I got this from the lovely Stephanie and it just brought home the point that I’m old.

I read through these and actually talked to the computer about it. I mean, I remember when the Sony Walkman came around, and I sure as hell know who Mork is and where he came from (that’s Ork for all you young’uns).

Anyway, see if you’re old, too, then we can swap stories.

Are You Old?

Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of that year’s incoming freshmen. Here is this year’s list:

Children today have no idea what a skeleton key is, unless they have seen the movie “Skeleton Key”.

They have no meaningful recollection of the Reagan Era and probably did not know he had ever been shot.

They were prepubescent when the first Persian Gulf War was waged.

Black Monday 1987 is as significant to them as the Great Depression.

The size of a silver dollar or half dollar mean nothing to them.

They have never feared a nuclear war.

They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.

Tianamen Square means nothing to them.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.

Atari predates them, as do vinyl albums. The expression you sound like a broken record means nothing to them.

They have never owned a record player.

They have likely never played Pac Man and have never heard of Pong.

They may have never heard of an 8 track. The Compact Disc was introduced when they were 1 year old.

As far as they know, stamps have always cost over 30 cents.

They have always had an answering machine.

Most have never seen a TV set with only 13 channels, nor have they seen a black-and-white TV.

They have always had cable.

There has always been VCRs, but they have no idea what BETA is.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.

They were born the year that Walkman were introduced by Sony.

Roller-skating has always meant in-line for them.

Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.

They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans were cool.

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.

They have never seen Larry Bird play.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them as WWI, WWII and the Civil War.

They have no idea that Americans were ever held hostage in Iran.

They can’t imagine what hard contact lenses are.

They don’t know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: “Where’s the beef?,” or ” I’d walk a mile for a Camel,” or “De plane, de plane.”

They do not care who shot J. R. and have no idea who J. R. is.

The Titanic was found? They thought we always knew where it was.

Michael Jackson has always been white.

Kansas, Chicago, Boston, America, and Alabama are places, not groups.

McDonalds never came in Styrofoam containers.

There has always been MTV.

They don’t have a clue how to use a typewriter.

My sister sent me this and I had to share it! OMG – it’s too funny!

HER DIARY:

Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn’t flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn’t say much. I asked him what was wrong; he said, Nothing.” I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn’t upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can’t explain his behavior. I don’t know why he didn’t say, “I love you, too.” When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem dis tant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. To my surprise, he responded to my caress, and we made love. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep – I cried. I don’t know what to do. I’m almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster.

HIS DIARY:

Missed a big deer today, but at least I got laid.

Okay so I was on Amazon browsing the top sellers in books… I looked in Romance and saw a lot of books I want/need/read… then I clicked on the Western category…

And OMG, OMG!!! I found me (that would be ME) at #10 with The Reward!!!

Stuck between Linda Howard and Sarah McCarty. WAHOOOOO! This is so exciting! Hot damn, top 10 on Amazon’s Western list! Not sure how long it will last so I’m grabbing a screen shot. *geek*

Exciting news! I have now officially contracted with Samhain for a western novella to be part of an anthology titled Leather and Lace with the amazingly talented Melissa Schroeder and Rebecca Goings!

My book is titled Branded, Rebecca’s is High Noon, and Melissa’s is Seduction of Widow McEwan.

These are all historicals set in the 1800s west. Oh boy, oh boy! This will be lots of fun! Mel and Becca are fantastic writers and both cowboy lovers like me.

Look for these to be published individually as ebooks in Fall 2007, then in print together three months after.

Treat Yourself Sale

We know how it is. Thanksgiving is wonderful, but it can also be exhausting. Cooking, cleaning, caring for guests.

Then there are the days after Thanksgiving. Long hours at the mall, shopping for Christmas. Too much food leaves you feeling dozy.

Loose Id wants to give you something to be truly thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

So, Friday and Saturday, we’re offering you 5% off any e-book purchase $6 or more.

Treat yourself to something steamy. Buy new e-books from Loose Id!

Join our weekly sales and excerpts list, Idbits, to be the first to know of special sales and receive special Iddies coupons. Send an email today to Idbits-subscribe@ yahoogroups. com and you’ll be automatically added to the list.

For those of us in the States, today is Thanksgiving. I’ll be heading over to my sister’s in a few hours and I wanted to wish you all a happy, safe Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for my:

- family

- friends

- readers

- publishers and editors

- health

- life

Have a wonderful day everyone!!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A set of screwdrivers,
a cordless drill, and
A black lace bra.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
One friend who
Always makes her Laugh…
And one
Who lets her cry…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A good piece of furniture
not previously owned by
Anyone else in her family…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
Eight matching plates,
Wine glasses with stems,
And a recipe for a meal that will
Make her guests feel honored.

