What I'm Reading/Watching Today

Saturday Fun--Twilight With Cheeseburgers

Friday!

What I'm reading today... (a very fun travel/food/life account by restaurant reviewer Moira Hodgson)

And I'm at Emily Bryan's blog today, plugging the anthology!

Middlemarch

So, have you ever wanted to read (or re-read) Middlemarch? (You really should--it's one of my mostest favorite books ever!) Now is your chance. The "Fill in the Gaps: 100 Project" is hosting "Middlemay," a virtual book club reading MM through May and part of June. I have a lot on my plate this summer, but the chance to discuss this book with other readers is very tempting....

And I'm also at Kwana's Blog today, talking about the anthology!

Costume Con

I really, really wish I could be at this Costume Con this weekend! It must be amazing to see that many gorgeous costumes all in one place. But I'm afraid my mother would revolt if I asked her to make, er, say 5 new costumes for an event...

Also at Vagabonds

And I'm also at Romance Vagabonds with Diane and Deb, talking about the new anthology (and giving away a copy!)

Risky Tuesday

Over at Risky Regencies today, talking about teh sexiness...

I'm Back!

I'm finally back home, with full computer access and 400 emails to wade through! I missed my email and blogs soooo much, but once in a while it's essential to have a break. Keeps my creativity from drying up (not a good thing when I have 3 projects on my plate and more in waiting!), and keeps me from going crazy (not to mention freezing in that "poised over computer with clawed hands" pose).

I was at a mineral spa up in the mountains, not far from Abiqiu, called Ojo Caliente. It's a gorgeous, gorgeous place, perfect for those times when what's needed most is peace and quiet (and the unknotting of muscles). Then there were a few days in Santa Fe, with some very un-spiritual shopping! Found a great dress for RWA this summer...

And, of course, there was reading. As usual, I hauled about a bajillion books with me (must get a Kindle soon!), but once I was there none of them appealed. The tiny bookstore had many spiritual-meditation type books, two romances, a few Southwestern-theme mysteries, and (for some reason) lots of YA. So I read Breaking Dawn (I know, I am wayyyy behind the curve there), and a very fairy-tale-ish book called The Amaranth Enchantment, which (I admit it) I bought for the beautiful cover, but which proved to be sweet and fun and just fantasy enough.

A great trip. But now I have piles of laundry to attend to...

Gone For a Few Days

I am off to a yoga retreat for a few days! But don't worry--I've left a post for Hottie Monday, be sure to check in then. In the meantime, don't have too much fun without me!

What I'm Reading Today

Research for a glimmer of a story idea...

Agent for a Day

Nathan Bransford has "Be An Agent For A Day" going on his blog until Saturday (here)! Give it a try. I always thought it must be tough to be an agent (or editor), with so very much work on your plate, and so many queries and proposals pouring in every day. After reading through these, I see it's even harder than I thought! I think I'll stick to writing (though it's no walk in the park, either...)

At RR Today

At Risky Regencies today, talking about movies http://riskyregencies.blogspot.com/

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, everyone! Even though it's cold and rainy here today, I love Easter. It feels like spring has really started, with all the girls in their fancy dresses and white shoes, the thought of green grass and pastel eggs. Enjoy!

Red Lipstick Help!

Slumber party update--all went well! There was much running, shrieking, gossiping, Wii-playing, then settling down to watch Twilight. (We watched the whole movie, then there were various requests to re-watch some scenes, so that took up a good 3-4 hours. It's tough to gawk at Robert Pattinson that long, but I'm a good godmother and did it for the kids...)



So, something else that's been vexing me. I've been in a lipstick rut for a long time. I'm addicted to pinky-rosy-beigey lippies, and clear-pinky glosses and balms (like Bobbi Brown balm in Petal--love that stuff). But lately I've decided to branch out, try something that's scared me for a long time. Red lipstick.

Now, I have heard many times that there is the right red out there for everyone, we just have to be patient and persevere (sounds like dating, huh?). I haven't yet found the right red, maybe because I try one or two, they don't work out, and I give up in exhaustion (also like dating!). But I want to be old-school glamorous sometimes, like Dita Von Teese or something, so I'm trying again.

