Vicki Batman's Blog, page 92

Maggie Lawless is a Hot Mama-- Really, Jane Richardson should know!

Hot Mama Friday:  Maggie LawlessHi everyone! Vicki’s asked me along as part of her Hot Mama Friday series to tell you a little about Maggie Lawless, the heroine of my novel, A Different Kind of Honesty. I’m really glad to be here!
What can I tell you about Maggie?  Well, she’s funny, she’s brave, she’s honest, and she’s very much the kind of girl I’d love to have as a friend.  She knows how to look after herself, she’s very independent.  In fact, if she has a fault, it might be that independence of hers – she probably relies on herself a little too much, and forgets that she has friends who’d help her out, do anything for her, if she’d only just ask.  Sometimes, she needs a gentle little reminder that she doesn’t have to do it all by herself. Then again, I can’t blame her for being that way.  Losing her mother while she was still in her teens, and then losing her father just a few years later – it’s no wonder Maggie became so self-reliant and single-minded.  She threw herself into her work.  Having followed her Dad into the Metropolitan Police in London, she pretty much gave up everything for her career.  At least, that’s how it seemed to everyone else.  Having made it all the way to Detective Sergeant, everyone assumed she’d carry right on along that old career path, maybe right up to Chief Inspector and beyond. But then, out of the blue....
“I don’t want it. I was thinking you might.” Incredulous, Danny stared at her. “You don’t want it? Why the heck not? I thought that’s what you were after, all that fast-track career advancement stuff.”

Maggie spread her hands out in a gesture of helplessness. “I don’t want it, Danny. A year ago, hell, yes, I’d have been in like Flynn for that cherry, but now…” Her words tailed off as she searched for the explanation. “I don’t know why, but it’s just not what I want any more.”
Believe me, that was totally out of character for Maggie Lawless, but once she’d got that little bee in her bonnet, nothing anyone could say or do would change her mind.  Then things began to happen very quickly. There was a guy....and then just as quickly, he was gone.  Maggie found herself with a few decisions to make – and some made for her.

 “Too much happened,” she said. “The same wheel, round and round, over and over. And me, just letting it go on. My pattern. I couldn’t carry on that way.  But you’re wrong. I didn’t quit. I took control.”
Oh, she took control alright! But don’t be fooled into thinking she’s serious about life all the time.  She loves a good laugh, and she can give as good as she gets – you need to see her with her best friend Danny to see what I mean! Pushing the door open further, Danny stood aside to let a young female constable pass, eyeing her curvaceous bottom appreciatively as she scuttled by in too-tight uniform trousers. Maggie folded her arms and watched his undisguised lust with an amused smile.

“You never miss a shot, do you? What are you now, thirty-two, thirty-three? You're the youngest dirty old man I know.”
The quick-fire stuff!

-Short or Tall? Right in the middle, about 6’5.-Hair color? Brown-auburn. -Jeans or LBD? Jeans 99%, LBD 1%. Just waiting for the excuse for the 1%!
Favorite color? Blue. Red. Em, lilac. Er...no, blue.-Car? Didn’t have one for years, living in London you don’t really need one.  Now driving a new model Fiat 500. Cute and practical! -Flipflops, sneakers, or heels? Yes to all three!

-Favorite music?  Partial to a bit of opera, can rock out to Green Day, but is most likely to be singing along to Italian singer-songwriter Laura Pausini. Very passionate and romantic.  And being me, it’s also helping my Italian language study.  See above, cute and practical! -Favorite drink?  Can’t beat something long, cool and Italian!

-Favorite meal?  Grilled sea bass, cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, followed by affogato, vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso coffee poured over. -Bestfriend?  Danny Chang.  Let’s face it, somebody had to love him!

Excerpt: A Different Kind of Honesty “Okay. Danny, when I was in New York, I, um…had a fling. A brief thing, a onenighter.”

