Hump Day Humor...

Thought today might be a good day to post this. Have a great time, enjoy those New Year's Eve parties!!



Jack wakes up with a huge hangover after attending his company's party.

Jack is not normally a drinker, but the drinks didn't taste like alcohol at all. He didn't even remember how he got home from the party..

As bad as he was feeling, he wondered if he did something wrong.. Jack had to force himself to open his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a couple of aspirins next to a glass of water on the side table.

And, next to them, a single red rose!! Jack sits up and sees his clothing in front of him, all clean and pressed.

He looks around the room and sees that it is in perfect order, spotlessly clean. So is the rest of the house.

He takes the aspirins, cringes when he sees a huge black eye staring back at him in the bathroom mirror.

Then he notices a note hanging on the corner of the mirror written in red with little hearts on it and a kiss mark from his wife in lipstick: 'Honey, breakfast is on the stove, I left early to get groceries to make you your favorite dinner tonight.


I love you, darling!
Love, Jillian'.

He stumbles to the kitchen and sure enough, there is hot breakfast, steaming hot coffee and the morning newspaper.

His 16 year old son is also at the table, eating.

Jack asks, 'Son what happened last night?'

'Well, you came home after 3 A.M., drunk and out of your mind.

You fell over the coffee table and broke it, and then you puked in the hallway,and got that black eye when you ran into the door.


Confused, he asked his son, 'So, why is everything in such perfect order and so clean? I have a rose, and breakfast is on the table waiting for me??'

His son replies, 'Oh THAT... Mom dragged you to t he bedroom, and when she tried to take your pants off, you screamed, "Leave me alone, I'm married"!!!

Broken Coffee Table $239.99
Hot Breakfast $4.20
Two Aspirins $.38
Saying the right thing, at the right time: PRICELESS

Tuesday food for thought....

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882, Poet and Essayist

What I'm Reading this week....

I'm a fan of Alison Kent's but I haven't read any of the G5 series...until now. I was fortunate to win this book when she guest blogged at Plotmonkeys a few weeks ago and I'm now looking forward to reading the whole series.


Here's the blurb:

Finn McLain is no stranger to unusual assignments. But the gorgeous stranger who just asked him to photograph her for an erotic art exhibit—that’s definitely a first. Finn came to Miami to dig into the personal life of boutique manager Roland Green for a lovesick gallery owner, and hadn’t planned on sticking around. But the boutique’s owner, Olivia Hammond, has just made him a proposal that’s as hard to ignore as Olivia herself. She’s got caramel-kissed skin, a body that makes grown men tremble, and a wild sideline as an exhibitionist. Ooookay. Yet despite her willingness to “let people look,” Finn’s convinced there’s a hell of a lot Olivia’s not revealing. And that’s the most intriguing prospect of all…

Olivia has never been shy about using her sexuality to get what she wants. But then, she’s never wanted a man quite the way she wants Finn. What he thinks about her shouldn’t matter, yet it does. Through every candid photograph and every heated encounter, Finn is getting closer, intent on getting beneath her shell—and for once, Olivia is tempted to let him. But first they have to contend with the fact that Finn’s simple investigation into Roland Green is getting dangerously complicated…and Olivia isn’t the only person in town who’s not what she claims to be.

In a city throbbing with sex appeal, two wary lovers are about to play the ultimate game of show and tell, where temptation is raw, wild, and hot enough to make you sizzle…


I hope it's a wonderful weekend for everyone!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Woootttt!!!

As you know *grins* Reaction Time made it's debut on Tuesday. When I woke up Wednesday morning, I had an e-mail from my editor that said:

Whoohoo!!
You jumped right onto the bestseller list at number 7!!
That rocks!!
Congrats and here’s to many more sales

Of course, that's for the Samhain Bookstore, but that is so cool! - Hot diggity dog! *Insert Snoopy Dance*

So, I go to the list this morning and guess what? Reaction Time is up to #4!!! I think I could really get used to this Bestseller List stuff! ROTFL

A big thanks to everyone who has bought a copy. Let me know what you think about it, I'd love to hear from you.

Hope it's a fantastic, stress-free day for everyone!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Mom is Santa

I first saw this video last year (or the year before) and it still makes me laugh, laugh, laugh. I think the look on the little boy's face is absolutely priceless. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!





And don't forget, today Adam and I are hanging out with my cheer-reader at http://jennifersrandommusings.wordpress.com/

And next Monday I'll be playing in the jungle with the Plotmonkeys - http://www.plotmonkeys.com/

Have a wonderful day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Reaction Time Release Day!!!

Woot!!! I can hardly believe it's here. But today is the big day for Reaction Time!!



