I’m so sick of looking at stockphotos! Argh! But I found a few more that might work for Sig. Do you like these — or one of the ones I already posted?
All Dressed Up (not Regency but snazzy) or Same Guy, Less Fancy
I think I also found a picture of Queen Majel. I thought she was black-haired, but as soon as I saw this picture, it gave me chills. What do you think?
I guess it wouldn’t be spring break without a trip to the ER! If you’ve been reading here long I bet you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that it was Middle Monster requiring medical attention.
Last night after dark, the two youngest monsters were riding their skateboards inside the garage (we’d parked the family van outside to give them room). I guess she decided she needed more of a challenge, so she switched to a bike. She made a turn too sharply and feel forward, hitting her throat on the handle bars.
She came running upstairs gasping like the wind had been knocked out of her. I got her calmed and we put ice on it immediately. She hadn’t broke the skin but there was definitely a rising white welt and tiny scratches on her throat. She could breathe (after the initial panic) and turn her head without pain, but I was still worried because she couldn’t talk normally. Her voice was hoarse and raspy, and it hurt to swallow.
Of course this is all happening about 9:30 pm. That Man and I were getting ready for bed since we were supposed to work today, but I couldn’t stand the thought of going to bed — even though she seemed fine — for fear something would swell up in the middle of the night and she’d die. (A writer’s imagination is not a kind gift to have when your child has been injured.) I called our pediatrician’s office to talk to the on-call nurse and she recommended we go ahead to the ER just to be safe.
So Middle and I headed up to the closest hospital. Unfortunately, every crazy and sick person in town must have decided that was the best time to show up, too, because we waited for THREE HOURS. Kids were puking in buckets all around us. I can only pray we don’t get the flu now! Middle was feeling better but bored to tears and still a little worried.
Finally after 1 AM we saw the doctor — for a grand total of FIVE MINUTES. He came in, felt her throat, and looked inside. Since she doesn’t have her tonsils, he could see way inside without having to scope her or anything. No cartilage damage, just soft tissue bruising. He told her to stick with a liquid diet today but that everything seemed fine. Whew.
It’s strange to be driving home in the middle of the night, but it was a very happy trip. Middle kept looking for a place to get a shake but nothing was open. (By now, she was starving.) We got home and I made her a Weight Watcher’s chocolate smoothie so she could sleep without her tummy grumbling, and then sent a note to my boss at the Evil Day Job that I needed to take today off.
She did have problems sleeping and came in to join me in bed after That Man left around 6 AM for work. We slept a bit longer and then had a lazy morning of watching TV. I was out of soup, so we had a late lunch of hot and soup soup at our favorite Chinese place, and then I took the monsters to the library.
Tonight, she’s feeling back to her normal vivacious self and is outside playing with the neighbor kids. You wouldn’t even know she’d been hurt last night, until she talks. Her voice sounds like she’s been cheering a few hours at a football game!
So I lost a day of work, both EDJ and writing, but it was a very good day anyway.
RT Book Reviews gives a web exclusive review of Lady Doctor Wyre – 4 1/2 stars!
It’s Steampunk in Space for Joely Sue Burkhart’s new series. The Victorian-esq society is brilliantly crafted, multidimensional and intriguing. The futuristic aspects of this story will resonate with those who like such space tales as Whedon’s Firefly, while erotica fans will enjoy the ménage and bondage scenes. Burkhart has done an exceptional job of integrating these moments, and the heroine’s dominatrix tendencies, fully into the story. Readers will be anxious for the next installment in this universe!
When our dog, Pepper, first dislocated his hip, I googled for advice and stories about how often dogs could actually recover from this injury without surgery. The doctor told me that most dogs had a 50-50 chance of recovery without surgery. For Pepper, he gave 60-40 because of his small size and temperment.
I was sick at the thought of another dislocation, because surgery is $$$$. I was afraid we’d have to put him down. *sobs*
Unfortunately, there didn’t seem to be a lot of positive stories, so I felt it was important to share about Pepper’s recovery. The vet said three weeks of confinement, preferably in a crate. Absolutely no stairs (we live in a split-level) and as little activity as possible for three weeks. Because of his small size, they couldn’t even put his injured leg in a sling to keep it tight against his body (his leg just came right out of it).
At first, it seemed impossible. We’ve never crated Pepper and I knew he’d hate it. It’s a testament to how much pain he was in that he didn’t mind it the first few days. He even voluntarily crawled inside to lie on his king-sized pillow, sheet, and blankie.
The first day he was pretty woozie from getting put under. All he did was lie around. He wouldn’t eat or drink, so I was pretty worried about him. The only way I could get his pain and anti-inflamatory meds down him was to wrap them in deli turkey. So I bought him another pack! Taking him out to go potty was a sad affair (he’s a boy – hiking one hind leg was impossible with his other dislocated). He slept all night without a peep, and the next morning guzzled water.
Over the weekend, he still didn’t have much appetite, so I kept feeding him turkey. Keeping him confined was simple — he didn’t want to go or do anything. The first day or two, he walked on his own but his backend swayed a lot, as if he couldn’t stabilize himself. I’m sure it’s because all those ligaments were torn. The only time I allowed him to walk at all was in the yard to potty, and as soon as he was done, I scooped him up and carried him back inside.
On the weekdays, I carried him down to my office and kept him penned there all day with his own water and food bowl. After a few days, he started to eat his own food again and no longer wanted to be in his crate. Princess wanted him in her room (she felt really badly that he’d been hurt), so she kept him in his crate at night in her room. In the second week, he started waking her up at night, wanting out of his crate. I finally told her to just let him sleep out in her room. Her bed is very low so I didn’t have to worry about him jumping up and down too much and he was much happier.
