Archive for the 'Life' Category



Saturday, August 2nd, 2008
August Already!

Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
40,313 / 90,000
(44.8%)

OUTSHINED

I’m very happy with my progress! I hope to keep chipping away at that wordcount so the book is done by the end of August. We shall see.

In booktalk land - I read Patricia Briggs’ Cry Wolf this last week and I absolutely adored it. I think Patricia Briggs is one of the best world builders writing today and so I wasn’t surprised at all to discover just how much I loved Cry Wolf.

Some romance, some action, some suspense - all combined into a really quick, engrossing read.

Another winner from Briggs that has me excited to see what’s next for Charles and Anna. The little tidbit at the end of CW for the next Mercy book looks very good too.

And Emma Holly’s All You Can Eat now available in mass market. This was a solid 3 1/2 - 4 star read for me. Amusing, sexy, hot sex scenes. I think Personal Assets remains my favorite contemporary along with Velvet Glove and I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see more of Jack’s “darker” sexual side but there’s something in All You Can Eat for just about all tastes!

OK, back to work for me!

Thursday, July 24th, 2008
On the Plane! Yay!

We’re in the airport on the way home. Even with our flight delayed I couldn’t be happier to be on my way back to Colorado. And it’s not because I think Colorado is so fabulous (can’t stand the place) but…MY BED IS THERE! I totally loved vacation but there’s no place like your own home, your own bed, your own bathroom, your own kitchen, etc.

I saw that Lauren has a new book called FATED - be sure to pick it up. The Cascadia Series rocks! Shelley also has some pretty cool things hitting the shelves, too. I love her Middlemarch Mates series.

And for me, it’s 5 days and counting until HATSEPT HEAT, Vampire Council of Ethics Book 3 comes along! Can’t wait!!!

My plane will be boarding shorly, so I’m off to gather all my crap together. I pack like I”m going on a month-long trip or something - geesh, who needs so many clothes for a one week trip? Anyway, catch ya’ll later ;D

TJ

Sunday, July 20th, 2008
What Was I Thinking?

With Hatsept Heat coming on Tuesday, needless to say I went to sleep thinking about it. And after waking from the most delicious and decadent dream of me and a vamp right out of the pages of one of my Vampire Council of Ethics books, I rolled over in appreciation of air conditioning and thought…what the hell was I thinking to book a vacation in Florida in July? My god, it’s so freakin’ hot here I swear I’m tempted to put ice down my drawers just to cool off a bit.

Unfortunately my daughter got sick yesterday. We think it’s something she ate the day before, but he poor thing was throwing up and had a high fever. I’m glad she’s cool this morning because last night she was so hot I was concerned we’d have to take her to a hospital, which is no fun when you’re AT home, let alone AWAY from home in a city you’re not familiar with.

I’m getting ready to run to the airport to pick up a friend of mine I haven’t seen in years. She’s lives on this coast in South Carolina so she’s flying down to hang out with us for a couple of days. My kids are WAY excited to see her again. If I can talk her into taking some picture I’ll put them up when I get home. Oh, and want to hear the dumbest thing ever? We’re on vacation and NONE of us brought a camera, so we’re reduced to using the ones on our phones. LOL!

See you later,

TJ

PS - Thank you to all of you who sent me notes after reading the TJ On A Tangent newsletter. This has been a really challenging half-a-year for me. I’m looking forward to the second half with some serious renewed hope ;D

Sunday, July 13th, 2008
Sunday Chillin’

First, just a reminder that TJ On A Tanger is going out on Tuesday with all new content, including an excerpt from CARAMEL KISSES that’s not even up on my website yet.

Now…to what’s new in my world: Not much ;D

Not much happening today. My kids had a friend spend the night last night, and since they’re older I didn’t have to do anything other than hand over my credit card so they could order enough pizza and soda to choke a hippo. This morning we got up and went to the Egg and I. Do you have one of those franchises in your town? I LOVE The Egg and I. It feels like you went to have breakfast at your favorite aunt’s house. I used to like going to the Cracker Barrel for Sunday breakfast, but it’s not as down-homey. The food is, but the atmosphere isn’t - too big inside. More warehouse-like than Aunt Mary’s kitchen-n-comfort, you know?

