Make a Smilebox greeting

Happy St. Patrick's Day from me to you!

I'm a Red Cross Volunteer at my local hospital. During our break the volunteers would get together in the hospital cafeteria and have a snack and something to drink. We'd talk about this and that and the other. We'd share stories about our lives, past and present.

One day an older woman, another volunteer, came to me and asked me when I started writing. I'd made mention in passing at one of our breaks that I was an author. I told her that since 2000 and she was surprised I had not been writing my whole life. I explained that I actually was a technical writer for fifteen years before I started writing fiction, but I really had only been writing novels for less than ten years.

I asked her why, and she told me she had a story in her but she said it was too late to write it. She looked so woe-be-gone that I felt instant sympathy for her.

Again, I asked her why, and she said she was too "old".

"Old" is such a relative term. To her it meant she was too used up; too late to start something new; especially something "long term" like writing.

She felt so overwhelmed with the daunting task of putting words to paper. All of the words locked inside of her. She didn't know where to begin and she turned to me to help her.  She sighed that all of those words in side of her would be lost forever. I asked her why and she said she would never have the time to write her story.

I'll tell you what I told her. It's never too late. I asked her to start small.  Only a few minutes each day.  Write a few words, a sentence or two, and that's it. Nothing more. Nothing less. Just something to get her started.

She didn't know where to begin. I told her that she didn't have to start at the beginning of anything. Just sit down. Get quiet. And start writing whatever comes to mind first. Take it from there.

She seemed hesitant but said she'd try.

The next day she was like an eager schoolgirl wanting to show her best report card. She had actually written something and best of all she sent it to her family in an email and they enjoyed it! She couldn't wait to get back home and try again. What she had written had spurred more memories that she was eager to capture. She's more organized now, keeping her memories tucked away in electronic document files, but she still sends them to her family to read. It gives her so much joy.

Her interest in writing and the small steps she took gave her the incentive to start and to continue. And that is how she's writing her memoir to her children.

It wasn't too late for her, and it's not too late for you.

It's never too late to start writing.

Please vote for Jack, my American Eskimo in the Redbook Furry Face-Off!!

Many things pass through my e-mail in-box and this is one of the them. I don't know who the original author is, but thank you.

I'm passing it along to you!
 
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.

2) The farm was used to produce produce .

3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

4) We must polish the Polish furniture.

5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.

6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present

8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

10) I did not object to the object.

11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row ...

13) They were too close to the door to close it.

14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.

15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Let's face it - English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France . Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So one moose, 2 meese? One index, 2 indices? Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend?

If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell?

How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which, an alarm goes off by going on.

English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race, which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

PS. - Why doesn't 'Buick' rhyme with 'quick' ?

You lovers of the English language might enjoy this .

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that is 'UP.'

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ? At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report ?

We call UP our friends. And we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver; we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car. At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses. To be dressed is one thing, but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night.

We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP ! To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4th of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions. If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more. When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP .. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP...

When it rains, it wets the earth and often messes things UP.

When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on and on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so........it is time to shut UP!
 

Myspace Layouts


Henry Brook Adams said, "One friend in a lifetime is much; two are many; three are hardly possible."

Happy Valentine's Day to my friends!!

Well, folks, tell us something we don't know, right?

But, here it is, in the New York Times. Posted 12/23/08.

According to the article, and correct me if I'm wrong, it sounds like they're crediting the success of the e-readers for the success of e-books.

Okay, I'll bite.

Don't you have to have something to READ before you want to have something to READ it ON?

I say e-books are a success because of the authors, and the e-reader products improved based on demand.

But, that's my humble opinion.

You can read the article here. Turning Page, E-Books Start to Take Hold. Skip the add that might pop up and go straight to the article.

I'd love to hear your opinion.

Obituary in the London Times



Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:



Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.



Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).



His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.



Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.



It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.



Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.



Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.



Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.



Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, responsibility, and by his son, Reason.



He is survived only by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim



Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Historical Vampire/Werewolf Romance
==============================

THE BLEEDING DUSK - Colleen Gleason - Signet Eclipse (Feb.)

UNDER THE BLOOD RED MOON - Mina Hepsen - Avon A (Oct.)

COME THE NIGHT - Susan Krinard HQN (Oct.)

LET THE NIGHT BEGIN - Kathryn Smith Avon (Jul.)

THE RAVENING - Dawn Thompson - Love Spell (Feb.)

Historical Romantic Adventure
========================

THEFT OF SHADOWS - Naomi Bellis - Signet Eclipse (Feb.)

HER EVERY PLEASURE - Gaelen Foley - Ballantine (Apr.)

THE TREASURE - Iris Johansen - Bantam (Dec.)

TO SEDUCE A BRIDE - Nicole Jordan - Ballantine (Apr.)

THE PERILS OF PLEASURE - Julie Anne Long - Avon (Feb.)

PRISONER OF THE FLAMES - Dawn MacTavish - Leisure (Nov.)

SEDUCED BY A SPY - Andrea Pickens - Forever (Mar.)

