Feels Like Home Launch Party

by Beth



Break out the bubbly and hose down the Cabana Boys! It's launch day in the lair! I'm so excited to be celebrating my latest release for Superromance, FEELS LIKE HOME. Here's the back cover blurb:



She's planning a wedding…not a romance!



Keeping up appearances is Yvonne Delisle's forte. But this job is going to test even her Southern belle mettle! It's not challenging enough she only has six weeks to turn a ramshackle carriage house into the hottest society wedding venue in Virginia. It's also located on her ex-husband Aidan's family vineyard. The home—and the man—she yearned for.



But Yvonne's up for the challenge. In the time since things went south with Aidan, she's become the most sought-after wedding planner in the state—popular enough to arrange her former mother-in-law's second wedding. Except…it's becoming suspiciously clear she wasn't hired for her professional expertise. Someone is plotting a reconciliation…and Yvonne is more tempted
by the day. Let's see who actually walks down that aisle…



And here's a quick excerpt:



“Lily,” Aidan said in his deep voice. “Come here.”
The dog…Lily…sniffed at the laptop Yvonne held by her waist. Sweat broke out along her hairline. She just hoped Aidan couldn’t hear the wild thumping of her heart. Couldn’t see her distress.
Which was a reasonable request. Except for the fact that Aidan, with his watchful eyes and quick mind, never missed anything.
He snapped his fingers. “Lily. Now.”
After one more sniff, Lily padded over to Aidan. He patted her head. As a reward for obeying him or because the dog hadn’t ripped Yvonne’s hand off at the wrist, she didn’t know.
Maybe a bit of both.
“I…” She swallowed and tried again. “I didn’t know you had a...a dog.”
Unrolling the sleeves of his denim shirt, he raised his eyebrows. “I hadn’t realized I was to keep you abreast of any pets I may or may not have. Or did I miss something in our divorce agreement?”
She blushed furiously. “No. No, of course not. I just…I had no idea you liked…” She glanced at the dog who seemed to be watching her with more interest than was warranted. “Animals.”
“Now you do.”
“Right.” But…but what else didn’t she know about him? After all, it’d been almost seven years since she saw him last. As she was well aware, a lot could happen in that amount of time. A lump formed in her throat. Oh, dear Lord. “Did you…have you remarried?” she asked, looking around the room as if his second wife was going to leap out from behind the leather sofa and yell Boo!
She cringed. But it was too late to take her question back—much as she would like to.



He paused briefly in the act of buttoning his sleeve. “No."



She exhaled heavily, just now realizing she’d been holding her breath while waiting for his answer. “Oh. That’s…” What? A relief? A disappointment? She wasn’t sure which one would be the bigger lie. “I was engaged,” she heard herself blurt out, the nails of her free hand digging into her palm. “It didn’t work out.”



He went completely still. For a moment she wondered if he was even breathing. But then he lifted his head and when his eyes met hers they were so cold, gooseflesh rose on her arms. “I don’t remember asking.”



No. Of course he hadn’t. Good thing, too. She hardly enjoyed discussing her broken engagement or her ex-fiancé—the man her parents had chosen for her once her divorce from Aidan had been final. A man who’d wanted her because of her name, her looks and her family’s social standing.



FEELS LIKE HOME is the final book in my Diamond Dust trilogy about three brothers who must work together to save their family's vineyard. When I wrote the first book, A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS, I had no plans on making it a part of a series. But then I wrote a scene with all three brothers and I fell head-over-heels for Matt and Aidan and HAD to write their stories *g*
Who are some of your favorite brothers in books, movies, on TV or even in real life? (One of my picks is pictured above *g*) I'm giving away a copy of FEELS LIKE HOME today!
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Men with Clever Hands

hosted by Beth



Today we have another real treat in the lair! The fabulous Sarah Mayberry is here to talk with us about her latest release for Superromance, ONE GOOD REASON *g* Here's the back cover blurb for ONE GOOD REASON:



It's time to move on



Any day now Jon Adamson will pack his bags and hit the road. After all, his intention was never to hang around Melbourne once he'd settled his late father's affairs. Yet he hasn't moved on. And it might have something to do with Gabby Wade. The not-so-big office manager with the really big attitude is making Jon's days…interesting…engaging…fun. It's impossible for him to resist her.



But he knows himself—long-term commitments and cozy family dinners aren't his style. If that's what the future holds, why is he still here? And why is he spending all his days—and nights—with Gabby? Because maybe she's the one reason strong enough to make him stay.