Going into the third week, I can tell he’s much better. He’s gotten away from me a few times and trotted up and down the stairs before I could catch up with him. He’s eating and peeing normally. He walks without pain. He can jump up and put his front paws on the edge of my chair when he wants me to pick him up, with all his weight on his two back legs. Obviously, it’s been much more challenging to keep him from activity. Today, he even showed interest in playing ball with our other highly active dog (if KC had dislocated her hip, it’d be impossible to keep her stationary — she’s a very active, high maintenance dog).
I think his age (10 years old) and temperment played a huge part in his ability to recover so far. He’s definitely a “lap” dog and never more happy than just sleeping on my lap. Thursday will be the end of his confinement. I’ll be so happy not to have to carry him up and down the stairs any longer! He’s only 15 pounds, but I know that’s how I injured my back.
*knocks on wood* Hopefully he’s well on the mend and his hip won’t pop out again! According to my research, he’ll likely have arthritis in his hip, but so far his mobility doesn’t seem to be affected at all.
Prayers to everyone in Japan after the devastating quakes and tsunamis.
On a personal note, it’s been a full and exciting week!
How about you – what are you looking forward to this week?
I really like this man even though he doesn’t have period clothing. I think it’s his eyes, and he’s the right age. What do you think?
Thank you to everyone who’s been helping me look for Lord Sigmund Regret. Here are ones that seem to almost work. They’re still not right (but I don’t think I’ll ever find the perfect picture). Which one do you like the best?
Vintage Man in Top Hat (vintage clothing but not much in the face)
Fausto (no vintage clothes but right color hair and interesting face)
A Pleasure (vintage but more renaissance or pirate clothing, interesting face; not sure how easily I’ll be able to get permission to use)
Young Vintage Man (nice clothes, interesting face, but he’s awfully young!)
Any other recommendations? Do any of these scream SIG to you?
For years, I’ve been wanting to create trading cards for the Shanhasson series, but I couldn’t find Gregar. Now I’ve got that sneaky Death Rider nailed down, I’m having a hard time finding Sig. What is it about these assassins that make them so hard to find? (For Gregar, it was his hair and I finally gave up. For Sig, it’s his period Regency clothing!)
I’m going to try again, though, because of Romance Trading Cards. What a cool idea! I don’t plan to go to the big RT/RWA conferences this year, but I’d still like to have them. Maybe I could get some kind soul to take them for me. But I have to find the stock photos first.
That’s where you guys come in. Please help me find Lord Sigmund Regret. He’s a renowned assassin throughout the galaxy for as much as his clothing and manners as his killing ability. He’s not a very young man — late twenties or early thirties. The kicker: he has blond hair. Try and find a romance hero with blond hair. Sigh. It’s hard! Now add period clothing. Or even steampunk clothing. Anything with a cravat or a vintage look will be acceptable. I don’t want a generic man titty photo. I’d prefer vertical, with as much of his gorgeous clothing as possible, but I’m flexible.
The catch: it has to be from a stock photo site where I can buy the picture and download it for my promo use. I have a membership at iStockPhoto and I’ll probably join ShutterStock since I found Lady Wyre from the cover there. I can’t do general internet shots of models, movies, etc. It has to be royalty free or I can’t use it. I’m willing to join any of the major stock sites to get the RIGHT picture.
If you find Sig for me, I’ll give you a $20 gift certificate to the online bookstore of your choice.
First up, Sherri Meyer reviews The Bloodgate Guardian on her blog:
Once again, Burkhart blew me away with her attention to detail, research, and amazing characters. She built a fully realized world seeped with Mayan mythos. She doesn’t burden the story with her research but weaves it within the plot seamlessly. A great twist on the “end date” stories out there.
Over on Amazon, Barbara Longley gave it 4 stars!
Joely Sue Burkhart’s Bloodgate Guardian is a must read. Ancient Mayan ruins, portals leading to other worlds, one hot Mayan priest cursed with immortality, and an intelligent, sexy archaeologist determined to rescue her father from Mayan hell. What’s not to love? Bloodgate Guardian is a fast paced, high tension romance set amidst the mythology and legend of the ancient Mayan civilization. Once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down.
Thank you so much, Barbara and Sherri!
I have three main things to share that are super good!
My back is better. Whew!!! I still have some muscle soreness around my waist and lower back but nothing like it was. I even got my pants and shoes on today without wanting to cry! Hot whirlpool tub helped along with the heating pad, but probably the best thing were cushions to help me sleep. We took the cushions off the loveseat and I rested my calves on them at night, taking the pressure off my lower back so I could sleep. The very next day I could get up without wincing and hunching over, and after two nights, I didn’t even need the cushions any longer.
I got a ton of plotting done on Phantom this weekend! That Man had to work Saturday, so I moved our laundry day up and stayed downstairs for a couple of hours to manage the loads. It was rainy and chilly, so the kids stayed inside watching movies and playing on my computer, while helping me get the loads up the stairs. Princess even folded a mountain of laundry for me! Meanwhile, in between each load, I worked on paper using my spreadsheets to take three characters through the Emotional Toolbox and then sketched out Acts 1 and 2. I have notes for Act 3 too but I need to flesh them out a bit more. Then I’ll make a neater version of the plot with more detail, and I’ll be ready to DRAFT! Yay! It feels like months since I’ve had any decent production!
Golden’s release date is scheduled for August 29th!
What’s your good news today?
P.S. Don’t forget to vote for The Romance Reviews’ Best of 2010! HURT ME SO GOOD has been nominated in the Erotic Non-Traditional Lifestyle category!
