Return to Body for Life

Around the House
Wow last night was fun.  Going to Boystown for Halloween was a great surprise.  I hung with Lady B., Kev, Dave, and Lauren.  We hung out at a little bar which actually isn't that small called D.S. Tequila.  It is a great little place that I am so going to head back too.  It has been a long time since I have been on that part of Boystown in the bars and I find that I actually missed the fun.  It is changing again, so I think I will be hitting that up once in a while to see what is going on.  Of course I spent most of my night thinking of my date.  I was so gushy I even showed his picture around to my friends and they agree that is absolutely adorable.  It is sad that I am sitting here waiting for him to text me.  I look forward to each time he texts me.  I so can't wait.  I have never had a boyfriend from
 Halloween to Valentines Day.  Maybe this year is the year.

My Thoughts
Well it is time for another Body for Life Challenge.  I want to get certain things accomplished, mostly I want to fit back into my cute new clothes.  I just need to finish sending this stomach of mine down river.  Wish me luck and shoot me all of your support.

Week 1 starting- The Numbers: A New Beginning

	Start	Week 1	Change
Weight	220.8
BMI	29.7%
Hips	43.5 in
Waist	41 in
Midsection	43 in
Chest	43.5 in
Arm (R)	13 in
Arm (L)	13 in
Neck	16 in
Pants	33

Total change in inches: Well positive change is always a good thing!

Swift Changes and New Projects

Around the House
So I have recently been obsessed with house hunting.  I am in the first stages of looking to buy a place, and it is a royal pain.  Yet, I spend most of my time at home looking at the same properties or type of properties over and over again.  Also, my work outs have gone to hell this week.  I have just hand so much going on that getting to the gym has not been a priority, and I am feeling the aftermath of it.  I need to go out and get more active.  Additionally, some of you I know are already on this band wagon but I have started to read Fifty Shades of Grey.  I am not very far into it, but I can see the spark that is drawing women across the world into the tale.  My sister (I have two) has been talking about this book nonstop on her Facebook page so I had to see what it was all about.  I was just going to download the sample, well I bought the whole damn thing yesterday.  I am dying to see how it all turns out.   Also, I am in the middle of reading Dance with Dragons.  I am looking forward to finishing that book which completely reminds me I have a book review to write this week AWK!

My Thoughts
So I have started a new project, For the Love of Brimstone.  Katrina has been pestering me for years to take my love for gossip and turn it into a full story.  Well I have never known how to do it.  So finally I have begun writing this new book as an installment series.  I will be publishing installments for everyone to read as I get through sections of work on it.  It is about two people in their late 20's early 30's and the dark seedy sexual encounters they get themselves into and the aftermath of playing in the world after dark.  Of course this is me so I had to include dark parts with demons and other magical creatures.  I am not sure how long this full novel will take to be done, but as soon as it is I am sure you will love the show.  I am just surprised how much fun I am having taking stories I have heard from people in my life and twisting them into a dark tale of lust, love, and hardcore fun.

Body for Life Week 12 - The Finals

Around the House
Well, Katrina Rue has pushed me into writing a new piece for fun, as you all can see from my post yesterday.  It is coming out in a serial format like they used to run in newspapers and magazines.  At this point I don't know how long or large For the Love of Brimstone will be but I am rather enjoying writing it.  It is a dark twisted Paranormal Romance.  I hope you enjoy it.  Just so you know today it is Free on Amazon so check it out.

My Thoughts
My First 12 weeks on the Body for Life Challenge are over!  Yeah.  I had a party to celebrate the end of the challenge with a group of friends.  We had a great time, but now it means I have to start my second challenge because I am not entirely happy with all of my results.  Well here goes on the final numbers and pictures.  It took a little too long during this challenge to get my eating to where it needs to be so I am expecting better results in the stomach area this time around.  Hell it was only the first time I ever completed it, so I am excited to go again.

Week 12 Ending- The Numbers: Its over

	Start	Week 9	Change
Weight	235.6	225.0	-10.6
BMI	32.7%	30%	-2.7%
Hips	44 in	42 in	-2.0 in
Waist	42.5 in	40.5 in	-2 in
Midsection	47 in	41. in	-6 in
Chest	46 in	43.5 in	-2.5 in
Arm (R)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Arm (L)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Neck	17in	15.5 in	-1.5 in
Pants	36	33	- 2

Total change in inches: 15inches and not at my goals.  I was fat!