I am trying three right now. MAC Russian Red, Clinique Angel Red, and Chanel Fire (I have heard good things about Poppy King's Medieval and Saint Red, but this line isn't available anywhere near where I live!). The MAC is pretty good. I am very pale, with pinky skin, dark hair, blue eyes, and I have a hard time drawing "inside the lines" when applying lipstick (maybe why I stick to pink glosses?). Any suggestions needed!!!

Slumber Party Madness

So, I'm crazy. I agreed to help a friend supervise a slumber party tonight for her daughter's birthday. A bunch of 11-year-olds, stuffed full of sugar, oh noes!

I don't have any kids, of course, and have not had a slumber party since I was in high school. I have no idea what good activities might be. But I have a cunning stand-by plan (to paraphrase Blackadder). They can watch Twilight (again), which I know my friend's daughter loves. Then we're all happy and (hopefully) quiet. :)

Any advice for me???

What I'm Reading Today

Another Fabulous Exhibit

Another reason I need a trip to Europe right now! An exhibit of costumes from The Duchess at Chiswick (see info about it here). I've been lucky enough to visit Chiswick, it's a beautiful place with lovely gardens, a perfect party house and a great place to view these costumes. Wish I was there. Waaah! (surely I could just pop over the Atlantic for a few days, see the Versailles exhibit, hop on the Eurostar...anyone with me?)

Little Dorrit Part Two

Tonight is Part Two of the BBC's Little Dorrit! I was really enthralled by part one last week, despite the fact that this is definitely not fun escapism, a la Northanger Abbey. In fact, it's almost painfully prescient in the way it reflects this country's own current circumstances (massive debt, ponzi schemes, double-talking, unfeeling politicians!). The atmosphere is bleak and dark, characters solemn and secretive. And the cast is huge and complicated, even for Dickens (top-natch casting all around, too--but I can't help wondering where is Judi Dench, LOL). Yet I can't stop watching, and wondering what will happen next even I already know (nothing good!)

Another Great Exhibit

And yet another reason I must get to Europe ASAP! The Court Pomp and Royal Ceremony exhibit at Versailles. It sounds amazing.

I'm also playing around with the images on the blog, adding as many Versailles-ish things as possible! It's definitely a WIP. Let me know what you think.

Henry VIII Anniversary

I wish I could take a trip to England this year! There's so many amazing events planned for the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne. Now, I don't much like King Henry (though I do like several of his wives!), but there is no denying this period was fascinating. Some highlights of the anniversary include:

An exhibit at Windsor Castle

"Henry VIII Remembered" at the National Portrait Gallery

An exhibit and related events (including films) about Henry VII and VIII in Richmond at the Museum of Richmond

"Henry VIII: Romance and Intrigue" at Sudeley Castle (the last home of his last wife, Katherine Parr)

Exhibits and events at Hever Castle (family home of wife two, Anne Boleyn! This one looks like a big, fun Renaissance Faire)

"Dressed to Kill" at the Tower

Living History Weekend and Tudor Water Pageant, June 20-21 (I really, really wish I could see this!)

And much more. (Closer to home, I think the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC is having an exhibit in the fall...)

Anyone planning to attend any of these???

Monday, Monday

Mondays really are terribly dismal, aren't they? And they go by so sloooow. Maybe I'll start making them a bit more fun around here by featuring a Monday hottie. This week (since I spent my weekend watching North and South for the 437th time), Richard Armitage.

Suggestions for future Mondays welcome!

New Website Up!

My alter-ego, Laurel McKee, has her new website up and running! Check it out for info on the upcoming "Daughters of Erin" trilogy from Grand Central Publishing, including an excerpt and historical background on Georgian Ireland...

Also, Amanda McCabe has updates on her site (especially an excerpt from the novella Charlotte and the Wicked Lord, from the Diamonds of Welbourne Manor anthology, out in May from Harlequin Historicals!)

What I'm Reading Today

New Shakespeare Portrait

I've been reading articles about the "newly discovered" Shakespeare portrait (which hung quietly in an Irish house for 400 years). (See one such article here)

It does sound more plausible that the totally unbelievable Jane Austen "Chandos portrait" that went to auction not long ago (and failed to say, because everyone could see how thin that story was!). Plus Shakespeare was kind of a cutie, if this portrait is to be believed, with great fashion sense! What do you think?

