First Review for CAREFUL WISHES

Careful Wishes is the story of Addie Langdon, who has a telepathic empathy for animals that makes her perfect for her job. She and her twin sisters are part owners, along with their twin cousins Brandt and Turner De Winton, of Friends, Incorporated, a private investigation firm specializing in finding things--and people--who are lost. Addie has lost Donovan Miles because of her gift. Or has she...?

Rating: 4 stars / Excellent

Char at Mayreviews.com has this to say: "Ms. Quinn's Careful Wishes is a wonderful story... The interaction between the two estranged lovers is sweet and hot and satisfying. I... would like to read more by this author."


Wa-hooooooooo!

Mark Your Calendars!

You're invited to celebrate New Concepts Publishing's 10th anniversary in business. The NCP Authors are holding a 10 day extravaganza!

Backlist Book Blitz

Beginning Saturday, April 1st (April Fools Day, but we're not foolin') and ending Monday, April 10th. From 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. each day, NCP authors will be dropping by the NCP Readers Loop to chat a bit, post excerpts of their backlist books, offer random prizes to participating readers, and best of all … help you discover some of the treasures you might have missed.

For your convenience, each day will feature a specific category to fit your individual reading preferences.

April 1^st Anthologies, Special Collections
April 2^nd Contemporary Romance
April 3^rd Fantasy and Fantasy Romance
April 4^th Historicals: Medieval, Westerns, Regency, and Georgian
April 5^th Historicals: Other Time Periods and Unusual Locales
April 6^th Love Bites™ Short Stories (Sensual to Carnal), including Short Story Themes and Holiday Themes
April 7^th Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Werewolves and Shifters
April 8^th Time Travel
April 9^th Thrillers, Mysteries, and Romantic Suspense
April 10^th Science Fiction and Futuristic Romance

Feel free to join us each day, on the days featuring your favorite category, or just pop in to read the excerpts at leisure. But don't miss out on the opportunity not only for prizes, but the opportunity to discover those special books that have been waiting for you to find them. So don't forget which category will be featured each day.

If you have friends you've been attempting to bring over to the ebook side, this is a great opportunity to get them hooked!

If you are not already a member of NCP's reader group, join now and discover what you've been missing.

Brawny Man

I just discovered this the other day. Apparently it's been around 4 years... who knew?!? But I had a lot of fun playing around with him... um, it.

Brawny Man

Check him out... um, I mean, check it out and have fun!

Make Him Ache

The latest edition of Cosmopolitan has an article titled "7 Ways to Make Him Ache for You." Early in the article, it's nice to note: "... experts now know that guys are actually hardwired for long-term lusting" instead of what many women fear... that once the newness has worn off, once enough time has gone by, he'll start to lose interest.

However, you still need to work at keeping that spark in the relationship, because anything not nurtured will wither. I'm not going to go into complete details of the article, but share with you a couple of things I took away from it, and ask for opinions in turn.

Make sure you "accidentally" touch him. Instead of asking him for the car keys, reach into his pocket for them and take your time getting them out. Instead of asking him to pass something at the dinner table, be a little rude and reach across him, letting your breasts rub against his arm. In a crowded bar or restaurant, don't walk past him, "press your rear into his gear".

Right along with what my online class "Understanding the Male Psyche" has been saying, the article indicates that telling the man in your life less about your life makes him long for you more. "The hard truth is that from his end, that information (your horrible day at work or a play-by-play of the last episode of your favorite TV show) is overwhelming and boring," explains Douglas Weiss, PhD, author of The 7 Love Agreements. "Men don't have the capacity to endure great amounts of detail. That's one of the reaons why they don't give you the play-by-play of their lives." The less you tell him, the more interested he'll become.

So, tell me. Those of you with husbands or significant others... is this true of your guys? And, guys, does this ring true for you?

Queer As Folk

All righty then. I watched the first three episodes of Queer As Folk (the American version) Saturday night with three of my critique partners and two of their husbands. The first episode was the sexiest (of course--they had to get your attention and make you want to catch the next episodes, right?), with one of the main characters, Brian, picking up a 17-year old boy.

