Guest Blogger Cindy Gerard!
For those of you who’ve been reading our blog for some time now, you know that I’m a HUGE fan of Cindy Gerard’s. I have been ever since I read her very first Bantam Loveswept, MAVERICK, way back in June of 1991. In fact, I still have that book on my keeper shelf! That was way back when I was an aspiring author, and I remember thinking at the time, when I grow up I want to write sensual, emotionally charged books like Cindy Gerard. Not to mention those hot, sexy heroes she creates! Over the years, this talented author has only gotten better with each book she’s written. And now, with her Bodyguard series, she’s become a USA Bestselling author (rightly so!), and is making a big name for herself in romantic suspense. If you haven’t read one of her Bodyguard books, RUN to the nearest bookstore and BUY ONE to read. You won’t be disappointed, and I can guarantee you’ll be back for more!
I’m thrilled to have Cindy Gerard here for the day, so let’s give her a fun, friendly, Plotmonkey welcome!
Hi guys. I’m so jazzed to be blogging with the Plot Monkeys! Such a great name – for a great bunch of authors. Do you guys have, like, a cheer? Give me a P! Give me an L! You get the picture. If not you should just because the blog name is so darn clever.
I’ve been a blogging machine this month. Monday I blogged at the Pink Ladies blog site, Wednesday on ridingwiththetopdown with my very own fabo author buddies, today I’m here and May 29th I’ll be dishing with the Fog City Divas. You’d think I had a book out or something. Um .. well, yeah! As a matter of fact, INTO THE DARK, the 6th and final installment of my bodyguard series will hit the stands on May 29th. Finally. I’ve heard from so many people who are waiting for Dallas and Amy’s story that I’m as relieved as they are that this book’s release is just around the corner.
For those of you not familiar with the series, the Bodyguards are all linked BUT – and here’s the cool thing – you can read each one as a stand alone. Doesn’t matter a bit if you come in at the middle or the end of the movie, although it is kind of fun to read them in order. Check ‘em out at my website: www.cindygerard.com for titles and excerpts – and a really jazzy new book trailer for INTO THE DARK. Oh – and for those budget minded among us (who isn’t??) the first four books in the series: TO THE EDGE, TO THE LIMIT, TO THE BRINK and OVER THE LINE have all been reissued this month at a super saver $4.99! Can’t beat the price.
Okay. Enough about that. I was thinking the other day about perfect days. You know, the kind where everything just falls into place, the planets align, the hair looks good 
(my topdown blog, BTW, is about hair – a subject near and dear to all of us), the weather is perfect. One of those, AHHH days that you never want to end.
I recently had a day like that (and they are rare jewels, aren’t they?). A friend invited me to visit at her condo in the Grand Caymans. Like I’m going to say no??? Well, every day in the Caymans is special, but this ONE day, we went snorkeling among the fishies, went on to swim with the giant manta rays, topped the afternoon off by lounging in cushy hammocks strung between palm trees with Rum runners in hand :cocktail: and ended the day with a lovely seafood dinner at an open air restaurant while a gorgeous sun set around us.
A perfect day. An ahhhh day.
Now mind you, I don’t have to be someplace exotic to have an ahhh day. I’ve had several at home. Watching an amazing sunrise or sunset. Playing with my critters (we have one very spoiled dog and 2 monster cats along with several quarter horses), writing that perfect passage for a troublesome book. Lots of things.
What about you? What’s your perfect day? I’d love to hear about it. Might give me ideas for how to wangle more of them in my life. 
And I’d love to answer any questions you might have about me too. So fire away. I’m yours for the day….
Good Morning, Cindy!
Welcome to the Jungle! I hope your day here is a fun one!
Comment by Janelle — May 17, 2007 @ 12:48 am
Hey Cindy, welcome! I’ve heard such good thing about your books that I have 5 of the series sitting on my bureau, waiting to be read for when I’m in one of those suspenseful moods. Can’t wait
As for perfect days, I can think of a variety of things I enjoy but each one would have to involve at least some reading, whether it’s 1/2 hour or an afternoon. Spring days are perfect because (for the most part) I don’t suffer from allergies, so I can enjoy the blooming flowers and the pleasantly warm breezes.
I went to Jamaica a few years ago and loved swimming with the dolphins. Walking down the Vegas strip and gawking at all the hotels while spending a few dollars at the slot machines and getting to eat incredible amounts of food followed by a show - now there’s another one.
