The Mad Madam M came over last weekend and helped me unpack to get settled into my new place. We even hung curtains. As someone who hates to unpack and has no problem living out of boxes, the curtain thing was beyond weird.

In any case, I’m sitting here in my nice, unpacked apartment, looking out my front window, and it occurs to me that I have an awesome view.

There are mountains with tree and bushes in the distance and every morning and evening, the fog from the San Francisco bay rolls over the mountains, looking like something out of a gorgeous fantasy movie. Today, the sky is scattered with clouds, a little overcast, but still blue between the clouds. The fog is curling around the mountains and it’s a great day to be writing.

Gawd, I forgot how much was involved in moving to a new state, which I never, ever want to do again. Maybe within the great state of California, but not out of it. That has to be less work, doesn’t it?

I handled the whole insurance thing the other day, but today is the DMV. They let you make appointments now, so I hope to hell that makes things go faster and more smoothly. They’re making me take a written test to prove I should be allowed to drive in this state, which I find mildly ridiculous because a) I’ve been driving for over a decade all over the country and if I was a crap driver someone would have noticed by now, and b) the state I was originally licensed to drive in was California. As in, back when I was the worst and newbiest of all drivers, they gave me a license to operate heavy machinery…and now I have to do it again. Oy!

And then I get to start work on Monday and fill out the lovely and always much-beloved tax forms. Details and paperwork…I am thy bitch this week.

Mad Madam M is an evil influence. I’m sure you’re not surprised by this, but you should know it’s a proven fact. No, really.

First, she spanked me for not updating my blog on Monday (or Tuesday morning).

Second, over the weekend, she talked me out of buying a replacement for my trusty Sony Discman (shut up! I loved my old guy!) because his buttons are starting to die and traveling with him on airplanes is a bit bulky.

Third, she talked me into buying an iPod Nano instead. The discrepancy in prices for these two items should express the utter evilness of her powers of persuasion.

What did she use to draw my attention to the display of shiny musical devices?

“Oh, look, Crys! They even have lime green! No, really, it’s lime green. Really. Come see! You’ll love it.”

Blast! She knows my weakness!

So, say hello to my new toy, Green. *pets*

I spent the day wrestling with my insurance company to get everything transferred over to California from Utah (DMV is on Thursday–that wounded-animal whimper you’re hearing is me), and I emerged triumphant! For my pain and suffering, I had to go and buy some new books. Some women like shoes, some like handbags, some want the bling. Me? Books. Lots and lots of book. What? I didn’t become a writer because I hated them, now did I?

I signed a couple of On The Prowls and Carnal Desires, so if you’re at the Pruneyard Barnes & Noble in San Jose, autographed books await you!

However, on to the goodies I bought for myself. I even grabbed a few pictures. Yes, I’m the Casper the Friendly Ghost type chick. Writing is an indoor sport!

First, I hit the Young Adult section (you know, after I scoured the romance area, of course) and picked up Vamped by the awesome agently one, Lucienne Diver.

See? I totally bought it. Hmm…now how do I get her to sign it when I’m west coast and she’s east coast? Must contemplate. P.S. If you don’t read her blog, you really should. I think she’d doing a special week on historicals right now!

Then I moved on to the Science Fiction/Fantasy section (because I’m a nerd and that’s just how I roll) and went all squee fangirl over Diana Pharaoh Francis’s swath of shelving.

And after I divested them of some of their stock, there was magically room to face her books out.

Oh, yes, that book was mine. That one right there. I’m pointing to it. Mine, mine, MINE!

Though I have no idea what my head is doing in that shot. Or why my lips disappeared when I smiled. Ah, well! The good news is, Di’s got the first in an urban fantasy series called the Horngate Witches releasing this fall.

I. Can’t. Freaking. Wait.

What? You didn’t think the fluttery fangirling went away once you were published, did you? Silly rabbits!

I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the awesomeness that is the new edition to Kate Pearce’s House of Pleasure series, Simply Shameless.

Here’s the info:

Every Desire Explored

One forbidden weekend years ago, Helene Delornay found herself stranded with a total stranger. Bold, virile, and well-schooled in the erotic arts, Philip Ross opened Helene’s eyes to a world of sexual delight she never knew existed. Now proprietress of London’s most exclusive house of pleasure, Helene never forgot the carnal bliss she shared with Philip—and she never found another man who could satisfy the insatiable cravings he awakened within her…

Every Fantasy Fulfilled

When Philip suddenly returns to Helene’s life, the physical attraction they share is far too strong for either to deny. Now as they explore their fantasies and take them beyond the limit, Helene discovers that her feelings for Philip run far deeper than that of just a lover…

Barnes & Noble
Powell’s
Amazon
Chapters.ca