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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

We Have a Winner!

And the winner of the Kindle Fire is.....

Tony Schommer

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy S. won the 3 Always a Marine books and Rhonda won my giveaway of a $5 Samhain gift certificate. Check the other authors' sites for their individual winners. Thank you everyone who participated! I hope ya'll had as much fun as we did. :-D

Monday, May 28, 2012

MMM: The Wonderful Warren K. Carlyle IV

Stats


Stage Name: modelwarren

Name: Warren Kenneth Carlyle IV (a long one!)

Age: 23

Birthplace: Florida

Height: 6’0

Weight: 170 lbs

Eye/Hair Color: Green/Brown

Shoe size: 11

Nationality: Father is Spanish; Mother is English, German

Today's Male Model Monday offering is the wonderful Warren! He is a sweetheart I've had the pleasure of meeting in cyberspace and will meet in person in November. Let's find out a few fun facts about his career.

How long have you been modeling professionally? At what age did you decide to model? 

That’s a long story--http://experiencelife.com/hidi/2012/02/21/146/ My mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and I needed an outlet in an effort to try and deal with the possibility of losing her in the best way I could. I turned to the gym. My mother mentioned days before she passed away that If I didn’t want a career in psychology, that I should be a spokes model for something, that my drive and personal motivation is something special and I needed to teach it--- every time I entered the room to come see her she’d say… “There’s my model” She passed away in July and I decided to take her advice and run with it—I had weight to lose from gaining so much to be photo-ready… so I made the changes and lost 45 lbs and went to my first casting.

I have been modeling professionally since Dec 2011--- Although I have to admit mentally I’m still the 145 pound scrawny boy that decided to make the change in his life and get buff. I once had a photographer tell me to act more cocky—“You’re hot! Now act like it!” lol--- I think I might have it down now ;P


Have you traveled for your job? If so where was your favorite assignment, if not where is your dream assignment?

I have traveled to Cancun for a pajama shoot— It was absolutely beautiful and pictures haven’t been released yet so I’m excited to see them— you can stay up to date and look out for them at www.modelwarren.com



When not modeling, what hobbies do you enjoy?

My mother was a clinical psychologist and always told me I should get into social profiling—I love the human mind and so I have shelves of psychology books. I’m looking into becoming a spokes model in the future—I want use what I know to help motivate and inspire in a way that makes it seem effortless and easy to understand in a way no one else has done before—a more genuine and realistic approach. In addition to reading, I play the Piano and Saxophone when I get a free moment. Obviously working out is a big part of my life, so I’d say my second home is the gym. Lastly Dark chocolate and coffee is a must have when I’m allowed to eat/drink it…errr—okay even sometimes when I’m not! :X

What an amazing and inspiring interview! You can find out more about Warren on Facebook

*Photos by Troy Wise*

Friday, May 25, 2012

Friday Fireworks Blog Hop

Welcome to my Friday Fireworks Blog Hop Post!!

If you're here that means you're hoping to win a Kindle Fire. Good luck and don't forget to visit the other author's sites!

So what is special about today other than your chance to win the blog hop? Today is the 35th anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars. So, it's time to let my Geek Flag fly and let ya'll in on a little(ish) secret. I'm a HUGE Star Wars fan. Like, a convention going, Yoda loving, Princess Leia emulating, Star Wars fan.

The original Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, was release on May 25, 1977. At the time I was only two years old, but at some point in my youth I saw the movie. I remember having all the little action figures and asking my mom to roll my hair up into buns on wither side of my head. I LOVED Luke with a passion only a pre-pubescent fan girl can truly feel. However, it wasn't until much later, with the release of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, that I was able to live out my passion to it's fullest measure.

In May of 1999 I attended a Star Wars convention in Denver, Colorado and realized I'm actually pretty darn normal. There were people of all ages in all forms of costumes. There were more Slave Leias than I could shake a stick at and Storm Troopers galore. I was in heaven. The icing on the cake came in the form of a rap concert put on by Ahmed Best, the voice of Jar Jar Binks.

Not only was the room full of nerds with no rhythm or self respect, but various Star Wars VPs arrived as the night wore on.

