It is a very sad state of affairs when I totally forget to announce a book release on LJ. I miss LJ. I read every day, but my feed keeps getting smaller and smaller. Maybe one day there will be an LJ revival. I'll bring the cheese plate.

Anyway! My lovely and talented BFF and co-author, Chris Owen, and I have our new book out! This is actually something we've been working on for the better part of eight years, but it finally came to fruition this month. See behind the cut for all the deets.

( Never Too Early: The BeginningCollapse )

HI GUYS. I still use this LJ, believe it or not!

I just wanted to direct you over to this blog post I made on Sunday at Slash and Burn. It's exciting! Well, if you're an avid M/M reader, that is. Believe me, you want to be ready for this release when it happens....

I have a story collection out today! Four of my favorite short stories have been put together into one book. A little fantasy, reality, and fairy tales all mixed together. Check it out, you can't go wrong for only $3.99!


http://www.torquerebooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=96&products_id=4160

WOO, it's release day! My bestie Chris Owen and I teamed up again for the sequel to By the Numbers.

Adding it Up - By the Numbers II is out today! Trey and Deuce and all the dogs are back, but this time there's more tension in the mix. Deuce is determined to make nice with Trey's ex-wife, but Trey isn't too keen on that idea.

Please, please go check it out HERE. I'm telling you, you can't go wrong with dogs, firemen, and really cute computer geeks.

Guess what I have for your hump day? THAT'S RIGHT, HUMPING.

:D

Several years ago, I wrote a Chance and Tucker story for an anthology that is no longer available. Torquere offered to put it out as a stand-alone, so I'm really happy about that! I like this story a lot since it gets into some of the nitty-gritty of their relationship. And they have sex, too. Natch. But mostly it's an emotional ride. I miss my firemen.

You can purchase Flesh and Blood HERE for the bargain price of only $3.99. Plus, the rest of my catalogue is 20% off. Yay!

Go, read, enjoy. Blurb under the cut.

( Firefighters R Us.Collapse )

Okay! So apparently people are of the opinion that you can still have an online presence just by commenting, even without posting too much. THAT IS GOOD I AM GLAD YOU FEEL THAT WAY, FLIST. Thanks to all who weighed in!

In even more mundane news, it's February. This is the time of year I always look down at myself and think, "Bleh." Pale winter skin, that little bit of extra flab, the total lack of interest in shaving my legs more than once a week. Dear seasons: be summer, always.

Question!

Do you think someone still has an LJ presence if they just comment frequently but don't often post? Weigh in here, flist.

In American football news, I am not really a Niners fan, but consider me an "anyone but the Ravens" fan. GO NINERS!

I know word has already spread, but I want to make sure that people know that valerie_z has passed away. Her sister, talula728, has posted two explanations here and here. I had the chance to meet Valerie several years ago and always followed her ups and downs on LJ with interest. Despite her struggles, she remained brilliant and hilarious.

RELEASE DAY! (Well, tomorrow. Wednesday. But the link is up.)

Sparks: A Tinder Story is available from Torquere Press! If you've been following the story of Chris and Morgan in Tinder and Embers, now's your chance to hear Morgan's side of the story. Living with a fireman is not as glamorous as the movies make it out to be.

( Excerpt under here.Collapse )

You can purchase Sparks HERE. Just in time for hump day, ha.

Sundays are so delicious when you know you don't have to work tomorrow. I have plenty of paperwork to keep me busy, but not having to set the alarm tonight more than makes up for it.

For anyone who didn't know, I blog a couple of Sundays a month over at Slash and Burn. Today was my Sunday, and usually I just ramble for a paragraph or two about nothing. But go and read and check out posts from my fellow authors, too. Enjoy your holiday if you have one, guys.

It bugs the crazy-ass shit out of me that so many of my RL friends on Facebook are all fluttery about 50 Shades of Grey.

IF I COULD ONLY TELL THEM.

In every generation there is a Chosen One.

Fifteen years ago, she became my Chosen One. She'll probably be my Chosen One fifteen years from now.

