Nothing really pressing on my mind today other than pushing ONWARD to finish this book…which I thought was done, but really wasn’t. So I thought I’d just throw the floor wide to see what everyone else is up to!
What’s happening with you–any good news/bad news? Anybody having a particularly great autumn and/or looking forward to Halloween this weekend? (No, we’re not doing our big annual bash, just too much work and not enough time!)
As for me, other than revising, revising, revising, I’ve been getting ready for one of my biggest “Smith Family” weeks of the year. (Did y’all know my maiden name is Smith?!?) This week, THREE of my sisters have birthdays! (And no, none of them are twins or triplets!) I always felt a little bad that they had to share their parties when they were little, but I must say that when we are all together now, it’s very festive at the end of October. Especially on “milestone” birthdays–like last year when we had a huge bash for Karen (the middle daughter of the 5 of us.)
So here’s a big Happy Birthday to my wonderful big sisters–Lynn, Donna & Karen! I love you guys! As well as the rest of you crazy, wonderful Smith Kids! (Can’t even remember who started the shoving here…lol!)
Now, the floor is open. Tell us what’s been going on in your life!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Not much going on here (though would love to hear there are more Parrish books coming our way!) Fall has been chilly and rainy. Work is hectic and a bit stressful, but that’s the way it goes.
I do have some upcoming plans to meet up with some other readers and maybe a few writers, which should be fun. And tomorrow night I’m going to amateur night at a comedy club to see a co-worker perform. That should be a blast.
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Just busy working and cleaning the yard up here. Got my Halloween decorations up finally. I will be disappointed if there are not a lot of kids- last year the malls did so many things that even tho it was on a Friday, we were short our usual amount of ghosts and goblins. If they keep this up, a lot of people are not going to continue to go to the time and expense of decorating, buying candy and spending money on it. Let the malls do it.(And the stores spend no where what I do on the decorations alone!)
Too bad no party this year- I was looking forward to your costumes.
And that poor brother on the bottom of the pile. That is a brother, right??
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Gearing up to start Nanowrimo this weekend other than that no plans.
My mother, my four brothers and I have birthdays within a month of each other; my oldest brother being one yr older than me to the day. I thought that was hectic untill I had to worry about 2 birthdays and Christmas as a single mom, for my 2 sons, all within a months time.
Have fun with your family, party, party, party.
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not much in my world….this time of year, just the usual….I did just receive in the mail my copy of Julie and Leslie’s book…it will probably head to the top of the TBR pile.
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Love the picture! It must be great having sisters, a girl to share your secrets, your dreams with, help you through the crappy adolescent years. I always wanted one.
I am working on my final edits of the Blaze for Brenda, trying to make it as polished as possible before I e-mail it this week. But I know you can polish a book and it can still be rejected. Then the wait will begin. But I’ll be forging ahead on other projects in the meantime trying not to read anything into the long wait. She is swamped and nothing more.
I am planning to do NANO to finish the book I was working on when I stopped to write the Blaze for Brenda. Then I have an Urban Fantasy I want to write and a mainstream historical. Those should keep me busy for a while. I’d write another Blaze too but I’m not sure that’s a good idea or not…until I hear back from Brenda on this one. Even though I’m so psyched about this one hitting pay dirt. Wish me luck.
We have a winter storm cranking toward us, due to hit after midnight. Could get up to 14 inches of snow.
Have a great day,
Cher
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WOW , believe it or not Cher, I envy you the snow!
I hate the year round sun shine (and heat) we have here in Puerto Vallarta. And sadly it was not my choice to live hear. But If I do get my way soon, we will be in Ireland by next year.
I wish you the best of luck with all your MSs and WIPs. You deserve it all! Here’s to cheering you on…
~Talina
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Actually I love the snow too! I wouldn’t be happy living in year round sunshine. I love the change of seasons here in Colorado.
Thank you for the good wishes on my ms. You’re so sweet, Talina.
If it sells, this blog will definitely hear about it.
Cher
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Cher, I hope to be reading your Blaze…maybe next year! Keep us posted.
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Thanks, Donna. I need all the good thoughts and prayers I can get.
Cher
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That’s got to be one of the best family pictures I’ve ever seen! Look at all you blondes.
