M.J. Fredrick's Blog, page 40
July 19, 2012
Outlander the TV Series–Who Should Play Jamie Fraser?
Apparently they are making a TV series from the book series Outlander, which is one of my favorite books of all time. For those of you who haven’t read it, it’s the story of a British World War II nurse who goes to Scotland after the war with her husband and travels back in time, where she falls in love with a young Scottish warrior. (Jamie. Sigh.) It’s got politics, romance, heartbreak, and the series (as far as I’ve read. I don’t think I’ve read the last 2) lasts from just before Culloden to the American Revolution.
It’s going to be awesome, I hope, if they give it the same attention as they give Game of Thrones and True Blood, but the key for me will be…who is Jamie.
When I read the book 15 years ago, I had definite ideas that of course I can no longer remember. I think Sean Bean was tossed around a bit, and he would have been great. A few years back when I was watching Crusoe on NBC (something like 3 episodes before I’m wondering how long he can avoid being rescued by all these people who are showing up on the island) but I thought Philip Winchester would make a perfect Jamie. The thing is, Jamie is a red-headed, 23-year-old Scotsman, and Philip might be a bit old.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who plays Jamie on The Game of Thrones, would be good, too, but again too old.
So, any thoughts? Did you read the books? Did you love Jamie? Who should play Jamie? I’m sure they’ll get someone to play Claire, but that’s not as important to me 
July 18, 2012
My Charms, Let Me Show You Them
Apparently this is my week for stealing blog post ideas. Robyn Dehart posted about her charm bracelet earlier this week. Because of her, I have a charm bracelet for my books, so I thought I’d share it.
My favorite charm, a haunted house representing A Ghost of a Doubt. You can ALMOST see the little ghost inside!
The Africa charm is for Don’t Look Back, the firefighter charm is for Hot Shot and Where There’s Smoke and the Ranger charm is for Breaking Daylight. The rhino is for the very first book I finished but will never sell. The truck could also be for Breaking Daylight.
A charm for my first and third Golden Hearts, with a scuba diver for Beneath the Surface between them.
Texas for Sunrise Over Texas, the coffeepot for Something to Talk About and the Penguin for Midnight Sun. I thought I had a better picture of the rodeo one, but it’s for Bull by the Horns.
My second and third Golden Hearts.
Okay, hm, that doesn’t seem like all of my books. After reading Robyn’s post, I bought a Minnesota state charm for my Bluestone books and an airplane for Three Days, Two Nights. Still…someone doesn’t have a charm. Huh. I’m missing one for Road Signs, one for Guarded Hearts and one for Star Power. Must remedy that.
I want an Austin state capital for Guarded Hearts, a lighthouse for Star Power and….wonder if I can get a classic car for Road Signs?
I have a few extra charms on my bracelet–vampire fangs for the vampire hunter book I wrote. I haven’t worked out just what’s wrong with that book, though. I have a police badge for a couple of stories I wrote early early on. I have a Space Needle for the first NaNoWriMo book I wrote. I have my Duel on the Delta pistols and a computer and a camel. Why a camel? A long time ago on the eHarlequin boards, someone said writing a book is like crossing the desert, and being published was different only in that now you have a camel. So when I got published, I bought a camel!
Okay, off to see what charms I can find. Do you have something to commemorate your books?
I finished my rough draft yesterday–whew! My first full-length book to write this year. Now I’m going to revise ten pages a day while working on another novella.Welcome, Henry.
July 17, 2012
Most Memorable Books, MJ Edition
The other day, Celia Yeary wrote a post about the ten most memorable books she’s read. So I started thinking. I’ve been reading as long as I can remember, so…
10) Flood Friday by Lois Lenski. I bought an old edition of this book with my first royalty check. I read it many many times when in elementary school. I could walk to the library at that school and pull it off the shelf right now if they still have it.
9) The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Who could forget the way they’d have to weave the hay into braids to burn it when they were running out of wood?
