T.L. Schaefer's Blog, page 7
February 8, 2013
Happy Friday Fun!
Happy Friday, peeps!!
February 7, 2013
New Cover Art…Blink of an Eye
Woot! Got the cover art for my May release at Total eBound. Isn’t it purty?? I’ll shoot out pre-order links when they go live on 8 April…
February 6, 2013
Feb Goal Update
Doing okay on my goals. Wish I was further on my writing, but the day job has been sucking all the creativity right out of me…
Jan
Lose 13 pounds
3
Drink 90 oz of water a day, a minimum of 13 days a month
13
Walk 13 miles/week
14.4
Blog 13 times/month
8
Write 1300 words/day at least 13 days/month
0
Review 13 books
2
Read 13 reference books
0
Watch 13 movies I keep putting off (and review them)
1
Find at least 13 new music artists
0
Wine Reviews
1
Log foods 13 times/month
28
Find 2 other things I’d like to do…
February 4, 2013
Media Monday…Where I rank the Superbowl (Game, Halftime & Commercials)
Even though I was born and raised in California, I didn’t have a specific alliance this year in the Superbowl. Originally, I would have rooted for Ray Lewis, but I got sick of hearing his name every five minutes, so just decided to appreciate the game for what it is…entertainment…by which I’m obviously referencing my affection for a bunch of extremely fit dudes running around hitting each other while wearing Spandex 
Along with the big game, you’ve got the obvious halftime gig. It was okay. I’m not necessarily a big Beyonce fan, so while I wasn’t necessarily agog over her performance, I was pretty damned impressed by her ability to do anything but scream in pain with those heels.
Commercials… (you can see all of them here: http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/47/comme...)
First for me was the Jeep “Whole Again” spot, followed very, very closely by the Dodge Ram “Farmer”, and then, because I’m really a big ole softy, I’m gonna go with the Clydesdale bit. The Rock gets an honorable mention for his milk spot, as does Hyundai for the Playdate and The Team.
Which part/commercial was your favorite?
January 29, 2013
Wichita Falls, TX, the day job & my newest release…
I’m in Wichita Falls this week doing day job (AFSO21) stuff. Have a GREAT class, with an awesome group of folks. Didn’t hit the gym yesterday, since I’d been on my feet all day and my dogs were killing me, but I’ll definitely be giving it a shot after we finish tonight.
On Sunday night I got a TON of revisions done, really good stuff (or at least I hope my critique partner thinks so), and last night watched my Monday night staples, Bones & The Following.
In parting (before I head to class), shameless plug for my latest short Keira book, Into the Fire (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3MK7QG) is available now for $1.49.
Okay, off to get ready for class…talk atcha tomorrow!
January 23, 2013
Wine Review: Ravenswood Zinfandel
I was thinking about other things I could blog about, and I thought about the things I do. I read. I write. I cook (a lot). And I drink wine (a lot 
)
So what better than to share a few of the wines I enjoy and what I like about them, as well as some food pairings. With that said, here we go!
Ravenswood Zinfandel (2011)
When I was younger, I was a total Cabernet Sauvignon girl. As I got older, I rolled through Merlot and Pinot Noir, and right now (and for the past few years), my favorite red is Zin. There’s just something multidimensional about Zin, especially when you get a good one. I happen to love the Ravenswood. It’s affordable (usually about $15/bottle), and because of it’s round, soft texture, pairs with everything from spicy chicken and fish dishes to the traditional red meat fare. I also enjoy it because it has a bit of bite on the back of your palate, kind of a “hey, this is WINE” zing that makes me smile. Also a plus is that there’s no discernible aftertaste, so you won’t regret it if you’re sipping with hors d’ourves, rather than a full meal.
If you’re a red fan looking for a wine that pairs well with a broad spectrum of meals and nibbles, then give this one a try!
January 21, 2013
Media Monday: Alias
So, I started watching Alias last week on Netflix, and I just couldn’t get into it. I really, really wanted to. I mean, hello, kick-ass spy chick, lots of intrigue and over 100 episodes to feast on. But I never really bought Sydney as a spy. Two pieces I loved? Her portrayal of the grief in losing her fiancee. It was fabulously done, and made me root for her. The second? Bradley Cooper, of course. What’s not to love there? So to say I was disappointed that I didn’t care for the intrigue bit is a bit of an understatement.
The Following premieres tonight after Bones, and I can’t WAIT to watch it!
Book Review: No One Left to Tell, Karen Rose
I cannot begin to express how much I adored this book. Rose is one of my auto-buy authors, so it’s no surprise that I’d enjoy this book, but I was blown away by it. For those of you who have read Ms. Rose’s works before (specifically You Belong to Me ), you’ll recognize some of the characters. In this story, we watch as Paige Holden and the hero, State’s Attorney Grayson Smith, both come to grips with their ugly pasts. These two have been damaged by their pasts, but still managed to find a way to make their lives positive. I won’t recap the plot, but I WILL say that the depth and circuitous routes it took made me dizzy (in a good way). Paige and Grayson were perfect for each other, and in true romantic suspense fashion, they wouldn’t have reached their happy ending (never mind survived) had they not learned to love and rely on each other. Romantic suspense at it’s finest!
January 16, 2013
Workout progress and all manner of good things…
I’ve been kicking ass on the workout front…five days a week on the treadmill, and outside exercise when it’s not stupid frosty. So (cross fingers), I can totally see myself hitting my 13 miles per week by the end of the month. Been doing okay on the rest of my goals as well. To be honest, I wanted to make the exercise and water portions a habit before I started to go balls to the wall on the rest of my goals, so I’m willing to accept a few areas where I’m not meeting them in order to make all of them my new reality by the end of the year.
How are you doing on your goals?
January 15, 2013
TABT, The Black Hawk, Joanna Bourne
This is my first book by Joanna Bourne, but it certainly won’t be my last. In The Black Hawk, she introduced me to a world of espionage spanning Europe in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The characters, Adrian (Hawker) and Justine (Owl) were gorgeously drawn. Both flawed, both from REALLY screwed up childhoods (if what they lived through can be called a childhood). In each other, even as children and spies on often opposite sides, they find that indefinable something that makes them perfectly matched. Decades later, as adults, they must work together to discover who is targeting Justine, and why. I loved this book on so many levels. The characters were unusual, and so real they leapt off the page. I understand I have three previous books to catch up on, with characters mentioned obliquely in this book and I can’t wait!
