Another week flew by, and it was fun because I’m making a collage of my new story. I never made one before for any of my books. I’m hoping this will help to keep me focused and to write FASTER. I’m a slow writer. I get distracted easily so definitely want to make my writing goals on this particular book.

I could not get warm last night. After I took Amanda to speech, we went to Perkins to eat. Tom met us there after he finished teaching and tutoring. The temperature dropped a lot. I felt chilled at the restaurant and at home. I will be so glad when winter is over. On the bright side, the days are getting a bit longer.

THANK YOU for the votes for my trailer, MARRYING MALLORY. I did get 3rd place so enjoyed the exposure for this honor.

Here’s a blonde joke for you and have a fantastic weekend. Stay warm!

Cutting Pizza

A blonde went to buy a pizza and after ordering, the assistant asked the blonde if she would like her pizza cut into six pieces or twelve.

“Six please” she said, “I could never eat twelve!”

Sean Murray plays Special Agent, Timothy McGee

The other week my daughter, Christina, (I think it was Christina anyhow - hey, I have 5 daughters - can’t always remember which one I talked to and about what ) mentioned that I hadn’t had a Hot Dork for some time. That’s true, I haven’t. For a reminder, I try to pick guys who are obviously attractive, but a bit dorky in their own unique way. I happen to like dork hotties.

How about you? Do you like hot dorks?

I watched NCIS last night. Wasn’t it great? I was so glad the witness Nora survived her allergy attack on the plane. As usual, Tony made me laugh. He’s played by Michael Weatherly and was a hottie pick here in April 08.

Here is Sean Murray’s BIO:

He was born in Bethesda, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C. His birth date is November 15, 1977. He spent his childhood near Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, Australia, and holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Australia. His mother is Vivienne, fourth wife of American television producer and screenwriter, Donald Bellisario, making him Bellisario’s stepson.

Murray lives in Encino, California, with his wife Carrie James and young daughter.
Sean Murray’s television credits include a starring role in the series “The Random Years” and a supporting role in “Harts of the West,” on CBS. He has made guest appearances on numerous shows including “JAG,” on the Network, “Boston Public” and “ER.” In addition, Murray has appeared in several feature films, including “Hocus Pocus,” “This Boy’s Life,” and starred in Todd Field’s “Too Romantic.”

I think Sean Murray is adorable yet dorky as McGee in NCIS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO SEAN MURRAY FOR BEING MY DORK OF THE WEEK!

Thank you to everyone who entered my contest and left wonderful comments about my posts promoting my newest release, MARRYING MALLORY. I had 51 comments and I drew the winner this afternoon. Congratulations to Leni from Connecticut! I will have another contest in February so hope you visit! Prizes will be announced soon!

I have two guest author interviews here in February. Linda Poitevin will be visiting on February 3rd with character interviews so that will be fun. Autumn Jordan will be here on February 10th to talk about her new release from The Wild Rose Press.

I hope after reading the Mallory excerpts and watching the trailer, you might consider buying a copy. It’s available at my publisher’s site, Amazon Kindle, and other online sites. It sells for $4.99.

If you like my trailer the best, it’s not too late to vote for MARRYING MALLORY. The video contest ends midnight January 26th. My entry is #18 and it’s easy to vote - no registering is required. Click here to vote.

Leni wins the following for being the GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

-Signed print copy of my inspirational romance, NO GREATER LOSS!
(If already purchased and read, will substitute another print copy from my backlist.)

-Whitney in Charge - ebook - contemporary romance
-Book Throng, pen, bookmarks
-Springtime lip gloss set
-Godiva Chocolate Bar

Click here for contest and prize information. Reminder: Contest ends MONDAY!

Elizabeth wants to fix Mallory with Reverend Jeremy Turner so suggests a dinner party. Well, Mallory invites Dr. Seth Whitman to get the focus off her hooking up with Jeremy. The following excerpt is after the dinner, and Seth is the last guest.

Let me know what you think of the birthday kiss. By the way, Seth mentions about it being his birthday during the dinner.

