Cardeno C.'s Blog, page 68
May 21, 2016
Sit down and shh! by Renae Kaye
Sit down and shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about
Last night an ad came on TV from the Australian Government. It was an ad aimed at stamping out violence against women. It gave some subtle scenarios we encounter as children that “set the scene” for us accepting violence against women in our adult life.
#1 – A girl (about 8 years old) is following a group of children out a door. A boy slams the door before she can exit, making her fall. The adult comes over and says, “Don’t worry. It’s just because he likes you.”
#2 – A girl and boy (about 10 years old) are throwing a ball between them. The adult turns around and says to the boy, “Don’t throw like a girl!”
My husband turned to me and said, “I don’t get it. Why are they using children?” I explained about how girls are reminded subtly daily to accept that “boys will be boys” and that boys are superior. I explained how telling a boy that he throws like a girl is just reminding both sexes that to be a girl is shameful and inferior.
I’m embarrassed to admit my husband scoffed at this and turned away. I had to make sure he understood the message, because we have a daughter. We have a son. Both need to learn that they cannot use this sort of behaviour as they grow. I made sure my husband understood that we can never intimate to our children that they are allowed to use force or violence, or accept force or violence, as a way of saying, “I love you.”
I’m not sure I got through to him.
It also reminded me of how my husband’s upbringing was very male orientated. He had no sisters, no female cousins. It was very masculine and without thought about the troubles girls have as they’re growing up. He doesn’t know what it’s like to not be taken seriously because of his gender, to be talked over because he’s female, to not be allowed to give an opinion because his female thoughts can’t be trusted, to have any upset be put down to hormonal problems, or to be discounted from anything logical because he has a vagina.
He doesn’t know what it’s like to have no authority, no respect, no power. And in any situation where he did feel this way, he simply said, “F*ck this shit” and walked away to find a situation that was more agreeable.
Me? I’ve been told to sit down and shut up because I don’t know what I’m talking about, basically my whole life.
For a start, I’m the youngest in a very large family. My oldest sibling is 18 years older than me. From the very beginning of my life I was made aware that I didn’t and could never know as much as my brothers and sisters. They were all older and more experienced than me.
Sit down and shut up, Renae. Your sisters and brothers know better.
Secondly, I’m a girl. My parents are very old fashioned. I’ve been reminded not to be loud, not to be boisterous, not to be tom-boyish my whole life. Being quiet and still and feminine was how I was meant to be. Leave the talking and the intellectual stuff to the boys.
I have been fighting that my whole life. I’m one of these weird people who are both an introvert and extrovert. I’m an introvert/extrovert. We’re around. There’s not too many of us. Most people would peg me as an extrovert, because when I’m in public, I’m very loud and friendly. I’m comfortable approaching strangers, starting a conversation, carrying a conversation, and speaking up. Most of the time I see myself as an introvert, because I’d rather stay in my house and not speak to people. The truth is, I’m both. When I’m out, I can display those extroverted traits. But I can only do it for so long, and then I need to retreat to my safe place and recharge those batteries.
So, when I’m out of the house, I’m not quiet. I’m not someone who allows the boys to talk just because they’re boys. I will join in. I will give my opinion. I will argue if they’re wrong. I don’t need a man to speak for me. But I’ve often been ignored.
Sit down and shut up, Renae. There’s a boy talking.
I can’t change that I’m the youngest in my family. My sisters and brothers will always be older. Several years back, when my father had terminal cancer, it was demonstrated to me that they still see me as the one who knows nothing. It was an emotional time for us all, I know. But incidents showed me … well, let’s just say that I was excluded from the important events because my opinion and knowledge was discounted as worthless. In their stress and grief, my family fell back on old ways, which was to ignore me. As you may be able to tell, I’m still angry and hurt by it.
Even in school there were a number of ways I was told that I was “abnormal” and “not a girl” by my actions. I excelled at science and maths, and would usually be one of only three or four girls in a class of thirty. I would hear the boys say, “Don’t let Renae get top marks again. We don’t want to be beaten by a girl.” Or the Principal would say, “And Renae got the top marks, and she’s a girl!”
You see, along with that introvert/extrovert personality I have, I also have a flip-flop temper (I get blistering angry, but will be over it in two minutes) and a tenacity that doesn’t let go. I get hurt very easily, but will come back to try again and again.
It took me 35 years to give up on my brothers and sisters. I kept coming back again and again to try to prove to them I was finally an adult. It was only Dad’s funeral that showed me I was just hurting myself. They will never see me as a person in my own right. It’s the curse of being the youngest.
A couple of years ago I decided to become an author. Shit. What a way to ask for everyone’s opinion! LOL. Since then I’ve had a lot of feedback and thank everyone for it. There are some lovely reviews that I’ve had which encourage and inspire me to write more.
But then I get the few that tell me to sit down and shut up. I don’t know what I’m talking about. They hurt. Ask any author who’s been told “you got it wrong” and they will tell you it hurts. And a lot of the time I can take it at face value – it’s a correction of something I may’ve got wrong. But some reviews… well, they hurt.
Like the reader who told me my characters don’t speak like Australians, so they think that I’m not Australian and obviously faking it. Or the person who told me it’s not like that in America, so I must be wrong (and then gave me one star).
Sit down and shut up, Renae. You have no idea what you’re talking about.
I’m still smarting from that review. My author friends will tell me (A.) not to read reviews, (B.) take no notice of the bad reviews, and (C.) write what I like. I know the theory. But it’s hard to put into practice.
The weeks leading up to a new release and the weeks after it are usually a little scatty for me. Nerves means I have trouble concentrating on a task and I usually jump from story to story in my writing. My newest release hasn’t gone well. Which makes it disappointing to me. So the self-analysis meter is ticking furiously on overtime. What did I do wrong? Why didn’t people want to buy this book? What could I have done differently? It starts the doubts. I want to write stuff that people like. I want people to feel happy after reading one of my books.
The defeatist part of me says to, “Sit down and shut up, Renae. You shouldn’t be writing. You’re a fool to think you could write.” But the other optimist part of me says, “Don’t worry about it. The next book will be okay. Don’t quit yet.”
But it has meant I’ve been second guessing my work. The story I’m writing at the moment involves an older man. Older than I’ve ever written before. My much younger MC finds him attractive, even though he’s not in the first flush of youth. My MC wants to describe my older MC, flaws and all. Because he finds those parts attractive. But my defeatist brain is warning me off. Don’t write him like that. Readers won’t like it.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
I guess, with authoring, this is one of the truest AND untruest things someone can say. Because who other than the author can know exactly what is going through a character’s mind? So when my MC sees his older lover naked and is attracted to him, how can someone tell me I’m wrong?
How can you know what a young, gay man thinks? You’re off your rocker, Renae.
True. This is something I will never be. So I can only imagine.
There is no answer. But, just like telling me that I’m onlya girl and I shouldn’t be loud didn’t work in shutting me up, telling my brain to stop creating stories isn’t going to make these stories stop coming. It may stop me writing the stories down and distributing them, but if every author stopped writing when one person told them they were wrong, where would this world be? Bereft of stories. If we told our girls that they were inferior and they should always sit down and be quiet, where would this world be? Bereft of half our collective intelligence. If the younger generation are never trusted or believed to be able to obtain the knowledge of the ones who came before them, where would we be? Going backwards in our learning.
So for every author who has been told they don’t know what they’re talking about, please don’t stop trying. Your stories fire our imagination, soothe our troubles, inspire us to be more and make us laugh.
For every student that has been told they’ll never know it all, don’t stop trying to learn.
For every person who was told they shouldn’t reach for their dreams, dream some more and then reach for the stars.
And for every girl who was told they were not as good as a boy because of their gender, f*ck that shit.
May 19, 2016
Turning Up the Heat by Felice Stevens
When I first decided to write Gay Romance, I wasn't sure how "hot" I wanted my books to be. I was never a dedicated erotic romance reader, but I liked my sex in my books. It's one thing to read it, but another to write it, I can tell you that for certain.
