I actually have news to post!

Let's see. I have two things to report but I really can't say anything official yet. Isn't that terrible?

Okay, what I CAN say. On the first one, I MIGHT have a second sale. I hope, I hope, I hope. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm working on a new project with some other authors but I don't know if I've made that sale yet. It's got a lot of promise but I need to write it first. LOL

Anyway, it's forward progress. I hope to be able to tell you more soon.

Buenos noches,

Lauren

The Latest from Lauren!

The winners of my July drawing were:

Beth Schafer
Tamara Burks
Emilee Frias

Thanks everyone for entering and visiting me! Be sure and enter my August contest - I'm giving away a print copy of Secrets Vol. 23 once it ships to me. You can enter for your chance to win here:

http://laurenblades.com/contest.php

I'll be blogging at the Novel Sisterhood blog tomorrow, 7/16/08. Please come out and blog with me. It's my first group blog appearance and I'm nervous. I'm offering bribes! LOL I'll be giving away a copy of Sofia's Lobo in PDF to two lucky winners and another print copy of Secrets Vol. 23 to be shipped to the winner once I get it - it's brand new!

http://novelsisterhood.blogspot.com/

On 7/21, Devyn Quinn's Virtual Book Tour is stopping at my blog! And she has graciously offered a prize for an attending winner, a print copy of one of her books. Winner's choiceof Sins of the Night, Sins of the Flesh, Trio or Eros Island. All fantastic works!I hope you will come out and blog with Devyn at my blog to meet a great author and for a chance to win. I'm very excited about this.
http://laurenblades.blogspot.com

Sofia's Lobo is now at Fictionwise!

http://fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook69836.htm

I was SO excited!

Last, I got a couple of emails from you guys - you actually read my blog and forums. Thank you! I will be back to posting progress and anything else in the next couple of days. I've been on a big deadline. No, not the good writing kind. The kind for the day job. You know...

Have a wonderful night!

Lauren

Sofia's Lobo is available on Amazon for Kindle!

I'm so thrilled! Sofia's Lobo is available for download for Kindle on Amazon. Check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/SOFIAS-LOBO/dp/B001B4E65Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1213911693&sr=1-1

Thank you!

Lauren

Sofia's Lobo gets 5/5 and is a featured review at Manic Readers!

"Lauren Blades writes a beautiful story of romance, mystery, and shape shifter werewolves. I was so caught up in the story that I had to finish it. You are drawn into the plot where the characters are truly in love, and where a ghost is tied in with the tale. This is a sad story, but ends in a satisfying and happy way. I truly recommend Sofia's Lobo to readers that enjoy reading a good ghost story." - 5/5 & featured review, Loretta, Manic Readers

Thank you so much to Loretta! Buy it today from eRed Sage:

http://eredsage.com/SOFIAS_LOBO___LAUREN_BLADES_%28e_Book%29-p82.html

Thank you!

Lauren

Sofia's Lobo is AVAILABLE NOW!

Sofia's Lobo is available to from Red Sage! I'd be honored if you took a look.

After a six-year absence, Sofia Tijerina has returned to her native Juarez, Mexico, with the crew for her reality show This Old Haunted House. Her mission? To film the ghost of La Llorona, a woman who is said to have murdered her children to please her lover's demands, and then to have taken her own life in despair. La Llorona reappears every year on the anniversary of her death, and Sofia knows what a ratings boost she would get from capturing footage of this annual haunting.

But La Llorona isn't the only specter in Juaraz that can haunt Sofia. Antonio Valdes, the sexy werewolf lover she left six years ago, taught her about the truth that lies behind paranormal stories. In a way, he inspired her career as a TV ghost hunter. And now he's a terrible distraction and a temptation she can't resist.

When Sofia begins to have visions of the female ghost, she realizes that Antonio is tied to the mystery of the spirit's fate. Will the secrets he kept from Sofia all those years ago resurface to tear them apart once again?

Buy it today! Thank you!

Majorly excited!

Majorly excited!


I just learned this week that my very first novella will be released on May 1st from eRed Sage and I’m so excited! I submitted the story, scared to death, about a year ago and never thought I stood a chance. Now, here I am and I’m just so grateful!

