Julie Kenner's Blog, page 112

Dancing in Fairy Dust

I had a realization this morning: what if all the dust in my house is fairy dust? Do I really want to injure a fairy? Deprive it of it’s livelihood? Piss it off? (I’ve read several evil fairy books!) No, I do not. Therefore, I’ve decided to not dust anymore. Just doing my part for the health and welfare of our fluttery fairy friends.

Bunco-mania!

Tonight is Bunco night.

I’m so excited! To be honest, I didn’t even know what Bunco was until I saw it on an episode of Real Housewives of Orange County. Based on that episode, my understanding is that the game involves drinking, gossiping and name calling (this should get interesting!). Oh, and there are dice involved, too.

Seriously, some of the women in my neighborhood organized a Bunco group, and because that sounded too fun to pass up, I joined up…even though I really don’t know how to play. But we each bring $5. So I figure that’s either beer money, or it’s possible to win bucks, so, hey, sounds good to me.

Since I have a feeling that the Central Texas version of Bunco isn’t the same as the hair-pulling, bitch-slapping, name-calling OC variety, I decided to do a little research.

Here are some Fun Bunco Facts I pulled from Wikipedia:

There is a World Bunco Association

Bunco dates back to the 18th Century

It started in America in San Francisco in gambling parlors

It’s a social dice game (presumably Wikipedia means that the people are social, not the dice) and involves 100% luck and no skill (this is good)

Have you played Bunco? Did it melt down into a girl fight? Did you win enough to retire to Fiji? Come on…share!

The Kate Connor Demon Slaying Song!

Thanks to Steven Brandt for most of these lyrics and the inspiration. Guess I can’t whine about not being George R.R. anymore, huh. (hahahaha).

And thanks to my daughter Catherine for performing the vocals! (no thanks to Photo Booth, because the sound isn’t synced, but what the heck).

Anyway, this amused me!

The lyrics, if you’d like to sing along!

Dashing through the pages

In a soccer mom van we ride

over the hills we go

Kate Connor by our side

She slays the demons dead

Then tucks the kids in bed

What fun it is to laugh and sing a slaying song tonight

Oh, dead demons, dead demons, let’s kill demons and their friends

Don’t be shy, just stab ‘em in the eye and then do it again!

Stomp v. Romp: mark your calendars!

I’ll be going head to head with Amanda Carlson on August 17. Our theme: A werewolf walks into a bar …

Be sure to come by!

Exaltation

I had intended to blog today about Apple’s Mountain Lion — the stuff I like so far and the stuff I don’t.

And then I went over to Julia London‘s house last night and watched some of the Olympics. And then I saw this amazing photo of Gabby Douglas, and I just had to change topics.

Look at it. It’s amazing. She’s soaring, pushing herself, reaching for the absolute ultimate best that she can be. And achieving it.

And not just Gabby, but all of the amazing athletes in the Olympics from all the teams, all the countries.

But that picture…wow, that picture really captures it for me.

To me, though, that picture isn’t only about what Gabby can do. It’s about what we all can do. About striving and reaching for our best in whatever it is we’re doing. Work, job, home, relationships, hobby, craft. It’s about achieving, and that amazing feeling of exaltation when you know that you’re operating at your highest capacity.

So this is to everyone out there. Don’t just reach for the stars. Be the star.

I wanna be like George R.R. Martin

I have a new life goal.  I wanna be like George R.R. Martin.  Not because A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) was fricking awesome, but because I don’t want to just write books anymore.  No, that is no longer enough for me.

Now I want folks to make up songs about my books, and to kick my ass when I’m not writing fast enough.  Yes, that is my new goal in life.  I want a YouTube video.  Watch this spot, folks.   As soon as I’ve made it, you’ll know it here, first!

(ahem.  Seriously, this video is an absolute hoot.  Even though, in the interest of full disclosure, I have to confess I’ve only read Book 1)

(My favorite line … the bit about Star Wars…)

So, what do you say? Any takers out there? Bueller … Bueller …

Release Day! When Temptation Burns

Doyle's book! On sale now!!!!

I’m so excited because today is release day for the sixth Shadow Keepers book, WHEN TEMPTATION BURNS! Here’s the back cover blurb:

Half human, half daemon, Ryan Doyle is a driving force for justice. As an agent for the Preternatural Enforcement Coalition, he’s investigating murders linked to a Los Angeles fringe group bent on exposing the shadow world to humanity. He is a master of self-control, keeping his deepest hungers hidden beneath a veneer of cool professionalism. Until he crosses paths with sinfully sweet Andy Tarrent, a gutsy reporter who makes him crave all the pleasures he’s denied himself for centuries.

Tracking a band of conspiracy theorists eager to spill blood, Andy has uncovered the story of her career. Brooding, mysterious Ryan is an enigma—but their dance of seduction is hotter than any fantasy. As they race to stop mass murder on the streets, Andy knows that Ryan is holding back, keeping secrets. But getting close to Ryan means opening the door to a world that will challenge her deepest beliefs—including what it means to truly surrender to love.

Order WHEN TEMPTATION BURNS from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Random House, or your favorite bookseller.

gone, gone, gone

Chatting about Gone, Girl over at The Whine Sisters today.

Hint: Now that I’ve started reading it, I’m not gonna get anything else done!

Have you read it? If not, give it a try. I bet you’ll love it:

Not the last chance for The Last Chance series!

“Fast-paced, high-octane, romantic adventure.” —Brenda Novak, NYT bestselling author

I’m so excited! One of my crit partners and Whine Sister, Dee Davis, has her Last Chance series up in e-format now for the Kindle (Nook coming soon). These are awesome romantic suspenses, and I promise you’ll love them.

You can check them out here:

Scooby-Doo … where are you?

I’m talking Scooby-Doo over at the Whine Sisters today. What has Scooby taught you?

And don’t forget, The Cat’s Fancy sale ends in just a couple of days! Snag your copy and help an animal today!