Michael Jackson's Billie Jean

I'm in shock. I'm echoing so many people from my generation down to my kids'. It's a shame someone so young is gone. It's a shame Michael Jackson had so much sadness in his life. It proves money and fame isn't everything. MJ is only a few months older than me. We grew up together. He's been in my life since I was 6 or 7 years old. Every blog I've read this weekend mourns his death. Although I was a bigger fan when he was younger, I mourn him, too. My younger daughter just said, "I didn't think Michael Jackson would never be gone." Here's his version of "Billie Jean". He was an amazing performer. It's weird how we can watch and listen to people who are gone. I've always thought so. Perhaps this makes him immortal in a sense. Perhaps my books do the same for me. And now, David Cook's version which is really different. I didn't like it at first. It took me a long time to warm up to this much slower, soulful version. But since I'm totally in love with DC, and it got on my DC recording in error, I like it a lot now. When I played it a few moments ago, it took my daughter a few minutes to recognize it as Michael's song. Billie Jean isn't my favorite Michael Jackson song, but I do like it. I like his earlier songs with the Jackson 5 best. However, I like Thriller a lot, too. It boggles my mind that someone my age is gone. I don't consider myself old at 49, almost 50. I don't think my life is almost over. However, MJ's passing makes me feel very mortal. Life is fragile. We don't get forever in this form. Michael Jackson accomplished a lot in his time. He made a lot of people happy. His songs will continue to do so. I hope I still have time to add to my repertoire of books but if I don't, I hope the ones already published will speak well of me. My "Thriller" or "Billie Jean" is probably "American Beauty". Hopefully, I'll write more books that will top it. We'll see. I'm always trying to do so. If only I could repeat the recipe. My prayers and condolences go out to Michael's family. My hugs go out to everyone who is in mourning for Michael. I imagine that's a big portion of the world today.

Good Times

I know the economy's bad and peple look at you cross-eyed if you cough or sneeze, but there's still a lot of good things to celebrate. Today, for instance, one of my co-workers had a birthday. Actually, yesterday, another co-worker had a birthday, too. And although my hubby's birthday was a couple weeks ago, we're going to have cake and ice cream with the family tonight. That's a LOT of birthday cake and partying for one week. Last night my daughter's softball ended for the city team. That means another party is on the way. This also means I won't be chained to the softball field nightly and can write/critique/edit/and read more. I plan to start back on my Thursday 13 blogging, too. Yipee! A lot of my author and reader friends just returned from RT (Romantic Times book convention in Orlando) and are pumped on writing, reading, and life. A lot more are gearing up to go to Lori Foster's Readers' and Writers' event in Cincinnati this summer. I'm hoping to but not holding my breath - we'll see. Adam's still on American Idol even though it was a close call. Whew! I'm sooooo glad he's still the competition. I can't wait to see what he'll do each week. His entrance last week has got to be the sexiest entrance in Idol history. I had lunch with two good friends today. I still see a lot of books coming out weekly, so we're still reading and buying books. April was a really beautiful month in Florida and May's starting off pretty, too. I guess the Prozac's working (well, the Lexapro - I figured more people know what Prozac is). I wish I could go to SunFest to see David Cook live, but oh well... I have an edit to do (which means I'm being published) and I don't want to spend that much money - and I've been buying birthday cakes galore this week. :) Plus, I want to critique, blog hop, walk, and Twitter. Oh, and maybe catch a movie. I'm a movie-a-holic. Give me buttery popcorn, a big soda with lots of ice, a huge screen, and a dark theater and I'm in seventh heaven. entered in the drawing for the sequel to Truth, Justice and the Vampire Way - "Blessed Be". You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