8) Winds of War by Herman Wouk. LOVED this series about the family swept up in World War II. LOVED the series.
7) Salem’s Lot. I read it in middle school and it scared the HELL out of me. Best vampire book ever.
6) The Stand. I read it not long after Salem’s Lot and it terrified me. But I loved it.
5) Sophie’s Choice. I’ve read a lot of WW2 books, but this one I remember the most strongly.
4) Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen. This is the book that I finished reading (something like 800 pages, tiny print) and turned back to the first page and started reading again.
3) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. This is the one I’ve read more than once, but I do want to read the others.
2) Outlander. All together now: Jamie. Sigh!
1) Winter Roses by Anita Mills. God I love that book, the first romance I read about a hero who had some insecurities. I loved William of Dunashie. Wanted to name my son William, but Fred protested.
That was both easier and harder than I thought–I left off Dark Sunshine, about a girl with polio who tames a wild mustang, Summer of my German Soldier, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Hiding Place…Like I said, I’ve read a lot of books! What are yours?
July 16, 2012
Nope, Don’t Like That, MJ Edition
So yesterday Trish had a post on Romance Bandits about things she doesn’t like. I’ve been friends with her for almost a decade and had no idea about some of these things. (A dishwasher? How can you hate something that does work for you AND hides your dishes?)
Then I tried to think of things that most people like that I do not.
1) spaghetti sauce. Any red sauce, really, which leaves out lasagna and most Italian food. I like tomatoes, I won’t eat a burger without ketchup, but not spaghetti sauce. No idea why.
2) pork. No pork chops, pork loin, very rarely sausage. I do like bacon.
3) Olives. Bleh.
4) Reality TV. I see the appeal, even see how it can be addictive, but I get too invested and my person gets voted off and…yeah, who needs it?
5) Shopping. Oh, I can spend money with the best of them, and on the occasion that I do go shopping, I enjoy myself. But too often it’s overwhelming–too many choices, too many people.
6) Mustard. Will have most restaurants swap it for mayo.
7) German chocolate cake. We had a TON of groom’s cake leftover after our wedding and froze it and whenever we were broke and wanted sweets, we’d take some out of the freezer and eat it. I cannot eat it every again.
8) Shrimp. Too chewy 
9) ground meat (except in burgers). Can’t stand the way it smells when it’s cooking. That leaves off meatloaf, btw.
What are some things you don’t like that everyone else seems to love? I concentrated on food but there are so many other things…used to be driving until I got my Mini 
I am so close to the end….
July 15, 2012
Goals for the Week of the Batman Party
My son is having some friends over on Thursday to watch the first two Nolan Batman movies before they head to the theater for the midnight show. He’s been planning this for months, has a menu worked out (Two-Face Pizza, Bane Burgers, Mr. Freeze-cicles…all Batman-themed) and even has party favors. So, Thursday’s shot. The husband and I decided we’ll go see Spiderman that evening to get out of their way, but still….
Saturday my cleaning lady is coming for her first trip. She works another job, so Saturday is the only long day she has. So another day shot. I will NOT be able to work while she’s here.
Today we’re having the family birthday party for Josh, but at my mom’s. My SIL has a scooter chair while she’s recovering from foot surgery and she’d never be able to get around my house on it. So my mom’s cleaning, doing the main dishes…I have very little prep.
The teachers want to go to a winery on Tuesday but I think I’m going to have to beg off. I just can’t lose another day this week.
So, it’s a busy week. I have 5 weeks left of summer vacation and I’m not doing well on my goals.
Big goal: finish craft room
Pinterest goal: jewelry and magnets
WRITE. FINISH FINISH FINISH.
Celebrate Josh’s birthday.
Judge 2 PYHIAB entries.
Day with Mom.
Straighten the house and clean the bathrooms for the party and so the cleaning lady won’t think we’re complete pigs.
I would really like to sew something too but I don’t know if that will happen.
