So, I’m sure you all have heard of the TV show, The Biggest Loser, where a large group of people are brought together for the sake of losing weight.  Well, if you have some weight to lose and want/need support, there is now a “Romance Biggest Winner” contest!

I don’t do resolutions, but one of my goals this years is to lose weight and get healthy.  So far, for the month of January, I’ve lost 11 lbs, but I’ve long a LONG way to go.  A reader friend of mine mentioned the Romance Biggest Winner contest, and after reading what it’s all about, I’ve decided to join what is certain to be a fun and lively contest to lose weight!   I think a group setting will be so motivating!

Here’s some brief information you might like to know about the contest.  Much like The Biggest Loser, the entrants of Romance Biggest Winer are broken into teams of 5 readers, 1 author, and a personal trainer. (I’ll be the “author” for one of these teams!).  There will be a weekly weigh in and the group with the higest percentage loss wins free books that are donated by all the authors involved.  There will be cash prizes involved, too, for the winners!  The contest will start on March 1st, and ends the beginning of September (I believe).  And the cost is only $10.00 (which goes toward the cash prizes!)

Here’s the link to check out the other details involved:  Romance Biggest Winner 

So, if you made your New Years Goal/Resolution to lose weight, are you still on track, or do you need to be motivated?

The winner of yesterday’s contest for a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate is:

Georganna (Comment #86)

Congratulations! Please contact me at janelledenison @ sbcglobal.net and I’ll get that gift certificate sent out to you!

SUNDAY FUNNY — Since today is Super Bowl, I thought this was a cute joke!

A guy decides to bring his new blonde girlfriend to a football game. After the game is over, he asks her if she liked the game.

She replies: “Oh it was great, I loved watching those men in tight clothes, but there is one thing I don’t understand.”

“What did you not understand ?”

And the blonde says: “Well, at the begginning of the game, both teams flipped a quarter to see who would kick off first. Then the rest of the game everybody was yelling get the quarter back, get the quarter back, get the quarter back. So I thought to myself, gosh it’s just a quarter!”

I apologize to everyone who stopped by yesterday (Friday) to enter our weekly Jungle Madness Contest — which wasn’t posted. I have to admit that I completely forgot that it was my week to post, but never fear, we still have a contest for you to enter — TODAY.

I’m giving away a $20.00 Amazon gift certificate to one lucky winner. All you have to do is post anything today — and if you need something to chat about, who has big Super Bowl plans for tomorrow? The winner of today’s contest will be posted on tomorrow’s blog (Sunday). Good luck!

So, it’s that time of the year again — Girl Scout Cookie orders are happening. I know this because my neighborhood Girl Scout came a knockin’ this weekend, and yeah, I bought cookies even though I do not need them. What is it about Girl Scout Cookies that are so irresistible? Even at $4.00 a box (very over-priced, IMO), I always buy at least four boxes. Hey, they do freeze well!

So, looking over the list of cookies this year, the old favorites are still available, but there are a few favorites that I hadn’t seen before, like Lemonades and Shout Outs. Don’t know if those are new, or not, but I had to try the Lemonades because I love anything lemon. Just in case your local Girl Scout hasn’t stopped by yet, here’s what they’re offering:

Caramel deLites – delicate vanilla cookie drenched in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and laced with cocoa stripes

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Peanut Butter Patties – crisp vanilla cookies layered with real peanut butter and blanketed with a chocolaty coating

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Shortbread – traditional favorites with a buttery, light flavor

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Peanut Butter Sandwich – deliciously smooth peanut butter sandwiched between crunchy oatmeal cookies

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Thin Mints – thin chocolate wafers dipped in a rich chocolaty coating with a burst of pure peppermint

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Lemonades – savory slices of shortbread with a refreshing tangy lemon icing

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Thanks-A-Lot – heartwarming shortbread cookies dipped in rich fudge and topped with an embossed Thank You message in one of five languages

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Shout Outs! – sensibly sweet Shout Outs! are light crisp Belgian-style caramelized cookies.

My absolute favorite Girl Scout cookies are Thin Mints and the Peanut Butter sandwiches. What’s your favorite?

