Tami Brothers - The Road to Publication

Wednesday Review - Deadline by Chris Crutcher

2009-07-15T03:01:00.000-04:00

Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Have you ever thought about what you would do if you knew you were going to die?

During a Cross Country physical, high school senior Ben Wolf finds out he has a rare blood disease and has less than a year to live. Crazy thing is Ben’s okay with that. In the back of his mind he never imagined living past the age of eighteen. But Ben isn’t going to live out the last days of his life at the mercy of the doctors. Instead, he opts out of any medical treatment, ignores his doctors request that he tell his family, and sets out to live his senior year to the fullest. That includes dropping his beloved Cross Country and trying out for the football team, wooing the prettiest girl in school, driving his history teacher crazy and rehabilitating the town drunk. Sounds pretty ambitious. Unfortunately, the best made plans never seem to work out the way you want them to.

I LOVED this book. Even though I don’t like to cry, I fell in love with the story idea for Deadline and HAD to read it after seeing a raving review over at the Dear Author: Romance Novel Review site. My favorite romance author, Jill Shalvis, did an awesome job of dragging me in - hook, line and sinker. The story line became a nagging seed and I just couldn’t let it go.

Mr. Crutcher did the unthinkable and made me laugh while simultaneously ripping my heart out. I LOVED Ben! I loved his wit and charm. I even loved his screwed up family and friends. I especially loved that Mr. Crutcher did not cheat the readers on the ending. We all know how the story ends, but I promise the author makes this bearable. I normally wouldn’t recommend something with this serious of a premise, but Deadline is not like any other story I’ve read that deals with death. Trust me when I say you won’t be disappointed.

Update

2009-07-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

Wow. Has it really been two weeks since I updated this? Man, life is crazy busy here.

First of all, check out my post today about the new Harry Potter movie over at the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog. I’d love to see how many people will be attending the Tuesday midnight viewing.

On the other end of the spectrum, I just finished two weeks of homework hell. Yes, I was buried – completely from head to toe. I swear, I could easily have drowned. I had two major research papers due on Monday and Tuesday. I was so sick of computer research by the end of the 4th of July weekend. It completely sucked. Then I had two power point presentations to finish, a take-home test and another test to study for.

We are down to two weeks left of school for the summer. I am more than ready for the two weeks off after that. Until then, I will just keep treading water and hope life gets a tad bit easier.

Have a great week to all of you!

Sexy Saturday

2009-07-11T10:12:00.000-04:00

Funny E-mail

2009-07-09T04:22:00.000-04:00

Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers.

They include:

Bobby Darin ---
Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.

Herman's Hermits ---
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker.

Ringo Starr ---
I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.

The Bee Gees -- -
How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.

Roberta Flack---
The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.

Johnny Nash ---
I Can't See Clearly Now.

Paul Simon---
Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver

The Commodores ---
Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.

Marvin Gaye ---
Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.

Procol Harem---
A Whiter Shade of Hair.

Leo Sayer ---
You Make Me Feel Like Napping.

The Temptations ---
Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.

Abba---
Denture Queen.

Tony Orlando ---
Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.

Helen Reddy ---
I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.

Leslie Gore---
It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry if I want To.

And Last but NOT least...

Willie Nelson ---
On the Commode Again

Sexy Saturday

2009-07-04T06:00:00.000-04:00

Funny E-mail

2009-07-02T04:18:00.000-04:00

Boobs vs. Willies

A family is at the dinner table. The son asks his father, 'Dad, how many kinds of boobs are there?'

The father, surprised, answers, 'Well, son, a woman goes through three phases. In her 20s, a woman's boobs are like melons, round and firm. In her 30s to 40s, they are like pears, still nice but hanging a bit. After 50, they are like onions'.

'Onions?'

'Yes, you see them and they make you cry.'

This infuriated his wife and daughter, so the daughter said, 'Mom, how many kinds of 'willies' are there?'

The mother, surprised, smiles and answers, 'Well dear, a man goes through three phases also. In his 20s, his willy is like an oak tree, mighty and hard. In his 30s and 40s, it is like a birch, flexible but reliable. After his 50s, it is like a Christmas tree'.

'A Christmas tree?'

'Yes --- dead from the roots up and the balls are just for decoration.'

Sexy Saturday

2009-06-27T04:27:00.000-04:00

Lists, Lists and More Lists

2009-06-26T01:37:00.001-04:00

1. I will smile at everyone I meet.

2. I will say hi to a stranger.

3. I will remember someone I have not thought about since grade school.

4. I will appreciate every day that I am alive.

5. I will work to have a positive attitude about life.

Funny E-mail

2009-06-25T05:11:00.000-04:00

WALKING THE DOG

A WOMAN was flying from Seattle to San Francisco .

Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento

Along the way. The flight attendant explained that

There would be a delay, and if the passengers wanted

To get off the aircraft the plane would re-board

In 50 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one lady who was

Blind. The man had noticed her as he walked by and

Could tell the lady was blind because her Seeing Eye

Dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her

Throughout the entire flight.