In many of the writing loops and groups I belong to, authors who don't write or read romance, especially gay romance, often immediately equate it with erotic romance or even erotica. Without any evidence to support their claims, they assume if it's romance it doesn't have a plot or a storyline; it is simply sex scene after sex scene with a bit of a story.
I've never disliked writing sex scenes, but I'm not talking about inserting tab A into slot B. I mean the emotion of the words, the feelings generated by the characters that make that particular time necessary and important to the development of those characters. I love writing the first kiss or the first time a couple makes love. It makes for highly emotional writing.
I've noticed as I've grown in my writing, I've also come to write my love scenes with more heat. It isn't that I write more sex scenes, it is that the sex is more intense and highly charged between the couple. And I'm kind of liking it, I have to admit. I don't for a second believe that a romance needs explicit sex or even any sex scenes in it to be a real romance. Georgette Heyer wrote some of the best romances without sex scenes, after all. But for me, I enjoy experimenting with differing levels of heat in my stories.
As women learn to embrace sexuality, feeling freer than ever to read erotic romance and gay romance and embrace watching gay porn, we have matured, and have animated discussions about sex on line with other women and men. Personally, these conversations make up some of my most favorite interactions on line.
It's funny to me because I believed my last book, Learning to Love was my highest heat level book; others have told me it was more emotional than sexual. That may be true. Gideon and Jonah have a unique connection; they are two halves of a whole, with sex being a very important part of their relationship.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/21nKufG
AllRomance: http://bit.ly/1Oazjj0
iBooks: http://apple.co/W9zx2j
B&N: http://bit.ly/WJ6ssZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1W8jvoM
In many of the writing loops and groups I belong to, authors who don't write or read romance, especially gay romance, often immediately equate it with erotic romance or even erotica. Without any evidence to support their claims, they assume if it's romance it doesn't have a plot or a storyline; it is simply sex scene after sex scene with a bit of a story.
I've never disliked writing sex scenes, but I'm not talking about inserting tab A into slot B. I mean the emotion of the words, the feelings generated by the characters that make that particular time necessary and important to the development of those characters. I love writing the first kiss or the first time a couple makes love. It makes for highly emotional writing.
I've noticed as I've grown in my writing, I've also come to write my love scenes with more heat. It isn't that I write more sex scenes, it is that the sex is more intense and highly charged between the couple. And I'm kind of liking it, I have to admit. I don't for a second believe that a romance needs explicit sex or even any sex scenes in it to be a real romance. Georgette Heyer wrote some of the best romances without sex scenes, after all. But for me, I enjoy experimenting with differing levels of heat in my stories.
As women learn to embrace sexuality, feeling freer than ever to read erotic romance and gay romance and embrace watching gay porn, we have matured, and have animated discussions about sex on line with other women and men. Personally, these conversations make up some of my most favorite interactions on line.
It's funny to me because I believed my last book, Learning to Love was my highest heat level book; others have told me it was more emotional than sexual. That may be true. Gideon and Jonah have a unique connection; they are two halves of a whole, with sex being a very important part of their relationship.Amazon: http://amzn.to/21nKufG
AllRomance: http://bit.ly/1Oazjj0
iBooks: http://apple.co/W9zx2j
B&N: http://bit.ly/WJ6ssZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1W8jvoM
Turning Up the Heat
When I first decided to write Gay Romance, I wasn't sure how "hot" I wanted my books to be. I was never a dedicated erotic romance reader, but I liked my sex in my books. It's one thing to read it, but another to write it, I can tell you that for certain.
In many of the writing loops and groups I belong to, authors who don't write or read romance, especially gay romance, often immediately equate it with erotic romance or even erotica. Without any evidence to support their claims, they assume if it's romance it doesn't have a plot or a storyline; it is simply sex scene after sex scene with a bit of a story.
I've never disliked writing sex scenes, but I'm not talking about inserting tab A into slot B. I mean the emotion of the words, the feelings generated by the characters that make that particular time necessary and important to the development of those characters. I love writing the first kiss or the first time a couple makes love. It makes for highly emotional writing.
I've noticed as I've grown in my writing, I've also come to write my love scenes with more heat. It isn't that I write more sex scenes, it is that the sex is more intense and highly charged between the couple. And I'm kind of liking it, I have to admit. I don't for a second believe that a romance needs explicit sex or even any sex scenes in it to be a real romance. Georgette Heyer wrote some of the best romances without sex scenes, after all. But for me, I enjoy experimenting with differing levels of heat in my stories.
As women learn to embrace sexuality, feeling freer than ever to read erotic romance and gay romance and embrace watching gay porn, we have matured, and have animated discussions about sex on line with other women and men. Personally, these conversations make up some of my most favorite interactions on line.
It's funny to me because I believed my last book, Learning to Love was my highest heat level book; others have told me it was more emotional than sexual. That may be true. Gideon and Jonah have a unique connection; they are two halves of a whole, with sex being a very important part of their relationship.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/21nKufG
AllRomance: http://bit.ly/1Oazjj0
iBooks: http://apple.co/W9zx2j
B&N: http://bit.ly/WJ6ssZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1W8jvoM
In many of the writing loops and groups I belong to, authors who don't write or read romance, especially gay romance, often immediately equate it with erotic romance or even erotica. Without any evidence to support their claims, they assume if it's romance it doesn't have a plot or a storyline; it is simply sex scene after sex scene with a bit of a story.
I've never disliked writing sex scenes, but I'm not talking about inserting tab A into slot B. I mean the emotion of the words, the feelings generated by the characters that make that particular time necessary and important to the development of those characters. I love writing the first kiss or the first time a couple makes love. It makes for highly emotional writing.
I've noticed as I've grown in my writing, I've also come to write my love scenes with more heat. It isn't that I write more sex scenes, it is that the sex is more intense and highly charged between the couple. And I'm kind of liking it, I have to admit. I don't for a second believe that a romance needs explicit sex or even any sex scenes in it to be a real romance. Georgette Heyer wrote some of the best romances without sex scenes, after all. But for me, I enjoy experimenting with differing levels of heat in my stories.
As women learn to embrace sexuality, feeling freer than ever to read erotic romance and gay romance and embrace watching gay porn, we have matured, and have animated discussions about sex on line with other women and men. Personally, these conversations make up some of my most favorite interactions on line.
It's funny to me because I believed my last book, Learning to Love was my highest heat level book; others have told me it was more emotional than sexual. That may be true. Gideon and Jonah have a unique connection; they are two halves of a whole, with sex being a very important part of their relationship.Amazon: http://amzn.to/21nKufG
AllRomance: http://bit.ly/1Oazjj0
iBooks: http://apple.co/W9zx2j
B&N: http://bit.ly/WJ6ssZ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1W8jvoM
May 18, 2016
Ask Andrew - My Muse
Dear Andrew
How often does your muse distract you from day to day mutiniae?"
Dawn
Dear Dawn
Oscar is sometimes a very demanding muse. When it comes to day to day tasks, he doesn't give two hoots and a holler. Heck when he's active in a big way I sometimes forget to eat and drink. I sit behind my computer and work with very little awareness of what's going on around me. I have written as much as nine or ten thousand words in a single day and when I'm done, I often feel like I have been on a long trip and am returning home. That doesn't happen very often. However once, I was working away and the screen started to swim and my head felt funny. When I told Dominic how I was feeling he started practically pouring water down my throat because I hadn't stopped to eat or drink all day and I was dehydrated.
Both Oscar and I are very lucky that we have the world's most amazing husband. He takes care of a lot of the every day things so that Oscar can be as active as he is.
Now Oscar hasn't always bene so healthy Those last few months at my evil day job nearly killed him. He was on lie support by the time I was able to leave. But now he's healthy and robust.
Hugs and Love
Andrew
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.
So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
How often does your muse distract you from day to day mutiniae?"