♥

Now all that was left 'neath the bad-smelling sky
was my big empty factory...

the Lorax...

and I.

The Lorax said nothing. Just gave me a glance...
just gave me a very sad, sad backward glance...
as he lifted himself by the seat of his pants.
And I'll never forget the grim look on his face
when he heisted himself and took leave of this place,
through a hole in the smog without leaving a trace.
And all that the Lorax left here in this mess
was a small pile of rocks, with one word...

UNLESS


Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss. Plz let the record state that The Lorax has been my fave Dr. Seuss story for many years, long long long before they decided to make that horrible looking movie.

Up until a couple of months ago, I'd been going to the same nail salon for over 15 years. The same girls have been doing my fingers and toes forever. Sweet, Vietnamese ladies who are just about my age and we talk about their kids, they know I'm a teacher, I helped out one of them with a credit card issue they were having, blah blee. The salon wasn't anything special and actually didn't keep very up to date on the latest nail techniques because they're smack in the middle of a big senior retirement community and they don't actually need to keep that up to date. Show me a senior citizen who wants a shattered manicure. (Or pedicure, like I currently have.)

So they've been giving me a gel manicure for a while, and the first time it stayed on fine. The second time, it peeled off my nails after a week. The third time, four days. I finally said something about it and my manicurist promised to do a better one. Nope, it peeled in less than a week. At $40 a manicure, I want my nail polish to last, dude. My mom recommended a place she likes, so I gave it a try. It's comparable in price, MUCH closer to my house, and my polish didn't budge from my fingers for a full two weeks. Hooray! I switched over and haven't looked back.

Except my old nail place LOOKED UP MY PHONE NUMBER IN THE PHONE BOOK and called me last night, wanting to know where I was. I've never given them my phone number since they don't ever call to confirm appointments or anything. There was no reason for them to have my number. BUT THEY FOUND IT.

I panicked and lied and said I'd moved. And said I'd try to come in once in a while, even though they aren't close to my new house. Because I am too nice to say "You aren't giving me what I'm paying for and I really like you as people but not as nail technicians." My husband says they're a business and they need to know. I say a white lie never hurt anyone.

BUSTED.

Yummmmm, I have a new short story out. I love this one, because it's boys with tattoos. So delicious.

Ink

Cade Tomlin wants nothing more than to tattoo people. He’s been drawing on himself with markers since he was little, but it can’t compare to the feel of a tattoo machine in his hand. When he finally discovers an artist who is willing to take him on as an apprentice, Cade learns more secrets and details about tattooing than he thought existed. However, his first real client, Kip Parker, teaches him much more about what a meaningful tattoo can say.

( It was a beautiful picture.Collapse )


Ink available HERE from Torquere Press.

HAHAHA of course LJ has now begun to screw with me, just as payback for me being loyal and giving it my money. I can't post comments anywhere, including my own journal. And I can't even ask if anyone else has this issue, BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COMMENT AND TELL ME.

I still love you, LJ. Even though you're a fighter, not a lover.

People are threatening to leave LJ yet again? Must be Wednesday.

Here I be, and here I stay. Go forth into the wilds, anyone who wants to go.

My gel manicures have been peeling off. Not acceptable. Comments welcome thx.

New release this week! It's a short story for the bargain price of $2.99. A few years ago I wrote Keeping Karma, a novel about a vet tech and an animal control officer. Alex can hear the thoughts of animals, and none so clearly as his ferret Karma. Well, Alex, Dylan, and Karma are all back in Teaching Topaz! This is a sequel to Keeping Karma and revisits Alex and Dylan in their life together. Excerpt under the cut.

( He made it home before Dylan's shift ended...Collapse )

Teaching Topaz is available HERE, and I'll even give you a coupon code for 15% off! Just put '30days2011' in the coupon code box at checkout before Sunday at midnight to get 15% off your order.

I miss Brian and Justin.

Happy Friday, lovelies! I've been going nonstop since this happened on Wednesday and am only just now finally sitting down long enough to tell you.