Visiting a foreign country and seeing the sights and experiencing the cultural differences. I went to visit family in Finland years ago and loved the country - I do hope to go back one day.
Going out with a group of girlfriends to the Cheesecake Factory and gabbing all evening, then having Saturday off to sleep in and be lazy - can never have too many of those kinds of days LOL.
Comment by Stacy ~ — May 17, 2007 @ 6:24 am
Hi, Cindy! WELCOME!
Like Janelle, I’ve read you since your Loveswept days. Fantastic books and characters! :thumbsup2:
My favorite days are the ones with NO CARPOOLS, KIDS BUSY AND HAPPY, and THE SUN SHINING and I have time ALONE to write. Is that selfish?
Come back any time, Cindy. We love you here!:love2:
Comment by Carly — May 17, 2007 @ 6:46 am
Wow! Thanks for the terrific welcome Jannelle and Carly. Boy do I feel the love :love2: And let me tell you, it’s been fun to watch both of your careers soar in the past several years. It’s so much fun to see writers I admire make such a major impact in the industry.
Carly I’m beyond the carpool days but I hear you. And Stacy, it sounds like you’ve got a GOOD handle and how to make those Ahh days happen. A good time with good friends just can’t be beat! Speaking of which, I’m off on another adventure Friday where I’ll join 5 of my buddies for a white water rafting/camping trip in the Grand Canyon. We’ve planned this for over a year. I think we’ll have several Ahh moments… along with several “What was I thinking????”
Pray for me.
Keep those special moments coming, people - we all need fodder for creating more for ourselves!
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 8:29 am
Cindy,
Love your Bodyguard series and am running to the bookstore on May 29th!
Great to have you here with the rest of the monkeys! My perfect day…. a beautiful May day….breakfast out with mom & sisters, a walk with my daughter on a hiking trail near the house, time to sit on the patio listening to the waterfall & reading a good book, writing a few pages and having the words flow like butter off a hot ear of corn, hubby then cooks dinner while I enjoy a glass of wine and relax for the evening. BTW, this only happens on Mother’s day!
Comment by Nina — May 17, 2007 @ 8:35 am
Welcome Cindy! I just started your Bodyguard series, but will be at the store on May 29 for the final in the series. Love the first 2 I’ve read so far, very HOT. My perfect day would be spending the major part of the day reading a great book(would love to be at the beach too) and the evening with my best friends. We try to get together every month and it is so awesome just to see each other. I also enjoy getting to spend time with just my sister when we visit each other. The only way that happens is for us to sneak out of the house to go get coffee and a book or shopping early in the am the day after Thanksgiving.
Comment by Liza — May 17, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Well, hey Cindy! You’re hitting the blogs I stop and read on a daily basis!
I can get an Ahhh day out of nearly every weekend in the summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day. My parents have a camp on the Ouachita (pron. Wash-e-taw-said with a deep arkansan slang, emphasis on the ‘taw’
) River, and the time between those two holidays are considered river days. There’s usually plenty of food (did I mention home-made ice cream every weekend?) and people having a good time. If I can spend my day relaxing under the heat of the sun, my sunshades on, book in hand, headphones in place, then I’m guarenteed a wonderful day! It’s just something about the heat, I can’t get enough of it!
Comment by Keri Ford — May 17, 2007 @ 8:48 am
Nina and Liza - thanks, both of you for the kind words about the series. it’s been so gratifying to hear such positive response from readers. I love those guys too and I love it you all love them.
And it sounds like you both have the AAA factor down to an art. I’m seeing a pattern here - many of those days involve reading. Of Course they do!! :thumbsup2: And for darn good reason!
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 8:56 am
Hi Cindy,
I found your 4 book re release at the super market one day when I promised myself I wouldn’t spend the book store that day. :*)
the first and I’m well into the second “To the limit”
I bought the 4 books and then discovered there were more. So naturally my trip to the book store theory was shot
I have read
I am really getting into this series now. On vacation this week so I should be ready for the new one, “Into the Dark” on the 29th. For those really budget minded I have seen them in Wally world at a really good price.
What do I like about “To the limit: Hero, heroine, characters, great suspence and humor with banter. I am really liking it all. Hope your new books hits it big. You’ve found a new fan.