EXCERPT:

He put his hand on her leg and felt a shot of desire for Mallory. He had it bad for her. Why had Henry and Rebecca gone away for the weekend? His friends were the only persons he could talk to about his feelings for Mallory. He didn’t think it would be wise to talk to his parents about her yet. His mother would pump him with million of questions which he couldn’t answer now. Maybe he’d give his sister a call and tell her about Mallory.

“You have to get your pre-op done, so you can voice your concerns to your own family doctor. I feel safe in telling you that nothing’s going to stop you from raising Josh, but─”

“I got worried when Jeremy mentioned what just happened to that poor girl. I do trust you as a surgeon and…”

He waited for a moment, wondering how else she trusted him. Was she going to say as a friend? If they eventually started dating, being her friend would be a good beginning for their relationship. He stretched his legs and bumped the coffee table. Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw that he’d jarred a vase of flowers. He grabbed the flowers before they fell and let out a deep breath. “I was afraid the vase would break.”

“It’s not your fault. I should’ve moved the table.” She glanced at his legs. “You have long limbs.”

Seth examined the vase. “Where did you get this? It’s pretty with the hand painted flowers. I bet my mom would like one. I could get her a vase for Mother’s Day.”

“My grandmother was an artist, and she painted vases. She gave them to me before she died. You can look at them and pick one out for your mom.”

“Are you sure you want to part with one? I’m not sure I should take a vase.”

“I want to give you one.”

“I wouldn’t feel right taking one of your grandmother’s vases without paying you for it.”

She grinned. “You can always deduct money from the fee for my surgery. After all, I could’ve raked some money from Derek if you allowed observers.” She stood. “Follow me. I have them in a closet.”

After leading him into the study, she walked to the closet and opened the white door. Vases of every size filled the closet.

“This is incredible.” He looked at her. “Did you get your grandmother’s artistic talent?”

She laughed. “I’m afraid not. I can barely draw stick figures.”

Forty-five minutes later, Seth stood at Mallory’s front door. He’d finally written her a check and told her not to look at it until he left. He’d selected a large vase with painted cherry blossoms plus a matching jar for herbs. His mom had an herb garden, so he knew she’d be excited about his gift.

He wanted to kiss Mallory. Surely a peck on the cheek should be appropriate with him being at her house. He was not her doctor at the moment. He leaned down to her. His lips brushed her cheek, and Mallory pulled him closer to her.

She whispered, “Here’s a birthday kiss for you.”

With her in his arms, he felt Mallory’s breasts against his chest. When their lips met, energy surged through him. Maybe it was only a birthday kiss, but he hoped that it could be the beginning for something much more. He could see them as a couple. But was there a chance of this happening? He had no way of knowing if he’d get the opportunity to date Mallory after she recovered from her surgery, but he knew one thing for sure.

He never wanted Mallory to think his only interest in her was as her surgeon. He wanted so much more from this incredible woman.

If this should be your first visit, feel free to leave a comment on ANY or ALL of the previous posts this week about my new release, MARRYING MALLORY! Your name will be added to my contest each time you leave a comment! Click here for the Grand Prize Winner prizes! The contest continues thru Monday morning.
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My MARRYING MALLORY TRAILER is up for the Jan. 2010 Best Video! It’s #18! If you think it’s best, please vote for it. Here is the link:
http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ And it’s easy to vote - it’s on the right side. Thank you!

I baked oatmeal raisin cookies today. Mallory baked this kind for her ex-husband, Toby, one Saturday morning, when she learned about his visit. He’d called to say it was important that he talked to her. The excerpt starts where she’s just learned that he’s plans on doing legal work in June for a fraternity brother, Jeff.

EXCERPT:

“I need to settle some things for Jeff. He fired his accountant and a few other employees,” Toby said. “They’re threatening to sue him. I’ll be leaving for Las Vegas as soon as I finish my present cases.”

Toby can’t go to church with us, but he can fly to Sin City to help a loser fraternity friend. Maybe she wouldn’t send any cookies home with him. “I’m guessing you’ll need me to keep Josh on a weekend. That’s no problem.”