Dawn
Dear Dawn
Oscar is sometimes a very demanding muse. When it comes to day to day tasks, he doesn't give two hoots and a holler. Heck when he's active in a big way I sometimes forget to eat and drink. I sit behind my computer and work with very little awareness of what's going on around me. I have written as much as nine or ten thousand words in a single day and when I'm done, I often feel like I have been on a long trip and am returning home. That doesn't happen very often. However once, I was working away and the screen started to swim and my head felt funny. When I told Dominic how I was feeling he started practically pouring water down my throat because I hadn't stopped to eat or drink all day and I was dehydrated.
Both Oscar and I are very lucky that we have the world's most amazing husband. He takes care of a lot of the every day things so that Oscar can be as active as he is.
Now Oscar hasn't always bene so healthy Those last few months at my evil day job nearly killed him. He was on lie support by the time I was able to leave. But now he's healthy and robust.
Hugs and Love
Andrew
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
May 17, 2016
Writing caves with BA, Sean, Julia and Kiernan
Hey, y'all!
We thought we'd share our writing spaces with you this week!
First up is Sean Michael's writing chair and view from said chair!
Next up is the colorful lair of Kiernan Kelly
And finally BA at her station and Julia's station at Chez Jortuga
We thought we'd share our writing spaces with you this week!
First up is Sean Michael's writing chair and view from said chair!
Next up is the colorful lair of Kiernan Kelly
And finally BA at her station and Julia's station at Chez Jortuga
Got questions? Send them on!
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot, @batortuga and @KiernanKelly
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Kiernan's is www.KiernanKelly.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Kiernan -- https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly
Hugs
Julia
May 16, 2016
Twitter Recap 05.16.16 by Cardeno C.
Happy Monday! It's been a while since I last did a Twitter recap so here goes.
Ripe, juicy peach. Who else wants a bite? https://t.co/eFsPkPoHtQ May 14, 2016
Well, it's not in my bed this time so...progress? https://t.co/nFgwkOYUJc May 14, 2016 Bananas were going bad so ... banana bread! I need to drop these off with friends before I lose my restraint! https://t.co/m2HyLsFAg1 May 12, 2016 New Audible feature: send any book in your audio library to friends for FREE & the book remains in your library too. https://t.co/hF10Fh3FHp May 12, 2016 I don't normally talk politics or post long articles but there's too much insight here for a quote: https://t.co/lOprLs9WuQ. /1 May 10, 2016 I was going to have a little snack. Ate this entire container in 3 minutes. I refuse to look at the calories. https://t.co/uJTcQJiDRl May 10, 2016 Cuteness alert - level 10. https://t.co/0Hz5Tan9lo May 09, 2016 One stem, all the blooms! https://t.co/gmC7H1x7EJ May 07, 2016 On Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), I recommit to speaking up & standing up for people who are persecuted. https://t.co/cE6xIbTwp8 May 05, 2016 Was invited to dinner at friend's. Immediately volunteered to make dessert. Put a fresh layer of frosting on the day old cake & am a hero. May 03, 2016 https://t.co/YAgbYuhh4j May 02, 2016 Dinner party last night. Worried I hadn't made enough food. Everyone was stuffed. Just realized I forgot to serve the cake & fruit salad. May 02, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today I have an Ask CC where I answer reader questions plus a couple of bonus answers. https://t.co/9W7JT2Z4Kr May 02, 2016 Travel advice please. I'll be in Vancouver for a couple of days this summer. Best places to stay? Stuff I shouldn't missing doing/eating? May 02, 2016 Huh. Guess they were wrong about not being able to take it with you. https://t.co/6MQrnbWxep Apr 30, 2016 *snort* https://t.co/8F7ni1ynGf Apr 29, 2016 Me: The dogs have turned a corner. They're no longer peeing on the bed. Friend, tilting head toward bed: Your dog just peed on the bed. Apr 27, 2016 I'm so tired, I can't muster the energy to move from couch, plug in laptop, and walk to bed. Come on, body, let's go. Apr 26, 2016 2/2 Sis: You're her only patient at this hour not on heroin. Can you feel the sibling love? Apr 20, 2016 1/2 I'm fine but am In hospital getting fluids. Texts w my sister the doctor: Me: Nice new nurse. We're best friends. Apr 20, 2016 She is pulling the toys out of the baskets one by one. https://t.co/52FyBQzyhk Apr 19, 2016 Bladder: I'm full. Dogs: We're cute & cuddly when we sleep on you. Me: Hold on, bladder. Hold on. Apr 18, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a code for a discount on Walk With Me & a link to an interview. https://t.co/RhkYFcBHDt Apr 18, 2016 Thank you! https://t.co/EiAJRl3kHK Apr 17, 2016 This cracks me up. The dress that caused a civil war. Hee hee. https://t.co/7XF2BoHdMc Apr 17, 2016 Continuing the unique bathroom theme. https://t.co/uV1OsDuFCi Apr 15, 2016 Walk With Me is on sale at Kobo right now with this code: 30APR. https://t.co/4nuu7IzWu2 https://t.co/jkEdJJiz2x Apr 13, 2016 Unique location choice for art. https://t.co/1ptHm002Iw Apr 12, 2016 Thank you, @vivcard11! https://t.co/twkREspBi3 Apr 12, 2016 It's Monday blog day. My post today is about my wonderful Facebook group. Guess who came up w/ that blogging idea? https://t.co/zAGNigEmfO Apr 11, 2016 How my girls eat: They both finish one bowl together before starting on the next bowl together. https://t.co/FE3C8gY0dc Apr 09, 2016 Blue Mountain is only $1.99 today at ARe. https://t.co/zCjCjDHEZg Apr 09, 2016 "You're good there. No worries. I can still breathe." https://t.co/HJ2qxnZo1R Apr 07, 2016 Thank you!: "I really appreciated how connected these men were, in all ways" https://t.co/TOsANPW7oc Apr 06, 2016 I was panicking over my missing knife so I went to my comfort zone: organizing. Dog drawer is in good shape. Next? https://t.co/coEDbG6nO3 Apr 05, 2016 My favorite knife is missing. This is not a drill. #PanicTime Apr 05, 2016 It's Monday blog day - clips from my new audio books. I made the clips AND figured out how to blog them! #proud https://t.co/FDNx7UaPJw Apr 04, 2016 The wonderful thing about Alexander is that he's as nice as he is talented. I'm lucky to work w/ such great people. https://t.co/xzZJElm5Pi Apr 02, 2016 Am I the only one who fantasizes about keying cars of parking space thiefs? Apr 01, 2016 "I was informed that Ezekiel is very “GUSH” worthy. And all I can say is that statement was so very very TRUE." https://t.co/r6UHREQoEC Apr 01, 2016 I love reminders of progress, especially with all the bad news we've heard in recent days. https://t.co/Icr4bhum9x Mar 31, 2016 Thank you! https://t.co/6YkLpoLKzd Mar 31, 2016 If someone texts that kitten video & says it makes them happy but phone corrects happy to horny, is redemption possible? #askingforafriend Mar 31, 2016 This is the type of thing that makes life worth living. https://t.co/RNqsi9z7ex Mar 31, 2016 There are 50 million toys scattered all over my house. My doggy prefers to pick decorative rocks out of my plants. Mar 30, 2016 Why do they make vomit flavored candy. WHY DO THEY MAKE VOMIT FLAVORED CANDY?! https://t.co/ZFIMuuwkPG Mar 30, 