Julia London's Blog, page 32
July 9, 2012
Seduction of Lady X
ON SALE MARCH 27
The would-be Earl of Ashwood sets his romantic sights on a forbidden prize in the enchanting third novel from Julia London’s addictively sexy new series.
The surprising news that dashing steward Harrison Tolly, illegitimate son of the Earl of Ashwood, is the rightful heir to his father’s estate comes at a most inopportune time. With a wedding on the horizon and a baby on the way, a new life of privilege and prestige would be a blessing but for one problem: his heart belongs to another woman.
Harrison keeps his desires for his employer’s wife, Lady Olivia Carey, so hidden that even she does not know of his devotion. Her callous husband, Marquis Carey, went into a rampage after Olivia’s troublesome younger sister returned from her tour of Spain pregnant, and Harrison impulsively stepped in to save the entire family from scandal. Now, like Olivia, he is trapped in a loveless arrangement. When a tragic accident claims the marquis’ life soon thereafter, can Harrison seize his chance and cast aside one sister for another? Or will doing so expose the Carey family’s darkest secret—and ruin his only chance to win Olivia’s heart?
For a behind the scenes look at Hadley Green, please visit the Hadley Green scrapbook
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July 6, 2012
It’s the Simple Things
You guys know I have been renovating my house, giving it a good purging and imprinting my likes on everything. First the kitchen wall, then the living room, and now I have moved on to the master bedroom and bath. They are getting a new coat of a paint, and in the bathroom I am putting in granite cabinet tops, framed mirrors, frameless shower glass, a new privacy window, and new light fixtures. But the thing that really floats my boat? The thing I added to the list at the last minute because I could not find some running socks one morning? The Elfa closet system by Container Store. I bought it, the contractor installed it, and I have to say, I am head-over-heels in love.
Who knew that an organized closet was the one thing missing from my life? Who would have guessed that with plenty of shelves and drawers and storage, my life would be complete? Not me! But I am in bliss. I love it. I love that I can see all my clothes. I love that getting a new closet, which required me to empty the old, finally forced me to purge old clothes and shoes and Tshirts! OMG, I had dozens of cotton Tshirts with stupid slogans that are now winging their way to Africa or some other nation where our used Tshirts are sent. I loaded up my car twice–and I do mean loaded–with clothes I have never worn (some with tags on them) and shipped them off to Goodwill.
I was left with a closet that is actually much larger than I thought. I have space for all my shoes and now the ones I wear every day are off the floor. I have drawers for all my things I need when I come out of the shower, and I have storage up over head for the very expensive purses I don’t like anymore but refuse to take to Goodwill.
I am so happy I could spit. My life is complete. There is absolutely nothing else I need. Nothing.
But the upstairs bath could use a facelift…
What simple thing floats your boat? What thing do you have in your house that you love and would miss terribly if you had to move? What one thing would you change about your house?
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July 5, 2012
I’m Just Not That Into…
Fireworks. That sounds pretty bah-humbug considering we just celebrated the 4th of July–kinda like saying you don’t like Christmas tress on December 25th, but fireworks just don’t interest me. I love the patriotism of July 4th, honoring America and our independence, and all the celebrations–just not the fireworks–at least the backyard type. Now I don’t mind seeing a professional display, at a safe distance–but that’s about it. Fireworks actually scare me–the big booms make me jump, and I’m always afraid they’re going to start a fire. I never liked it when neighborhood kids set them off–someone always got hurt, yet they were out there every year, launching bottle rockets and sparklers. I was especially afraid this year given how dry so places are–one errant spark and a fire could ignite. God Bless America, but hold the fireworks.
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beloved by many, feared by me
I’m also not into laundry. I just don’t like doing it, mostly because it’s such a looooong process. If it was merely a case of putting the dirty stuff into the washing maching, it wouldn’t be so bad. But nooooo. Then you have to take the stuff out and put it in the dryer. Then you have to take it out and fold it. Then you have to take the stuff to the various rooms of the house and put the washed/dried/folded items away. Basically, it’s a big pain in the ass. And it never ends. No sooner do I get a load washed, dried, folded and put away, then there”s more dirty stuff that requires the entire process. Crap, what’s that I hear? Oh–it’s the dryer beeping. Another load ready to be folded. Laundry. Blech.
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It never ends
Is there anything you’re not into? Do you love fireworks? How about laundry? And hey–first person who says they love laundry is invited to Casa D’Alessandro for a VERY extended visit 
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July 4, 2012
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!
To all the whiners in America, Happy Independence Day! I hope you have a fabulous day planned! We plan to be lazy and eat and then, if we’re not in a food coma, we’ll go watch some fireworks. What could be better?
And for a special treat, here’s one of my favorite routines from Bill Cosby: the Coin Toss. It’s appropriate for the day because of the segment on The Revolutionary War.
What are your plans for the day?
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July 3, 2012
Hats! Hats! Hats!
Last weekend, I was headed to the Traveler’s Golf championship in Cromwell, CT, and my dad (who is now in residence, 11 days and counting) said, “Where’s your hat?”
And I scoffed. “Dad, I’m wearing SPF 50. Plus, we have skybox tickets (which is the only way to watch golf, if you ask me– in a catered skybox, great seating, free food and booze).” Well, the sun shone right into the skybox, and I ended up sunburned. I hate it when Dad is right!
So next time, I will wear a hat. I found some pictures of hats from the Royal Ascot 2012. Help choose a style for me.
