Summertime, and the reading's easy...

So, I've been a reading FOOL lately, especially on my sparklepants new Kindle. It's been AWESOME. I recently finished Solstice by PJ Hoover, The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter, and Divergent by Veronica Roth. All really different and interesting reads. It's a good time for YA! :D

What are you reading now, and what's in your pile to be read?

YA anthology: The First Time

I'm so excited...and I just can't hide it! I'm going to be editing (and participating in) a YA short story ebook anthology called The First Time. NYT Bestselling author Jessica Verday is publishing it. Isn't the cover stunning? And look at that lineup of authors!


The book will come out in October, so stay tuned! Thanks for letting me gush!!

New Facebook Page--yeehaw!

Did you know The Fictionistas has a brand-new Facebook page? AND that it's the most fun you can buy? AND...uh, that we're uber-foxy?!? That's right--check us out HERE.

Every time you like our page, an angel gets its wings. A romance heroine gets her happily-ever-after. A fat kid gets cake.

Come on, be a hero.

Also, while you're being so awesome, check out our individual Facebook pages. Here's the list:

--Kristen Painter

--Gwen Hayes

--Mel Francis

--Rhonda Stapleton

--Amanda Brice

Now, go forth and enjoy, my preciousssss!

What is your bliss?

Right now, I'm sitting on campus (I'm a tutor in the writing center) in a 3rd-floor room with large windows, looking outside at this gorgeous spring day. The wind is rustling lightly through the trees. Even though I'm "working" I'm so happy I get to see outside. When I was in cubicle hell (aka, working a day job), my desk faced the men's bathroom.

Being able to work at home with the windows open, or in the writing center, is one of the little things that makes me happy.

Lately I've been taking stock of those little things. Finding my bliss, if you will. Here are some of those small wonders in my life that make me smile:

--lying on the couch with my fiance Chad, watching the Indians baseball game
--listening to my kids giggle
--sitting on my back patio with a beer
--sunshine
--getting new clients
--reading a book
--taking a luxurious bath
--getting my hair washed by someone

What's awesome about all those things is they're either cheap or free, haha. YAY for that. But they all make me blissfully content. And there are so many more I could add to the list, too.

So, what's your bliss? What little things make you happy in life?

So...whatcha reading?

I've been in a book-buying frenzy lately, haha. Not only have I been buying print books, but I've been stockpiling ebooks like the apocalypse is just around the corner.

Right now I'm in the middle of two books (I'm on an historical kick at the moment): Mistress Shakespeare, and The Boleyn Inheritance.

So, what are you digging into right now? Dish it up!

Do you like superheroes?

It's been a while since I've had any story news to post on here. But I'm pleased to announce I've decided to publish Super Zero, my superhero romantic comedy. Whoop whoop! It should be out end of April/early May, on Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.

I've always had a fondness for this novel, and I hope you guys like it too!

Here's the cover:

And here's what this story is about:

When Jenna Peterson signs on as personal shopper-slash-assistant for top superhero The Machine, she's disgusted to learn of his philandering ways against his wife Rapido, the second most powerful superhero in the area—and he's cheating with Jenna's cousin, to boot! But when The Machine gives Jenna the opportunity to safeguard the changing crystal, a jewel that grants or changes superpowers, Jenna jumps on the opportunity, eager to do this so-called "cake" job that will help her earn more street cred with the Midwest League of Superheroes. 

The League pairs Jenna up with a bodyguard, the dark, mysterious and thoroughly grumpy Vigilante. Their personalities are like oil and water but a deep attraction pulls them together, even if they don't fully trust one another. 

Soon Jenna learns the threat to the changing crystal is all too real, and the list of people she can trust grows shorter by the minute. But when she discovers something even more sinister afoot, involving Vigilante's sexy arch nemesis Dementrix, it'll take all her skills to keep the mad villainess from executing her plan to unmask the world's superheroes...especially when Jenna accidentally becomes one herself. 

End of march--evaluating life

Is it just me, or is this year TOTALLY flying by? I mean, last I checked, 2011 just started. Now we're entering the second quarter. The time period provides me a good opportunity to evaluate where I am.

