THE CONTEST IS CLOSED … AND OTHER STUFF!

Yep, the NAME THAT WOMAN contest is officially over. I received hella entries and they’ve all been numbered. I’ll rev up the random number generator this week to pick the winner and announce it on this blog next Sunday.
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For the record, the correct answer was DEB JENKINS. Most of the entries got it right, some few had it wrong, which makes them ineligible. Sorry about that.
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It’s April, which means … ugh … taxes. At least in the U.S. I was talking (emailing) a friend in England last week and discovered they don’t have to file tax returns like we do. No kidding? You mean there’s an income tax system that makes more sense than the twisted, tortuous, ridiculously complicated system we have? Huh. Who’d have thought it? (huge eye roll – I need some better smilies for this blog.)
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Of course, I might just be bitter, having spent hours and hours this week putting together paperwork and entering data, instead of finishing the story of my darling LUCAS. I haven’t neglected him completely, however, his story is very nearly completed. I can see the end from here! LOL
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And speaking of ends, there seems to be NO end to my current trio of obsessions, i.e., past seasons of CRIMINAL MINDS on DVD (at least I exercise while I’m watching those,) Adam Levine/Maroon 5 singing Stereo Hearts with Travie McCoy on SNL, and Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp thriller/suspense novels. By the way, the link I posted last week for the Adam Levine video was pulled by NBC the next day. Do you think I was responsible for that? Yikes! LOL
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In other news, the RT Booklovers Convention begins this week in Chicago, and many of my favorite writers and friends will be there. Not me. So sad. It’s a truly fun convention, but I just couldn’t do Chicago this year. ::sigh:: I’ll definitely be participating in the future, though. RT Con is really designed with the reader in mind. If you ever have the opportunity, I recommend it highly. I will be at RWA’s National Conference in July, though! Although, that’s definitely geared for writers/editors/agents, rather than readers. But more on that much later.
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Not all is dreary and taxes here on the homefront, however, Game of Thrones had its season opener last week, and I watched Ep 2 earlier tonight. Major cliffhanger ending … unless you’ve read the books, of course. (heh, heh) This series is so well done! And Once Upon A Time is back with reruns! Ugh. Grimm has a new twist. SPOILER: Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing Nick and Juliet part ways, but I doubt that’s where they’re going with it. 😀
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And finally, last but MOST DEFINITELY not least, my writing partner Steve McHugh is about to publish his very first novel, CRIMES AGAINST MAGIC. It’s a terrific story of fantasy, mystery and adventure. Lots of action and excellent writing. And you can read the Prologue for FREE this week on STEVE’s BLOG. You should definitely CHECK IT OUT!
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Hmm, okay, that’s it for me this week. I’ve got to get back to LUCAS before he forgets who really loves him. (That would be ME!)
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See you all next week with the contest winner, and more random thoughts! Oh, and Happy Passover and/or Happy Easter! Hope it was wonderful.
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DBR