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A feeling of control over
Her destiny…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to fall in love
Without losing herself…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
HOW TO QUIT A JOB
BREAK UP WITH A LOVER
AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
When to try harder … and
WHEN TO WALK AWAY.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
That she can’t change
The length of her calves,
The width of her hips, or
The nature of her parents…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
That her childhood
May not have been
Perfect..but;
Its over….

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she would and
Wouldn’t
Do for love or more…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to live alone…
even if
She doesn’t like it.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Whom she can trust,
Whom she can’t,
And why she shouldn’t
Take it personally.

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Where to go…
Be it to her best friend’s kitchen table.
Or a charming inn in the woods…
When her soul needs soothing…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she can and can’t accomplish
In a day…
A month.
And a year…

SEND THIS TO 3 WOMEN … you will have good luck for an entire day.
SEND THIS TO 6 WOMEN … you will have good luck for all of the year.

But, if nothing else …. know that you are thought of by the friend who sent this to you…and that she only wishes the best for you and your life.

Yes, indeedy, today is the day! Book 5 of the Malloy family series, The Gift, is now available in ebook format! The sequel to my cowboy series is finally here!
The Gift

Thank you to all the peeps that participated in my countdown blog contest. The winner of yesterday’s contest for a print copy of choice from The Bounty, The Prize, The Reward, OR The Treasure is Maureen!

Congrats Maureen! E-mail me your snail mail addy, and your choice of books and I’ll get your book out to you!

The Gift

Genre: Western Romance, Red Hot!
ISBN: 1-59998-169-6

One part gambler, two parts charmer, Trevor Malloy has finally met his match.

Book 5 of the Malloy family series.

Trevor Malloy loves women of all shapes and sizes. When he bets a small fortune on a hand of poker only to lose to a lady gambler he can’t seem to charm, he finds himself beholden to a woman for the first time.

Adelaide Burns refuses to fall under Trevor’s spell and is determined to make him pay every cent he owes her-in muscle and sweat.
Like sparks from flint and rock, Trevor and Adelaide nearly set the sheets on fire. Together they find heaven in each others arms, fight for Adelaide’s saloon, and face a future that only the luck of the cards will tell.

Excerpt:

Adelaide woke with grainy eyes and a restlessness she hadn’t felt in years.

Last night’s win echoed in her dreams, or rather, Trevor Malloy did. That damned green-eyed gambler and his amazing smile. She hauled herself out of bed with a groan and slipped on her favorite purple silk robe. She needed coffee.

She felt so out of sorts, she was surprised she didn’t fall down the steps. When she got closer to the kitchen, she smelled fresh coffee and her mouth watered in anticipation. The door swung open against her hand and Adelaide fell forward.

Straight into Trevor Malloy’s arms.

Sweet heavens. Softness met hardness. Calluses met silk. Adelaide’s world tilted as she slammed into a man who made her remember life outside her saloon. Remember that she was first and foremost a woman. A woman who had been long without a man.

Her breasts pressed into his chest and his hands landed on her ass.

“Whoa there, little filly,” he whispered.

Adelaide shivered as his breath skipped across her skin. Goose bumps ran down her neck, straight to her nipples. Naked beneath the robe, she knew he felt every curve, every inch of her body. His chest was like granite, his hands like hot mitts, his scent filled her.

She breathed deeply, inhaling his essence-a heady mixture of man and a hint of arousal. His or hers, she wasn’t sure. Their body heat mingled and moved together. Adelaide was suddenly very, very awake.

“Red?”

Trevor’s voice reminded her of just how close they were, and just how unclothed she was.

“Let go of me, Malloy.” She pushed at his chest until he released her and helped her stand. His gaze drifted to her breasts, which swung free beneath the purple silk. To the nipples poking out like floozies waving howdy. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him.

“You have work to do. I’m sure Dustin already has a list of chores.” She kept her voice as firm as possible, although she felt nearly breathless from the encounter.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m on my way.” He held the door open wide so she could come into the kitchen completely. With a cocky salute to her, he blew a kiss to Marybeth and left. Adelaide took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.

“You watch yourself with that one, Miss Adelaide,” Marybeth warned while shaking a wooden spoon.

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Adelaide ignored the harrumph and went straight for the coffee. She knew exactly what she was doing. Trevor Malloy wasn’t about to make her life change one smidge.