I’ve been busy working on other projects in the meantime. I’ve got two other short works submitted and I hope I have some luck with those. If not, I’ll keep on trying.

Other than that, I’ve been working at the day job and keeping up with American Idol. Still a huge fan of Michaels Johns but I’m also pulling for David Cook and Carly! It’s been an exciting year and everyone is super talented. I think it is anyone’s guess who’ll win at this point.

Happy weekend!

American Idol's Top 12

Last night four people were eliminated on AI to reach the top 12. Oh the drama, oh the angst. lol

I was sorry to see Luke Menard go though I think it is justified. He's a good singer but he has no chance to win against some of the others. I wish him luck in his life. He seems like a very nice man and he's very handsome. That never hurts. =)

I was not surprised to see Kady go. I agree with Simon, she just didn't have a personality on the stage. When she was off to the side, there were some rebellious little attitude things going on and that rubbed me wrong. I'd like to say I'm sorry to see her go but I'm not. She was about to go from, as Simon would put it, forgettable to annoying, for me.

Danny. I will not deny that I'm happy to see him go and that I definitely found him annoying. That being said, I was really disappointed to see all of the flap on some boards out there about being glad he was gone because he was gay. He was too gay, they say. You know, that all should really be left out of this, no? What difference does it make if you're gay or straight, black, white, green, or purple, what religion? It should make NO difference. It's a singing competition and it should matter how the contestant sings and performs only.

For the record, it didn't matter to me that Danny was gay or wasn't. As a performer, he just wasn't as strong as some of the others. I should say as a vocalist. His vocals weren't that strong. As a performer, I think he's a good one actually. He gets on the stage and he owns it, plain and simple. So we might see him somwhere, sometime.

He annoyed me because of his attitude. I think it's mostly youth. Constant sarcasm isn't cool. It's annoying and it can be offensive. Being humble is much more appealing. Look at the others who made the top 12. David Archuleta and Michaels Johns are at the top of the humility scale. It's obvious in their demeanors, it's not just lip service. Neither of them have dished any attitude. What's interesting is that they are among the most talented in the top 12. Coincidence? No. I like the term quiet confidence. They don't feel the need to convince people they are good. They don't have to.

Asia'h. What the hell happened there? No offense again to the fans of anyone else, most especially Kristy Lee Cook, but how you can tell me that she was more talented than Asia'h? You can't. Asia'h had a wonderful voice, she was beautiful, she could move on the stage. She could entertain.

I won't say that Kristy can't sing. She's got no chance to win. She IS forgettable. I had to go on Youtube.com to look up this week's performance just to write this blog. She's not unattractive. But she doesn't smile as much as Asia'h did. She's either scared to death or lacks personality. Hard for me to say which. She's so wooden in her movements. That's not to say white girls can't dance. I know that they can. lol But this one I just do not understand and can't believe. Asia'h should still be there. My opinon.

My favorites remain but what a year that at this point I like six people so well. I love Carly, Syesha, and Ramielle. I love Michael, Jason, and David C. Ah, that's right. I didn't say David A. Hold that thought. I'll come back to it.

Oh favorite people? Ramielle, stop being so scared. You're beautiful you're wonderful. Syesha, just keep up the good work. lol Carly, stop trying so hard. Michael, please go back to the big songs. I like Simple Minds and I liked Fleetwood Mac, but they didn't do you any justice. Stop picking up the indulgent stuff. How about, if appropriate, pulling out some Springsteen, U2, Green Day - something big because you know you can do it. Stop messing with these songs that waste you. Please! Jason, I tried really hard not to like you but I do more each week. Keep it up. David C. Stick with what worked this week. That was GOOD.

Okay, back to David A. and I'll include Brooke White in this. Watching you two is like having a daibetic episode. Too sweet, too much. I don't have any advice but that's why I'm having trouble bonding with you. You seem too good to be true. Maybe once you could shamelessly give yourself kudos or something?

That's all I've got on a rainy day. Have a good weekend, amigos!

Lauren

Lauren has an episode

And I can because I don't have a story out yet, I don't know when I will (hope it will be soon lol) and no one knows who I am. That will probably not change even after I have published works come out but you know what I'm saying. ;)

Here are my thoughts on mostly American Idol but also other things that have seeped into my little brain this week.