Body for Life Week 11

Around the House
This has already been a crazy week for me.  The new book has hit newsstand as a ebook first.  We are trying this out to see what this does before the paperback is released.  Also, we are doing a great promotion on Amazon.com for Free Book Fridays.  Every other Friday my new book will be done.  I am looking to buy a house this year; my first house.  It is a long and daunting experience, I came to realize yesterday that I am running low on time.  Now by the end of the week I need to get a couple things cleaned up to get ready for this process.  I so can't believe that it is already June.  Work is getting busy, so that means I am juggling six projects right now with extended hours.  Wish me luck!

My Thoughts
I think I have finally gotten my eating right.  It has taken long enough to figure this out.  I am actually seeing the weight start to move off which is great, but I am afraid it is a little to late.  I have also come to realize that I need to fix my sleep schedule.  I have completely screwed it.  6 hours a night is not enough for me.  I need to get back on an 8 hour schedule.  I find on my days off I am so wiped out that I don't have the energy to work.  Also, I am not seeing the muscle growth that I wanted, but with the layer of fat on me that might be the problem.  So let's look at the numbers.

Week 11 Ending- The Numbers: Almost Done

	Start	Week 9	Change
Weight	235.6	225.0	-10.6
BMI	32.7%	30%	-2.7%
Hips	44 in	42 in	-2.0 in
Waist	42.5 in	41 in	-1.5 in
Midsection	47 in	41.5 in	-5.5 in
Chest	46 in	43.5 in	-2.5 in
Arm (R)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Arm (L)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Neck	17in	15.5 in	-1.5 in
Pants	36	33	- 2

Total change in inches: 14  HOLY COW!  Okay so I now feel a lot better about pictures next week. Especially since this is only challenge one!

Movie Review: Dark Shadows

Around the House
I hate holiday weekends.  My workout are so screwed up, I am exhausted from family, and I am not eating the best.  You can tell that by the fact I am sitting here ate work with a protein bar and a Venti Carmel Machiatto.  Yum!  Work is dead today, so I figured I wouldn't get a better opportunity to update my movie reviews.  What did I do after an all day family event in the sun (which was after work)?  Did I finish my edits?  Nope I went to a movie.  At least that was a good time.


My Thoughts
Dark Shadows is a remake of an old soap opera from back in the day.  Unlike most things, I haven't done any research on the original since I wanted a fresh perspective when I saw the movie.  While the reviews where not great, the previews looked campy, and the box office number dismal I knew I had to see it for myself.  Knowing that this was a Soap Opera vampire movie, I expected the situations to be extremely campy and fun.  I have to say I was not disappointed.  It help enough of the twisting turns of a Soap Opera that it met my expectations, while building a fresh story.  The movie was fun and full of life. 

I enjoyed the twisted dark seventies themed environment.  The fresh look at a vampire risen in the mortal world was well done.  The back story of the characters teased you enough to want to know more without long drawn out exposition.  It felt very much like flipping on a Soap Opera you have watched for years and catching up with old, odd, friends.  The only complaints is that majority of the characters motivations where a bit fuzzy.  I have a feeling from the flow of the movie that these developments ended up on the cutting room floor.  I would like to have learned more of the Matriarch of the Collins Family and the last minute twist of her daughter should have developed more throughout the movie.  The Supernatural battles where a bit much at the end, when I was hoping for more campy love and drama.

Rating: 4/5

Body for Life Week 6: Half Way Point

Around the House
Oh what to say this week.  I am never to sure what to say about what is going on in my life.  I actually pulled a muscle in my butt yesterday when I was showing my staff what a handspring was.  I didn't mean to flip over, but with the changes in my body I almost flipped over.  It is also great that I can't wait for my final read through to be done while I look for any mistakes.  I am actually looking forward to having Hunted finally on the shelves.  It has been too long a process.  This process has actually inspired a ton of short stories, a novella I am writing, two completed books, and the start of two others.  I need to begin to move forward.  For those of you who don't know the book after that is scheduled for the end of the year which is the Preludes of Illumination vol.2: Pandora's Gateway and then off to finish book 3 The Merchant of Death.  After both those projects are done I will be focusing on the follow up to Hunted.  God, I sound really busy.  If I kept a more strict schedule I would have all of this done by the end of the year... LOL.