I've officially been self-employed for 6 months now. Crazy. Six months of no longer working for "the man." Six months of flexible scheduling, working in my jammie pants, wearing house slippers outside way more than a normal person would. Also, six months of sweating and stressing over income, health insurance, balancing work and life and things.

Overall? It's been awesome. I work more now than I did back when I had a day job. I also was a lot less happy because I hated the work, I hated "the man," I hated the corporate philosophy and lack of caring/respect for the workers. Now I get to read manuscripts for Carina Press, acquiring and editing ones I fall in love with. I get to teach English composition to college students. I get to write (though honestly I haven't made as much time for it as I should). I also get to freelance edit manuscripts and help authors whip their stories into shape. Things aren't perfect of course, but I have to say, I totally dig my life.

What decisions have you made lately? How's it working for you--are you happy you took the chance?

Authors for Japan auction

I'm sure you've heard by now of the disaster that's hit Japan. It's a tragedy--not only are they dealing with the aftermath of a massive earthquake and tsunami, but their nuclear reactors are breaking down.

One of the thing I love about being a writer is the sense of community, the way writers come together to help those in need. And this tragedy in Japan is no exception. Authors are offering signed books, manuscript critiques, mentorship, workshops and more to aid the effort in helping Japan get back on its feet.

Please consider bidding on auction items. You can read details here: http://authorsforjapan.wordpress.com/. Anything you can do to help will be gratefully appreciated, I'm sure!

Random funny pics

So I have some pics on my computer that I'm going to share because they make me laugh. So there!

A warning label on a leaf blower, haha

My boyfriend's dog, lying on my son

Uh, a butt...

Pac Man!

My boyfriend's dog, looking like a hell hound from the fuuuuuutuuuuuure...

Some dude at the corner of the street with a fierce 'stache, haha

Puppy cuteness overload

Back around Thanksgiving, I got two doxie pups, which we named Daisy (the girl, lighter color with the pink nose) and Duke (the boy, darker color with a black nose). haha. I hearty heart my puppies and decided to overload you with the MOST ADORABLE PUPPY PICTURES EVAR. haha. As you can see, they sleep a lot. It's so, so freaking cute.

Awwwwww! I lubs my babies. Thanks for letting me share. :D

I just wanted to say...

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season! I for one plan to spend my time with my family and loved ones. :D

On a side note, I planned my 2011 goals out, both personal and career. What about you--anyone else a goal-oriented person?

The Holidays--AKA I'm not ready!

Okay, usually I'm that person everyone hates around the holidays: all presents are purchased and wrapped well before Thanksgiving. Decorations are up, tree is lit, and nothing left to do but enjoy.

Except this year. This year, I'm a HOT MESS. I have, like, half my presents purchased. The other half I still have noooo idea what to get them. LOL. No Christmas tree up yet. No decorations. My mom is going to poop a chicken if I don't get on that. Uh, don't tell her I said that.

Anyone else in the OMG-I-HAVE-SO-MUCH-LEFT-TO-DO haze like I am? Or am I going to be super-envious of you this year?

Strong women for the win!

Reading Jon Skovron's blog post today really made me stop and think--how often do strong musical women get a shout-out? There's nothing I love more than a woman with a powerful voice and kickin music skills. Jon mentions several notable female musicians in his post, and here's more I'd love to add to the list:

Chrissy Hines from The Pretenders
Meg White from The White Stripes
Belinda Carlyle from The Go-Gos (gotta love all-female bands!)
Susanna Hoff from The Bangles (same thing!)
Annie Lennox
Shirley Manson from Garbage
Veruca Salt
Hayley Williams from Paramore
Courtney Love from Hole
Amanda Palmer from The Dresden Dolls
Delores O'Riordan from the Cranberries

Okay, I could totally go on and on and onnnnn, but I wanna know--which female rockers do you love the mostie mostest? I'm always on the lookout for new music to jam to!

Funny Facebook statuses

I found this website that has really funny facebook status ideas. Here are a few of my favs:

--In this world, there are 3 kinds of people: people who can count, and people who can't count.