Sensual Historical Romance
=======================

A ROGUE'S GAME - Renee Bernard - Pocket (May)

DON'T TEMPT ME - Sylvia Day Brava (Apr.)

DOUBLE FANTASY - Cheryl Holt - St. Martin's (Mar.)

EXPLOSIVE - Charlotte Mede - Brava (Jan.)

JUST FOR HER - Katherine O'Neal - Brava (Jul.)

Historical Fiction -

THE DARK LANTERN - Gerri Brightwell - Crown (Mar.)

THE WINTER ROSE - Jennifer Donnelly - Hyperion (Jan.)

THE TSARINA'S DAUGHTER - Carolly Erickson - St. Martin's (Oct.)

PHYLLIDA AND THE BROTHERHOOD OF PHILANDER - Ann Herendeen - Harper (May)

THE WHISKEY REBELS - David Liss - Random House (Oct.)

Historical Biography
===================

TUMBLEWEED - Jane Candia Coleman - Leisure (Jun.)

THE OTHER QUEEN - Philippa Gregory - Simon and Schuster (Sep.)

THE KING'S FAVORITE - Susan Holloway Scott - NAL (Jul.)

THE KING'S DAUGHTER - Sandra Worth - Berkley (Dec.)

Historical K.I.S.S. Hero
====================

Trevelyn Deveridge - DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS - Emily Bryan - Leisure (Mar.)

Harry Morant - HIS CAPTIVE LADY - Anne Gracie - Berkley Sensation (Sep.)

General Merin - 22 NIGHTS - Linda Winstead Jones - Berkley Sensation (Dec.)

Chance Morgan - MAVERICK WILD - Stacey Kayne - Harlequin (Jan.)

Nicholas Ramsay - THE MIDNIGHT MAN - Charlotte Mede - Brava (Aug.)

Major Harrison - THE SCANDALOUS LIFE OF A TRUE LADY - Barbara Metzger -
Signet Eclipse (Jun.)

Wyatt Yarbro - THE RUSTLER - Linda Lael Miller - HQN (Oct.)

Gabriel MacBraedon - THE NIGHT BEFORE - THE WEDDING - Debra Mullins - Avon
(Feb.)

Historical Romantic Mystery/Gothic
===========================

SEDUCTION BECOMES HER - Shirlee Busbee - Zebra (Jul.)

DARK TEMPTATION - Allison Chase - Signet Eclipse (Nov.)

CONFESSIONS AT MIDNIGHT - Jacquie D'Alessandro - Avon (Jan.)

AFTER THE KISS - Suzanne Enoch - Avon (Jul.)

WICKED INTENSIONS - Lydia Joyce - Signet Eclipse (Dec.)

WHERE THE HEART LEADS - Stephanie Laurens - Morrow (Feb.)

THE SEDUCTION OF THE CRIMSON ROSE - Lauren Willig - Dutton (Feb.)

Best Erotic Romance and Erotic Novels of 2008

Paranormal/Fantasy/Paranormal/Fantasy
=================================

UNDERCOVER - Lauren Dane - Heat (Dec.)

SEDUCED BY DARKNESS - Delilah Devlin - Avon Red (Apr.)

THE MARK OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN - Joey W. Hill - Heat (Feb.)

FULL CIRCLE - Ann Jacobs - Ellora's Cave (May)

ETERNAL DESIGNS - Gracie C. McKeever - Siren (Mar.)

ADDICTED - Lydia Parks - Aphrodisia (Sep.)

Erotic Romantic Suspense
====================

FORBIDDEN FRUIT - Eden Bradley - Delta (Nov.)

RIDING WILD - Jaci Burton - Heat (Feb.)

SHE'S ON TOP - Susan Lyons - Aphrodisia (Apr.)

JADED - Karin Tabke - Pocket (Jun.)

Erotic Romance Historical
==================

MIRAGE - Monica Burns - Samhain (Jan.)

CROSSED SWORDS - Marianne LaCroix - Ellora's Cave (Apr.)

ONE WICKED NIGHT - Noelle Mack - Aphrodisia (Jan.)

BLACK SILK - Sharon Page - Aphrodisia (May)

NATE - Beth Williamson - Samhain (Jan.)

Erotic Fiction
==============

SWAP - Jenesi Ash - Heat (Sep.)

THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW,THE SEX THEY HAVE - Aubrey Leatherwood - Lyrical (Dec.)

SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL - Vanessa Marlow - St. Martin's Griffin (Apr.)

WHIP APPEAL - Méta Smith - Pocket (Aug.)

Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Novels 2008

Science Fiction Novel
=================

DUST - Elizabeth Bear - Bantam Spectra (Jan.)

ZOE'S TALE - John Scalzi - Tor (Aug.)

GALAXY BLUES - Allen Steele - Ace (Apr.)

SATURN'S CHILDREN - Charles Stross - Ace (Jul.)

HALF A CROWN - Jo Walton - Tor (Oct.)

Fantasy Novel
===============

THE HOUSE OF THE STAG - Kage Baker - Tor (Sep.)

