You might be wondering where the Babes have gone.  Well, we're having a makeover.  We're adding new things and have a special feature that I'm sure will have you squealing with delight.

We're asking for a little patience, the Babes will be back on 8/1.

Enjoy Thrillerfest, RWA, and any other summer vacations you have planned!

Amy, Leanne, Traci & Rhonda

Hi, Babes Readers,

I'm sorry to say that this will be my last post as an official part of Babes in Bookland.  I've had a great time, and it wasn't an easy decision to say to my other friends here that I needed to leave the group.  It isn't for lack of of interest, or lack of fun.  I've truly enjoyed our weekly topics and freewheeling weeks. 

Unfortunately, I'm at a place in my life where I need to reflect, re-evaluate, and to some extent, re-apportion my time and creative energy.

I'm not a half-measures type of woman.  It isn't in my nature, personally or professionally, to give less than my best.   Lately, I've been stretched in too many directions, and my creative efforts have suffered.  So, rather than short change you and the rest of the Babes, I thought it was a good time to make a gracious departure.

Although I will no longer post on a regular basis, I plan to visit often to read up on the endeavors, adventures, and antics of the remaining Babes.  So, I'll be able to keep in touch by reading your comments, too.

I'd like to thank the Babes for letting me be part of this ride.  It's been a pleasure!  Even more importantly, thank you for your friendships, which go on long after the blogging.

Love, hugs and all success to everyone!

Mary

Swinging off-topic because this is my last day here at Babes in Bookland. In an official capacity anyway. I'll be a regular visitor, reading the Babes awesome posts, and hopefully a guest blogger at some point, I just won't be a 'Babe'.

Presently life is a mixed bag of challenges--some good, some bad--and I find I need to focus my energy more keenly than ever. I've had a fabulous time here at Babes and Bookland. I want to thank the Babes for including me and all of the readers who made posting here such a thrill. Wishing everyone peace and joy and a future full of wondrous adventures! I'm off to embrace my challenges.

Cheers, Beth

"Never be afraid to do something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark; professionals built the Titanic." ~~Unknown Author  

Most writers collect weird facts and hope that one day, they can integrate them into a story.  I’m hard to beat in Trivial Pursuit, unless I’m going against Rhonda, then all bets are off.  I’m hoping we’ll climb into the Cash Cab in NYC. 

Since we’re approaching the celebration of our independence, I’ll share some fourth of July trivia.

211 million dollars worth of fireworks are imported into the US each year.  The bulk of that comes from China.  In South Carolina, you can buy fireworks in Wal-Mart!

 On July 4^th 1776 there were 2.5 million people living in the colonies.  Today, we are approaching 300 million in the U.S.  20 million are here illegally.

The Pledge of Allegiance was officially recognized in 1942.

The Liberty Bell acquired its crack on its first ring.  When it was cast, it weighed 2080 pounds.  It was cast 3 separate times, cracking after the first ring and melted down for the next casting.  The final one cracked as well,  and no one liked the tone.  It was hung in the state house while another hung in the Independence Hall steeple.

The completed Declaration of Independence bearing all signatures was on August 2, 1776.  Only two men signed it on July 4^th.

John Hancock wrote his name large so that the King would be able to read it without his spectacles.

There will be an estimated 150 million cookouts on the 4^th of July.  I’ll be at one of them. 

The U. S. Constitution is the oldest commissioned U.S. Naval vessel  (go Navy!)  The newest commissioned ship is the aircraft carrier, USS George H. W. Bush, the final Nimitz class carrier.  Some guys in my neighborhood fly F18’s onto it all the time.

“When in the course of human events…”  are the first words of the Declaration of Independence.  How many thought it was "We the people?"

The British aren't coming, they are here.  More than 5 million residents of the UK visit the US of A.  That’s more than any country, except Japan. 

It’s a felony to shoot our national bird, the bald eagle.  There are only two kinds of eagles in the US.  The bald, and the golden eagle.  The bald eagle only lives in North America.  Ben Franklin wanted our country’s national bird to be a turkey.

