FRUSTRATIONS … and a COVER treat!
A note: there’s a treat at the end, if you get through reading about my griping and problems. 
*********
Life is crazy. Just plain crazy. As if buying the iPhone wasn’t expensive enough, as if dropping Verizon and paying the penalty wasn’t bad enough, AT&T service is awful. I don’t get calls. My calls drop. But I love having my email and I don’t want a Blackberry. So I decided to port my phone number back to Verizon for phone calls and reinstate my old phone. ($200 down the drain from leaving Verizon. Now I’m back). One hour in Verizon getting it done. They say it’s complete but after an hour, I can make phone calls from the Verizon phone but if you called me, it rang on my iPhone. (Say what?!? Daddy!? - Hannah Montana) Knowing it takes awhile to go through, I call At&T to ask them to give me a new phone number on my iPhone. Guess what? The contract was on the phone number NOT on the phone, so they said they had to put through a cancellation fee. I put my husband on the phone. He asked for a supervisor. (Keep in mind, husband already dumped the iPhone and went back to his Blackberry b/c he hates that the iPhone didn’t let you know when you received an email AS IT CAME IN). Supervisor said tough. My husband said, are you telling me you’d rather take $200 in cancellation fee now, and give up my monthly service bill which probably exceeds the $200 in two months? They said yes. 
:wallbash: :wallbash: He was going to just cancel the iPhone account (and I was dying because I NEED MY EMAILS) when he finds out that if he cancels that account before the Verizon port finished, I’D LOSE THE PHONE NUMBER that I’ve had for the last … oh I don’t know seven or more years? So he said forget it … and then I called Verizon back and they pushed through the port, and now I have my old Verizon phone AND MY IPHONE IS DEAD. And what does hubby say when I pick up the phone to call AT&T to set up a NEW phone number for my iPhone? WHAT’S YOUR RUSH? Why do you have to do something that’s going to screw up everything? (Screw up WHAT I MIGHT ASK YOU?) So … I say I need my emails. And he says, “at two in the morning?” Just wait.
MEN!!!!!!! 
So I’m waiting. FOR WHAT?
(Footnote: since I wrote this post on Thursday, it’s now Saturday … I mentioned wanting my iPhone back and hubby said, it’s been 24 hours, all things have probably been processed, GO. 
So I called and discovered I had to go to the AT&T store which I did, and now I have my phone back. PLUS they agreed to wave the $200 fee because I came back. Which is cool but don’t you want to bet on the next bill the fee will be there and I’ll have to fight it? But that’s for another blog ).
Another frustration. Time. My kids went to day camp. One went as a camper this summer and the other worked there as a counselor. Camp began the Monday after school ended on a Friday in late June. Camp ran for seven weeks and ended on August 10th. And school doesn’t start until September 6, the Thurs. after Labor Day weekend. 4 LONG weeks. OK I am sure many of your kids don’t go to camp and so you really can’t sympathize with me. That’s OK. I have enough sympathy for myself to go around. 
You see? I can wallow with the best of them. And what happens during these four weeks? Well I was smart enough to escape on vacation for the first five days. After that? We went from appointment to appointment, sometimes three or four a day (hair cuts, dentists, orthodontists, dermatologists, waxing, etc. You name it, we’ve done it). And what else? WE SPEND MONEY. Shopping. Back to school clothes because a) they grew; b) the styles change; c) they grew; d) 50 tank tops each aren’t enough; e) they grew; and f) styles change. 
Yes, I know, nobody’s crying for me. Again, not to worry. I have enough tears for myself. I truly do. Then, sports began. Not once a day, but DOUBLE SESSIONS. Driving to school at 8:30; picking up at 11; back to school at 1:30 and picking up at 4. I carpool but it’s still a frenzied week. And it’s not over yet. They practice WEEKENDS! 
I have two kids and two dogs. I might as well have four children. Seriously, training Bailey is enough to make me insane. But she’s so cute, I can forgive her almost anything, the almost being the poop in the crate that she messes in and I have to clean up HER and the crate. Good thing she’s just so gorgeous and she gives the best kisses. And unlike Buddy who she tortures and hangs from (and adores), she just drives me insane in other ways. But I love her to pieces. Him too.
