The Weird and the Awesome

This is sort of a hodgepodge post with random bits mostly because I'm running around like a madwoman trying to get stuff done. There's nothing like trying desperately to finish Christmas gifts that still need to be mailed and write a book with a fast approaching deadline. Guh. But I digress...and whine.

First the weird, I got a package addressed to me the other day from an Irish gift catalog. I thought it was odd since I hadn't ordered anything from them, but I thought...okay, maybe it's a gift from somebody. So, I opened it up and found three linen tea towels. Three identical linen tea towels
with a map of Ireland on them.
















(For those who are wondering about the difference between a tea towel and a dish towel, here's an illustration. Dish towels are small and usually made of terrycloth. Tea towel are about twice the size and made of linen. But they're both handy for drying dishes. Tea towels are much more common in Europe, I think - you don't see a lot of them in the states. But I digress. Again.)

My immediate thought was obviously, Fwuh? Why would anyone send me three of the same thing, so I looked at the invoice for a clue as to who'd sent them. According to that handy piece of paper, I sent them to me. I double checked the address. Yep. That's where I live. I double checked the name. Yep. That was me. So confused.

So I called the company to find out WTF, and they insisted that I'd purchased the towels. I told them I was sure I hadn't. The rep insisted some more. I denied some more. Then I remembered. No, not that I'd bought three identical tea towels. I remembered the other Bronwyn Green. The same one who terrified me when I was pregnant.
.
I went in for one of those non-stress tests when I was nine months pregnant with Corwin. I gave the receptionist my name and date of birth and the following conversation ensued.

Receptionist: Right. You're having twins.

Me: The hell I am!

Receptionist: (squinting at the chart, then looking at my belly) Your due date is St. Patrick's Day, right?

Me: Right.

Receptionist: And your birthday is June 3rd?

Me: Yes.

Receptionist: (far too brightly) You're having twins.

Me: Oh hell no! I'm so not having twins!

Receptionist: (less sure of herself, holds up a chart with an ultrasound picture) See? Twins.

Me: (bursting into horrible, sobbing, pregnant tears in a waiting room full of people) But I don't want twins! I can't handle twins. Don't you understand? I have a two year old and seven daycare children at home. I can't have twins! I will absolutely lose my mind! I don't have that kind of energy. I can't do it! You can't make me!

And that's when the nurse came out and told me it was time for my test.

We finally figured out that there was another Bronwyn Green who lives in my city, was also pregnant (with twins) and who shared my birthday. I'm guessing I got the tea towels meant for her. Better than her twins, though!

On to the awesome. I got a note from an awesome reader, Marianne, a few weeks ago about Maggie's Mates and she mentioned that she hadn't known that Yooper Menage was a subgenre of erotic romance. Needless to say, I cracked up! Then I realized, Marianne may have a point - particularly since Just Right is set in the UP, too. So, go Yooper Menage!

For those who are unfamiliar with the term yooper, it refers to someone who lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. You might be wondering what yoopers call those of us in the Lower Peninsula. Well, I tell you. We're called trolls. 'Cause we live "under" the bridge. But I digress. Yet again.

Anyway, I just wanted to say, "YAY, Marianne! Way to coin a new phrase!"

I'm sure there will be more YMs in the future - lol!

Holy Crap - Only 24 Hours Left!

Soooooo, it's getting down to the wire and I haven't packed a damn thing for the Authors After Dark Conference in New Jersey.

Most of it will be no big deal in terms of throwing stuff together. Some of it will require an archeological dig in my office. Yeah, never did get around to cleaning it this summer. Today, I'll pay for that transgression. Sigh...

I'm looking so forward to hanging with Brynn, Mia, Carol, Jen and finally meeting and hanging with Kris, too! It's gonna be AWESOME. I promise, there will be pictures and likely embarrassing stories upon my return. If I get a few minutes and the internet doesn't cost a small fortune, I'll try to pop on during the conference.

In the meanwhile, the fanfreakingtastic Chaos Chris is kindly running a contest for a copy of my latest release, Maggie's Mates. If you'd like a chance to win a copy, please stop by her blog, Stumbling Over Chaos, and enter!

Also, there are cute kitteh pictures there. You should go see. :)

Maggie's Mates is out today!!!

I've had a lot of people ask me if Lucas and Quinn, two secondary characters, from Just Right, would ever get a story of their own. The answer to that has been, "Yes, as soon as I can get around to it."

Well, I got around to it, and their story releases today! Maggie's Mates is available now at Resplendence Publishing! I'm so excited! (as evidenced by the abuse of exclamation marks!)

Here's the blurb:

Having recently ended a bad relationship, Maggie Ryan returns to her hometown in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to discover things aren’t quite the way she remembers. Her childhood friends, Quinn and Lucas Makwa, are all grown up and keeping secrets. The shape-shifters want Maggie for their mate, but she’s not sure she wants to trust another man—let alone two that can shift into black bears at will.

And an excerpt:

Trapped in Quinn’s heated gaze, Maggie couldn’t look away. Hell, she could barely remember to breathe.

“I don’t think that scene at the diner was an act for Jason’s benefit,” Lucas commented, trailing a path down her forearm with his fingertip. “Maybe it was when you started it,” he amended. “But I think you forgot about him pretty quick.”

Maggie’s stomach dropped to her feet as she teetered atop the highest hill she’d ever climbed. But she couldn’t bring herself to push them away or to move. She couldn’t deny it. Her panties were still damp from the experience.

“I’m guessing,” Quinn began, his voice like dark velvet, “that now you can’t help but wonder what it would be like.” His lips quirked. “You always were a curious one.” He toyed with the seam of her jeans, tracing the fraying line of fabric near her knee and sending tendrils of need coursing through her.

Lucas’ lips brushed the outer shell of her ear. “Are you curious now, Maggie?”

Her lips parted. She wanted to speak, but no sound came out. Somehow, she found the strength to nod her head.

Quinn’s lips curved in a near-feral grin that sent nervous energy coiling through her middle. “Me, too.”

She couldn’t have looked away if she’d wanted to.

“So am I,” Lucas murmured as he pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin behind her ear.

Her breath caught in her chest as the arousal she’d pushed aside earlier came rushing back. Her nipples beaded, and her breasts ached to be touched. Her folds dampened as she remembered the sensations of their erections pushing against her. She wanted their hands on her. She wanted their mouths on her. She wanted to know what it felt like to take both men at the same time. At least once in her life, she wanted to know what it was like to be truly desired.

But was that a mistake? Reality and guilt niggled their way into her thoughts.
“I-I don’t know if this is such a great idea. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, and you need to know, I’m not looking for anything permanent. Not after Jason.”

“Jason’s an asshole,” Lucas bit out. “Forget about him.”

Quinn shot his brother a look. “Let us help you forget him.”

New Cover Art! I Have Some!

So, this is a short post, because honestly? I feel like I'm coming down with a cold and I'm trying to finish a galley. And get ready for Authors After Dark. And get ready for the start of school. And do my day job. And after looking at this list, I'm considering adding running away from home. I hear MN is nice... But anyway, here's the new cover!