Here's an excerpt:

Chapter One


Nikki Kincaid shook her head, almost feeling sorry for the kid in the piece-of-shit Honda next to her, revving his engine and signaling he wanted to race. She knew she shouldn’t accept his challenge. Street racing was dangerous, plus the pesky little detail that it was illegal. But dammit, it was fun.

And she wanted to have a little fun for a change.

Did the kid honestly think his one-hundred-and-fifteen-horsepower Civic could compete with her Shelby GT500? The power of her Mustang alone would leave him sitting at the light wondering what happened. Considering she had one of the fastest reaction times in the NHRA Pro Stock Drag Racing Series, when the light turned green she’d be a quarter mile down the highway before he could blink.

She sighed. Three years. That’s how long it had been since she’d had any fun. That’s how long it had been since racing stopped being a choice and instead had become a job that carried an overwhelming responsibility. That’s how long it had been since racing ceased to be her true love and passion.

But this little race would be like before—fun.

She glanced around, checking to make sure there were no other vehicles in the way and no cops. Well, none other than her irritating passenger. Looking out the passenger window, she nodded once to the kid before returning her attention to the stop light. “That car sounds like a pissed off bumblebee,” she muttered beneath her breath, unable to believe the kid truly wanted to race.

As the word “race” hit her brain circuitry, her body instinctively took over. Her left hand clenched the steering wheel while the fingers on her right twitched on the Hurst shifter. Her left foot mashed the clutch to the floor and the toes on her right flexed with the anticipation of stomping on the gas pedal.

She flicked a casual sideways glance to her passenger, Adam “Tight Ass” Guthrie, off-duty detective and friend to her brother, Nate. Head bent over, eyes focused on the threatening letter she’d received that morning, he was oblivious to the kid next to him or the launched gauntlet.

Nikki smiled as she considered the added bonus to this race. Tight Ass was gonna shit a brick.

He would probably lecture her on yet another of her obligations—acting as a responsible role model. He would probably make the three-hour trip to Richmond miserable. He would probably do that anyway, so she might as well go for it now and have her fun.

God, she could throttle Nate for insisting she have a weekend babysitter. The threats she’d received, the ones suggesting her health might fare better if she didn’t race anymore, seemed relatively harmless. But her ever-watchful big brother insisted she have protection. Tight Ass agreed with Nate’s cautious attitude, damn her bad luck, and had volunteered to take a couple days off to accompany her to the drag strip.

Unfortunately, he was the last person she wanted to spend five days with.
Maybe if she made his life hell he’d pack up and leave. Then she wouldn’t have to deal with him or the mix of unwelcome emotions his presence stirred in her.
The left-turn lane got the green arrow and she zeroed in on it. Watching. Waiting.

As soon as that light turned red, she’d get the green light.

Yellow.

Adrenaline pumped through her veins like it always did at the starting line of a race.

Red.

She popped the clutch and mashed the gas at the exact instant her light flicked green. Tires squealed and her body slammed backwards into the seat from the forward thrust.

Second gear.

Third gear.

The kid was still sitting at the light and she burst out laughing, imagining his face. Eyes wide, mouth dropped open. Friends in the car laughing their asses off at the spanking he’d just gotten.

Fourth gear.

Fifth gear.

She cut her gaze to Tight Ass’s fingers embedded into the dashboard. He was wearing an expression she imagined was similar to the kid in the car. Pure shock.

She threw her head back and enjoyed a rare, roaring laugh as she slid the shifter into sixth and eased her foot off the gas. One hundred ten was probably pushing it.

“Stop!” her passenger demanded.

She bit into her bottom lip to squelch the laughter and continued to let the car
coast to a slower speed.

“Stop the fucking car. Now.”

“All right. All right. Give me a sec to get to the exit.” With feigned concern and a lot of humor, she asked, “Do you need a men’s room, or is the side of the road okay?”

His lip curled back in a snarl.

Holy shit. Eyes wide, she sucked in a startled breath. Much to her surprise, and dismay, Tight Ass was even hotter all riled up.

She stopped on the side of the road and as she shut the car down, he shot out of his door, circled the car and yanked her door open. He grabbed her arm and jerked her from the car while she fought to shake him loose. “Let go of me,” she yelled.

Snatching off his sunglasses, he got nose to nose with her and snarled, “You ever pull a stunt like that again and I’ll kill you myself.”

Several things struck her at once—his impressively broad chest, his strong shoulders and his incredibly thick neck. I wonder if he has hair on his chest or if it’s smooth and lickable. She swallowed hard and swiped her tongue across her bottom lip. It was impossible to tell through the loose-fitting knit shirt, but she did know one thing. His lips, now pulled into a thin, tight line, were definitely kissable.