He could also tell she had flown this very flight before

Because the pilot approached her, and calling her by

Name, said, 'Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost

An hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?'

The blind lady replied, 'No thanks, but maybe Buddy would

Like to stretch his legs.'

Picture this:

All the people in the gate area came to a complete standstill

When they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane

With a Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.

People scattered. They not only tried to change planes,

But they were trying to change airlines!

True story.. Have a great day and remember...

...THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY APPEAR.

A DAY WITHOUT LAUGHTER IS A

DAY WASTED!!!

Wednesday Review - The Secret of the Dread Forest: The Faire Folk Trilogy by Gillian Summers

2009-06-24T06:10:00.000-04:00

The Secret of the Dread Forest: The Faire Folk Trilogy by Gillian Summers

Keelie Heartwood finally makes it “home.” Of course, home now happens to be an elf village in the heart of Oregon’s Dread Forest. After her amazing save of the Wildwood Forest and their unicorn, you’d think Keelie would be well on her way to acceptance by the other elves. Instead, she’s treated worse than ever before. On top of that, her relationship with Sean is over because of her half elf, half human status. Then there is the spoiled Princess tree, Alora, demanding most of her attention; her enemy, Elia, wanting to be friends; the mysterious boy in the woods who knows more about her family than she does; the discovery that the unicorn killer himself, Lord Elianard, is now her teacher; her dad turning out to be the Lord of the Forest which leaves little time for her; her grandmother hating everything about her human side; and that doesn’t even take into account the age-old rift between her family and the other elves. Isn’t that enough for one teenage girl to handle? Apparently the forest doesn’t think so. They have few more surprises to throw Keelie’s way.

Gillian Summers did an awesome job of wrapping up the Faire Folk Trilogy in Secret of the Dread Forest. I’ll be honest and say I was seriously upset about Keelie’s love interest(s) right up until the very end. Thankfully, Ms. Summers did an awesome job of surprising me and I closed the book satisfied. Yet, it wasn’t until I found out the writing duo has another fabulous trilogy in the works that I was truly happy. As satisfying as the ending of this book is, I was NOT ready to say goodbye to Keelie and her mysterious world. Keep an eye out for the new series, the Scions of Shadow Trilogy, coming June 2010.

Reviewer: Tami Brothers
Rating(s): 5 Petit Fours and 1 Hot Tamales

Tuesday Rants

2009-06-23T06:19:00.000-04:00

Who knew Tamales were so hard to make???? My hubby roped his mom and dad into helping him make some last night while I was in school. I had planned to make them, but he thought he'd do it for me. Now he says he wishes he had waited until I could have done it.

BUT they were yummy.

Update

2009-06-22T05:22:00.000-04:00

I hope you all had a great Father's Day weekend. I know my family did. My in-laws were out here from Wyoming and my husband took his dad golfing. That was a huge present since my husband is NOT into golfing (at all!!!).

I spent Friday and Saturday in Atlanta at a mini workshop presented by Dianna Love and then attended a GRW meeting. I love these meetings because they renew my enthusiasm for writing. I highly suggest to anyone who writes to find a support network like this.

I'm crazy busy with school this week with midterms. I'll try to keep up with the blog, but you all know how that can be...grin...

Have a great week!

Sexy Saturday

2009-06-20T17:55:00.000-04:00

I think I need to take my car in for a wash....

Check me out!!!

2009-06-18T06:15:00.003-04:00

Hey Everyone! Come check out my post today at the Petit Fours and Hot Tamales blog. I'm blogging about weddings and posting a snippet of one of my WIP!!!!

I'd love to see you there!

Funny E-mail

2009-06-18T04:10:00.000-04:00

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A WOMAN

Between 18 and 22, a woman is like Africa , half discovered, half wild, fertile and naturally beautiful!

Between 23 and 30, a woman is like Europe , well developed and open to trade, especially for someone with cash.

Between 31 and 35, a woman is like S pain, very hot, relaxed and convinced of her own beauty.

Between 36 and 40, a woman is like Greece , gently aging but still a warm and desirable place to visit.

Between 41 and 50, a woman is like Great Britain , with a glorious and all conquering past.

Between 51 and 60, a woman is like Israel , has been through war and doesn't make the same mistakes twice, takes care of business.

Between 61 and 70, a woman is like Canada , self-preserving, but open to meeting new people.

After 70, she becomes Tibet , wildly beautiful, with a mysterious past and the wisdom of the ages....only those with an adventurous spirit and a thirst for spiritual knowledge visit there.

THE GEOGRAPHY OF A MAN

Between 1 and 90, a man is like Iran , Ruled by Nuts.

Tuesday Rants

2009-06-16T06:21:00.003-04:00

I've been waking up with some major calf cramps, lately. My toes have also been cramping a lot. I take my vitamins. I eat my fruits and veggies.

Anyone know why this is happening???

I have been running a couple of miles twice a week. Nothing strenuous, though. And my toes were cramping before that.

Man I'd like to find a way to stop those...

Update

2009-06-15T04:22:00.000-04:00

I had a great weekend with my family. Lots of fun, but now I'm rushing to get some assignments done... And study for a test. No writing anywhere in all of that...sigh....