I got to ogle, er...meet Ray Park. The hot actor beneath all the red and black make-up of Darth Maul. He's not only super sexy in person but a really sweet guy. He's also an amazing martial artist.

Uh, yes. That is the boob of a Slave Leia on the right side of the photo. Sigh. 

Aside from the late night rap session, there were also life-sized models of various characters and some of the vehicles used in the film. It was a once in a lifetime experience I'll never forget. 

So here's a bonus question, apart from the Blog Hop, that can win you a prize just from me. In the comments below tell me either which Star Wars character you would love to meet in person, if you ever had the chance, or if you're not a fan, which movie you'd love to attend a convention for? The winner will be drawn via random.org tomorrow and posted here. Don't forget to add your email address in your comment. What's the prize? A $5 gift certificate for Samhain Publishing.

Blog Hop Question: What do Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here's Jazz, Logan and Zach have in common?(Hint: Check out her ‘books’ at Heatherlong.net )

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

WWWW: Nevermore...For Now

I think I've done fairly well in keeping up with my weekly blog commitments. So, now it's time to change things up a bit. For the moment I'm going to stick with the Male Model Monday posts, but drop the World Wide Web Wednesdays. The Friday WTF? posts might also be sporadic, just depending on if there's something I want to talk about any given week. I'm also going to start a new Saturday post called, SK Saturday Update. Those will be review posts about Stephen King's Dark Tower series. The newest installment is out, but I need to reread the entire series before I attempt to tackle it. There will be an intro post for that with a schedule if you'd like to read along with me. Thanks for hanging in there and continuing to read my random ramblings. :-)

Monday, May 21, 2012

MMM: The Amazing Adrian Paul

Stats:

From IMDB.comDate of Birth
29 May 1959London, England, UK 
Birth Name
Adrian Paul Hewett 
Height
6' (1.83 m) 

When I made plans to attend the Romantic Times convention in 2008, I had no clue Adrian Paul would be in attendance. One I found out, my husband threatened to go with me. He's been a huge fan ever since the first time he watched Highlander on TV. There can truly be only one Adrian Paul, and he is quite an amazing guy.

Aside from acting, Adrian is also a director and producer. He stays busy in all aspects of not only movie and television production, but also voice work for different projects. Adrian is also involved in charity work, as can be seen on his website.

He has a face and body to inspire fantasies and a work ethic to be emulated. The Amazing Adrian Paul is in a class by himself.


Friday, May 18, 2012

Friday WTF: Yet Another Time Suck

As if I really needed another way to procrastinate and blow off all the important shit I should do all day, I have caved. My sister was very persistent in requesting I play Words with Friends with her on Facebook, and its finally happened. Now I will become a slave to this game as I am to the real life version known as Scrabble. Blame the game when I get NOTHING else done the next few weeks!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Anniversary Event and Give Away!

Today I'm helping The Romance Studio and Coffee Time Romance & More celebrate their anniversaries! There will be prizes, Q&A, and lots of fun chatting going on. So join me in my forum over at CTR&M to play along! Click here for a full schedule of events.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

WWWW: Oops

I really did mean to add a regular WWWW post yesterday evening to go live at 6 am this morning as is my norm. However, I was reading this pretty good book and got distracted. So my post is a little late, but it comes with awesome news! I'm going to be interviewed on the radio tonight.

Growing up in Houston in the 80s and 90s meant there were a lot of different radio stations over the years for me to find rock n'roll music. But the one that stands out among all the others is 101.1 KLOL. 

Most people who lived in Houston from 1970 to 2004 and listened to the station will be familiar with the name Outlaw Dave. He will be interviewing me tonight at 9:15pm CST. I met him once in an elevator at the Clear Channel office. I was too tongue tied to say much but I did smile. Hopefully I'll be able to talk tonight.

Monday, May 14, 2012

MMM: The Fabulous Fabio

FABIO

STATS: (from IMDB.com)

Date of Birth
15 March 1959Milan, Lombardy, Italy 

Birth Name
Fabio Lanzoni 

Nickname
Fabulous Fabio 

Height
6' 3" (1.91 m) 

Trade Mark
His long hair

To be completely honest, I can't say there are a lot of men in their fifties that I've actually had the pleasure of meeting who are as hot, sweet and sexy as Fabio Lanzoni. Known to the romance world simply as Fabio, Mr. Lanzoni has a face known internationally on many levels. He's been in movies, on television, on romance novel covers and in numerous photo spreads. Fabio has not only been a spokesperson for I can't Believe it's Not Butter!, but also Old Spice and his own clothing line for women.