Deadly Vixens

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to be a Deadly Vixen. Well, according to the hubby, I already am, but that's another story... I'll be the resident Saturday author/blogger. Please drop by and give me a hard time...uh, I mean support me in this new role. Join us as we blog about paranormal and writing topics each week. http://www.thedeadlyvixens.com/ Ah hell... I can't hold my fingers. I have to comment on American Idol. You know I'm totally addicted. You know I'm still totally in love with David Cook. I still listen to DC's CD so much my daughter moans and she can't wait for the demise of AI. Perish the thought! I thought I was gaga over Danny this season, that he was for sure the winner. I still think he has a good shot. But so does Adam. Adam blew me away last night. Totally. Unless something changes with next week's group, this is another boys' year. I'm honestly sorry to see Nick go. He's so funny he'd be fun to keep around - like Taylor and Sanjaya. You have to see it so here goes. To quote Ryan, this is the first time one of the contestants went to second base with the American Idol logo. LOL So here's Adam. In case you haven't been able to tell yet, I like the rockers. :) God, but he'd make a great hero for one of my books. Don't you think? And here's Danny, my other fave this season. In looking for his video, I'm seeing there's already Danny haters because the Idol judges are pimping the fact his wife recently died. Although I feel for the guy big time, I like him because he has an awesome voice and is a good performer and I honestly think he's one of the best this season. For some reason, You Tube won't let us see last week's HERO performance, so here's another performance. And here's my favorite David Cook song - even if it's not on his album (which is great, too). Always Be My Baby. I will try not to go on about AI this year too much. Hell, I have one son DC's age and one older. And I'm married. Okay - I need a 12-step DC program. I'm whipping myself to get back to my writing and drooling over my heroes - the ones I write. I'm going now. :) Oh! After I by the new Brooke White CD. I love her new song that she performed on Idol tonight. One more Idol favorite - Constantine from Season 4 - my favorite song of his - "So Long". Oh! And I already know American Idol Season 10 winner. His name is Michael Davis and he's awesome. My friends and I at work are going to make sure he auditions. He performs for us at work all the time - yesterday in fact. He actually went to the AI auditions last year but arrived too late and they wouldn't let him in. We will NOT let him miss the next audition, even if we have to raise the money and escort him to the auditions. Wouldn't it be fab if I'm right? Honestly, Michael is fab. He's more of a Christian pop singer - at least at work for us. You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

I've got bananas!

I absolutely LOVE this song and David Cook. Tonight, I wrote at Borders for several hours, and while writing, I replayed this song several times. I can't get enough of it. It's so romantic, so sexy.




I LOVE Jason and his rendition of Hallejulah in Season 7.

Here's some Florida pictures my daughter took on the way to Borders.

We have bananas! Well, almost. Being from Ohio, it tickles me that I have my own banana tree. I planted it a couple years ago.



(Um, just tilt your head to the right until I learn how to rotate the pics). :) These really are bananas.




This is what the bananas look like without tilting your head. :)



This is a pic of a neat palm tree my daughter likes. I feel like I'm living on Gilligan's Island. This is so unlike Ohio.


We don't know if this is the same egret we photographed a few weeks ago, or if it's another, but we found it in the same place so there must be a nest there. I guess egrets like Taco Bell. (They're always beside the Taco Bell parking lot.)

I'll play with PSP tomorrow to rotate the pics so you won't get a crick in your neck.

American Idol Finale - Spoiler Warming

There's no way I can NOT blog about American Idol tonight. If I didn't, you'd know aliens took over my body.

My David won!!!

My friends here know that David Cook is my David. If only I was younger and single...

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo very happy. Did you hear me screaming for joy? I'm sure my Aussie and English friends could hear me. No one can hear me now as I have no voice left. But that's okay as long as Cook can sing and I can hear.

I was sooooo pissed though. Right as AI was beginning to announce the winner, one of DH's cronies came to the door and the dogs went crazy. When my dogs go crazy, they're louder than me screaming. Did you hear them? I was ready to murder these extremely discourteous men. How dare they interrupt the final moment on Idol.

Then as David Cook was singing the winning Idol song, DS#3 got out of bed long enough to try and talk through it. Then DS#3 got angry at me when I asked him to be quiet through the song.

Y'all, we need bigger and more spaceships for this Mars mission to take the men back. I've decided, however, to let Bobbie the cat stay here on Earth with me. He's being a sweet heart again.

My younger daughter drew this cartoon below - it's supposed to be a Martian apologizing to the women of Earth for supplying the space ship to the men for coming. Too bad the dialogue isn't larger.



Oh! I also want to congratulate both Davids. Both did awesome and both are winners. Although Cook has been my fav all season, I do recognize he's also very talented.

And Jason sang Hallejulah again. I think he's awesome, too.

Michael Johns and Carly really should have finished higher. I still think they're awesome, too. This was a fantastic season FULL of great talent. My favorite season is still Season 4 with Carrie, Bo, and Constantine, but this season runs a very close second.

I'm already having AI withdrawal and I'll be watching my reruns.

It was also funny tonight. Ben Stiller and Jack Black were the back up "dancers" to Gladys Knight, and of course, they were hilarious. Hopefully I can find a You Tube clip of it for you and if so, I'll post it. :)

And Donna Summer came out of retirement. I was the disco queen in the 70s. Ask my friends, I LIVED at the disco, first in Ohio, and then in Mississippi.