By the end of the third episode, we were all feeling sorry for the kid, who thought he was in love with Brian, who's the most self-centered, self-involved character I think I've ever seen. Although he certainly had his moments. *G*



And Brian's best friend... well, you could tell he was in love with Brian, too, and all Brian did was use him (emotionally, not physically) and then toss him aside, time after time. It all comes back to what I said on my NCP Authors blog yesterday: If a guy's a slug on the inside, it doesn't matter how prettily he's packaged, he's a slug. And Brian, from the first three episodes, anyway, is a slug.

The writing, I thought, was good, and the acting as well. I may have to watch this show some more, though, just to be sure...

And today's my mom's birthday. She's been on this planet for 77 years! Happy birthday, Mom. I love you.

My Author Day Over At NCP

Come on over and visit me at NCPAuthors -- we're talking about men and what's hot. And what's not.

And so my poor little blog here doesn't look so bare, I've got some pics.

For those who like men:
For those who like women (and really cool cars):

The Male Psyche

I've been taking an online class titled "Understanding the Male Psyche." I have to say--it's one of the most interesting classes I've taken in a long time. Not only will this help me write a stronger, more believable hero (I hope!), it also will help me understand the men in my life.

One of the things that has stuck with me the most is this: The reason men and women are so different in the way the perceive things, the way they communicate and interact with others is completely physiological. Our brains, literally, are wired differently. Men actually have more brain cells than women (which has led to the quite mistaken belief by some that men are superior to women), and the bundle of fibers that link the left and right hemispheres of the brain are thinner in the male brain by about 10%, with as much as 30% fewer connections, which allows less information to be exchanged faster between the two sides. Men, therefore, tend to be more left brained (analytical and logical) while women have greater access to both sides. A woman has the physical capacity to connect large pieces of information, thus allowing her to see "the big picture" and remember more details. In other words, she can multi-task. A man has a harder time crossing his brain hemispheres.

Which is why he can walk past a pile of dirty socks on his way to get something from another room and actually not see the socks, because he's not looking for them. (Although I suspect he can still be trained.) LOL

Not too long ago, Sixty Minutes ran a segment about research on gays. (I don't think they talked at all about the differences between lesbian and straight women. If they did, I missed it.) Something that caught my interest was, again, explained physiologically. It seems that the more older brothers a man has, the more likely he is to be gay, if he is RIGHT handed. It deosn't seem to be the same for left handed men. (Why, I don't know.) For every older brother, a man's likelihood of being gay increases by a third. The theory is that the mother produces antibodies for a boy because there is now some genetic material in her body that's never been there before. And for each boy, the antibodies increase.

It would be interesting to look at families with, say, 6-8 boys and see if that theory bears out. Whatever it is, it's apparently raising interest among women. Yet another of my publishers has called for its authors to come up with M/M stories--which, I from what I understand, are gaining in popularity among straight women.


These two certainly look delicious, don't they? *G*

I have my local RWA chapter meeting today, and this evening my critique group is getting together to watch a few episodes of Queer As Folk. I've not seen any of the shows, but two of the women in the group have and say they're very good and, for the most part, an accurate portrayal. As with most things, though, there is artistic license utilized, I'm sure.

Anyone care to weigh in on this subject (either one--men vs. women, or gay men vs. straight men), have at it!

(P.S. I won't be posting tomorrow--see you on Monday!)

I've Really Got Nuttin Today...

... so I'm just going to leave some eye candy up for everyone to enjoy, keeping with the cowboy theme.

One for the guy-lovers:
One for the gal-lovers:
Hope you enjoy these. *G*

Have a good one!

Romance & Love Quizzes

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

You're a Romantic Kisser

For you, kissing is all about feeling the romance You love to kiss under the stars or by the sea The perfect kiss involves the perfect mood It's pretty common for kisses to sweep you off your feet

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

Your Love Life Secrets, Revealed

Your Love Life Secrets Are

Looking back on your life, you will have a few true loves. You're a little scarred from your past relationships, but who isn't? You expect a lot from your lover. You want the full package and tend to be picky. In fights, you're able to walk away and calm down. You're able to weather the storm. A break-up usually comes as a shock to you. You always think things are going well.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

Your Seduction Style: The Charmer

You're a master at intimate conversation and verbal enticement. You seduce with words, by getting people to open up to you. By establishing this deep connection quickly, people feel under your power. And then you've got them exactly where you want them!