“What?” Danny looked incredulous. “You told me you were only actually in New York
for one night! Bloody hell, you didn’t hang about, did you?” He started to laugh. “I thought you gave up one night stands after the college days.”
“I did,” Maggie squirmed. “But this was sort of…different.”
“Oh, I see. Different.” Danny nodded in an annoyingly superior, knowing way. “A head over heels, caution to the wind, never to be repeated, special offer kind of different, right?”
Maggie gave a short, embarrassed laugh. “Something like that. Actually, a lot like that.”
“Aw, so sweet, my little chicky!” Danny reached out a hand and patted hers. “But it’s
not as if it was your first time, or your last, let’s hope. So why all the panting ingénue stuff?”
Maggie sighed, a mix of wistfulness and longing that surprised her. “Because here’s the
thing,” she said, her thumbnail between her teeth. “And you are not going to believe this.”
“Ha! Try me, girlfriend.” Danny took a swig of Bud. “There’s something hot about this
one, I can tell.”
“It was him.”
Danny creased his brow as he pretended to think hard. “Nope. I’m going to need a little more than ‘him’, I’m afraid.”
Maggie cleared her throat, suddenly feeling nervous. “Okay. It was the guy we met
today. Valentino. Tony Valentino.”
Danny’s lips wiggled around an ooo. “You are kidding me! Absolutely no way!”
“Yes, way,” Maggie said miserably.
“I don’t believe it. Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure, it’s not like I do it every day!”
Danny was opening and closing his mouth like a demented goldfish. “Why the hell
didn’t you tell me? You spend one night in New York, you sleep with the FBI, and you keep that to yourself? You selfish cowbag! I may never speak to you again.”
Maggie shook her head and kept her voice low. “No, Danny, listen,” she said urgently. “I didn’t tell you because I shouldn’t have done it.”
Danny’s elbows slipped off the table in mock astonishment. “What are you talking
about, you shouldn’t have done it? What, with that hunk? Good God, I’d shag him, and I’m straight.”
Picking up her water, Maggie paused with the bottle at her lips. “Somehow, I suspect
you’re not his type. What with you not being a girlie and all.”
Find A Different Kind of Honesty at:    MuseItUp Publishing
Find Jane at: website Thanks, Maggie and Jane, for being on Hot Mama!
 
 
 

Vicki Batman: When I Fell in Love

When I Fell in Love
 
NO! not with Handsome. I'll save that story for another day. This is about when I fell in lovewith romance books.
Around age fourteen, I was totally bored. School was out. Didn't have anything special going on. I'd read everything I'd wanted to read.
My mom noticed and asked what was up. When I told her, she said, "Go read something." "But what?" I whined. She fastened on me a long stare and then reached for a small paperback on the shelf where she stashed her handbag. "Try this."
This turned out to be a romance by Emilie Loring. Bantam Books had reissued them and my aunt shared them with my mom. Most took place from the forties to the fifties. They tended to be sweet (no sex) and focused on honor and integrity. The couple met and overcame whatever the villain had planned.
Here's Emilie's bio from Wikipedia and odds and ends from Amazon:
Emilie Loring was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914 at the age of 50 and continued until her death after a long illness in 1951. At the time of her death, Loring had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
Her work features several repeating motifs. Among them are a girl who is twenty-three with red hair, a dark-haired lawyer or aspiring politician for a hero, a secondary character predisposed toward speaking in quotations, a fan back chair, a Mandarin coat, a Chinese lacquer screen (room divider), New England as a setting or character trait (“New England granite”), and a black-and-white spotted dog. Her earlier books, published from 1922 to 1937, were originally published in hardcover.
I read voraciously. And since, these books hold a special place in my heart. Throughout the years, I'd buy paperback ones. Then a few years ago, I told Handsome I'd like hardbacks. I have almost all in hardback now, thanks to him. (Isn't he swell?)
So confess (lol), what age and what book turned you on to romance? (And to those who leave a comment with their email address, we'll have two drawings for two sets of three of her books.)

Vicki Batman regularly imbibes a diet Coke and writes funny stuff most days. Find her at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com Or at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com. Find her work at: Amazon, MuseItUp Publishing, B&N, Smashwords.