Comment by jeannie — May 17, 2007 @ 9:08 am
*Forehead Smack*
Have I told you yet that I’m desperately waiting for this story to come out? That I preordered it a long time ago? That it was a good little trick you pulled by giving us that taste of Dallas and Amy during TO THE BRINK. And then showing us Dallas’ tortured little soul again in UNDER THE WIRE.
I feel as though this whole series is going to have a wham of an ending with INTO THE DARK. While each book certainly stands alone, I wouldn’t be having this edge of my seat, biting my nails suspense thing going on if not for the snips of these two you’ve dropped here and there.
Comment by Keri Ford — May 17, 2007 @ 9:12 am
Hi Jeannie
I’m doing the happy dance. I’m double happy that you’re liking the books. Thanks for adding to the coffers 
I need new hair product - as was evidenced by my blog on http://www.ridingwiththetopdown.blogspot.com yesterday. Most days are about the hair, right? And oh - about that plan NOT to go to the book store: never works for me either.
So Happy to hear the re-issues are out and about and on the stands
Keri - I bow to you
for being so loyal to the Bodyguards. And I really didn’t mean to tease. Honest . Amy just needed some time to heal - and Dallas had his own baggage to deal with. Here’s hoping you like the ending to the series as much as you liked the first 5 books.
You guys are all great. This is turning into an ahhh day for me.:present:
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 9:23 am
Hey Miss Cindy!
I didn’t discover Cindy until about 5 years ago when I started reading romance but I’ve read all her Desires since then and a few of her older ones PLUS the first 3 Bodyguard books and I have #4 and #5 on the shelf. They’re awesome and I often say “When I grow up I want to write like Cindy Gerard.” She does such sexy things with stuff like cookie dough.
My perfect day was NOT last Sunday — I’d flown to the Georgia coast to be with my mom who had emergency surgery and was supposed to come home the next day. Only I get here and they’ve decided to keep her another 3 days. Grrr. On Mother’s Day I’m backing out of a parking place — in HER car — and some woman in a Tahoe backs into me. Grrr. The police report is finally ready and I have to go get it and pray the officer could tell it was HER fault. Otherwise I’ll be ponying up my mother’s $1000 deductible since I feel responsible because I was driving the car. Grrr.
Lots of Grrr moments lately. But she’s recuperating very well.
Ahhh moments? Playing with my granddaughter and listening to her giggle. Walking on a beach anywhere. A great massage that works out all the knots and kinks. A pedicure. A manicure. A sale and the contract in the mail. I’m SO easy to please.
Have fun at the Canyon.
Comment by Marilyn — May 17, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Oh Marilyn. Sunday was definitely not an AHH day. Poor thing. And your poor mom. :cry: I hope all is soon well.
And I hope you get your very own special Ahh day soon! You need one. Sending a cool drink :cocktail: in the meantime to help ease the way.
And thanks for the nice words on my books. I’m sure we’ll be seeing yours on the shelf soon - just keep on truckin’. Honestly - that’s sometimes the major factor in this game.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Hi Marilyn
I posted a reply once but it seems to have gotten lost in cyber space.
In any event, Sunday was definitely not an AHHH day for you. Poor baby. And your poor mom. :cry: I hope all is well soon for her and that you get an ahhh day to remember. You deserve one.
And you are so sweet to mention the books. I’ve appreciated your wonderful reviews over the years. And I have no doubt that you will be seeing your own work on the shelves soon. Talk about an ahhh moment!!
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 10:03 am
Perfect days…Many times I have moments where I look around at the faces of my family and tears come to my eyes because the moment is so wonderful and so perfect that I want to keep it forever. It feels as though the last time I’ve had an entire day of those kinds of moments that make me stop and think: “wow, I’ll remember this day for the rest of my life” was toward the end of our trip to Ireland when we took the kids to Blarney Castle.
Comment by Leslie — May 17, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Hey Leslie
Man. You just put tears in my eyes relating your ahhh moments. How special. And yes, family is so important. All I have to do is look at my little grandchildren and I tear up and feel as if I am the luckiest person on earth. Big sigh. Live is good.
And I’m glad you’re loving Manny. He really tapped my yum factor too when I was writing him. Lots of day dreams about that guy, let me tell you.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 10:15 am
This is the third time, I have tried to start this comment
Hating this keyboard, today.
Hi!
Cindy
Thanks for joining the PlotMonkeys
today!