My Thoughts
Okay, so it is obvious my eating habits are not where they should be.  I am not dropping weight fast enough.  I so want my gut to be gone.  I have to head to the grocery store tonight to get more bananas and hummus, and veggies for roasting.  I am so working on my eating.  Now if I can just kick the pop and the smoking everything would be better.  I think I should go more low carb, but fried pita with hummus grilled cheeses are so yummy.  Especially when you did them like pizza bites.  I know I am also only half way through the program, but my arms and chest are not where I want them either.  I want a nice hard body with great arms and pecs.  Come on summer is almost here and it would be nice to go around shirtless his summer.  Well, off to the numbers:

Week 6 Ending- The Numbers: Not My Best Week

	Start	Week 6	Change
Weight	235.6	229.8	-5.8
BMI	32.7%	31%	-1.7%
Hips	44 in	44 in	0.0 in
Waist	42.5 in	42 in	-0.5 in
Midsection	47 in	43.5 in	-3.5 in
Chest	46 in	45 in	-1.0 in
Arm (R)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Arm (L)	14 in	13.5 in	-0.5 in
Neck	17in	16.5 in	-0.5 in
Pants	36	34	- 2

Week 5 is Over!

Around the House
The edits are finally done!  I just have to do a quick read through first and then it is off to for the publisher, Gilbert Press, to put the final touches on them.  I can't wait to see the book cover!  Of course this has been a rather rough week for me.  When it rains it pours in my world.  What can I say.  It looks my car is going to be totalled out!  Before you start flipping through old posts to try and figure out what happened.  I haven't said anything about this yet.  I was coming home one night and a dog (cop says coyote) ran in front of my car, so I swerved to miss it and hit a parked car.  Thankfully, I am okay, but I did get burns from the air bag.  I am sad to loose my car since it is only a two years old.  Well, hopefully the world will now have an upswing.  Thanks for all the love everyone!

My Thoughts
So week 5 is finally over which means I am starting to enter the critical period.  By looking at the numbers my BMI is going down and my body is converting its self to muscle, but since my weight and BMI are not dropping as dramatically as they should be it is time to overhaul the diet more.  I am not eating like I should be.  Body for Life would not be proud.  Yes I did do some damage over Easter, but that was last weekend so at least I should have made some more improvements.  My measurements are either staying the same or going up in certain areas which is good, but the damn midsection, waist, and hips are not shrinking like I want them too.  Which means it all about the diet now.  Back to the kitchen to whip up better foods.  So next week is picture time again... get ready to see the changes in side by sides.

Week 5 Ending- The Numbers: Easter Screwed Me Up!\

                           Start               Week 5            Change



Weight:             235.6                 231.7                -3.8
BMI:                  32.7%               30.2%              -2.5
Hips:                  44 inches          44 inches            0
Waist:                 42.5 inches      42 inches          -0.5
Midsection:        47 inches         44 inches           -3
Chest:                 46 inches         45 inches           -2
Right Arm:         14 inches        14 inches          -.50
Left Arm:           14 inches         14 inches          -.50
Neck:                  17 inches         16.5 inches        -.50
Pants: Express Blake 34

Crazy Bitch, I think I am in Love!

Around the House
I am working my butt off right now, both with the workouts and the writing.  Not to mention that I  still have a full time job.  I actually took a personal day because of the emotional toll Easter took on me.  While poking around online I decided to check on my favorite Youtube.com artist Alina.  She always makes me smile; I hope she makes you smile too.  Now if I can stop watching her I may actually get some work done.

My Thoughts
This artist has a serious of videos on Youtube.com.  God I hope she is an artist.  If not I want to  be the person to write her life story.  A biography on Alina would be the funniest bestseller every.  She reminds me a lot of Tyler Perry's Madea which happens to be another of my favorite characters.  I do love the concept of the strong, independent woman that doesn't take shit from the world.  While Alina is damaged you are gonna love it.

