Lazy Day

So as the title says, it was a lazy day at home today, and I'm posting this at 7:43 PM, LOL.

As you can see above we have a cup of hot chocolate with homemade whipped cream.

My son is awesome!!

Also used a gift from yesterday's holiday party with my RWA chapter one of the members made for everyone. Homemade bath salts. :-)  Loved it!!

Made pork chops for dinner, then worked on some decorations for the Christmas tree.

It was a good day to relax and do nothing...well almost nothing LOL.

Read Lots and Stay Spicy!

C~

Back in the Writing Mode :-)

So I've finished my office wall finally...well ok, it will probably NEVER be finished LOL.
But my husband finished my customized white board months ago. He worked faster to get it done hoping it would help motivate me to come back into my office / writing / reading room, and the poor thing has just been hanging there until recently.

It works great!! I bought the Expo Bright Sticks Fluorescent wet erase bullet point 'markers' and have had plot, characters and worlds sectioned out. I even wrote on the bottom of one chapter that 'I needed a bigger board' lol. He said, "There's no room for it." Next house I guess ;-)

Then my dad brought me down some Broyhill cabinets all the way from Pennsylvania. :-)
I have some stuff on the shelves, but have plans :-) I have plans :-).

My son told me my writing is no longer my 'hobby' so I needed to find another avenue to relax. He's right! Writing has not been my 'hobby' in a long time! It's a career I want to take full time and exceed at. So I've two ideas to try out to see how I like them.

1. I've decided to make a wedding album, as we've been married almost three years and I still cannot find one I like.

2. On the bottom shelf of the cabinet closest to the windows, I'm going to try my hand at constructing a Fairy Village. ( I put some of the materials and books on my Christmas wish list :-) )

And the wonderful news since last week -- I've been able to sit down and plot out two more books. I have one more to go for a series I want to do and the first manuscript is already finished.

You don't know the relief of being able to have plots flowing through my mind, that the well has opened up again and it's filling with the freshest water one could ever imagine.

NOW I KNOW I'm on the road to recovery!! And it's given me the hope that I'm going to be ok, that I can work through anything that comes up and hits me smack in the face like a wet diaper :-) LOL, YUCK!! Hahahaha.

So my office / writing / reading room is not completely finished in decor, nor will it ever be knowing me LOL. My husband is helping me pick out a comfortable chair to sit in when I don't want to be at my desk to read or write. Of course it has to be big enough for the fur baby lol. Elvis sits everywhere I do.

Elvis waiting for me to sit down and start writing :-)

He's also mentioned getting me a new chair for my desk, as I gave my newer one(the one above) to my son when his broke ;-) MOM's it's what we do LOL.

Stay well everyone and Stay Spicy!!

C~

Apology to my Readers, Publishers & Friends...

So it’s been a while since I’ve been online, especially social media. It’s not something that was foreseen and I had little control over, even though I wanted to and for that I apologize to my readers, publishers and friends.

Being diagnosed with an invisible medical issue was hard enough, but the effects were a bit harder as it was something I was not prepared for.

Thankfully I have an outstanding doctor who saw straight into the problem and jumped on it immediately.

I’m still battling with some issues from this diagnosis, so for now I’ll be keeping what it is to myself. I know thousands of people out there deal with it on a daily basis and speak of it openly, but I’m not ready for that and may never be.

Those who read my blog or posts know I don’t usually post anything that is not ‘author’ related in some sort. I’m a very private person. Even with my personal accounts where I have only family and friends on, I don’t post anything to personal.

I do want to say I’ve had the utmost support from my immediate family, best friend and (day job) boss! Support I never thought I’d have, and for that I offer the most heartfelt thank you!

My goal this year was to have two completed manuscripts sent into publishers.

Well I can say that has not happened. I did finish one, at the beginning of the year when my RWA chapter started our Prod Your Muse competition for its members. 

I can’t guarantee it today, but I’m hoping to have it sent into one of my publishers before the end of December.

That is my new goal!

I knew I was feeling better when I went and sat in my writing/reading room (my office J ), just sat there, dusted a little…OK a lot J, then a few days later had a plot rumbling through my skull and the very next weekend sat down and outlined it.

