Hi all!  It’s spring break and I’m in Maui.  No, I don’t feel bad telling the world that I’m not at home.  We have a buddy (ex-soldier) house sitting and watching our two dogs (Dobermen).  So…anyone wanting to steal my very cool Krups coffee maker will be in a world of hurt if they try.  🙂

We’ve had a wonderful time so far–even went to dinner the first night and saw about five whales jumping and playing in the ocean.  It was amazing.  So I thought I’d share five things I’ve wanted to say but haven’t so far:

1)  Dude. If your speedo is so tight it disappears in rolls, you’re going to hurt yourself if you keep wearing it.  (A.K.A.  My eyes!  My eyes…)

2)  Lady.  If you’re so intoxicated you can barely walk…don’t walk by the pool.  I mean, splash.

3)  Yes, honey.  Sand can get caught in all sorts of places.  But isn’t body surfing fun?

4)  To my sister who went running on the beach at 4:00am yesterday:  You’re freakin crazy.

5)  Hey buddy.  My eyes are up here.

This leads me to illustrate how cool my husband is.  If you’ve been reading my blog, you know I tore the tendons in my foot and have been in a boot since January.  Well, I took it off last week.  Keep in mind that January was months ago and I haven’t run, walked, or worked out in any way.  And now…I’m in bikini land.

I tried on one pieces and tankinis…and they don’t work for me.  Don’t know why, just wrong body type.  So I went with the bikinis…eesh.  Yesterday we sun-bathed out at the pool, and I yanked on shorts to go up to the little bar.  (Most of us always yank on shorts and don’t walk around in a full bikini, ya know).  Well, I passed several people, got my drink, and returned sighing about my not-worked-out-in-too-long thighs.

Tony lifted an eyebrow and said, “Honey, believe me, I was watching and nobody was looking at your legs.”

Oh yeah!  The benefits of a bikini.  HA!

I’ve been leaving a quick blurb from Tempted on my facebook page every day…as well as talking about the trip.  Drop on over there and ‘like’ to keep updated.  Have a good weekend.  🙂

First, before I forget, starting Tuesday I’ll be posting a quick blurb from Tempted each day on my facebook page as we count down the week until Max’s story is released…so make sure you click ‘like’ below.  I thought this would be a fun countdown in addition to driving my friend at eBookObsessed crazy with the teasers.  🙂  Isn’t it fun to be my friend?

Now, I’ve been promising pictures from New Orleans since I returned, and instead of blogging, I’ve been playing catch-up with Book 5 of the Dark Protectors (Kane’s story).  I have a moment to breathe now and thought I’d post those pictures.

I loved New Orleans!  Loved the people, loved the city, really loved the food.  I want to go back right now.  I was there for the FF&P conference ( Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal Special Interest Chapter of RWA) along with several of my friends.  The workshops were fantastic.  One of my favorites was a workshop about music and your muse given by Danica Avet – I took great notes and am ready to rock.  Liz Pelletier from Entangled Publishing gave another wonderful workshop all about the publishing process – and I learned tons.

The keynote luncheon speech was given by Maggie Shayne, and she was beyond spectacular.  She made us laugh, made us cry…then made us laugh again.  If you ever get the chance to see her speak, GO!  She was that good.

The ghost/vampire tour was full of thrills and chills – and I know more than a couple of us came up with future story ideas.  How could we not?  We also saw a werewolf with a saxophone, a haunted house, a bar so old there isn’t electricity…and some crazy drunk people getting busy in a truck.  I could’ve done without the last part.

We also hit Bourbon Street, which was already crazy as of 5:00 pm on Saturday night.  And when I say crazy…I mean crazy.

Danica and I sat by each other during the book signing.  She looked lovely…and I looked puffy.  We were pretty tired by Sunday morning.  I loved Nolo, though it’s good to be home.  🙂

Hi all! I’m home sick with the flu/cold deal going around, and am also over at eBookObsessed giving away a copy of Hunted. Click on the link and leave a comment over there for a chance to win.  (For those of you following both my blog and the DT blog, sorry about the double post here.  I usually don’t duplicate posts…but hey, I’m home sick).  🙂

I have recovered from New Orleans and Vegas…pretty much…and will soon post some pictures and stories about them. But for now, guess what? Publisher’s Weekly just reviewed Hunted – here it is:

The fast-paced third Dark Protectors adventure (after Fated and Claimed) sends vampire prince Conn to Ireland in search of Moira, the witch he claimed as a mate a century before. War between the vampires of the Realm and the deadly Kurjans is heating up, and the vampires need their witch allies more than ever, so it’s vital Conn and Moira get over their differences once and for all. Moira’s reluctant to give in to Conn’s demands, especially when the leaders of her people are vanishing without a trace and she’s the next likely target. Only together can these two unite their races against external threats and internal struggles. Zanetti continues to mix action, passion, and intrigue as she picks up on threads from the previous books. Strong chemistry and steamy love scenes make up for a mildly uneven plot and pseudoscientific hand waving. Agent: Caitlin Blasdell, Liza Dawson Associates. (May)

So…I’ll take it. I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and stays healthy!!!

Hello!  I’m off to Vegas with twenty other women for a weekend of fun.  Yes, 20 other women!  We’re surprising our friend, Brandie, with a birthday weekend in the city of slot machines, shopping, and shows.  And sin.

I haven’t mentioned it before now because it’s a surprise, and it has been SO difficult to keep quiet.  But, we headed off early this morning to the airport, so I can finally say something.  I’ll try to take a before and after picture of the group, but we all promised that no pictures would show up anywhere (especially FaceBook), so I’ll have to make sure it’s okay.

Debbie (my sister) organized the trip, and we have goodie bags with itineraries.  We’ll be at the piano bar, Thunder Down Under, and the spa.  As well as shopping.  And gambling.  Last I heard Brandie was going to wear a tiara and we all have sashes.  Those poor people on the airplane have no clue what’s coming their way.  But no matter what… Lucky Sevens, here I come!

We get home late Sunday night, and then I leave for New Orleans and the FF&P conference on Thursday.  I’ll blog about that as well.

For now, wish me luck!

Hi all!  It’s Presidents Day.  As you may know, I worked as an intern with President Reagan’s office in California, after he was President.  (I was too young to vote—by FAR—when he was President).  Anyway…when I was in college, he still worked really hard.  So, I thought I’d throw out some of his quotes today.

1)                  The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or the next. It was the deep knowledge — and pray God we have not lost it — that there is a profound moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest.   Normandy, France, June 6, 1984.

2)                  We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them — this morning, as they prepared for their journey, and waved good-bye, and “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God.”   Speech about the Challenger disaster, January 28, 1986

3)                  Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.

4)         Going to college offered me the chance to play football for four more years.

5)         Government’s first duty is to protect the people, not run their lives.

6)         Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just braver five minutes longer.

7)         I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.

8)         Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

9)         Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.

10)       Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.