Despite having no culinary talent, Alina does not let that stop her from auditioning for the Next Food Network Star.

Rating 5/5

Contest is Coming

Around the House
I feel like I have been running a sprint recently.  With getting ready for my next book to hit shelves, planning my next writing projects, and this new attempt at work life balance my head is totally spinning.  I am feeling very old school recently since I started working out.  I am listening to The Freshman by Verve Pipe and it is making me think of how I used to do Karaoke with all the boys years ago.  I miss it.  I miss a lot of things that my life used to be.  I am just not sure how to get it all back into balance.  Well as they say one day at a time.

My Thoughts
So with the new book coming out.  I want to run a contest, but I am not sure how to do it.  It would be nice to get my fans signed copies of my book.  I was hoping for some suggestions.  I would love to get fantasy bloggers involved, my Facebook, and my Blog Readers a chance to take home some signed copies before they are released.  I am just not sure how to promote it.  Any suggestions that you can help me with my dear readers?

I track my readership here very closely and it is surprising to see that my international readers are growing as well.  I don't want to leave them out.  I need help.  I just need to find the right venue to make it all come together.  So any suggestions would be great!  Thank you all for joining me on this journey.  Okay off to dinner!

Updates Body for Life - Week Two Over

Around the House

Well some of my goals are still way behind. I am not getting any where enough editing done, but I am starting to feel fantastic. I am very excited for the start of Scandal on ABC next week. I am sure there will be a fun review popping up from me about it. Till then I still plan to get the next book on the shelves next month, so hold your breath.

My Thoughts

Its time to really start watching my eating.  If I am getting these types of results and still not eating the best then redirecting my eating should make a huge difference.  Today is my free today so let's see what this week brings.

Week 2 Ending- The Numbers:

                  Start               Week 1           Week 2              Change



Weight:       235.6             234.6                230.6                   -5.1
BMI:            32.7%          30.9%               30.9%                 -1.8
Hips:            44 inches     44 inches          44 inches              0
Waist:          47 inches     45 inches          44 inches              -3
Chest:          46 inches     44 inches          45 inches              -1
Right Arm: 14 inches      14 inches         13.5 inches           -.50
Left Arm:   14 inches      14 inches         13.5 inches           -.50
Neck:           17 inches     16 3/4               16.5 inches           -.50

Pants: Express Blake 34 waist

I also put on an older polo today that was normally tight around the tummy area.  Well surprise surprise it actually fits damn well.  So damn well that I am going to head out in a few and where it on my date.

Crazy is as Crazy Does

Around the House
Not to much to say.  I am reviewing the Proof of the new book this week as well as working on the final round of edits.  It will be a couple more weeks in the process, but as soon as it is done I will be a very happy camper.

My Thoughts
Okay, so I had my first really good date in a long time.  I laugh that it is my semi-annual date.  I actually really like them, so I am in that slightly crazy place.  I can't wait to see them again, but I don't want to be pushy.  Now I just have to wait and see.  At least we have been texting each other.  Our date was slightly interrupted by my sisters in laws which was weird enough, but we still had a great dinner.  Then we ended the night cuddling on the couch watching TV.  I can't wait to see how this plays out.  I know I will be very upset if this does not progress.  We are just the right amount of crazy to properly accept each other.  I should be spending my time working, but I can't seem to focus.  Now I just have to wait and see.  Wish me luck!

Book Review: Gunn's Golden Rules

Around the House
Well I got the official rejection email today, so I am back to job hunting and writing today as you can see.  I have been drowning myself in a couple new stories, so you can expect a couple book reviews to hit pretty quickly over the next week.  I am also working on ripping all of my CDs onto my computer so that I don't have to pack them up and move them again.  I figured since October is coming up I need to start spending the time condensing my life.

My Thoughts
Tim Gunn's conversation on life lessons through personal stories, comments on life, and thoughts on society are not only funny but an inspiring way to look at life.  His conversational tone kept me smiling while making me evaluate how I personally behave in society.  Tim Gunn is full of great advice for every man and a keen look into the mind of the fashion industry for everyone.  The reader will especially love the commentary about characters from Project Runway as well as a further tearing of the fashion industry veil. 