SHADOWS RETURN - Lynn Flewelling - Bantam Spectra (Jul.)

SHADOWBRIDGE - Gregory Frost - Del Rey (Jan.)

GOBLIN WAR - Jim C. Hines - Daw (Mar.)

CAST IN FURY - Michelle Sagara - Luna (Oct.)

FORTUNE AND FATE - Sharon Shinn - Ace (Nov.)

KING OF SWORD AND SKY - C.L. Wilson - Leisure (Oct.)

Epic Fantasy Novel
================

PRINCEPS' FURY - Jim Butcher - Ace (Dec.)

THE IMMORTAL PRINCE - Jennifer Fallon - Tor (Mar.)

BLACK SHIPS - Jo Graham - Orbit (Mar.)

HAWKSPAR - Holly Lisle - Tor (Jun.)

THE HERO OF AGES - Brandon Sanderson - Tor (Oct.)

UrbanFantasy Novel
====================

MAGIC BURNS - Ilona Andrews - Ace (Apr.)

BITE THE BULLET - L.A. Banks - St. Martin's (Oct.)

MIDNIGHT'S DAUGHTER - Karen Chance - Onyx (Oct.)

PURE BLOOD - Caitlin Kittredge - St. Martin's (Sep.)

THE IRON HUNT - Marjorie M. Liu - Ace (Jul.)

STORM BORN - Richelle Mead - Zebra (Aug.)

MAGIC TO THE BONE - Devon Monk - Roc (Nov.)

Urban Fantasy Protagonist
=====================

Mercy Thompson - IRON KISSED - Patricia Briggs - Ace (Jan.)

Joanne Baldwin - GALE FORCE - Rachel Caine - Roc (Aug.)

Cat Crawfield - ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE - Jeaniene Frost - Avon (May)

Sookie Stackhouse - FROM DEAD TO WORSE - Charlaine Harris - Ace (May)

Daunuan - HOTTER THAN HELL - Jackie Kessler - Zebra (Aug.)

Marla Mason - DEAD REIGN - T.A. Pratt - Bantam Spectra(Nov.M

Anna Strong - LEGACY - Jeanne C. Stein - Ace (Sep.)

Best Contemporary and Paranormal Romances of 2008

Contemporary Romance
===================

OVERNIGHT MALE - Elizabeth Bevarly - HQN (Jun.)

EVERYBODY LOVES EVIE - Beth Ciotta - HQN (Feb.)

THIGH HIGH - Christina Dodd - Signet (Mar.)

HELLO, DOGGY - Elaine Fox - Avon (Jan.)

ACCIDENTALLY YOURS - Susan Mallery - HQN (Jan.)

FLAT-OUT SEXY - Erin McCarthy - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

UNRAVEL ME - Christie Ridgway - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

Futuristic/Fantasy Romance
======================

MOONSTRUCK - Susan Grant - HQN (Jun.)

SOLAR HEAT - Susan Kearney - Tor Paranormal Romance (Feb.)

HIDDEN - Eve Kenin - Shomi (Jul.)

THE MAGE'S DAUGHTER - Lynn Kurland - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

COUNTDOWN - Michelle Maddox - Shomi (Aug.)

PHENOMENAL GIRL 5 - A.J. Menden - Shomi (Nov.)

SHADES OF DARK - Linnea Sinclair - Bantam (Aug.)

Vampire Romance
===============

MIDNIGHT RISING - Lara Adrian - Dell (Apr.)

THE DARKNESS - L.A. Banks - St. Martin's Griffin (Feb.)

BECAUSE YOUR VAMPIRE SAID SO - Michele Bardsley - Signet Eclipse (May)

DARK CURSE - Christine Feehan - Berkley (Sep.)

DARKNESS EVERLASTING - Alexandra Ivy - Zebra (May)

SUCKER BET - Erin McCarthy - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE - Lynsay Sands - Avon (Jan.)

Shapeshifter Romance
==================

THE ACCIDENTAL WEREWOLF - Dakota Cassidy - Berkley Sensation (Feb.)

KISS OF FIRE - Deborah Cooke - Signet (Feb.)

THE DRAGON MASTER - Allyson James - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

THE LAST TWILIGHT - Marjorie M. Liu - Leisure (Feb.)

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE - Christine Warren - St. Martin's (Jun.)

Contemporary Paranormal Romance
============================

DESTINY KILLS - Keri Arthur - BantamSpectra (Nov.)

TURBULENT SEA - Christine Feehan - Jove (Aug.)

NOAH - Jacquelyn Frank - Zebra (Sep.)

THUNDER MOON - Lori Handeland - St. Martin's (Jan.)

DEMON'S HUNGER - Eve Silver - Forever (Dec.)

NIGHT SEASON - Eileen Wilks - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

Paranormal Action Adventure Romance
==============================

ETERNAL PLEASURE - Nina Bangs - Leisure (Jul.)

DARK DESIRES AFTER DUSK - Kresley Cole - Pocket (Jun.)

PREDATORY GAME - Christine Feehan - Jove (Mar.)