**

Trevor stood outside the kitchen door and tried to control his breathing.

What he really wanted to do was huff and puff, but since he knew Adelaide was on the other side of the door, he didn’t. He slowly breathed in and out, telling his body to relax. To forget what her body felt like underneath that purple concoction.

Forget? Not likely in this lifetime.

He knew she was curvy, but never imagined she was so soft, so amazingly sexy that his dick woke up with a vengeance. It strained against his trousers as adrenaline pumped through him in waves.

What the hell just happened?

It was a casual touch, something he’d do for anyone who stumbled and yet…it was as far from casual as you could get without being naked. He’d felt her trembling under his touch, even as he trembled beneath hers.

He shook his head like a dog shaking off water from a dunking. His thoughts were jumbled up and he felt off-balance. Odd, that reaction. There was nothing he could do about it except try to ignore it.

***

You can buy The Gift at My Bookstore and More

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!! I feel like the countdown for a NASA mission! LOL! Really though I’m so excited to have The Gift release tomorrow. Trevor’s story was fun, sexy, and satisfying to write. I really liked Trevor in The Treasure and I knew he had to have his own happy ever after.

Please join me today at the Samhain Cafe as I and my fellow release day authors have a fun list day to celebrate! I’m joining Lauren Dane, Sara Reinke, Diane Craver, Jenn Andrus, Kai Anderson, and Silvia Violet for fun all day long. Look for me between 7 and 9 pm EST.

Day four’s winner of the fabulous set of playing cards is Tehya!

Congrats Tehya! E-mail me your snail mail addy and I’ll get your goody out to you!

Keep on posting everyone! Every post gets your name entered in the drawing. Today’s lucky winner gets a print copy of choice from The Bounty, The Prize, The Reward, OR The Treasure!

For the last day of the contest, I thought I’d give a little peek into how Trevor and Adelaide are finding that together is better than apart.

Excerpt:

As Adelaide walked toward the kitchen for lunch, she wondered if perhaps Marybeth had a grain of truth in what she said. Adelaide’s heart might not be at risk, but her peace of mind was.

Dammit all, somehow she’d gotten herself involved with a man, regardless of her intentions not to.

She opened the door in time to see Dustin coming back inside laughing. His wide face didn’t normally look so entertained, so she knew it had to do with Trevor.

“What did you do to him?” she asked with one eyebrow raised.

He pressed a hand to his chest. “Me? I helped that pretty boy move the outhouse. He was too little to do it himself.” That sent Dustin off into a guffaw of laughter that made him clutch his stomach.

Adelaide shook her head and pushed past Dustin. “You can be such an ass sometimes.”

Wrenching open the back door, Adelaide prepared herself to find Trevor in trouble. She didn’t expect to find him shirtless, shoveling dirt into the old outhouse hole. She also didn’t expect to have the sight of him half-naked, sweaty and covered with dirt to kick her like a gun recoil.

Holy Mary.

Trevor always joined her in the darkness or semi-darkness. She’d never seen him in broad daylight without his clothes. Her body tightened in arousal as his muscles bunched and moved like a symphony of man. Little rivers of sweat snaked their way down his back into the waistband of his trousers. Her nipples puckered and her hands clenched, wanting, no, needing to touch him. To be touched by him. To lick and explore all that magnificent bronzed flesh.

Adelaide stepped outside, unable to stop herself from reaching for him. Until the shovel almost whacked her on the head. It was as if someone threw a bucket of ice water on her. She’d been in a trance and probably would have grabbed him like a hussy if the shovel hadn’t intervened. Or rather, if he hadn’t brought the shovel back far enough to nearly hit her.

Walking on her toes, she slipped back into the house. Thank God he hadn’t seen her.

Marybeth frowned and shook her finger. Adelaide frowned back, snatched an apple from the table and stomped out of the kitchen. Her appetite had vanished and been replaced by confused arousal.

* * * *

Trevor tossed the shovel toward the back of the saloon with a self-satisfied grunt. Finally. He was sure as hell damn well done with it. Thank God. His stomach was touching his backbone and a big fat lunch sounded perfect. Of course, he thought sourly, Marybeth would make him wash. Better finish up so he could get a sandwich and a beer.

He stepped all over the hole he’d just filled in to make sure the dirt was packed down tightly. At least the smell was better with the dirt over it. However, his nose hadn’t recovered yet. No wonder Adelaide didn’t want her patrons pissing in her private privy. God knows what it would look like after they got through with it.