Rating 9 out of 10

I've Been Quiet

Around the House
I know I have been quiet, I know there are no excuses for leaving you all wondering about what has been going on, but I didn't know what to say.  I am sitting here wondering what I should and could say.  I have been under a confidentiality notice about a job I wanted.  It wasn't a writing job, and it wasn't a job I am going to get.  I makes me sad to think about it.  While yes I have been pursuing other avenues of employment because my current work situation hasn't been the greatest; I was really hoping to get this job. I should have sat back and though about what is my fate in life.  I am an author.  No I am not a big enough author to just live off my work, but I have known for years that I am an author. 

While writing I have been working in the Family Entertainment field.  For those of you that don't know what that is, it is recreation and entertainment venues that cater to families like movie theaters, recreation centers, water parks, arcades, and bowling alleys.  My last job which I loved closed down operations, so I have been struggling with what do to with myself while I work towards making a career as an author.  You know what I have realized?  I think fate is kicking me in the ass for living in the land of perpetual hope.  Yes, that is a condition I possess so strongly that I allow it to over take my life.

I should have sat back and realized that I should not have been dumping myself into new jobs, when I have two completed books ready to go out that just need some more fine tuning as well as a new collection of short stories.  All of these I planned to get done this year, and now I have let two months of good working time escape me for nothing.  While I could still get the job, I think fate is showing me that this is not where my energy should be placed.  I should be working towards doing what I love and that is telling the stories that thrive in me.

So, now that I have had my hope crushed that is what I am going to do.  I am setting a new goal tonight.  I am going to finish the edits on the first volume in the Chronicles of Illumination, the follow up to my collection of short stories, as well as the other two books I have and get them out to all of my readers.  I am going to do what I know I am meant to do.  I am going to write.  So here is the plan starting on Tuesday - I need a night to relax.

1. Finish the current edit of the Chronicles of Illumination vol. 1 by the end of May.
2. Finish the edit on the Pandora book by the end of June.
3. Assemble the collection of short stories Cursed and the Chronicles of Illumination and get them both out by mid June.
4. Get the Pandora book completed and out there by Fall.
5.. Finish the first draft of the Chronicles 1.5 on Death and get started on book two by fall.

Those are the goals.  I need you all to help me keep going.  So start commenting and hit me on the head if I seem to be slowing down.

Love you all for your support!

Book Review: Twilight's Dawn

Around the House
Not to much to say right now that is happening around the house.  I haven't been writing like I should be which is why my blog posts have been quiet.  I have been harassing Editor Tim though on a regular basis regarding my notes.  I have been thinking about my current projects and the direction they are going in.  I do have some inspiration for updates and new projects as always, so my new project file is always growing.

My Thoughts
I just finished reading Anne Bishop's continuation of the Black Jewels Trilogy/Series, Twilight's Dawn.  I enjoy the twisted and reverse roles the male/female relationship takes through out the series, so I was extremely excited to start reading this new book.  I have actually, been waiting for it.  This is the second installment of short stories which support missing pieces in the Black Jewels Series with the first two taking place between Tangled Webs and The Shadow Queen, and the last two taking place after the events in Shalador's Lady.  As the book progresses, I have to say that I am worried we have seen the last installment of the Black Jewel's series, or at least the last book that deals with all the characters we have fallen in love with.

I have to say that this edition to the series reminds me a lot of Tangled Webs.  It seems just like events in the characters life that do not add to much to the series as a whole.  Too much is left unsaid, and the actual events wrap up too easily for my liking.  There is not enough danger for the characters I love.  On a whole the tales where enjoyable and would have been better read in context with the rest of the stories in the series.  I think taking the individual tales in the order of the books would have added another layer to the events of the books as opposed to reading this novel as a sit down book.  The part that disappoints me the most is that she seems to have used the tales to wrap up the lives of her most beloved characters.  That was hard to swallow since that could mean this is the final installment to the series.  I do hope to see more of what is happening with Lady Cassidy in future books.

Rating 4/5

"I'm not Bad. I'm just Drawn that Way!"

