Duodecimal: J.R. Ward’s 12 True Moments in Movies

J.R. Ward (a.k.a. Jessica Bird), author and personal bitch scribe to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, shares some of her favorite cinematic experiences with us.

Don’t forget that her reader message boards re-open tomorrow, 1 Jan 08, at noon US Eastern! And that her next BDB entry, Lover Enshrined (BDB Book 6) , comes to us June 2008! Read more

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, J.R. Ward

Duodecimal: Christie Craig’s Copes (12 tips)

Fantabulous author of the fun and critically acclaimed Divorced, Desperate and Delicious, Christie Craig, shares with us her tips for coping during the holiday season. Print it out and store it with your decorations so you can follow it next year (yes, I’m a little slow getting this up - yikes - I’m amazed I’m not insane. Oh. Wait…)

Decorate that tree, and pray the cat doesn’t chew on the cord. Get that shopping done, and find that perfect gift for people who already have two of everything plus the kitchen sink, wrap those gifts and make them Martha Stewart pretty—never mind that you are wrapping impaired—cook that gourmet dinner that takes five hours to prepare and everyone 20 minutes to eat. Attend that party, never mind you feel fat in your holiday attire, and would love to just stay home and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Let’s face it, the holidays are filled with hurry up to-do lists, headache producing events, and moments that make you want to kick Santa’s butt and blow the bulb in Rudolph’s nose.

Because I share your holiday pain, I’ve decided to share my list of twelve tips that can help you have a merrier, less stressful holiday.

12 tips for Having a Happier, Merrier Holiday

1. Go sit on Santa’s lap. That’s right. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Hey . . . he might be a gorgeous hunk under that beard, and even if he’s not, it might rekindle your belief in the magic of Christmas. And while you are there, have your picture taken. My family and I have our pictures taken with Santa every year.

2. Buy a jigsaw puzzle and put it out on a card table. You might be amazed how many people will enjoy sitting down and finding a piece of puzzle, especially this time of year. This also allows you and family a moment to slow down long enough to share a smile and a less stressful moment.

3. Go buy a small toy, something totally silly for everyone you love. You’ve probably forgotten how much fun yo-yo’ing or playing darts can be on Christmas morning.

4. Write clues on all your gifts and make everyone try to guess what the gift is before they open it. It makes opening gifts much more fun.

5. Seduce your hubby, boyfriend, or significant other. Hey . . . tis’ the season to be merry. You think Santa’s glow isn’t related to a little holiday bliss with Mrs. Santa before he left for work?

6. Call an old friend you haven’t heard from in a while. While we shouldn’t need a reason to reconnect with old friends, sometimes life just gets too busy. So this season, slow down long enough to say “Merry Christmas!” to some you haven’t seen in ages.

7. Become someone’s Secret Santa. Do you know someone who could use a little extra cheer? Send them a small gift in the mail and don’t sign it. Just say you are their Secret Santa and want to let them know they are special. A small act of kindness can bring someone a large amount of joy.

8. Find a completely different recipe to cook. While we love our old family favorites, go a little wild in the kitchen and prepare something completely different. Who knows? You might be creating another holiday favorite for your family. (Or providing them a funny story to laugh about during future Christmases.)

9. Between shopping, cooking and wrapping, take a breather and spend some time with your pets. That’s right, they deserve a little special holiday time, too. And remember, spending time petting an animal can lower your blood pressure and be a win-win de-stresser for you both.

10. Bring out your old holiday images of you and your family. If you have older children, they will love reminiscing about their childhood holidays. After all, holidays memories from the past can warm your heart and bring you holiday joy.

11. Give yourself a Christmas present and slow down long enough to read a book. May I suggest, Divorced, Desperate and Delicious? Or maybe you might enjoy what I’m reading this holiday, The Salt Maiden by Colleen Thompson

12. Get into the mood by belting out a few Christmas tunes. That’s right, singing is a good stress releaser. So go ahead, it doesn’t matter that if you can’t carry tune even if it was in paper bag. A few lyrics of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and you’ll be smiling.

Merry Christmas!
Christie Craig

How about you guys - what do you do to make it to the other side of the holidays?