Sweat poured down his body, pooling in the waistband of his trousers and making him itch. What he really needed was a bath, a nice cool one in clean water. Preferably with soap. He picked up his shirt and wiped his face with it, then swiped under his arms. It had to go in the wash anyway, might as well make use of it.

When he turned around, the smell of shit dissipated and he thought he caught a whiff of Adelaide’s unique scent. Probably making sure he was working—he owed her a nice sweaty hug. Grinning, he headed toward the building and stepped inside.

“Oh, no you don’t, Mr. Dirt. Take your filthy self back outside,” Marybeth ordered the second his feet hit the floor.

“Give me two minutes, Marybeth. I need to give Miss Adelaide something.” Despite the squawking, Trevor kept on walking, intent on reaching her. She who sent him out to dig a shithouse hole on a Sunday morning.

He saw Adelaide’s back as she disappeared into her office. Trevor broke into a run and caught up to her in seconds. She gasped as he grabbed her arm and pulled her flush against his sweaty, filthy body.

“Good afternoon, Red. I thought I’d show you what you’re paying for.” He shifted up and down and back and forth, really rubbing his salty wetness into her nice clean clothes.

“Get off me, Malloy! Ugh, you are disgusting. And that smell? Is that just you or the new privy?” She pushed at him, but he didn’t let loose. He was enjoying feeling her squirm, and making her pay for sending him to the shitter.

“Am I dirty, lover?” He licked her earlobe, then sucked it with a nibble to boot.

“Beyond dirty. Now let me go before I get sick all over you.” She inhaled sharply when he blew in the delicate pink shell of her ear.

“Are you sure you want me to let go?” he whispered.

“Yesssss. I mean…you need a bath.” She inhaled then coughed. “Really, really need a bath.”

“Are you going to give me one?” The very thought of Adelaide washing him was enough to make him rock hard. Her long-fingered hands soaping him up, washing every nook and cranny, touching, caressing. The more he imagined, the more he decided it was an excellent idea.

“Me give you a bath? What do you think this is, a whorehouse?” Her words implied an insult, but her tone said otherwise.

“Mmmm, no, but it is a woman’s house.” He nuzzled her neck and sucked at the skin near her collarbone. “Please, honey.”

“I s-suppose…it will definitely make you cleaner. The stench is making my eyes water.”
Trevor’s hand crept down to cup her mound. “Your eyes are not the only thing that’s wet. So hot, so ready.”

She moaned and dug her nails into his shoulders. And damn, she had sharp nails. Nearly broke the skin.

“Let’s go upstairs.” Adelaide liked to order. She pushed against his shoulder and he let her free. After she walked away from him, Trevor stood for a moment catching his breath. She turned and looked at him, her eyes intense, and cocked one eyebrow.

Shaking his head, Trevor followed like the obedient puppy he was. Holy hell, how did she get him so wrapped around her finger? She told him he stunk and he got a hard-on. Who knew he had such a weakness for bossy women?

****

Can I get an amen? AMEN! Just two more days until The Gift is available!!!

The Day 3 winner of the John Wayne DVD is… Cathy!

Congrats Cathy! E-mail me your snail mail addy and I’ll get your movie out to you!

Keep on posting everyone! Today’s lucky winner gets a beautiful set of of playing cards in a brushed steel case complete with two decks, a pencil, and pad of paper.

For today’s excerpt, I thought I’d bring a bit of the fire between Trevor and Adelaide. Doncha just love those sparks?

Excerpt:
Adelaide stared out the window of her office, trying to make heads or tails out of her confusion. Out of her current state of perpetual arousal that she couldn’t shake.

Trevor Malloy had gotten under her skin.

Even hours after the last kiss they’d shared, she could feel him on her. Could still smell his scent, like it had taken up permanent residence in her nose. Adelaide certainly wasn’t a virgin, nor inexperienced. She’d had men before, but never one who was constantly on her mind. One who lit up that flare in her heart for something permanent. The “H” word she’d never spoken aloud.

As she put the money in her reticule for a trip to the bank, Adelaide tried to shake off the deep thoughts. They clung like burrs on socks. The added complication of Buster McGee and his increasingly violent threats just contributed to her overall anxiousness. Life had been complicated before Trevor stepped into her saloon. Now, it was doubly so.

She wrapped the reticule string around her wrist and stood. No use staying in the office any longer, she hadn’t done a lick of work in the two hours she’d been sitting there. Instead, she’d go to the bank then have lunch down at Mellie’s.

