An Early Resolution

Well, I had my coffee, so I feel able to post something that should make sense. I just spent 2 hours on I20 driving to pick up my daughter from South Carolina, and I'm pleased to say the traffic wasn't too bad. The weather today is gloomy, just perfect to read a book, watch a movie or sleep under a mountain of covers.

I haven't been writing as much lately, due to the holiday, but Monday is just around the corner. Am I wrong in wanting to shout, "WOO HOO"? Hey, as I see it, it's a win-win. My lovely children go back to school, and I go back to writing at a decent hour.

I've also started running again, if you could call it that. Granted, it was more a walk/run this morning, but I actually exercised. I refuse to wait until the new year to "resolve" to get into better shape. Better to do it now and stick with it, I say.

And have I mentioned that my mother is coming to visit next week? I love my mom, but I cringe at hearing "you've put on some weight." It's hard to have a mother's who's a beanpole. The woman is like 115 soaking wet, and she complains she's gained weight. Whatever. My problem, I take after my dad when it comes to weight gain. What can I say? I've never met a donut I didn't like. And down here, there's "sweet" attached to everything--sweet tea, sweet potato pie, Crispy Cremes (well, that glaze is sweet.)

Oh crap. I just posted this on the wrong blog. Okay, now it's fixed. *sigh* I need another cup of java. Enough of my blather, now it's time to get back to work...

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

OCD--Obsessive Computer Disorder

I'm not normally an obsessive person. But I had toyed with WordPress in the past, and decided to try my hand at an upgrade a few weeks back. A total nightmare. The practice site I created vanished under error messages and inaccessible codes.

So stupid me decided to try it AGAIN last night. I was up until 4 in the morning, but I got the site up and running. I lost all my old themes (different WordPress templates or backgrounds) so I spent a lot of time going through more on the Web. I set up a ratty looking website, just to see what my Marie Harte website might look like.

You'll notice I haven't changed my website yet. I don't know that I will. I need some better graphics, but I definitely need a site I can maintain myself. When I have changes, I have a lot or a little, and I don't plan on paying through the nose to change an "a" to a "the."

So that was my night. A waste of time? You bet. Especially because I'm hurrying to finish a free read for Samhain due Friday. Wish me luck.

Bonding with Bond

My take on the newest James Bond flick, Quantum of Solace... ROCKIN'!!!

This movie takes off where the last left off, the first Bond sequel to be made. The title was taken from an Ian Fleming short story, but the movie was written strictly for film.

Why are so many people complaining about it? Because Bond has depth. He doesn't sleep with a dozen scantily clad women. There aren't gadgets and gizmos aplenty. No cool car that can shave ice while defusing a nuclear bomb. Instead, Solace gives us a Bond that's rough, driven and cathartic. You can almost see his emotional growth as he deals with the pain of Vesper's death and betrayal. I thought the storyline was wonderfully done, tying in Bond's private drama with an intense, plausible plot.

While I liked Casino Royale better, this is a must see for any Bond fan or action-adventure movie lover. Terrific chases, locales, and a stellar leading lady (Olga Kuryenko). M (Dame Judi Dench) is wonderful, as always. I can't say enough about this movie, but that to give it it's due, it's a must see. And it goes without saying that Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond to date--sorry Sean.

It's an 11/10 for violence, 10/10 for acting, and an 8/10 for the storyline. A-/B+

Wonder Woman I Am Not

Check out my funny post at Hitting the Hot Spot today. Talk about a guest blogging marathon!!

Blogging at Samhain Today

Come on over to the Samhain blog today, where I'm posting about the Death of Vanilla.

Yum. Enjoy, and happy Friday!

Marie

Just For Fun

A naughty holiday joke to break up the work week. I think it's hilarious.

A family is at the dinner table. The son asks his father, "Dad, how many kinds of boobs are there?"

The father, surprised, answers, "Well, son, a woman goes through three phases. In her 20s, a woman's boobs are like melons, round and firm. In her 30s to 40s, they are like pears, still nice but hanging a bit. After 50, they are like onions."

"Onions?"

"Yes, you see them and they make you cry."

This infuriates his wife and daughter, so the daughter asks, "Mom, how many kinds of 'willies' are there?"

The mother, surprised, smiles and answers, "Well dear, a man goes through three phases also. In his 20s, his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his 30s and 40s, it is like a birch, flexible but reliable. After his 50s, it is like a Christmas tree."