And here's Sarah:






First off, a big thanks to the lovely Romance Bandits for inviting me to play with them - it's lovely to be here. And now, onto the important topic of men who work with their hands for a living...



Years ago, when I still worked in-house on a soap opera, we used to joke about putting all the good looking men on the show in a pair of jeans and a tool-belt. Don’t know what it was, but a man with a tool-belt seemed to be universally accepted shorthand for phwoooar (as we say down here in Australia!).



As a writer, I have a fondness for heroes who work with their hands. If that means they have to wear a tool-belt on a regular basis, then so be it - I am prepared to make that sacrifice on behalf of my readers. When I filled out the art briefing sheet for my current release, One Good Reason, I couldn’t resist briefing a scene where my hero was wearing my favorite piece of male apparel. And guess what? I got that scene as my cover.



The hero of One Good Reason, Jon Adamson, is a builder by trade, but he’s working in his younger brother Tyler’s fine furniture business during the period covered by the book. He makes dining tables and desks and sideboards and works on new prototypes based on his brother’s designs - and he’s very good at all of the above. He’s also the strong, silent type who is battling some very private demons, and he clashes repeatedly with my heroine, Gabby, who is a small woman with a very large attitude. Once they work out that all their animosity is actually suppressed attraction, the battleground shifts - but I don’t want to give away too much.



I had a lot of fun writing their story, possibly because they were two characters who I felt I knew really well before I’d even started writing. Both Gabby and Jon appear in The Last Goodbye. When I started writing that book, I didn’t have any plans at all to write a sequel. By the time I’d finished, however, I liked Gabby so much and felt so badly for Jon that I knew I had to write these two their own happy ever after.



So, how about you - do you have a weakness for a man who is clever with his hands? Or do you prefer a sharp mouth and mind in an even sharper business suit? Or are you an equal opportunity admirer of heroes from all walks of life? I’d love to give away 2 sets of The Last Goodbye and One Good Reason to posters today, so post away!



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Five Fabulous Superheroes

by Beth


With Ryan Reynolds starring in The Green Lantern and the upcoming release of Captain America starring Chris Evans I have Superheroes on my mind *g* Summer is a great time for a good Superhero movie complete with over-the-top special effects and tons of action to go with all those super powers!


Another thing to love about superhero movies? The super hot actors who don those (super snug) superhero costumes :-) Here are a few of my faves:


1. Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man. I've been a RDJ fan since his days as a member of the Brat Pack so it was great to see him make such a huge comeback with this film!


2. Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk. I haven't seen The Hulk (with Eric Bana) and I'm not saying this is the best superhero movie ever (is The Hulk even a superhero? Hmm...something up for debate *g*) but I do love Edward Norton in this movie and how he played Bruce as only wanting to give up his power and return to his normal life.



3. Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Oh, how I loved Michael Keaton as Batman! What a wonderful surprise to see the man who'd played Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice go all dark as the world's most angst filled superhero :-)


4. Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman. As you can see, Michael Keaton was my favorite actor to play Batman until I saw Batman Begins. Even darker and edgier than the earlier versions and oh so perfect *g*


5. Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent/Superman. I fell head-over-heels for Christopher's Superman the first time I saw this movie at the tender age of seven. Those shoulders! Those amazing blue eyes! *sigh* I adored him both as Clark and as Superman and always thought (and still do *g*) that Lois Lane wasn't nearly good enough for him.


Do you like Superhero movies/movies based on comic books? Which ones are your favorites? Who are your favorite superhero characters?
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Let Me Upgrade Ya

by Beth


Well, it's that time again. Time to upgrade my cell phone. I really, really thought I wanted a Smartphone, preferably an iPhone. Why, with one of those I could check and respond to my emails! Take a picture and post it to my Facebook account! Check the weather any time I wanted and download tons of Apps. How cool would all that be??


And then I realized that since I work from home and am at my computer all day, I already have the ability to check and respond to email, post pictures on Facebook and check the weather. Never mind that I'm not even sure what an App is or why I would want one (or several dozen). I just couldn't force myself to spend so much money AND raise my monthly cell phone bill (already high enough thanks to having three kids on it) to justify getting a Smartphone.


Plus, I have to be honest, I rarely even use the cell phone I have except to text my kids. The only time I use it daily is during RWA's conference where most of my text conversations go like this:


Me: Where are you?


Friend: Just got done at a workshop/In my room/In the bar


Me: On my way.