Nodding to Dustin on the way out, he growled and shook his head no. She frowned and he frowned harder.

“What?”

“You are not leaving without protection. Wait until I can come with you.” His tone didn’t invite argument.

“I can’t wait. I’ve got things to do, Dustin. Don’t be such a worrywart.” She headed for the
door, hoping he’d let her go.

No such luck.

She turned to tell him to leave her alone and found Trevor at her elbow. His appearance was unexpected enough to make her mouth drop open.

“Don’t you have dishes to do?” she snapped.

“No, they’re done and there’s no one in here eating lunch yet. I’m coming with you.” He herded her toward the door until she dug in her heels to stop him.

“What are you doing?”

“If you don’t have the sense of a goose, it’s up to me to be your common sense.” He tugged harder.

“If I can’t go with you, I guess pretty boy is okay. He held his own against McGee this morning anyway.” Dustin must have thought he was being helpful, but he just aggravated Adelaide further.

“Look, both of you, I don’t need an escort. I’m walking down the street to the bank and then for lunch.” With a haughty sniff, she shook off Trevor’s arm and stalked out the door.

She knew the second Trevor started following her—he wasn’t exactly being stealthy. Like an overgrown dog at her heels, he followed her to the bank, waiting patiently outside. Then when she went into the mercantile, he stood at the door. She took an extremely long time looking at everything just to annoy him. Served him right for being her shadow.

After paying for her purchases, she strolled down the street, peeping at the storefront windows, saying hello to folks and generally being as slow as she could be without actually stopping. The third time she heard him sigh dramatically, Adelaide knew a moment of sweet satisfaction.

She whipped around and pinned him with a glare. “Next time do as I say, not as you please. I don’t need you.”

“I know you don’t, but it makes me feel better to be here for you.”

Well, she didn’t have a response for that. It was sweet and the kind of mush that made a girl’s heart go pitty-pat. Damn Trevor and his silver tongue anyway.

As she stomped off toward Mellie’s, her stomach rumbled noisily at the delay for lunch. Adelaide hoped there was still some of the day’s special left so she didn’t have to settle for canned peaches and bread crusts. The bell over the door tinkled as she walked in. Adelaide deliberately shut the door behind her.

Margaret, the owner’s daughter, smiled at her. “Miss Adelaide. You’re kind of late for lunch. We’ve got a bit of the meatloaf left, if’n you’re wanting some.”

A spinster at forty, Margaret was a sweet lady with sparkling brown eyes, shaggy blonde hair and a rounded figure. She’d been the first to be kind to Adelaide when she first arrived in town. Since then, Adelaide had frequented Mellie’s restaurant.

“Meatloaf sounds perfect, Margaret.” As Adelaide sat at a small table by the window, she nodded to a couple eating nearby. The bell tinkled again and she knew it was Trevor. She waited for him to come to her table so she could shoo him away.

After a murmured conversation with Margaret, his footsteps didn’t lead to her. They led away from her. Adelaide knew she shouldn’t look to see where he went, but dammit all. He was supposed to be guarding her, right? So where the heck did he go?

After a few minutes, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She dropped her napkin and glanced behind her only to see Trevor at a table with someone else.

That someone else was a woman.

She didn’t remember actually getting up, but she found herself standing next to the table staring accusingly at Trevor. A man with the most innocent of expressions plastered on his face.

“What’s wrong, Miss Adelaide?” he had the nerve to ask.

Adelaide glared at him, then at the hussy at the table. “You will sit with me since I own you, Malloy.”

He shrugged. “Anything you say.” Trevor stood and bowed to the young woman at the table with her pretty white fluffy dress and blue eyes. “My apologies, Miss Carson, but my employer has requested my attention. Perhaps I’ll see you around town?”

“Of course, Mr. Malloy. These things happen.” The little princess practically sneered at Adelaide. “I hope to see you soon,” she cooed at Trevor.

With a devastating grin that made Adelaide’s toes curl and her fingers into claws, Trevor took her elbow and led her back to her table. The heat from his touch notched up her temperature, which simmered from the anger pulsing through her.

He held out her chair and she sat back down, noting that Trevor had impeccable manners, even if he was a cad.

“You are not to flirt or tease or whatever the hell you do with women while in my employment. Is that clear?” Adelaide knew she was snarling but couldn’t help it. Her sharp tongue seemed to have taken over her body.

“Absolutely, Miss Adelaide.” His gaze never wavered from hers. In the depths, she saw a reflection of her own hunger.

Damn, they were both in trouble.

****