Stalker Friday Derailed

I was all set to sic everyone on one of my favorite blogger/writers today, when suddenly the entire course of my day, maybe my life, was changed.

I have a regiment of blogs I read every morning before I get started at my day job.  Some help start my day with humor, some give me focus, some just help kick-start my brain. Today one of my more recent adds knocked me down and kicked me in the guts with a huge freakin' dose of humility and compassion.

Volunteering and assisting those less fortunate than myself has always been a very important part of my life.  I don't toss out used clothing or other items someone else might need.  I never, ever, pass up a Salvation Army bell ringer during the holiday season, even if the change I just got back in the store is all the money I have left. I have volunteered to serve breakfast at a local mission on Saturday mornings.

But lately, I haven't been taking the time to really think about the people.  I haven't considered the stories of the recipients, I haven't connected with the humanity of the needs. Because I'm busy, because I'm focused on what's going on with me - because I'm selfish and self-absorbed....  really, that's what it is.  Let's face the truth.

So, get out your kleenex and immediately go to CRAZY WORLD.  Right now.  I'm not kidding.  If you put it off you will miss out on the experience; you know you'll forget, and then later who knows if you'll be able to find it again. So go.

Then, when you've recovered from the kidney punch, kissed all your people, and sold all you own and donated the money, we should stalk somebody.

Flu Friday

Whatever this is, it's got me, and not in a good way....  fever, congestion, scratchy throat, cough....  I ain't stalkin' nobody today!

You're all either going to stalk someone of your own choosing, or stalk yourselves.

Sorry, that made me giggle, and I could use a weak, shivery smile right now. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled stalkerishness as soon as I can lift my head.

Stalker Book Review Bundle: Making Waves by Tawna Fenske

That’s right, boys and girls, today we are going to stalk not only a fabulous blogger, but a published author as well.  Good thing they are one in the same, or else we would find ourselves stretched a little thin on this, our 11.11.11 Veteran’s Day.

SHOUT OUT TO THE HONORABLE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED AND DO SERVE IN OUR NATION’S ARMED FORCES!!  GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU ALL.

~Walk your post from flank to flank, and take no shit from any rank~

Now, back to our regularly scheduled stalkerishness.

Tawna Fenske, who writes the ever popular blog Don’t Pet Me, I’m Writing, has also enjoyed the August release of her debut romantic comedy, Making Waves.

I ‘pirated’ this synopsis, to be sure I didn’t write an accidental spoiler:

There are normal ways to cope with job loss, and most don’t involve plotting a revenge-fueled diamond heist in the Caribbean with a crew more suited to the boardroom than the poop deck.

But Alex Bradshaw isn’t feeling very normal when his unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb after 20 faithful years as an executive with the world’s largest shipping company. Alex wants payback, and maybe a chance to reclaim his dignity and his pension while he’s at it. Assembling a team of fellow corporate castoffs, he sails to the Caribbean to intercept the boss's illegal diamond shipment. None of them counted on a quirky blonde stowaway with a perplexing array of talents, a few big secrets, and an intoxicating romantic chemistry with Alex.

And while Juli Flynn certainly didn’t plan to be a part of the most dysfunctional high seas caper in history, it’s a rare chance for her to feel like she belongs. She’s spent a lifetime being “different” from everyone else, though the reasons for that are something she’d prefer not to share with her newfound shipmates. Juli just wants to be normal for a change, but as she finds her place with the misfit crew – and in Alex’s heart – she discovers normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And sometimes, being weird can be wonderful.

The most challenging thing I have faced thus far in my existence as a writer is attempting to describe all the things I LOVE about this book without giving the whole thing away.  Fenske’s main character, Juli, has to be one of my favorite female leads of all time.  She is smart and witty, strong when she needs to be, and vulnerable when she doesn’t.  And her secret makes me want to get out my pom poms and cheer, YAY WOMEN!  I give Tawna a standing ovation for that alone.

Juli’s love interest, Alex, makes my teeth sweat.  Want to talk about crushin’ on a character?  Hubba hubba! 

The writing has a beautiful tempo, making it an easy read without being too fast for connection.  Fenske let’s you get to know the characters, spend enough time with each of them to care what happens next. And what happens next is anybody’s guess. There are surprises, twists, and laughs. I seriously laughed OUT LOUD reading this book.