First, why should I give a #$%^ if Angelina Jolie has a "baby bump." Why? Tell me about Brad Pitt's efforts to help the victims of Katrina but leave all the Brangelina crap out of it, por favor.

Prince Harry will be pulled out of Afghanistan. What were people thinking??? His life was put in danger. The brave men with him were put in danger. Is "the story" so damned important that you'll put lives on the line? Come on!

Okay, important stuff. American Idol. They voted off four people last week, they voted off four people this week. I mean no one any offense with my words. Just my opinion. I'll try to be nice.

Last week we lost Garrett, Colton, Amy, and Joanne. The first three, I take no issue with. Nice folks but they couldn't have made it all the way. Joanne? Well, I was really disappointed to see her go. She had an amazing voice and was beautiful. Was one song choice really enough to condemn her? I don't think so.

THIS week, we lost Jason, Robbie, Alexandrea, and Alaina. Jason wasn't a surprise. He seems like a great person but he doesn't have the stuff to beat some of the others. Robbie, I hate to admit it but Simon was right. He was like a boy pretending to be a rock star. He had a fantastic voice. I think if he'd been more pop than rocker pirate that he'd still be around.

Alexandrea, again, why? She's better than Kristy Cook - sorry, it had to be said. She's better than Amanda. Don't get me wrong. I like Amanda. I respect the whole rebel nurse without a cause deal. It just seems like she's singing the same old thing even though her songs are as different as the other contestants. Hard to explain. Alexandrea should still be around.

Alaina, no surprise. She's 16 and would blend in nicely with hundreds of other blonde girls who remarkably resemble Carrie Underwood. I felt bad for her but she can and should come back. She doesn't have it this year.

I read somewhere that four more will go and we get to the final 12. Here are my picks to go.

Amanda. Seriously, it's time.

Kristy Cook. Please. OR if not her, Kady Malloy. I know what you're thinking. She's very talented. But the consistency? Not so much.

Luke Menard. I hate that. Every week I keep my fingers crossed he'll come out and WOW us. He gorgeous. Reminds me a little of Hugh Jackman.

Danny Noriega. I can't stand him. His singing is decent but he just gets on my nerves. lol Okay, he probably won't go. It will probably be either Chikezie or David Hernandez. And I like both of them. Oh, the injustice!!!!

Who do I want to win? I like Carly a lot but I'd love to see Michael Johns win it. As a total performer, he's my favorite. David Archuleta will probably win though. And he's that good. I just like the sort of music that Michael performs better. I like Inxs, Queen, that type of rock.

Finishing another story tonight. I hope. Wish me luck!

Buenos noches,

Lauren

Finished a story this week...

Finished a story this week...


And I'm sending it two really great publishers who I love but have no chance at all of getting in. LOL Since when has impossible odds ever stopped me though? I lose nothing by trying. I did the best I could, took a deep breath, and hit send.

The story is about a thirtysome investment banker who's divorced, has a cat, and some junk in her trunk. She goes with her coworkers to a male strip club and has a very up close and personal encounter with a hot Latin dancer dressed as a matador. She doesn't know why he's so interested in her but that doesn't stop her from going home with him and having a night of the best sex she'd ever had.

Just one problem. How is someone like her going to hang onto someone like him?

Well, wish me luck. LOL

Buenos noches,

Lauren

The Top 24 of American Idol

Now the top 24 of this season's American Idol is set and I am so happy. A lot of the singers I was pulling for made it.

Michael - LOVE HIM! I love his voice, his humility. Right now, he's my guy.

David Cook - I like your hair! LOL I like his singing too. Glad he made it.

Robbie - Like him. I don't know how far he'll go but I think he'll do well.

Syesha - Love her. Poor thing lost her voice but it didn't stop her and that effort paid off. I hope she goes far. =)

Joann - Love her! She's beautiful, has a big voice. She's got it!

Carly - Oh, Paula was so mean to her! Did it really take five minutes to agonizingly tell her she made it? Love Carly!

Very anxious for and dreading the weeks to come. We'll see some wonderful performances and we'll say goodby each week to some really talented people.

