I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what defines who I am. Sometimes I’m unhappy with my self-esteem, my choices, or whatever else I can think to be unhappy about. But really, I have a good life, a growing career as a writer, fabulous friends, and a wonderful family. I even have a really nice house and a sweet car. So what I do I have to bitch about? Nothing.

On the radio last Thursday I heard the story of this seventeen year old girl named Rebecca who had been fighting leukemia for four years. She was the “spokesperson” when the radio station did their annual Duke Children’s Hospital fund-raising marathon. She was one of those teenagers that was always chipper and sweet, yet she was dying. Rebecca had to stop going to school because of her health, but she’d earned enough credits to graduate. The school went to her house Friday afternoon and had a special graduation ceremony just for her.

Friday night, Rebecca died.

That girl showed more courage that ten people put together. That’s what defined her. Courage and the will to enjoy the life she’d been given for as long as she had it.

It’s humbling and made me step back and re-evaluate what I was doing with my life. I’d like to think I live by the “Carpe Diem” philosophy and make each day count. However, that’s not always true. Wallowing in self-pity over something that I can change is not the way to live. Seize the day and make it your own. Each day is truly a gift and we need to treat it as such.

So I’m going to take a moment to shout out to my friends, my family, and anyone else that popped by for a read. I wish you a good journey and the joy of life. Pay it forward, y’all.

So, I’m a best seller ho’. I love to go check best seller lists everywhere looking for my books and books from authors I love or know. I admit it, I’m an addict… I’ve been stalking the best seller lists on Amazon to see where my new release from Samhain, The Gift, places in the Romance>Western best seller list.

Now, I’ve had up to four books at one time in the top 100, but this morning *deep breath* all FIVE of the Malloy books are on the best seller list in Romance>Western! Check it out, I took pictures *dork*

The Prize – #25
The Bounty – #28
The Treasure – #34
The Gift – #35
The Reward – #40

Wow. I am blown away. Completely. Y’all are amazingly wonderful. Thank you so much!!!!

My new name is Tootsie Farkletush…..

We all need a little stress-reliever! This only takes a minute. Please don’t be a bore and ruin it. Share it with to everyone! Sometimes when you have a stressful day or week, you need some silliness to break up the day. If we are honest, we have a lot more stressful days than not.

Here is your dose of humor…

A. Follow the instructions to find your new name.

B. Once you have your new name, put it in the subject box and forward it to friends and family and co-workers.

The following is excerpted from a children’s book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names…

So:-

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your New first name:

a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloopy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dink y
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of your new last name:

a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:

a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

Thus, for example, George W. Bush’s new name is: Fluffy Chucklefanny.

Now when you SEND THIS ON…use your new name as the subject.

And remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day; adults laugh an average of 4 times a day. Put more laughter in your day

Now if I use my first/last name instead of middle/middle names… I’m Boobie Pottyhump. *snort*

Pop on over to the Writers Across Time blog! Read why a turn of phrase can ruin a book…

It’s a pretty number, isn’t it? Six is the number of pounds I’ve lost since January 1. It’s been a really rough eight weeks and lots of factors have conspired to try and stop my exercise/weight loss regimen. Stress also plays a factor, but y’all know about that, don’t ya?

I’ve had eczema breakouts (steroidal cream – can you say bloat/gain?), schedule disruptions, enough drama to fill Shakespeare’s works, and a truly hellacious writing schedule (my own fault, but I love it anyway). Yet here I am, still going strong and I’m down SIX pounds. I’m really pleased with myself, can you tell? In two weeks I start a belly-dancing class with two friends. Oh man that’s going to be awesome! And it should definitely help with my exercise goals – I do use my stepper every other day (except today, I could barely crawl out of bed I was so tired), but that won’t help my belly fat. I hate that stuff.

The crappy thing is that three years ago, I lost 50 pounds. Yes, 50! Then I gained back 10. Okay, no big deal, then it crept up and up and suddenly I’d gained back 30 pounds. So my goal is to lose that 30 and an additional 10 by my 40th birthday in November. Using my rudimentary math skills, that leaves 34 pounds to go.

Game. Face. On.

Anyone else out there?

Hooyah!!! Today is the official release date in print of The Gift, book 5 of the Malloy family series.

I haven’t gotten my author copies yet and I want to get them in my hands… Who knows, somebody out there probably already has it before me! LOL!

Anyway, if you want to get your copy, you can get it on MBAM, Amazon, B&N, or in Borders and Waldenbooks stores soon.

Happy Tuesday y’all!!!!

Samhain Midsummer Night’s Steam Anthologies are going to heat up your summer. Look at the line-up. of steaming hot short stories..

Releasing June 1, 2007:
Blackberry Pie by Bonnie Dee
A Matter of Time by Marie Harte
Catching a Buzz by Ally Blue
Full Disclosure by Mary Wine

Releasing June 8, 2007:
Bad Moon Rising by Leeanne Kenedy

Releasing June 15, 2007:
Beyond the Tears by Michelle Cary
La Mirage by Jennifer Colgan

Releasing June 22, 2007:
Take Me by Mackenzie McKade

Releasing June 29, 2007:
Fijian Fling by Sami Lee

Releasing July 6, 2007:
Honeymoon Castaways by Dawn Halliday
Nut Cream by Jade Buchanan

Releasing July 13, 2007:
Fantasmagorical by Annmarie McKenna

Releasing July 20, 2007:
Hunk of Burnin’ Love by Veronica Wilde

Releasing July 27, 2007:
Ladies, Meet Red Hot Alaskan Men by Nancy Lindquist
One Night on a Balcony by Samantha Lucas

Releasing August 3, 2007:
Liaisons in Jubilee by Jamie Craig

Releasing August 10, 2007:
Second Wind by Dee S. Knight

Releasing August 17, 2007:
Custom Ride by K.A. Mitchell
Skin to Skin by Dionne Galace (yes this is Bam!!)

Releasing August 24, 2007:
Spontaneous by Karen Erickson

Releasing August 31, 2007:
Knotty Girl by Maggie Casper
Marielle’s Marshal by Beth Williamson
Sealed with a Kiss by Lila Dubois
Taboo Desires by Amanda Young

The very first Behind the Muses anthology is now available! *tosses confetti*

Own Vicarious, a collection of three amazing novellas about three muse sisters.

Clio – Beth Williamson

Clio, the muse of history, has virtually lived her life through books. When her father’s jealous wife sends the muses through space and time, Clio finds herself in the Old West with no way of getting home and none of her powers.

Calliope – Karen Mandeville

Bryson is struggling with the worst case of writer’s block and is hoping for a little divine intervention. His prayers are answered but he didn’t expect her to appear in the form of his own muse. Or for her to get stuck in the wall space in his apartment!

Erato – Sarah Dickson

Doctor Damian Wolfe was literally that. A wolf when it came to unsuspecting women. When he takes advantage of a young woman, Erato decides to teach him a lesson.

Pick up your copy today!

Join me! It’s my author day at the Dark Ice Goddess’ Blog. I’ve got lots of interesting things to share, including a hot excerpt.

Ah, the last pictures. I know you loved Part 1 and Part 2. I’ve saved the best for last!

9. For when size is important. (Cute little guys, eh?)

10. There’s always a few of these around.

11. To have on hand… in case you run out?

12. And finally, we prefer good old-fashioned chicken soup that is usually made from hens… I hope!