So, today is a Plotmonkey birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Leslie!  Let’s celebrate and have a fun time wishing her a great day!

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Plotmonkey party without some eye candy.   :devil:

NOW, LET’S PARTY!!!!

So, late last night I finished a book, and my mind is currently MUSH.  I haven’t even begun to think about a blog for today, which means an impromptu giveaway for you!  I will pick three winners, and those winners can request one of the following of my books:

INTO THE NIGHT (1st book in Reliance Group Series — BOOK FORM)
NIGHT AFTER NIGHT (2nd book in Reliance Group Series — BOOK FORM)
MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT (Kindle eBook Form)
SEDUCING SANTA (Kindle eBook Form)
KISS OF AN ANGEL (Kindle eBook Form)

All you have to do is post anything on today’s blog, then check back on Wednesday to see if your name was choosen as a winner! 

Harlequin Blaze author Samantha Hunter is in the house today! She has a do-not-miss Blaze book out this month, STRAIGHT TO THE HEART, featuring a hot and sexy ex-Navy Seal! And lucky for you, she’s giving away 3 copies of STRAIGHT TO THE HEART! All you have to do is post on today’s blog, and check back on Wednesday to see if your name was chosen as a winner!

Now, let’s give a big welcome to SAMANTHA HUNTER!

COULD YOU LIE FOR A LIVING?

Thanks so much to Janelle and the other Plotmonkeys for having me by the blog! Happy New Year to everyone.

I’ve been excited about blogging here, and hope we will all have a fun chat! I saw Mission Impossible 4 over Christmas break, and I thought it was great. I love movies like that, lots of action, adventure, hot guys *G* and particularly the secrets that lead to the big revealing moments. But it made me think about why I love those kinds of stories so much, and how I use those kinds of elements in my own books.

As anyone who knows me knows, I love TV. I’m currently re-watching Numb3rs, the episodes after Colby’s secret has been revealed, leaving at least one of his friends feeling betrayed. In so many of the shows I watch – Burn Notice, The Closer, White Collar, Covert Affairs, NCIS, etc — or in my favorite movies and books, secrets are a huge part of the story. Contestants on Survivor, another show I enjoy, lie to win a game and money that will change their lives – and often get angry with each other for lying (which seems a little crazy to me, truthfully). Some lies damage, some protect, some win you a million dollars – there are so many lies that can be told, and sometimes, they are even “justified.” (Or are they?)

Law enforcement officials, spies, military, etc all often have to lie for a living, to protect people or get their jobs done. I often wonder if I could do it. In my current Harlequin Blaze, Straight to the Heart, the heroine is keeping a whopper from the hero, but it’s part of her job. She’s a US Marshal assigned to protect a guy who doesn’t want any protection. She has to get that job done in any way she can, and the attraction they feel sure makes it a lot more difficult when the truth comes out. I sympathized with my heroine’s position – she had a job to do, part of which demanded her to keep her cover. It wasn’t easy for her, either, but she’s good at what she does.

Probably the most interesting part of the story for me was how the people around her would deal with that revelation after it was out. Even Ben, my ex-Navy SEAL hero, has a hard time dealing with being lied to, though he has a history where he has also been involved in “covert” operations and has secrets of his own. Nothing is ever as straightforward as it seems.

On Covert Affairs, my husband and I have often guffawed and been a little annoyed with how judgmental and whiney Annie’s sister is after finding out she is a spy – to us, her sister’s reaction seems ridiculous. But maybe not. What if my husband, after nearly 20 years, told me tomorrow that he’s really a CIA agent, and we have to up and leave our lives as they are and go, or we’ll be killed? Would I feel betrayed? I like to think not – I would go or do whatever he needed me to. I think some people have very good reasons for keeping secrets, if they have to do with safety, security, or professional responsibilities of various sorts. But it gets complicated. What if, instead, you found out a good friend was a spy who had simply recruited you for information you could provide? I love the situations that make us think through these twisty questions, which have been in play since Shakespeare and even before that.
I guess it all depends on the people and the situations, but I’m happy that there aren’t any easy answers, since it leads to many good movies, TV, and books! I am actually very good at keeping secrets, and so I think, if I had any of those jobs, I might be able to do it – lie for a living – if I thought the purpose was just. But who knows ? Could you?