What I'm Reading Today

18th Century Shoes

Marie Antoinette movie shoes!
Martha Washington's wedding shoes

18th Century Style

I've been doing lots of research lately on 18th century fashion, which of course involves lots of online searching and looking at pics of paintings and extant clothing (it's hard, but I'm willing to suffer for my work, LOL!) One great feature is the search engine on the Metropolitan Museum website (just type in the years you're looking for, i.e. 1700-1800 or whatever, and click on Costume Institute. It's also a great way to find portraits of the era). I think this is my very favorite era of fashion.

Here are a few of the stunningly beautiful things I've found there:











I'll be posting more images here in the next week or so, so stay tuned!

V-Day

Over at Risky Regencies, talking about Valentine's Day and the language of flowers! Hope you're having a great day, with lots of chocolate...

What I'm Reading Today

What I'm Reading Today

For research on my work-in-progress (it's all-Ireland-all-the-time here lately--luckily it's almost St. Patrick's Day!)

Because I find Potter fascinating. Wish I could live on a farm and raise sheep, too...

For fun! I love cozy mysteries and I love yoga, what could be better?

What are you reading today???

Updates!

Okay, I know it has been a long (long, long) time since any updates were made here! I'm going to start making some (sporadically, anyway) in order to keep up with books out, vacations taken, fun things like that.

For now: High Seas Stowaway is still available, as is its companion ebook Shipwrecked and Seduced

The anthology Diamond of Welbourne Manor (with my story Charlotte and the Wicked Lord, along with tales by Diane Gaston and Deb Marlowe) will be out in May '09, look for lots of fun blog touring and giveaways!

And my first Grand Central Publishing title, book one in the "Daughters of Ireland" trilogy (set in Ireland and England around the time of the 1798 uprising) will be out in February 2010, just in time for the big V-Day! My author name on these books will be--Laurel McKee. It's fun having 2 of me...

Thanks to the urging of Keira (and my own quest to find ways to waste time online) I'm now on Twitter! Follow me at Amanda7551

And, as always, I'm at Risky Regencies every Saturday

Summer Stuff

I know this blog has been on hiatus for a shockingly long time, but I've been busy writing books and watching Dancing With the Stars (yay, Apolo!). Quick reminder that the new book (see cover!) is out in August, and you can catch me every Saturday at Risky Regencies (we also have lots of fun contests and such there, so don't miss it).

On Blog Vacation

The day job and the new book are taking up way more time than I planned! Plus the holidays, eeek. So I am putting this blog on hiatus until after the New Year. But I am still at Risky Regencies every Saturday, be sure and visit me there. We have lots of interviews and contests lined up!

Happy Holidays!

Turkey Day

Hello Kitty says Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day, and don't get run over at the mall tomorrow morning. :)

St. Cecilia Day

Nov. 22 is the feast day of St. Cecilia. She, along with Teresa of Avila, is one of my favorite saints. Not because of her typically gory backstory (though those can be fun!), but because she's the patron saint of composers, musicians, musical instrument makers, poets, singers, and, oddly, the archdiocese of Omaha, Nebraska. She also inspired two wonderful pieces of music, Purcell's Hail! Bright Cecilia (1692) and Handel's An Ode for St. Cecilia (1739). For more info on her you can go here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful, safe, and music-filled Thanksgiving!

RR Saturday

I'm over at Risky Regencies today, talking about Twelfth Night traditions. It's the last day to win a copy of Mistletoe Kisses, the Harlequin Christmas anthology, so be sure and pay us a visit!

DWTS final

So, what did everyone think about the Dancing With the Stars final??? I voted for Mario, but I did like Emmitt, too, so I am not terribly sad. But Karina certainly did not look happy. I was waiting for her to pull Cheryl's hair out while screaming, "Beatch!!! You have a trophy, this one is MINE!" But alas, nothing so uncivilized happened--at least not in front of the cameras....

Now there will be no DWTS and no PR, at least not until next year. I have to get back into the groove of line edits, galleys, deadlines, and publicity. Plus the holidays. I'm sure you'll be hearing plenty of whining from me in the next few weeks (good whining, though!). In the meantime, I may sign up for a samba class.

Veteran's Day and RR

In honor of Veteran's Day, I thought I would post a photo of my grandfather, who served in the South Pacific in WWII. He never talked about that time very much, but then he didn't talk much at all. But he did teach me to use power tools, much to my grandmother's chagrin, and told me made-up fairytales about magical snakes who wore tennis shoes. I miss you, Granddad!