I will admit I have never read the bodyguards
(please drop the stones) but I promise I will start looking for them. I don’t get to an actual bookstore very often.
For me my AHHHHHH moments are like Leslie–family centered.
I love to sit on a porch in the early morning with my mom, she has her coffee and I have my iced tea. It reminds me alot of a (ahem) a few years back the early mornings we shared when I was in High School and it would just be the two of us up so early.
Just Tuesday night my munchkins were playing super hero’s with their towel capes, so I went and got my towel and made a cape and flew around the house with them. It was a blast and a memory we all three will have (I hope).
Finally, my sisterfriends and I had a girls weekend in Feb. and it was just the perfect weekend.
Once, in 2001 I spent the day alone in San Francisco exploring the city (something I don’t normally do, be alone) and exploring my heart. For me that was one of the bravest, most amazing things I have done!
Thanks again and have a great day!
Comment by Debbie — May 17, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Hi Cindy, Welcome to plotmonkeys.
Hope your new book will be a huge success for you:thumbsup2:
AHHH moments usually entail me with my feet up, book in one hand, and a glass of wine in the other….lol (OK so I could dream)
Comment by Tina Martinesi — May 17, 2007 @ 11:01 am
Cindy, I HAVE to know — what do you have planned for readers after INTO THE DARK? I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I know I’m going to read INTO THE DARK quickly, and then I need to know what to look forward to next.
So many great aahhhh days! An ahhhh day/moment for me is spending uninterrupted hours reading
, going out on a date with my husband 
, and having a great hair day (especially with me trying to grow my hair out! 
). Another Ahhhh moment for me is having my dog, Sandie, cuddle up next to me on the bed, because it’s such an openly loving gesture. :doggie:
Comment by Janelle — May 17, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Hi Cindy–
Love the Bodyguard series and am really looking forward to Into The Dark.
I think I saw somewhere where it will be the last of that series. Is this right? If so what are you working on to follow such a wonderful series?
Comment by Barbara — May 17, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
Welcome to the Plotmonkeys Cindy it’s so great having you here.
My perfect days would always have something to do with the beach, sunrise or sunsets and in between I love them all. But getting up early and going for a beach walk is one of my all time favs.
My question for you is this - Other than the “call” what would be your most exciting moment as a writer?
Thanks and come back and visit with us soon.
Comment by Vicki — May 17, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
:thumbsup2: Hi Cindy, love your BODYGUARD books and will definitely be at the bookstore on the 29th! We lived in Grand Cayman for 4 1/2 years… almost every day is an AHHH day there (well, unless you’re trying to keep a 3 year old from getting ANY MORE SAND in the house!! Or in his pants!!)
Were you on Seven Mile Beach? The best beach anywhere for sunsets, especially with friends. It’s such a romantic place too. Whenever I think of my perfect day, I always think of the beach…..love those warm breezes, tropical drinks, and tanned bodies!!!
Comment by LisK — May 17, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Cindy, Haven’t read any of the Bodyguard series, but I just got an ARC of INTO THE DARK in the mail yesterday. I got excited about reading it from the cover. From all the good things everyone has said about the series, I’ll have to move this one up in the pile. Too bad I need to read it fairly soon. I much prefer to read series in order. But I have no problem with circling back so I suspect I’ll be on a hunt for the other titles soon.
Comment by Patricia W — May 17, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
Cindy…grandchildren???? You SO look too young to have grandchildren!
How cool to be the hot grandma who writes sexy, exciting books! Go you!
Comment by Leslie — May 17, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Hi Cindy, Welcome!
I guess all things are relative because at the moment an AHHH day for me would be to wake up without a migraine/sinus headache and have enough energy to be awake for more than an hour.
Even typing is an effort and I completely missed yesterday’s blog so that says a BUNCH about how I’m feeling.
Janelle - anymore eye candy penicillian (?sp) shots laying around?
But, a typical AAHHH day would be about 70 degrees, light breeze blowing, a body of water, a comfy chair or couch and a book. Children and hubby occupied so nobody wanted anything. Ahh, yeah, that’d be great!
Cindy, I haven’t read the bodyguard series but they’ve definitely been put at the top of my list. And I agree with Leslie - grandmother?!?