WRITING. Protect the Work. WHEN? 
Somebody tell me WHEN I can protect the work in the midst of the above insanity. Which, you must remember includes 2 dogs. 2. One is still being trained. Yes, folks, she’s smart as a whip but slow on the other end. 
But there is small progress, so I’ll take it.
And I’m sure you aren’t surprised to hear that all of the above gave me a massive, can’t move but have no choice because life goes on, MIGRAINE. 
It’s almost gone, three days later.
*********
*********
So just when I think I can’t take anymore … something wonderful happens. And I just have to share it with you guys only!
THE PROPOSED COVER FOR THE JULY 2008 RELEASE OF HOT PROPERTY!
It’s topsecret: It also isn’t FINAL … things may change a bit.
But I still got permission to post it here …
How can he keep his eye on the ball when she’s in view?
Just one short season ago, major league center fielder John Roper had it all: the looks—and personal life—of a sports hero and the public’s adoration. But this hot property’s lucky streak has run out. After a World Series disaster, fans diss him, shock jocks mock him and his dysfunctional family hassles him for money he really can’t spare. Now it’s up to him, and Hot Zone publicist Amy Stone, to get his life back on track.
Amy finds it’s easier said than done. What with the constant intrusions of his nutty family, a crazed fan playing stalker, and Roper’s refusal to put his own needs first, she’s starting to think that life in the fast lane isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when the two retreat to a secluded lodge, the sexy center fielder throws Amy a curveball—one she never saw coming …
*********
So it’s up to you … what do you want to talk about? Life’s frustrations? Or my cover and what you think of it?
hey
) and would love to identy the series from the covers.
with us readers.
really hot cover. Looking already forward to the release of the fourth Hot Zone book, even if it also means that it’s the last. Love the other three hot zone books. have already read them about a dozen times. Can’t wait till hot property hits the stores. But is there any possibility that there will come out a cover that is similar to the other three ones because I’m pretty anal (like Sophie
Thans for already sharing that
If it already were July…
PS: the Hot Zone series is my favourite one written by you, but who does not love hot jocks?
Anybody out there? Can answer the question myself: probably not!!!
Comment by vero — September 3, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Glad you like it, Vero. Unfortunately, publishers aren’t as anal as we are when it comes to our covers and consistency. They go with what is selling at the moment … so no, no similarity in covers on the Hot Zone books …
BUT I really understand why you wish there was! 
Comment by Carly — September 3, 2007 @ 6:53 am
Carly! Hugs, dear girl. I know how excited you were to get the new phone, and I’m so sorry it’s not working out. No offense, but that’s why cautious, conservative people like me wait to buy the latest in technology - to let others try it first and to get through the growing pains. I’ve never gotten the latest anything, and so far it’s worked for me. Of course, money, and the need for are it, make a huge dent in my decision-making. Anyway, I hope you have smooth sailing here on out.
It is a hot cover, but maybe at some point, they will be all re-issued with new covers? Any more stories in the “Hot” series? I have 2 of them - I need to get caught up!
Comment by Stacy ~ — September 3, 2007 @ 7:48 am
Love the cover.
As for life’s frustrations- yep, they are there, but then I always thank god we are finally blessed with the financial ability to deal with them.It’s taken a while, but I don’t have to worry like I used to. That makes them so much easier to deal with.
(Happy Dance)
Now that Daughter has her own car for college, maybe, just maybe, I can get back to living my own life!! I don’t have to run her around to all those appointments (only pay for them) or give her my truck to do it and be stuck home.
OH MY GOD!! I MAY HAVE A LIFE AGAIN!!!!
Comment by ev — September 3, 2007 @ 7:52 am
Just know I’m passing all these requests for same cover or reissue of new covers to my publisher. Love you guys!