2016 True. But even posting this gives me guilt. https://t.co/bXos8Wqd3K Mar 29, 2016 I love how much they love each other. https://t.co/D1O5gOAbNa Mar 28, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is pictures from my Washington D.C. trip. https://t.co/al3OExlOOf Mar 28, 2016 I was gone for 3.5 hours. Why can't I find the dog pee/poo? I know it's somewhere in my house & not seeing it has me very nervous. Mar 27, 2016 Pistachio. Milk. Tea. Three things I like and this place combines them. Mmmm. Mar 27, 2016 Went to Costco. My body is exhausted & my bank acct is crying. Is there an addiction recovery program for this place? Mar 25, 2016 Two of my books in German at a book fair. Can you spot them? (Hint: Lions of Berk and The One Who Saves Me) https://t.co/NHtmh9X9N5 Mar 24, 2016 So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️ https://t.co/HrW2hr15Kv Mar 24, 2016 Lesson from my adorable doggy: I have a strong dry heave/gag reflex. How can something so big & gross come out of someone so tiny & cute? Mar 23, 2016 Seriously, Ezekiel is ridiculously talented. https://t.co/yl5jLsHkDc Mar 23, 2016 Nap time. https://t.co/ItMxCArotu Mar 22, 2016 When is the expiration date on the law that requires the Justin Bieber mom song to play on at least one station on my radio every minute? Mar 21, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post - all of my Family bks are now in audio narrated by the amazing Ezekiel Robison! https://t.co/Z8qxMrrtBi Mar 21, 2016 I am an Uber ride away from seeing my girls after a week away. So excited for doggy cuddles! Mar 20, 2016 Art day! Hirshhorn Museum, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum. SUCH A great day! #CCDC https://t.co/H63GALmj5U Mar 19, 2016 Today: Museum of Natural History and dinner at Busboys & Poets. #CCDC https://t.co/VvbijHQT61 Mar 18, 2016 Today was Air and Space and yummy food. #CCDC https://t.co/xILb0ePPPH Mar 17, 2016 Night pictures of monuments. #CCDC https://t.co/6WQtikGSUk Mar 16, 2016 Not sure it's a fortune, but I really like it. I also loved the lunch that came with it. Now more touristing! #CCDC https://t.co/syKmEG07qn Mar 15, 2016 Fun day being a tourist. The Capitol, the Supreme Court, Union Station, the Kennedy Center. #CCDC https://t.co/yxG3tGQBo3 Mar 15, 2016 My level of tired: it took me 3 tries & nearly as many minutes to figure out how to get water. Fun day though. #CCDC https://t.co/Qz0UJNJMUn Mar 14, 2016 Dinner. Dessert was the best part - beniets. #CCDC https://t.co/kN5A8jPi2d Mar 14, 2016 Really interesting museum. #Newseum #CCDC https://t.co/y1nkP15doI Mar 13, 2016 Naan from start to my plate. So good! #CCDC https://t.co/tPwLHveVTW Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (3) https://t.co/MccqekcGw3 Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (2) https://t.co/w1ps9oIMIb Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (1) https://t.co/BBl9mRolXm Mar 13, 2016 Lovely overcast weather for my first day in D.C. First food, then tourist time! #CCDC https://t.co/5AqMnD1LpC Mar 13, 2016 Daylight Saving is making finding a late night place to eat so hard! Does a 2 a.m. closing mean 1 a.m. today? Or is it yesterday? #CCDC Mar 13, 2016 Finally landed. Flight delayed when flight attendant tossed passenger for not turning off phone fast & then himself stormed off job. #CCDC Mar 13, 2016 Packing for Washington DC! Super excited to put on my tourist hat. I arrive late tonight. Anyone have veg friendly restaurant ideas? #CCDC Mar 12, 2016 Saved dishes by eating muesli from the measuring cup I used to measure it out and warm it. #expertlevellazy https://t.co/FROk2jqOR8 Mar 10, 2016 What a moving commercial. Goosbumps. https://t.co/q5QHIj7J8A via @YouTube Mar 10, 2016 It's Monday blog day and this week I have my cutest post ever - doggy pictures! https://t.co/idbI2ZN0Zp Mar 08, 2016 My window brings in v. low light (S facing, patio outside, corner). I've googled low light plants, tried them, & they die. Any suggestions? Mar 06, 2016 I'm so glad I got the 2nd dog. Not only are the two girls adorable when they play together, but I get twice the snuggles. #AllWin Mar 05, 2016 I couldn't get a great angle but my friend got the girls some new dresses. Don't they look pretty? https://t.co/oXyPWS73tO Mar 05, 2016 I used all my ice for my almost-has-a-fly-in-it tea so there's none left for iced coffee. Choices are leave house or no coffee.#realstruggle Mar 04, 2016 I double stack my cups to create a little insulation. Just noticed a live fly in the space in between. #amfreaking https://t.co/tWCilfc3fF Mar 04, 2016 I need to get a baby gift for a colleague's almost here grandchild. Suggestions? Mar 04, 2016 Useful with a hint of funny. Not the election, just this website on how to find your polling place. https://t.co/srZOaNLsV7 Mar 03, 2016 This cat has 30 toes. 30. This freaks me out to no end for no good reason. https://t.co/4B75sskjCs Mar 03, 2016 Afternoon siesta. https://t.co/E20s0JU5gc Mar 01, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a recipe perfect for breakfast - steel cut oatmeal with a tea twist. https://t.co/DPulYb7iFJ Feb 29, 2016 Just took my sweetheart on her first walk. By which I mean I dragged her a little and then carried her. Baby steps, right? #puppylove Feb 29, 2016 I'm the queen of the yard! https://t.co/Yv27hn62Z1 Feb 27, 2016 Sleeping sweetheart. https://t.co/bIqmjYtw2E Feb 27, 2016 And now there are two. https://t.co/cXep8mTK2I Feb 26, 2016 New audiobook: two motivated and strong-willed men try to win Charlie back https://t.co/1qyUeyIR9U Feb 25, 2016 Here's a little listen to my new audiobook with a friends to lovers romance https://t.co/Jz3OfV8UIo Feb 24, 2016 I'm not sure I can resist this tiny sweetheart with an angel face. Feb 23, 2016 Q2: Do you know what happens when you're on the rescue list? A2: You get info about the other puppies who need a home. Feb 23, 2016 Q1: Do you know what happens when you adopt an adorable doggy from a rescue? A1: The rescues have you on their list. Feb 23, 2016 Hope you're enjoying it! https://t.co/6AkvIcjm59 Feb 23, 2016 Guess how I realized #Doggy decided to turn the poop bag roll into a chew toy? Hint: I now know that scrubbing around your nails can hurt. Feb 23, 2016 Friend: How's potty training? Me (picking poop up): Good. (Spraying cleaner): Getting there. (Stripping sheets w pee): She's learning. Feb 23, 2016 Who wants to tell Nordstrom about the coffee stain on their shirt? #awkward https://t.co/ktU39j8WQa Feb 22, 2016 Totally in love with my new kettle. #tea https://t.co/hd55cDups1 Feb 22, 2016 Do we really have to get out of bed? #Doggy https://t.co/B31QcOctPS Feb 21, 2016 I just texted a thumbs up emoji. First time I've done anything other than a :) and I feel weird about it. Feb 20, 2016 Introducing the new special lady in my life. #Doggy https://t.co/d7ZKCv5T8s Feb 19, 2016 Lighter ones were on a cookie sheet, darker in the ceramic. #challa https://t.co/DDsZQR60J2 Feb 19, 2016 Getting the braiding done. #challa https://t.co/J5iXIG4V5Y Feb 19, 2016 Strong 2nd rise. Braids are next! #challa https://t.co/CijSw1uFb2 Feb 18, 2016 The first rise went well despite the yeast proofing snafu. Next is the punch down! #challa https://t.co/UmmInhYrCJ Feb 18, 2016 The dough is rising and the music is playing. #challa https://t.co/fTWdzMeBbE Feb 18, 2016 Eggs, oil, sugar, flour, salt, vital gluten, the infamous proofed yeast, and then we knead! #challa https://t.co/QAhfpje4Ce Feb 18, 2016 Yeast didnt look like it was proofing right so I had to call my dad for a diagnosis. #adultingfail #challa https://t.co/ds2hVxvqdJ Feb 18, 2016 Step 1: get the water exactly the right temperature to proof the yeast. #bakingchalla https://t.co/btRg1QDkKW Feb 18, 2016 My neighbor gave me her amazing challah recipe. It's a 7 hr process. I'm diving in now & will post updates. Yum ahead! Feb 18, 2016 New #audiobook release: can Andrew and Caleb be both best friends and lovers? https://t.co/YPSIP4h9k7 https://t.co/fMzlbofLtM Feb 17, 2016 Oh wow. The goosebumps and emotion. Two geniuses that are no longer with us indeed. And those who are still here. https://t.co/hioPV1sTsd Feb 16, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a pu pu platter of bookish stuff. https://t.co/3D8KFTVnUu Feb 15, 2016 "I adored this story like crazy."