I’m working, closing in on the end of CAGED MAGIC! Then I have to get it in shape to send to the editor next week. But I wanted to stop in here and wish you all a Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Hey guys, I ended up spending time at the dentist learning that my baby tooth no longer is happy with me Long story short–I have a consolidation with an oral surgeon in a week or two. But I’m not thinking about that (except when it wakes me up at 2:30 am every freaking night, LOL). Instead I’m thinking about this book, CAGED MAGIC, and these final scenes. Plus today I have to see my regular RA doc and discuss the tooth issues with him. But I just want to get this book DONE.

Okay the whiny portion of this blog is over! Let’s move onto Wednesday Worthy:

Okay sure, he does seem to get tangled up in his shirt, but other than that, is he worthy?

I’m alive! But still in my writing cave. Not talking about the book right now,  just writing, hoping and praying. But yesterday, I got out for a while to hang out with author-friend Karin Tabke. I met her years ago through the Murder She Writes blog and it was so freaking awesome to see her again. We spent three hours just talking and I could have gone on forever.  I hope we can get together again soon.

So otherwise, I’m mostly working, but at night when I stop, my eyes have been tired so I don’t read. Instead, I’ve been watching tons of episodes of Dog Whisper with Caesar Milan. I’m pretty much overdosing on this because A) I love dogs, and B) It’s easy watching on my Kindle Fire and I can wind down. I don’t really have to think.

So…yesterday morning Wizard and I were talking about going to see his brother up north this year, and I said, “I heard you tell your brother on teh phone yesterday, ‘Yeah Jen works a lot but she enjoys it.'”

He gave me a confused look. “And the problem? You do enjoy it.”

“Not always, I can’t wait to be done. In fact, I’m going to quit.” I warmed up the idea so I could quit worrying about how I’m going to end this book, get it edited and to the editor in just a few days. Plus I have my next Once A Marine book to do line edits on one second after I send in CAGED MAGIC. Projects are stacking up and I’m feeling the pressure.

“Quit and do what?” Wizard asked. “Let’s face it, you don’t sit around and do nothing very well.”

That’s not true. I am fantastic at being lazy and unproductive.  However I had a backup plan. “I’m going to quit and start a new career training dogs.” For which I am completely unqualified but I hate letting details ruin my fantasy.

Without missing a beat, Wizard said, “Go right ahead. Set up your business online.”

“How am I going to train dogs online?” That’s just stupid. And I know he’s just humoring me so I started up the stairs to do something or other, done with the conversation.

Wizard used his oh-so-patient voice.”You set up your business online to get clients.”

I stopped at the top of the stairs and stared down at him. “Oh, that makes more sense.” It’s almost like he’s taking me seriously.

“You can call it Cleopatra.”

“What?” I mean has he been thinking about this? I was kidding about training dogs, I don’t even have a dog. But I was curious. “Why would I call it Cleopatra?”

“Because the name Caesar is taken.” (Caesar Milan from Dog Whisperer)

I walked right into that one. Sigh.

So how was your weekend?

So…Wizard and I saw Fifty Shade of Grey. I’m not going to give my opinion again because I’ve said it in a few places, and who really cares what I think? I just support writers hitting mega success. But I know you all care what Wizard thinks, right? No worries I asked him for you!

We’ll just skip over his opinion of Dakota Johnson because I think you all can guess that I mean come on, hot, cute naked girl? Last time I checked, Wizard had red blood laced with testosterone running in his veins.

So I asked Wizard, “What did you think of Christian Grey in the movie?” I SWEAR I’M NOT MAKING THIS UP.

He looked at me and said, “I’m Batman.”

Only he said it like this audio clip:

Okay, now I’ve heard a ton of commentary abut Fifty Shades but this is new.  Confused, I’m asked the obvious,  “WHAT????”

Wizard explained, “That Christian guy just kept showing up out of nowhere rescuing Ana. Every time I was waiting for him to say,  “I’m Batman.”

I laughed so hard. Where the heck does he come up with this stuff? BATMAN??? Now all I can hear is “I’m Batman” over and over and I laughed the rest of the day. Every time Wizard walked by me, I was like, “Say it again!”

So that is Wizard’s rather unique commentary on Fifty Shades of Grey.

And now, of course, Batman is on my mind, which naturally makes me think of Christian Bale. So guess who is our hunk candidate today?