Yes. I'm quite the texting conversationalist ;-)


So, no Smartphone for me, although I can get online with the one I did get (if it's not a Smartphone is it a Dumbphone?) but with limitations. I figure by the time I'm ready for my next upgrade, I'll know if I'd truly use a Smartphone often enough to open my wallet *g*


Do you have a Smartphone? Do you want one? Do you love your cell phone or are you like me and only use it rarely?
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A New Day, A New Launch Party!

by Beth


It's launch party time again in the lair! THE PRODIGAL SON is out now and I'm thrilled to celebrate its release with my fellow Bandits, our Bandit Buddies and, of course, Sven, the Gladiators and the Hockey Hunks ;-)


THE PRODIGAL SON is the second book in my Diamond Dust trilogy for Harlequin Superromance and tells the story of Matt Sheppard, the youngest of three brothers, and Connie Henkel, who works as the vineyard manager for the Sheppard's winery. Here's what the back cover says:


He always gets what he wants--and that's made Matt Sheppard an international success as a vintner. So he never saw his mother's blackmail coming. She says she'll sell the family's vineyard if he doesn't stay put for exactly one year. But running the Diamond Dust with his brothers was his father's dream, not his. Now he's shackled to the place by familial ties as strong as vines and tight enough to strangle him.


Worse, he's forced to work with a resentful manager, Connie Henkel. Her mile-long legs can't distract him from his goal: to improve the business and get out as soon as he can. Because if the single mom entwines herself around Matt's heart, he'll never be able to leave.


Here's a quick excerpt from when Connie approaches Matt after his brother's bachelor party:


“So,” Connie said, turning slightly in her seat to face him. “How’d the party go? Anything wild happen? Any Hangover moments?”
He grinned, appreciating her reference to the movie. “No tigers or babies have been spotted and as far as I know, everyone still has all of their teeth.”
“As long as the groom does, that’s all that matters.” The bartender set a glass of ice water in front of her and Connie smiled her thanks to him. Took a sip before clearing her throat. “Look, about last night--”
“Are you going to apologize?”
Her pretty mouth thinned. “For putting an arrogant man in his place? Can’t say I’ve ever regretted that,” she told him, reminding him of his words when he’d asked if he should apologize for kissing her.
“So you’re obviously not here to beg my forgiveness. Did you come over expecting me to apologize?”
Brushing her short bangs to the side, she stared down at her water. His own fingers twitched with the need to touch her hair. To see if it was a soft as he imagined.
“I came over because…” She stirred the ice in her glass with her straw then abruptly let go and met his eyes. “I came over because you looked…alone.”
“Hard to be alone when I’m surrounded by people.”
“Okay,” she said slowly. “Maybe alone wasn’t the right word. More like…lonely.”
The muscles in his shoulders tensed but he didn’t move. Couldn’t. Not when his breath was locked in his chest. Not when he was afraid she was right.
Still, he forced a grin. “Not lonely,” he assured her as he deliberately slid his gaze down her figure lazily before holding her gaze. “But glad for the company anyway.”


Enough chit chat...let's get this party started!! Crank up the margarita machine! Dim the lights! Buff the Cabana Boys! And, most importantly, turn up the music! This is a party after all, and what better way to celebrate then by hitting the dance floor?


What song gets you out on the dance floor? What song gets your groove thang shaking when you hear it, no matter if you're at home, in your car or at the store? I'll give away copies of THE PRODIGAL SON to two commenters today!
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Home Cookin'

by Beth



My son comes home tonight for Easter break and after four months of college living he is very much looking forward to some home cooking *g* He's asked for Cheesy Chicken Pockets and Paninis this go around. Over Thanksgiving it was roasted chicken and Paninis. At Christmas he wanted my mom's goulash and Paninis.



In case you missed it, my boy loves a toasty sandwich! He'd often make one or two of what he called Man-wiches for breakfast, lunch or a snack, piling it high with meat, at least two types of cheese and more often than not, a fried egg *g* Sadly, those days are gone as his dorm doesn't have a stove, only a microwave. Which means I'll have to make sure we're stocked up on bread, deli meats and cheeses and eggs this summer.



Some of my guy's other home cooked favorites include cheeseburger soup, cheeseburger pie, barbecue ribs, twice baked potatoes (his aunt is making these for Easter so he'll be thrilled) steak roll-ups and snickerdoodles.



I also try to have all of his favorite foods and snacks on hand. Funny how my grocery bill goes up significantly when he's home :-)


But that's okay. It's worth it to have him in hugging distance!