Share your response, and I’ll giveaway 3 copies of my current book, Straight to the Heart (Kindle/Nook or paperback – paperback in US/Ca/UK only), to three winners. I’m looking forward to what people have to say.

Places to buy STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART:
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE

Places to find SAMANTHA HUNTER on the Internet:
WEBSITE
TWITTER
FACEBOOK

I can’t believe it’s already 2012! I know we talked a bit about “resolutions” on Friday’s blog, but today I’m going to talk about the #1 resolution that people make on January 1st — to lose weight, get fit, and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Yeah, I’m one of them. I’m ready (again, LOL) to lose some much needed weight. I always feel so good when I’m living a healthy life, and this year I’d REALLY like to make it happen.

So, I came across a list of ways to adopt a healthier lifestyle on the internet, and most of them aer painless and easy suggestions to incorporate into your life. So, for those of you, like me, who have vowed to get fit and healthy, maybe one of these suggestions will work for you, too!

1. Add, Don’t Subtract

Forget diet denial: Try adding foods to your diet instead of subtracting them.

Add in healthy goodies you really love, like deep-red cherries, juicy grapes, or crunchy snow peas. Slip those favorite fruits into your bag lunch and breakfast cereal; add the veggies into soups, stews, and sauces.

“Adding in really works, taking away never does,” says registered dietitian David Grotto, RD, LDN, author of 101 Optimal Life Foods, but do remember to keep an eye on overall calories. And don’t forget to add in something physical, too, whether it’s doing a few dance moves before dinner, shooting hoops, or taking a quick stroll.

2. Forget About Working Out

If the word “exercise” inspires you to creative avoidance, then avoid it. Maybe the trick to enjoying a workout may be to never call it working out.

“There’s some truth to that,” Grotto tells WebMD, and once you start your not-calling-it-exercise plan, Grotto says you’ll discover “the way good health feels knocks down the roadblocks that were preventing you from exercising in the first place.”

So burn calories and invigorate muscles by beachcombing, riding bikes, grass skiing, making snow angels, hiking, washing the car, playing Frisbee, chasing the dog around the yard, or even enjoying great sex. After all, a rose by any other name …

3. Go Walking

Walking when the weather’s nice is a super-easy way to keep fit, says Diane Virginias, a certified nursing assistant from New York. “I enjoy the seasons,” she says, adding that even when she’s short on time she’ll go out for a few minutes. “Even a five minute walk is a five minute walk.”

No sidewalks in your neighborhood? Try these tips for slipping in more steps:
Trade your power mower for a push version.
Park your car at the back of the lot.
Get out of the office building and enjoy walking meetings.
Sweep the drive or rake the leaves instead of using a leaf-blower.
Get off the bus a few stops earlier.
Hike the mall, being sure to hit all the levels.
Take the stairs every chance you get.
Sign up for charity walks.
Crank the music and get your heart rate up the next time you mop or vacuum.

It all adds up. If you walk twice a day for 10 minutes and try a few of these tips, you may find yourself with a low-impact, 30-minute workout easily tucked under your belt.

4. Lighten the Foods You Already Love

One of the easiest ways to cut back without feeling denied is to switch to lower-calorie versions of the foods you crave. A pizza tastes just as good with reduced-fat cheese, and when you garnish low-fat ice cream with your favorite toppers, who notices those missing calories?

And while you’re trimming fat calories, keep an eye on boosting fiber, suggests registered dietitian Elaine Magee, RD, MPH, author of Tell Me What to Eat If I Suffer From Heart Disease and Food Synergy.

Fiber helps you feel satisfied longer, so while you lighten family favorites, you can easily amp up the fiber by adding a cup of whole wheat flour to your pizza dough, or toss a handful of red bell peppers on the pie.

Don’t forget to lighten the drinks going with that meal. Try switching from high-calorie favorites to diet soda or light beer, or maybe add a spritz of seltzer to your wine.