DARK MAGIC - Cheyenne McCray - St. Martin's (Nov.)

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE - Nalini Singh - BerkleySensation (Sep.)

BOUND BY SHADOW - Anna Windsor - Ballantine (Jul.)

Paranormal Fiction
===============

UNDEAD AND UNWORTHY - MaryJanice Davidson - BerkleySensation(UNDEA

PLAYING WITH FIRE - Katie MacAlister - Signet (May)

UP IN SMOKE - Katie MacAlister - Signet (Oct.)

Best African-American Novels 2008

African-American Romance
=====================

THE CRITIC - Dyanne Davis - Parker (May)

SUDDENLY SINGLE - Carmen Green - Dafina (Mar.)

SWEET LIKE HONEY - Kim Louise - Kimani/Arabesque (Apr.)

NOT EVEN IF YOU BEGGED - Francis Ray - St. Martin's Griffin (Feb.)

THE WAY YOU LOVE ME - Francis Ray - St. Martin's (Sep.)

African-American Fiction Novel
============================

LIFE ISN'T PERFECT HOLLA - Sandra Foy - Genesis/Indigo (Nov.)

HIS FIRST WIFE - Octavia Grace - Dafina (Oct.)

TANGLED WEBS - T.T. Henderson - Parker (Mar.)

YOU GOTTA SIN TO GET SAVED - J.D. Mason - St. Martin's (Apr.)

Best Inspirational Novels 2008
=========================

WHISPERS OF THE BAYOU - Mindy Starns Clark - Harvest House (Jan.)

MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE - Kip Gayden Center Street (Feb.)

FOREVERMORE - Cathy Marie Hake - Bethany House (Jan.)

HEALING STONES - Nancy Rue & Stephen Arterburn - Thomas Nelson (Jan.)

TAMING RAFE - Susan May Warren - Tyndale (Jan.)

Best Small Press 2008

Small Press Contemporary Paranormal/FuturistSmall P
======================================

CALL OF THE HIGHLAND MOON - Kendra LeighCastle - Sourcebooks (May)

HER EYES - Jennifer Cloud &Regan Taylor - Amira (Jan.)

PROMISE FOR TOMORROW - Liz Kreger - Samhain (Oct.)

CLOCKWORK HEART - Dru Pagliassotti - Juno (Apr.)

SHAKING OFF THE DUST - Rhianna Samuels - Samhain (May)

CRY OF SORROW - Holly Taylor - Medallion (Jul.)

Small Press Romance
=================

TAKING FLIGHT - Connie Cox - Avalon (Apr.)

SEALED WITH A KISS - Mary Margret Daughtridge - Sourcebooks (Apr.)

EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE - Holly Jacobs - Avalon (Aug.)

WINDSWEPT - Ann Macela - Medallion (Feb.)

Best Mainstream and ChickLit Fiction Novels of 2008

Women's Fiction
====================

THE SUGAR QUEEN - Sarah Addison Allen - Bantam (Jun.)

FIREFLY LANE - Kristin Hannah - St. Martin's (Feb.)

THE GIRL WITH NO SHADOW - Joanne Harris - Morrow (May)

THE ART OF KEEPING SECRETS - Patti Callahan Henry - NAL (Jun.)

THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING - Joshilyn Jackson - Grand Central (Mar.)

THREE MOTHERS - Sonia Lambert - Berkley (Jan.)

CERTAIN GIRLS - Jennifer Weiner - Atria (Apr.)

SNOWFALL AT WILLOW LAKE - Susan Wiggs - Mira (Feb.)

Chick Lit Novel
=================

THE BRIDE OF CASA DRACULA - Marta Acosta - Pocket (Sep.)

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF SHAME - Lisa Daily - Plume (Apr.)

NOTES FROM THE BACKSEAT - Jodi Gehrman - Red Dress Ink (Jan.)

THE HARD WAY - Julie Luongo - Forge (Jan.)

RECONSTRUCTING BRIGID - Lee Nichols - Red Dress Ink (Aug.)

SLIGHTLY SUBURBAN - Wendy Markham - Red Dress Ink (Jul.)

QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE MARRYING - Melissa Senate - Red Dress Ink (Jun.)

Young Adult Novel
==================

AUDREY, WAIT! - Robin Benway - Razorbill (Apr.)

WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED - Judy Blundell - Scholastic (Nov.)

THE HUNGER GAMES - Suzanne Collins - Scholastic (Oct.)

PAPER TOWNS - John Green - Dutton (Oct.)

Best Mystery and Suspense Novels of 2008

Contemporary Mystery
======================

THE PRICE OF BUTCHER'S MEAT - Reginald Hill - Harper(Nov.)

SLEEP SOFTLY - Gwen Hunter - Mira (Feb.)

THE GENIUS - Jesse Kellerman - Putnam (May)

IN A DARK SEASON - Vicki Lane - Dell (Jun.)

THE LAUGHTER OF DEAD KINGS - Elizabeth Peters - Morrow (Aug.)

P.I./Procedural Novel
================

DEAD HUNT - Beverly Connor - Obsidian (Feb.)

