*squee*

So, I’m hijacking the fun, collaborative Friday post to do a casual one of my own since I skipped out was lucky enough to have Monday off because of Memorial Day. I know you missed me, right? LOL

Anyhow, the hubster and I have been making big remodeling plans for next spring (when we hopefully have some $$). Of course, I’m excited about everything we want to do, but I’m damn near ecstatic that the renovations include…finally…an office for me! Yay! Woohoo!

Okay, so admittedly, the space isn’t going to be huge–it’s actually going to be half of what is now my front porch (the other half will be used to extend the boys bedroom, which will then become the master). I can’t find a measuring tape anywhere, but I’ll give an eyeball guess that my new “spot” will be about 10′ x 9′, which is like way huge compared to the roughly 5′ x 4′ spaces I’ve been hopping back and forth from in the house over the past year (the living room, the bedroom, the living room again).

Anyhow, while it may be dinky, it’ll be ALL MY OWN. My own little piece of heaven. I’d love it to look like this…     I’d even be really happy with this…   But, reality check here, it’ll probably look something like this… Clean (haha), simple and spacious–I need a big desk for all of my “research” material. And forget those abstract pics behind the desk–mine will most likely be buff, half naked men. And the walls will likely be bordello red with heavy red curtains on my window. And since my space will be the former front porch, the insurance company wouldn’t be too happy if we didn’t keep the front door (you know, in case one of my smelly man candles gets out of hand), so I’ll probably paint the inside of that a sexy, crimson red, as well. *squee*

You have no idea how excited I am. Yes, this project is an entire year away, but I’ve waited for what seems like forever already (we were supposed to do it this year in another part of the house, but that’s another long story)–I can wait a little more.

I wanted to close this post with a link to a site someone hooked me up with last year, showing a mess (sometimes literally) of author desks and offices, most of the pretty well-known. It was fun to see where others make the magic happen. Alas, I cannot find the damn site for the life of me. This one is an “eh” substitute. Scroll down to the comment section for a few links to famous authors’ desks. ROFL. At least my desk now doesn’t look quite so tornadous (just pretend that’s a real word, ‘kay? ) as Jennifer Crusie’s.

 

Happy Weekend, y’all!
~Ally

new promo

Check out the promotions page for Tawny Taylor’s new release!

Love, Life, and Louboutin?

Oh yes, if I were completely honest with myself, it would be the last I truly live for. I am a fashion whore. I admit it. I know I have confessed this before, but if we can’t occasionally revisit our guilty pleasures, when can we? I cannot afford the fashion I crave. My piddly little income is becoming less stretchable by the minute. But oh daydreaming of getting my hot little hands on even one pair of Louboutin’s is better than any orgasm I have ever had. Seriously…who says that a vampire slayer, witch, or shape-shifter can’t be stylin’ a pair of these? I mean a girl should never have to sacrifice fashion if it can be avoided…right?

And should a fairy godmother appear before me, I hope she shows up with a pair of pink satin Louboutin’s and that upon clicking the heels together three times and reciting “There’s no place like RWA” three times, all my dreams will come true…..

Hey a girl’s gotta dream right?

MJ

Happy Memorial Day

As we take the time to recognize the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty for this country, we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. And to start your weekend off with a bang, we would like to share with you….. MEN! You didn’t really expect anything less from Ally or I did you?

 

Nothing says Happy Memorial Day Like a sweaty bare-chested Maverick and Iceman do. So here’s to a safe weekend whether you are camping, picnicking, or celebrating by visiting the sites that represent the lives lost in protection of our freedoms, we hope you have started your weekend off with a smile and possible a few sweaty men induced dreams.

 

~MJ & Ally

Ally’s Passion~

What does one do when they discover how down and out their most prized CP is feeling? How about when she also happens to be a treasured friend? You give her your work and tell her to quit her snivlin’ there’s readin’ to be done! Oh okay, really I am not as harsh as all of that.

For me to say that Ally feels her passion for writing is fading, might be a bit of an overstatement or understatement depending on how you look at it. I am no expert on the subject. However, that has never stopped me from giving my two cents before. In this case, I might be giving a dollar fifty. So here goes….

I remember something my father had said to me a long time ago. When we are passionate about something and we try to make it conform to certain rules, or fit it within the scope of what others think is necessary, we lose the essence of what began that passion to begin with. Suck the life right out of it. I remembered that recently. So a note to one of my dearest friends…

Ally,

You have more passion and talent than you give yourself credit for; it feeds my own and often pushes me forward when I need it most. Do not let guidelines and boundaries, and the words of others dictate what and how you write. That can all come later, but for now, I want you to write what you love without thinking about anything else. You deserve a story that is written purely for the joy of it and with no other guideline other than this- Make it your own. Writing is an art, and art like so many other things is all about the perception of the person reading it. If I can take a woman who is not a fan of the paranormal and turn her into one of my biggest supporters, then I know you can do this. The passion for words is thick in your blood and will pour out on paper for you. All it needs is the right venue, free from rules and regulations. Do not try to make your story fit into this perfect little package right from the starting gate. Put those fingers to the keyboard, or curl up with your paper and pens, and let the story come to you. Most of all remember what you always tell me… stop over thinking!

You have my love and support always, because that is what friends do.