What home cooked meal would you ask your mom (or any family member) to make for you?
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Overdue Bandit Booty

by Beth


It's come to my attention that I never posted the winner for my Feb 20th blog, Even Better With Age. So sorry!! The winner of a copy of Tawny's red hot release for Blaze, BREAKING THE RULES, is Chey!!


Congratulations! Please email your snail mail info to me at: beth@bethandrews.net
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Reality Or Fiction?

by Beth


Reality is taking over our television sets. Now, I don't know about you but I get quite enough reality just living my life, thanks all the same. I don't want to add more to it during my down time. If I had to choose between all Reality shows or Fiction shows, I'll choose fiction every time.


That's not to say I don't enjoy certain Reality programs. One of my favorite shows to watch is Top Chef (currently Top Chef All Stars) and Top Chef Masters (coming soon with a new host!) and back when Project Runway was on Bravo, my daughter and I caught every episode. I've also watched a few episodes of American Idol and Dancing With the Stars and enjoyed them both and I'll admit I enjoy watching the weigh-in at the end of each episode of The Biggest Loser to see how far the contestants have come. And, of course, I love cooking shows which I'm going to say are reality TV although with no contests, name calling or drunken escapades :-)


I prefer to be entertained by a great story told with excellent writing, superb characterization and unexpected plot twists and turns. I want to suspend my disbelief when watching Eureka, a fun, fabulous and witty program on the SyFy channel. I want to hang on the edge of my seat and try to figure out who-done-it in shows like Detroit 187 and The Closer. I want to laugh at the happenings going on during The Office.



For the most part, I want scripted TV. I want that fantasy.


However, I'm in the minority in my house as my daughters love their reality shows such as America's Next Top Model, Jersey Shore and Daisy Of Love - just a few that have caught their attention.


What about you? Do you prefer Reality shows or scripted TV? What are some of your favorite shows on now?
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Even Better With Age

by Beth


It's true that some things--such as wine and cheese--get better with age. And while I enjoy both, and I'm sure they'd make an interesting blog topic, today I'd like to discuss something a bit...prettier. (Or at least, more fun to look at *g*)


My top five picks for men who have gotten better with age!


1. Hugh Jackman. I think most of us could agree that the years have been kind to Hugh *g*


2. Liam Neeson. I fell hard for Liam in Love Actually.


3. George Clooney. I never watched ER but I do remember George from his days on The Facts of Life. Yes, he has definitely improved with age :-)



4. Patrick Dempsey. The same goes for Patrick who I first saw as a nerdy teen in Can't Buy Me Love.


5. Sting. I recently saw footage of Sting in concert and he still kicks butt up on that stage! I also love that he's into yoga *g*


Who are your picks for men who have gotten better with age?



We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today. I'm also giving a copy of Tawny's latest Red Hot Blaze, BREAKING THE RULES!

The healthy heart tip for February 20 is: Try something new - dare yourself to try a new fruit or vegetable. Next time you're at the store, pick up something you've never made before. Many grocery stores have free recipe cards in the produce section or just type the food into your favorite search engine.


Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease in women and encourage you to join us in wearing red on February 4, National Wear Red Day. Visit Go Red for Women to learn how to fight heart disease.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.
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End Of A Love Affair

by Beth




The other day I was on iTunes when I discovered the most magical of all those magic buttons: Songs for only 69 cents! I ordered a bunch including Cherry, Cherry by Neil Diamond, Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve and Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band.




There were many songs from the 60s and 70s but when I asked my husband if he wanted me to download Sister Golden Hair by America, (a song we've been known to just start singing - yes, we often break into songs at our house. Up until a few years ago, my kids thought every family burst into song during conversations *g*) he laughed and told me he'd heard that song so often during the 70s, he'd prefer not to hear it again.



Unless we're singing it, of course *g*



All of which got me thinking about those songs I once loved but now...well...if I hear them now, I tend to clap my hands over my ears and run from the room hoping beyond hope the tune won't get stuck in my head. You know the ones - songs that were overplayed on the radio or on MTV or VH1. Songs we played over and over and OVER again when we were teenagers - which for me would be The Police's Synchronicity, Heart's Bad Animals and Def Leppard's Pyromania :-)



And since we all know how much I love a good list, I thought today I'd give you my:



Top Five Songs I Used to Love But Now Wish I Never Had to Hear Again!



