Tag: thursday 13

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Readers & Writers Unite with Liberty

Today’s Thursday 13 is a mixed bag. First I’m going to share some news about the awesome Create Something Magical Conference being held by the Liberty States Fiction Writers. Second I’m going to share the 13 things I love about conferences!

If you’re looking for a place to attend interesting panels and social events, get editor and agent appointments, network with industry professionals and readers, take a moment to consider the Create Something Magical Conference on March 17, 2012. If you’re either an aspiring or published author, there are a number of excellent panels on craft and business, editor/agent appointments, lunch with keynote speak Larissa Ione, Lady Jane’s Salon readings, a networking reception and an after-conference party all for $120. Plus you can mingle with readers on the brand new readers’ track!

Readers can attend the Lady Jane’s Salon readings (complete with dessert and beverages), panels with some of your favorite authors, a book club with Larissa Ione and the after-conference party complete with hot finger foods, a DJ and Karaoke! Cost for readers: $40. Yep, you read that right – $40. That’s less than a night out with the girls.

Plus there will be a book fair, free books and other swag, basket raffles (tickets are included with conference registration) and an Sony E-reader giveaway for those who register by February 1.

Registration is now open so mark the date in your calendars – March 17, 2012 – and register!

But for now I’m going to list in no particular order the 13 things I love about going to conferences like the Create Something Magical Conference!

1. Meeting readers! It’s always so great to meet people face-to-face, but the other thing is that I’m a reader and love to talking about my favorite books.

2. Meeting other published writers. It’s great to be able to talk to other published writers and here what’s happening with them.

3. Meeting aspiring authors. I love being able to share the knowledge that I have and being able to pay it forward.

4. Going to workshops. No matter what, I always get something useful from the workshops.

5. Positive energy. Just like the Hunters in THE LOST, it’s always amazing to tap into the positive energy that abounds at conferences. I always feel like my creative power has been recharged.

6. Rubber chicken and limp pasta. LOL! NOT. But I do love the finger foods we have at the receptions.

7. Doing face time with the editors and agents. It’s always nice to chat with them socially and see how they are doing.

8. Editor and agent appointments and panels. Way different than the social thing, but also good for pitching new stories and seeing what’s happening.

9. Hanging out at the bar with friends. Not much of a drinker, but nursing a glass of wine (or a Mudslide) while dishing with friends is always fun.

10. Breakfast the morning after. I usually stay overnight and I love breakfast! I could eat breakfast for every meal I love it so much.

11. SWAG. I love checking out the SWAG and seeing what others are doing.

12. Setting up the night before the conference. It’s always great to work to get everything going and share time with all the wonderful volunteers helping out at the conference.

13. Okay – I ran out of steam. Not sure about #13 but maybe something will come to me.

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Disclaimer: Caridad is a member and founder of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and is currently serving as the Secretary for the group.

Create Something Magical Conference

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Thursday 13 & 18+ Blog Hop

Join me for a dual day with this Thursday 13 and 18+ Blog hop! For those who are new here, my latest release is THE LOST and here is a little teaser from it!

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .

Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She’s drawn to his strength of mind and body; he’s attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam’s powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.

Leave a comment on this blog for a chance to win a $10 gift card and a collection of swag from myself and other authors!

Discover these 13 paragraphs from

THE LOST!

THE LOST Paranormal RomanceThere was no denying how difficult it was for him, remembering that day. But then he surprised her, and maybe even himself, by saying, “I think I’ve seen those energy balls before. When Salvatore found me. Before I forgot who I was.”

“Forgot who you were?” she questioned, seeking clarification because she didn’t want to misunderstand what he meant.

“When I woke up, I had no memories of who I was or where I came from. I still don’t except…”

“You remember the energy. The way the men tossed it. The way you returned fire,” she put out for him to consider.

He nodded and screwed his eyes shut, as if forcing himself back to that time and those memories, but then he expelled a harsh sigh and shook his head. “I can’t remember any more.”

“It’ll come to you.“

“It hasn’t come to me in twenty years, Bobbie. What makes you think it’ll happen now?” he challenged, obviously frustrated.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose. Maybe now it’s time for you to figure it all out,” she said, paraphrasing an oft-told old scripture she’d heard in church.

“You expect me to have faith, only I’m not a religious man,” he warned.

“Hasn’t there been anyone in your life in whom you had faith?” she asked, but as a river of emotions washed over him and transferred itself to her, she knew the sad answer to that. Because she didn’t want to press and cause him more heartache, she rose from the couch.

“It’s time I went home.”

“Stay,” he said, but quickly added, “I’ve got half-a-dozen empty rooms all beautifully decorated by some famous designer whose name I can’t even remember. Just choose a room.”

Insanely she knew what room she wanted to choose-his-but tempered that rashness. It would only create more issues and much like she had told him, there was a season and a time for everything.

paranormal romance Jersey Shore

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paranormal romance Jersey Shore

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My Love/Hate About Rainy Days

Today’s Thursday 13 is all about my love/hate relationship with rainy days! Especially considering the last week or so we’ve had in the Northeast.

This morning the rain was so bad, the road to the train station was flooded! Hubby had to drop me off a block earlier so I could traipse through rushing waters in my trusty rain boots. I wish I could send just a little bit of the water to all my friends in Texas who need it so badly.

Anyway, here is my attempt at 13 things I love/hate about rainy days. Feel free to help me out with your comments.