Cowboys Here, Cowboys There, Cowboys Where?!?

Those of you who are regular visitors here know I luuuuuuuv cowboys. I mean, really, I ask you: who doesn't?!?

I came across this the other day, courtesy of one of the authors on my New Concepts readers and authors loop, and y'all have to check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAjtW2DqwSI

Go take a look, and come back here and let me know what you thought!

And because I'm in the mood for cowboys, I'm sharing a couple of pics here for you. (Dang, I'd better get to writing me a cowboy story, so I can write a hero with a sexy drawl and loose-hipped walk. Grrrrrrrr.)

Yeehaw!!!!


P.S. Authors from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid (including moi) will be chatting tonight at Fallen Angel Reviews. Just go there and click on "Chat"--come in and talk with us!

I'm Torridly Tempting ... Or Is It Temptingly Torrid?

Please come on over to Torrid Temptations, read an excerpt and chat with me about the upcoming release of Spring Flings. Both Jenna Howard and I (and eight other Whiskey Creek Press Torrid authors) have stories in this book. So come on over!

Here's the requisite eye candy.

For you guy-lovers:
For you gal-lovers:

Okay, stop drooling now and go over to Torrid Temptations. These two will be here anytime you want to come back. (Well, unless Blogger starts crapping out on me again; you never can tell...)

And, hey! If you didn't read my post from yesterday about my first review for Redemption. . . Check. It. Out.

My First Review For Redemption

Angel at Just Erotic Romance Reviews (JERR) had this to say about Redemption, my story in the Zodiac: Pisces duet from Liquid Silver Books:

If paranormal adventure is a favorite of yours, then you have to read this book. Love scenes are steamy and readers are sure to enjoy the couple's explosive passion. Ms. Quinn has created a book full of paranormal adventure and it's sure to be a keeper.

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)
Heat Level: H (for Hot--the reviewer was forced to find her toys while reading)

I'm absolutely thrilled to receive this level of a review for my first time out of the gate. Woohoo!!

National Women's History Month - Rhoda Fox Graves

After the 19th Amendment was passed and women had the right to vote, the next logical step was for them to secure their place in the political process by campaigning for public office. It wasn't easy; men viewed women in a more passive political role. Voting was one thing, but holding an office was an entirely different matter.

Rhoda Fox Graves' start in politics began with her work to get women the right to vote. In 1920, with the passage of the 19th Amendment, she became active in politics. She was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1924 and served there until 1932. In her first campaign for the Assembly, her opponent in the primary, Frank L. Scott, is reported to have boasted, "Anybody can beat a woman." (Apparently "anybody" didn't include a man named Frank L. Scott!) Her victory was looked upon as a triumph for women's rights, especially since the county she represented was one of the last in the state of New York to accept women's suffrage. Former Assemblyman Grant Daniels stated, "Because of her conquest of the initial resistance to women in politics, the cause of women's rights had been greatly advanced."

She won a seat in the Senate in 1934 as a "clean candidate" in the wake of a scandal about the incumbent's connection with a large power utility. She worked for the introduction of women jurors and for the development of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Power project.

Rhoda Fox Graves was the first woman to become Vice President of the St. Lawrence County Republican Committee. She was the first woman to be elected from a northern county to the legislature and head a Senate Standing Committee (Agriculture).

She served for 14 years in the Senate, retiring in 1948. She died two years later.


And, hey! My latest installment of All's Fair is up at Indulgence. Go on over for a free read!

Also, mark your calendars--I'm being all temptin' and torrid tomorrow at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid's blog. Stop by for a visit. I'll have a sneak peak at Chocolate-Covered Werewolves, my story in the April release Spring Flings Anthology.

It's A Birthday Bash!

A big birthday wish goes out to Jenna Howard!