Tags: 2007, Christie Craig, Duodecimal

Duodecimal: Nath’s Newbies (12 of ‘em)

Nath, blogger from our Northern neighbor Canada, shares with us a list of 12 authors new to her. Read more from her at Natuschan, Books, Books, and More Books…

12 New Authors to Me for the Year of 2007

In no particular order…

1. Deborah Smith - thank you for Blue Willow and The CrossRoads Cafe.

2. Meljean Brook - thank you for Demon Angel and Demon Moon. Thank you for Hugh and Lilith - such an awesome couple… and I now want a hellbound as my pet.

3. Robyn Carr - thank you for the town of Virgin River… and thank goodness the Grace Valley trilogy is going to be re-printed.

4. Kate Angell - thank you for the Rogues.

5. Laura Florand - thank you you for having such a wonderful and funny life.

6. Naomi Novik - thank you for Temeraire - such a dear.

7. Elizabeth Vaughan - thank you for the War Chronicles.

8. Jacquelyn Franks - thank you for Jacob.

9. Emilie Richards - thank you for the Shenandoah Album Series.

10. Metsy Hingle - thank you for The Wager and Flash Point.

11. Terri Garey - thank you for Dead Girls Are Easy.

12. Lorraine Heath - thank you for Just Wicked Enough and a very extensive backlist that I get to discover.

How about you - read any new-to-you authors this last year you want to share?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Nath

Duodecimal: 12 Authors Essential to Shiloh Walker

Shiloh Walker, author, blogger, commenter, and one of our favorite people, gives us her list of fellow authors everyone should read…

12 Authors that everybody should read… in my humble opinion

1. Me.  ;-)  Hey, I’m lazy with promo, so I figure I’ll just get this little bit in and then I can call myself done with promo for a few days.  Weeks.

2. Lynn Viehl/S.L. Viehl, a.k.a. Paperback Writer. Anybody that knows me isn’t going to be surprised to see this one.  I love this woman’s writing.  Plain and simple.  No matter what the name, I love her stuff.  She writes vamps under Lynn Viehl, the Stardoc books (sci fi) under S.L. Viehl and had some romantic suspenses out under Jessica Hall/Gena Hale.  She’s not using the last two pseudonyms any more… sniffle.  Sob.  But she is just an excellent writer.

3. Nora Roberts.  Hard as it is for me to believe, there are some romance lovers out there that haven’t read her.  I adore Nora Roberts.  Specifically the Irish Jewels trilogy, the Chesapeake Bay series and the Donovans.

4. J.D. Robb. Yeah, I know Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are the same person.  But the writing styles aren’t exactly the same.  Some people that love the NR books don’t like J.D. Robb.  Some that like J.D. Robb don’t like the NR books.  Futuristic romantic suspense, killer H&H, love them.

5. Shelby Reed.  For those who aren’t sure they’d like erotic romance, Shelby is a great way to start.  She doesn’t write as burn the pages sexy as some other erotic romance authors, but she does write steamy.  She writes some of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, bar none.

6. Joey Hill.  She is to the BDSM genre what Shelby Reed is to the erotic romance genre.  Beautiful stories that can take you places you aren’t sure you want to go, but once you get on the ride, you can’t get off.  But be warned… she isn’t for the faint of heart.

7. Bettie Sharpe.  Right now, Bettie doesn’t have any books out to buy.  Her first book is coming out from Samhain in January.  But yes… she’s on my list.  Why?  Because of Ember.  If Ember is any indication of Bettie’s writing, then I’m a fan for life.

8. Lora Leigh.  Hot stuff.  Be warned.  I love her.

9. Mercedes Lackey.  Fantasy.  Some romantic subplots and I do believe she has some fantasy romances out with Luna, but I mostly love her Valdemar books.  Addicted to the Valdemar books.  And Diana Tregard.

10. Patricia Briggs.  She writes fantasy and urban fantasy, but I’ve only read the urban stuff.  Her Mercedes Thompson books are urban fantasy with some romantic undertones.  Killing stories.  Love them.

