Header PromotionNow to get back to the fun:
Today we have 2 authors to highlight, both Superromance authors, both incredibly witty and fun. I met both Kay and Ellen on the eharlequin boards. They're both likely to stir up a little trouble, in the best possible way of course. I'm hoping they pop over to the comments today to create some mischief!
Here's Kay Stockham - and isn't she disgustingly gorgeous??????
I've always wanted to be a writer, ever since the age of seven or eight when I copied the pictures out of a Charlie Brown book and rewrote the story because I didn't like the plot. Through the years my stories have changed, but one thing has always stayed true: romance. Each and every one of my manuscripts included a love story so what else could I be but a romance writer?
I've worked as a receptionist/secretary for several law firms, a grunt in a library, a computer lab tech and also tried my hand at being a secretary/office manager for a large commercial real estate development company. But while these various jobs paid the bills, I wanted more. My chance came after I quit work to stay home with my family. But while I loved being home, I was climbing the walls. Honestly, I HATE housekeeping. Dirty clothes, dishes, sweeping? I'd rather read, but what do you do when you run out of things to read? Write. So I did. In between diaper changes, teething, another baby, preschool and kindergarten, I was about to toss in the towel and go job-hunting when I sold my first book to Superromance. My feet haven't touched the floor since getting the call. Talk about thrilling! I'm living my dream. To date I've contracted eleven stories, but I hope it's only the beginning.And now the ever hysterical Ellen Hartman - honestly this woman can keep me in stitches. How can you not laugh at a woman whose website proclaims "Love is no joke. But it sure is funny."?
I've been making a living as a writer ever since I got my creative writing degree from Carnegie Mellon University and went to work for Microsoft. I spent fifteen years writing technical manuals no one ever read until I finally decided to take a shot at writing what I really love—romance.
I wrote much of my first novel in the back of a preschool classroom while I was trying to ease my younger son’s separation anxiety. I had agreed to stick around for a day, maybe two. Somehow—the exact chain of events is hazy—one day turned into a full year of scribbling in a notebook on the bench in the corner. My son is now a completely independent elementary school student (phew!), and that book became my first sale to Superromance.
My husband and I are both from Scranton, Pennsylvania. We met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve in a mutual love-at-first-sight moment—which would make an awesome novel, if only my husband would agree to be “fictionalized.” We live with our sons in a college town in New York State. I'm still employed as a technical writer, working at the local university. In my spare time (HA!), I write romance, read as much as I can, and hang out with my boys.
Kay and Ellen have donated the following books to the prize pack:
You can visit their sites too, at http://www.kaystockham.com/ and http://www.ellenhartman.com/.
Today's clue is Wreath
As always - one entry per day, to donna@donnaalward.com with 12 Days of Christmas in the subject line and today's clue in the body of the e-mail
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
Ahem
Hi Donna,
Thanks for running this great contest and for sharing my book!! You're an awesome friend and I definitely want to participate next year. However, I have a teeny tiny concern? How'd Kay get to be the pretty one and I'm the funny sidekick??? Hmmm???
Kidding. I'm kidding!! I love Kay who is both wonderfully funny and delightfully sweet on top of being gorgeous!!
I mentioned on your other blog that I like the prize word "wreath." I wondered which holiday words or phrases you crossed off your list of possibilities? Here are a few "holiday" phrases I'm glad we didn't get as our winning word for the day.
Peace friends,
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Phrases
Oh ELLEN, darling, THIS is why you're the funny sidekick. You make me laugh. With no effort at all.
I could have said "XX sleeps until Santa" which drives me insane.
Or "When are we putting the snowflakes up?"
"Can I plug in the lights?" Answer: "It's like 10 a.m. No you can't turn on the lights. When you start paying the power bill you can have them lit as long as you like."
I wanted to keep things jolly so I left out clue words like:
Credit card statement
Cashier in training
Heavy snowfall warning
Boney M
Does that help?
Now I want to go check the blog and see what I've loaded for the clue tomorrow, lol!
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
Snerk
Cashier in training...
It's enough to put me off Christmas shopping forever.
Ellen
P.S. Calories--there's another reject for you.
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
More
not to mention
Hangover
Mall parking
Customer service lines
Can you tell I don't enjoy shopping? Online shopping - delivered to your door - now THAT is genius.
D
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
Can I play?
I'd stay away from words like
Debt
"Daddy can I have a pony"
heehee a cashier in training constanly asking for price checks too
hey I like the Boney M song Mary's Boy Child(mind you I couldn't remember name only Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord till I saw it on another thread and found it on You Tube, found Bridges of Babylon too
) so if you have Boney M you need Band Aid
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008-2009 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
You wait until nightfall to
You wait until nightfall to plug in your lights!?