1. Hotel California by The Eagles.



2. Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin. Oh, how I love Led Zeppelin! Adore them! Worship them, even! And I used to love this song. Until I listened to it about a bazillion times in Jr. High School *sigh*



3. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I blame this one on Wayne's World *g* Now, the only time I can listen to this song is when I'm watching the hilarious parody video my son and his friends made of when Wayne, Garth and their friends drive around town :-)

4. Sweet Child O' Mind by Guns 'n Roses.



5. Jeremy by Pearl Jam. Great song. Great band. I've just heard it too many times.



So, there you have it. A very short list *g* All are great songs, all are songs I once couldn't get enough of...until I had enough of them ;-)




Do you have any songs you used to love but have heard so many times you can't listen to them again?
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TWO 12 Days of Christmas Winners!

The winner of Sunday's blog post with guest Holly Jacobs is: gamistress66!!

Monday's winner is Deb Marlowe!!

Congrats, ladies :-)

Please send your snail mail info to: beth@bethandrews.net and we'll get your prizes out to you asap *g*

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A Marine For Christmas Launch Party!

by Beth

I'm so happy to be celebrating the release of my 5th book for Harlequin Superromance, A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS!

I have to admit, writing this story wasn't easy but with the help of my fabulous editor, Victoria Curran, and Tawny, the most fantastic critique partner ever, I was able to muddle through and get to the heart of the story. Here's the back cover:

Growing up in her perfect sister's shadow wasn't easy. Especially because J. C. Montgomery had been in love with Liz's boyfriend for as long as she could remember. Brady Sheppard, a guy who thought of her as only the kid sister. But that all changed when Liz married somebody else and Brady ended up in bed with J.C.! It was like a dream come true.



Except now J.C.'s pregnant. And Brady's a wounded marine, so it's going to be difficult for him to get down on one knee and tell her she's his reason for living…. But he will.Because she still believes in Santa Claus.


Instead of an excerpt (though, if you'd like to read an excerpt you can find one on eHarlequin and a different one on my website) I thought I'd give you all a taste of A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS' beginning, middle and end.



Beginning - It might have been the numerous shots of whiskey and the goading of his fellow drinkers down at The Empire Bar, but Brady Sheppard thought crashing his ex-fiancé’s wedding was the best idea he’d had in years.



Middle - “That’s it?” He’d figured it’d be something…bigger. Stop drinking. Or go back to physical therapy. Bare his soul to some shrink.



End - And then—disheveled, contented and, if she wasn’t mistaken, mended—Brady Sheppard smiled. At her.



As you might be able to see, Brady does some growing and changing throughout the story *g*



It wasn't until I actually wrote these out that I realized how much you can tell about the story just from these few lines. Now I'm wondering if that will hold true for other stories as well. Shall we find out?



Just give us a line or two from the beginning, middle and end of the book you're currently reading. We'll call this a Launch Party Experiment *g* And don't forget to pull up a comfy spot, pour yourself a drink and enjoy the party!




I'll give away THREE copies of A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS so leave a comment for your chance to win!
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"C" is for Creepy

by Beth

The other day I took my older daughter out to practice driving. As we drove around (and around and around) our town's middle school parking lot and the connecting (empty) streets, she asked me if I was afraid to let her drive. I told her I wasn't but her question got me to thinking about things I really am afraid of which then lead me to start thinking about Halloween and what I find most creepy (hey, you all know by now that my mind works in mysterious ways, right?) Which is how I came up with my:



Top Five List Of Things That Creep Me Out


1. Flying Monkeys. I admit it. I can't stand The Wizard of Oz movie all because of those creeptastic flying monkeys. I'll probably have nightmares tonight just thinking about them (shudder) If I'd been Dorothy and I saw those things coming at me, I'd have dropped Toto and run like H-E-double hockey sticks.


2. Michael Jackson's Thriller Video. Yep, this video seriously creeps me out. I don't think I've ever watched the entire thing, not even as a teen in the 80's when it was on ALL THE TIME. Dancing Zombies? A Zombie Michael Jackson? No thanks.


3. Certain Medical Procedures. There's a very good reason I'm not in the medical field and that reason is because while I don't mind the sight of blood, I get woozy at the sight of any rips, cuts, tears in skin or seeing inside the body. I've gotten sick watching a video of a C-section (not my own, but one I had to watch to prepare for my own surgery) looking up my daughter's nose with a scope (the doctor had a screen right there in the office where we could see it. Joy.) Listening to the doctor describe the procedure to remove other daughter's wisdom teeth (for God's sake, don't tell me) Helping first daughter cover the four stitches she'd received and just this morning I almost passed out while my MIL described a cousin's surgery to fix a hole in his heart.