11. Marilyn Pappano.  I haven’t read all of her books, actually, I think I’ve only read a couple, but one of them is one of my favorite books, ever.  Passion isn’t in print any more which is a shame.  Because it’s an excellent book.

12.  Holly Lisle.  Fantasy and romantic suspense.  I haven’t read all of her fantasy stuff, but she’s a great fantasy writer.  However, she blew me away with her romantic suspense, I See You.

Who’s on your “must read” author list?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Shiloh Walker

Duodecimal: 12 Books a Loonigrrl Would Like to See In Theatres

Loonigrrl, reader and commenter, shares a fun list that has my brain working overtime thinking of the possibilities…

 

Imagine that ideal world where movie directors, screen writers,and producers all shared your vision of your favorite book. A world where studios were less concerned about casting a BIG STAR, and more concerned with maintaining the integrity of the production. *cough* Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse?!?!?Are you kidding me?!!? *cough, cough*

Thinking of which books I’d choose to see on the big screen wasn’t hard. What was hard was stopping at just twelve.

12 Books I Want to See on the Big Screen (in no particular order)

1.  Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Ohmigod, I love the romance. I love Edward. I love that he loves Bella, but kind of wants to have for dinner, too. I just love everything about it. I added Twilight to the list, but I actually think it’s already being made into a movie. We’ll see soon enough if it lives up to our expectations, right?

2.  Stardoc by S.L. Viehl. Ok, so it’s not a romance, but it does have a romance in it. And the main character Cherijo is brilliant,witty, strong, independent, and resourceful. It’s got some action, although not as much as the others in the series,but it’s such a clever book that I think it would be a very fun movie.

3.  It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Honestly, this isn’t my favorite SEP book. Does anyone else obsess over Honey Moon? Man,that one makes me cry every time. Love it. But I love this one too, and it’s got the trademark SEP humor, and a wonderful romance. It would need a great screenwriter, but I think there’s some potential there.

4.  Green Rider by Kristen Britain. Green Rider is just so much fun to read that I think a movie would be equally fun to watch. The story starts when our heroine, Karigan G’ladheon, stumbles upon a dying Green Rider- a messenger for the King- and promises to deliver his message for him, risking death and worse to do so. The characters are great, there’s plenty of action, but I think the director is going to be an important choice for this one. I’m not sure who I’d choose, but I do like what Andrew Adamson did with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

5.  The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson. This book is intense! I loved it and I think it would make an equally intense movie.The art direction and cinematography stand out to me as being particularly important.

6.  Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Right from the beginning, Poison Study sucked me in. Casting is once again huge. Yelena and Valek have got to have amazing chemistry, and let’s face it: Valek must be hot. I’d be willing to make an exception to my no celebrity rule, and allow Christian Bale to be cast.

7.  Ill Wind by Rachel Caine. Of all these book, I think I’d most like to see Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series made into a movie. There’s a lot of action, the heroine’s spunky, the romance is sweet and the idea is just super cool. But the effects are huge, so it’s got to be a director who can direct AND who knows his special effects. I guess that leaves you out, Chris Columbus, sorry.

8.  Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. An amazing story, an amazing world with amazing characters. Has anyone not read Slave to Sensation? Seriously?!? Go. Now. To the bookstore. Go buy it. Ok, that being said: wouldn’t it make a fantastic movie? Well, I’ve got my doubts that anyone could do it justice, but if it could be done right, I’d really like to see it up on the big screen.

9.  Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. I almost didn’t include this because I didn’t think anyone could truly capture Derek Craven, but . . . it’s one of my favorites, so I couldn’t help myself.

10.  The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn. I think this could be such a sweet, funny movie, if it were done right . . . And that means no Keira Knightley. No offense, Keira, you just seem to be everywhere these days.

11.  Into the Dark Lands by Michelle Sagara. I’d love to see someone try to make this one into a movie. It’s one of my all time favorites, and it’s just so tragic and beautiful, I had to add it to the list.

12.  Obernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody. Actually, I’d like to see the entire series made into movies. I honestly don’t know why it hasn’t been done yet. Everything’s there- a fascinating world, complicated characters,action, etc. Finding enough talented children to fill all the roles would be a problem, but I think it could be done.