Then this week during my time off for the holiday, I had another plot rumbling, sat down the day after Thanksgiving and outlined that one as well. WHAT? You thought I was shopping on black Friday?? You’re crazy LOL. Only on-line J  (I worked to much retail in my younger years to even want to step foot outside my house on that nutty day J)

I can’t say I’ll be posting every week or twice a week (Fun Drink Friday) But I’m going to give it a shot. I want my routine back!

Here’s to routines!! (Coffee mug held high) J

Fun Drink Friday - White Summer Sangria

From Our friends at: Midnight Mixologist

Remember to drink responsibly and stay spicy 

                                                                

C. A. Salo

Indulge in the Spicy Side of Romance

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

www.authorcasalo.com

Quotes on Writing

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury

I try to leave out the parts that people skip. ~Elmore Leonard

If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster. ~Isaac Asimov

Books want to be born: I never make them. They come to me and insist on being written, and on being such and such. ~Samuel Butler

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a 'quote' but my favorite is from Albert Einstein.

When he had a study offered to him at Princeton I believe, they asked him what he'd need beside a desk, chair, pad and pencil. His reply was a 'wastebasket to hold all my mistakes.'

Have a great Sunday all!!

Keep Reading and Stay Spicy!!

C. A. Salo

Indulge in the Spicy Side of Romance

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

www.authorcasalo.com

Back in the Saddle ... Maybe

Sorry, I'm not talking about horseback riding, although I would love to hitch a saddle up and go for a ride.

~~ Memories floating back from childhood ~~ 

Ahem, oh sorry...

Nope I'm talking about being back on-line. 

I haven't posted for the last few weeks, due to a back issue, which 

hopefully has been straightened out.

I went Friday for a shot and now the wait is on to see if it works.

If yes, then we know what the issue is and I can go to physical therapy to work on the issue.

If not -- well, that's why it's called the practice of medicine.

During my day job I'm at the desk & computer about 7 hours and then come home do all the good stuff like, cook

then usually write or something book related for an hour or two, and go over my son's home school work he had for the day.

(Last year of home school high school) YAY we have a graduate!!

But because of this back thing I've only been able to sit and write or do book stuff maybe one day a week (Usually on a Sunday), if I'm lucky. So the past 8 months have literally been HELL, especially lately. 

I'm used to going, going, going! Not -- oh damn I hurt, oh damn that hurts, oh damn, oh damn, oiiii, ouch, my back is killing me!

Hey I know I can't do the same things I did in my 20's,  I'm in my 40's and slowing down -- slightly, but this is ridiculous!

I've hurt so bad, I just crash on the couch after the day job. Saying its find your own for dinner tonight and passing out by 8.

Yeah starting to feel like an older lady here. 

Working off the smart phone while laying down is not my area of expertise and I hate doing it. So until I'm forced to or it's my only dang choice, it probably will not be happening anytime to soon.

Keeping my spirits up this shot will work!!

Hope everyone has a GREAT Sunday 

and remember

Keep reading and stay Spicy

C. A. Salo

Indulge in the Spicy Side of Romance

Other Kin 2 in 1 Release Now Available

The Minotaur’s Mate – Now Available

www.authorcasalo.com

To Series or Not to Series...

That is the question!

For me anyway.

I've completed a 20K+ word novella and it has all the markings of a series. 

But...and I've been sighing over this for 2 months now. Do I want to make it into a series or keep it as a single read? ???????????

Grrrrr Arrrrggg!!

I have two other plots already half formed (in my brain) but do I want to put them down to pen and paper -- AKA the computer, or do I want to brush them aside for the time being, go on to something else and maybe bring the plots back later in stories of their own, with no relation to the novella I finished? ????????????????

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

The woes of an author!!

I know series are 'big' at the moment, so why not sit down and crunch two more novellas out? 

Series however take time in planning, and although I am a 'panster' (I write by the seat of my pants). There is some planning you have to do to make sure the series comes out right. 

Like all eye, hair colors are the same if character from book 1 is in book 3. Body types, mannerisms etc... 

Trust me as a reader when I sit down to read a series, I have noticed little inconsistencies, that have me grabbing the book before and reading it again to make sure I'm not losing my mind, that YES, her/his eyes were blue in the first one and now they're silver!

I'm anal that way LOL. 

So I'm thinking I need to sit down and really think this over, making a decision by the end of today!

Maybe I'll finish my office wall today and clean my office while I'm putting everything into place. After all there's nothing like having a clean work area to stimulate the mind.

Have a great day all!! 