In other words, there's no way I'm ever going to quit writing to attend Medical School.


4. The Twilight Zone. The original, super scary, creeptacular one on TV. Has there every been a show THAT frightening? Where did they come up with those stories?



5. Cookie Monster. Okay, this one isn't really mine *g* I'm borrowing it from my daughter who developed this fear of the big blue monster when she was a toddler and still has not grown out of it.



What's creepy to you? 'Tis the season to share our weird, funny or frightening creep-outs :-)
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Four Little Words

by Beth





It's Monday and my brain is fried! See, last night I finished my 6th story for Superromance (Yay!!) Meaning I've spent the past few weeks with my nose to the grindstone - or in this case, my fingers to the keyboard *g* But the story is done, the h/h have achieved their hard-won happily-ever-after, and all that's left to do is one more final polish and then I can send this baby in :-)






So today, in order to give my tired brain a break, I thought we'd play a game. A friend posted this after seeing it on Facebook and the responses were very funny. Here we go:






You and I go out one night and wake up the next morning in jail. What is the first thing you say to me in FOUR words?






I can't wait to read what everyone comes up with!
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You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'

by Beth


My younger daughter is going to see Step Up 3 tonight and can’t wait to see if this third movie lives up to the first one of the franchise. We both loved the original Step Up – her because of Channing Tatum and me because of the dancing *g* (Okay, Channing’s cute, too!) I’ve been a fan of musicals and dancing movies (movies with dancing IN them, not movies that can dance *g*) ever since I was little and saw Grease. I sang along with the album daily and even had a Grease book I read so many times, the binding came apart!


Some of my favorite movies with dancing in them include:


Footloose. Oh, how I loved Kevin Bacon as Ren, a city boy forced to live in a small, country town where one of the rules was No Dancing. And how about that soundtrack? Hearing any of those songs takes me back in time!


Dirty Dancing. This one came out during my teen years and all of my friends and I LOVED it! How awesome was Patrick Swayze as the boy from the other side of the tracks? *sigh* Nobody puts Baby in a corner! And the dancing? Soooo sexy!


Flashdance. I’m not sure which I loved more—the movie, the soundtrack or the off-the-shoulder-sweatshirt trend *g* It was a bit risque but the dancing was fun and fabulous!


Singing in the Rain. A wonderful classic with Gene Kelly that had it all: superb dancing, great songs, romance and humor! Still an all-time fave *g*


Do you like dancing movies? Which ones are your favorites? And a very important question: Are you a good dancer?
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Summertime Blues

by Beth


My son had big plans for this summer. Having recently graduated high school, he planned on making the most of the last three months spent at home before going to college over 600 miles away. He had a full-time job and even worked more than enough over-time (a great opportunity to sock away money for college *g*) He and his girlfriend planned to head up to Lake Erie a few times and he had plenty to do with his friends - baskeball, street hockey, video games, graduation parties. Throw in a few family outings, picnics, trips to the drive-in and him wanting to spend time recording songs and his summer schedule was packed.


And then he came down with Strep throat. I mean, the worst case of Strep I've ever seen. His throat was so bad, even the physician's assistant grimaced she saw it. And it wouldn't get better. On his second trip to the doctor, a blood test revealed the reason why: Not only did the boy have Strep but, joy of all joys, he had Mono, too!


There went his summer :-)


Okay, not his entire summer, but a sizable chunk. Luckily, after spending a few weeks on the couch, he's feeling better and is back to work.


This reminded us of one of our favorite children's book: The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Vacation. The Bear Family set off on their vacation with all sorts of plans: They're going to fish and swim in the lake, eat delicious berries as they hike the trails and relax in a lovely, quiet cabin. Except...things don't go quite as planned. The cabin is a dump with a leaky roof, the lake is a muddy mess and there's nothing to eat *g*


I have to admit, I know how both my son and those bears felt. My own plans for a sunny, romantic honeymoon didn't quite work out. Yes, it was sunny. Too bad I got too much sun and ended up with sun poisoning. And then I got a rash from being stung by some sort of sea creatures. By the time we left, I had a cold, too.