Ok, there you have ‘em. Now, what about you? I know I left plenty out so . . . which books would you like to see on the big screen?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Loonigrrl

Duodecimal: Kristie(J)’s List of 12 Defectors and Deserters

Kristie(J), fellow blogger and rambling writer of reviews, shares a sad list with us.  To read more from KristieJ, join her over at Ramblings on Romance.

*sad sigh* I miss you all! 

12 Authors No Longer Writing, or No Longer Writing Romance

12.  Kristen Kyle.  She wrote a couple of books that are Most Excellent. Nighthawk a really good futuristic and The Last Warrior. Sadly she lost her contract and had health problems. I sure wish she was still writing!

 11.  Alexis Harrington.  She wrote some really really great American-type romance books. But she hasn’t had one in quite a while. Her website says she has a couple almost ready – but that was back in August. Come back Alexis, come back!!

 10.  Eve Byron (a.k.a. Connie Rinehold).  *sigh* Another author who just seemed to disappear. One of my favourite books – it’s an oldie though is Letters From a Stranger.

9.  Justine Dare (a.k.a. Justine Davis).  I’m not sure if she is still writing or not. Last time I heard she was writing for Harlequin. But I want more of her older books – like The Skypirate or Lord of the Storm or any of her Hawk books.

 8.  Anita Mills.  Oh she wrote some wonderful medievals. I couldn’t read them fast enough! I heard she retired and one can’t really blame her. But there is a younger reader crowd now who would probably love them as much as me!

 7.  Judith Ivory/Judy Cuevas.  She just seems to have disappeared!! She’s written so many wonderful books it’s hard to pick a favourite. Reading Bliss though was just well – bliss!

6.  Penelope Williamson (a.k.a. Elizabeth Lambert).  Yes, she’s another one still writing. But alas, she is writing mysteries now. It’s almost impossible to pick a favourite one of hers. There’s The Outsider (and made into a wonderful movie!), Keeper of the Dream…

5.  Elizabeth Elliot.  Now I think the most common question is “whatever happened to Elizabeth Elliott?” She didn’t write many books, but the ones she did write – oooh lala! My fave is The Warlord. In fact I’m almost embarrassed to say this, but I even kind of like the cover. The good news though is I almost shouldn’t include her since she is writing again. And finally we will see what happens with the assassin brother. But until the book is in print – she remains on the list!

 4.  Marsha Canham.  Marsha, Marsha, Marsha. You left us. You left us at the height of your game. I miss you! She’s written so many great books, but I think my favourite might be her last. Although, like Elizabeth Elliott, I’ve heard vague rumblings she might return. Maybe if we all close our eyes and wish real hard…

3.  Candice Proctor (a.k.a. C.S. Harris).  Yes, she’s still writing as C.S. Harris. But from the moment I read Whispers of Heaven, one of my all time favourite books and one of my most recommended, I’ve loved her romances like, to steal a phrase – a fat kid loves M&M’s. Oh, how I long for other books like Night in Eden, Beyond Sunrise, or The Last Knight…

2.  Theresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frazier).  I know she’s writing as Anne Frazier now and quite successfully, so if she continues that’s fine with me. But every so often I want another Amazon Lily or perhaps a Bad Karma.

1.  Laura London, a.k.a. Tom & Sharon Curtis. Oh for the likes of Sunshine and Shadow, Lightning That Lingers and darn it all – Cat’s story. I think we all miss them terribly and long to have more by this wonderful team of writers *sigh*.

Do any of you readers out there know of some defectors, or MIA authors?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Kristie(J)

Duodecimal: 12 Awesome Old Guys That Sherry Thomas Would Date

Sherry Thomas, a favorite commenter and author, shares with us her “Old Guys I’d Do” list.  By the way, isn’t this a great author pic?