Today's Jenna's birthday, and she's throwing a big bash over at Afterthoughts. Everyone who gets over there and wishes her a happy birthday and participates in the blogging that's going on will have a chance to win a free download from one of the following authors: Moi, of course (Torrid Teasers Volume 3), December Quinn (Torrid Teasers Volume 1), Paige Burns (Zodiac: Aquarius), two backlist books from Tiffany Aaron, and, of course, the birthday girl herself! Lots of fun will be had, so get on over there!


(P.S. My first review is due out today from Just Erotic Romance Reviews, for Redemption, Part of the Zodiac: Pisces duet from Liquid Silver Books. Stay tuned.)

More Fun Stuff

Well, I've had this blog ready to go for a week, and Jenna went and did something similar on Thursday. Oh, well, that's okay. You can never have too much fun!

Which Peanuts Character are you? brought to you by Quizilla

I'm Rerun. (At least it wasn't Pigpen!)


Which character from The Hobbit are you? brought to you by Quizilla


I'm Bilbo Baggins - The hero of the story. Bilbo is a hobbit, a short, human-like person. (Yep. That pretty much describes me most days.) Commonsensical and fastidious, Bilbo leads a quiet life in his comfortable hole at Bag End and, like most hobbits, is content to stay at home. (Definitely me!) But Bilbo possesses a great deal of untapped inner strength, and when the wizard Gandalf persuades Bilbo to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim their gold from a marauding dragon, Bilbo ends up playing a crucial role as the company's burglar. Bilbo's adventures awaken his courage and initiative and prove his relentless ability to do what needs to be done. (Not really sure I have what it takes to go up against a dragon. I mean, I love dragons, but not if they're trying to fry me to a crisp!)


What Tarot Card are you? brought to you by Quizilla


I am The Fool. As Card 0, the Fool lies at the beginning of the major arcana, but also somewhat apart from the other cards. In medieval courts, the court jester was someone who was not expected to follow the same rules as others. He could observe and then poke fun. This makes the Fool unpredictable and full of surprises. He reminds us of the unlimited potential and spontaneity inherent in every moment. There is a sense with this card that anything goes - nothing is certain or regular. The Fool adds the new and unfamiliar to a situation.

The Fool also represents the complete faith that life is good and worthy of trust. Some might call the Fool too innocent, but his innocence sustains him and brings him joy. In readings, the Fool can signal a new beginning or change of direction - one that will guide you onto a path of adventure, wonder and personal growth. He also reminds you to keep your faith and trust your natural responses. If you are facing a decision or moment of doubt, the Fool tells you to believe in yourself and follow your heart no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem.

(I did have the quiz "What Type of Soul are you?" but it didn't link properly and I couldn't find the exact quiz again, so I replaced it with the Tarot Card one.)

Well, go out, have fun. Procrastinate!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Well, actually, for more than just today. My father's family came to America from Donegal, Ireland, which is on the Northeastern coast of Ireland, during the potato famine. James and his wife Elizabeth, along with their sons Andrew, Samuel, and Jonathan, came to American and settled in what was then Virginia. The boys grew up and married local girls. When the Civil War came, the father and one son fought for one side, the two other sons fought for the other. (I can't remember who fought for which side.) After the civil war, when Virginia was divided into Virginia and West Virginia, the family ended up living in West Virginia.

On a road that's named for us. *G*

A couple of the original houses still stand back up in the hollers, as they're called, long-since abandoned. The old homestead where my grandfather was born in 1903 is still in the family. As a matter of fact, one of my great-great-aunts still lives there. I remember as a kid going to family reunions and visiting with my great-grandparents, who were both in their mid-90s when they died. No stories of ancestral life in Ireland, but plenty of stories of pranks played by my great-grandfather and his father before him there in the hills of WVa. (There's a story concerning two Mormons and the Devil and his son... and the bit about using resin under a window sill and making it sound like the house was falling down... and painting the "Man Wanted" sign on the widow's barn... oh, wait, that was my mom.) Oh, well, if ever a stereotype was true, it's that the Irish are ornery. At least, I can say without hesitation one particular Irish family is ornery.

So I come by it quite naturally.