Comment by Jodie — May 17, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Hey again
Sorry about the delay getting back to you. I had to run the the eye doc real quick. Allergies are killing me!! But I’ll be better soon thanks to modern pharmaceuticals :o)
Debbie - ice tea and mom’s an munchkins. sounds wonderful. I have only my memories of my mom now and smile, always when I remember some of the times we’ve shared.
And no stone throwing. There are, after all, sooo many books and soo little time:o)
Tina - I’m all for the wine part AND the book part. Yum to both
Janelle and Barb - after DARK, my next project is a novella in an anthology with Cherry Adair and Lora Leigh. I’m excited about that! No pub date yet - 2008 some time. Then I’ll have a new series start - you’ll actually meet some of the leads in Into The Dark. It won’t be a continuation of the Bodyguard series but it will be the same type of book -action, adventure romance :kiss: of course. Again, no pub dates but I’ve sold 3 books and am very excited to be working on this new series.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:20 pm
Vicki - great images of ahh moments. Beachs, sun, water. Umm. I’m feelin’ it. I’m really feelin’ it
As to exciting moments in writing other than the call - I think that would be seeing that first book in print in a front of store display at my local Walden book store. It was just too cool. And I know this sounds cornie but I have met some of my best friends through writing and it’s always exciting to think of how the business has enriched my life.
Lisk - thanks on the Bodyguards. I appreciate it. And you actually LIVED in the Caymans? Wow! I’m in awe. While I did make it to 7 mile beach, spent most of my time on the east end of the island. The beaches aren’t as nice but there are a lot less people and we could walk out the front door of the condo and snorkel. Amazing. I swimmed with the fishies
:o) Although I’m still having trouble convincing my 3 year old grandson that I’m not ‘tricking’ him when I tell him I saw Nemo and swam in the ocean
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
Patricia
You’ll have to let me know what you think of Dark. You really can read the books out of order as they stand alone but I agree, it’s fun to read them from start to finish.
Leslie - Thanks for that!! I love being a Grama but I like hearing that I don’t look like one.
Jodie - You poor baby. Nasty, nasty stuff those migraines. Feel better soon, okay? And it sounds like you need an ahhh day really bad. Hope you get one soon.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
Once again, some of my reply posts seem to have gotten eaten by the cyber monster.
Makes for much headbanging.
So I’ll try again.
Patricia- no problem reading the books out of order. They all stand alone but I agree it is more fun to read a series in order. You’ll have to let me know what you think of DARK.
Leslie - I LOVE being a Gramma - but I love it that you don’t think I look like one too :kiss:
Jodie - you poor baby :cry: Bad stuff. Hope you feel better soon. You deserve an ahh day
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Okay - this is the 3rd time I’ve tried to reply to Patricia, Leslie and Jodi. Hope 3rd time is charm cause the cyber monster ate my other 2 posts.
Patricia - I so hope you enjoy Dark. And while it is fun to read the series in order, all the books stand alone so you’re okay. You’ll have to let me know what you think of it.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Leslie and Jodie - I LOVE being a grandma. But I also love that you don’t think I look like one :love2: Thanks for that.
Jodie - Poor baby. :cry: I hope you feel better soon. Sounds like you need an ahhh day all for yourself.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Welcome Cindy,
After reading all these great comments I want to read your Bodyguard series. They sound soooo good. I have to confess to the fact that I have not read any of your books. That is at least since I’ve been keeping track of what I read starting in 2003. It is always fun to discover a new to me author.
Ahhh moments/days, hugs from any of my three grandchildren, getting to watch my younger grandson play Pinocchio in his school play, a day in Mendocino with my good friend, time spent with friends anytime, any place, days with sunshine but not to hot, discovering a new to me author, the ocean/beach anytime no matter the weather, Mother Nature showing off with the scenery, flowers, etc., the day my first grandchild was born, it took me several hours to come back to earth! Watching my oldest daughter walk down the aisle in her beautiful dress. I’m sure if I thought about it there would be many more. Thanks for making us stop to think about those special moments/days in our lives. Of course time to read that is always the best!
Come to see us again Cindy.
Comment by Donna M — May 17, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Thanks, Donna.