THE DIRTY SECRETS CLUB - Meg Gardiner - Dutton (Jun.)

TWISTED - Andrea Kane - Morrow (Apr.)

NOTORIOUS - Michele Martinez - Morrow (Feb.)

FRACTURED - Karin Slaughter - Delacorte (Aug.)

Historical Mystery
==============

THE SPIRITUALIST - Megan Chance - Three Rivers Press (Jun.)

WHERE SERPENTS SLEEP - C.S. Harris - NAL (Nov.)

TOUCHSTONE - Laurie R. King - Ballantine (Jan.)

BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDENS - Anne Perry - Ballantine (Apr.)

First Mystery - FREEZING POINT - Karen Dionne - Jove (Oct.)

STALKING SUSAN - Julie Kramer - Doubleday (Jul.)

DEFENSELESS - Celeste Marsella - Dell (Nov.)

WHAT WAS LOST - Catherine O'Flynn - Holt (Jul.)

FIRST TO KILL - Andrew Peterson - Leisure (Sep.)

Suspense/Thriller
==============

KILLING FEAR - Allison Brennan - Ballantine (Feb.)

THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND - Jeffery Deaver - Simon & Schuster (Nov.)

THE ARCHANGEL PROJECT - C.S. Graham - Harper (Oct.)

DARK SUMMER - Iris Johansen - St. Martin's (Oct.)

THE DARKER SIDE - Cody McFadyen - Bantam (Oct.)

SCREAM FOR ME - Karen Rose - Grand Central (May)

Amateur Sleuth
===========

ANTIQUES FLEE MARKET - Barbara Allan - Kensington (Oct.)

QUICK STUDY - Maggie Barbieri - St. Martin's Minotaur (Dec.)

WORKING STIFF - Tori Carrington - Forge (Sep.)

MURDER MELTS IN YOUR MOUTH - Nancy Martin - NAL (Mar.)

TOO PRETTY TO DIE - Susan McBride - Avon (Feb.)

Best Romantic Suspense/Intrigue Novels of 2008

Romantic Intrigue
====================

DARK AND DANGEROUS - Jeanne Adams - Zebra (Jun.)

NO CONTROL - Shannon Butcher - Forever (Feb.)

NO ONE LIVES FOREVER - Jordan Dane - Avon (Jun.)

PURSUIT - Elizabeth Jennings - Forever (Apr.)

MOVING TARGET - Cheyenne McCray - St. Martin's (Jan.)

TO CATCH A THIEF - Christina Skye - HQN (Sep.)

NAMELESS - Debra Webb - St. Martin's (Feb.)

Romantic Suspense
===============

THE MURDER GAME - Beverly Barton - Zebra (Feb.)

WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER - Christie Craig - Love Spell (Jun.)

SHOW NO MERCY - Cindy Gerard - Pocket (Oct.)

LOST SOULS - Lisa Jackson - Kensington (Apr.)

LOOSE AND EASY - Tara Janzen - Dell (Sep.)

CATCH A SHADOW - Patricia Potter - Berkley Sensation (Mar.)

FIRE AND ICE - Anne Stuart - Mira (May)

Paranormal Romantic Suspense
=========================

NIGHT SHADOW - Cherry Adair - Ballantine (Dec.)

TOUCH OF DARKNESS - C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp - Tor Paranormal Romance (Aug.)

BLIND INSTINCT - Fiona Brand - Mira (May)

DEADLY HARVEST - Heather Graham - Mira (Nov.)

ACHERON - Sherrilyn Kenyon - St. Martin's (Aug.)

MERCURY'S WAR - Lora Leigh - Berkley Sensation (Oct.)

DEADLY DECEPTION - Linda Lael Miller - HQN


Guys, some of these you might be interested in as well. So, start your list and hand it to your sweetie!!

Readers,
here's your chance. If you have a book to suggest, add it to the
comments list. Let's see how many books we can accumulate for our
readers!

Two pertinent lists from Jessica James, author of Shades of Gray, posted on Amazon:

Top Five Reasons Why Guys Should Give Books as Gifts

5: She can't connect with a new sweater like she can with a book.
4: Hey guys, they're easy to wrap!
3: They come in all sizes, shapes and colors--what could be easier?
2: It's cheaper than a romantic getaway but can produce the same result.
1: Books are gifts of love and joy--and can create everlasting memories.

Top Five Reasons Why Girls Should Give Books as Gifts:

5: They're easy to store--on coffee tables, bookshelves, nightstands or countertops.
4: They never go bad no matter how long they're stored--and they can be used quickly or savored over time.
3: Books can teach, educate, entertain--and distract him from football.
2: It's a small investment that can return dividends for life.
1: Books are the perfect gift of enjoyment that don't require him to leave his chair.

Guys,
if you need any help, the Romantic Times Magazine just came out with
the nominees for their books of the year. You can't miss with picking
up one of these books for your lady. I've listed them out by category.