Don’t forget to catch Sherry’s upcoming books:

 25 Mar 08  &  29 Jul 08

12 Totally Awesome Old Dudes I’d Totally Date if I Were Single and They Available/Nonfictional

 1. The Dalai Lama. Oh teach me the Noble Truths, Your Holiness.

 2. Paul Newman. I like his sauces.  [Ed.: Looks like Paul Newman “dresses to the left.”]

 3. Morgan Freeman. Gravitas is hawt!

 4. Kofi Annan. I wanted to be Secretary General of the UN when I was a kid, what can I say?

 5. George Lucas. I’ll always have a soft spot for Uncle George.

 6. Vladimir Putin. Those cold eyes, that KGB past, he scares me shitless. I know, it’s so wrong, so wrong.

 7. Jacques Pepin. He has such a gentle, old-world quality about him.

 8. Nelson Mandela. I cannot admire this man enough.

 9. Darth Vader. See 6. Vladmir Putin. This is about power, ladies. The ultimate aphrodisiac. (Not sure whether he still has the equipment left after his dunk in the lava tank, but I’m willing to find out.)

 10. Aragorn. He is about 90 years old during the time frame of the Lord of the Rings. I’ll take you, Grandpa Elessar.

 11. Stephen King. I like what he says about his wife and his marriage.

 12. Hard to decide. Warren Buffett is rich and smart. Steven Spielberg seems like such a nice person. The Weinstein brothers would be interesting to have to dinner. But you know what, I’ll take Legolas (age approximately 3000) in the end. Because this is my duodecimal, and I’m allowed to be as shallow as a puddle when it hasn’t rained for a month.

What about you - what unconventional and older guy is on YOUR “to do” list?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Sherry Thomas

Duodecimal: 12 Books I Should Have Already Read

AKA 12 Books I Should be Reading Right Now Instead of Doing This Post

In no order since I haven’t decided what I am going to read yet and do remember the rule of 12. So if your book is not here that doesn’t mean I don’t have it. Something that speak to my short attention span and how easy I can get distracted… I started this days ago. The first book on the list was Shadow Music by Julie Garwood’s. Note to self: don’t use the book.

1. Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra
Side Note: Virginia Kantra is one of those authors that I see their name often but never read. I judged one of her RS recently and it was very good - sez I. Her novella in Shifter is the start of a paranormal series (don’t groan, at least wait until you read it). Children of the Sea isn’t vamps/demons/weres or even dragons but Selkies (how do you pural that?). Might be interesting… /sidenote
Paranormal Romance by Berkley, publication date 3/4/08 and proof I enjoy teasing Bev(QB) far too much

2. To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan
I had decided not to read these when I read the summary. Then I read the excerpt (first chapter on site) I soooooooo wanna like this book. I will be so sad if I don’t. Strong choice to be the one I am reading while I should be formating blog things. 1/29/08 release… good month.

3. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
Historical Romance from Berkley, have heard much awesomeness about this. Will post excerpt so you may see awesomeness too, although she did update her blog (click on her name above) with an excerpt as well when I whinedasked for an excerpt to post. This releases in my birthday month so it is uber special, 1/2/08. Wonder why Amazon thinks this is a young adult novel?!?!

4. Traitor’s Kiss by Mary Blayney
Now I am prolly just being mean but my god I love this cover. I haven’t started this because I have built up such hope it will be amazing, I might cry if it sucks. Historical Romance from Dell. Was suppose to come out March 4, 2008 because of scheduling was moved to October 2008. So like I said prolly mean of me to bring it up again…

5. Desperately Seeking A Duke by Celeste Bradley
1st book in her new historical trilogy, The Heiress Brides. Releases March 08 from St Martin’s and will have a back to back release: The Duke Next Door (April) and Duke Most Wanted (May). [I still want to type duck for duke]

6. To Catch a Highlander by Karen Hawkins
This is the third book in a series and releases on my birthday (1/22/08) so it must be amazing! Well really Hawkins can be a hit or miss for me because she tends to be heavy on the funny. And that doesn’t always work with me.

7. Wild Noelle Mack
This is the first book in Noelle’s new Brava series The Pack of St. James. Uh huh… wolves… and even better (sez Lawson, who has NEVER read Susan Johnson) it they have ties to Russia. Check it out here, is a March release so should come out February 26, 2008.