NEW BOOK. WITH PUPPIES IN IT. :D

My bestie and I co-wrote an awesome book with a cute tech geek, a hot and sort of shy fireman, and lots and lots of PUPPIES. Men and puppies are adorbs. It's called By The Numbers and is available HERE from Torquere Books.

I mean, this cover says it all. COME ON.



Give yourself a treat this weekend and check it out.

I'm going to a two-year-old's birthday party today. I've never met the child, I have only a passing acquaintance with the parents, and I didn't receive a formal invite. I'm going because I want cake.

Who else would do the same?

A
Joseph Agnello, Lad.118 Lt. Brian Ahearn, Bat.13 Eric Allen, Sqd.18 (D) Richard Allen, Lad.15 Cpt. James Amato, Sqd.1 Calixto Anaya Jr., Eng.4 Joseph Agnello, Lad.118 Lt. Brian Ahearn, Bat.13 Eric Allen, Sqd.18 (D) Richard Allen, Lad.15 Cpt. James Amato, Sqd.1 Calixto Anaya Jr., Eng.4 Joseph Angelini, Res.1 (D) Joseph Angelini Jr., Lad.4 Faustino Apostol Jr., Bat.2 David Arce, Eng.33 Louis Arena, Lad.5 (D) Carl Asaro, Bat.9 Lt. Gregg Atlas, Eng.10 Gerald Atwood, Lad.21

B
Gerald Baptiste, Lad.9 A.C. Gerard Barbara, Cmd. Ctr. Matthew Barnes, Lad.25 Arthur Barry, Lad.15 Lt.Steven Bates, Eng.235 Carl Bedigian, Eng.214 Stephen Belson, Bat.7 John Bergin, Res.5 Paul Beyer, Eng.6 Peter Bielfeld, Lad.42 Brian Bilcher, Sqd.1 Carl Bini, Res.5 Christopher Blackwell, Res.3 Michael Bocchino, Bat.48 Frank Bonomo, Eng.230 Gary Box, Sqd.1 Michael Boyle, Eng.33 Kevin Bracken, Eng.40 Michael Brennan, Lad.4 Peter Brennan, Res.4 Cpt. Daniel Brethel, Lad.24 (D) Cpt. Patrick Brown, Lad.3 Andrew Brunn, Lad.5 (D) Cpt. Vincent Brunton, Lad.105 F.M. Ronald Bucca Greg Buck, Eng.201 Cpt. William Burke Jr., Eng.21 A.C. Donald Burns, Cmd. Ctr. John Burnside, Lad.20 Thomas Butler, Sqd.1 Patrick Byrne, Lad.101

C
George Cain, Lad.7 Salvatore Calabro, Lad.101 Cpt. Frank Callahan, Lad.35 Michael Cammarata, Lad.11 Brian Cannizzaro, Lad.101 Dennis Carey, Hmc.1 Michael Carlo, Eng.230 Michael Carroll, Lad.3 Peter Carroll, Sqd.1 (D) Thomas Casoria, Eng.22 Michael Cawley, Lad.136 Vernon Cherry, Lad.118 Nicholas Chiofalo, Eng.235 John Chipura, Eng.219 Michael Clarke, Lad.2 Steven Coakley, Eng.217 Tarel Coleman, Sqd.252 John Collins, Lad.25 Robert Cordice, Sqd.1 Ruben Correa, Eng.74 James Coyle, Lad.3 Robert Crawford, Safety Lt. John Crisci, H.M. B.C. Dennis Cross, Bat.57 (D) Thomas Cullen III, Sqd. 41 Robert Curatolo, Lad.16 (D)

D
Lt. Edward D'Atri, Sqd.1 Michael D'Auria, Eng.40 Scott Davidson, Lad.118 Edward Day, Lad.11 B.C. Thomas DeAngelis, Bat. 8 Manuel Delvalle, Eng.5 Martin DeMeo, H.M. 1 David DeRubbio, Eng.226 Lt. Andrew Desperito, Eng.1 (D) B.C. Dennis Devlin, Bat.9 Gerard Dewan, Lad.3 George DiPasquale, Lad.2 Lt. Kevin Donnelly, Lad.3 Lt. Kevin Dowdell, Res.4 B.C. Raymond Downey, Soc. Gerard Duffy, Lad.21