This did nothing, however, to detract from the ultra smexiness.  Tawna has mastered the craft of sexual tension.  The chemistry is believable, and coupled with an entertaining, action-packed story you won’t help but feel completely satisfied in every way.

Fenske’s style is reminiscent of Evanovich-meets-Roberts, however, the voice is uniquely her own.  If Juli Flynn continues her adventures, I guarantee I will own the series. As it stands, I cannot WAIT for Tawna Fenske’s next release!

Do I recommend this book?  AYE, CAPTAIN!!  ARRRRGG!

Also, STALK THIS WRITER!  She is worth the shoe leather and restraining order....  ;)

Stalker Friday

I started wondering what would happen if I was stalking it forward... if I stalk someone and tell three people about it, then they start stalking that person and tell three more people, and so on, and so on...

We could amass, and descend on the unsuspecting, and I could declare myself Queen of the Stalker Horde.

We could, but I don't think we'd be any match for my next victim subject, as I have good intel that she keeps bodyguards hidden in her dishwasher.

Please let's all give a warm stalkery welcome to Paige Kellerman, possibly the funniest blogger ever....  I mean seriously, Sisterhood of the Travelling Toilet Paper????  She, and Husband, with Butch and Sundance turn every day life into a fascinating adventure, one I long to join daily, via internet lurking.

Paige, Never. Stop. Writing.  Or else be prepared to be ding dong ditched by a stalker flash mob....  Except in November, when we're all obsessing about our NaNoWriMo word count.... but after that, sister, I mean.... feel the rage with every tinkling little bell.  There may even be knocking involved.  Oh the humanity!

How can I describe the emotional rollercoaster of clicking my bookmarked link to her treasure trove of a site and realizing, this is the same tasty morsel I munched on yesterday?  It's like waiting for three months for the man of your dreams to come around the corner, and you hear footsteps and see a shadow, and it turns out to be the neighbors Fed Ex delivery from Jelly of the Month club.  Utterly disappointing, right?

Well, unless the Fed Ex guy is the man of your dreams, which is totally plausible...  I don't judge.

Two Words...

NaNoWriMo

The second word was entirely unnecessary and is dying a slow death on the editing room floor.

The second installment of STALKER Friday was delayed due to an entire weekend dedicated to dressing up and role playing for tricks and/or treats..... what's not to love about that? It is, however, not as fun if one is glued to the keyboard....  hey, wait a minute, maybe it is, I'll have to try that next time.

Today is the day that the creative heavens open up, issuing forth an outpouring of literary inspiration unparalleled in any world or dimension, bestowing upon its recipients the power of CREATION....

...or it's the 24 hours I have to pry more than 87 gut wrenching, tear-stained words, which may or may not form actual sentences, out of my shriveled up black hole of a mind....

You know, whichever....

Whatever the case, [cue holiday music] It's the most wonderful time of the year! 

This year I am going to reach down into my pocket and Zuzu's petals are going to be there.  This year, I am crossing the finish line by November 30th.  This year I am, Duh, Winning!!

AND, I am going to continue to faux stalk you people every Friday.

Yes, I know, it seems impossible, but I semi-quote a hysterical tweet from today, "Well I guess if Kim Kardashian can finish a marriage in 72 days, I can" blog and Nano at the same time in 30.

I Wish I Was A Stalker

I have, for many months, been a lurker.  I've been travelling the Shanghai Maglev of life, only able to catch glimpses of my surroundings. A passerby of other's lives. Recently, however, I have been able to slow down and participate in conversations, relax and enjoy the stories.

Oh, how I would love to be able to shed my self even more and become a stalker! Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the lives of the interesting and compelling people I have met!  And no, I'm not talking about Jodie Foster, whom I appreciate yet feel no compulsion towards whatsoever. I'm talking about my author/writer friends who could hold me captive with their words 24/7.

Therefore, I am officially declaring Friday 'Stalker Day'.

This blog will pimp shamelessly the delicious morsels I have discovered, recruiting others to join the stalker army.  It's kind of like a Zombie Legion, only with clear minds and appendages intact.

Our first victim...  errr, "Celebrity"....  is none other than AG, aka Regected Riter, @regectedriter. 

Go to his blog....  NOW.

It's okay, I'll wait....
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See what I mean?????  I KNOW, RIGHT??

I check his blog every single day, and when he goes too long without posting, I'm like, I wish I was a stalker so I could find out what's going on right now!

And a blog series was born.