After breakfast (which didn’t happen until after noon sometime) my kid’s friend drove to their destination and we came on home. Within ten minutes of walking into our house I had the kids pulling weeds - boy did THAT go over well! ROFL!

And now I’m sitting upstairs typing this blog entry and ready to throw my brand new laptop up against the wall! It’s got this Microsoft Vista crap on it, and the damned thing installed some updates, then restarted the machine BY ITSELF! It didn’t even give me an option of restarting later. Nooo-ho-ho, the thing did it’s own thing which means I’m pissed because I lost what I was working on. Including this blog post which I’ve now had to type twice.

I am getting excited about vacation next week. We’re heading back to Florida - God, I must have been crazy booking a vacation in Florida in the middle of July. I’m going to be nothing but a big melted puddle of woman. And not in the sexy “Oh baby” way, either.

But for now, it’s Sunday and I’m chillin’ - going to play WarCraft! Wooo! Then I’ll get some writing in on Niah’s Pryde (well, that’s what it’s called for now, anyway).

Thursday, July 10th, 2008
Dating Sites?

I’m just curious how many people have tried a dating site. I know I’ve talked to at least two or three personal friends who met their husbands through Match.com. I’d love to know what the experience was like for anyone who’s tried dating this way.

I checked into eHarmony but, uh, they rejected me. Can you believe they actually said that I’m too nice and so balanced that people tend to think I’m too good to be true, so they couldn’t possibly match a person like me. Now is that ri-damned-diculous or what? LOL!

I’m actually considering a service called “It’s Just Lunch” because frankly I haven’t dated in so long I don’t even know where to go to meet a quality person, let alone find a date. Gah, I had no idea how expensive it could be to get someone to match you up to have coffee with a person! And even though I’m not looking for a husband (dinner and a movie suits me just fine, thank you) do I really want to pay to be set up? On the other hand, if I want to meet someone that I don’t mind actually being in the same room with, perhaps paying is the way to go?

What do you think? By the way, here’s some facts from the It’s Just Lunch website. Some of ‘em are interesting. Take number 6 for example. It this is true, they sure don’t seem to be in Colorado!:

1) 11: The number of single friends the average 27 year old has.

2) 76% of Men: Prefer brunettes over blondes.

3) Wednesday: The best day for a first date according to 41% of singles.

4) One Hour: The time it takes for a woman to determine whether or not she wants to see a man again.

5) 15 Minutes: The time it takes for a man to determine whether or not he wants to see a woman again.

6) 110 Million: The number of single adults in the United States.

7) 43% of Singles: Have Googled someone on the internet before their date.

Saturday, June 28th, 2008
Today I’m…

basket with loads of cool stuff in it. So come on over and say hello!

Here’s a list of the participating authors (times shown are eastern):

10:00 – 11:00: Patrice Michelle

11:00 - 12:00: Alexandra Ivy

12:00 - 1:00: Gena Showalter

1:00 - 2:00: JJ Massa

2:00 - 3:00 Lauren Dane

3:00-4:00 HelenKay Dimon

4:00-5:00 Lara Adrian

5:00-6:00: Cynthia Eden

6:00-7:00: TBA

7:00-8:00: Meljean Brook

8:00-9:00: Shelly Laurenston

9:00 - 10:00: Yasmine Galenorn

Saturday, June 28th, 2008
Today I’m…

basket with loads of cool stuff in it. So come on over and say hello!

Here’s a list of the participating authors (times shown are eastern):

10:00 – 11:00: Patrice Michelle

11:00 - 12:00: Alexandra Ivy

12:00 - 1:00: Gena Showalter

1:00 - 2:00: JJ Massa

2:00 - 3:00 Lauren Dane

3:00-4:00 HelenKay Dimon

4:00-5:00 Lara Adrian

5:00-6:00: Cynthia Eden

6:00-7:00: TBA

7:00-8:00: Meljean Brook

8:00-9:00: Shelly Laurenston

9:00 - 10:00: Yasmine Galenorn

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008
Head’s Up!

FIRST - TODAY IS RELEASE DAY FOR MAKING CHASE!!!! Wheeee! Those of you who’ve been waiting for the paperback release can now finish the series with Tate and Matt and their HEA.