Around the House
Sunday night has arrived, and I am sad to have to return to work tomorrow. I enjoy the time to myself and my writing.  I didn't get much of it done this weekend, but what I did accomplish makes me happy.  Death's Merchant is coming along great.  I am really getting into the story.  It is really starting to inspire me for the other works that I have coming down the pipe line.  So, after I finish the draft of Death's Merchant I will be editing Pandora's Last Breath and Chronicles of Illumination vol. 1: Hunted.  Both of these books are scheduled to be out in 2011; I just don't have concrete dates yet for them.  I do have to say that I am happy about the emails and responses I am getting regarding my book, Witches, Demons, & Deals.  For those of you that don't know Witches, Demons, & Deals is a prelude to the Chronicles of Illumination, so get on board now.  I looking forward to start seeing reviews being posted on Amazon and BN.

My Thoughts
I watched an interesting movie today and it got me to thinking.  The movie itself isn't important, and I don't remember the title.  It was about an actor that slowly destroyed a promising career in the 70's.  It made me think about how authors fall under the category of celebrity, but are mostly hidden from the publics view.  We don't see them on TMZ or in US Weekly.  We don't hear about all their dirty little secrets.  I have to wonder what skeletons are hidden in these closets.  I find it funny how you can hear about Lindsey Lohan or the Real Housewives which are currently making a fraction of the money James Patterson does, but we never hear about his life.  Are authors all quiet home bodies that don't get into trouble?  I doubt it.  Maybe it is just that our works are more interesting than we are.  I can totally believe that, but for once I would like to see an authors dirty laundry dragged out.  I wonder what that would do to their sales.  I bet they would double over night.

Mind you, I like my privacy.  I think I would cry if I was followed around during my days out on the town.  I like the fact that I can be anonymous and well known at the same time.  I really do hope that the most I ever have to worry about is what I produce being criticised and not what I did on the weekend.  Makes you think that in today's world it really pays to fly under the radar.  Would I get in to trouble as an author or celebrity?  Oh yea.  I don't believe in hiding my thoughts or who I am, so that worries me as social media really takes ahold in this country.  I don't do bad things; I am bad things.

A World of Updates

Around the House
So I have survived the Chicago Blizzard of 2011.  In truth I got off very lucky.  No major issues with me or the family, no lost power, and nothing out of the ordinary besides really bad road conditions.  Unfortunately, I have been a bit sick recently, so my writing has been on hold while I ponder and read trying to feel better.  I am taking the down time to reconnect with Charliane Harris's Sookie Stackhouse Series which I absolutely love.  I am excited to announce that in the next several weeks a contest for my book Witches, Demons, & Deals will be appears on a young adult fantasy blog.  As soon as those updates are available I will get them to you.  Also, I am looking to kick off my own web page this year near summer, so as we get to that point over at the Cappella camp I will let you know.

My Thoughts
Since I haven't been feeling great and my current project is with my editor Tim; I have been thinking about what comes next.  I know I have mentioned more projects than you can shake a stick at here and in my book.  So, I have decided to give you a bit of a teaser and let you know what my tentative thoughts on my world of magic and mystery are for the coming year.

While my next project, that is currently under editing and revision, takes place in the same world as Witches, Demons, & Deals you will not get to see any of your favorite characters.  Now no long faces, one of the main characters of this story will be making a transition into Raisa's world in a slightly major way.  That is all I am going to say on that.

The next project on my plate is the editing and revising of the first novel of a five part series which I hope to be optioning out to agents in the summer.  This project does feature all off the main characters from my current book: Raisa, Brendon, Sarah, Alaster, and even Damian.  Let us just say the witches' plates are going to get a lot fuller with even a goat or two along the way.

The final two projects I am working on are companions to the Witches, Demons, & Deals world.  The boy from Sarah's story will be getting his own fully fledged out story, and we will see more of our friendly neighborhood Death Dealer.  Don't be surprised if you haven't seem the last of the Godfather of Wish while I am at it.  I think they are going to make for some fun and interesting reading.  Don't look for anything to hit the local shelves or Internet pages just yet, but updates will follow.

Remember to comment lots, send reviews, and share will all your friends.  Have a safe and fun rest of the winter.  I just hope we are coming to and end here in Chicago.  I miss the sun!