Hate low-cal drinks? Mix your preferred drinks with a splash of the low-cal option, then increase the ratio as your taste buds adjust. And don’t forget to keep pouring that ultimate beverage, says Magee: water!

5. Because Hydration Helps — Really!

Down some water before a meal and you won’t feel so famished, says David Anthony, an information technology consultant from Atlanta. “Drinking a glass of water before a meal helps me watch what I eat. … I don’t just hog everything, since I’m not so hungry.”

Magee, who also writes the “Healthy Recipe Doctor” blog for WebMD, adds that for the compulsive snacker it’s a great idea to keep no-calorie beverages at hand “as a way to keep your mouth busy and less likely to snack on junk food.”

Going to a party? Grab a low-cal drink in one hand and keep it there. Not only does it make it harder to graze the buffet, but you’ll also be less tempted to sip endless cocktails, too.

Finally, keeping your body refreshed with plenty of water may also help your workout, says Anthony. Staying hydrated means “I can exercise more, and longer, than if I don’t drink water.”

6. Share and Share Alike

With the massive meals served at so many American restaurants, it’s easy to go Dutch — with the dinner plate.

“When we go out, I often share a meal with my wife,” Anthony tells WebMD. “We’ve been known to split a dessert, even a pint of beer. That way, we don’t feel stuffed, and we save some money.”

You can share more than just a meal out. Why not double up on a bicycle built for two? Go halves on the cost of a personal trainer? Maybe split a gym membership?

“When you’re trying to eat better or get more exercise, you can be more successful if you do it with a partner or group,” says Grotto. “The community, the partnership, whether online or in person, it really helps.”

Twice the motivation, without twice the effort — a steal of a deal.

7. Tune In, Tone Up

The American Heart Association knows what we love: television. And they also know we need to get more exercise. So why not combine the two, they ask?

Try dancing to the music when you tune into your favorite music show, or practice some stress-relieving cardio boxing when your least favorite reality contestant is on camera.

During commercials pedal your stationery bike, walk the treadmill, or slip in a little strength training doing bicep curls with cans of your favorite fizzy beverage as weights. Or get inspired to really focus: Put in a high-energy exercise DVD and get motivated by the pros onscreen.

It doesn’t matter exactly what you do, so long as you’re up and active. Aim for at least 15 minutes, says the AHA. But who knows? If you get really engrossed, you just might outlast the last survivor.

8. Size Matters

Eating less without feeling denied is as close as your dinnerware.

That’s because while a small portion served on a large plate can leave you craving more, a smaller plate gives the visual signal that you already have more.

“People go by physical cues,” when they eat, Grotto tells WebMD. We know we’ve had enough because we see the bottom of our bowl or plate. “A smaller plate full of food just feels more satisfying than a large plate with that same amount of food on it.”

And don’t forget smaller bowls, cups, and spoons. For example, try savoring a bowl of ice cream with a baby spoon. Not only does the pleasure last longer, but your body has time to register the food you’ve eaten.

9. Get Involved, or at Least Get to the Table

When your weight loss efforts lead to boredom or too much self-focus, get occupied with something else. “I eat more if I’m bored,” says Virginias, “especially if I’m eating in front of the TV.”

So take a break from the siren-call of the tube, and get occupied with things that have nothing to do with food.

For some, that might mean becoming involved with local politics, discovering yoga, or enjoying painting. Or maybe you want to help a child with a science project, repaint the bedroom, or take a class. The key: Have a life outside of weight loss.

Already busy enough? Then at least eat your meals at the table. “The TV is distracting, and I’m just not conscious of eating,” Virginias tells WebMD. “Once I’m at the table, with a place setting, I’m much more aware of what I’m eating.”

10. Lose It Today, Keep It Off Tomorrow

Finally, be patient. While cultivating that virtue isn’t exactly painless, it may help to know that keeping weight off generally gets easier over time.

That’s the result of a study published in Obesity Research, where researchers found that for people who had lost at least 30 pounds — and kept it off for at least two years — maintaining that weight loss required less effort as time went on.

So if you crave the results reported by successful “losers” like these — improved self-confidence, a boost in mood, and better health — cultivate patience. You may find your way to sweet (and nearly painless) weight loss success.