--Thanks so much for the great review! https://t.co/FvmwZs8zam Feb 15, 2016 I spent an hour looking at laptops at the Apple Store & not one employee said a single word to me. Plus side: the computer was awesome. Feb 14, 2016 Planning a D.C. trip next month. Any must do things/must eat places? Feb 13, 2016 Dear, Oregon: Please allow me to introduce myself... https://t.co/pmLwe9UsIq Feb 12, 2016 "sweet romance with lots of hot sex"--thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed it! https://t.co/zJwlIWmdyp Feb 12, 2016 Thanks for the great review and hosting the giveaway! https://t.co/WAR0CEQ9HE Feb 12, 2016 Mom: Your sister's foster dog is from L.A. She's beautiful but she goes potty in the house. Me: If only she was from Seattle. Mom: I know. Feb 12, 2016 I have to deal with faxes sometimes for day job and I'd LOVE to say this. https://t.co/CAyI5J5f7d Feb 11, 2016 I poured all 4 cups of milk earl grey over ice & drank it. If I'm being reported to the Tea Police, I may as well go all in. Was yummy btw.. Feb 11, 2016 My laptop is dying so it's time for a new machine. Do you have a brand or specific laptop you love? One you think I should avoid? Feb 11, 2016 Wanted a new drink last night - tea in milk not water. I forgot it in the microwave. What are my chances of getting sick if I drink it now? Feb 11, 2016 The Kevin Bacon game has taken over my night. Highest number so far: 3. Feb 11, 2016 Today I blogged not because it's my Monday but because my heart & my history & the child inside me demanded it. https://t.co/lThhGR15fi Feb 10, 2016 The hopeless romantic in me wants him to get his HEA. Who has a friend who meets his sweetly detailed description? https://t.co/HzseEUvtIM Feb 09, 2016 It's Monday blog day and today's post is writing recap. https://t.co/U5N2s8ZQxh Feb 08, 2016 How tragic would this be? I'm glad I grew up in the pre-cell phone age. https://t.co/aSNzeg3cKD Feb 07, 2016 For my friend Ora and her beloved cat. https://t.co/sJSwVxWzn3 Feb 07, 2016 Big pan of brookies. Who wants a bite? https://t.co/HQCdC6WwE5 Feb 05, 2016 "I'll have a Diet Coke." "Is Diet Pepsi okay?" "Yes," thought no one ever. Feb 05, 2016 #Inspirational Also, I now want a burrito. https://t.co/z6DZflhCR6 Feb 02, 2016 This may be the best thing I've ever made. Garlic, arugula, Brussels sprouts white pizza. https://t.co/ssUokmFM4s Feb 02, 2016 For the evening crowd, special deal at @allromance today until midnight CT https://t.co/jqOkZpCXy6 https://t.co/HGjMLqGeGb Feb 01, 2016 Why is this tray in jail? And how did it get in there? https://t.co/Q3BpvKX8DO Jan 31, 2016 The Joker by SMB and Green Day's Good Riddance. https://t.co/G2hFiINlTT Jan 30, 2016 How is this real life? https://t.co/3eB9aUsroR Jan 28, 2016 Imagine how difficult an act that involves more than just laying there would be for this dude. (hee hee) https://t.co/FNHPt8rFKB Jan 28, 2016Have a terrific week.
CCwww.cardenoc.com
Ripe, juicy peach. Who else wants a bite? https://t.co/eFsPkPoHtQ May 14, 2016
Well, it's not in my bed this time so...progress? https://t.co/nFgwkOYUJc May 14, 2016 Bananas were going bad so ... banana bread! I need to drop these off with friends before I lose my restraint! https://t.co/m2HyLsFAg1 May 12, 2016 New Audible feature: send any book in your audio library to friends for FREE & the book remains in your library too. https://t.co/hF10Fh3FHp May 12, 2016 I don't normally talk politics or post long articles but there's too much insight here for a quote: https://t.co/lOprLs9WuQ. /1 May 10, 2016 I was going to have a little snack. Ate this entire container in 3 minutes. I refuse to look at the calories. https://t.co/uJTcQJiDRl May 10, 2016 Cuteness alert - level 10. https://t.co/0Hz5Tan9lo May 09, 2016 One stem, all the blooms! https://t.co/gmC7H1x7EJ May 07, 2016 On Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), I recommit to speaking up & standing up for people who are persecuted. https://t.co/cE6xIbTwp8 May 05, 2016 Was invited to dinner at friend's. Immediately volunteered to make dessert. Put a fresh layer of frosting on the day old cake & am a hero. May 03, 2016 https://t.co/YAgbYuhh4j May 02, 2016 Dinner party last night. Worried I hadn't made enough food. Everyone was stuffed. Just realized I forgot to serve the cake & fruit salad. May 02, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today I have an Ask CC where I answer reader questions plus a couple of bonus answers. https://t.co/9W7JT2Z4Kr May 02, 2016 Travel advice please. I'll be in Vancouver for a couple of days this summer. Best places to stay? Stuff I shouldn't missing doing/eating? May 02, 2016 Huh. Guess they were wrong about not being able to take it with you. https://t.co/6MQrnbWxep Apr 30, 2016 *snort* https://t.co/8F7ni1ynGf Apr 29, 2016 Me: The dogs have turned a corner. They're no longer peeing on the bed. Friend, tilting head toward bed: Your dog just peed on the bed. Apr 27, 2016 I'm so tired, I can't muster the energy to move from couch, plug in laptop, and walk to bed. Come on, body, let's go. Apr 26, 2016 2/2 Sis: You're her only patient at this hour not on heroin. Can you feel the sibling love? Apr 20, 2016 1/2 I'm fine but am In hospital getting fluids. Texts w my sister the doctor: Me: Nice new nurse. We're best friends. Apr 20, 2016 She is pulling the toys out of the baskets one by one. https://t.co/52FyBQzyhk Apr 19, 2016 Bladder: I'm full. Dogs: We're cute & cuddly when we sleep on you. Me: Hold on, bladder. Hold on. Apr 18, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a code for a discount on Walk With Me & a link to an interview. https://t.co/RhkYFcBHDt Apr 18, 2016 Thank you! https://t.co/EiAJRl3kHK Apr 17, 2016 This cracks me up. The dress that caused a civil war. Hee hee. https://t.co/7XF2BoHdMc Apr 17, 2016 Continuing the unique bathroom theme. https://t.co/uV1OsDuFCi Apr 15, 2016 Walk With Me is on sale at Kobo right now with this code: 30APR. https://t.co/4nuu7IzWu2 https://t.co/jkEdJJiz2x Apr 13, 2016 Unique location choice for art. https://t.co/1ptHm002Iw Apr 12, 2016 Thank you, @vivcard11! https://t.co/twkREspBi3 Apr 12, 2016 It's Monday blog day. My post today is about my wonderful Facebook group. Guess who came up w/ that blogging idea? https://t.co/zAGNigEmfO Apr 11, 2016 How my girls eat: They both finish one bowl together before starting on the next bowl together. https://t.co/FE3C8gY0dc Apr 09, 2016 Blue