I’m having so much fun hearing about everyone’s ahhh moments in part because I know that as you tell me about them, you are reliving little bits and pieces of them in your mind and having a mini ahhh moment in the process. How sweet is that? Puppy and Kitty sweet, I’d say :doggie:
Speaking of which, my Sly cat is sitting on my lap as I type this and my doggie, Ellie is curled up in her basket in front of the fireplace, also in my office snoozing while Buddy (the other cat) naps on the window sill. Pretty ahhh inspiring.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Cindy,
Thanks for making the time to personally respond to everyone…
Must be shy you are such a popular guest. I concur with the other ladies, you so do not look like any grandmother that I know.
Sympathize on the allergies, hope they get over for you real soon.
Have a super day!
Comment by Debbie — May 17, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
Hey Debbie
Thanks so much. The eye drops are working already. What a relief. I’m leaving tomorrow for a white water rafting/camping trip in the Grand Canyon with 5 of my girlfriend buddies. I want to be able to experience and ’see’ all the incredible beauty through clear eyes, not through an allergy induced haze.
Provided I survive the helicopter flight to the bottom of the canyon AND the rapids over the next several days, I anticipate a lot of ahhh moments on this trip. Most of them will be on the heels of a lot of laughs. Nothing like a girlfriend or two to give you a screaming case of the giggles. Of course, the tequila I’ll ingest to fortify me for the chopper flight might play a part in the laughter.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Have a blast on your rafting/camping trip with your friends and I hope your allergies go away before tomorrow(I so feel you pain as I have to go get my allergy shots on Monday). My friends and I all went camping a few years ago and had a blast…might have been the beer and loving cup we passed around, but it was so fun…makes me want to set up another camping trip.
Comment by Liza — May 17, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
Liza
I have another bunch of buddies who have joined me for 16 years now at our family cabin in Minnesota. We go for a week every summer and every year we come back with sore jaws and aching cheeks because we laugh so much. And yeah - could be the beer has something to do with it.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Cindy, first, welcome to Plotmonkeys! Sorry I haven’t checked in before now…story to come.
Second, I saw all your releases at my Borders, which they perplexingly, had scattered all over the new release table. Knowing you were about to guest blog with us, I took the liberty of rearranging the table so that the re-releases were all in a nice row…so people could buy all of them! Geez, I should work in a bookstore.
And third (the reason why I haven’t been to the blog sooner)…my perfect day would be one where I did NOT loose seven perfectly edited pages and five brilliantly new ones leading only paragraphs away from my plot and emotional black moment because my laptop decided to close my document without my permission…and not save.
That’s what kind of day I had…so perfect day? So not today.
To my laptop, I say :biteme:
I’m working on my PC for the duration of this book (due Tuesday.)
I never realized how therapeudic our icons could be.
Comment by Julie Leto — May 17, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Cindy, the east end of Grand Cayman is what I imagine it was like before the tourists invaded….peaceful. Yes, my DH worked at a hotel there on 7 Mile Beach, until it was sold & torn down and now the Ritz Carlton is in its place. Not the same!! That’s progress for you!
You are actually doing something I have always wanted to do…whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon. What an adventure! Have a great trip…. and keep those great books coming. We love ‘em!
Comment by LisK — May 17, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
OMG Julie. How horrible!!
Did you try searching your laptop for the missing pages? Call your laptop support to see if they can help you find them? I’ll bet money they’re there somewhere.
And thanks for ‘fixing’ things at Borders :o) Who knows what goes on in those stores if we authors didn’t bop in every once in a while to check things out - although I know there are many bookstore employees who do great things for us all the time.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Lisk
I hiked the canyon 3 years ago. 11.3 miles down Bright Angel trail and 11.3 miles back up. Of course we stayed at the bottom 2 nights. it was incredible. In many ways. Probably the most difficult thing I’ve done both mentally and physically. Lot’s of pain involved. Really. But it was so beautiful - almost spiritual. Also a sort of ‘I am woman, hear me roar’ type of event. I feel that once I did the Canyon, I can do anything!! Can’t wait for the rafting trip. But just the same - pray for me, okay? Gonna be a lot of bad hair days to deal with.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
Cindy, alas, they are GONE. Apparently, when my laptop shut down Word, it’s because I’m hitting something I don’t realize I’m hitting. I *think* that my touchpad has the (little pointy thing) over the X that closes Word and I’m typing, touch the keypad and then in my typing, hit N for No (as in “Do you want to save?”
more often than I hit Y as in “Yes, I want to save, dammit!) I’m going to turn off my touchpad after I go out and buy a wireless mouse. I think that will solve the problem. (Except on airplanes, where you can’t use the wireless mouse.)