I only do that with the window lights. The lights on the tree get turned on as soon as I get up. My DH has a fit but it's magic time at Christmas.
"Saving the future, one presidential edict at a time."
March's Member of the Month--2008
It never fails
Whenever we have these blog conversations, I ALWAYS learn something.
Today I learned Who/What/OMG??? Boney M is. Now I would like to forget that.
"Daddy, can I have a pony?"--perfect!!
How about this addition to the list of unacceptable phrases:
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
like
the fact that it usually "Daddy can I have a pony?" not "Mommy can I have a pony?" Let him be the bad guy when the answer is no
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008-2009 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
ELLEN!!!!!!!!!!
How do you do that????? I nearly put goulash through my nose. *still laughing* but another thing we have in common...an "OMG BONEY M".
FF, actually - the tree lights usually get turned on earlier. It's the OUTSIDE lights that drive me crazy.
It gets harder to make the utility bill complaint with new LED lights too. :-) And the ones on our deck are solar. So as soon as it's dark...on they come.
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
ROFL!
Donna...Ellen is notorious for instigating fluids to be spewed through nostrils. OMG!!! Boney M....I'm glad someone explained who that was. LOL!
I feel like a mom now...Ellen & Kay...we love you both equally...in your own special ways.
We don't get requests here for ponies. More like motorcycles, or four wheelers. Or a new go-cart.
*~ Chelle ~*
My Blog!
Ellen
You are pretty too! This whole conversation reminds me of the funny song The 12 Pains of Christmas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH-He10OZ_E
Rigging up the lights in my favorite
Tammy
June 2009 Member of the Month
Tammy
Tammy--that video was hilarious! Some of our words were in there! Parking, hangovers, I didn't even think of In-Laws, but YES! (Kidding. What would the holidays be without in-laws? Don't answer that.)
My dad and I used to do the lights together. Blown fuses, one goes out, they all go out, why are they blinking??? The good old days...heh.
Thanks for a great laugh!
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Chelle
You're a very good mommy. Reading between the lines of your diplomatic answer, though, I can tell you like me best.
Yay!
*looks around for Kay*
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Ellen and Kay
Two super writers. If you haven't read one of their books you are missing out on really great stories.
February 2009 Member of the Month
When I get a little money I buy books, and then if any is left I buy food and clothes..-- Erasmus
Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause the most inconvenience.--Pam Brown
Kaelee
Hi Kaelee--thanks for the note! I've been enjoying Kay's Tulanes series so much. I love when we get to know a whole family like that.
Cheers,
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
*sigh*
Ellen, are you picking on me AGAIN? Sheesh. Can't take you ANYWHERE! LOL You are so the pretty one, and the funny one, and the smart one. *sigh* Some people just don't know their own worth, do they? :)
Sorry I'm late for the party! We were out running around yesterday. I was promised a trip to WM (OMG) to finish up the last of my shopping for good but we ran out of time and I didn't get to go. Now to face it today--and before a signing? Oh, what am I getting myself into?
Kaelee, thanks so much for the compliment! I love doing what I do and falling in love with my characters so hopefully that shows on the page.
Take care, ladies! And, Ellen, you can run--but you can't hide! <G>
Kay
Kay Stockham
Her Best Friend's Brother, Harlequin Superromance, Mar 09
Simon Says Mommy, Harlequin Superromance, Sep 09
Check out my contests at www.kaystockham.com
Friend me on Myspace & Facebook!
Kay Came Back!! Yay!
Hi Kay! You have a signing today?? How cool. Best of luck. Hope those busy shoppers are ready for a romantic respite.
You gave me an idea for another "holiday" word to avoid, though.
And also...
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Categories
Well, if we're all into categories, I was the "smart" one...usually followed by "aleck". And also the "baby" which I hated but quite enjoy now as I'm the only sibling whose age does not start with a 4 or a 5. LOL But omg, every introduction..."And this is our baby...."
Oh and the chubby one. Got that a lot too.
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
still
I still get the chubby one
But baby mostly stopped when my dad remarried
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008-2009 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Donna
Hey! The baby--that's a label no one is ever able to shake. My baby sister is taller than me, a professor, and quite scary but she'll ALWAYS be the baby to me.
I'm the middle child so I didn't even *get* a label. Heh.
That's not true. I'm the odd one. Which is a good label because it means no one expects anything of me. I've always been free to chart my own course.
True facts: In my husband's family, he's the pretty one. I love that.
Cheers,
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Labels
Christa--I'm going to hope our society is learning not to put those labels on kids. chubby one. grrr. I know what that particular label did to people I love. double grrr.
