Julia London's Blog, page 24
October 10, 2012
Sparked Cover
My new ebook release, coming in November 2012!
Sparks fuel desire… When a rebellious sorcerer of New Mystic City steals the Queen’s ancient and powerful scepter, warrior witch and security commander Abia Quinn is charged with the vital mission of retrieving the vital artifact, but she doesn’t count on a startling encounter with NYPD lieutenant Nick Westin, who unknowingly has captivating and rare powers of his own.
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A Few of my Favorite Things
Hello, everyone! Glad to be on board with such a fantastic group of authors!
Since I’m one of the new kids around here, I thought I’d introduce myself by listing a few of my favorite things (Those bios don’t give the real dirt, do they?) Naturally, I love books, and I like my romance with a good dose of mystery/suspense. For wine, I’m partial to a woody chardonnay or a fruity pinot noir. Music-wise, I go for classics–Sinatra, Manilow, Diamond. More currently I’m crazy about Michael Buble (Sinatra 2.0) and Adele. For sports, I follow NASCAR, but since my husband loves college sports, I also know a bunch about those simply by listening to him and his friends yell at the TV on Saturdays. I actually enjoy cooking, and I’m pretty decent at it (for which my family and the dog who gets the leftovers are grateful). I’m a huge fan of any Apple product. Made the leap to Mac about three years ago and I’ve spent nearly every day since wondering what took me so long.
I’m also currently obsessed with several TV shows: The Big Bang Theory, White Collar and Copper, and I’ve always been a big follower of anything featuring Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes (seriously, check out the BBC show Sherlock, featuring Benedict Cumberpatch–arguably the greatest name in history).
So I hear entertainment is a popular topic for discussion around here (Jacquie D’Alessandro and I continually debate whether Howard Wolowitz or Sheldon Cooper is the best character on The Big Bang Theory), so I thought I’d share my fascination with the new BBC America show, Copper. www.bbcamerica.com/copper
The story takes place in New York City in 1864, mostly in the notoriously dangerous Five Points area. It follows the adventures and relationships of Irish immigrant detective Kevin Corcoran (played by the luscious Tom Weston-Jones) and his pals at the New York Metropolitan Police, which eventually becomes the NYPD. Kevin–Corky to his friends–is an amazing character. He shoots first and asks questions later (but then he’s a good shot, so the interrogation is usually one-sided), drinks hard and is completely unfamiliar with monogamy. But he’s a weary Civil War vet, his wife’s missing and his daughter’s been murdered. The guy has issues.
But he’s a great hero nonetheless. Flawed, certainly. But he’s absolutely loyal to his friends and determined to fight for justice without regard for social status or skin color.
Fantastic characters, gritty, tension-filled setting and, naturally, amazing writing always equal the same thing–great entertainment. Catch it on Sunday nights, 10:00 pm eastern or set your DVR. It’s worth the time.
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October 9, 2012
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
I’m 99% sure another Whiner has used that headline in the last year or so, but that’s just too freaking bad, because it fits what I’m blogging about … changes! Good and bad and good and awesome.
Bad changes: When your bank account balance changes into the red.
Good changes: When you win the lottery and the bank account balance goes back into the green.
Bad changes: When your jeans don’t fit right.
Good changes: When your jeans don’t fit right because they’re too big!
And more good changes … when you get new Whine Sisters joining in the fun! Yes, that’s right, there are changes afoot in Whine-land, and soon (as in, starting tomorrow, and continuing throughout the upcoming Wednesday’s until all the new gals have had their chance to Whine in the spotlight) you’ll get to meet these fabulous new whiners!
Who are they you ask? Well, I could just let you wait and see. But I’ve had wine and cheesecake (and ice cream, because I came home late after wine and cheesecake) and am feeling generous.
Joining us soon will be the awesome Wendy Etherington (blogging tomorrow!) and (in non-blogging order) the fabulous Terri Brisbin, the astounding Jennifer St. Giles (I’ll let her tell you about all her other names!) and the fantastic (or fang-tastic?) Molly Harper!