Comment by Carly — September 3, 2007 @ 8:06 am
Good morning everyone…Happy Labor Day…has anyone noticed how much work they actually do on this day? I thought it was supposed to be a day sans work, but getting things ready for family and cooking seems to contradict the idea of relaxation and no work…
Carly, that cover could make any headache, migraine or frustration go away…He is hot…I hope he stays on the cover…I am sorry, I can’t commiserate on the chauffering (sp?) kids around or training four legged children, but I do understand having to running around and being constantly on the move…Being in the military as a reservist had me coming and going…it was very difficult to coordinate my civilian life with the military one and many times I didn’t have enough time to catch a breath…I was always on the go and the day was never long enough…I can’t even say that I have ranted about any cell phone problems…I don’t know what I would do without being able to check my emails though…the interenet has become such a important part of my life now…Can’t check it on my phone though…it’s capable, but I am not savvy enough to figure it out and my patience runs very thin…lol…I hope this day proves to be an excellent and relaxing one for you…I am glad that your migraine is going away…
Peace and love,
Comment by Paula R. — September 3, 2007 @ 8:53 am
I don’t care if the new Hot Zone cover looks like the other three, I would pick this book up based on the HOT cover. (But normally I don’t like my covers to match. LOL)
As for life and children and dogs. I have two children and they have me running four nights a week and every Saturday. I have three dogs (all outside) but someone always seems to need a vet visit, more food, groomer, more food.
BTW my daughter’s cell bill the last two months was over $200. I figured out after hours on the phone with Verizon that it was her texting. The child signed herself up for these daily texts, which wouldn’t normally be a problem but she had done it with four different companies. Kids. :wallbash:
Comment by Patty L. — September 3, 2007 @ 10:04 am
Oh Carly…I’m SOOOO sorry for all of your frustrations. My eyes welled up a little while reading your post. …sniff sniff…
THEN I got down to the proposed cover and, well…. I’m having to wipe the drool from my jaw. Not real easy to explain to the DH while he’s sitting right next to me on the couch. His response is, “Yeah, sure…that guy only has a six pack.” He then lifts his shirt and proudly exclaims, “But I have a keg!!!” Gotta love him!!
Comment by Leslie in GA — September 3, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Carly, I hope your days are better after Thursday. Still busy I’m sure, but hopefully better.
I love the cover! I do have one question though. Not about your cover, but covers in general. In most books when the heroine describes the hero’s chest there is hair involved. Yet all the models on the cover are shaved. Why is this? I know it’s crazy of me but I think guys should have a little hair on ‘em. Just curious if anyone knew why all the models were shaved.
Comment by Kelly H — September 3, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Okay, I understand the publisher’s reasons now for different covers. And despite of this I love it and will surly be the first german person to preorderit. It’s really hot I and I appreciate that you’re already sharing it with us? There’s just another question: Is this definitely the last one in the Hot Zone series? If so, I’d be really sad. And do you already know what your next series; Lucky Charm, is about? Because I love your books with sport heroes like the Hot Zone
Thanks for answering
vero
Comment by vero — September 3, 2007 @ 10:38 am
Carly, I saw a news piece the other day about some young hacker who HATED AT&T’s service on the new iPhone, so he “unlocked” it so it can be used with any other provider. And posted the info on how to do it, so now thousands of iPhone users are switching back to their old providers!
Sorry about the kid/dog trouble. School starts this week though, right? NOW you can get back to protecting the work.
Comment by Leslie — September 3, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Carly, I’m so sorry your iphone didn’t work right. I’ve heard that in a couple of years other phone companies might have rights to the iphone. Maybe all the kinks will be worked out by then(I hope Verizon has it by then). I have several friends that have cell service with AT&T and they all have the same problem with dropped calls and dead zones(my brother can’t even use his phone when he goes to our hometown). I don’t currently have any frustrations with my phone service, but did have to attend a wedding over the weekend that totally took most of the fun out of my holiday weekend. Only plus was I was able to spend time with most of my family.
I love the
new cover!!! I do like it best when covers in a series match, but different covers won’t keep my from ever buying Hot Property!!!
Comment by Liza — September 3, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Great cover! Really hot and sexy! I hope you get to keep it unless they can somehow make it better but I don’t see how.
I can relate to your frustration. I only have one child but she is special needs and I do a lot of chauffeuring to skating lessons and ballet lessons and to her school if she forgot to bring something that she needs. The bus picks her up at the end of our driveway everyday and brings her home so at least I don’t have to drive her to school and pick her up. She started school on August 14th so she’s been back in school for a while. I feel for you having to wait a month!
But actually, our daughter is a great kid and never gives us any trouble. I just get wigged out when things pile up.