Our national flower is the Rose.  I didn’t know that!  Had to look it up.

Independence Day was first observed on July 8^th  1776.  In 1941, Congress declared July 4^th a federal legal holiday.

If our nation’s flag touches the ground, it should be burned.  Its flag etiquette. 

John Adams declared that Independence Day should be celebrated with gusto.

“It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore.”

I think we do him proud.

So while you're celebrating living in freedom, thank a military service man or woman.  The Continental Army freed us from tyranny, and around this world, there's a man or woman standing on a line in the dirt, armed and ready to give the ultimate sacrifice so that no harm comes to you and that we all continue to enjoy our freedom.  

Personally I will be in Florida's Gulf coast, being smothered with hugs and kisses from 6 of my nieces and nephews  (out of about 25) and enjoying the chaos.  Surf's up! 

Happy 4^th of July week everyone.  Let freedom ring!

Till August 1st....

AMY

I hate goodbyes, and change, and all of that junk.  I am on borrowed internet (since I have a broken, comcast cursed system) so all I will say is that I love our current Babes, and that I will miss our Babes - but the new Babes will be great too.  Rhon is going to post more about that later!  Tomorrow is my hubby's birthday, so we are off to drink fountains of Patron silver tequila and party like we are in our thirties, lololol. God help us if we had to act like we were in our twenties.  I don't think I'd survive!!

mwah!

Traci

Great pic of Katie on the horse! I love cruises.

I'll be off-topic today . . . only because I'm retiring from the Babes and want to say an official goodbye. Readers and fellow Babes, I'll miss you! It's been a pleasure blogging here but it's time to move on and do my own thing, periodically blogging from my own site at www.KarenKendall.com.

I hope to come back occasionally as a guest and hang out in cyber-space with you! But this is a time of many, many crossroads in my life and I have a lot of personal decisions to make.

If you're attending RWA this summer, I'll miss you there, too. This will be the first year since 2000 that I've missed the national conference--and frankly, it feels very weird to me. I'll have to rely on reports and pictures this year.

Anyway. I wish every one of you a wonderful summer full of good books and great times. Hugs to you all,

Karen

I’ve just returned from a cruise.  Before you start thinking this was a dream vacation, hold that thought.

Last October my mother brought up the idea of an ‘all girls’ cruise.  All girls except my niece, who apparently was shunned because she’d just had a baby boy.  That actually worked out okay since she is currently pregnant with baby #2 and has spent the last month moving across country. 

The ship was fine - Carnival - or as I like to think of them . . . the Frat Boy cruise line.  A few too many hairy chest contests and drunk-before-nooners for my taste but then again, I wasn’t footing the bill so who am I to complain.  So my mother, my sister my daughter and I spent 7 days together.  And I mean together.  The ‘stateroom’ (Carnival’s term, not mine) was about 180 square feet.  Two Twin beds (mother and sister got those); a vinyl sofa that was covered with bedding each night for me and my daughter got the pull-down upper berth.  It was . . . cozy. 

My daughter had the time of her life.  They have this teen thing so you basically see your kid for an excursion off the ship and at dinner, other than that, they’re off on their own.  Yes, I had mom issues the first night - I kept stalker calling her since she had free roam of the ship and had a one AM curfew.  She hooked up with some nice girls, found three boys worthy of a crush, and generally had a great time.

Selfishly, I selected excursions I knew my mother would balk at on purpose.  Too much togetherness - especially when the people gathered together have a tense at best relationship - isn’t my thing.  So . . . Katie and I did parasailing in Key West, snuba in Jamaica, snorkeling in Grand Cayman and horseback riding in St. Bart’s.  I’m patting myself on the back for the horseback riding thing - I know how to ride but I also have a fused spine so it was excruciatingly painful but worth every second.  You ride down to the ocean, they remove the saddle and then you ride bareback into the surf (okay, so there is a small pad) and the horse swims out into the deep water.  It is, in the words of my daughter - wicked cool!