Mountain is only $1.99 today at ARe. https://t.co/zCjCjDHEZg Apr 09, 2016 "You're good there. No worries. I can still breathe." https://t.co/HJ2qxnZo1R Apr 07, 2016 Thank you!: "I really appreciated how connected these men were, in all ways" https://t.co/TOsANPW7oc Apr 06, 2016 I was panicking over my missing knife so I went to my comfort zone: organizing. Dog drawer is in good shape. Next? https://t.co/coEDbG6nO3 Apr 05, 2016 My favorite knife is missing. This is not a drill. #PanicTime Apr 05, 2016 It's Monday blog day - clips from my new audio books. I made the clips AND figured out how to blog them! #proud https://t.co/FDNx7UaPJw Apr 04, 2016 The wonderful thing about Alexander is that he's as nice as he is talented. I'm lucky to work w/ such great people. https://t.co/xzZJElm5Pi Apr 02, 2016 Am I the only one who fantasizes about keying cars of parking space thiefs? Apr 01, 2016 "I was informed that Ezekiel is very “GUSH” worthy. And all I can say is that statement was so very very TRUE." https://t.co/r6UHREQoEC Apr 01, 2016 I love reminders of progress, especially with all the bad news we've heard in recent days. https://t.co/Icr4bhum9x Mar 31, 2016 Thank you! https://t.co/6YkLpoLKzd Mar 31, 2016 If someone texts that kitten video & says it makes them happy but phone corrects happy to horny, is redemption possible? #askingforafriend Mar 31, 2016 This is the type of thing that makes life worth living. https://t.co/RNqsi9z7ex Mar 31, 2016 There are 50 million toys scattered all over my house. My doggy prefers to pick decorative rocks out of my plants. Mar 30, 2016 Why do they make vomit flavored candy. WHY DO THEY MAKE VOMIT FLAVORED CANDY?! https://t.co/ZFIMuuwkPG Mar 30, 2016 True. But even posting this gives me guilt. https://t.co/bXos8Wqd3K Mar 29, 2016 I love how much they love each other. https://t.co/D1O5gOAbNa Mar 28, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is pictures from my Washington D.C. trip. https://t.co/al3OExlOOf Mar 28, 2016 I was gone for 3.5 hours. Why can't I find the dog pee/poo? I know it's somewhere in my house & not seeing it has me very nervous. Mar 27, 2016 Pistachio. Milk. Tea. Three things I like and this place combines them. Mmmm. Mar 27, 2016 Went to Costco. My body is exhausted & my bank acct is crying. Is there an addiction recovery program for this place? Mar 25, 2016 Two of my books in German at a book fair. Can you spot them? (Hint: Lions of Berk and The One Who Saves Me) https://t.co/NHtmh9X9N5 Mar 24, 2016 So glad you enjoyed it! ❤️ https://t.co/HrW2hr15Kv Mar 24, 2016 Lesson from my adorable doggy: I have a strong dry heave/gag reflex. How can something so big & gross come out of someone so tiny & cute? Mar 23, 2016 Seriously, Ezekiel is ridiculously talented. https://t.co/yl5jLsHkDc Mar 23, 2016 Nap time. https://t.co/ItMxCArotu Mar 22, 2016 When is the expiration date on the law that requires the Justin Bieber mom song to play on at least one station on my radio every minute? Mar 21, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post - all of my Family bks are now in audio narrated by the amazing Ezekiel Robison! https://t.co/Z8qxMrrtBi Mar 21, 2016 I am an Uber ride away from seeing my girls after a week away. So excited for doggy cuddles! Mar 20, 2016 Art day! Hirshhorn Museum, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum. SUCH A great day! #CCDC https://t.co/H63GALmj5U Mar 19, 2016 Today: Museum of Natural History and dinner at Busboys & Poets. #CCDC https://t.co/VvbijHQT61 Mar 18, 2016 Today was Air and Space and yummy food. #CCDC https://t.co/xILb0ePPPH Mar 17, 2016 Night pictures of monuments. #CCDC https://t.co/6WQtikGSUk Mar 16, 2016 Not sure it's a fortune, but I really like it. I also loved the lunch that came with it. Now more touristing! #CCDC https://t.co/syKmEG07qn Mar 15, 2016 Fun day being a tourist. The Capitol, the Supreme Court, Union Station, the Kennedy Center. #CCDC https://t.co/yxG3tGQBo3 Mar 15, 2016 My level of tired: it took me 3 tries & nearly as many minutes to figure out how to get water. Fun day though. #CCDC https://t.co/Qz0UJNJMUn Mar 14, 2016 Dinner. Dessert was the best part - beniets. #CCDC https://t.co/kN5A8jPi2d Mar 14, 2016 Really interesting museum. #Newseum #CCDC https://t.co/y1nkP15doI Mar 13, 2016 Naan from start to my plate. So good! #CCDC https://t.co/tPwLHveVTW Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (3) https://t.co/MccqekcGw3 Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (2) https://t.co/w1ps9oIMIb Mar 13, 2016 This restaurant was a feast for the eyes and taste buds! #CCDC (1) https://t.co/BBl9mRolXm Mar 13, 2016 Lovely overcast weather for my first day in D.C. First food, then tourist time! #CCDC https://t.co/5AqMnD1LpC Mar 13, 2016 Daylight Saving is making finding a late night place to eat so hard! Does a 2 a.m. closing mean 1 a.m. today? Or is it yesterday? #CCDC Mar 13, 2016 Finally landed. Flight delayed when flight attendant tossed passenger for not turning off phone fast & then himself stormed off job. #CCDC Mar 13, 2016 Packing for Washington DC! Super excited to put on my tourist hat. I arrive late tonight. Anyone have veg friendly restaurant ideas? #CCDC Mar 12, 2016 Saved dishes by eating muesli from the measuring cup I used to measure it out and warm it. #expertlevellazy https://t.co/FROk2jqOR8 Mar 10, 2016 What a moving commercial. Goosbumps. https://t.co/q5QHIj7J8A via @YouTube Mar 10, 2016 It's Monday blog day and this week I have my cutest post ever - doggy pictures! https://t.co/idbI2ZN0Zp Mar 08, 2016 My window brings in v. low light (S facing, patio outside, corner). I've googled low light plants, tried them, & they die. Any suggestions? Mar 06, 2016 I'm so glad I got the 2nd dog. Not only are the two girls adorable when they play together, but I get twice the snuggles. #AllWin Mar 05, 2016 I couldn't get a great angle but my friend got the girls some new dresses. Don't they look pretty? https://t.co/oXyPWS73tO Mar 05, 2016 I used all my ice for my almost-has-a-fly-in-it tea so there's none left for iced coffee. Choices are leave house or no coffee.#realstruggle Mar 04, 2016 I double stack my cups to create a little insulation. Just noticed a live fly in the space in between. #amfreaking https://t.co/tWCilfc3fF Mar 04, 2016 I need to get a baby gift for a colleague's almost here grandchild. Suggestions? Mar 04, 2016 Useful with a hint of funny. Not the election, just this website on how to find your polling place. https://t.co/srZOaNLsV7 Mar 03, 2016 This cat has 30 toes. 30. This freaks me out to no end for no good reason. https://t.co/4B75sskjCs Mar 03, 2016 Afternoon siesta. https://t.co/E20s0JU5gc Mar 01, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a recipe perfect for breakfast - steel cut oatmeal with a tea twist. https://t.co/DPulYb7iFJ Feb 29, 2016 Just took my sweetheart on her first walk. By which I mean I dragged her a little and then carried her. Baby steps, right? #puppylove Feb 29, 2016 I'm the queen of the yard! https://t.co/Yv27hn62Z1 Feb 27, 2016 Sleeping sweetheart. https://t.co/bIqmjYtw2E Feb 27, 2016 And now there are two. https://t.co/cXep8mTK2I Feb 26, 2016 New audiobook: two motivated and strong-willed men try to win Charlie back https://t.co/1qyUeyIR9U Feb 25, 2016 Here's a little listen to my new audiobook with a friends to lovers romance https://t.co/Jz3OfV8UIo