--wondersifanyoneknowswhatthelongstickatthebottomofthekeyboardisfor?

--is proofreading to make sure she hasn’t any words out.

--1 of my nipples is a different color than the other 2--is that normal?

--I hate being bipolar...it's awesome!!!

--For the past hour, I've done some heavy duty reflecting, dreaming, planning, laughing, crying and thinking. Then it hit me: I have GOT to get out of this shower and get ready for work.

--Behind every successful man is a woman rolling her eyes.

--once your pants catch on fire, the fact that you just lied will become less important.

--sometimes i just don't have enough middle fingers to let people know how i feel....

--The great thing about Facebook is that you can quote someone and totally make up the source. (Ghandi 1937)

--When i'm sad I cut myself...another slice of cheesecake

So, if you're on twitter or facebook or another social networking site, where do you get your ideas for status updates?

Dying of Dystentery: the movie!

One of my FAVORITE computer games as a kid was Oregon Trail. There were so many fun ways you kicked the bucket. Check this awesomeness out:

I can't stop giggling. hahaha

Have you seen any funny youtube videos lately? What ones are your favs? Let's share some links--I need new funny stuff to laugh at!

Guten Tag!

So, I'm tickled pink--I found out yesterday that my trilogy (Stupid Cupid, Flirting With Disaster, and Pucker Up) are all going to be published in Germany. We sold the rights to a German publisher! This is going to be MEGA-cool, because I totally think it's the perfect excuse to go to Germany once they're out. LOL

Everyone, get your booty pants on and shake it with me--you won't break it!

Happy Wednesday!

I just got back yesterday from our family vacation in Orlando. It was a blast--we went to Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Universal Studios, and even a luau. The weather actually wasn't that horrible--it was rainy, but it kept it cool. And I got to see the Harry Potter section in Universal (which was INCREDIBLE!).

What about you--taken any fun vacays this summer or have any planned?

Earthquake!!

Cleveland just had a teeny earthquake. SO freaking weird--I have never been in one before. I was sitting at my desk, and it suddenly felt like my body was shaking funny. I actually thought it was me, until my boss and my mom said they felt it too. At least it was really mild. I was in a hurricane before as a kid, which was super scary.

Have you ever been in an earthquake or other natural disaster?

I'm addicted to Craigslist

I recently discovered the unbridled beauty of Craigslist. And I can't stop looking. Where else can you find the most desperate of society looking to hook up? It's sheer magic. Anyway, this morning, I realized there is a "best of craigslist" link that shows some truly amazing stuff. Here are a few of my favs:

This guy just wants to reenact the "Beat It" video with another dude: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/phi/1755781713.html

This guy is looking for a mentor to help him craft the perfect beard/moustache: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/chi/1628697112.html

This person is looking to rent out an igloo he built in his backyard: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/aaa/1624094833.html

This person has a free dirty toilet for some lucky person: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/ric/1616580496.html

This guy has a Kimball organ he wants to trade for a cute puppy and a high-five: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/den/1614955019.html

So, what about you--any recent addictions? Are you a Craigslist fiend like me?

My magical summer of adventure

I'm pretty sure this is going to be my magical summer. I have tons of stuff planned--not just for booksignings, but vacays!

In two days, I'm going to Kalahari, a water park in Sandusky. It will truly be a thing of wonder. I haven't been to a water park in forEVER. You guys, I even bought a bathing suit for it. That's how awesome it's going to be.

In June, I'm doing a signing in Columbus, OH. I'm also going to visit my sister in Louisville, KY--we're going to get into some crazy shenanigans!

In July, I'm going to Disney with the whole family (kids, parents, sister). I'm doing a signing in Hudson, OH. And I'm going to NYC for an awesome writer's retreat/signing!

In August, I'm going to Salem, MA with the kiddies. I haven't been to Mass in so long, and I'm looking forward to walking around and soaking in the rich history of the area.

In September, I'm going back to Toronto for a signing.

What plans do you have for the summer? Doing anything fun?