Spiderman movie
July 12, 2012
21 Years Ago Today
My one and only was born. I always tell him the story on his birthday, but last night I told it to myself, since he always complains about hearing it. I remember the labor, the panic when I was told I was going to have the c-section, the way I wouldn’t give him up that night, though I was so groggy. I remember Mom calling the room (I had a private room by pure coincidence) telling me she wouldn’t be coming that night, though she’d been there throughout the day. She had a tired two-year-old, see. I remember Fred left a lot to go smoke.
I remember everyone coming the next day to visit and I was just miserable. I remember the hospital gave us a steak dinner the night before we went home and I threw it all up.
I remember coming home to a house I’d cleaned to the last corner, putting Josh to bed and thinking, now what? And then he woke up in the middle of the night and I had used all the pre-mixed bottles the hospital had given us and had to mix formula myself and Josh was crying and I was crying and Fred was sleeping (yet we’ve made it 25 years).
I remember Mom didn’t have AC in her Taurus wagon so she and my grandmother couldn’t come visit and bring my baby brother and I MISSED them.
I remember getting a call from the curriculum department at school telling me that I NEEDED to come to this inservice and it was important and when I said I’d just had a baby they were so nice to me.
Okay, getting weepy. Here are pictures. I haven’t hooked up the scanner, so I took pictures of pictures, lol!
Gigi holding him when he was a day old.
My step-grandmother holding him when he was about a week. I love this picture.
NO idea. Winter, so 6 months? 7 months?
With Fred’s mom
Second birthday? Pretty sure. Maybe third. Honestly should write this stuff down. Definitely a birthday because I bought him that outfit.
kinder graduation
With his dad in Lost Maples. I think he was 8. Another of my favorite pictures.
He played football for 2 years in middle school.
Freshman year. Pretty sure his shirt says, “Needs More Cowbell.” He wore music-relatedt-shirts for 3 years straight after having to wear a uniform in middle school.
He got two associates degrees in May. Now, in about 6 weeks, he’s heading for UT.
Excuse me while I go bawl my eyes out.
July 10, 2012
Must-Haves
I am getting in a what-I-need-for-school mindset, and while I don’t NEED any clothes, I want some dresses.
I want a polka dot dress. (Have a similar pattern)
I want a white dress. (Or maybe white with black). (Have a similar pattern)
I want a striped skirt. (This one will be tough)
I want a khaki skirt. (smeasy)
And I want this: (Have the skirt, need the ruffle)
This is pretty darn cute, too: (have a similar pattern)
This is on top of the two pieces of fabric I already have to make dresses!
July 9, 2012
Authors I Want to Read, and Authors Whose Series I’m Dreadfully Behind On
When I started reading romance, I didn’t have a TBR pile. I had a book. Then I’d buy another book when that one was done. Then I discovered the Used Book Store and the Internet, an evil combination. Then I discovered Paperback Swap, then Amazon, then Nook….
Between paperbacks and my Nook books and all the Amazon freebies I probably have 1000 books. And yet…
I’ll see an ad for a book by an author I’ve been meaning to read. Or an author I enjoy has come out with the next book in their series that I’m already four books behind on.
Series I’m behind on:
The Sookie Stackhouse books. I think the last one I read was the one where they’re in the pyramid shaped hotel. Actually I like listening to them because they have a good narrator, but I couldn’t settle down to listen to books on CD this year.
Cindy Gerard’s Black Ops. The last one I read was the girl who went to save her brother in Central America.
Robyn Carr’s Virgin River. The last one I read was the preacher. I have most of the others, but I bought them through Fictionwise and can’t UNLOCK them because I no longer have the credit card I used to buy them. Grrrr.
Jill Shalvis’s Lucky Harbor. I’ve read 2, there are 4 more, I think.
Nora’s Boonsboro books
Norah Wilson’s romantic suspense books
Trish Milburn’s Hill Country books (I know! And her being my bff and all!)