Still, it's worth it. LOL

Lauren

So did anyone else feel...

a little anti-climactic after watching this week's American Idol? San Diego was all warm and fuzzy but not much above boring. I liked Perrie, the single father, and I liked the 16 year-old who had the vocal cord trouble a couple of years ago. When they were just talking to him, I found myself thinking, please let them be nice to him when they sent him packing. He could really sing. It was such a surprise! A good one. I love John Mayer. =)

South Carolina was a little more interesting. I loved the brother and sister and was very happy that they allowed the sister to go through too. I don't think she will make it as far as her brother but they were both good. I didn't like the girl who does the abstinence speeches. I know, I know. She does good works. But you could tell from her reactions that she doesn't handle criticism very well at all.

I wish we'd seen more of the good singers than the folks they choose to focus on. One exception, I'm glad that they talked to the young woman in the AF. Whether she got a yes or no on her AI audition, I loved them showing a very strong, intelligent young woman serving our country. Good choice there.

Hope next week is better.

Lauren

Two of my favorite actors are nominated for Best Actor!

Yes, I know. There may not even BE any Oscars this year due to writer's strike but I'm still very happy to learn that both Johnny Depp AND Viggo Mortensen received best actor nominations in this year's awards. I also like Daniel Day-Lewis so if he wins, I won't be unhappy.

Johnny Depp brings something different to every character. You have to love them all. Daniel Day-Lewis, well, he's always scary good.

But Viggo Mortensen, in Eastern Promises, was scary and SEXY. =) I loved the way he played a dangerous underling in the Russian mob. I'm not Russian but the accent sounded good to me. There was so much depth to his character. He was a chilling assassin, he was kind to Anna and Kirrill. He was so many things. He deserved the nomination. It's not likely he'll win but I'm glad he's there anyway. It's a long overdue honor.

More later!

Lauren

American Idol does Texas

Tonight was another very exciting night in American Idol's season seven. There were no ugly acting people tonight, after all the grumblings last night that's a good thing.

The good. There was a beautiful woman of color who said she was a model and sang even better. I liked her hair and was so glad that she made it to Hollywood. There was an 18 year old who did vocal impressions - wow, she really could - and she'll almost have to make it to the final 24. Katie I think was her name. There was a young man with great hair who sang a country song who Simon said no to but Paula and Randy put through. Very cute and I like how he had the judges yelling at him on the way out to fool his family. Very charming. When they were good, they were very very good.

The bad. That part was strange tonight. There was the school counselor with the guyliner who the judges made much ado about how scary he was. He didn't bother me. His voice wasn't the best but I didn't find him so disturbing. There was a girl in mime paint and I thought we'd see her audition but we didn't. Then there was the one who just wouldn't leave. Douglas I think. I'm not sure if he was in our reality. I wish him well anyway.

Then there were the ones that make you go hmmm. There was the lovely, bubbly woman - who made it - who had survived a terrible car accident. I was surprised about her. Not that I think she is bad singer but Paula and Randy seemed very taken aback by Simon's enthusiasm towards her. The young man who was saving himself for the woman he'd marry, I think it was a sweet notion. I would have said yes to him because I thought he was as good as Chris from last year - the one with no hair or personality not the one with great hair who should have held on longer. (Yes, I went there. LOL) The one with the finger nail peels. OY! Did anyone else notice he messed up the lyrics to Hall and Oates song? Did anyone else wonder why he got to go? Then there was the kid who wants to be politician. I liked his smile. I don't know how far he will go in Hollywood but he's very sweet. I'd vote for him as governor if I lived in his state - how's that?

Okay, I'm past it now. LOL

Last but not least, the bird man. They didn't say what the decision was, I'm assuming no, but why not let him come to Hollywood. I felt inspired. "You are my brothers..." It was a wonderful note to end on. =)

Buenos noches,

Lauren

American Idol is back!

So American Idol is back and despire everyone saying the ratings were bad last year and the show was boring. It's been hard waiting for season seven but it's here with all the auditions, good and bad.