1. Love staying home tucked under the covers.
2. Hate having to commute in this mess.
3. Love curling up with a good book and a cup of tea.
4. Hate wet feet. I must be part cat.
5. Love the thunder and lightning.
6. Hate the thunder and lightning when I am out of doors and know it’s more likely I’ll get hit by the lightning than win the Lottery.
7. Love how the rain makes all the plants perk up.
8. Hate how the rain rots out my tomatoes.
9. Love standing beneath a tree after the rain and having the wind shake loose those last little drops.
10. Hate seeing the big trees with too few roots come down in the rain.
11. Love splashing through the puddles in my rain boots.
12. Hate finding out my rain boots are not as waterproof as I thought.
13. Love snuggling with my hubby in the morning, holding hands and listening to the rain hit the roof.

Thank you for dropping by today! Please share your love/hate relationship with rain. Visit more Thursday 13 participants by clicking here.

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Thursday 13 – Favorite Jersey Shore Things

I love the summer and being to drive down to the Jersey Shore and enjoy being outdoors.

So this morning’s Thursday 13 is a list of my favorite Jersey Shore Things! Feel free to add your some of your favorite things about the Jersey Shore or about the summer!

1. Strolling along the boardwalk and checking out the sights.
2. Checking out street fairs, flea markets and art festivals.
3. 4th of July parades and fireworks.
4. Memorial Day parades and services to honor our military.
5. Sitting on the beach and reading.
6. Fishing! I have got to break out that fishing pole.
7. Exploring the various towns and seeing their unique styles.
8. Long bike rides along Ocean Avenue.
9. Surfer dudes. They are so sexy.
10. Eating ice cream at Day’s in Ocean Grove or Kohr’s frozen custard along the boardwalk.
11. $10.00 lobster specials! Yum, love lobster.
12. Shopping at the outlets.
13. Lucy the Elephant!

Hope you’re having a good summer so far! Feel free to share your favorite things with us today!

You can visit more Thursday 13 participants by clicking here.

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13 Favorite Books

Welcome to today’s Thursday Thirteen! I don’t know about you, but way before I was a writer, I was an avid reader and even now I try to get in a number of reads during the course of the year. Amongst those are some favorites which I’m sharing with you today. Feel free to add your favorite ones to the list!

    1. WOLF AND THE DOVE by Kathleen Woodiwiss
    2. NAKED IN DEATH by JD Robb
    3. The rest of the IN DEATH series by JD Robb
    4. WUTHERING HEIGHTS by Emily Bronte
    5. WE by Eugene Zamiatin
    6. LOOKING BACKWARD by Paul Bellamy
    7. SHANNA by Kathleen Woodiwiss
    8. AND TO THINK I SAW IT ON MULBERRY STREET by Dr. Seuss
    9. PILLAR OF IRON by Taylor Caldwell
    10. GONE WITH THE WIND by Margaret Mitchell
    11. IN COLD BLOOD by Truman Capote
    12. BRAVE NEW WORLD by Aldous Huxley
    13. DARKNESS AT NOON by Arthur Koestler

As for what I’ll be reading this summer, I’m going to catch up on a lot of the IN DEATH series books I’ve missed, mix in some wonderfully romantic and sexy HARLEQUIN DESIREs and tackle ATLAS SHRUGGED by Ayn Rand. I’ve heard quite a bit about it and it seems like a great time to consider what happens when there is too much government in our lives.

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Thursday 13 – THE FIFTH KINGDOM

THE FIFTH KINGDOM Romantic Suspense from Carina PressA big thanks to Xakara for inspiring today’s Thursday 13, namely 13 (okay maybe 14) paragraphs from my upcoming Carina Press romantic suspense release, THE FIFTH KINGDOM.

Just a little setup for you. The hero, Bill Santiago, is a sexy CIA Agent who is investigating the disappearance of an archeologist and a possible connection to a Mexican terrorist group. The heroine, Deanna Vasquez, is the daughter of the missing woman, but she has a love/hate relationship with her mom, who abandoned her years earlier.

Bill and Deanna travel to Mexico together to try and put an end to the possible threat against both her mother and the United States. Along the way, Bill and Deanna find unexpected danger, namely, a threat to their hearts as love blossoms between them.

As for this short excerpt, if it isn’t hot enough where you are today, today’s Thursday 13 may change that, so you are warned that what follows is a little spicy and for a mature crowd. If you are not over 17, please do not continue. And yes, I am a tease! Please don’t be angry with me for that.
Continue reading “Thursday 13 – THE FIFTH KINGDOM”

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Thursday 13 – Summer Wishes

Those who know me know I am like the Energizer bunny after a double-dose of a triple venti Starbucks coffee. I’m always on the go. So this summer I plan on doing something different: relaxing. Well, at least relaxing as much as I can because I really can’t just get away from it all for a variety of reasons. Still, I am going to do my darn best to plan my spontaneity. LOL!

So this morning’s Thursday 13 is a list of my summer wishes! Feel free to add your summer wish as a comment!

1. Relax. I want to dip my toes in the water and just take it easy.
2. Read more. My TBR pile is looking too much like the Washington Monument.
3. Relax.
4. Sell a proposal to Harlequin Desire. I just love these books and so wish I could get back into writing contemporary romances.
5. Relax.
6. Hope the new books sell well.
7. Get to the beach more.
8. Take long naps on the beach.
9. Enjoy early morning and evening strolls along the boardwalk.
10. Lose more weight and be healthier (unfortunately that flies in the face of #11).
11. Eat a short shot ice cream at Day’s every weekend night.
12. Relax.
13. Try my hand at self-publishing some of my earlier releases and a new story.

Hope you’re having a good spring so far and looking forward to the summer! Feel free to share what you would like to do over the next few months.

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Summer Splash Winner!

The winner of the Summer Splash Blog Hop prize is Laura H. Please contact me with your postal address so I can send your prize.

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