I’m not in the middle of house breaking a dog. Our little guy–miniature dachshund will be 12 in October. At present my frustration is over my office which looks like something exploded in here. I’m slowly–very slowly re-doing it. It will probably take me 4 to 6 weeks because I have my writing plus keeping up the house, paying bills, balancing all of the accounts both business and personal, laundry–Oh, speaking of laundry, I have a bunch of capris I’ve got to iron today–ugh. I don’t understand how a family of 3 can generate the amount of laundry that we do–and garbage too!
Hang in there, Carly. Hope things settle out soon and your headache goes away. In regard to your phone problems, don’t you just love the big phone companies…NOT!
Hope everyone who lives in the US is having a great Labor Day.
Cher
Comment by Cher — September 3, 2007 @ 11:20 am
Oh my so
about your iPhone.
I hope you can get just an cheap plan for the email with that other
company. I work only with verizon and I know we have no issues
with Blackberry or treo email. I bet you might like the newer trimmer
blackberrys or even a Treo. I bet you might like a treo.
As for the kids, enjoy it, soon they’llbe off to college.
Did you say 50 tops each. Oh my
I LOVE
Comment by jeannie and zoey — September 3, 2007 @ 11:21 am
I LOVE the new cover!
Can’t wait for the new book.
I love this series!
Don’t know what I did that I didn’t get this all in the last post Oh well
Comment by jeannie and zoey — September 3, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Carly:
First of all, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new cover. Holy Cow. That’s another one of those covers that I think I will be staring at instead of reading for awhile.
I totally empathize with you. You do not even want to know the emotional roller coaster I was on for the past three weeks (culminating with the meeting last Thursday). I need to sleep for about a month and then maybe I can catch up. I also need to get my faucet and sink fixed (it’s been leaking for about six months, now and I was supposed to get stuff done when I was doing other stuff, like you!).
The good news is that I have been reading about a book a day to take care of myself.
If anyone can suggest where I can find the book, SOLITARY MAN (by Carly as Karen Droggin), let me know. I don’t want to pay a million bucks for it, either!
Comment by katie — September 3, 2007 @ 11:43 am
Hang in there until Thursday, Carly! Hopefully when the kids go back to school your life will return to some normalcy.
I, too, love the new cover!!!
Comment by Janelle — September 3, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
I love the cover Carly! And I can’t wait to read John and Amy’s story. I loved the Hot Zone books! I’m with you on the frustrations - at least where the kids are concerned. With my two boys and the start of school, it seems like I’ve been spending time and money (I think they think there’s a money tree in the backyard) running from here to there, buying this and that, always a minute behind schedule. Ugh. The routine is starting to kick in though, so I hope with school starting for you this week, you’ll find things calm down too.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Comment by Robin — September 3, 2007 @ 1:00 pm
I got solitary man on ebay. Geech a million huh?
I’ll bet Carly can come up with one for 1 million.
Then she could pay off all back to school charges and
camp fees, iphones and brand new phone and blackberry.
I only resort to ebay for out of print things because I know
it’s important to authors we buy their books new.
I have solitary man but
not parting with it until it hits 2 mil.
Comment by jeannie and zoey — September 3, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
All I have to say is…its about damned time! I’m looking forward to reading this one.
Comment by Celise — September 3, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Karen, My heart feels for you, with your migraine, & the illogical corporate rules. I, too, have a very hard time with the latter, & that seems the way that corporate America has gone. Hope you get all that straightened out & feel better soon. Plus, school will start soon.
While not a “cover gal”, I like looking at this guy on Hot Property. I’m really looking forward to this story, as I loved this sports-themed series.
My biggest frustrations are my kids’ health. The old saying, “if you have your health, you have everything”, certainly applies. However, my daughter’s U.C. is improving, though very slowly. I;m hoping it continues. My son’s birthday is Wed. (he was born just a few hours before Labor Day), & I’m thrilled I still have him around after his recent medical crisis. Keeping fingers crossed…
Happy Labor Day to all.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — September 3, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
KATIE
#140138409644 ebay buy it now
Comment by jeannie and zoey — September 3, 2007 @ 1:14 pm
Leslie (GA) your hubby is FUNNY, LOL!