E
Cpt. Martin Egan, Jr., Div.15 (D) Michael Elferis, Eng.22 Francis Esposito, Eng.235 Lt. Michael Esposito, Sqd.1 Robert Evans, Eng.33

F
B.C. John Fanning, H.O. Cpt. Thomas Farino, Eng.26 Terrence Farrell, Res.4 Cpt. Joseph Farrelly, Div.1 Dep. Comm. William Feehan, (D) Lee Fehling, Eng.235 Alan Feinberg, Bat.9 Michael Fiore, Res.5 Lt. John Fischer, Lad.20 Andre Fletcher, Res.5 John Florio, Eng.214 Lt. Michael Fodor, Lad.21 Thomas Foley, Res.3 David Fontana, Sqd.1 Robert Foti, Lad.7 Andrew Fredericks, Sqd.18 Lt. Peter Freund, Eng.55

G
Thomas Gambino Jr., Res.3 Chief of Dept. Peter Ganci, Jr. (D) Lt. Charles Garbarini, Bat.9 Thomas Gardner, Hmc.1 Matthew Garvey, Sqd.1 Bruce Gary, Eng.40 Gary Geidel, Res.1 B.C. Edward Geraghty, Bat.9 Dennis Germain, Lad.2 Lt. Vincent Giammona, Lad.5 James Giberson, Lad.35 Ronnie Gies, Sqd.288 Paul Gill, Eng.54 Lt. John Ginley, Eng.40 Jeffrey Giordano, Lad.3 John Giordano, Hmc.1 Keith Glascoe, Lad.21 James Gray, Lad.20 B.C. Joseph Grzelak, Bat.48 Jose Guadalupe, Eng.54 Lt. Geoffrey Guja, Bat.43 Lt. Joseph Gullickson, Lad.101

H
David Halderman, Sqd.18 Lt. Vincent Halloran, Lad.8 Robert Hamilton, Sqd.41 Sean Hanley, Lad.20 (D) Thomas Hannafin, Lad.5 Dana Hannon, Eng.26 Daniel Harlin, Lad.2 Lt. Harvey Harrell, Res.5 Lt. Stephen Harrell, Bat.7 Cpt. Thomas Haskell, Jr., Div.15 Timothy Haskell, Sqd.18 (D) Cpt. Terence Hatton, Res.1 Michael Haub, Lad.4 Lt. Michael Healey, Sqd.41 John Hefferman, Lad.11 Ronnie Henderson, Eng.279 Joseph Henry, Lad.21 William Henry, Res.1 (D) Thomas Hetzel, Lad.13 Cpt. Brian Hickey, Res.4 Lt. Timothy Higgins, S.O.C. Jonathan Hohmann, Hmc.1 Thomas Holohan, Eng.6 Joseph Hunter, Sqd.288 Cpt. Walter Hynes, Lad.13 (D)

I
Jonathan Ielpi, Sqd.288 Cpt. Frederick Ill Jr., Lad.2

J
William Johnston, Eng.6 Andrew Jordan, Lad.132 Karl Joseph, Eng.207 Lt. Anthony Jovic, Bat.47 Angel Juarbe Jr., Lad.12 Mychal Judge, Chaplain (D)

K
Vincent Kane, Eng.22 B.C. Charles Kasper, S.O.C. Paul Keating, Lad.5 Richard Kelly Jr., Lad.11 Thomas R. Kelly, Lad.15 Thomas W. Kelly, Lad.105 Thomas Kennedy, Lad.101 Lt. Ronald Kerwin, Sqd.288 Michael Kiefer, Lad.132 Robert King Jr., Eng.33 Scott Kopytko, Lad.15 William Krukowski, Lad.21 Kenneth Kumpel, Lad.25 Thomas Kuveikis, Sqd.252