We had our Halloween party last weekend (me: Julia Child, DH:….a Clockwork Orange t-shirt. I KNOW.) We’ve got some choir members from a nearby college staying with us later this week after they perform at our church, so I’m struggling a little to keep up with my writing AND make the house presentable. Or at least get enough laundry done for fresh towels and sheets all around. They’re college boys, right? They won’t care about the small stuff. Right?
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Love the picture. I’m in Gatlinburg for work right now and we just went on a 2.5 mile hike in the rain. It wasn’t pouring, but it rained the entire time.
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Absolutely great picture.
I’ve been knitting sweaters, mittens and hats for
Grandkids. I have the new bedtime story Blaze
By Leslie n Julie so that’s my next read. Today I
Babysit. Almost 2 and so much fun!
Zoey loves playing with her too.
What’s your thoughts on walmart entering the
Ebook war? How about the nook?
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I’m still recovering from
Nasty crap. The Only’s b-day is this weekend. She’s been getting presents all month so we’re doing a family lunch on Saturday to finish off the celebration.
I’m gearing up for NaNo in between naps and bouts of coughing. For the first time, I’m doing a bit of a story board by actually having visuals of my H/H, villain, and two “window” characters (the heroine’s best friend and the girl’s rather bumbling suitor). I’ve been researching Victorian times. Not sure how this is going to work out but I really wanted to try something totally different this year.
And Blazing Bedtime Stories is “in the mail”.
I plan on curling up with it as soon as it gets here! The perfect book to recuperate with, don’t you think? Okay…back to bed for me.
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Great family photo! I’m not doing much for Halloween – I don’t want to upset the neighbours – I live next to a graveyard. LOL – take care. Caroline x
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What a great picture! That is so cute!
I bet there might be a similar picture around taken when you all were younger. My two sisters and I all have birthdays within a week of each other! 
Mine is June 6, my older sister who is 11 months and 3 weeks older than me has June 11th birthday. We were so close when we were little we looked like twins. 13 Years after I was born mom surprised us with another sister whose birthday is June 14th. Mom had a miscarriage when I was nine which was due June 9th. Dad wasn’t allowed around the house in the month of Sept. if you know what I mean. 
Now we just have one party, usually if we can, on Father’s day. The only problem with that is dad feels cheated! Go figure! Wish you sisters a very Happy Birthday from the Hunt sisters! 
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Love the family picture!
This halloween is going to be quiet for us. The kids are planning to watch scary movies and eat popcorn all night. DH and I are just going to kick back and have some down time.
I am gearing up for NANO. This will be my first time and I am a little scared.
But, if I don’t get out here and take the bull by the horns nothing will happen….right! I’ll just need to stock up on a lot of java! 
Happy Fall Y’all!!!
~Talina
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No plans for me on Halloween. I live in an apartment complex with no Trick or Treaters! I miss see the little kids, they are so cute.
Great family picture, 1 brother with all those sisters–poor guy! I bet he had a hard time protecting all of you!! Isn’t that what brothers do?
I just happen to be reading Blazing Bedtime Stories which I am enjoying but have only read a little bit as I couldn’t keep my eyes open last night. Not due to being bored with the book! It was late & my body said “sleep”!!
Thanks for picking me as a winner & for two of my favorite authors for autographing the book for me. 
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FANTASTIC family photo!!!!!!!!!
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Great photo Leslie…
I have been busy with work, working some extra overtime on saturday nights (midnight shift). Sunday I participated in a Scrapbook auction with a friend, it was fun.
A week ago on Sunday, I blacked out and fell in the shower and roommates took me to ER. Of course no one could tell me what happened. They did every cat scan and x-ray possible and nothing except they advised me I have a hip contusion. Today went to the doctor’s because I have been having really bad headaches, ear aches, and pressure. Not sure if this is related to my fall, but i have been feeling lightheaded last week. So they diagnosed me with chronic sinusitis and bilateral otalgia. Whatever that means must be a sinus problem. So now on antibiotics and some nasal spray stuff. However I am getting my reading done now while resting in the bed.
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Working on a research paper for school and gearing up for NaNoWriMo. I’m going to do my best to write Book 3 in my YA series. If anyone else is jumping into the fray and needs a writing buddy, you can find me as “DravensMom”
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Thanks for the sweet thoughts, Leslie! That was one great afternoon on the beach – musta’ been about 300 photos to pick from, so great job on your selection! lol Oh, and yes, there is one boy in the pile- the youngest of the brood! I love you baby sista!