Feb 24, 2016 I'm not sure I can resist this tiny sweetheart with an angel face. Feb 23, 2016 Q2: Do you know what happens when you're on the rescue list? A2: You get info about the other puppies who need a home. Feb 23, 2016 Q1: Do you know what happens when you adopt an adorable doggy from a rescue? A1: The rescues have you on their list. Feb 23, 2016 Hope you're enjoying it! https://t.co/6AkvIcjm59 Feb 23, 2016 Guess how I realized #Doggy decided to turn the poop bag roll into a chew toy? Hint: I now know that scrubbing around your nails can hurt. Feb 23, 2016 Friend: How's potty training? Me (picking poop up): Good. (Spraying cleaner): Getting there. (Stripping sheets w pee): She's learning. Feb 23, 2016 Who wants to tell Nordstrom about the coffee stain on their shirt? #awkward https://t.co/ktU39j8WQa Feb 22, 2016 Totally in love with my new kettle. #tea https://t.co/hd55cDups1 Feb 22, 2016 Do we really have to get out of bed? #Doggy https://t.co/B31QcOctPS Feb 21, 2016 I just texted a thumbs up emoji. First time I've done anything other than a :) and I feel weird about it. Feb 20, 2016 Introducing the new special lady in my life. #Doggy https://t.co/d7ZKCv5T8s Feb 19, 2016 Lighter ones were on a cookie sheet, darker in the ceramic. #challa https://t.co/DDsZQR60J2 Feb 19, 2016 Getting the braiding done. #challa https://t.co/J5iXIG4V5Y Feb 19, 2016 Strong 2nd rise. Braids are next! #challa https://t.co/CijSw1uFb2 Feb 18, 2016 The first rise went well despite the yeast proofing snafu. Next is the punch down! #challa https://t.co/UmmInhYrCJ Feb 18, 2016 The dough is rising and the music is playing. #challa https://t.co/fTWdzMeBbE Feb 18, 2016 Eggs, oil, sugar, flour, salt, vital gluten, the infamous proofed yeast, and then we knead! #challa https://t.co/QAhfpje4Ce Feb 18, 2016 Yeast didnt look like it was proofing right so I had to call my dad for a diagnosis. #adultingfail #challa https://t.co/ds2hVxvqdJ Feb 18, 2016 Step 1: get the water exactly the right temperature to proof the yeast. #bakingchalla https://t.co/btRg1QDkKW Feb 18, 2016 My neighbor gave me her amazing challah recipe. It's a 7 hr process. I'm diving in now & will post updates. Yum ahead! Feb 18, 2016 New #audiobook release: can Andrew and Caleb be both best friends and lovers? https://t.co/YPSIP4h9k7 https://t.co/fMzlbofLtM Feb 17, 2016 Oh wow. The goosebumps and emotion. Two geniuses that are no longer with us indeed. And those who are still here. https://t.co/hioPV1sTsd Feb 16, 2016 It's Monday blog day. Today's post is a pu pu platter of bookish stuff. https://t.co/3D8KFTVnUu Feb 15, 2016 "I adored this story like crazy."--Thanks so much for the great review! https://t.co/FvmwZs8zam Feb 15, 2016 I spent an hour looking at laptops at the Apple Store & not one employee said a single word to me. Plus side: the computer was awesome. Feb 14, 2016 Planning a D.C. trip next month. Any must do things/must eat places? Feb 13, 2016 Dear, Oregon: Please allow me to introduce myself... https://t.co/pmLwe9UsIq Feb 12, 2016 "sweet romance with lots of hot sex"--thanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed it! https://t.co/zJwlIWmdyp Feb 12, 2016 Thanks for the great review and hosting the giveaway! https://t.co/WAR0CEQ9HE Feb 12, 2016 Mom: Your sister's foster dog is from L.A. She's beautiful but she goes potty in the house. Me: If only she was from Seattle. Mom: I know. Feb 12, 2016 I have to deal with faxes sometimes for day job and I'd LOVE to say this. https://t.co/CAyI5J5f7d Feb 11, 2016 I poured all 4 cups of milk earl grey over ice & drank it. If I'm being reported to the Tea Police, I may as well go all in. Was yummy btw.. Feb 11, 2016 My laptop is dying so it's time for a new machine. Do you have a brand or specific laptop you love? One you think I should avoid? Feb 11, 2016 Wanted a new drink last night - tea in milk not water. I forgot it in the microwave. What are my chances of getting sick if I drink it now? Feb 11, 2016 The Kevin Bacon game has taken over my night. Highest number so far: 3. Feb 11, 2016 Today I blogged not because it's my Monday but because my heart & my history & the child inside me demanded it. https://t.co/lThhGR15fi Feb 10, 2016 The hopeless romantic in me wants him to get his HEA. Who has a friend who meets his sweetly detailed description? https://t.co/HzseEUvtIM Feb 09, 2016 It's Monday blog day and today's post is writing recap. https://t.co/U5N2s8ZQxh Feb 08, 2016 How tragic would this be? I'm glad I grew up in the pre-cell phone age. https://t.co/aSNzeg3cKD Feb 07, 2016 For my friend Ora and her beloved cat. https://t.co/sJSwVxWzn3 Feb 07, 2016 Big pan of brookies. Who wants a bite? https://t.co/HQCdC6WwE5 Feb 05, 2016 "I'll have a Diet Coke." "Is Diet Pepsi okay?" "Yes," thought no one ever. Feb 05, 2016 #Inspirational Also, I now want a burrito. https://t.co/z6DZflhCR6 Feb 02, 2016 This may be the best thing I've ever made. Garlic, arugula, Brussels sprouts white pizza. https://t.co/ssUokmFM4s Feb 02, 2016 For the evening crowd, special deal at @allromance today until midnight CT https://t.co/jqOkZpCXy6 https://t.co/HGjMLqGeGb Feb 01, 2016 Why is this tray in jail? And how did it get in there? https://t.co/Q3BpvKX8DO Jan 31, 2016 The Joker by SMB and Green Day's Good Riddance. https://t.co/G2hFiINlTT Jan 30, 2016 How is this real life? https://t.co/3eB9aUsroR Jan 28, 2016 Imagine how difficult an act that involves more than just laying there would be for this dude. (hee hee) https://t.co/FNHPt8rFKB Jan 28, 2016Have a terrific week.CCwww.cardenoc.com
May 13, 2016
Answers to Some Questions by Felice Stevens
My latest book, Learning to Love has, as one of its main characters, a rabbi who is gay. His sexuality was never intended to be the focus of the story. However, many readers were curious about my portrayal of Jonah Fine and his father Ari, also a rabbi. Ari easily accepted Jonah's sexuality and he was able to lead his congregation with people fully aware of his sexuality. Numerous readers have asked me if this is truly the way the Jewish religion accepts homosexuality.
The answer is yes and no.
There is no one answer, of course. People are people; they can be loving and accepting or mean and cruel and turn their backs. There is no one, cookie cutter way to portray any religion. Everyone's experience is different.
But what is the law, I've been asked? Here is where you sometimes need to be a lawyer to figure it out. Because instead of the gray area being explained and the fog lifted, it may require the wisdom of Solomon (no pun intended) to figure it all out. (There is a reason for the old joke if you have two Jews in a room you'll get three opinions.)
The Torah, which is the foundation of Jewish law, prohibits homosexuality. HOWEVER, the Torah also forbids bigotry, including homophobia. And above all, Judaism believes that a Jewish person belongs in a Jewish environment and when you judge someone or treat them cruelly, you are defaming and sullying Jewish law.
Confusing, no?
In clearer (I hope) terms, what it means in plain language, is that one cannot reject a person for who they are, as it is against Jewish law to do so. A parent may not want to accept their son as gay, according to Jewish law but they are forbidden to turn him out, declare him not a Jew anymore, or any such thing. Family comes before anything.