So, how many others have made a goal of getting fit and healthy this year? Any practical advice or suggestions on how to make it happen to add to the list above?

Whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope it was a good one and that you got everything on your “wish list”. The big question for us authors is, how many of you got a new e-reader of some sort? What did you get — Kindle, Nook, Sony, or another? From what I’ve read and heard, e-readers and tablets were the HUGE gift this year! I already have a Kindle, but my daughters both wanted one and got one for Christmas. I know friends and other family member who got them, too.

So, how about you? And if you didn’t get an e-reader, what was your favorite gift? Mine was a close tie between a beautiful silver Coach bracelet, and a Brighton leopard print weekender bag. My oldest daughter also drew me a beautiful picture of a hummigbird and flowers — it’s absolutely gorgeous and I love it even more because she made it for me!

So, now that the gift-giving holidays are over, most stores are having sales — and so am I! I’m reducing all three of my e-books to just .99 cents, so if you haven’t already read these stories, here’s your chance to get them at a discount and fill up your e-reader for less than three bucks! I’ve got a Christmas Story (Seducing Santa), a New Year’s Eve Story (Meet Me At Midnight) and an emotional angel story (Kiss of an Angel). Buy links are below each blurb and cover below!

AFTER CHRISTMAS E-BOOK SALE — JUST .99 CENTS EACH!

ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS . . .
All Faith Roberts wants for Christmas is one sexy night with Matthew Carlton, the hot, gorgeous pediatric surgeon posing as Santa for a visit to the children’s ward where she volunteers. Matthew has been interested in Faith for months and is more than willing to fulfill her naughty wishes, and more. As Faith seduces her Santa, It’s Matthew who steals her heart. She might have only asked for one night, but Matthew is determined to show her that he’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving.

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

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FROM FRIENDS . . . TO LOVERS . . . TO SOULMATES.
Shane Witmer and Alyssa Harte have been best friends all their lives, but it’s been years since he’s felt more than brotherly affection for her. When Alyssa decides it’s time to actively seek a committed relationship with a man, Shane is determined to convince her that’s he’s the only man for the job, and show her that best friends make even better lovers.

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

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YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR ONE TRUE LOVE . . .
The last thing J.T. Rafferty expected when he awoke from a concussion was to find a beautiful stranger tending to his wounds. She’d saved his life, but the lovely Caitlan Daniels had some serious explaining to do – like how she’d ended up on his isolated ranch, miles from civilization. Despite his wariness, J.T. is increasingly drawn to Caitlan. She is passionate and independent and utterly enchanting – but Caitlan also has a secret. And when J.T. finally discovers the shocking truth, he’ll have to defy heaven and earth to keep her close to his heart.

AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

In all the years that I’ve been married (coming up on 25 years) my husband and I have never put up outdoor Christmas lights for the holidays. maslights: In the past, whenever I brought up the idea of putting lights on the house and outdoors, my hubby, Don, always vetoed the idea. And since I knew he’d end up doing most of the work, I never really pushed the issue. And even though every year our girls would be so envious of all the neighborhood houses that were lit up and decorated for the holidays, I still couldn’t convince my hubby to put up lights.

So, a few weeks ago at the beginning of December I was in the car with my daughter, Kellie, driving home at night after doing some shopping. She commented on all the pretty and festive lights on all the houses in our neighborhood, and I made the comment that WE ought to put up lights on the house ourselves, and she LOVED that idea! We decided to keep it a secret and called it “Operation Scrooge”, in honor of my “Bah Humbug” hubby!

So, I hit up some really good sales and bought a light-up snowman and penguin display and a fun wreath for the door. We outlined the front porch in twinkling icicle lights, and draped those big light-up nets over the big bushes along our walkway. We added some twinkling “snowflakes” on top of those same bushes, and when we turned everything on that night, it looked so fun and pretty! Even my husband was impressed with how good everything looked. :wreath:

:merryxmas: So, for the first time ever, we have Christmas lights on the house and outdoors, and it really wasn’t that hard to do. We’ll definitely do it again next year, too!

So, how many of you decorate the outside of your house for the holidays?