I’ve been working all afternoon…the pages are not nearly as good as before. I see big edits in my future.
Thanks for feeling my pain!
Comment by Julie Leto — May 17, 2007 @ 6:06 pm
Cindy — You’re a very adventurous (and young) grandma!
I’m sure you’ll have a blast rafting with your girlfriends (and hopefully hunky guides! 
). It’ll be worth a few bad hair days. Either that, or you can wear a shower cap to keep your hair dry 
Comment by Janelle — May 17, 2007 @ 6:35 pm
Oh Julie that’s awful.
Cindy,
do you have a favorite hero, heroine and whay is your personal
favorite bodyguard book?
I know being like your babies it must be hard to
chose but it was a fun question to ask.
I’m in my favorite place have a few awesome days,
even if it is rainy & cold
Comment by jeannie — May 17, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
My perfect day would be to walk on the beach in the morning, shopping with friends in the afternoon, get a manicure and pedicure, and have dinner out followed by another walk on the beach.
Comment by Amy S. — May 17, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
Julie - Ain’t it always the way. The first time around is ALWAYS the best. I’m hurting for you
Really ’cause I’ve lost pages too. but it makes us stronger, right? yeah, right.:cry:
Janelle - I bought this snazzy cap with a floppy brim with the excuse of keeping the sun off my face and neck. Truth is, it’s to hide the hair .
But - now get this - I found this way cool portable, butane powered curling iron on Amazon. I’m so jazzed. I mean - I have string straight, baby fine hair. It’s thick but it won’t hold a curl or body without low humidity and lots of hair spray. Most likely I’ll look like a drown rat after we hit the first rapids and because - as you mentioned - there are HUNKY, CUTE, GORGEOUS guides (hey - i’m married not dead) I’ll have to make some attempt to do the do
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Hi Cindy,
Welcome and I am not sure if I missed you or not.
Comment by Cherylann — May 17, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Jeannie
You asked a tough question. I love all of my boys and my girls, too. Hum. I think maybe Eve in TO THE LIMIT might be at the top of my heroine list. She had such a mouth on her, that girl. I liked that about her. As to heroes - Manny from UNDER THE WIRE might have a tiny lead on the others. He has that Latino lover thing going on - and the younger man, older woman fantasy aspect kind of did it for me too :kiss:
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Amy - you picked some good one. Manicures and pedicures - now those are among my favorite ahh moments too.
Cherylann - Nope. You didn’t miss me. And since you are a Regis fan I’ll share that I actually got to eat a hotdog from his favorite hotdog place in NYC in March. Grey’s Papaya. And let me tell you - the hotdog lived up to the hype. Best hotdog I’ve ever had. Hands down.
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 7:04 pm
Hi, Cindy and welcome! My perfect day is no phones, no pagers, no makeup, warm sun, a body of water (any will do) and a great book. That’s my aaah day.
Comment by Carol R — May 17, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Hi Cindy,
I will have to remember that the next time I go to NY. You should e-mail Regis and tell him that.
I agree mani & pedi’s:
I am going Sunday for both
Comment by Cherylann — May 17, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
Julie - I am so sorry for you. It would be bad enough if you weren’t on a deadline. I’ve got something funny going on with my laptop too, and I can’t figure out what I do. Fortunately, I haven’t ever lost anything, but I’ll be typing away and realize my cursor has jumped up to some random place in my text. It’s just more annoying than anything.
Cindy - A good friend of mine who lives in Arizona and hikes all the time, hiked the canyon over Christmas break. She said, “It was the most difficult hike I’ve ever done and I’m no sissy. But it was so worth it.” She hikes lots of canyons and mountainous areas but said it took her legs days to recover from that one.
Hope you have a great time rafting!
Comment by Jodie — May 17, 2007 @ 7:32 pm
Well everyone, thank you for making me feel so welcome. I had a blast today and hope you did too.
I’d love it if you’d drop by my website at http://www.cindygerard.com sometime and check things out. You never know what you might find.
Take care and hopefully, I’ll be back home next week all in one piece:thumbsup2:
Comment by Cindy Gerard — May 17, 2007 @ 7:57 pm
Well at least I won’t have to run to the nearest bookstore, I can wait until I go into work in the morning.
Comment by ev — May 17, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Ack I missed it
Comment by catslady — May 17, 2007 @ 10:20 pm