In 2008 I had the opportunity to meet Fabio when he was guest of honor at the Romantic Times convention. After beating the mass of raging women off with a stick, I wiped the blood from my face and jumped into his arms. Violins and cellos played in the background as he looked deeply into my eyes and it was a magical moment. Then I woke up with a concussion as my friend dragged me from the stampede. Okay...not really. However, I did have the chance to get a photo with him and he was so nice about it. He is a lot sexier in person too. Le sigh...

Do you love Fabio? Information on his fan club can be found here.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday WTF?: Words that don't Exist

Have you ever known someone who uses a word or phrase regularly that makes absolutely no sense? A young man I know was talking about working out and said he wanted to get swole

I said, "What? Don't you mean swollen?"

"No, you know, swole. Like I want my arms to get big."

"Ooookay, well swole is not a word."

And the argument digressed from there until I was laughing my ass off. Then a few days later I saw a muscle car in our neighborhood with "Team Swole" painted on it and realized the younger generation is truly full of idiots. 

However, I soon came to realize I'm also guilty of making up words. When my oldest was very small I would tell her to let me "put her hair up". She morphed that phrase into calling the plastic ties for her hair "hair-ups". Now everyone in our family calls them that without a second thought. Ah well, to each his own.


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

WWWW: RIP Maurice Sendak

There aren't many books I remember reading in my childhood. The ones I do remember stand out for different reasons, but usually because of the illustrations. We lost not only a wonderful author, but a phenomenal illustrator on Tuesday. Maurice Sendak passed away at the age of 83, from complications after a recent stroke. His passing is the ending of a chapter in children's literature history, and he will be missed.

Monday, May 7, 2012

MMM: Male Model Mondays Intro

I think I've done pretty well in keeping up with a set schedule here on my blog, so in celebration I've decided to add a new weekly post to my regular calendar. I like ogling hot men as much as the next lady. Many Monday posts are dedicated to the male form. What I'll be adding to my Mondays here on this blog are models of the male persuasion.

Male Model Mondays will be a weekly post introducing a man who models for our viewing pleasure. It will include his stats and where you can find him on the web, as well as a short interview to give you a peek inside his modeling life.

I'm hoping to spice things up here a bit as well as introduce a few good men who may be available if any authors are looking for book cover heroes. Have any suggestions? Feel free to comment with the model's name and email, or forward my info to him. 

Currently scheduled:

May 14th: Fabio - no interview, just a personal commentary.

May 21st - Adrian Paul - no interview, just a personal commentary.

May 28th - Warren K. Carlyle IV

June 4th - Jimmy Thomas

June 11th - John Quinlan

More TBA soon...


Friday, May 4, 2012

Happy Star Wars Day!

In lieu of my usual WTF Friday? post I've decided to wish all of you a Happy Star Wars Day instead! 

May the Fourth be with you!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

WWWW: World Press Freedom Day


From the website:"Every year, May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession."


World Press Freedom Day is tomorrow, and I think this a time to reflect on exactly what that means.


What is "free press"? According to Dictionary.com, it's a noun that means "a body of book publishers, news media, etc., not controlled or restricted by government censorship in political or ideological matters."


Wikipedia says: "Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections."


So do we have "free press" in the United States? Really? This being an election year, I think I can safely say hell no, we don't! As anyone can see, the media is under the mistaken belief that there are only two political parties. There aren't. The media in general is also overly obsessed with actors, musicians, professional athletes and people who somehow have found their way onto our televisions. In the grand scheme of things, every little thing those people do is not news. It's gossip and I'm sick of seeing it on the front page of anything. So while I think World Press Freedom Day is a great idea, and certainly should be acknowledged, I also believe the general press in this country needs to reevaluate. Just what does freedom mean? While it means they can report on absolutely anything they deem worthy, I think they truly need to stop and think, But should we?