8. A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade
I can’t begin to tell you how sad it makes me that she is currently working on a romantic suspense. I am sure it will be great but ::sniff:: more westerns please. Reason to Sin finishes her great Forrester trilogy:

9. The Devil’s Daughter by Laura Drewry
Not anything up at amazon but you can read the summary here. Don’t think there is anything else I need to say about why I want to read this… NOW. April 08 release from Dorchester.

10. Sucker’s Bet by Erin McCarthy
I heart Erin McCarthy. Even my lil sister hearts her ::note to self find out when book after Demon Envy comes out:: I was soooooooo looking forward to Bled Dry, the book before this one. I haven’t even made it half way through. le sigh… so do I try Bled Dry again, one night stand with a vampire secret baby book! Sort of, eh well not really secret for long. This comes out Jan 2. And soon we shall have more contemps from her. Well sort of soon…

11. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster
There is sex on page one… is that normal for a Foster book? I checked the cover to make sure it wasn’t Nicole Jordan. I really am enjoying this series. Amazon says this is book 3, which I guess works if you don’t count Jude or Murphy. Releases Feb 5, 2008.

12. The Bride by Carolyn Davidson
It is prolly a bad thing I am way amused the heroine is raised in a convent isn’t it…
I loveseses her older HH. I haven’t found as much love for her books since the move to HQN but this one… looks fabulous. No really. Releases February 1, 2008

Any suggestions on where to start? What is next up on your to be read mountain?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Sybil

Duodecimal: Sabrina Jeffries ADD Author’s 12 Days of Christmas

Sabrina Jeffries, author and procrastinator, gives us her version of 12 Days of Christmas.  Don’t forget to catch her upcoming (and wonderfully titled) Let Sleeping Rogues Lie (School For Heiresses, Book 4), coming 19 Feb 08.

Much as I adore Christmas (and I do), I find it overwhelming when I’m also on deadline (which I am), since, as any of my friends can tell you, I’m easily distracted by shiny things and chocolate. So here’s my version of 12 Days, dedicated to ADD authors everywhere (note that I would rather write this than work on my novella, which just shows how dysfunctional I am).  I present…

An ADD Author’s Dysfunctional 12 Days of Christmas

 On the first day of Christmas, I started writing this: a book from my inner goddess.

 On the second day of Christmas, I started watching this: two TV shows,
then I wrote to please my inner goddess.

 On the third day of Christmas, I started drinking this: three cups of coffee
while watching reruns
as I tried to soothe my nagging goddess.

On the fourth day of Christmas, I started reading this: four great novellas
while drinking coffee,
then watched some “Cold Case,”
thus ignoring my inner goddess.

 On the fifth day of Christmas, I started answering this: five fan e-mails
then I read a while,
drank coffee black,
watched an hour of “Charmed,”
and I wrote a blog to spite my goddess.

 On the sixth day of Christmas, I started skimming this: six old Publishers Weeklies,
then read e-mail,
read a long novella,
drank lots of coffee,
watched “the Daily Show,”
and I wrote around my inner goddess.

 On the seventh day of Christmas, I started plotting this: seven future novels,
then skimmed PWs,
tossed out e-mail,
read a long love scene,
bought me a latte,
watched “Without a Trace,”
and I wrote the book without my goddess.

 On the eighth day of Christmas, I started reading this: eight Sybil blogs,
then plotted novels,
tossed out PWs,
answered e-mail,
read a short novella,
added rum to coffee,
watched the “Messiah,”
and I lied to my inner goddess.

 On the ninth day of Christmas, I started eating this: nine chocolate bonbons,
then swung by Sybil’s,
plotted my novels,
got a new PW,
answered fan mail,
skimmed a novella,
swilled rum-laced Coke,
watched a sappy film,
and I drank with my inner goddess.

 On the tenth day of Christmas, I started wrapping this: ten Christmas presents,
then ate some bonbons,
read blogs at Sybil’s,
wished my plots were better,
tossed aside PW,
ignored e-mail,
stumbled through a book,
bought some tequila,
watched the ticking clock,
and then whined to my inner goddess.

 On the eleventh day of Christmas, I started baking this: eleven Christmas cookies,
then lost the presents,
ate lots of chocolate,
checked in at Sybil’s,
gave up on plotting,
cursed at PW,
fired off e-mail,
decided not to read,
swigged margaritas,
watched myself implode,
and then yelled at my inner goddess.