The good? I love Angela and not just because of the personal story with her daughter. She was beautiful, could sing, and could present herself. She's my favorite so far. I like the girl who does the cage fighting too but I can't remember her name. I liked her version of Amazing Grace though I've not listened to much of the country songs. There was a young man who sang in Spanish who I loved also. And Chris who sang Follow Me, very sexy. Muy bien!

The bad? Damn! What was with the stalker? I don't see how Paula stayed in her chair. The guy in Princess Leia's bikini and the waxing? Oh, no. Oh... Sorry, I needed to flush my brain. There. All better now.

The girl with the bad attitude from Allentown. Why do they give those people so much attention? Young people watch this show. Does AI really want them to think that is how to act in the face of rejection? No. Not good. She was nasty. It's acting not "actressing" actually.

I go now to enjoy the rest of the show. I wrote 1,435 words last night. I'm on a good roll for 2008 so far. So far I've written 10,154 words this year! Yeah you says you clever writers who write that in two days yes? LOL

Buenos noches!

Lauren

Fired for writing a romance novel on the job

http://www.kcci.com/news/14918070/detail.html

Here's a story that I'm not surprised to see. Why? Si, I've done it. Working on that novel on the job. I work as an administrative assistant too so I can see the writer's side of the story. Sometimes when I'm not taking messages for my boss, fetching his breakfast, coffee, and dry cleaning, and working on the endless streams of paperwork, there is down time.

I could do the Martha Stewart thing and think up ways to keep my office sparkling clean, germ free, and with a hint of vanilla scent. But why? I work in a building that was built badly in the 60's and half the people who've worked there for any length of time have "sick building syndrome." Like me, they find ways to sneak in little personal things on company time. Yes, it's wrong and the excuse everyone does it isn't a good one. Still.

Many talk on their cell phone. Many text message. Others collect thousands of fonts and crash out their work computers or do cross stitch under the desk. Me? Si, I sneak in the occasional writing scene. I don't type it on my computer (I'd get caught). I write in a small notebook that has a label "todo" lists. That's too boring so people aren't even curious. Then at night I transfer it on to my computer at home. I'm a very fast typist so it takes no time.

SHOULD I do that? Should that woman have written her novel at work. Probably not. But that's what we do. We love to write, we love to dream. We love romance.

Feliz Navidad!

Lauren

Special moments

I've been under the weather this week. I have a cold and I've not been doing much after work each day. I pick up something fast food for dinner, like I need that lol, and try to get in bed early. Then for the congestion I can't sleep.

I've been flipping through channels on our satellite service where normally I don't watch t.v. often. I saw several movies over the last several nights that I haven't seen in the longest time. You know those moments in the movie where you're glued to the screen wanting that moment that makes you laugh, cry, hope...

Remember The Man in the Iron Mask? The one from the 90's with Leonardo DiCaprio? I know. Lots of people didn't like that movie but I'll watch it when the opportunity presents itself. I love when Philipe, masquerading as his evil king brother, tries to comfort Christine when she comes to confront "Louis" about the murder of her true love. I love when D'Artagnan tells his son the truth about his lineage and how proud he is of him. I love the ending when they explain that the king known as Louis IX was remembered as the greater ruler of his nation. (happy sigh)

Ever feel like that?

Independence Day has come on every day this week. lol I love when Will Smith's character marries his girlfriend while David and Constance join hands, remembering they once loved each other. David still wears his wedding ring though they divorced years before.

I'd never seen Eight Below before and almost didn't watch it because I just knew there would be an animal death(s) and I don't handle that well. While I was right, oh what a wonderful movie. (Paul Walker is fun to look at too lol) I love the moment when the dog came running to him. I loved Max's devotion to Maya at the end. (eyes getting moist)

You may not like the entire movie but there are those special moments that make it all worth it. That make you watch the movie 200 times before you die. That's why I'm a writer. I just want to hit that note once in a while. Not always. Just some of the time.

Buenos Noches!

Lauren

October's off to a wonderful start

Finally my day job is slowing down and I'm so happy about that. I've got about three writing projects going and I'd like to finish at least one of them, polish it, and submit it somewhere before the year's end. lol

I got my final copies of Sofia's Lobo sent to Red Sage. I'm still so excited about having a release with them that I don't know what to do with myself. As soon as I have news on it, I'll post it here.