Before I go, I'll leave you with one of my favorite Irish hexes:

May those that love us, love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He can't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we'll know 'em by their limpin'.

Today's the day to celebrate all things Irish. So wear a bit o' the green, have a green beer or two, and kiss as many Irishmen (or women) as you can!

For Inspiration

I am hunkering down today and writing, whether I want to or not, dammit. But I am feeling much more like myself, especially after last night's chat with readers at NCP. I had a lot of fun talking about my books, and it reminded me of exactly why I do what I do.

For today's blog, I thought I'd post a few pics for inspiration for anyone who appreciates the beauty of the male form.


Start the day off right. This gives a whole new meaning to "two eggs over easy" for break-
fast!















Move over, big boy. Let's conserve some water.



























Awww, come on, baby. Don't be shy. Drop. The. Covers.





















Ready for a swim? Wait. I think... yeah, you've still got too many clothes on!


















Hope you enjoyed these and have been, um, inspired!

Author Chat At New Concepts Tonight

Come join Holly Bush and I as we chat with readers on the New Concepts Publishing readers group tonight, beginning at 8 p.m. EST and running for about an hour and a half. We'll be discussing our current boosk with NCP and anything we have upcoming with them. I'd love to see some familiar "faces" over there. Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/new_concepts_pub and join. Then come into the chat room at 8 EST and we can get it on!

Holly's written an historical, Cross the Ocean: Worlds collide when American faminist Gertrude Finch and titled Brit Blake Sanders meet in an explosive encounter that may forever bind them together. Coffee Time Romance gave this 5 cups, and Fallen Angel Reviews gave it a Recommended Read!


Read an excerpt here.


My first book with NCP is Atonement: When the Prince of Darkness offers Simon Trelawney the chance to redeem himself by wresting Jack the Ripper's intended victim from beneath his nose, it isn’t the chance of redemption that appeals to him as much as the chance for revenge against the vampire who turned him over a hundred years ago.

Tessa Long is not just any victim, however. She’s the great-granddaughter of the woman Jack originally planned to possess and kill, a victim he is obsessed with claiming, and Simon discovers that it will not be the Prince of Darkness who decides his fate. It is Tessa herself who will either be his salvation or the death of him.

Author Sloane Taylor says of Atonement: "Ms. Quinn breathes fire into Hell with her carnal Atonement. Vampires and villains have never been so seductive."

Read an excerpt here.

So, come on over to NCP's readers group tonight and let's chat!

National Women's History Month - Clara Barton

Best known as the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton was born in Massachusetts in 1821. The youngest of five children, she was educated at home and began teaching at the age of 15. Her most notable pre-Civil War achievement was the establishment of a free public school in New Jersey.

In 1861, Clara lived in Washington, D.C. When the 6th Massachusetts Regiment arrived in D.C. after the Baltimore Riots, she organized a relief program for the soldiers, beginning a lifetime of philanthropy.

When she learned that many of the wounded from the First Battle of Bull Run had suffered, not from want of attention but rather from a shortage of medical supplies, she advertised for donations in the local paper and began an independent organization to distribute goods. The relief effort was successful, and the following year U.S. Surgeon General William A. Hammond granted her a general pass to travel with army ambulances for "the purpose of distributing comforts for the sick and wounded, and for nursing them."

By the end of the war, Barton had performed most of the services that would later be associated with the American Red Cross, which she founded in 1881. She retired in 1904 and died eight years later.

The American Red Cross is one of the largest non-profit relief agencies in the world. Red Cross volunteers are often the first responders after disasters, often driving hundreds of miles to provide supplies and support to victims.

Clara Barton saw a need, and responded with tremendous passion and compassion. She's one of the great women in American history.


(P.S. Thank you everyone who gave me words of encouragement yesterday. I'm feeling much better and much more optimistic. I'm giving myself the day off today, too--running errands and meeting my friend and critique partner Suz for lunch, and who knows what the afternoon will bring? But I really appreciate your kindess and support!)

When The Words Won't Come

What do you do when the words just won't come?

I know I should just put my fingers to the keys and type drek, if that's what comes out. But I can't even get that much.