American Idol - Warning - dont' read if you've not seen yet

The David's went head to head tonight.

Simon says Archuletta won. So did Randy. (I wasn't sure what Paula was saying).




I disagree. Cook did.





Although I think Archuletta is a sweet, cute boy, I'm not in love with his voice. I'm not in love with his style. I wish great things for him and I'm sure he'll go far.

But Cook is the really awesome one.

But we'll see what America says tomorrow night.

Either way, I'll be first in line to buy Cook's albums.

I'll also be there to buy Jason's, Carly's, and Michael's albums.

Isn't Jason cute? Despite the dreadlocks? Maybe because of them? I like the purple glow.

I'm already in withdrawal. I won't see David Cook or Jason perform weekly. :(

Of course, I'll go back to Borders and write more, and go to the gym and exercise more again.

I'm sure you know who I voted for - I've only gotten through once. Who did you vote for?

Brit Party, David Cook - American Idol, Florida Fires

Woohoo! Brit Party is #4 on the top 10 list at Total-e-Bound. I read the book last night and I have to congratulate my fellow authors. You rock! I loved the stories and I'm honored to be part of this anthology.

You know me. I had to watch American Idol and it just ended. I won't lie. I voted for David Cook - more than once. He is soooo good. And he's soooo cute. He's like a mix of Constantine and Chris Daughtry. I couldn't ask for better. My fingers and toes are crossed. Of course, he's a winner whether he gets the crown or not. I predict huge things for him. He's awesome.



By the way, the fires in my part of Florida are out - for the moment and we're safe. It's so dry and so hot down here, though... It was 97 degrees Saturday and I got really sun burned. I hear the fires are still raging in Central Florida - where I was last weekend. (Hubby still has NOT sent me the pics - I'm getting really really pissed now and am about to raid his computer and send them to myself. If only I remembered his password...)

Here's more about our new book.



by Ashley Ladd | Lisabet Sarai | Brynn Paulin | Lacey Thorn | Dakota Rebel | Desiree Holt |

'Maggie's Menage' by Lacey Thorn

Maggie had spent a lifetime trying to win the love and affection of her father, but nothing seemed to work. Now he was asking her to seduce and marry one of two men that he had selected for her...for the good of the family name and company. But Maggie has other plans. Plans that will leave both men thinking of her as something other than a wife, and leave her father's plans for marriage in ashes.

Alex and Patrick were there to investigate Dom Houston and through the carelessness of his assistant managed to get in to see the man himself. But it was the blonde haired beauty that commanded their attention from the get go. And when she arrived at their hotel room later in the day, neither was willing to walk away. If Maggie wanted a ménage then they were more than willing to give it to her.

But for two of them it would be more than they could have ever imagined.

'Boy Toys' by Brynn Paulin

Dana's job title is scientist not babysitter. She's irritated when her boss slates her to accompany department bad boys, Christopher and Jason, to a meeting in London on her weekend off. Since her job transfer to England, she's hidden her attraction to the much younger men. Unfortunately, the attraction seems to be growing every day and every night she fantasises about them. Three days virtually alone with them will be no fantasy and might instead be an embarrassing disaster. But...

Jason and Christopher have had their eyes on Dana since she joined their department. Through a little finagling they've arranged for her to be part of this trip. They're sure her project is a spot on compliment to theirs and her presence will be an ideal addition to their bed. Now all they have to do is convince her that the bad boys will make her perfect boy toys. Forever.

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Lovers Alec Russert and Kevin Cosby feel horrible for their best mate, Jennica Chapman, when her current beau dumps her. And yet, they're glad he's out of her life.

Unfortunately, thirty-six year old Jennica thought this was her last chance to have a baby, and she's much more upset about this than losing the boyfriend. As Alec is feeling his biological clock also, he suggests to Kevin that they help her out of her predicament.

But, they're the ones in for a shock when Jennica tells them they may be too tame for her sexual likes. It turns out that Jennica is a submissive and she loves to be bound and spanked by her master. The shock wears off quickly when Alec and Kevin decide that Jennica will like two Dom masters much better than one.

Soon they realise their best mate really is their best mate, and that she's always owned their hearts.

'The Wager' by Dakota Rebel

Menage-a-Trios with a twist, and a vampire bite.

A weekly game of Billiards between a couple becomes interesting when the stakes get raised to include a pair of friends in the payoff.