Unless you count my blog post over at Petit Fours and Hot Tamales for this coming Thursday. That was fun and if you stop by (in three days...grin...), you'll get to see a small piece of my writing. This is from the manuscript I was working on when I found out the company I worked for was closing and I was suddenly going to be a college student. There went all my free time and my writing got put on hold.

After looking at the manuscript for my post, I can feel that itchy feeling that gets under my skin when I want to sit down and write. Too bad my homework takes priority right now... Which reminds me, back to Excel/Income Statements/Balance Sheets....(even bigger sigh)....

Sexy Saturday

2009-06-13T05:24:00.000-04:00

Lists, Lists and More Lists

2009-06-12T05:22:00.000-04:00

A - I LOVE apples. I could eat an apple two or three times a day if I had them. Problem is, they are very hard on the permanent retainer I have on my teeth.

B - Did you know I collect Barbie dolls?

C - Since my Lasik eye surgery, I no longer have to wear contacts...;-)

D - I always wanted to learn how to play the drums, but they give me the biggest headache.

E - I like my eggs sunny-side-up...

Funny E-mail

2009-06-11T04:08:00.000-04:00

Tuesday Rants

2009-06-09T05:03:00.001-04:00

Why are college text books so expensive???

Through my training program, I bought a book for my MayMester class that cost $152. For a three week class... That I barely even looked at...

THEN, when I went to sell it back to the bookstore, they told me there was a new edition and they would not be buying it back. WTF??? Why is the book worth so much money at the beginning of the month and worthless just 3 weeks later? I have no idea who came up with these figures, but I'm thinking I'm in the wrong business here.

Update

2009-06-08T20:00:00.002-04:00

Have you noticed my tardiness??? Life has been crazy. I'm smack dab in the middle of my second week of school. Work is crazy busy, too.

We also have company out here from Wyoming, so that is crazy busy, too...

Nuff said for today.

Have a good one...

Sexy Saturday

2009-06-06T20:28:00.002-04:00

Funny E-mail

2009-06-04T04:04:00.000-04:00

SOCIAL SECURITY SEX

Two men were talking. 'So, how's your sex life?'

'Oh, nothing special. I'm having Social Security sex.'

'Social Security sex?'

'Yeah, you know; I get a little each month, but not enough to live on!'

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LOUD SEX

A wife went in to see a therapist and said, 'I've got a big problem, doctor. Every time we're in bed and my husband climaxes, he lets out this ear splitting yell.'

'My dear,' the shrink said, 'that's completely natural. I don't see what the problem is.'

'The problem is,' she complained, 'it wakes me up!'

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QUIET SEX

Tired of a listless sex life, the man came right out and asked his wife during a recent lovemaking session, 'How come you never tell me when you have an orgasm?'

She glanced at him casually and replied, 'You're never home!'

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CONFOUNDED SEX

A man was in a terrible accident, and his 'manhood' was mangled and torn from his body. His doctor assured him that modern medicine could give him back his manhood, but that his insurance wouldn't cover the surgery since it was considered cosmetic.
The doctor said the cost would be $3,500 for 'small', $6,500 for 'medium', $14,000 for 'large.'

The man was sure he would want a medium or large, but the doctor urged him to talk it over with his wife before he made any decision. The man called his wifeon the phone and explained their options.
The doctor came back into the room, and found the man looking dejected.

'Well, what have the two of you decided?' asked the doctor.

The man answered, 'She'd rather remodel the kitchen.'

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WEDDING ANNIVERSARY SEX

A husband and his wife had a bitter quarrel on the day of their 40th wedding anniversary.

The husband yells, 'When you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads:
'Here Lies My Wife-Cold As Ever'.'

'Yeah,' she replies, 'when you die, I'm getting you a headstone that reads:
Here Lies My Husband - Stiff At Last.'

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WOMEN'S HUMOROUS SEX

My husband came home with a tube of K-Y jelly and said, 'This will make you happy tonight.'

He was right.

When he went out of the bedroom, I squirted it all over the doorknobs. He couldn't get back in.

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ELDERLY SEX

One night an 87-year-old woman came home from Bingo to find her 92-year-old husband in bed with another woman. She became violent and ended up pushing him off the balcony of their 20th floor 'assisted living apartment'... Killing him instantly.

Brought before the court on charge of murder, the judge asked her if she had anything to say in her defense. She began coolly, 'Yes, your honor, I figured that at 92, if he could have sex .. He could fly.'

Tuesday Rants

2009-06-02T05:23:00.000-04:00

You will not believe the issues we’ve already had with bugs. Ants, mosquitoes and now fleas. What it the world? We have an indoor cat that NEVER goes outside. How in the world do we suddenly have fleas in house? We’ve spent a fortune the past couple of weeks on spray for the outside, a compound for our carpet and pills and shampoo for the cat. Still, she has several on her every night. WTF????

We’ve talked to the vet and the exterminator. They both say we are doing everything we need to do. So what next??? I have no clue right now (and my DS is completely against getting rid of the cat…grin….)