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Queen Elizabeth-style. Would feathers suit me? I'll practice my royal wave.
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I could combine two loves, football and golf.
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Not for me, but I love her! Pretty in pink.
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Cherries on top! Won't stop the sun, but might turn some heads.
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A whole new look!
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This is it! I'll wear the glasses and Dee Davis can come with me and wear the champers. Awesome!
Do you love hats? Do hats suit you? Have you ever wanted to dress up and go to the races? Or golf? Would you watch golf willingly or have to be lured with the promise of free stuff and fancy seats? What are your exciting holiday plans?
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July 2, 2012
Just Give In…
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June 28, 2012
On the Road Again….
Yes, I’m in the middle of my trans-coastal air/road trip! I’m here at Dallas, where it’s HOT, HOT, HOT. Yes, I hadforgotten how hot Texas can be. I was supposed to arrive on Monday evening, but EVIL Delta airlines decided to cancel my connection from Salt Lake City to Dallas. Hey, I have nothing against Salt Lake City, but I didn’t plan on spending the night there, you know? Weather related cancellations I’m fine with, mechanical cancellations, yeah, OK, but this was for no other reason than (I suspect) there wasn’t enough butts on the plane. Really, Delta? Really?
Yes, they paid for a hotel room. Yes, they gave me $18 in food vouchers, because you know, everybody can eat breakfast and dinner on $18, but I just wanted to be home. Sigh.
Sorry, just needed to whine. The good news is that we’ll be cruising down I35 next week, and I’m hoping to meet up with my other two sisters in whine and perhaps partake insome fine Mexican cuisine. It’s almost enough to make me forgive Delta.
Almost.
So, how about y’all? Any companies on your ‘Really?’ list? Anything you want to whine about? Preparing for summer holidays? Happy that it’s Friday?
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Can’t Wait for Olympics
I can’t wait for the Olympics. I’ve been glued to the Olympic trials and I am already getting far too involved. I have so many favorites: track and field, swimming, gymnastics. But I also love the really obscure sports, like kayaking and race-walking. Who doesn’t love a good walking race?
What are you favorite Olympic sports?
What is your favorite Olympic moment? Mine is Keri Scruggs doing that vault thing with a broken leg. Well, maybe it wasn’t broken, but it was injured. Talk about gutting it out.
What is your worse Olympic moment? The first thing that comes to my mind is the Munich Olympics. I don’t mean to be Debbie Downer, but I was a kid then, and I will never forget how horrified I was at what was happening. It was one of those sentient moments in my life when I understood that things happened in the world I had never imagined.
Tell us your impressions of the Olympics – sports, memories, hopes.
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June 27, 2012
I CAN’T RESIST
Mae West famously said, “I generally avoid temptation unless I can’t resist it.” My biggest temptations that I can’t resist seem to revolve around the kitchen and pantry. There are certain foods that, if they’re in my house, I simply can’t stay away from. It’s like they’re calling me…”Jacquie, we’re here in the pantry…come get us!” Of course none of these irresistible goodies are in any way calorie free, Why, oh, why can’t I find carrots irresistible?
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I like carrots, but they just don't call to me
One of my I Can’t Resist things are chips–but only certain kinds. A bag of Lays could sit in my pantry for years and I’d pass it by. But put a bag of Doritos or Ruffles in my midst and those suckers are gone in nothing flat. Peanuts don’t interest me, but I could eat cashews all day long. Oreos–eh. Never bother with them. But if I buy a box of Whippets, those babies won’t make it through the evening. And if you’ve never had a Whippet–whoa, baby. They’re like a Mallomar, but all grown-up and a thousand times better and they have a touch of raspberry filling as well. YUM! Dark chocolate? Blech. Milk chocolate? Can’t resist.
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If you love marshmallows, these are the Best Cookies Ever
Of course one person’s Can’t Resist is another person’s Doesn’t Interest Me. This actually works out well at my house because the DH and I have some different Cant Resist foods–which means I don’t have to share MY Can’t Resist foods, Bwahahahaha! But we do overlap on certain ones–like Whippets. And Jordan Almonds. For reasons I can’t figure out, I can eat Jordan Almonds ’til the cows come home (btw, what does that mean? When did the cows leave home??). Regular almonds don’t do it for me, but Jordan Almonds? Can’t stay away from them.
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My nemesis
So, for the sake of my hips, I rarely buy Doritos or Whippets or Jordan Almonds, ’cause when I do, those darn dry cleaners end up shrinking my clothes . I think that’s why I like shoes so much–I can gain a few Doritos pounds and while my traitorous pants won’t button, my shoes still fit great. Thank you, Manolo Blahnik.
Are there certain foods you can’t resist? Or maybe something else–like shoes or collectibles? Do you indulge–or do you try to resist? How does that resisting work out for you?
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June 26, 2012
Release Day: WHEN DARKNESS HUNGERS
Yay!!! I’m so excited because it’s release day for WHEN DARKNESS HUNGERS, book 5 in the Shadow Keepers series. And, I have to confess, that this book features one of my favorite characters. (I know that, like a mom, you’re not supposed to have a favorite.) Sergius is just so horribly tortured, and his been through so much, that it was a pleasure to finally give him his own book, and a heroine who matches him.
I hope you check it out!
Order WHEN DARKNESS HUNGERS from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Random House, or your favorite bookseller.
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