Oh, and did I mention I got motion sick on the plane ride and my husband had to hold the airsickness bag for me? I still feel bad for the guy on the other side of me who tried very hard to lean away from the sick woman :-)


Have you ever had your summer, a vaction or any other plans derailed in a major way? How did you make the most of it?
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Dad's Day In The Lair

by Beth

It's Father's Day here in the U.S. and in honor of such a special holiday, I thought I'd combine two of my favorite subjects:

Sexy guys and T.V.!

Here are some of my current favorite TV Dads:


Kyle Chandler as Coach Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights. As I've probably mentioned here before, I love me some Coach Taylor! He's sexy and charming and he adores his wife and daughters and really wants the best for the boys he coaches.



Peter Krause as Adam Braverman on Parenthood. I've only caught about half of the episodes of this show but the character of Adam always shines as he deals with his own two kids, his parents' marital problems and his siblings' issues.


Scott Bakula as Chuck's father Steve on Chuck. Things didn't end well for Chuck's dad but I've loved Scott Bakula since his Quantum Leap days so I had to include him here *g*


Thomas Gibson as Aaron Hotchner on Criminal Minds. The character of Hotch is fascinating. He deals with evil every day and yet still does his best to be a good father to his young son.


Timothy Hutton as Nathan Ford on Leverage. Nathan's only son died but there isn't an episode where you don't witness his grief over losing his beloved child.



Who are some of your favorite TV Dads, either current or from the past? And since it's always a fun topic here in the lair, who are some of your favorite Star dads? I know we'll have a few votes for Johnny Depp as well as Hugh Jackman :-)

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Bandit Booty!

Thank you all so much for helping me celebrate the release of DO YOU TAKE THIS COP?



The winner of a copy of DYTTC is...


Kirsten!!


Congratulations! Please send me your snail mail info at: beth@bethandrews.net and I'll get your book out to you right away :-)
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Do You Take This Cop? Launch Picnic!

by Beth



Grease up the Cabana boys and ice down the drinks, it's time for another Launch Party in the Lair :-)



I have to admit, the release of Do You Take This Cop? is bittersweet. Bitter because it's the last book connected to my Serenity Springs series. I spent so much time with the characters, it's been difficult saying good-bye. But then the sweet kicks in, mainly because I'm really excited about DYTTC being set loose on the world *g*


Here's the back cover blurb:


Is she safer with him…or without him?


Without the badge, he’d be perfect!


The last thing Faith Lewis needs is a cop poking his nose in her business. Okay, yes, Nick Coletti is gorgeous. And charming. And great with her son. But dating the town’s most popular boy in blue is hardly going to help her keep a low profile. This guy could blow their world apart if he discovers their secret.


Funny thing is, he may also be their only hope. If she had someone like Nick on her side, maybe she could finally be free, and give her son the life he deserves. But trusting Nick means telling the whole truth about her past. He might protect them. Or he might just turn her in…


One of my favorite scenes in DYTTC is when Faith and her son Austin attend the Coletti family's annual Fourth of July picnic. Here's a quick excerpt:


A muscle jumped in Nick’s jaw as he slid his finger across her shoulder and down her arm to her elbow, trailing gooseflesh in his wake. Stepping back, he pulled a pair of sunglasses out of his front pocket and put them on.


“Let me get that for you,” he said gruffly, taking the cake from her.


“Oh. Thank you.” Except, without it, she had no idea what to do with her hands. So she wiped them down the sides of her white walking shorts. Crossed her arms and then let them hang at her sides before picking up her bag from where Austin had dropped it.


“Everyone’s out back,” he said. Then he took her hand.


She almost stumbled. She’d come to learn he was big on touching. His hand pressed to the small of her back when they left the restaurant. His arms around her, his solid chest pressed against her back as he went through the motions of the proper batting swing. His fingertips brushing against her cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear while she ate her ice cream cone.



It was…sweet. She couldn’t remember a time when a man had wanted nothing more than the simple pleasure of touching her. And realizing how much she enjoyed it, enjoyed being with him, was all too frightening.



So instead of focusing on how it felt, his rough, large palm against hers, she took in their surroundings. The Frey’s house was a mix of brick and wood with double front doors, tall, gleaming windows and immaculate landscaping. There were trees, shrubs and flowers to soften the austere lines of the house and make it warm and welcoming, and as far as she could tell, there wasn’t one blade of crabgrass in the lush lawn.



It was a far cry from her own week-choked backyard and spotty windows.



They rounded the garage and were met by the low hum of voices mixed with music. “This is a lovely house,” Faith said, withdrawing her hand from his before anyone could see them.