Dear God, what am I thinking?

This was why she avoided him. He confused her. His overbearing personality and often alarming intensity scared her. Despite that, with nothing more than a heated look, he made her body hum and purr like a well-tuned engine. And right now she wanted to strip and lick him like a Tootsie Roll Pop.

She pulled her gaze away from his mouth and looked into his eyes. She’d always considered her chocolate eyes dark, but his were black as lumps of coal and equally cold. Completely devoid of any emotion.

Her stomach dropped and her chest ached. Seeing him remain completely unaffected while she suffered through a heat wave, hurt and pissed her off. However, she’d never allow him to know it, so she hid her hurt the only way she knew how, with her smart mouth and in-your-face attitude.

She pushed her breasts forward until they were pressing into the fabric of his shirt. “You’re supposed to protect my body.” She pressed against him harder. “Whatcha gonna do? Handcuff me so I’ll behave?”

An intoxicatingly predatory smile shattered his hard expression and he leaned in close to her ear. “Be careful what you ask for, sweetheart,” he threatened, the raspy rumble sending warm breath down the side of her neck and a cold shiver racing down her spine. “You might get it.”

Nikki fisted her hands at her sides and fought the urge to grab onto him as his spicy scent, hot body and gravelly voice filled her with a disturbing sensation.

Desire.

Reckless, nearly uncontrollable desire.

While Nikki searched for words—something she never, ever had to do—he hooked his fingers under her elbow and led her around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he said, “I’m driving from here on out.” Then he unleashed a smile that reeked of wicked intent and self-assured arrogance. “And I’m betting you learn to behave even without the handcuffs.”

Here's the link where you get your own copy of Reaction Time.

I'm also guest blogging at several different places this week. Drop by and say hello if you get the chance.

Today I'll be at:
http://www.romrevtoday.blogspot.com/
http://kate-davies.blogspot.com/

Tonight, from 9:00 - 11:00 (EST) there will be a live chat with various authors celebrating December and January releases. It's open to the public, everyone is more than welcome. Click here to drop by and visit with us for a while.

Tomorrow I'll be hanging out at http://jennifersrandommusings.wordpress.com/

And next Monday I'll be playing in the jungle with the Plotmonkeys - http://www.plotmonkeys.com/

Have a wonderful day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Happy Friday!!

What I'm reading now....

I'm a big fan of Rhonda Nelson and I've heard lots of great things about "The Ex-Girlfriends' Club." I finally got the book and...well, I'm not supposed to be reading anything right now (I'm supposed to be writing), but I couldn't help myself and I cracked the cover. But the fact that I'm only on page 39, when I've had the book for several days, shows great restraint on my part.

Here's the cover and the blurb:


Police officer Eden Rutherford has only one weakness-bad boy Ben Wilder. With just one wicked glance, he could make her lose control, lose her heart...and lose her panties. Too bad he took all three with him when he hightailed it out of town three years ago. Now Ben's back, and Eden's bracing herself. First, for his assault on her libido. And second, for his reaction to BennettWildersucks.com, the Web site she and Ben's other ex-girlfriends put together to humiliate him.

Only, one woman's going too far...

Now Eden has to deal with a stalker and her overwhelming lust. She needs to get Ben out of her system, for good this time! And offering Ben her protection might just be the way to do it-.

So, what are you reading?

What I'm Reading....

Maximum Exposure by Alison Kent

Here's the description from Amazon:

Finn McLain is no stranger to unusual assignments. But the gorgeous stranger who just asked him to photograph her for an erotic art exhibit-that's definitely a first. Finn came to Miami to dig into the personal life of boutique manager Roland Green for a lovesick gallery owner, and hadn't planned on sticking around. But the boutique's owner, Olivia Hammond, has just made him a proposal that's as hard to ignore as Olivia herself. She's got caramel-kissed skin, a body that makes grown men tremble, and a wild sideline as an exhibitionist. Ooookay. Yet despite her willingness to 'let people look,' Finn's convinced there's a hell of a lot Olivia's not revealing.

And that's the most intriguing prospect of all...Olivia as never been shy about using her sexuality to get what she wants. But then, she's never wanted a man quite the way she wants Finn. What he thinks about her shouldn't matter, yet it does. Through every candid photograph and every heated encounter, Finn is getting closer, intent on getting beneath her shell-and for once, Olivia is tempted to let him. But first they have to contend with the fact that Finn's simple investigation into Roland Green is getting dangerously complicated...and Olivia isn't the only person in town who's not what she claims to be.In a city throbbing with sex appeal, two wary lovers are about to play, the ultimate game of show and tell, where temptation is raw, wild, and hot enough to make you sizzle...

