and Elena though. Of course, Klaus is still causing havoc and I’m trying to figure out what he’s going to do with Tyler. Lots going on. And I can’t wait to see what they do with Bonnie/the coffins. But yeah, my favorite moment last night was THE KISS. SIGH.

And wow, how about The Secret Circle? OMG, I was so excited for last night to see Cassie’s powers. I have to say Diana’s grandma is kind of a bitch (LOL).  I’m really not liking Faye’s mom and Diana’s dad either. Bunch of conniving peeps. It was good to see Adam showing some interest in Cassie again, even after she almost choked him. And I have to say, I hope Jake comes back. He’s one of those characters that you know is bad, but has some good intentions as well. Also looks like Faye is going to be wreaking some havoc again, will be interested to see what happens with her. I hope we get to see the kids find out about the master tools (like they do in the books) and maybe have Adam go look for them. I really liked that arc in the book. So yeah, so much to look forward to. It’d be awesome to see Adam and Cassie have a moment as well (LOL).

Well, hope everyone has an AWESOME WEEKEND! I’ll be doing a lot of traveling we have basketball for my daughter and my son is a part of a Honors Orchestra  and they have a big concert on Sunday. And of course, Saturday, the Lions are playing New Orleans (so can’t miss it).

Phew! Here it is, my last day of work (at the day job) until after the New Year (oh yeah). I’m really excited to have some time off. My plan? Well, to hang out with my family, play some video games, watch movies, read books, and maybe do a few “small” edits on TLOM (we’ll see though).

And for once, I have ALL my Christmas shopping done and the gifts are ALL wrapped (LOL). So, I actually get to chill. I’m SO looking forward to spending time with my kids/hubby. I’m already making a list of video games we can play (Skyrim is at the top, I’ve been waiting all week to play it—ahhh), as well as board games, and I have a ½ finished puzzle I REALLY want to get done.

It’ll be nice not to have to make the long commute and just stay home. Some years we take trips in December (like to Florida/Disney etc), but this year we’re all going to be home.

December 24^th I’ll watch A Christmas Story (like I do every year). The 25^th will be a blast as all my kids are home. Devin and Kris are home from GVSU, and Alyssa got in last Friday from Roosevelt University. The younger kids haven’t left (LOL), and my sister, 2 nephews, and niece, will be there with us. And hopefully, my dad will be back in off the road by then.

The following weekend (New Year’s Eve) will be my side of the family’s Christmas/New Year get together and my brother and his wife will be coming up with their 3 kids, and my sister will be there with her kids etc. We normally play board games, eat LOTS of food, and goof off (um—yeah can you say Nerf Gun Wars?).  Then we watch the ball drop. Usually, there is a prank call or two (MOM). LOL. But yeah, lots of fun.

As you can see, most of the stuff planned revolves around my LOVELY family. I can’t say enough about how awesome my family is.

So, until the New Year (unless of course I get some awesome news to share before then). Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (or whatever holidays you may celebrate, I hope they’re perfect).

Okay, I can honestly see how someone could get a case of road rage. Seriously. With a 120 mile work commute every day at some point or another a driver is going to irritate me, but last night was RIDICULOUS. GRRRRRR. 

So, there I am, heading from work on my way to my daughter’s basketball practice. And well, I got stuck behind someone doing 40 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. I was getting a tad bit miffed. Especially since it was a pickup truck and they kept riding the centerline so I couldn’t see to get around.

But, I figured, “Okay, I can deal with this. I’ll just be running a little late.”

Then comes the DB (douche bag) behind me. He’s riding my tail. I’m of course muttering to myself “I can’t go any faster, hello, someone in front of me.”

Of course, DB can’t hear. But now comes the part where this jack weed starts to tick me off.  He starts flashing his bright lights behind me.

WTF? Seriously. I have a truck in front of me that I CAN’T see to get around. And I’m sure he/she (truck in front of me) isn’t going to go any faster with you flashing your frickin brights in MY mirror.