“Andrea and Steve are happy here.”



She slowed her steps as the voices grew louder. Many, many voices from the sound of it. “I especially liked that first flower bed, the one with the miniature roses. Does Andrea garden?”



He laughed. “Andrea doesn’t do dirt. Or anything related to getting dirty. Luckily, her in-laws enjoy it so they handle the gardens for her.”



As they reached the backyard, Faith’s throat was so dry, not even the enticing scents of grilling meat could work moisture back into her mouth. One look at the crowd talking and laughing on the long patio made her step back, bumping into Nick’s solid frame.



He steadied her with a hand to her upper arm. “Everything okay?” he asked.



She edged away from him—and the backyard—hugging her arms around herself. Okay? Let’s see…she was spending the day with a nice family. Her son had a new best friend and was acting like a normal, nine-year-old again and she had the interest of the sexiest man in town.



Everything was awful.



She was a liar. Worse, even she was beginning to believe her lies. Beginning to hope that she could stay in this town, be a part of these people’s lives and give her son the permanency he craved.



That she could be Faith Lewis forever.



Ever patient, Nick stood there, staring at her from behind his sunglasses, his posture relaxed, the damp hair at his nape curling. Forcing a smile, she looked up into his handsome face. “Everything’s perfect.”


(As you may have guessed, Faith isn't exactly what--or who--she seems to be *g*)



And with summer on its way (and Memorial Day coming up fast) I thought it'd be fun to have a Launch Picnic! Everyone slather on some sunscreen and let's take this party outside :-)

In DYTTC, Faith brings her signature dessert, Red Velvet Cake, to the picnic. What's your favorite dish to take to picnics? Your favorite thing to eat at a picnic? One commenter will win a copy of DO YOU TAKE THIS COP?Source URL: https://gbejadacosta.blogspot.com/search/label/Beth%20Andrews
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Falling For Those Anti-Heroes

by Beth

One of the best things I've ever done is get a subscription to Netflix. Not only does it have loads of movies and TV shows available, but it also has the feature where you can watch certain movies/TV shows instantly on your computer or, if you have a Netflix ready device, you can stream them directly to your TV (we use our Xbox live account).


It's because of this wonderful device that I now have a new addiction:


Leverage. (It's a TV show on TNT *g*)


Now, believe me, I could go on and on about how much I love this show. The acting. The character arcs. The story lines. But I won't. For today, I'm going to concentrate on one of the main reasons I am so crazy about this show:


The men!


The three male characters are all sexy, smart, funny and have that certain edge about them that makes them dangerous - and appealing (in a purely fantasy sort of way *g*)


Nate Ford, played by Timothy Hutton, is an ex-insurance investigator who is now the leader of a band of thieves who help their clients go up against everyone from dirty politicians to corrupt businessmen to mobsters. Nate is clever and devious and can usually outsmart just about any adversary. He's also cynical, battling alcoholism (a battle he usually loses) and filled with bitterness over the death of his young son.


Alec Hardison, played by Aldis Hodge, is an expert computer hacker. Well, calling Hardison simply a computer hacker doesn't exactly do his skills justice, not when he can break any code, create new identities or even alter surveillance video. He's proud of his geekiness, freaks out at violence and at times, has let his team down (like when he missed a mission because he was up all night playing video games).


Eliot Spencer, played by Christian Kane, is what the show calls a Retrieval Specialist, but really, he's the firm's muscle. He can take out an entire gang of bad guys all with just his fists. He hates guns, is soft spoken and is an excellent cook. Oh, and did I mention that he totally kicks ass?


Now, on paper, these guys don't exactly come across as 'hero' material but that's only if you haven't watched the show. Because if you have seen even just one episode, you'd know that Nate may be lost and angry at the world but his sense of justice, his desire to help those in need is stronger than his desire to self-destruct.


Hardison may make mistakes, but he always makes it up to his team and he takes his job of gathering the Intel the team will need to work their cons seriously. He may complain and get cold feet sometimes, but he always pulls through in the end.


Eliot keeps his emotions bottled up but he has a soft spot for his ex-girlfriend and horses (not necessarily in that order *g*). He may get knocked down, but he always gets back up.


So, we have three men who are less than perfect and yet, they're growing and changing, turning into better men right before our eyes. And isn't that what some of the best heroes do? :-)


Who are some of your favorite anti-heroes in film, TV or books? What TV shows are you currently loving? Are there any other Leverage fans out there?
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