 

Hugs,

MJ

What do you get when…

You have Ally…

 

 

 

Plus…

 

 

 

Minus…

 

 

 

???????

This!

 

 

 

Grrrrrr.  The fam and I are camping for four–count ‘em…one, two, three, four–days this upcoming weekend and I am not looking forward to it.  I mean, I love my kids and my DH (for the most part), but what in the hell am I going to do without my computer for FOUR days?  Sure, I can write on paper–I sometimes even like to write on paper–but when I’m forced todo it?  Not a good situation.

To think it’s only Monday and I’m already getting prickly about it.  Can’t even imagine what a bear I’ll be come Friday when we leave.  I so should have gotten a laptop instead of a new PC. :(  Pout.

Do me a favor and pray for rain in Wisconsin this weekend, okay?

A Picture is Worth

A thousand words, or so the saying goes. I am infamous for daydreaming when I am at work. A friend brought a picture in for me, and I have to admit that I can’t think of a better way to do it than staring at this face all day….

Those eyes, the small cleft in his chin, the hair….. sigh and drool! Alex O’Loughlin is a man who can inspire many heroes for me, especially when he speaks in that Australian accent. Yummmy! I’ve watched Moonlight, and even enjoyed the show, but he was always the draw for me more than the actual story line of the show. This is a man who could sink fangs into me at anytime and I would welcome the bite. Suck me dry! That would be alright by me.

Unfortunately, I will have to find a new venue to drool over Alex since the show is officially cancelled. Somehow though, I don’t think I will have to wait too long. And if push comes to shove, I can fall back on the likes of many men, but I prefer not to.

~MJ

So Ally …. Who inspires you doll?

Who doesn’t inspire me might be a more accurate question, since it’s no secret that I’m just a tad bit boy crazy.  I’ve been known to spend entire days “researching” a hero until I find just the right visual. :)  My latest fascination is with the sexy Englishman Henry Cavill, who plays Charles Brandon on The Tudors.  I accidentally stumbled across Season I repeats a few months back and fell instantly in lust.  His accent is as delicious as the rest of him and one has to wonder what other talents he might have with his tongue.

Even better than finding a new piece of eye candy to salivate over was that I was also finally able to put a face to the hero I couldn’t quite place.  Except for the knee-weakening accent, Henry is my Josh to a T, intoxicating blue eyes and all.  I’ve even printed out a pic of him and have it tacked to the pegboard above my desk for continuous inspiration. :) 

 ~Ally

Now it’s your turn to share.  Is there any particular hunk of man candy that gets your creative juices flowing?

Love is an Art

Having read books with sex scenes that varied from modest to very explicit, I have to admit that I am envious of those writers who can make those scenes live and breathe. Make your pulse rise with every word, and pull you into the depths of the scene to go along for the emotional ride that goes with a good sex scene. But it is definitely an art I have yet to perfect. There is undoubtedly lots of discussion about who does it well. I have a few favorites that represent this variation in writing, but I will only subject you to two.

Nora Roberts is by far, in my opinion, the best in pulling you into a love scene emotionally and not explaining it in detail or diminishing it with purple prose. I am currently listening to the Circle Trilogy, (which I have read already, but am indulging my need for books while at work.) and in the first book, the love scenes between Hoyt and Glenna just speak to me. They are tender, passionate, and there is no doubt what the characters are feeling or doing for that matter. *Insert whimsical sigh*

Laurell K. Hamilton tends to be a bit more graphic in her scenes, some might even say a bit vulgar and mindless. I believe that although the sex is quite frequent in her books, the scenes are no less meaningful or arousing. The sex here isn’t all hearts and flowers, love and romance, leading to the happily ever afters. These are scenes that are emotionally engaging because of the reasons behind the act. For me, the more detailed scenes and descriptions are fitting. These are stories of harsh worlds, where characters constantly face life and death, where sex is a means to an end in some cases. Yet there are scenes where tenderness is shown, and it is not just sex, it is a love scene that will tug at the heart strings.

The ways to write love scenes is as varied as the readers and writers out there. Finding the happy medium, where you can pour the emotion into your scenes, is entirely up to you. I am still searching for my happy medium and my comfort level.

Share some of your favorite writers and the reasons why you sigh, pant, or drool when you read their scenes.

 

~Mj

ack!

I completely spaced out blogging today!  And, at this very moment, I’m up to my eyeballs in making dinner.  So, for the sake of posting something…and because I know we all love a little man-candy…here’s a little beginning of the week inspiration.  May he make your writing prolific. :)  Smooches…

The perfect man poem…

This is not the one I was looking for, but–hehe–it’s cute.

***

The perfect man is gentle

Never cruel or mean

He has a beautiful smile

And keeps his face so clean.

 

The perfect man likes children

And will raise them by your side.

He will be a good father

As well as a good husband to his bride

 

The perfect man loves cooking

Cleaning and vacuuming too.

He’ll do anything in his power

To show his love to you.

 

The perfect man is sweet,

Writing poetry from your name.

He’s a best friend to your mother

And kisses away your pain.

 

He has never made you cry

Or hurt you in any way.

Oh, “to hell with this stupid poem,”

“Cause the perfect man is gay!”

HAPPY FRIDAY, Y’ALL!!