Having these folks join us is definitely a good change. Personally, I think my best change would have to be the birth and adoption of my daughters. The worst? Probably when my small intestine decided to change from functional to ruptured (though those seven days in the hospital were certainly relaxing!)
How about y’all? Wanna share your ch-ch-changes??
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October 8, 2012
NWH
So it’s a National Whiner’s Holiday!!!!! Why you ask? Because it’s our very own Sherri (we call her media Momma) Erwin’s BIRTHDAY! So sit back and enjoy the party with cyber chocolate, wine, and of course BIRTHDAY CAKE! Happy happy Birthday Sherri!!!
What’s your favorite kind of birthday cake? (And do you crave sweet things after watching Cupcake Wars?) And do you wonder how Madonna got those 
cones on in the first place. And what happens when Lady Gaga has a wardrobe malfunction? And heck–how would we know? Who is your favorite eye candy of the moment? And which debate did you watch: a) Obama vs Romney b) Jon Stewart vs Bill O’Reilly or c) Live–it’s Saturday Night?
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October 5, 2012
Pumpkin?
It’s fall! Leaves are turning, dropping, and the pumpkin craze is on.
I had a delicious pumpkin ale the other night. I started my day with pumpkin coffee and a pumpkin Eggo waffle. I have pumpkin spice bagels, too. I’ve seen pumpkin doughnuts, cakes, pies, and ice cream at the store. Do you love it, or enough’s enough? Do you even like pumpkin? What’s your favorite thing with pumpkin this time of year?
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October 4, 2012
Muse, Full Time: Applications Now Being Accepted
No, not this Muse. Though, hey, they might work out. Catchy tunes. Apparently worked for Stephenie Meyer. But I don’t want sparkly vampires creeping into my manuscripts so…
All great artists have a muse, so they say. I’m not sure I’ve ever officially had one, but I could certainly use the inspiration now.
The first applicant? This one. She (allegedly) left Julia London’s employ (or was fired, it’s still unclear) and came to me claiming responsibility for all of Julia’s books up to The Revenge of Lord Eberlin, but she couldn’t name a single character. She didn’t even know about Lucy. Suspicious!
I sent her on her way. I hear she self-published her first book on Amazon last week: I Am Wondermuse and So Can You. It’s number one in Free Nonfiction. Maybe I should have snapped her up after all.
Next?
I tried Lady Grantham in the role, but she just would not stop with the zingers. Like, “Zebra prints belong on a conservatory ottoman and not on a lady’s bottom.” (Hey, they’re my writing pants!) and “No one wants to kiss a girl in zebra pants.” And “if your husband intended you to have an opinion, he would write it for you in his own blog.” Ugh.
Olivia Newton-John showed up in costume from Xanadu. Still fits! She roller-skated around my living room and sang a few bars, but I recommended she look up John Travolta and record a Christmas album. Hahaha, it was a joke. Well, she did! I guess I played muse for her instead. Huh. 
Then Big Bird came around. He’s not unemployed yet, but he saw last night’s debate and fears what the future might hold. I told him, quite honestly, that Snuffleupagus comes more highly recommended, but I would keep them both on the list for future consideration. For now, Sesame Street still needs them, so back to the nest.
Good help is hard to find. How about you? Have you ever sought divine intervention? Angel on your shoulder? Muse? Who is your inspiration?
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October 3, 2012
The Greatcoat, A Ghost Story
While in England, quite predictably, we spent a lot of time in book stores. JL bought way more than I did, but I managed to find an exceptional book that I want to share with all of you on this excerpt Wednesday (which starting next week will be moving to Fridays–just to keep everyone on their toes). Anyway, without further ado, I give you The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore:
Back cover copy:
The Greatcoat is a ghost story set during and after the Second World War, about the power of the past to imprint itself on the present, and possess it. In 1952, newly-married Isabel Carey and her husband Philip come to live in a small town close to a wartime bomber station. Their flat is dark, poky and cold; their landlady paces the floor overhead. One night, when Philip is out on call, Isabel finds an RAF officer’s greatcoat in a cupboard, and spreads it on the bed to keep her warm. In the middle of her dreams, she hears a knocking on the window …
A short excerpt:
“She could still hear the tapping sound that had woken her. It must be her dream still turning, like a record after the needle had been lifted off. Tap, tap, tap. Soft, insistent, determined. It was a real sound. It was coming from the living room. It sounded like someone tapping on glass—on a window.