L
David LaForge, Lad.20 William Lake, Res.2 Robert Lane, Eng.55 Peter Langone, Sqd.252 Scott Larsen, Lad.15 Lt. Joseph Leavey, Lad.15 Neil Leavy, Eng.217 Daniel Libretti, Res.2 Carlos Lillo, Paramedic Robert Linnane, Lad.20 Michael Lynch, Eng.40 Michael Lynch, Lad.4 Michael Lyons, Sqd.41 Patrick Lyons, Sqd.252

M
Joseph Maffeo, Lad.101 William Mahoney, Res 4 Joseph Maloney, Lad.3 (D) B.C. Joseph Marchbanks Jr, Bat.12 Lt. Charles Margiotta, Bat.22 Kenneth Marino, Res.1 John Marshall, Eng.23 Lt. Peter Martin, Res.2 Lt. Paul Martini, Eng.23 Joseph Mascali, T.S.U. 2 Keithroy Maynard, Eng.33 Brian McAleese, Eng.226 John McAvoy, Lad.3 Thomas McCann, Bat.8 Lt. William McGinn, Sqd.18 B.C. William McGovern, Bat.2 (D) Dennis McHugh, Lad.13 Robert McMahon, Lad.20 Robert McPadden, Eng.23 Terence McShane, Lad.101 Timothy McSweeney, Lad.3 Martin McWilliams, Eng.22 (D) Raymond Meisenheimer, Res.3 Charles Mendez, Lad.7 Steve Mercado, Eng.40 Douglas Miller, Res.5 Henry Miller Jr, Lad.105 Robert Minara, Lad.25 Thomas Mingione, Lad.132 Lt. Paul Mitchell, Bat.1 Capt. Louis Modafferi, Res.5 Lt. Dennis Mojica, Res.1 (D) Manuel Mojica, Sqd.18 (D) Carl Molinaro, Lad.2 Michael Montesi, Res.1 Capt. Thomas Moody, Div.1 B.C. John Moran, Bat.49 Vincent Morello, Lad.35 Christopher Mozzillo, Eng.55 Richard Muldowney Jr, Lad.07 Michael Mullan, Lad.12 Dennis Mulligan, Lad.2 Lt. Raymond Murphy, Lad.16

N
Lt. Robert Nagel, Eng.58 John Napolitano, Res.2 Peter Nelson, Res.4 Gerard Nevins, Res.1

O
Dennis O'Berg, Lad.105 Lt. Daniel O'Callaghan, Lad.4 Douglas Oelschlager, Lad.15 Joseph Ogren, Lad.3 Lt. Thomas O'Hagan, Bat.4 Samuel Oitice, Lad.4 Patrick O'Keefe, Res.1 Capt. William O'Keefe, Div.15 (D) Eric Olsen, Lad.15 Jeffery Olsen, Eng.10 Steven Olson, Lad.3 Kevin O'Rourke, Res.2 Michael Otten, Lad.35

P
Jeffery Palazzo, Res.5 B.C. Orio Palmer, Bat.7 Frank Palombo, Lad.105 Paul Pansini, Eng.10 B.C. John Paolillo, Bat.11 James Pappageorge, Eng.23 Robert Parro, Eng.8 Durrell Pearsall, Res.4 Lt. Glenn Perry, Bat.12 Lt. Philip Petti, Bat.7 Lt. Kevin Pfeifer, Eng. 33 Lt. Kenneth Phelan, Bat.32 Christopher Pickford, Eng.201 Shawn Powell, Eng.207 Vincent Princiotta, Lad.7 Kevin Prior, Sqd.252 B.C. Richard Prunty, Bat.2 (D)

Q
Lincoln Quappe, Res.2 Lt. Michael Quilty, Lad.11 Ricardo Quinn, Paramedic

R
Leonard Ragaglia, Eng.54 Michael Ragusa, Eng.279 Edward Rall, Res.2 Adam Rand, Sqd.288 Donald Regan, Res.3 Lt. Robert Regan, Lad.118 Christian Regenhard, Lad.131 Kevin Reilly, Eng.207 Lt. Vernon Richard, Lad.7 James Riches, Eng.4 Joseph Rivelli, Lad.25 Michael Roberts, Eng.214 Michael E. Roberts, Lad.35 Anthony Rodriguez, Eng.279 Matthew Rogan, Lad.11 Nicholas Rossomando, Res.5 Paul Ruback, Lad.25 Stephen Russell, Eng.55 Lt. Michael Russo, S.O.C. B.C. Matthew Ryan, Bat.1