DB does this a couple of times, then backs off. Then another mile or two down the road, DB gets on my tail again and starts to flash the lights again. At this point, I’m thinking if they don’t back off I’m so gonna slam on my brakes! But then, of course, I don’t want to do that because my car is only a year old and I don’t want it smashed up.

So DB now becomes A**hole, and A**hat (and a number of other unsavory naughty words).  So A-hole, formerly known as DB backs off once more. At this point, my heart rate is up and I’m tossing around cusswords like they’re going out of style (trust me, I came up with some inventive names for A-hole).

Once more, I try to see around the truck this time, I notice oncoming traffic.  And A-hole comes riding up on my butt once more. Again, with the bright lights. So, I touched my brakes and he backed off. I nearly, rolled down my wind to give him a friendly gesture, but then thought better of it. 

Eventually, I got around the truck and the other car got stuck behind him (hahahhaha). Serve’s him/her right!

So, here are the top five ways to give me (or someone else) road rage: And yes, A-hole, formerly known as DB this is for you…

5) Drive below the speed limit when the roads are clear and weather is good (some of us really want to get home). And if you don’t want to do speed limit, kindly take back roads (or pull the heck over so I can get around).

4) Swerve into my lane because you’re too busy talking on your flipping phone or texting. 

3) Whip out/pull out in front of me (when there’s no one behind me and you could’ve waited) then turn 1 road up (grrr). Really? I mean, you couldn’t wait for me to go by?

2) Go too fast for road conditions when it’s snowy/icy (um—do you not see all the cars in ditches—moron).  Why yes, I do see you have 4-wheel drive, but guess what? Ice + driving too fast= 4-wheel drive vehicle in the ditch.

1) And the number one way to give me a case of road rage? RIDE MY TAIL WHEN I’M ALREADY GOING OVER THE SPEED LIMIT or RIDE MY TAIL WHEN I CAN’T GO ANY FASTER BECAUSE THERE’S A CAR IN FRONT OF ME THEN FLASH YOUR FREAKING BRIGHT LIGHTS.

GRRRR…so anyway (LOL), I just finished reading A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies. It was a good book, and I have to say I LOVED Asher (sigh).  Also loved the mystery behind Skye and how her emotions were triggering certain things. My only complaint, the cliffhanger ending!! OMG, I hate having to wait to find out what happens to characters.

I started reading Shadowed Summer by Saundra Mitchell this week, which is really good so far. Saundra has a perfect way of painting her characters and settings. I’m like 1/3 of the way through it already.

On the writing front, I’m knee deep in edits (still). Yeah, it’s totally taking me forever. But I’m more than 1/2 done so that’s good. I’m going to have to do some major overhaul on the last 3-4 chapters though.  My goal is to get another chapter done during break today, then try and finish the edits/applying of critiques this weekend and have it over to my beta readers by next week.  Not sure if I’ll get this over to Agent Lady by the end of the year or not, but I’m sure gonna try.

And now for the waiting segment of the show. Yes.  That’s the sound of crickets (hehehehe).  I’m trying so hard to be patient while I wait to hear back from the movie companies and a publisher who has one of my stories right now.  But man, it’s totally hard.  I’ve been trying to stay focused on my edits, however, that’s been mega hard.

At least a couple other ladies in my crit group are playing the waiting game too so we can kind of email back and forth about not hearing from everyone (hehehe). I have a feeling, I’ll likely have to wait for any information until after the holidays (sniffle).

Unless, of course, Santa Claus surprises me (snickers). Okay, not likely, but I’m trying to be positive here!

Oh, and this weekend is my son’s birthday (yay). He’ll be 14 yrs old (is that possible?). He wants a blueberry cheesecake for his b-day cake (he gets that from my hubby). Although, I do LOVE cheesecake.  Still have to drop by the store and get his present.

What’s everyone else doing this weekend? Any big plans?

So stop in and say hi!!!