Break time...

I've been taking a break from blogging to get more home improvement stuff done, and so far, there are no major disasters to report. I stained and varnished the woodwork for the next window replacement in the GARAGE as opposed to my bedroom. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to stain and varnish the windows themselves after they're installed in the living room. It's a good thing that carpet is also slated for replacement, or I'd be a lot more concerned. I learned a few things the last time, chief among them not to try to do everything in one day. These things go best if you do them in stages allowing recovery time in between.

While on my "break," I actually read a couple of books. I read The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

and Luscious by Amanda Usen,

both of which were quite good. Be careful reading them, though. Grace's book will make you want to bake apple tarts and Amanda's will have you craving pasta and wine--among other things. Speaking of apples, you might want to check out my pal Mellanie Szereto's apple pie recipe. http://www.mellanieszereto.blogspot.com/2013/09/apple-pie-season-is-here.html

I'm still waiting on edits for the erotic contemporary series so I can decide whether to accept the offer or not. No news on the cover of Rebel yet, either. Apparently they thought I meant that it was the color of the background clashing with Onca's red hair rather than the fuchsia lettering. Hopefully the clarification helps, but you never know.

Right now, I'm counting the hours until tonight's premier of The Voice. I didn't realize how much of a break it gave me to watch that show until after last season's finale when I could find absolutely no excuse for sitting in front of the TV in my recliner. I need some Adam and  Blake banter to perk me up and make me smile.

Just wanted to share...

Thanks to everyone whose vote made this possible!

I would've had the cover of Rebel to share with you, but I wasn't crazy about the color they chose for the final version, so I'll wait and see what they send me next.

I've been working on the first book in my romantic suspense series while waiting to hear back from my editor on the contemporary cowboy erotic romance--at least I think that's what you'd call it. The title I gave it was Boots and Spurs and Cowboys, Oh My! which is too long, of course. I also sent her a partial manuscript that might work well with it, and that one doesn't even have a title. I just refer to it by the heroine's first name, Lauren. Honestly, as seldom as my books have kept the title I gave them, I don't know why I bother! Part of the process, I suppose.

But enough about that! Only five more days until the new season of The Voice begins!

Do you really think this would work???

This pic had 152 shares on Facebook. I figure that makes it fair game.

If so, I'm getting one, and then I'm getting lost.

I'm in Voice withdrawal...

Do any of you out there miss The Voice as much as I do? It's the only TV show I watch, and I feel sort of lost without it--with the result that I keep writing late into the night until all I can think about is diving into bed. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen, but when I don't have the banter between Adam Levine and Blake Shelton to look forward to every week, I don't know when to stop working. Without The Voice, I don't get to meet incredible new talents and cheer them on. I stay at my computer until my hands get numb and my brain shuts down.

This photo was shamelessly stolen from The Voice's Facebook page

I wasn't sure Usher and Shakira could successfully replace Ceelo and Christina last season, but they were a perfect fit for the show--so much so that I'm a little sorry to see the originals return.

This photo was also snagged from The Voice's Facebook page

Sure, I missed Ceelo's outrageous costumes--and a few of Christina's--but I grew to like the replacement coaches as much as the singers they coached. They were genuinely sincere and put so much heart into the job, and it was wonderful to watch their team members bloom.

Yet another blatant theft from The Voice's Facebook page

I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but you can bet that on September 23rd at 8pm Eastern, I'll be in front of the television.

And I won't be writing.

I'll be fantasizing about being coached by Adam Levine.

Do I really have to say where this came from? I think you know by now. . .

Oh, yeah. Team Adam. *getting major goose bumps*  I would so choose him...