Well - here’s a photos of our adventure.

Oh, and what adventure is complete without a minor disaster?  Mine was while someone else was connecting the cord for her camera to my laptop so she could see her pictures and accidentally allowed my laptop to slide down her legs, past her feet and through the small opening between the balcony railing and the ocean below.  Somewhere between Cuba and the Florida Keys is a Sony Viao at the bottom of the sea.  The camera and it’s cord are fine though.  And me?  I made lemonade and ordered myself a cute little pink replacement!

Enjoy your day!

Rhonda

Ever had an irritating day?  It wasn't horrible, didn't involve gunfire or extreme bloodshed or tragedy; it was just irritating... or kinda crappy. 

I had one of those last Friday and I have suggestions for any of you who may be having a crappy day in the near future.

1. Have your house cleaned.  This is an environmental choice that helps smooth down those porcupine quills of yours that are standing straight up.

2.Go to Bonefish Grille and order a Strawberry Martini with sugared rim for on $5.  The Martini does more smoothing.  Follow with the new Salmon Salad.  Studies indicate salmon helps your mood.

3.Go to the movie THE PROPOSAL with Sandra Bullock.  Very funny.  Ryan Reynolds has an awesome body even though he still seems entirely too young to ogle.

4.Afterward, finish with a glass of wine while watching my new Summer favorite tv show (actually shown on Thursdays), ROYAL PAINS.

Cheers!

xo,

Leanne, Your bad day fixer

I have a confession to make.  I read the topic that we originally scheduled for this week and have no idea what to do with it.  It says Trivia games -- Babes Choice.

Uhhhhh... We made up this list a long time ago and I'm positive that it was a great idea.  I just can't remember how we were supposed to play.  Sorry! 

So, I'm freewheeling. 

I just spent three terrific days with one of my cousins.  (Waving hello to Joan!)  She flew down very late on Thursday.  I picked her up in Ft. Lauderdale and brought her to the Florida Keys for her first time. 

My father was her mother's brother.  Although Joan and I have never lived in geographical proximity, relationship and emotion wise we're very close -- and that's continued even though this is the first time we've seen each other in six years.  Isn't it amazing how you can spend a great deal of time apart and still pick up as if you just saw each other last week?  We've always been able to share the goings-on in our lives -- good, bad, ugly, and sweet.  I know there isn't anything I can't tell her and she knows the same about me.  Honestly, she probably knows me better than pretty much anybody.

  We've had a nice relaxing time.  We lazed around Friday, first hanging out at home and playing with my dogs, followed by a long, late, afternoon at the beach.  Saturday, we drove to Key West and explored.  Sunday, we toured the Turtle Hospital and then enjoyed yet another beachy afternoon before coming home and going out to dinner.  Today (Monday), we're going to Dolphin Research Center and sharing a Dolphin Encounter dolphin swim!

Throughout all the hours in each other's company, we've talked and and reminisced.  It's so sweet to laugh over old memories of times when we got together over the years, particularly when we were kids or teens.  (The summer that I was 14 stands out for a variety of reasons.)

I don't know if it's because I'm in my early 50s now, but the memories grow more precious.  Talking about these things with Joan was like uncovering conversational treasure.  Nobody else recalls things quite the same way.

Our grandparents are gone. Thinking and laughing about the things we did with them brought them alive for me again, if only for a little while.

My parents are gone, too.  Joan loved her Uncle Joe and Aunt Lida a great deal and was close with them.  Sharing our memories of them warmed my heart.

Joan and I did a lot together when we were younger.  Yes, we're older now, but we can look back on those years and smile.  Life was, indeed, good.

Back then, a lot of our visits took place during the summers.  Our family lived at the South Jersey shore.  Joan's family remained in Connecticut.  So, when they came down to visit, the beach was a big draw.

Pretty much like this weekend.  What a full circle.  I'm going to miss her when she goes home on Tuesday, but at least we've made another weekend of wonderful memories.