Debra Holland’s Montana series
Barbara Freethy’s Shadow Beach, the one with the angels
Joss Ware’s post-apoc books. I have the last 2 to read.
Books I’d love to read by authors I’ve never tried, but when?:
Jaci Burton’s sports heroes
Dee Davis
Maya Banks KGI books
Pamela Clare
Julie James
Victoria Dahl
Sarah Maclean (mostly because I love the titles–like Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake)
Roxanne St. Clair’s contemporary romance
Marie Force’s books
Wow, that makes me feel worse! And I’ve been reading a LOT this summer. What series do you need to catch up on? And what authors would you love to try that you haven’t yet?
July 8, 2012
Goals for the Week the Boy Turns 21!!!!!
OMG, I’m going to have a 21-year-old this week. I’m not old enough!
So I didn’t do as well as I hoped last week. 6000 words, no Pinterest project, no cleaning of the guest room. I don’t know what to do to get on track here. I did hire a lady to clean my house, starting the Saturday after next, and I’m calling around for a yard service. Everything seems so topsy turvy and I don’t know how to get settled.
SO. This week.
Big project: yup, guest room
Pinterest project: stamped silver project
1) Writing: 10K words
2) Spend a day with Mom–this week we’re going to their land and hanging out, taking walks, etc.
3) Lunch with JoAnn
4) Celebrating the boy’s birthday, once on his actual birthday and once with the family next Sunday.
5) Continuing exercising. I’ve been walking with the dog in the morning and riding the exercise bike in the afternoon.
July 7, 2012
Books I’d Recommend Before 50 Shades of Gray
I read 50 Shades of Gray this spring. Several of my teacher friends did as well, and devoured it. I….didn’t. I don’t know if the heroine was too young for me to relate to, or if I’ve been reading romance so long that it was nothing new, but the second book is sitting on my Nook and I’ve got TONS of books I’d rather read first.
This post is for Kammy, who also isn’t quite sure she likes it. These are books I would read before 50 Shades. (I’m going by my Goodreads list, btw).
The Lucky Harbor books by Jill Shalvis. Sexy but sweet, set in a small Oregon coastal town, about three sisters who are reuniting to open the inn their mother left them when she died. They fall for three best friends (stretching believability, but…) who are hot AND sweet.
The Kowalski books by Shannon Stacey. Sexy but sweet, set in New England, about these hunky brothers who find love where they least expect it.
Tainted by Temptation, by Katy Madison, a gothic historical romance about a governess and her employer, very like Jane Eyre but more action
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook–steampunk romance at its very best. May be a little out-there but I LOVED LOVED LOVED it.
Coin Operated by Ginny Glass–a bit spicier than the others on my list but MOST excellent.
Agnes and the Hitman and Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie.
The Search by Nora Roberts, a romantic suspense featuring a woman who trains dogs for agility. Set in the PNW. LOVED.
Beyond the Night by Joss Ware, a post-apocalyptic romantic adventure, with a strong hero AND a strong heroine. Also, now only $1.99!
Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas–a bossy hero, but a heroine who can stand up to him. Takes place in Houston, I think. It’s a sequel to Sugar Daddy, but better.
Okay, I’m tired of doing links now
To the Brink, by Cindy Gerard, a bodyguard book. It’s third in a series, but I think it stands alone.
Like werewolves? Blue Moon by Lori Handeland is awesome. I’ve read all but the last two books in the series, and I don’t usually like paranormal.
Anything by Karen Robards or Anita Mills or Karen Templeton or Virginia Kantra. (I see Virginia is re-releasing her older Silhouette Intimate Moments, many of which are on my keeper shelf.)
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
Almost Perfect by Julie Ortolon.
Virgin River by Robin Carr.
Dream a Little Dream and Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Until the Dawn by Desiree Holt
Her Cowboy Lover by Ava Flynn
Wild Wild Widow by Emma Jay
There are countless, COUNTLESS more. So while I acknowledge the appeal of 50 Shades, I wasn’t drawn in like I was to these others.