Sadie and Will are vampires who have a wager based on a weekly billiards game they play. Their stakes are always sexual and this week will be no different. But for this week's wager they decide to include a couple of their friends, Dave and Tony, in the payoff. If Will wins, he gets to watch Sadie have sex with their friends while he watches and gives instructions as to what he wants to see. But if Sadie wins, she wants to instruct their friends on what to do to Will.

The the game begin!

'Four Play' by Desiree Holt

How many is too many, or is it not enough?

She loved the ménage that her lover Michael Collins had introduced her to, but now here they were, spending a week at Duncan MacLaughlin's cottage in Scotland and Holly Martin wasn't sure she was ready for the surprise he promised her.

No details, just a wide grin. The surprise turned out to be Jim Grainger, a friend of Michael and Duncan's, who was as much into a foursome as the other men. With all that testosterone flowing around her, and three very gorgeous and sexy men to play games with, Holly suddenly realises she loves a sexy numbers game.

'Monsoon Fever' by Lisabet Sarai

Divine temptation lies in wait in an ancient and mysterious land.

In their first years together, Priscilla and Jonathan enjoyed a marriage based as much on physical passion as on love. However, the travails of business and the tribulations of the Great War have taken their toll. When Jon's father dies in faraway India, the couple travels to the father's isolated Assamese tea plantation to settle his affairs. Far from the bustle and distraction of London, left alone to endure the monsoon rains while Jon struggles to complete the final harvest, Priscilla realises how much she misses Jon's touch.

Anil Kumar arrives with business documents for Jon to examine. The charismatic native enchants both Priscilla and Jon with his god-like beauty and charm. In separate incidents, each of them succumbs to Anil's lustful attentions. Will the illicit desires excited by the handsome Indian be the final stroke that destroys their marriage? Or the route to saving it?

Here's an excerpt from my story "Best Mates":

'Best Mates' by Ashley Ladd

Jennica Chapman felt so low she didn’t think she could sink any further. Hurt and angry, she ripped up all the pictures she had of her ex, Thad, threw them in the sink and lit a match to them. As she watched the flames devour Thad’s handsome but sleazy face, she gritted out between her teeth, “Up in flames with you. Kev and Alec had you pegged. Why didn’t I listen?”

Afraid the smoke was getting too thick and would set off the fire alarm, she turned on the tap and doused the flames. Catching her blurry reflection in the tap’s chrome, she stared at her distorted reflection. “Because you’re a blithering idiot. Because you wanted a baby so badly, you would’ve settled for the wanker.”

Mad at herself for letting the last two years tick away as her eggs grew stale, she scoured the sink and threw Thad’s ashes into the rubbish.

Unfortunately that didn’t make her feel much better. Neither did cranking up her music, soaking in the tub, or digging into a quart of Ben and Jerry’s.

Her door shook with a sudden pounding and she rolled her eyes. Not in the mood to fend off a door-to-door salesman, and in particular hoping never to lay eyes on Thad again, she ignored it.

The hammering increased and Alec called out, “I’m not going away. I know you’re in there, Chapman.”

A rush of affection for her best chum washed out some of her raging anger. She raced for the door and flung it wide. Ecstatic to see friendly faces, she threw herself first into Alec’s arms and then Kevin’s.

She didn’t know which was more handsome. They were both heartthrobs. Alec was the ultimate bad boy rocker with unruly hair that grazed his shoulders and a perpetual roguish smile that would melt her heart if he were straight—sometimes it did anyway. Bohemian, he always wore ragged jeans, a shirt that lay half-unbuttoned exposing a matt of very sexy chest hair, and gold earrings. Also like usual, he wore a sexy five o’clock shadow on his lean cheeks. She thought it the sexiest thing on earth. Well, maybe the second sexiest… She had a hard time suppressing a naughty grin and keeping her gaze from drifting south to the sexiest thing between his legs.

Kevin on the other hand was the clean-cut, London book editor who always wore preppy clothes. His blond good looks and clear blue eyes had broken more than a few hearts, male and female. He kept his hair tapered short and well-groomed. Often she wondered how the two had hooked up, but she’d shrugged it off as opposites attracting.

Well, I'm off to prepare for work tomorrow and get some writing done. I wanted to finish a book I started a few years ago. I love the idea. But rereading it I HATE what I wrote.

Oy!

So instead of trying to fix it, I'm just going to start from scratch. If you're a writer, have you ever done that?

There's an even older book I want to fix, but I've changed it so many times, it's all out of order and it's a pain. But on the whole, it's pretty good so I'm not going to scrap it and start from scratch. But it'll take longer to fix than I'd hoped. I'm not exactly the patient sort but I'm trying to reign myself in and take the time it requires to do it right.