And that's unacceptable.

I feel sometimes like my life is out of control--I can't control my writing, I can't control my eating, I can't control myself. The entire month of February was wasted. The first half of March is nearly gone and I have nothing to show for it.

Damn. It.

Something's gotta give.

I just hope it ain't me.



(Go over to Indulgence and read Kate's latest installment of Fire and Ice. It's terrific!)

New Resource For Graphics

Thanks to Michelle Pillow, I've discovered a fun, new website to use for graphics. It's SparkleTags.com. Check it out:

Hosted by Sparkle Tags


Hosted by Sparkle Tags


Hosted by Sparkle Tags


Hosted by Sparkle Tags

Are those cool, or what? {grin}

National Women's History Month - Ida Bell Wells-Barnett

Ida Bell Wells-Barnett was born in 1862, the oldest of eight children of the slave couple Jim Wells and Lizzie Warrenton. Raised in the postbellum South, her parents believed in the education of their children.

In 1879, Ida and two of her younger siblings moved to Memphis to live with an aunt, and Ida became a teacher. In 1889, she bought one-third interest in the Memphis Free Speech and Headlight. Arguing that inadequate buildings and improperly trained teachers contributed to the mediocre education of black children, she alienated conservative black leaders and lost her teaching position. Forced to rely on her own resources, she canvassed the South for subscriptions to her newspaper.

A life-altering event occurred in 1892. Three of her colleagues--Thomas Moss, Calvin McDowell, and Henry Seward, successful managers of a grocery business in the black section of town--were lynched. Until this time, like so many other Americans, Ida had accepted the common place charge that black men were lynched because they had tried to rape white women. However, this time Ida knew the true story behind the lynching of Moss, McDowell and Seward, and it was greed. The white owner of a competing grocery store wanted to eliminate the competition. Questioning her long-held belief, Ida investigated the cause of lynchings throughout the South and concluded "lynching was a racist device for eliminating financially independent Black Americans."

In her editorial, Ida urged black citizens of Memphis to leave the town that would protect neither their lives nor their property, nor give them a fair trial in the courts when accused by a white person. She also wrote a scathing editorial attacking white female purity and suggested it was possible for white women to be attracted to black men. (You go, girl!)

Her newspaper office was was destroyed and threats made against her life. Luckily she was enroute to Philadelphia for a conference when this happened. She never returned to Memphis. Instead, she moved to New York and continued her expose on lynching, culminating in the story "Southern Horrors: Lynch Law In All Its Phases."

She went on to become a leading national figure in African-American civil rights and women's rights movements, as well as the fight for economic rights for all. Active in the women's suffrage movement, Ida repeatedly forced white women to face the racism in their suffrage organizations. Believing that white people could not be relied upon to give equal opportunities for black people, she supported the movement of blacks to organize themselves and take the lead in fighting for their own equality.

Active in the women's club movement, Ida opened the Negro Fellowship League (1910) to provide lodging, recreational facilities, a reading room, and employment for black migrant males, work that eventually was taken over by a better funded Young Men's Christian Association (1913) and the Urban League (1916). Also active in the Civil Rights movement, Ida signed the call for the national conference that led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Ida Bell Wells-Barnett was another woman who saw a need, and stepped up to the challenge.


P.S. Don't forget to come over to The Raven and read some really great excerpts today through Sunday. And if you're not a member of my readers group, get thee over to Indulge Authors right now and join!

Another Contest!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Another Weekend Bash At The Raven

Mandy Roth and Michelle Pillow have opened up their readers group once again for outside authors to come in and talk about their books, post excerpts and *hint, hint* have contests. The Bash runs from March 10-12. If you're not already a member of The Raven Vampire Nightclub (Mandy & Michelle's readers group), get on over and join. Mandy and Michelle are two of my favorite authors, on my "automatic" to buy list.

I'll be posting excerpts and holding a contest. The only thing you'll need to do to be entered is join Indulge Authors' readers group--the author group of Jenna Howard, Kate Lang and myself. Anyone who is already a member is automatically entered; anyone new who joins between now and midnight on Sunday March 12th will be entered as well.