CAREER ACHIEVEMENT NOMINEES:

Historical..HISTORICHistorical..HIST
===============================
Victoria Alexander - Sabrina Jeffries - Anne Mallory - Patricia Rice -

HISTORICAL STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
====================================
Celeste Bradley - Carol Finch - Susan Johnson - Paula Quinn

INNOVATIVE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
=================================
Lois Greiman - Lorraine Heath - Elizabeth Hoyt - Robin Schone -

Series..SERIES ROMANCE
======================
Roz Denny Fox - Jillian Hart - Emilie Rose - Debra Salonen -

SERIES ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
==========================
Jessica Andersen - Linda Castillo - Linda Conrad - Julie Miller - Joanna
Wayne -

SERIES ROMANTIC ADVENTURE
==============================
Kylie Brant - Kathleen Creighton - Kay David - Sylvie Kurtz - Marilyn
Pappano -

SERIES ROMANCE LOVE & LAUGHTER
================================
Susan Crosby - Lucy Gordon - Marion Lennox - Molly O'Keefe - Melanie
Schuster -

SERIES STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
==================================
Leanne Banks - Jean Brashear - Jackie Braun - K.N./Ken Casper - Eve
Gaddy –

Contemporary..Contemporary....CONTEM
====================================
Carly Phillips - Christie Ridgway - Vicki Lewis Thompson - Sherryl Woods
–

PARANORMAL
===============
C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp - Nina Bangs - P.C. Cast - Katie MacAlister -

URBAN FANTASY
================
Keri Arthur - Simon R. Green - Charlaine Harris - Kim Harrison -

Mainstream..WOMEN'Mainstream..WOM
==========================
Barbara Taylor Bradford - Joy Fielding - Lorna Landvik - Nicholas Sparks
-

Romantic Suspense..ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
=================================
Cherry Adair - Heather Graham - Tara Janzen - Carla Neggers -

Mystery & Suspense..MYSTERY SERIES
===============================
Laura Childs - Joanne Fluke - Elizabeth Peters - Kate Wilhelm -

FEMALE SLEUTH
==================
Nevada Barr - Carolyn Hart - Alex Kava - Nancy Martin -

SUSPENSE/THRILLER
======================
Kay Hooper - J.D. Robb - James Rollins - Karen Rose -

Inspirational..Inspirational
========================
Hannah Alexander - Terri Blackstock - Beverly Lewis - Lori Wick -

African-American..African-American
===============================
A.C. Arthur - Leslie Esdaile - Melanie Schuster - Janice Sims -
Jacquelin Thomas -

FOR BEST BOOKS AND AUTHORS OF 2008 -

Best Series Romance Novels 2008 - Reviewers' Choice Nominees -

First Series Romance
================

HIS MISTRESS BY ARRANGEMENT - Natalie Anderson - Harlequin Presents (Jun.)

STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT - Kerry Connor - Harlequin Intrigue (Jun.)

MARRYING THE BOSS - Megan Kelly - Harlequin American (Apr.)

MARRIAGE AT THE MILLIONAIRE'MARRIAGE AT THE MILLIONAIRE'..S COMMAND -
(Jun.)

Harlequin American
==================

FOREVER HIS BRIDE - Lisa Childs (Aug.)

RELUCTANT PARTNERS - Kara Lennox (Jun.)

THE RIGHT MR. WRONG - Cindi Myers (Feb.)

THE PILOT'S WOMAN - Ann Roth (Mar.)

TEXAS HEIR - Linda Warren (Sep.)

Harlequin Blaze
================

UNLEASHED - Lori Borrill (Nov.)

RESTLESS - Tori Carrington (Dec.)

MS. MATCH - Jo Leigh (Oct.)

BELOW THE BELT - Sarah Mayberry (Jun.)

PRIMAL INSTINCTS - Jill Monroe (Feb.)

Harlequin Intrigue
================

BENEATH THE BADGE - Rita Herron (Aug.)

NICK OF TIME - Elle James (Nov.)

ARMED AND DEVASTATING - Julie Miller (Jul.)

I'LL BE WATCHING YOU - Tracy Montoya (Apr.)

GUARDIAN ANGEL - Debra Webb (Feb.)

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT - Rebecca York (Oct.)

Harlequin NASCAR
=================

EXTREME CAUTION - Jean Brashear (Dec.)

PEAK PERFORMANCE - Helen Brenna (May)

HITTING THE BRAKES - Ken Casper (Jun.)

HOT PURSUIT - Wendy Etherington (Sep.)

TEAMING UP - Abby Gaines (Aug.)

Harlequin Presents
==================

THE MAGNATE'S INDECENT PROPOSAL - Ally Blake (Sep.)

BRIDE OF DESIRE - Sara Craven (Dec.)

BOUGHT: THE GREEK'S INNOCENT VIRGIN - Sarah Morgan (Aug.)

ACCIDENTAL MISTRESS - Susan Napier (May)

BEDDED BY THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE - Kate Walker (Nov.)

Harlequin Presents Extra
===================

THE ITALIAN'S PREGNANCY PROPOSAL - Maggie Cox (Aug.)