Be sure and check over at Risky Regencies for my post today. We're starting a new contest this week, and I announce my book news! Harlequin Mills and Boon/Historicals has bought 3 of my books. The first one will be out in summer '07 (A Kiss of Poison, set in Renaissance Venice!)!!!

Halloween redux

Here are a couple pics from this year's Halloween fest! There's Abigail in her pink tutu--she was so cute and sparkly. :) And me with my dad as pirate and Rasta mon.

Blog Slack Strikes Again!

Wow, I really have not updated here in a while! But I promise to be better. Halloween pics will be up later this week, plus I hope to have some Official Writing News very soon (want to wiat until it all settled before I start shouting from the rooftops!)

In the meantime, I missed posting about Guy Fawkes Day last Sunday! To plan for next years celebration (bonfires in the backyard!) here are a couple good websites:
Guy Fawkes 1
Guy Fawkes 2

And my reaction after seeing the fabulous performances on Dancing With the Stars last night is that they should keep all 3 in the finals, like they did with the last 4 in Project Runway. They are so close there is just no choosing between them at this point. And what was with the complete waste of Il Divo in last week's results show??? I tuned in just to see them (I usually just watch the last five minutes) and they only did one measly song? Shenanigans!

Who are you voting for? Joey, Emmitt, or Mario?

5 Things

I have been SUCH a blog slacker lately! My only excuse is autumn sloth, and trying to research a new project, plus reading 2 (count 'em, 2!) Marie Antoinette books at once (Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette and Queen of Fashion). Megan tapped me for a 5 Things I Know For Sure challenge days ago, and I just read about it last night! Anyway, here goes--and since I'm running around trying to get my costume ready for a Halloween party tonight, it will have a Halloween theme:

1) Milky Way Midnight is the very best candy bar to get in your Trick or Treat bag (Twix and Kit Kats a close second)

2) The Shining is the scariest movie EVER

3) My favorite costume my mother ever made me was a Dorothy from Wizard of Oz, complete with ruby slippers. Or it might be my pirate costume this year, though since I am a makeup applying dunce I doubt I can get the "Johnny Depp eyeliner thing" going. And I'm going to start working on getting a Marie Antoinette costume for next year...

4) The new Marie Antoinette movie, while flawed in many ways, has the best soundtrack ever! And the best shots of pastry in the history of film

5) Speaking of pastry--say what you will about a Napoleon, an Opera, or a kiwi/strawberry tart, a classic eclair is (almost) always the way to go

Lame enough for you, Megan? Next time I will be serious, I promise, with profound musings on Orlando's dimple and how Laura should have won PR. :)

Monday Musings

If you need a little funny to brighten up your Monday (as I always do--Starbucks Green Tea Frappucinos help, too) check out the Andy Dick parody of thos Audrey Hepburn Gap ads on YouTube.

And I heard Chanel is putting Black Satin back into production and shipping on Monday (today!). I am so going to the mall after work. :)

RR Saturday

Am over at Risky Regencies today, talking about Casanova and neologisms (and also time wastage and Go Fug Yourself and PR and DTWTS). Back soon to regularly scheduled posts here, once I get this new proposal into editor-ready shape!

Rainy Mondays

So, today is Columbus Day (as I discovered when I tried to go to the post office this morning!). If you don't feel like celebrating, or if, like me, you do NOT have the day off, check out this site.

In the meantime, I'm just slogging through my Monday, looking forward to Dancing With the Stars (could you believe Vivica left last week, while Jerry stayed!!! Admittedly, she was a little too "I'm such a diva" for me, but she was by far the better dancer) and the first part of the Project Runway finale. Onward!

Hello Kitty Friday

Thanks to Bill for today's HK installment--the exploding Hello Kitty toy. That's just wrong.

And don't forget the Huge Pride and Prejudice contest at Risky Regencies! Ending Sunday. :)

Contest

We're having a fabulous contest over at Risky Regencies! We're giving away TWO copies of the A&E 10th anniversary Pride and Prejudice DVD/book set. Too bad I'm not eligible to enter--I think my copy is getting worn out from being watched 10,000 times. :) The contest runs through Sunday.