A funny thing happened to me while leaving the library the other day. Not funny ha-ha, funny weird.

Another patron, who left at the same time, said to me, "You're friends with Heather Graham, right?"

"I am," I said, counting my lucky stars, because Heather is an angel.

"I thought I remembered hearing that," she said. (Since I work at the library, I'm always pushing friends, as well as other authors I enjoy, as suggested reading) "Then you'll appreciate this," she went on. "We read one of Heather's books this month for the book discussion club."  (The Dead Room)

"Did you enjoy it?" I asked.

"Very much," she said. "And since Heather seems interested in ghosts and eerie stuff, I thought you might want to share this with her."

She certainly had my attention.

"I collect bookmarks," she said. "I own hundreds of them. When I started reading Heather's book, I plucked a bookmark out at random." Her eyes widened. "It was one of YOURS! I thought I remembered you saying you and Heather were friends, and I thought, what were the chances? Is that a coincidence, or what?"

It was definitely eerie... and very, very cool.                  
 

I write paranormal novels.  There are a lot of strange goings on all the time in my fictional world.  In my real world, my feet are pretty firmly planted on the ground.  I’ve never seen a ghost. I’ve had the fingers of premonition tickle my nape – but who hasn’t?  And honestly, that could be called instinct, or hindsight, even.

But sometimes, cool stuff happens that has no explanation.

I love sand dollars. The shells. They seem like a spiritual thing to me, I don’t know why – but it is what it is.  Jupiter’s beaches aren’t known for their sand dollars, but on occasion I have managed to find them – whole and beautiful.  I go to the beach for solace.  Back in June of 06, on my husband’s 40^th birthday, I got the fed ex in the mail with my contracts returned to me for the original Goddess in Training series.  No warning, no explanation, nothing – just my rights and a letter saying that Medallion no longer would be doing young adult novels.

My first ever published book was supposed to be on the shelves in 6 months.  Now, it wasn’t.

So, my wonderful hubby wiped my tears, toasted our future with tequila, and took me to the beach.

Sand dollars – whole sand dollars – are a prize to be scooped up immediately.  When I’ve found mine, they’ve usually been in the water, or at the water’s edge.  This day, when I was so broken-hearted, when I couldn’t see because I was crying so hard for a dream that had been smashed for no reason given to me – I found an entire sand dollar, literally waiting for me in the sand.  I took it as a sign to keep my chin up, and to stop whining.  Times can be tough, but it’s the ones that keep going that make it.  My sand dollar wasn’t pretty.  It had scratches on the top – it looked like it had been through hell.   But it was whole, and it matched my mood, lol.  My husband says that I am the only person he knows that can walk out to a Jupiter beach and bring back a sand dollar.

Anyway, not exactly a 10 on the heebie jeebie scale, but it is sort of cool.

   Kate Carlisle                      Maureen Child

Kate: Hey Maureen, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.

Maureen: Bummer. So why’d we leave town without the GPS?

Kate: That would be my fault. Sowwy. Where are we going, by the way?

Maureen: Bookland.  

Kate: I’ve heard of that place.

Maureen: And thanks to my excellent powers of navigation, we have arrived!

Kate: See? Who needs GPS?

(They come to a stop near a thick wall, exit their transport. Maureen runs her hands along the wall.)

Maureen: I think this is the right portal.

Kate: Don't we need a key to get in? Some kind of secret handshake or something?

Maureen (mumbles a few words, fiddles with some security alarm buttons): Nope. I just broke the code!!

Kate: You rock!

Maureen: On occasion, I totally do. Follow me.

Kate: Whoa, this place is cool. Maybe too cool. We're gonna get in trouble.

Maureen: No, we're not. I know people.

Kate: Oh, right. You said that when we broke into Squawk Radio and some scrawny chicken lady chased us out of the coop.

Maureen: Okay, yeah, that wasn't pretty.

Kate: I still have nightmares.

Maureen: Well, that won't happen here. I know Rhonda.

Kate: Hey, I know Rhonda, too!