What do you think, is he worthy?

Busy weekend! Valentine’s Day was okay, we went to breakfast and then made a lobster dinner together, but Wizard had a cold and I hate it when he doesn’t feel great. I sent him to bed early.  I also released the cover for CAGED MAGIC on FB. I f you haven’t seen it, here it is:

Sunday we celebrated BLB’s (youngest son) birthday, although his actual birthday is today. Here’s his traditional candy cake:

This year, I kept it simple since I’m a fiend working on CAGED MAGIC.  Plus juggling a gazillion things including uploading the new covers and files for Plus One Chronicles which took hours.

But you know what I did for myself this weekend? No it wasn’t see FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, darn it! Although I want to see it and we’ll probably go today. Speaking of Fifty Shades of Grey movie (yes I’m digressing because my brain is fried and stewing panic juice), I asked BLB’s girl friend if she’d seen the movie?

Girlfriend said, “No. But I want too.”

I’m like, “Wizard and I are probably going Monday.” Then I studied her for a second (and dang, she’s so cute! Seriously adorable, but I love her anyway) and then grinned. “So how weird would it be for you to go with your boyfriend’s parents?”

We all laughed hysterically.  She said she’d only go with us if Wizard and I sat in the front and she sat waayyyy in the back by an exit. So…probably not (And no, none of us are particularly skittish, it’s just crossing that weird line of OMG my boyfriend’s parents!)

So what did I do for myself? I bought this book!

DYING EMBERS by our very own B. E. Sanderson! I’m excited to read this as soon as I turn in the book I’m writing to my editor! I’m thrilled and please that after a a lot of hard work and worry, B.E. has published her first book! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS B.E.! I always knew this day would come for you and I’m proud of you!

So that was my weekend, how was yours?

I’m fine, no really, I’m fine. Wait is that Wizard standing behind me, shaking his head no and laughing? Okay, maybe I’m a tad…crazed Wednesday night, I was so upset I told Wizard I refused to discuss the book. I worked till eight oclock, then came downstairs and tried not to think about it.

Thursday morning, I was getting some coffee and Wizard was heating some water for tea and asked me something stupid like, “How’s it going?” I launched into a description of the hybrid half-demon half-human that spawned his demon side in a fiery explosion in Vegas but now he’s hibernating and they all know he’s going to wake, they have to find him before that happens. Oh and by the way humans think this is a terrorist attack because human’s can’t porcess what really happened.

Wizard nodded although I think his eye was twitching. But I didn’t want to bug him about it, so I went on with, “And they have to find the baby, but the heroine, Risa’s a witch so she can do it right?”

“Right?” He started eyeing the wine on the counter which is odd because it was only about 10 in the morning. Kind of early, doncha think? But I didn’t want to nag. “So,” I continued, “she can see her daughter.”

“She can? Isn’t she missing?”

“Of course, with her third eye.”

“Of course.” Wizard is now holding the bottle of wine. Hello? It’s still only 10 am. Okay closer to 10:15 now because maybe I’ve been talking for a few minutes. But Wizard’s retired, maybe I shouldn’t judge? I decide to distract him and go on,  “But the hybrid will wake and when he does, it’s going to be hellish. They must find where he’s hibernating before that…REALLY?” I snap as I see him reach into the cupboard where the wine glasses are. “Are you really going to drink wine at 10 am?”

Slowly, Wizard turned around holding a mug. “I’m making tea. Remember? That’s why I’m standing here at the stove with the kettle of boiling water?”

“Oh.” I um…

After pouring his water over the tea bag, Wizard peered at me. “When was the last time you slept?”

“I slept.” For a couple hours. “But we’re not talking about sleeping, we’re talking about CAGED MAGIC. This all makes sense right?”

“Perfectly.”

I gaped at him. “You really followed that? Honestly?”

He laughed. “I’ve between married to you long enough to know the right answer.”

True, he has. And he spent a good couple hours researching possible vacations. He swears if he books something it’ll be for both of us, not just him. I want to believe that…and also believe that I can really get this book written in some coherent fashion.

So…if you read all that, you deserve a little Valentine’s gift, so here you go!

Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day!

I’m pretty much AWOL right now, trying to chase down this story. I do read every comment even if I don’t answer. But let’s not talk about me or the book, let’s talk about this candidate:

What do you think, is he worthy?