He stood and walked to the counter. While refilling his cup, he said, “It might be for a month. I’m just not sure.”

“Are you sure it’s for legal work and not to gamble?” Toby had never been a gambler, but maybe he had acquired the gambling habit since their divorce. She knew what a sickness it was since her dad had been a gambling addict. He’d left them to go to Las Vegas for that purpose only.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he said, irritated. “I’m not your dad. You know I don’t gamble. I’m going to be working the whole time.”

“I’m surprised you’d leave Josh for a month.”

He returned to his chair. “I’d like Josh to fly to see me over a weekend.”

She clenched her jaw. “He’s too little to fly by himself.”

“I wasn’t planning on him coming by himself.”

A thrill went through her body because she knew he meant for her to fly to Las Vegas with Josh. Thank you, God, she prayed silently. She wasn’t crazy about going to Vegas for a family vacation, but knew it would make Josh happy to spend time with both parents together.

“That’s good. If I book the flight soon, it won’t cost as much. When do you need─”

“I’ll pay for the tickets for Samantha and Josh.”

For a moment, her mind couldn’t grasp that he hadn’t meant for her to go on the plane. Instead Toby wanted his girlfriend of a few months to travel with their son.

He frowned. “I hope you aren’t going to put up a fuss about Samantha bringing Josh. She adores him.”

Her stomach tightened. No way was his girlfriend taking their little son to another state. “They barely know each other.”

“Samantha is going to spend time with us after the movie. And I’m going to have her come over more often on the weekends. He’ll be fine with her on the plane.”

Samantha being with Toby more wasn’t something she wanted to hear. Obviously, Toby cared for his girlfriend more than he’d indicated before. How could Toby move on so quickly with a new relationship? “I’m sorry but he’s not going. For one thing, he’s still in school and the trip will tire him out too much.”

“I was planning on a June visit.”

“You know he’s going to the lake house with your mom and dad in June. And his birthday’s in June.” How could she have her surgery if that trip was cancelled? Unless Toby planned on keeping Josh longer than a weekend in Vegas which she never wanted to happen.

“Well, June’s a big month and Josh’s birthday is only one day,” he said in a sarcastic tone. “He can come later and still go visit my parents.”

“A casino is hardly an appropriate place for a child.”

He drummed his fingers on the table. “So you’re saying that our son can only spend time with me in Las Vegas if you are with him?”

“You have to admit that I was being generous to bring him to you. I shouldn’t be expected to have him fly for the first time with a stranger.” She saw his eyes darken with anger. “Okay, Samantha’s not actually a stranger, but what does she know about kids? She doesn’t have any. Or does she have one hidden somewhere?”

“She doesn’t have children, but she’s great with kids. I’ve seen her with her nieces and nephews.”

She bit her lip instead of calling him a liar. He’d said that his relationship with Samantha wasn’t serious. Meeting the relatives meant their relationship might become permanent. And now he wanted Samantha in Vegas with him. Was he in love with Samantha? What other reason could he have for making sure she spent time with Josh? Of course, she knew he’d get married someday, but was hoping it’d be much later. She was not ready for Josh to be part of a new family. They hadn’t been divorced very long. “I don’t think it’s a good idea for Josh to travel to Las Vegas.”

He glanced at his watch. “I better go. I hope you’ll change your mind. Please think about it. You know I always take good care of Josh.”

Her stomach turned when she heard the door shut behind Toby.

He’d never planned on inviting her to Vegas. Was spending time with her so undesirable? She wanted Josh to see his parents as being friends and doing activities together.

She forgot to give Toby his cookies. If she hurried, maybe she could catch him. Running to the front door, she hit her knee hard on the corner of the end table. She ignored the pain and jerked open the door.

Toby stood outside his car, talking on his cell phone. Without a doubt the person on the other end was Samantha… the woman he wasn’t serious about… yeah, right.

And she knew then he wasn’t getting the cookies. He didn’t deserve them. She couldn’t stand liars and cheaters.