What's the prize? you ask. Well ... I'm going to have a few chances to win free downloads of my available books, as well as second place prizes. So, lots of chances to win!

So, come on over to The Raven to read excerpts of lots of great books, but don't forget to join Indulge Authors!

EEEEWWWWWWW!!!

On the news last night, they ran a story about people who love animals. (Remember that line from The Truth About Cats & Dogs? "It's okay to love your pets, just don't luuuuuuuv your pets."?)

Well, I'm talking about people who luuuuuuuv animals. Apparently it isn't illegal in Arizona.

Ick.

Ew.

Gag.

Here's the news story: Arizona is one of only 14 states that doesn't have specific laws dealing with bestiality. In this most recent case, a 55-year old man in Mesa attempted to have sex with a lamb that belonged to his neighbor. Because it's not illegal in Arizona, he's only being charged with trespassing.


Okay. Look at this little guy and tell me the first thing that comes to your mind is, "Oh, he's hot. I'd like to have sex with him." NOT!

The Mesa man was apparently caught with his pants down. Literally. Although lots of criminal statutes exist in this state, one that applies to sex with animals doesn't. A spokesperson for the humane society said sex crimes against animals happen more often than we'd guess, and are directed primarily against dogs. The last animal sexual assault case happened last year. Sheriff's deputies tried to arrest a man who tried to have sex with a six-month old puppy.

Again, ick.

Eeeeeewwwwww.

Gag. Gag. GAG.

Say it with me: It's okay to love your pets. Just don't luuuuuuuv your pets.


(I'm hoping to get another 4,000 words (at least!) written today. Wish me luck!)

Something Just For Fun

I came across some more sites that have fun quizzes to determine what type of (insert creature/being/etc. here) you are. (The spelling on these things leaves a lot to be desired, but the quiz results are fun.)

Try this one: What Fantasy Creature Are You?

I, being whimsical and ethereal (snort), am a phoenix. I am "wise, powerful, and beautiful. People look up to you in all issues, relying on your advice. Make sure to think before you speak, as your words affect people's very lives."






You can also try this one: What Mythological Creature Are You?

I am a wood sprite. I help things grow--people and plants alike--and am the type most come to for advice on sensitive areas.





Well, that's enough procrastinating for one day. I'm off to (hopefully) write at least 4,000 words on my current WIP.

National Women's History Month - Susan B. Anthony

As I mentioned in a previous post, March is National Women's History Month. I'll be doing a few blogs that deal with women who have been pivotal in influencing events of their time that had far-reaching effects.

Susan B. Anthony was born in 1820 in Massachusetts. She was the second oldest of eight children born in a very strict Quaker family. While other children were playing games and having fun, Susan and her siblings were being instructed by their father in self-discipline, principled convictions, and belief in their own self-worth. This instruction was to become the foundation for Susan's fight in the temperance movement and later the suffrage movement.

After the Civil War, Susan demanded that women be given the same civil and political rights that had been extended to black males under the 14th and 15th amendments. She led a group of women to the polls in Rochester to test the right of women to vote. Two weeks later she was arrested. After being tried and convicted of violating the voting laws, Susan was able to fight--and win--against paying the fine. From then on she campaigned endlessly for a federal woman suffrage amendment.

She wasn't always politically correct, however, especially when she was angry over the language in the 15th amendment. For the first time the word "male" was written into the constitution in permitting suffrage for freedmen. She sometimes argued that educated white women would be better voters than "ignorant" black men or immigrant men. (Her point being, I'm sure, that having an education was more important than possession of a penis. Men may have a different opinion here.)

Susan also campaigned for equal pay for women. It's rather sad that over a hundred years later we still don't have that. While women enjoy bigger salaries in professional positions, I can say I personally observed male executives being paid more than their female executive counterparts. (And, unfortunately, I had occasion to use the following sentence: "I'm dickless, not brainless.") Which would go back to Susan's point about educated women being a better choice for a voter than an uneducated man.

Although she didn't live to see the consummation of her efforts to win the vote for American women, the establishment of the 19th amendment is largely due to her tireless efforts.