Relief flooded her. Philip must have gone out without his key and he was tapping on the front window to attract her attention. He didn’t want to arouse the landlady by ringing the bell at this hour.
Isabel snatched up the greatcoat and dragged it around her. Thank heavens Phil was back. She’d make some tea and he’d tell her about his case and everything would be fine. She ran over the cold linoleum, into the living room and across to the window, without switching on the light. She pulled back the curtains.
There was a man outside the window. She saw the pallor of his face first, as it seemed to bob against the glass, too high up to belong to a man who had his feet on the ground. The streetlamp lit him from the side, throwing the sharp shadow of his cap over his face. He was too close, inside the railings that separated the house from the pavement.
A man in a greatcoat. An RAF greatcoat, exactly like the one draped over her shoulders: she couldn’t mistake it.”
It’s a quick read by a fabulous new-to-me author. Highly Recommended!
Have you read Helen Dunmore before? What are some of your favorite ghostly books?
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October 2, 2012
DOIN’S AT CASA D’ALESSANDRO
Lots of non-work related stuff going on here as well. Two weekends ago we visited friends who have a cabin in the North Georgia mountains. The location is gorgeous and is the inspiration for the setting of He’s No Angel. We visited fun shops in the little town, ate a fabulous meal, and took a rigorous hike that worked off that fabulous meal.
We had so much fun in the mountains!
During the week the DH and I participated in our neighborhood’s annual fall pickleball tournament. Partners were assigned based on skill levels and while my partner and I were eliminated in the third round, I’m delighted and proud to announce that my husband and his partner won the Championship! So yay to the boys–great job!
The Champion in action!
We’ve also been taking advantage of the gorgeous weather. Nothing like a sunset boat ride on the lake!
Sunset boat on the lake
And last but not least, we’ve been dining with friends. We’ve had outrageous BBQ shrimp–New Orleans style, some fabulous spinach lasagna, and last Sunday friends taught us how to make eggplant parmigiana using their family recipe. It was the BEST eggplant I’ve ever had. Slimming these meals were not–but delicious? Oh, yeah!
Ready for the eggplant parmigiana lesson! Mangia Italiano!
I’d love to know what you’ve been up to! Tell, tell!
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October 1, 2012
The joys of pigging out …
Sometimes, ya just gotta go for it.
That saying can apply to a lot of things, but this weekend it applied to food. Yup, for my birthday, I totally pigged out. And man, was it good!
We originally had dinner plans on my actual birthday (Saturday) but at the last minute I told the family I’d rather do a Sunday brunch because, hey, I love Sunday brunch and it’s been years since we’ve been to the brunch at the Four Seasons, which is operated by Trio Restaurant (they have a Facebook page – check out some of the pictures!)
So off we went Sunday morning … and returned home Sunday afternoon despite our food comas!
Why brunch?
Because you can eat a bit of everything! I had prime rib and green beans and gluten free chocolate chip pancakes and bacon and sushi and crab legs and shrimp and cheese and salad and berries (all varieties) and creme brulee and mimosas (many, many mimosas) and coffee and … oh, man, I don’t know what else (oh! Ceviche!) and I’m sure there was more.
It. Was. Fabulous.
And less expensive than our originally scheduled dinner. Can’t beat that with a stick!
Oh…and I had some Grouper. Here’s a picture from their facebook page of a Grouper. I had no idea they were so huge! 
That, my friends, is one ugly–and big–fish!
All in all a lovely Sunday brunch! Now I just need to run a marathon so all that food doesn’t settle on my a** um, my thighs …
What did you do this past weekend??
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