In the meantime it's high sports season here and I had some friends over this afternoon to watch baseball. I'm not a big fan of it, it moves incredibly slow sometimes, but we had a great time. I made an appetizer for my friends you might like to try. Let me know if you do try it and what you thought.

Mexican Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
1 can dced green chilies
1 can tomato sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 lb jalapeno/jack cheese,
12 lg mushrooms
2 cup unseasoned stuffing mix
2 ts salad oil
3/4 ts chili powder
3/4 ts ground cumin

Remove mushroom stems and trim, and finely chop stems. In a medium frying pan over medium heat, combine stems, onions, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and 1/4 cup water. Stir frequently until vegetables begin to brown. Add 2 tablespoons water, scraping the pan, and repeat. Add tomato sauce, chilies, and 1/2 the cheese. Remove from heat and gently stir in stuffing. Rub mushrooms with oil. Set cup side up in a 9x13" pan. Mound all the filling into caps. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake in a 400F. oven until cheese is lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Makes 6-8 servings

Oh, I wrote about 3300 words this week. Not bad.

Buenos Noches!

Lauren

Making good on that progress idea

Yes, since I last blogged, I've actually made progress in writing. I'm back on track. And it does feel good. I've written about 3,200 words in a week. Not great but not bad, right? The day job is still crazy but should slow down like next weekish. Then I might even have time for creative cooking too. lol You never know. =)

Buenos Noches,

Lauren

Making progress

I was on such a high on getting the contract from Red Sage, I'm still celebrating, that I fell away from my writing routine. That's a terrible thing to do. For me, it's like exercising. And believe me, that's something I need to do far more of. lol

Seriously, I don't know many people who actually LIKE to exercise. Do you? I have friends who are really into it. They go to the gym and have the home treadmills and workout DVD's. But do they get up in the morning and say "I can't wait to do my 40 minutes of cardio"?

No. lol

For me, writing is the same thing. Maybe it's my newness but I dread writing. What if my story falls flat? What if I say something stupid? What if my single sale was just a fluke?

So every day, I dread writing. I know I should, like I know I should exercise. I know I have to. Especially now since I did sell something. And just like exercising, once I've written? I feel incredible. I'm in a good mood all day.

For the last week, I wrote nothing. What did I feel? Guilty. Like a failure. I did everything BUT write. I even pulled out all of my dishes one day to clean the cabinet shelves because I convinced myself it was far more important than my little meandering stories. How sad is that?

Today, I reasoned with myself. I could continue on procrastinating and make myself feel worse. OR I could get to work. So I rolled up my sleeves and wrote a little over 400 words on the one story. I got stuck so I stopped and went over to the other story and did about 550 words. I feel VERY good now! lol The one story is about 4k so far, the other 2k.

The point is I made forward progress. It doesn't have to be perfect or brilliant or even good.

It just has to be...

Buenos noches,

Lauren

Another week passes and I'm very happy...

So my first story is coming out soon from Red Sage. It's a spicy ethnic novella entitled Sofia's Lobo.

Sofia Tijerina has returned to her native Mexico to capture the ghost that haunts the Rio Grande, La Llorona, on film for her reality show This Old Haunted House. Antonio Valdes, the sexy werewolf lover she left six years ago, is a terrible distraction and a temptation she can't resist now that he's reentered her life. When Sofia begins to have visions of the female ghost, she realizes that Antonio is tied to the mystery of the spirit's fate. Will the secrets he kept from Sofia all those years ago resurface to tear them apart once again?

I'm so excited about this. I've been a fan of Red Sage for years, I've read every story from Angela Knight to Cynthia Eden but I never dared to hope when I sent in my ten pages that I'd ever be there. ;)

Soon I will be and I can't be anything but humbled by that.

I'm working on two stories at the moment when I have the time. I've been working some overtime lately and I'm so tired when I get home from work. But don't I have incentive now? One story is about a woman who gets more than she bargained for when she signs up to be a nude model for an art class. The other is about a woman who inherited a Spanish castle and two very sexy personal bodyguards. ;)

I'll catch you up on my recipes when I get a chance. Right now, I'm off for sleep.

Buenos Noches,

Lauren