Maureen: Well, there you go. No problemo. Waiter!

(Incredibly handsome waiter rushes over. Maureen orders vodka tonic, then settles into a cushy chair.)

Kate (remains standing, unwilling to get too comfortable—but willing to drink): I’ll have a beer.

(The helpful waiter runs off.)

Maureen: Beer? Why no Gimlet?

Kate: Beer’s easier to carry if we have to run for it.

Maureen: Good point. So, how do you know Rhonda?

Kate: Ah, Rhonda. I first met her in Denver in 2002—in the bar, of course. I was shy back then, on the periphery, too daunted to speak freely. We didn’t really connect until Atlanta in 2006. That was a memorable year, NOT because I won the Golden Heart but because that was the year I first saw Rhonda’s pulsating leg in action. You were there, remember? We were crossing the skywalk and a housekeeper was vacuuming. Rhonda’s leg went into hyperspace. That poor housekeeper never knew what hit her.

Maureen: Oh yeah. Ouch. I do remember all of us shrieking at the housekeeper to turn her deadly vacuum off. I think we scared her.

Kate: I just remember laughing a lot.

Maureen: That’s because you’re cruel.

Kate: Oh please, you were rolling on the ground.

Maureen: That wasn’t me.

(Cute waiter delivers Maureen’s and Kate’s drinks along with a pupu platter! They both take a moment to enjoy the drinkies and the ambience.)

Kate: They do have good service here in Bookland.

Maureen: Boy howdy.

Kate: By the way, have you noticed that Rhonda has the world’s largest suitcase?

Maureen: Yeah, which is pretty amazing for such a short woman.

Kate: So when did you meet Rhonda?

Maureen: I met Rhonda waaaay back. Actually, I met Ms. Amy about the same time.

Kate: Where and when?

Maureen: I met them both back in ’92.

Kate: Whoa, Rhonda’s really old.

Maureen: Tell me about it. Of course, I was just ten at the time. It was at the RWA conference in Chicago. Met Amy and Rhonda both at the bar, strangely enough. What does that say about us??

Kate: That you know how to have a good time? Which is why we’re all friends, of course.

Maureen: It certainly explains why I don't remember the details.

Kate: It’s all a little hazy to me, too.

Maureen: Where the heck is Rhonda, anyway? Maybe she has the GPS.

Kate: We’re gonna get in trouble for being in here, aren’t we?

Maureen: Jeez, will you forget about that chicken lady? One little mistake ……

Kate: The chicken chick was scary.

Maureen: Uh huh. Were we supposed to be talking about our books here?

Kate: I think we ran outta time.

Maureen: Oh, well. WAITER!

Maureen Child is the brilliant and beloved author of more than 100 romance novels and novellas. She’s even IN a CBS-TV movie, THE SOUL COLLECTOR, made from one of her books, A POCKETFUL OF PARADISE … Right now, she’s visiting her latest release, SEDUCED INTO A PAPER MARRIAGE on the bookshelves ….

Kate Carlisle is the multi-talented author of the NYT bestselling mystery, HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER, (available in paperback, natch!) and the soon to be released sequel, IF BOOKS COULD KILL, not to mention she’s hard at work on her first Silhouette Desire which will be setting store shelves on fire in 2010! 

Kate and Maureen are also sitting here in Bookland hoping you will keep us company until Rhonda comes back. She IS coming back, right? Right?? RIGHT???

**********************************************

Many thanks to Kate and Maureen for guest-posting while Rhonda's away.  They'll be dropping in during the day to read comments and answer any questions.

The Babes

Yikesarooni!  I'm doing two blogs on the same day!  That's my big coincidence.  Not nearly as wonderful as Mary and her Bruce Springsteen dogs!  Now that was a great story.

I'm blogging over at eharlequin about meaningful jewelry.  Please pop over and comment.  One lucky commenter will win a book, so come on over and dish about the bling. 