Stay Spicy

C~

www.authorcasalo.com

Happy 4th of July !!!!

Happy 4th of July America!!!!

Fun Drink Friday - 2 Drinks - Happy 4th!!

Freedom Punches

1.5 Cups Strawberry Smirnoff

3 Cups Lemonade OR Cranberry Juice

Serves 8

From our Friends at: Smirnoff

Non-Alcoholic Drink

Charles Maraia

Raspberry Fizz

Ingredients

1/2 

cup 

sugar

3 

tablespoons 

lime juice

2 

cups 

cranberry juice

3 

cups 

seltzer

1 

cup 

ginger ale

1 

pint raspberry sorbet

Directions

1. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the lime juice. Let the lime syrup cool to room temperature.
2. In a large pitcher, combine 1/2 cup of lime syrup with the cranberry juice, seltzer, and ginger ale. To serve, pour into glasses and top with scoops of raspberry sorbet.

Hands-On Time 

 

5 

minutes 

 

Total Time 

 

30 

minutes

Serves 6

From our Friends at: Real Simple

                                     Happy 4th all!!

                         Drink Responsibly & Stay Spicy!!

                                              C~

www.authorcasalo.com

Torridbooks.com

Wilderroses.com

2 Reads @ 1 Price

Torridbooks.com

If you haven't read The Other Kin Series, now is the time to do it.

Whiskey Creek Press Torrid has released Book 1 & Book 2 in a special release for the price of one book!

The Werewolf’s Mate: Book 1 – Paranormal – Erotic Romance
Betrayal and fright caused her to run. A threat to her home town lures her back. 

Welcome to Alston, Maine. A place where different Other Kin species have lived in peace and thrived for centuries. However, there’s one major rule: if you leave and know of a threat to the town, you must come back in person to report all details. 

Woodland Fairy Kalana Fairlawn ran when she thought her soul mate, and Lyken warrior, Drake Roven, had betrayed her on the night of their first mating, leaving her pregnant and vulnerable. 

Nine years later darkness emerges that could threaten the existence of Alston and all the different Other Kin species who call it home. 


The Dragon’s Vamp: Book 2 – Paranormal – Erotic Romance
What does a Dragon shifter do when she’s told her soul mate has been chosen for her? Fight like hell! 

Mariwen Gawain, dragon shifter and protector of Alston, trusts very few people, but when she comes back to protect her home and territory from the darkness, her body ignites with passion for Rhys Beven, the powerful vampire coven leader of Alston. 

Fighting her passions and the threats to the town, Mari breaks down and gives the hot-blooded Vamp a chance. 

Trust is a necessity as they combat the darkness for their town, their lives, and their love, especially when Mari charges into battle, using her dragon’s breath full force at their enemy, with Rhys right in the line of fire.

Also Available at: Amazon and Barnes and Noble 

Read Responsibly & Stay Spicy

C~

www.authorcasalo.com

Fun Drink Friday - Dawn of the Daiquiri

Dawn of the Daiquiri

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Part Pucker® Cherry Schnapps
• 1 Part Cruzan® Rum
• 4 Parts Lemon-Lime Soda

HOW TO

1. Build over ice, stir gently, and serve.

Beginner Level

From our friends at: Dekuyper

Happy Father's Day

I'm sorry to say to all you peeps out there

BUT...

I HAVE THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD!

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's Out there!!

Fun Drink Friday - Malibu Passion Breeze

 Malibu PASSION BREEZE

• 
  
• 1 ½ parts Malibu
• ¾ part pineapple juice
• ¾ part cranberry juice

Add all ingredients over ice in a highball and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge.

From our Friends at: Malibu

Remember to drink responsibly! 

Card Games

So I'm not really a big board game person. Hence we had Monopoly in the house when my son was younger and that's it.

One of my grandmothers friends made from wood a game almost like Sorry, but instead of the dice push thing in the middle you use a deck of cards. 

We used to play that every night (good for the brain) until we moved and now it's in a box somewhere, along with my Uno. I love that game.

So my son watches Wil Wheaton's Table Top. (You know Wil Wheaton - Wesley Crusher from Star Trek the Next Generation)

It's actually pretty good LOL. I've watched a few myself.

So the man son of mine comes out (He's not a man child anymore as he's past 18) and says 'mom, new game, it's easy to play, you don't have to memorize any rules, they always change.'

