Today, I’m talking again about my Viking book at Nine Naughty Novelists. Remember, any comment you post there counts as an entry in the Authors After Dark Grab Bag Contest. Remember, I also have two $25.00 gift certificates up for grabs in the Promo Ho Contest! Both those contests end next week! Details about both can be found on my Contest Page.

And just so you have a reason to post a comment here, today… Did you know…?

Alaska has the highest percentage of people who walk to work.
~from Snapple Real Facts

That seems just plain wierd to me given the fact it can get pretty damn nippy up there. Wonder why that is…

Last weekend when friends and I attended the Ozark Writers’ Conference in Eureka Springs, we blew off the conference accomodations in favor of something more on the wild side.

We headed a few miles out of town for the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. It’s a big cat refuge where exotic animals that have been abused or have become too much for their owners to handle can live out the rest of their lives. These animals aren’t suited for return to the wild and most have some health issue that prevents them from going to zoos. The refuge strives to put every animal they acquire in its own habitat, but while animals heal or are awaiting the opening of a new habitat area, they are caged.

We toured the habitat area and watched the keepers feed the animals. We were impressed with their work, the facility and the need.

First, take a look at our digs. These cabins are made to look like tents set up for safari, but are much more comfortable. At night, we could hear the cats “singing” and snarling. Very cool!

This is the inside of the one I shared with Myla Jackson and Shayla Kersten. The cabins ringed a deck that had a firepit and a jacuzzi. Yeah, we were roughing it. 🙂

These are a few pics I took of the animals in the habitats. They looked comfie, healthy, and the fences were sturdy—thank God—because you don’t realize how big those creatures are until you stand near them!

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Well, I skipped my Diamond State Romance Authors’ chapter meeting today, intending to get some work done this morning, but got talked into taking my daughter and mom out on the art tour again. Daughter is doing better, in short spurts, so we only hit the guy who’s selling fusion glass. I picked up several pieces of small art, like bookmarks and pendants that I thought would make good giveaways here. He also had a shadow box that was decoupaged and had bits of things (photos, a small bird’s nest, etc.) that gave me all kinds of ideas for things I might want to try to do, so I bought it. Yeah, like I have time for any other artistic endeavors. 😕

Anyway, my butt is firmly planted in this chair for the next while. I have tons of work to finish, and a daughter who still needs some help with kids while she recovers, but I will try to do better about keeping you entertained here. I HAVE GOT to post the pictures from the animal refuge and from Romanticon. Those are coming. Promise!

This is just a fly-by to remind you that all the contests posted this week are still running. So be sure to take a look, visit the sites I’ve been, and post a comment here!

I’d stick around but I ferried the older ladies around on an studio art tour this morning and am heading to my dd’s now. She had surgery yesterday and needs a little TLC from mommy.

Forget about soft sounds like babbly brooks, gentle showers,
and warbling birds. What is your favorite loud sound?
~ from The Question Guys’ Chat Pack

Hey there! I’m guesting at The Smutketeers’ blog today! I have an excerpt, some fun interview questions, and a book to give away! Click here to join us: The Smutketeers

*~*~*~*~*

Did I mention my little brush with celebrity at the Akron airport?

At the end of Romanticon, my dd and I were set to fly out of Akron. We had a little time on our hands, so I suggested we hit a gift shop to purchase some last minute souvenirs. I picked out a couple of magnets and stuffed animals, and then went to the register. A man was in front of me, paying for his purchases. He seemed tall (I’m 5’4″—everyone seems tall), wore a dark leather jacket and was in pretty good shape. I was admiring that shape when he turned his head. Even in profile, I recognized him on the spot.

I elbowed my daughter. “That’s Corbin Bernsen,” I whispered.
“Who?”
“Corbin Bernsen…you know, Psych‘s dad!”
CB left the counter and walked away.
“Is he famous?”
“You didn’t recognize him?”
“I wasn’t really looking.”
“He was right in front of you. What do you mean, you weren’t looking!”
She shrugged. “He’s an old guy. Who is he, anyway?”
“You mean to tell me you’ve never watched Psych?”
She shook her head.
“But he’s been in a dozen Sci-Fi movies.”
Still, she shook her head.
“He was Arnie in LA Law for chrissakes.”
She patted my shoulder. “I get it, mom. You’ve got a crush. You’ve always had a thing for bald guys.”
Bald guys?! That’s all she noticed? Gah!

So what about you? Have you ever had a brush with the rich and famous?

BTW, CB’s even hotter in person!

You know you didn’t have enough to do, right? Now, I’m gonna send you on a quest. Interested in winning prizes? Well, pay attention!

First, I’m the guest author at the fabulous Jasmine Hayne’s website. If you head over there, you can post a comment and enter to win a prize. Plus, I’m talking about Vikings, so you won’t be bored! So, get on over there: Jasmine Hayne’s blog

Second, Southern Sizzle Romance posted a blog for me yesterday. If you head there and comment, you’ll be entered in the contest below. In fact, if you comment at any of the three sites, you’re entered in the new grab bag contest. You’ll have to page down through sexy man photos at Sizzle, but you’ll find me: Southern Sizzle Romance

I have two new contests running here at the moment! Be sure to check them both out!

1) Authors After Dark Grab Bag Contest

What can you win?
I’d forgotten I had a ton of swag from my trip to the Philadelphia conference. Let’s see what’s inside…
* Trading cards, pens, bookmarks, excerpt booklets, um, Ellora’s Cave playing cards…like I said, a ton of stuff, plus the conference bag!

Then I took at look at the stack of books I have to give away—autographed books.
* Awakened by a Kiss by Lila DiPasqua
* Love Me Once, Love Me Twice by Sandy Sullivan
* Rarities Incorporated by Taige Crenshaw

Ooh! And I found an autographed Missy Martine T-shirt, size large!

What do you have to do?
Post comments on my blog and or my Facebook page. Every comment you make will count as one entry. How easy is that? This contest ends next Tuesday, October 25th!

2) The Promo Ho Contest

Read how to enter to win one of two $25.00 gift certificates here: Contest Page

UPDATE#! The winner of the Romanticon Grab Bag #2 contest is Jenn Herrick!
Jen, email me!

Before I get to the ghosts, I wanted to share a screen shot I swiped off of Amazon last night. This was the sales ranking for A Four-Gone Conclusion. Thanks so much for making this happen!

Onto the ghosts…

By now, if you’ve been following my blog, you know I’m a bit of a whack-job. I admit it. I own it! One of my sincerely held beliefs is that ghosts exist, and I have a fascination with finding proof.

One place that has cemented my belief is the Crescent in Eureka Springs. This past weekend, I made a second trip there. This time with friends, and although I didn’t have quite the scary experience I had back during the summer (you can read about it here: Haunting at the Crescent Inn Hotel), there was still plenty of creep factor to enjoy!

A ghost hunter’s first and foremost piece of equipment (beside an open mind), is a camera. And as always, it wasn’t until I got home and blew up the photos I had that I saw just how much “proof” I had. In particular, I had tons of ghostly orbs. Some skeptics say it’s dust, but I can promise you, I don’t get these little glowing circles anywhere but inside creepy, haunted places. Take a look!

You saw one round, glowy circle, right? And what’s up with the wide-angle view of the picture? I promise, I did not change a single setting on my camera, but that’s how all the pictures came out. See this next orb? Keep watching.
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