ANGELO'S CAPTIVE VIRGIN - India Grey (Sep.)

HOUSEKEEPER TO THE MILLIONAIRE - Lucy Monroe (Apr.)

MISTRESS - Kathryn Ross (Sep.)

THE GIANNAKIS BRIDE - Catherine Spencer (May)

Harlequin Romance
===================

THE BOSS'S UNCONVENTIONAL ASSISTANT - Jennie Adams (Aug.)

HIRED: THE BOSS'S BRIDE - Ally Blake (Oct.)

HER BABY, HIS PROPOSAL - Teresa Carpenter (Jun.)

THE SHEIKH'S UNSUITABLE BRIDE - Liz Fielding (Jan.)

THE HEIR'S CONVENIENT WIFE - Myrna Mackenzie (May)

HarlequinSuperRomanHarlequ
=====================

SECOND-CHANCE FAMILY - Karina Bliss (Nov.)

FINDING MR. RIGHT - Helen Brenna (Oct.)

TO PROTECT THE CHILD - Anna DeStefano (Jun.)

BABY BY CONTRACT - Debra Salonen (May)

HIS SON'S TEACHER - Kay Stockham (Jul.)

Kimani Romance
================

TENDER SECRETS - Ann Christopher (Oct.)

TAME A WILD STALLION - Deborah Fletcher Mello (Jun.)

MODEL PERFECT PASSION - Melanie Schuster (Apr.)

SECRET AGENT SEDUCTION - Maureen Smith (Sep.)

HER KIND OF MAN - Pamela Yaye (May)

Silhouette Desire
==================

THE DESERT LORD'S BABY - Olivia Gates (May)

QUADE'S BABIES - Brenda Jackson (Dec.)

DANTE'S BLACKMAILED BRIDE - Day Leclaire (Feb.)

DO NOT DISTURB UNTIL CHRISTMAS - Charlene Sands (Nov.)

FRONT-PAGE ENGAGEMENT - Laura Wright (Aug.)

Silhouette Nocturne
===================

VEILED TRUTH - Vivi Anna (Oct.)

LAST WOLF HUNTING - Rhyannon Byrd (Apr.)

LAST WOLF WATCHING - Rhyannon Byrd (May)

WILD HUNT - Lori Devoti (Jun.)

DEADLY REDEMPTION - Kathleen Korbel (Sep.)

Silhouette Romantic Suspense
=======================

COLD CASE COP - Mary Burton (Jan.)

HER BEST FRIEND'S HUSBAND - Justine Davis (Aug.)

A SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING - Rachel Lee (Jul.)

UNDERCOVER WIFE - Merline Lovelace (Oct.)

THE PASSION OF SAM BROUSSARD - Maggie Price (Feb.)

Silhouette Special Edition
=====================

THE SINGLE DAD'S VIRGIN WIFE - Susan Crosby (Oct.)

THE MILLIONAIRE'THE MILLIONAIRE'..S MAKEOVER - L

THE CHEF'S CHOICE - Kristin Hardy (Aug.)

BACHELOR BOSS - Christie Ridgway (Apr.)

YOURS, MINE . OR OURS? - Karen Templeton (Jan.)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired
=====================

FINALLY A FAMILY - Carolyne Aarsen (Jun.)

MISSION: MOTHERHOOD - Marta Perry (Jul.)

A COWBOY'S HONOR - Lois Richer (Apr.)

FAMILY TREASURES - Kathryn Springer (Nov.)

TIME FOR GRACE - Kate Welsh (May)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
=============================

COURTING MISS ADELAIDE - Janet Dean (Sep.)

THE ROAD TO LOVE - Linda Ford (May)

HIGH COUNTRY BRIDE - Jillian Hart (Jul.)

LEGACY OF SECRETS - Sara Mitchell (Apr.)

SEASIDE CINDERELLA - Anna Schmidt (Jul.)

Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense
===========================

HIDDEN MOTIVE - Hannah Alexander (Apr.)

SHADOWS AT THE WINDOW - Linda Hall (Jul.)

THE PROTECTOR'S PROMISE - Shirlee McCoy (Nov.)

HER ONLY PROTECTOR - Lisa Mondello (Aug.)

THE FACE OF DECEIT - Ramona Richards (Sep.)

BROKEN LULLABY - Pamela Tracy (Mar.)

Best Continuity -

FULL EXPOSURE - Diana Duncan - Mediterranean Nights (
Jan.)

PICTURE OF PERFECTION - Kristin Gabriel - Thoroughbred Legacy (Jul.)

FLASHPOINT - Connie Hall - Athena Force (Apr.)

BREATHLESS - Sharron McClellan - Athena Force (Feb.)

BIDING HER TIME - Wendy Warren - Thoroughbred Legacy (Jul.)

Best Historical Novels 2008

Historical Romance of the Year
========================

SEDUCTION OF A PROPER GENTLEMAN - Victoria Alexander - Avon (Sep.)

SIMPLY PERFECT - Mary Balogh - Delacorte (Apr.)