My sons have definite personality types but I try really hard not to label them. Even good labels can become a burden. (My sister is the smart one--that hasn't always been easy.)
Take care,
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
labels
I am the middle child but the only girl so I was labeled "This is our baby girl" even after my "baby" brother was born!
December 2008 MEMBER of the MONTH!
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
Labels
How rude.
I've had a few attached to me...I'll repeat only the decent ones... blonde, oldest, big sister...not sure if I like that one especially now that my waist has expanded quite a bit.
My family and friends used to tease me for being so tall and gangly. They laughed at my knobby knees. I sure showed them. I FILLED out nicely.
EllenToo ~ Congrats!! I just realized you are the Member of the Month!!
Ellen ~ You always have a way of making my day brighter.
I used to "help" put the lights up with hubby...until I got a little bossy. 
Darn it. I went and got myself banned from the outside decorations. LOL.
Kay ~ Hugs! Girl, you are one brave chickie for braving WM!! How did your signing go? We had to go to let the little man spend his birthday money. I ended up having to put him in a basket because he was run over several times...by people and baskets filled with Christmas cheer.
*~ Chelle ~*
My Blog!
----
Thanks Chelle
December 2008 MEMBER of the MONTH!
A true teacher is a person who, at the end of the school day, still likes children!
Blonde
Hee--Chelle, someone called me blonde once and I was psyched because I'm actually gray!
I feel for all the Christmas shoppers. I overheard my older guy on the phone talking to his grandmother and he mentioned "not needing anything." That's a holiday phrase to make a poor gray-haired mama's heart sing!
Ellen--one of my good friends has a little sister who has spent her entire life being called Baby Ellen. Her mom is an Ellen, too. (Although not The Ellen Too.
)
Writer Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Sammy and Dean under the tree
Hey Donna--this Christmas talk on your blog reminds me--did I ever tell you I got my editor a Supernatural calendar last year as her holiday gift? She has a thing for darling Sammy. I don't know how to top that this year. Candy seems anticlimactic, you know?
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Gift
Maybe she'd like a coffee mug with his picture? ;)
*~ Chelle ~*
My Blog!
Mouse pad
I saw a mousepad that reads: Mrs. Sam Winchester.
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Mrs. Leland Adama
I'd like one that says Mrs Leland Adama - First Lady. LOL Cant' wait for BSG to come back after Christmas!
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
Christmas Words I Love
Okay, I started to feel like a Scrooge because I was throwing out all those Christmas words I didn't want to think about. This morning I was thinking about some that I really enjoy--beyond the obvious family, presents, and cookies, of course.
Here's one: Light-up Reindeer.
I bought my pair at a pharmacy in The Middle of Nowhere, New York late one night while I was driving alone to an engagement party for my cousin. I had stopped to get a card and came out with two bucks (50% off). I generally get them out in the yard late but they stay there until close to Easter. (Or later--depending how cold it is.) The way they nod their heads so serenely and stand around looking magestic makes me happy.
So that's my happy holiday thought for the day--Light-up Reindeer.
*nods head serenely in solidarity with deer*
Ellen "Where's my Santa Hat" Hartman
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
I see your Light Up Reindeer...
And raise you a Tip-Your-Hat Snowman.
Ours sits steadfastly hiding our well cover and the jolly fellow tips his top hat to passersby. So I will admit to twisting my lips at Ellen's serene head bobbing and send a how-do-you-do her way.
:-)
Donna
(P.S. Ellen and here we are STILL having fun...)
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com
Long lost relative
Donna--I think we're related--any mysterious gaps in your family tree where a branch may have fallen off in the Scranton area?
Your snowman cracks me up. Now I'm alternating between serene and giggling. Life's good here at the bottom of the blog.
Additional happy holiday words: Angels with tilted tinsel halos in the pageant at church.
I just want to squish their chubby cheeks. Love them!
Ellen
www.ellenhartman.com
Blog: www.romancenovelsblog.blogspot.com
Plan B: Boyfriend Superromance December 2009
The Boyfriend's Back Superromance May 2009
Angels
Ok, so here's a holiday warm-your-heart story. When my youngest was in kindergarten, we went to her concert of course. They were dressed in red and green and wore little berets and sang Petit Papa Noel. I thought she looked adorable in her new red velvet dress and her rosy cheeks!
Then we figured out why her cheeks were rosy. She went back to the classroom and threw up all over her new dress. The teacher came to find me in the audience and she was then white as a sheet and wearing clothes from the emergency tub.
Ah, good times...
LOL
Donna
A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH, in Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage - November 09
Cowboys and Confetti Duet:
ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY, Romance, January 2010
HER LONE COWBOY, Romance, March 2010
http://www.donnaalward.com