Vicki Batman: I thank the academy, er.... Sunshine Award

 And thank you, Ms. Snap Crackle Pop Sharon Buchbinder!  Ms. Buchbinder and I met at RWA conference several years ago. We kept showing at the same events and finally introduced ourselves and have been friends ever since. For that, I am truly grateful. 
Favorite Colour: red. To quote the guy from Kinky Boots "REEEEEDDDDD."
Favorite Animal: I love cats. My Scooter is 20. Then we got the (malti-) poos. I love those boys, especially at 6:30 when they are barking at ducks in the swimming pool.
 Favorite Number: Gee, I don't have one. I'd like a big one that follows SALES! Favorite Non-Alcoholic Drink: diet Coke. Once regular, then decided I had to go to the dark side. Otherwise, champagne or champagne cocktails.  Facebook or Twitter: Facebook. I LOVE finding out what everyone is up to. LOVE seeing the action shots, the fun sayings, the book covers, the trip photos. Twitter seems like a tool for me, but I'm there. My Passion: I have two (hey, don't be judgemental!) I love writing. I love needlepoint. Writing challenges my head. Needlepoint calms me down and I make something useful (a requirement: handbag or pillow). Then there's mahjong...

Getting or receiving presents: Both! I love finding the perfect gift for someone. But a tiny part of me loves getting presents too and it doesn't have to be jewelry either. Chocolate is always a great gift! Favorite Pattern: Really?  Favorite Day of the Week:  Monday is good for Mahjong. Wednesday is good for Book Club. Friday is good for a date with Handsome. Thursday is good for yoga.. I'm thinking I like all of them. lol Favorite Flower:  I love daylilies. I have several beds of them. If my phone was working right now, I'd take a picture and show you how pretty they are.

TAG, You're it!

Michelle Miles: http://michellemiles.net/blog/
Sylvia McDaniel: http://www.sylviamcdaniel.com/index.html
Liese Sherwood-Fabre: http://www.liesesherwoodfabre.com/  
Melissa Keir: http://www.melissakeir.com/blog.html
Sheila Seabrook: http://sheilaseabrook.com/blog/
 
 

@VickiBatman : What's in Your Closet? #handbagMonday

~Handbag Monday~
 
Recently, I attended a shower for a bride and wore a salmon-colored linen dress and carried this: 

 
The box-shaped bag is made of straw with a gold clasp, nice vinyl interior, and embellished with raffia fruit and leaves. I remember it was one of my first purchases on eBay. The rattan is plastic coated which makes it nice for surprise tropical showers. (The brownish tone of the photo doesn't do it justice. Actually is more blonde. Alas, my photo skills are lacking.) On the bottom are leather straps covering the gold hinges, and gold-toned feet. The label on the inside pocket says "Simon, Made in Hong Kong, Styled by Mister Ernest."
It's fairly light-weight and hold all my stuff perfectly.
News: I've been on eBay and ETSY and have found a few new additions to my handbag family.  I'll be featuring them on Handbag Monday too. And if you want to be on Handbag Monday, shoot me an email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com
  Happy Handbag Shopping!

What's in YOUR closet? It's Handbag Monday with guest Cara Marsi

~Handbag Monday~
 
A guest! Author and great friend, Cara Marsi, recently bought a green Kate Spade bag from GiltGroup.com (I have to check this site out!). Then she received an email featuring this awesome to-die-for:    


Adorable! The drawstring handles and the gold trip make it so attractive. And can be carried over the shoulder or by the handles. Love it! Yoohoo! I hear temptation calling, Cara. How can you resist?
Thanks for sharing, my friend.
 
  Cara Marsi, award-winning author of sensual, sweetly romantic love stories can be found at: www.caramarsi.com. Find Franco's Fortune at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNA3JQI

The Book Boost cover contest featuring Little Birdie Who...and Other Stories. Please vote!

It's COVER TIME!
 Visit the Book Boost each day in June for a new cover.  If you like it, leave a comment.  It is that simple.