 On the twelfth day of Christmas, I started screaming this: “Where’s the tequila?”
then I ate the cookies,
gave up on presents,
stuffed myself with chocolate,
grumbled to Sybil,
swore off of novels,
forgot PW,
ignored e-mail,
tossed the book aside,
drank whisky neat,
cursed at Dr. Phil,
then I killed off my inner goddess.

Dysfunctionally yours,
Sabrina

What about you readers and authors out there - what do you do to procrastinate?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Sabrina Jeffries

Duodecimal: Sula’s Eye-candy Diet

Sula, blogger and reader, shares her “Wish List” with us…

How many times have I picked up an awesome romance novel and been totally turned off by the artist’s rendition of the hero (yeah, Jo Goodman’s If His Kiss Is Wicked, I’m looking at you!) One of the little games I like to play is “match that hot guy with that hot hero”. A little like pin the tail on the donkey, but way more fun. So without further ado, I give you a few holiday treats to spice up your cold winter days. Eye-candy is very low calorie. 

12 Men I’d Choose to Star In a Romance Novel

12. Daniel Craig.  The ice-cold blond killer type that sends shivers up and down your spine (and not entirely from fear, if you know what I mean). An Anne Stuart hero to be sure.

11. Ken Watanabe.  Granted, there aren’t all that many books starring Asian men (and why is that, anyway), but that doesn’t mean I can’t fantasize. He just exudes gravitas and in my book that is sexy.

10. Jason Momoa.  I don’t know which character he’d play, but I include him because he’s just…HAWT! Actually, as I look (um, stare) at that picture, I start to think that he might be Vishous from the BDB series.

9. Kyle Schmid.  This one is easy as he plays a vampire on TV. If you didn’t get the chance to watch the show Blood Ties, you missed out. Funny, romantic and paranormal, but stupid Lifetime looks like they won’t be renewing it for another season. Arg! Anyways, Kyle is my mental image for Christoff from Shana Abe’s The Smoke Thief.  [Ed.: It’s depressing how young this guy is.]

8. Johnny Depp.  I see Johnny as the charming, devil-may-care hero in a swashbuckling adventure written by Marsha Canham. Obviously the man looks pretty good on the deck of a ship be it as a pirate or as a river rat.

7. Clive Owen. Yum. I think this man was born to play historical heros. I could see him in any number of roles. Colin in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, Elliot in The Bridal Season, Benedict in Lord Perfect… I could go on.

6. Blair Underwood.  This man is beautiful to look at and beautiful to watch on screen. Smooth and self-confident and sexy. I think he’d make a pretty awesome Rhage, and it would be appropriate to have a brother as a Brother. I’m totally feeling it, true?

5. Gerard Butler.  When I read Karen Marie Moning’s Kiss of the Highlander, this was what I saw in my mind. I think he’d also be great in those good old Garwood medievals. Aye, he’s a braw laddie, d’ye ken?

4. Daniel Day-Lewis.  Last of the Mohicans! ‘Nuff said. A perfect stand-in for any American frontier romance novel…cuz we all know there are SO many of those being published these days.

3. Sean Bean.  I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: give the man some red highlights and he IS Jamie Fraser for my money.

2. Viggo Mortensen.  A versatile actor who can play anyone from a fantasy hero (a la LotR) to a Viking marauder to a cowboy. I have had a crush on him for eons, so he’s always a standard go-to on my mental cast list.

1. Richard Armitage.  Well, it will come as no surprise to anyone who has cast even a passing glance over my blog as of late that I am head over heels crazy for this guy. As for the hero he would most likely play, it’s none other than Derek Craven from Lisa Kleypas’ Dreaming of You. But honestly, pretty much any dark-haired, intense, British hero who is rough around the edges and not entirely civilized will now be played by Richard Armitage in my mind. Run, don’t walk, watch North & South (BBC) and see if you don’t agree.

Happy holidays!
Sula

Alright readers, what do you think?  Who would you like to see play a character from your favorite book?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Sula

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