I'm like yeah, yeah right, sure. As I take my time after dinner to prolong the enviable of sitting down to play a game.

'He' clears the table, wipes it down and brings out this box (See pic above) I'm like, ok, Star Fluxx, what in the heck??

I have to say, it was fun!! It's a mix between three to four Sci-Fi shows I grew up watching and he was right...there are NO rules, except for the rule / goal that's down and that can change with a turn. 

We played two more games and they went pretty quick, the first one was about thirty minutes, the second about fifteen.

From what I understand there are a lot of different Fluxx games out there some with themes like Star Fluxx.

Here's the Table Top YouTube video I watched so I knew what in the heck I was doing...somewhat 

LOL. 

NOTE : They are adults playing so there are some cuss words parents may not like for under age kids. But hey, you're on my blog, so you shouldn't be here if you're under age anyway! HA!

I Finally Watched Maleficent...

So yes, I finally watched Maleficent.

I think I put it off for so long because I am a BIG Disney freak 

and most of the time I do not like changes concerning the favs I grew up with, because a lot of them get messed up so bad *Sigh*.

But then I figured it wasn't Sleeping Beauty's story, it was Maleficent's story and the why of why she did what she did.

I have to say...

I LOVED IT!! 

I think Angelina Jolie did a perfect Maleficent and told the story, through expressions and words expertly! 

The story didn't end the way I thought it would, NOT at all like the animation. -- AND I LOVED IT!!

Disney pulled that one off RIGHT as rain!! 

I'm not going to spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but Maleficent is not only about revenge and how said revenge came to be. It's also a story of unconditional love, strength and pride.

I don't ask for many movies, but I asked my husband to buy this one for me.

So I'm going to share the DisneyMusicVevo

sung by Lana Del Ray Video

What a voice she has!!

Enjoy!!

LAST Day to ENTER the Best Selling Author Giveaway!!

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR BEST GIVEAWAY TO DATE! 6 WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED. ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: SURVIVOR PLANET BOOK BUNDLE BY JULIET CARDIN SIGNED BOOK BY C.A. SALO WITH SWAG C.L. SCHOLEY AUDIO BOOK

The giveaway will end on June 5th, 2015.

I'll be giving away 2 Goody Bags: inside there will be:

A Signed Print Copy of A Slave's Way Out,

goodies, (Now you know some yummy chocolate is going to be in there) 

with Swag

Best Seller and Winner of Torrid's Title of the Year Award

A Slave's Way Out

By: C. A. Salo

Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read
Twolips Recommended Read
Readers' Choice #1 Torrid Bestseller Of The Month

They came from different parts of the universe: Catrin Munroe, a navy fighter pilot, gifted with visions and on the run from the alien race that abducted her; and Niko Arrian, a lord of Neris and mercenary warship captain, accustomed to women fawning over him and men cowering from a single cold glare.

When a vision guides Catrin to Niko, they find their lives filled with a passion neither of them ever expected. Will Catrin learn to submit to Niko’s dominant ways, and will Niko discover the sweet art of seduction and clever manner of compromise?

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

ONLY 2 Days left to Enter

DON'T MISS OUT ON OUR BEST GIVEAWAY TO DATE! 6 WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED. ENTER NOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: SURVIVOR PLANET BOOK BUNDLE BY JULIET CARDIN SIGNED BOOK BY C.A. SALO WITH SWAG C.L. SCHOLEY AUDIO BOOK

The giveaway will end on June 5th, 2015.

I'll be giving away 2 Goody Bags: inside there will be:

A Signed Print Copy of A Slave's Way Out,

goodies, (Now you know some yummy chocolate is going to be in there) 

with Swag

Best Seller and Winner of Torrid's Title of the Year Award

A Slave's Way Out

By: C. A. Salo

Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read
Twolips Recommended Read
Readers' Choice #1 Torrid Bestseller Of The Month

They came from different parts of the universe: Catrin Munroe, a navy fighter pilot, gifted with visions and on the run from the alien race that abducted her; and Niko Arrian, a lord of Neris and mercenary warship captain, accustomed to women fawning over him and men cowering from a single cold glare.

When a vision guides Catrin to Niko, they find their lives filled with a passion neither of them ever expected. Will Catrin learn to submit to Niko’s dominant ways, and will Niko discover the sweet art of seduction and clever manner of compromise?

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!