TRAITOR'S KISS/LOVER'S KISS - Mary Blayney - Bantam (Nov.)

NEVER ROMANCE A RAKE - Liz Carlyle - Pocket (Aug.)

TO TASTE TEMPTATION - Elizabeth Hoyt - Forever (May)

SECRETS OF SURRENDER - Madeline Hunter - Dell (Jun.)

THE SEDUCTION OF AN UNKNOWN LADY - Samantha James - Avon (Apr.)

A DANGEROUS LOVE - Brenda Joyce - HQN (Apr.)

SEDUCE ME AT SUNRISE - Lisa Kleypas - St. Martin's (Oct.)

THE BOOK OF SCANDAL - Julia London - Pocket (Aug.)

THE BRIDE PRICE - Anne Mallory - Avon (Nov.)

First Historical Romance
===================

THE SPYMASTER'S LADY - Joanna Bourne - Berkley Sensation (Jan.)

THE DUKE OF SHADOWS - Meredith Duran - Pocket Star (Apr.)

NIGHT FALLS DARKLY - Kim Lenox - Signet Eclipse (Oct.)

MISTRESS OF PLEASURE - Delilah Marvelle - Zebra (Sep.)

PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS - Sherry Thomas - Bantam (Apr.)

Historical Love & Laughter
=======================

DESPERATELY SEEKING A DUKE - Celeste Bradley - St. Martin's (Mar.)

HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE - Kathryn Caskie - Avon (Mar.)

UNDER YOUR SPELL - Lois Greiman - Avon (Jun.)

THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT - Donna MacMeans - Berkley Sensation (Jun.)

American-Set Historical Romance
============================

GUARDED HEART - Jennifer Blake - Mira (Feb.)

THE LONER - Geralyn Dawson - HQN (May)

A REASON TO SIN - Maureen McKade - Berkley Sensation (Mar.)

TALL, DARK AND TEXAN - Jodi Thomas Jove (Nov.)

British Isle-Set Historical Romance
===========================

A LADY'S SECRET - Jo Beverley - Signet (Apr.)

THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE - Laura Lee Guhrke - Avon (Jan.)

IN BED WITH THE DEVIL - Lorraine Heath - Avon (Jul.)

THE DECADENT DUKE - Virginia Henley - Signet (Nov.)

DUCHESS BY NIGHT - Eloisa James - Avon (Jul.)

VEILED PASSIONS - Tracy MacNish - Zebra (Oct.)

THE CAPTIVE HEART - Bertrice Small - NAL (Oct.)

Regency-Set Historical Romance
=========================

TO WED A WICKED PRINCE - Jane Feather - Pocket Star (Apr.)

WICKED AS SIN - Jillian Hunter - Ballantine (Jul.)

LET SLEEPING ROGUES LIE - Sabrina Jeffries - Pocket (Mar.)

TO PLEASURE A LADY - Nicole Jordan - Ballantine (Feb.)

A BRIDE FOR HIS CONVENIENCE - Edith Layton - Avon (Dec.)

NO CHOICE BUT SURRENDER - Johanna Lindsey - Pocket (Jul.)

THE KISS - Sophia Nash Avon (Mar.)

Scotland-Set Historical Romance
===========================

SHADOW MUSIC - Julie Garwood - Ballantine (Jan.)

WILD ANGEL - Sasha Lord - Signet Eclipse (Jan.)

IN THE HIGHLANDER'S BED - Cathy Maxwell - Avon (Feb.)

A HIGHLANDER NEVER SURRENDERS - Pamela Quinn - Forever (Aug.)

BORDER WEDDING - Amanda Scott - Forever (Mar.)

Historical Paranormal
===================

TEMPTED BY THE NIGHT - Elizabeth Boyle - Avon (Sep.)

THE WIZARD'S DAUGHTER - Catherine Coulter - Jove (Jan.)

IMMORTAL WARRIOR - Lisa Hendrix - Berkley Sensation (Nov.)

MY IMMORTAL PROTECTOR - Jen Holling - Pocket (Mar.)

DARK EMBRACE - Brenda Joyce - HQN (Sep.)

PHANTOM - Lindsay Randall - Love Spell (Jun.)

MYSTIC RIDER - Patricia Rice - Signet Eclipse (Jul.)

THE SORCERESS OF BELMAIR - Bertrice Small HQN (May)


SEE BOOKS MAKE GREAT GIFTS PART II FOR THE REST OF THIS BLOG ARTICLE

I found a great article that will help you beat the depression blues for a better holiday season.

The author uses some acronyms that are easy to remember.

SEE - Sleep Regularly. Eat Well. Exercise.

HALT - Don't get too Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired.

Pretty easy to remember, right.

Also, Don't forget to list your depression triggers: People, places, and things that tend to trigger your fears and bring out your worst traits.

I found this quote in the article, "According to Gandhi, the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others." Well, I say, Choose your services carefully so that they don't stress you out so much that you end up a depressed puddle of goo capable of nothing this holiday season.

You can read the full article here. Nine Holiday Depression Busters.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!