Comment by Carly — September 3, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
I heard about the hacker on the iPhone. Interesting! Right now, I’m just hanging onto both phones … we’ll see how it goes!
It’s amazing but true, when you have kids, your life is never the same. ALL GOOD even when we’re just fried and frazzled.
Comment by Carly — September 3, 2007 @ 1:19 pm
I can’t wait for Hot Property
Comment by Cherylann — September 3, 2007 @ 2:13 pm
Love the cover for the new
Property book! Something to look forward to next summer!
Carly, May your life smooth out and no more migraines.
Leslie in GA., love your husbands sense of humor! That comment gave me a good laugh.
Comment by Donna M — September 3, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
Sorry the new phone hasn’t worked out for you. But I love the new book cover. It’s very
Can’t wait for the book.
Comment by Stacy S — September 3, 2007 @ 2:38 pm
Oh, Carly, I’m so sorry about your phone troubles. I’m sure its doubly frustrating because you waited so long for it to come out!
I saw that the kid who hacked into it had traded that phone for a new car and a couple more phones that he could do the same thing to. I also saw where Apple lawyers are trying to figure out a way to sue him for it.
Leslie in Ga, your hubby is hilarious! My son was looking at my bookshelf the other day, with all the hot covers, book marks, key chains (mostly Janelle’s) and said, “You know, Mom, you’ve got all these pictures of these really hot guys…like…am I really supposed to look like that?! You’re really beginning to give me a major complex!”
I just laughed at him because if you knew him, the last thing he has a problem with is confidence or a complex of any kind! With good reason, and I know I’m biased but he is a very good looking kid. Oh, you should have seen his face when I showed him my birthday hunk!
Comment by Jodie — September 3, 2007 @ 3:05 pm
If I wasn’t afraid of being sued, I’d pay him to rig the phone for me, LOL!
Comment by Carly — September 3, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
Comment by Estella — September 3, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Thanks Jeaninne and Zoey….
Comment by katie — September 3, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
I don’t have a cell phone, iPhone or Blackberry. Sometimes it pays off to be free of technology!
Comment by Susan — September 3, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
it is perfect carly. very hot toy boy on the cover. love it.
Comment by kim h — September 3, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
It’s defiantly hot, and I absolutely love it. I certainly can’t wait till it hits the stores.
Comment by Mary — September 3, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
I didn’t know the teenager that broke the code for the iphone was being sued, but I did hear that the code only works with Tmobile, not all of the phone services. Something about the other cell services not having the network set up to work the iphone yet.
Leslie(in GA), your husband is too funny.
Comment by Liza — September 3, 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Comment by katie — September 3, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Comment by katie — September 3, 2007 @ 6:25 pm
Carly I love the cover!! Talk about HOT!! Definitely a keeper.
Comment by Tina — September 3, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Carly, I feel your pain
Did the back to school shcpping with my son who is starting highschool on Thursday, it’s Catholic school so he needs dress pants, shirts and ties….the worst part is that he’s too big for childrens sizes but its so hard to find him a men’s size that will fit, which means I now have to hem all the pants I just bought
As for the migrane…ugggh I’ve had one going strong for about 4 days now
Never had migranes until I turned 40, now they come monthly 
On an up note, that cover is YUMMY!!!!
And I can’t wait to read it…. but July 2008?? :wallbash: Your killing me
Comment by Tina Martinesi — September 3, 2007 @ 9:10 pm
That is one downright sexy cover! I can’t wait to read it Carly! Your HOT ZONE books are so darn sexy and sizzling that I can’t wait to get me hands on this one now!
Comment by Michele L. — September 3, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
I’ve got one word for your HOT PROPERTY cover and that is…
Can’t wait to read it. I LOVED all the HOT ZONE books!!
Comment by Carolyn A. — September 4, 2007 @ 8:40 am
The cover. I just love it and I hope these books keep coming. Can’t wait for it.
Comment by Pat L. — September 4, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
cover is
. July! Any way to up the release date? Can’t wait to read Ropers story and sealed with a kiss.
Comment by Jennifer Pace — September 5, 2007 @ 8:18 am
[...] Giving up two iPhones because they suck - one story [...]
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