You can get Making Chase at Amazon (although it’s saying it’s temporarily not available but I think it’s a glitch), and My Bookstore and More as well as your local Borders and Barnes and Noble.

And secondly - I’m going to be chatting at Jacquelyn Frank’s place this coming Saturday from 2 - eastern/11- 12 pacific. There will be huge prizes given out all day by all her guests as well as from Jackie herself so come by and say hello. I’ll be giving away a Vegas themed bag with a copy of What Happens In Vegas. A list of all the authors attending is here.

Sunday, June 22nd, 2008
Knuckle Draggers Unite!

I’ve been known to be more of a guy than a girl. Why? Because women have gotten a bad wrap, damn it! And some men figure that if you’re not the stereotypical female you’re either too good to be true, or you are a ‘knuckle dragger’ like them. And I did NOT give them that name. It’s what they believe their women see them as. So, the term has become one that men unite around and are proud to be called.

Women, we’re seen as these complicated, emotional wrecks. We supposedly want to be pamered one minute only to flip the ’spastic switch’ and become Miss Independent I-Don’t-Need-Nobody the next minute. Total bull if you ask me, but them again, I’ve seen my share of goofballs to wonder…

Anyway, so back to the guy thing where I’m concerned. If a knuckle dragger is a person who enjoys peace and quiet, content to let the emotional wrecks get bent out of shape without us, then I guess I’m a knuckle dragger. Hell, even my ex had to admit that he was the complainer/nagger in our relationship, which to me, was a big compliment.

So…Knuckle Draggers unite!

Here’s a joke for those women, like me, who enjoy NOT nagging. Enjoy emotional stability instead of half the month PMS’ing and the other half on her period. Find pleasure in NOT adding a million things to the honey-do list. Enjoy equal parts affection and raunch. Think highly of our men (well, when we have one ;D). And who do love being on the receiving end of chivalry and pampering while still maintaining our sence of self at the expense of no one.

(IF YOU’RE EASILY OFFENDED, READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK - ROFL!!)

A man was riding his Harley along a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice, the Lord said, “Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish.”

The biker pulled over and said, “Build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want.”

The Lord said, “Your request is materialistic, think of the enormous challenges for that kind of undertaking; the supports required reaching the bottom of the Pacific and the concrete and steel it would take! It will nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for such a thing. Take a little more time and think of something that could possibly help mankind.”

The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, “Lord, I wish that I and all men could understand women; I want to know how she feels inside, what she’s thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing’s wrong, and how I can make a Woman truly happy.”

The Lord replied, “You want that Bridge two lanes or four?”

Saturday, June 21st, 2008
Weekly Update!
Zokutou word meterZokutou word meter
44,517 / 90,000
(49.5%)

Relentless - I’m at the halfway point.

I spent most of yesterday, from about 3 am on, dealing with a puking three year old. Man was she miserable and I hate when they’re so sick and you can’t help them other than to wipe faces and rub backs. Poor sweetie pie. She’s better now, thank goodness. On Wednesday my middle kiddo woke up at 4 am with this same thing. He was so sick he missed the kindergarten field trip to the zoo.

I’m still exhausted from next to no sleep. You know I got like tiny bits of mother sleep, not quite deep enough because I was attuned to her every sound. We had the barf bucket in bed with us even. So glamorous.

All I know is I’m hella relieved I’m not sick and it seems to have bypassed my oldest but my husband got his share, only he’s away from home so it’s worse for him.

I missed Battlestar Galactica last night. I’ll have to catch it on the web at Sci Fi. I actually have a good excuse, I was writing.

I’ve been over at Novelspot this week talking about my personal journey from two lines in the window until right now.  It’s funny, writing it all out over the week, bit by bit only makes me feel luckier about where I am and what I do.

If you’re interested it starts with:

Two Lines in the Window
Building My House Brick By Brick
With a Little Bit of Fairy Dust
But Sometimes Your Bag of Fairy Dust Gets Low
Patience Perseverance and Planning
Okay The House Is Built, what’s Next

Tomorrow I’ll finish up with a little primer on navigating the authorial waters but these entries above are my journey from there to here.