Hilarious Hump Day Humor....

DEER MEAT

A man kills a deer and takes it home to cook for dinner.

Both he and his wife decide that they won't tell the kids what kind of meat it is, but will give them a clue and let them guess.

The kids were eager to know what the meat was on their plates, so they begged their dad for the clue.

Well, he said, 'It's what mommy calls me sometimes'.

The little girl screams to her brother

Spit it out, it's an asshole.


A deer ran across the road in front of hubby and I the other day. Hubby started laughing and said, "You know, if I'd been quicker I could've said, 'Hey, look, an asshole.'" This one brought tears to my eyes, hope you enjoy it too!

Peace and Love,
Alannah

Tuesday food for thought....

Quit identifying with your difficulties, finding justifications for them, and arguing for them. Become a force for your own potential. Shift your attention to what is going right and how great it could be.

-- Alan Cohen

--------------------------------------

Peace and Love,
Alannah

What I'm Reading....

I'm a huge J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood fan. In my mind, those brothers live and breathe in Caldwell, NY. On the day of the latest release, I'm in B&N at 10:01 getting the newest release. But somehow, I missed the release of "The Black Dagger Brotherhood an Insider's Guide."



I remedied that situation on Monday and am absolutely loving this book!!! Here's the copy of the back cover:

"Prepare to enter the dark passionate world of The Black Dagger Brotherhood and get up close and personal with each one of the Brothers…

You’ll find insider information on the Brotherhood, their dossiers, stats and special gifts. You’ll read interviews with your favorite characters, including a heartbreaking one with Tohrment and Wellsie, conducted three weeks before she was killed by lessers. You’ll encounter deleted scenes—accompanied by the whys behind the cuts—in addition to exciting material from the J.R. Ward message boards and the answers to questions posed by readers about the series. You’ll learn what it’s like for J.R. Ward to write each installment of the series, and in a fascinating twist, you’ll read an interview with the author—conducted by the Brothers. For the first time ever, you’ll get an original short story about Zsadist and Bella and see the miracle of their daughter Nalla's birth and the depth of their love for each other. Also, you’ll get a sneak peek at the much anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Revenge’s story.

This is a compendium no Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should miss…and an insider’s guide that will seduce you as powerfully as the sexy band of Brothers and the “ferociously popular” world they live in…"

Anyone who is a fan of the Brothers needs to read this book!!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Excited

For Thesaurus Thursday I thought "excited" might be a good word to us. It can mean so many different things. My son yesterday said he was "excited" about Christmas (if he knew we still don't have a clue what we're getting him for Christmas he might be less excited! lol).

I have a project that I'm working on that I'm very "excited" about. And, of course, "excited" in romance novels means something else entirely. Here's what my trusty Synonym Finder has to say about it.

1. agitated, aroused, inflamed, keyed-up, high-strung, temperamental, feverish, overwrought, wound-up, worked-up, stirred-up, whipped-up (sounds like some one's cooking), beside oneself, hot and bothered, hot under the collar, hopped-up, disturbed, perturbed, upset, discomposed, disconcerted, distracted, ruffled, flustered, fluttered; nervous, edgy, apprehensive, tense, uneasy, restless, restive, fidgety, skittish, frantic, frenzied, wild, seething, maddened, crazed, delirious, hysterical.

2. impassioned, fervid, fervent, ardent, zealous, vehement, fiery, red-hot, hot, eager, enthusiastic, enthused, elated, intoxicated, ebullient, stimulated, turned-on, invigorated, motivated, inspired

3. angry, incensed, vexed, exasperated, furious, outraged, blustering, foaming, fuming, raging, flaming, irritated, annoyed, aggravated, hectored, nettled, plagued

4. brisk, active, lively, animated, energetic, spry, dynamic, busy, spirited, bustling, smart, snappy, peppy, frisky, stormy, tumultuous, turbulent, volcanic, explosive

Wow...if I'd looked at the thesaurus first I might have picked a different word (one with a whole lot less synonyms!).

Have a great Thursday!
Peace and Love,
Alannah

Most people never run far enough

"Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out if they've got a second. Give your dreams all you've got and you'll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you."

William James
1842-1910, Author

I wanted to share information about an auction to benefit author Jo Leigh. There are a lot of great auction items available and it' for a great cause. To read More about Jo Leigh’s story, and to see all the great auctions listed http://www.alisonkent.com/forjoleigh.html (sorry, I can't get the link button to work).

Make it a great day!
Peace and Love,
Alannah