Is there prejudice and fear in the Jewish community toward homosexuality? Yes. Do families break apart because of it, despite what Jewish law says? Unfortunately yes. Are there religious leaders who treat everyone equally? Absolutely yes. People are people. There is no one size fits all religion and there is no one way to portray religion.
There are many synagogues headed by gay rabbis, both male and female, with gay congregants. There are LGBTQ synagogues set up specifically to help with issues geared to the gay community.
When I wrote Learning to Love, I made the specific decision not to write Jonah's sexuality as being the focus of the story. Of course it could have gone the other way and his father could not have been as accepting as he was. But that wasn't the way I'd been taught. I chose to write it from a positive viewpoint. I'm lucky enough to belong to a synagogue with gay couples and gay families and I wrote with love, hope and acceptance in mind.
The answer is yes and no.
There is no one answer, of course. People are people; they can be loving and accepting or mean and cruel and turn their backs. There is no one, cookie cutter way to portray any religion. Everyone's experience is different.
But what is the law, I've been asked? Here is where you sometimes need to be a lawyer to figure it out. Because instead of the gray area being explained and the fog lifted, it may require the wisdom of Solomon (no pun intended) to figure it all out. (There is a reason for the old joke if you have two Jews in a room you'll get three opinions.)
The Torah, which is the foundation of Jewish law, prohibits homosexuality. HOWEVER, the Torah also forbids bigotry, including homophobia. And above all, Judaism believes that a Jewish person belongs in a Jewish environment and when you judge someone or treat them cruelly, you are defaming and sullying Jewish law.
Confusing, no?
In clearer (I hope) terms, what it means in plain language, is that one cannot reject a person for who they are, as it is against Jewish law to do so. A parent may not want to accept their son as gay, according to Jewish law but they are forbidden to turn him out, declare him not a Jew anymore, or any such thing. Family comes before anything.
Is there prejudice and fear in the Jewish community toward homosexuality? Yes. Do families break apart because of it, despite what Jewish law says? Unfortunately yes. Are there religious leaders who treat everyone equally? Absolutely yes. People are people. There is no one size fits all religion and there is no one way to portray religion.
There are many synagogues headed by gay rabbis, both male and female, with gay congregants. There are LGBTQ synagogues set up specifically to help with issues geared to the gay community.
When I wrote Learning to Love, I made the specific decision not to write Jonah's sexuality as being the focus of the story. Of course it could have gone the other way and his father could not have been as accepting as he was. But that wasn't the way I'd been taught. I chose to write it from a positive viewpoint. I'm lucky enough to belong to a synagogue with gay couples and gay families and I wrote with love, hope and acceptance in mind.
May 11, 2016
My daughter is a sleep walker... by Riley Hart
I think. It's strange. I think she's asleep but lately she's started coming into my room. She'll squint if my phone is glowing or squint if the lights are on. She might mumble for a second and then she'll say something random like, "I want to tell you something that happened at school today!" or "Can I tell you about a TV show I'm watching?" Then I'll tell her to tell me tomorrow and go back to bed. She'll say okay and head back to her room. It's the strangest thing!
And gives me book ideas because I'm a writer and everything gives me book ideas. LOL.
Do you have any experience with someone who sleep walks?
And gives me book ideas because I'm a writer and everything gives me book ideas. LOL.
Do you have any experience with someone who sleep walks?
Writing Retreat
I didn't have a question for Ask Andrew this week, so please forward your questions about writing, love, romance, sex, to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net so I can answer them in the future.
For the next few days I'm going to be at my annual writing retreat with my local RWA chapter. I wasn't able to attend last year because of a conflict, but I have other years and its a highlight for me. The creative energy that comes out of our gathering is unbelievable. I always get so much accomplished and its a chance for some concentrated work with other writers.
We all need a chance to recharge our batteries, get our creative juices flowing, and be with people who understand the frustrations that sometimes arise with a career that relies on our imagination. These are also good friends who I don't get to see as often as I like.
I hope you all have a great week!
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.
So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
For the next few days I'm going to be at my annual writing retreat with my local RWA chapter. I wasn't able to attend last year because of a conflict, but I have other years and its a highlight for me. The creative energy that comes out of our gathering is unbelievable. I always get so much accomplished and its a chance for some concentrated work with other writers.
We all need a chance to recharge our batteries, get our creative juices flowing, and be with people who understand the frustrations that sometimes arise with a career that relies on our imagination. These are also good friends who I don't get to see as often as I like.
I hope you all have a great week!
Ask Andrew is your chance to ask questions of a gay romance author. The questions can be about the writing process in general, writing sex scenes, gay men, sex, characters in romance, characters having sex... okay you probably get the picture. I promise to answer your questions as frankly and with as much humor as I possibly can.So if you have a question, please send it to andrewgreybooks@comcast.net. This is different from my usual email so your questions don't get lost. I will answer one question a week.
Please remember this is meant to be all in fun. (I was going to say good, clean fun, but who wants that.) So send me your questions and let's see what mischief we can get into.
Visit Andrew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewgreybooks and you can join Andrew's fan group All The Way With Andrew Grey.
Follow him on Twitter: @andrewgreybooks
Visit Andrew's web site: www,andrewgreybooks.com
May 10, 2016
FAQ with the authors- BA, Sean, Julia and Kiernan
As authors, we get asked a lot of questions! Here are some of the most FAQ we get. Feel free to send us more at juliatalbot at gmail.com
Julia Talbot
When did you start writing?
When I was about 12 I wrote a story about powering the world with popcorn. I was first published at 17 in a regional lit magazine. I began writing romance in 1999.
Why do you write gay romance?
I write what I like to read, gay, straight, historical, paranormal. I love it all.
What's your favorite sex act to write?
Spanking. Not domestic discipline. I'm not into humiliation, which I know some folks like on the BDSM spectrum. I mean OMG I'm so hot and wiggly and you just spanked me...
BA Tortuga
When did you start writing?
I published my first story in 1976. I wrote my first gay romance in 2005.
Why do you write gay romance?
I write romance. In my worlds, all people deserve a happy ending -- no matter what.
What's your favorite sex act to write?
I'm a huge fan of frottage. Dry humping ho!
Sean Michael
When did you start writing?
When I was a kid. I used to write stories in pencil on the back of scrap paper my father brought home from work.
Why do you write gay romance?
Because I love the dynamics of two men together. Because that's what the characters who live in my head bring to me. Because I love writing it and reading it.
What's your favorite sex act to write?
This is so not a fair questions - everybody knows I'm crap at choosing favourites. I love slam him up against the wall fucking. I love sounding. I love fisting. I love stretched out and bound. I love frottage with hot kissing. Yeah, my favorite sex act to write is sex.
Kiernan Kelly
When did you start writing? 2001, in fanfiction (LOTR fandom). I started writing original stories in 2005, and was published in 2006.
Why do you write gay romance? Several reasons. Because I love the dynamics between two men. Because I believe everyone deserves a happy every after (I totally stole that from BA and Julia, btw). Mostly, because I think men are hot, and men together are even hotter.
What's your favorite sex act to write? Doggy-style butt sex because...butt sex. Why do you write gay romance? Several reasons. Because I love the dynamics between two men. Because I believe everyone deserves a happy every after (I totally stole that from BA and Julia, btw). Mostly, because I think men are hot, and men together are even hotter.
What's your favorite sex act to write? Doggy-style butt sex because...butt sex.
Got questions? Send them on!
You can find us on Twitter at @seanmichael09, @juliatalbot, @batortuga and @KiernanKelly
Sean’s website is http://www.seanmichaelwrites.com
Julia’s is http://www.juliatalbot.com BA’s is http://www.batortuga.com
Kiernan's is www.KiernanKelly.com
Facebook:
Sean -- https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelW...
Julia -- https://www.facebook.com/juliatalbota...
BA -- https://www.facebook.com/batortuga
Kiernan -- https://www.facebook.com/kiernan.kelly