"A Christmas tree?"

"Yes -- dead from the root up and the balls are just for decoration."

New Release: CIRCE'S RECRUITS: ROANE

CIRCE'S RECRUITS: ROANE releases today from Loose Id.
I'm also guest blogging at Novel Thoughts today, and one lucky commenter will win a free download, announced later tonight at Novel Thoughts.

Novel Thoughts

Reminder!! Don't forget, I'll be guest blogging tomorrow at Novel Thoughts, where I'll be giving away a free copy of Circe's Recruits: Roane, due out tomorrow from Loose Id. Please stop on by and comment for a chance to win a download.

4th Quarter Contest is Here!

The end of the year is near, and to celebrate I'm giving away a TON of new books. Nothing like finding a new author or story to make your day complete. It's an easy contest. Simply answer the following question to be entered to win.**

What's your favorite genre (of romance) and why?

Send your answer to marie_harte@yahoo.com for a chance to win. Contest ends Dec 3rd, so I can mail the prize and avoid the holiday rush.

**Note, winners outside the continental United States will win a "package" of ebooks, to equal that of the prize being awarded in print books. Well over 2 dozen!

Because I Said So

There was a time when the phrase "Jump" was answered with an immediate "How high?" Of course, any officer worth her salt never ordered for the sake of ordering. But the days of telling someone to do something without a question in response are LONG gone.

It started when I got married. Continued through small children, who grew into teens, a job with harried truck driver, some of whom didn't understand the words "customer" and "service" go hand in hand, and has trickled down to a 3- and 5-year-old who think they rule the world. No longer do I issue non-judicial punishments or office hours. Instead it's time in the corner, a lack of TV or computer games, or the requisite spanking. And yes, I am all for hands-on discipline.

The military makes thing simple. In a five paragraph order, the mission statement tells the 5 w's: when, who, what, where and why. It's spelled out in black and white, in traditions carried out with pride. When a superior wants answers, you give them. When a subordinate is tasked with an agenda, that subordinate gets back to you or suffers the consequences. Questions don't go unanswered, phone calls are returned and plans stick to specified timetables.

Unlike the real world, and specifically unlike the world of publishing.

Agents and editors "lose" manuscripts, authors don't read submission guidelines and waste everybody's time. People miss deadlines and readers are at times stuck with badly edited, and worse, badly written books they shelled out good money for.

My answer? Throw in a couple of "Yes Sirs" and "Yes Ma'ams," institute a policy of mandatory good customer service, and punish offenders by throwing them in the brig. A fantasy land? Sure, but one can always hope. Sometimes I really miss the Marine Corps...

More Release Joy

It’s out. It’s available. It’s finally here. The release of a new book is always a reason to celebrate. As a reader, it means there’s something new to discover. Love and romance, sex and action. As an author, it’s that final journey, from the idea seedling to the fruitful expression of labor.

I’ve been waiting a long time to see my characters find a happy ending. It all started with the idea of a family. Four brothers who must find a way to defend their homeland and the people they love. This was my first attempt at a series.

I don’t know how other authors do it. Several of my books I had intended to be stand-alone, when a secondary character would shout out for a sequel. In the Storm Lords universe, I’d always intended a series. The tale of good versus bad, but not necessarily light versus dark.

So I created the Storm Lords. In this case, they are the Royal Four, the last surviving Light Bringer warriors who harness elemental energy. Identical quadruplets who are tall, dark and handsome. Oh yeah. That had “potential” written all over it. Just into the story, however, I knew the series would be told over five books. Each brother had his own story. The Prince of Fire, the River Prince, the Wind Mage and the Earth Lord. But there was something more, a huge presence keeping them together. Their uncle, a powerful sorcerer, ageless yet ancient. Arim Valens.

In the four books preceding Guardian’s Redemption, Arim guided his nephews and fought against the evil plaguing his land. He was always a strong, sensual presence. I knew he’d be a main part of the resolution in the overall story arc of the books.

He had a past never before explored, but hinted at. And so in this last volume, Arim will deal with his past, and in so doing, cement his future. The line between friend and enemy will blur, and a startling truth comes to light. The chance for love, for redemption, is there, if only Arim has the courage to reach for it and surrender to his feelings.

Want to find out how it ends? Buy the book!!!