Here's the link! http://community.eharlequin.com/content/silhouette-desire-author-blog

xo,

Leanne

Some people say there are no coincidences.  Maybe every single thing that happens is pre-destined.  I don't know.  I do know that there have been times in my life when a couple of things happened at the same time, or at associated times.

I can't say what is the strangest coincidence I've ever experienced, but I have a sort of weird story that has evolved over 25 years.  It involves stray dogs, my cousin Joan and Bruce Springsteen.

I think journalists call that burying the lead, but here goes. 

In 1984 I was partying with friends at the famous Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ.  This club earned its fame because of Bruce Springsteen.  On one particular September night in 1984, Bruce happened to drop by to listen to the band that was playing.  Cool, huh?  As I was enjoying the evening out, my friend's brother and girlfriend showed up.  They were searching for someone, anyone, who could take a stray dog they'd found rooting through their apartment building's garbage cans. 

We left the Pony and went outside to see the dog.  Poor thing!  It was a starving, emaciated, flea-stricken Irish Setter.  The brother had tried to find shelter for it but animal control wouldn't come out that late and he couldn't keep it in his apartment.  My heart broke looking at its skinny body and the fearful expression in its eyes.  "I'll take him," I exclaimed.  About that time, Bruce strolled out of the bar.  My friends knew him and everybody exchanged hellos and goodnights.  As big a fan of Bruce as I was even back then, I couldn't focus on anything but the dog.

My original intent was to find him shelter the next day.  Unfortunately, I was told that if nobody adopted him in seven days, he'd be euthanized and the chances of someone taking home a starving dog were very slight.  So, I decided I'd take him to the vet, get him checked out, and care for him until he was well and could be adopted.

I did just that, but I was the one who adopted him.  Bailey was my beloved boy for the remaining 10 years of his life.  A sweeter dog never lived.

Flash forward to last December.  I was up in South Miami doing some shopping with a good friend when a pretty, black pit bull-mix dog ran up to us.  No tags, no collar.  I tried to hold on to her and couldn't.  We then watched while she darted around in traffic, narrowly avoiding getting hit.  We spent a good chunk of time tracking her down, losing sight of her across lanes of cars, but finally spotting her on a side-street.  Thankfully, this time she came right to me when I called.  I looped my handbag shoulder strap into a makeshift leash.  In the middle of this, my cousin Joan called.  Joan and I don't get a chance to talk frequently, so I hated telling her I'd have to call her back but she understood.  I dialed her about an hour later when I was en route to an animal shelter that promised to take the dog and do their best to get her adopted.

Last month, I flew up to Greensboro, N.C. to see Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concert with friends.  After flying home, I was in the car driving back to the Keys when a car accident happened right in front of me.  Luckily, I avoided the collision and pulled over to see if I could help the people whose car had been hit.  A dog jumped out of their car and, clearly spooked, almost got hit by traffic.  The driver tried to get the dog, but he was also trying to help his injured girlfriend.  So, I called to it and she ran to me.  I had Nat and Pyxi's (My two dogs) leashes in the car and was able to loop one to keep the Shepherd mix from dodging out into traffic again.

It turns out that the people in the car were taking the dog to a shelter.  The dog's soldier owner had been deployed overseas and her husband either couldn't or wasn't willing to care for the dog.  With their car windshield shattered and the woman shaken up, there was no way the couple could continue their trip.  The poor driver had this panicked look when he realized he didn't know what he could do now with the dog.

I thought about it for a few seconds and then asked him if he wanted me to call the director of the shelter in my town.  (Thank goodness I know her and have her cell number.)  He said yes, so a couple of hours later after the highway patrol and the emts had been there and I'd given my witness statement, I headed down the road with the dog in my car.

No long after, my cousin called out of the blue. 

"Joan, you aren't going to believe this," I laughed. 

"What?  Did you rescue another dog from the side of the road?"

"Well, as a matter of fact . . ."

So, first dog -- Springsteen.  Second dog -- cousin.  Third dog -- cousin when I'm driving home from seeing Springsteen.

Yep, I'd call that a coincidence.  Wouldn't you?