At the end of the month, we'll choose the winning cover and the author will receive prizes and free promo.  Then, check back in July when we'll feature the winning cover artist and find out what goes into creating that fabulous cover! Today's feature is mine: Little Birdie Who and Other Stories.  Won't you go to the Book Boost and vote for mine?       http://www.thebookboost.blogspot.com/  

Vicki Batman #MySexySaturday !

Sweet yet Sexy?
I think by far I am not sexy. Yet, as a romance writer, I have to convey this in my work. So what makes sexy?
For me? Yeah, yeah, yeah, a lean and fit man, who carries the ability to conquer all in his 'tude and stance. But the twinkle in his eye…
Wowza!
So from my romantic comedy, "Store Wars," I give you 7 paragraphs with sexy hero, Fletcher:


     "Twenty-five?"
     "Sold." As I reached for his outstretched hand, my pant leg caught on something. I felt myself tumbling face-first to meet concrete.
     Fletcher caught me before the grand finale. "Whoa, sweetheart. You okay?" Gently, he lifted me to my feet. We stood chest to chest; so close, I could smell lemon, see the golden ring pulsing around his irises. An exchange of synergy zigzagged between us.
     As I stared into his eyes, my body barely swayed. All sense of time and place evaporated. My mouth parted. When my eyes closed, I perceived him shifting closer. His grip tightened on my upper arms. When he softly said, "Janie," his breath teased my ear, sending butterfly-like shivers over my body.
     The urge to have him hold me, kiss me, love me seized. His mouth found mine. My nose grazed his cheek as I deepened the kiss. His lips dragged and took, sending me out of my mind. He tasted like the Hershey's chocolate kisses Betty from Bath Bubbly had passed around.
     When a car honk reached my ear, my Texas sensibility returned. I stepped away, my finger lightly rubbing my lips. Ohmygolly, I just kissed Fletcher Babcock like tomorrow would never come.
     His mouth quirked. The same quirk found his eyes. "Nice, sweetheart."

Link back to: my sexy saturday

Find Store Wars at: MuseItUp Publishing
Amazon
BarnesandNoble
Smashwords

Vicki Batman: What's in YOUR closet? It's #Handbag Monday!

~Handbag Monday~
 
 More adventures in Handbag land. And today's is a cutie pie I picked up while on a recent vacation. Take a look: 
   
Adorable-right? It's handmade from the Phillipines. Roomy. And a great size. I tucked a small needlepoint project inside; however, a paperback would work too. There was actually another I liked with smaller handles (more tote-like), but it had glue on it. *scrunchy nose* 
This one will be perfect for all the cool summery outfits I'll be wearing.
 
Happy handbag hunting!
 
 
  ps. If you would like to be featured on Handbag Monday, email me at: vlmbatman@hotmail.com. I'll need a photo and a small description. Thanks!

Vicki Batman: What's in YOUR closet? Guest on Handbag Monday is Sharon Buchbinder

Handbag Monday! Last Monday, my darling friend, Sharon Buchbinder commented on my FB page about the little black number I'd posted. I say, hey, send me your favorite; and so, here it is:  
     Not vintage, but, oh how I love my leopard messenger bag! I like to go a little WILD with my leopard, as you can see in this RT2011 photo with my...             
 leopard coat dress and shoes.
     

    RAWR! LOL!        Wow, Sharon, what stylin'! But then, we always knew you were a FUN girl. Thanks for sharing.  Find Ms. Sharon Buchbinder at: Facebook Find her book, Some Other Child at: Amazon

Vicki Batman: What's in YOUR closet? Guest on Handbag MOndy is Sharon Buchbinder

Handbag Monday! Last Monday, my darling friend, Sharon Buchbinder commented on my FB page about the little black number I'd posted. I say, hey, send me your favorite; and so, here it is:  
     Not vintage, but, oh how I love my leopard messenger bag! I like to go a little WILD with my leopard, as you can see in this RT2011 photo with my...             
 leopard coat dress and shoes.      

    RAWR! LOL!        Wow, Sharon, what stylin'! But then, we always knew you were a FUN girl. Thanks for sharing.  Find Ms. Sharon Buchbinder at: Facebook Find her book, Some Other Child at: Amazon