S
Thomas Sabella, Lad.13 Christopher Santora, Eng.54 John Santore, Lad.5 (D) Gregory Saucedo, Lad.5 Dennis Scauso, H.M. 1 John Schardt, Eng.201 B.C. Fred Scheffold, Bat.12 Thomas Schoales, Eng.4 Gerard Schrang, Res.3 (D) Gregory Sikorsky, Sqd.41 Stephen Siller, Sqd.1 Stanley Smagala Jr, Eng.226 Kevin Smith, H.M. 1 Leon Smith Jr, Lad 118 Robert Spear Jr, Eng.26 Joseph Spor, Res.3 B.C. Lawrence Stack, Bat.50 Cpt. Timothy Stackpole, Div.11 (D) Gregory Stajk, Lad.13 Jeffery Stark, Eng.230 Benjamin Suarez, Lad.21 Daniel Suhr, Eng.216 (D) Lt. Christopher Sullivan, Lad.111 Brian Sweeney, Res.1

T
Sean Tallon, Lad.10 Allan Tarasiewicz, Res.5 Paul Tegtmeier, Eng.4 John Tierney, Lad.9 John Tipping II, Lad.4 Hector Tirado Jr, Eng.23

V
Richard Vanhine, Sqd.41 Peter Vega, Lad.118 Lawrence Veling, Eng.235 John Vigiano II, Lad.132 Sergio Villanueva, Lad.132 Lawrence Virgilio, Sqd.18 (D)

W
Lt. Robert Wallace, Eng.205 Jeffery Walz, Lad. 9 Lt. Michael Warchola, Lad.5 (D) Capt. Patrick Waters, S.O.C. Kenneth Watson, Eng.214 Michael Weinberg, Eng.1 (D) David Weiss, Res.1 Timothy Welty, Sqd.288 Eugene Whelan, Eng.230 Edward White, Eng.230 Mark Whitford, Eng.23 Lt. Glenn Wilkinson, Eng.238 (D) B.C. John Williamson, Bat.6 (D) Capt. David Wooley, Lad.4

Y
Raymond York, Eng.285 (D)

I'm an advertiser's dream. I laugh at funny commercials. I tear up at sad ones. I buy the stuff they're selling. I memorize lines and parrot them back when the ad comes on TV. I sing the jingles. I'm basically their target market, and I'm not ashamed of this fact.

BUT. When a commercial misses the boat with me, I am overcome with an irrational loathing of it.

( I come bearing examples.Collapse )

I absolutely MUST wish one of my best beloveds a happy birthday today. ♥ ♥ ♥

bigboobedcanuck, I hope today is truly an amazing day. May it be filled with all the flowers, cake, and presents you deserve, WHICH IS A LOT. I love you!! Have a great day!


xoxoxoxox

Aw. Happy 10 year LJ-versary to me. You all may thank apetslife profusely for enticing me to get one.

Well, it's actually tomorrow. I can't post tomorrow, though, because I am flying to international soil! byrne gets to host an American in her house FOR A WHOLE WEEK. Who knows what havoc and destruction I will bring with me in the name of the USA?

Happy Independence Day, my fellow USA-ers. As I say every year, I'm not always proud of America, but I'm always a proud American.

Now, let's grill some burgers and blow stuff up for freedom!

Some of my BEST beloveds are Canadian. I celebrate the birth of their country today. ♥

X-MEN!

Another school year, come and gone. It was a quick one, too. How come they're not all like that? My class was darling and I will miss their little faces. I can't always say that, but these sweeties were adorable from start to finish. My class for next year contains a child named Eddie. He just finished first grade and has already been christened "Evil Ed". So, there's that.

O HAI, SUMMER.