Last Post of 2011

I don't really have anything to say. I just wanted to post something on this, the very last day of 2011. Heck, I still find myself almost writing 2010 on checks. (Oh, I know. Strange, right? I still have to write checks for some bills.) I think this says more about me than I wish to reveal. 

It's after 3pm and hubby's still sleeping. I've consumed a pot of coffee on my own so I'm almost shaking as I sit here typing. Still, I wanted to say nothing for a few minutes, wasting my time and yours. 

Aw, heck. You lovely people are the reason I'm still here, sporadically. You lovely readers, fans, and occasional naysayers. I love you all and thank you all from the bottom of my clichéd heart. 

(Like that? I made that just for you. Yes, you.) 

2011 was good, bad, and ugly. 

I started my cover design service back in January and that has been fabulous fun from the get-go. My Regency romance, Honor, hit the shelves in May and my short story fantasy, The Dragon's Birth, followed suit in November. They are available at Smashwords, Amazon, B&N, Kobo, Sony, Diesel, Apple...and probably a few others I'm forgetting. 

My book sales fell down and haven't quite picked back up but that's part of life. Not good when one comes to rely on royalties to pay a bill or two. 

My adored and adorable cat, Stinkerbell, died, taking five of her kittens with her. A couple months later, my grandpa died. Definitely the ugly part of the year. 

All-in-all, this year was...normal. Every year has its ups and downs, traumas and triumphs. 2011 was no exception. Keep that in mind when venturing into this new year. Strengthen yourself to face the traumas and ready yourself to rejoice in the triumphs. 

Thank you, my friends, family, fans, and readers. Thank you for adding to the triumphs of the year and thank you for allowing me into your lives through my writing. Thank you for sharing your ups and downs. Thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate you.

I wish all the best to everyone at the start of this new year. 

Until next year, happy reading, writing, and blogging!! 

Melody of Dragons

Over a month ago I was asked one question (shortest interview of my life!) and it was: 

What song reminds you of your story, The Dragon's Birth? 

I answered, in great detail, with not one, but TWO Breaking Benjamin songs that bring this story to mind. Click on over to West of Mars to find out what songs I picked and how they fit this fantasy short story.  HUGE thank you to Susan of West of Mars for having me!!

For the interviews I've done, check out the little list of links in the right sidebar, just below the free UNLOCKED download. :O)

For the Record

Haven't done one of these in a while. Here's a subject near and dear to my heart. Without further ado, my latest whining rant... 

Food ingredient labels are not accurate. They have never been accurate. When high fructose corn syrup is allowed to be labeled as fructose, sucrose, or corn syrup, and MSG can be rolled into the all-encompassing ingredient SPICES, how much of the rest of the label can you trust?

Never trust a label. And since it's impossible to eat totally healthy (a wee bit too much world pollution for that) remember: ALL THINGS IN MODERATION.

~Regency Wednesday~ Vicarage House

♫ Now playing in Jaimey's mind: Brooke White ~ Free ♫

From Ackermann's Repository, October 1816: 

Architectual Hints. 

Plate 19. —A Vicarage-House.

  The annexed design was intended for the residence of a clergyman, and purposed to be erected in a situation where the scenery is both rural and romantic, and well disposed to accord with the style of building which may be considered as peculiarly ecclesiastic, from the extensive patronage that architecture once received by the munificence of church government. 

*Taken verbatim from Ackermann's Repository, October 1816. For more details, check out the linked Google book.