Surprise!

Posted by Leslie on August 29th, 2007 | No Comments

You know how you see someone and think you know them from somewhere?

Well, while on my cruise last week, I saw this woman who looked so familiar. It drove me crazy, but I couldn’t think of where I knew her. Finally, I had to ask. I’m not surprised that I didn’t recognize her right off. I’d only met her once – for a few days – and it was LAST SUMMER in Atlanta. Still, what a small world to find another SAMHAIN author there on the ship! Yup, it was Beth Williamson on board with her family. Cool, huh?

For more pictures and brief summary of my trip, check out my post on my Leslie Dicken site.

My Trip

Posted by Leslie on August 29th, 2007 | No Comments

Shall I title it “Sunsets, Shooting Stars, and Snorkling” or
“Sunburn, Bruises, and Surgery” –??

Actually, it was all of the above.

The cruiseship took us to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. While on board we saw the most spectacular sunsets. One night I was up during the night and saw more than five shooting stars. The kids and I found all sorts of shells, sea glass, and a live starfish. Unfortunately, we took the starfish out of the water for a short time to take pictures and I’m not sure if he survived the encounter. I couldn’t get him to sink to the bottom again and he sort of floated away on his side.

However, we all the greatest time snorkling. My little ones, who could barely swim at all last year, were out there in ten feet of water, watching all the wildlife below. They loved it. I was so proud of them for their bravery and improved skills.

And, yet, as is the story of my life, my little black cloud followed me in vacation. At first I thought it would be Hurricane Dean, but we luckily avoided that monster. Instead, I sunburned almost the first day, despite my best efforts to protect my skin. Then, after a lovely few hours of snorkling and seashell hunting on St. Maarten, I slipped on a piece of coral and banged two of my toes. They swelled, bruised, and hurt to bend for several days. Way to go, huh?

Upon returning to the airport parking lot at 5:00 pm, the night before my kids were to head back to school, we find the battery dead in our car. Another hour or so until AAA can be there. We get home to find one of my son’s fishes dead and several things out of place. Turns out the kid watching the pets drastically overfed the fish and several of the neighborhood teens (friends of my daughter) came inside our house and had a good time while we were gone.

And, because I haven’t had enough fun already, I get a call that my mother went into the hospital while we were gone for emergency gall bladder surgery. She had difficulties and had been there the entire week.

So, you can see why its taken me several days to post a summary and pictures of my trip. I’m still partially buried under a mountain of laundry!

Oh, and pop on over to my Jordanna Kay site to see the historical author I ran into on the ship. Simply amazing!

Write, Revise, Submit

Posted by Leslie on August 28th, 2007 | No Comments

My pal, Betty Hanawa, wrote a very inspiring post over a Sandra’s Going Ons. She detailed the careers of several authors who didn’t give up, who changed direction, or pushed forward, who continue to write through every obstacle. It’s something we really need to hear — and often. There are just too many ways and opportunities to give up in this business. So hop on over to her blog post and be inspired.

Come back here tomorrow, where I’ll have a summary of my trip and post a picture of a familiar face I saw on the cruise ship. Small world, indeed!

First things first!

Posted by Leslie on August 28th, 2007 | 1 Comment

Before I share all the details and pictures from my vacation…I have to give a SHOUT OUT to one of my playground pals, Beth Burgoon. She was a GH finalist last year with me and finalled again this year. Last week she got THE CALL! She’s now contracted to write for Superromance. WTG, Beth! I’m so thrilled for you!!!!!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for my cruise update and a surprise of who I saw onboard!!

Get up on the dance floor, Gerry

Posted by Lisa on August 21st, 2007 | No Comments

I hope wherever Leslie is right now that’s she’s soaking up the sun and not sitting in the rain, let alone a hurricane. In the meantime, she’s left me, her longtime critique partner Lisa, in charge and I don’t aim to disappoint her readers looking for a Gerry fix.

If I ever saw Rodrigo Santoro dressed as the 7-foot Xerxes approaching on a dance floor I would be speechless. Of course, at some clubs, he might have to work a little harder than wearing a bejeweled speedo and enough bling to be a human disco ball to get noticed.

Outta here!

Posted by Leslie on August 17th, 2007 | No Comments

Heading off for some much needed rest and relaxation. Catch you in a week!

See ya!

Posted by Leslie on August 17th, 2007 | No Comments

I’m outta here! Cruising the Caribbean for seven lovely days. Have a great week!!!!

Next Week

Posted by Leslie on August 16th, 2007 | 1 Comment

I’ll be on vacation. We leave on Saturday. Look what’s waiting for me as we sail through the Caribbean! Aren’t I lucky? Seriously, I’m praying for all of those in harm’s way…

Macho men lose out!

Posted by Leslie on August 15th, 2007 | 1 Comment

More studies!! This one found that the more “macho” a man looked (square jaw, rugged complexion, attitude) the less likely a woman is to want him for a long-term relationship. According to the study, women tended to find men with fuller lips and finer features (wide eyes, curved eyebrows) as more desirable. Those faces with the larger noses, smaller eyes, and thicker eyebrows were viewed as less faithful and poor parents.

Well, I suppose that can align with many romance novels where the hero is a rugged, macho man and not seen as good marriage material. Of course in the books the heroine is able to soften his ways and make a lifetime partner out of him. It IS fiction, you know!