From Hot Dogs to French Politics

My son desperately wanted a hot dog for lunch today so like a good (i.e., doormat) mother, I trotted off to the store in search of hot dogs and other 'necessities.'  In England, you don't have the option of buying all-beef hot dogs which is what I would typically buy in the US.  You also don't seem to have the option of buying grillable hot dogs.  It's boiled all the way, baby.  I chose the tin (that's right, they come in a can) that read 'American-style' hot dogs and then did something I've tried to avoid my entire life.  I read the label.  I didn't intend to read the label, but I was curious to know what they considered 'American-style.'  Turns out in England American-style means 82% chicken.  Yes, chicken.  Not very American after all.  I checked out a few more cans that were not American-style.  I found one with 63% pork and 11% machine-separated chicken (lovin' that phrase).  To top it off, my son hates chicken so I chose a glass jar (phew) with the highest pork content available.  I just wanna know which marketing execs over at the foreign hot dog company are so ill-informed that they think chicken is the main ingredient in our dogs.  Don't they know it's chemical stabilizers??


At the other end of the food spectrum, I made an important discovery this week.  Brace yourself for the most pretentious statement you've read this week -- I much prefer California avocados to South African.  There, I've said it.  Call the snob police because I am busted.


And finally, speaking of hot dogs and snobs, it's au revoir to the vertically-challenged Nicolas Sarkozy.   The French president was  defeated this week by socialist candidate Francois Hollande.   Here's the bit I really enjoy about this story, though.  In 2007, Hollande ran for the presidential nomination and was defeated by his then partner of 30 years and mother of his four children, Segolene Royal who, in turn, lost to Sarkozy.  After that election, the pair broke up allegedly because of his affair with a journalist (whom he is still with today).  Royal supported Hollande during this campaign (probably through gritted teeth).  So let's break this down into things that would never happen in US politics: (1) an unmarried mother of four wins the a major party nomination for president; (2) the lothario male partner runs in the next election and wins...with her support; (3) nobody in France raises an eyebrow.  No John Edwards-style trials, no lynch mobs.  The French don't care about your private (or, in this case, public) affairs as long as you can do your job.  And France, may I point out, is a predominantly Catholic country.  Lessons we can learn, America!    


Quote of My Week:  "It's fantastic!  Mommy, you did a great job." - My 5-year old to me after I rearranged her bedroom.
     

A Little Love for VD (that would be Vampire Diaries)

I love TV.  I do; I freely admit it.  As my time is limited, though, I try to restrict my viewing pleasure to shows I really enjoy.  (The same can't be said for my father who will sit through every cop show, even the ones made in Canada, every season of Survivor, and the various shows now featuring junk collectors.)  I recently tried Suits and Grimm but gave up after two and three episodes, respectively.  Suits was ludicrous and the two leads interchangeable.  Grimm's lead was too bland and the oddball wolf frenemy needed waaay more screen time than he got.  That guy made the show.  I still like True Blood, Glee, Modern Family, am loving Game of Thrones, but the one show that really brings home the bacon week after week has to be The Vampire Diaries.


I haven't read the books so I'm not sure how faithful the show is, but I am surprised and delighted by each episode.  I eat up Damon's constantly wiggly eyebrows, the never-ending uncertainty involving uber-compassionate Elena and the Salvatore bros doesn't get stale, and the budding relationship between sassy Caroline and evil Klaus.  Even the exceedingly long cast of characters fails to annoy me.  I keep 'em all straight.  Not too difficult when they all are so easy on the eyes.  Only rarely do I pause to wonder whether Alaric pays the mortgage on Elena's house and in which season Mrs. Lockwood will finally become interesting.  So thank you, VD, for bringing it every episode for the past three seasons.  Keep those dreamboats, er, I mean awesome storylines, coming!


Quote of My Week: "Dear Diary, a chipmunk asked me my name today. I told him it was Joe. That lie, will haunt me, forever."  - Damon, mocking Stefan's penchant for broody journaling 

I Am Elsewhere

I'm guest posting today over on Supernatural Snark and revealing some character inspiration for Ravenstoke.  Please head over there and check it out.  Thanks so much to Jenny for having me.  Hers is one of the most thoughtful YA blogs out there! 

This Blog, It Is A-Changin'

To coincide with the launch of my latest book this week, I'm a doing a bit of housekeeping that includes this blog.  You see, my new book is a middle grade fantasy adventure entitled In the Land of the Sapphire Sea.  (I've added the cover and links in the sidebar.)  This book is aimed at 9-12 year olds and is available in print and ebook format.  I don't know how many 9-12 year olds are reading ebooks yet, research suggests not very many.  Despite this, I've decided to separate my 'brands' and move my more adult content to another blog under the Keeley Bates pen name.  http://keeleybates.blogspot.com.   As a result, I've moved some old content from this blog and will be posting it on the other blog.  


Rest assured, this blog will continue to cater to the YA/MG crowd while Keeley Bates will be for the 'dults.  In the event that internet savvy 12 year olds start clicking onto my blog, I wanted to remove some potentially offensive content.  


And now here's the blurb for my latest offering --

Twelve-year-old Emily Timmons is tired of being upstaged by her confident and capable younger sister. Charlotte Amelia, on the other hand, idolizes her big sister and follows her everywhere, including to Emily’s special treehouse. When a freak earthquake transports the girls from the treehouse to a magical land, Charlotte Amelia is captured by an evil Imp queen. To save her sister from the queen’s cruel clutches, Emily must swallow her fear and perform nine treacherous tasks, one task for each year of her sister’s life. As Emily’s quest progresses, however, she and her new friends begin to suspect that the Imp queen may only be using the girls as part of a larger, wicked plan. Emily must find courage within as she braves sea serpents, dragons, giants, and other creatures in exchange for her sister’s freedom.   

It is Better to Give...

First order of business -- I'm following on from my last post to let you know that Ravenstoke is also now available in paperback on Amazon and CreateSpace.


Now on to the giving -- I have several giveaways on various blogs at the moment including Candace's Book Blog, Paranormal Wastelands, and I Just Wanna Sit Here and Read.  Next Thursday, Rachel down in Oz will host a giveaway on her blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten.  On Feb 20, a giveaway begins over on One A Day YA.  Stay tuned for more updates or you can always check my Facebook fan page (click on FB on the side of this blog) or my Twitter for more timely deets.


Quote of My Week:  Me to 7 year old son - "What kind of fool do you take me for?"  Son - "Um, Daddy?"

Winterborne Now In Paperback

Yes, I realize I'm going a little backwards with the whole ebook to paperback thing, but there it is.  Winterborne is now available in beautiful, smell-the-pages paperback on CreateSpace and Amazon.  


Ravenstoke will be next up.  Just waiting for the proof to approve it!  


Also, please keep an eye out for my middle grade novel in the next few weeks.  If you know any kids ages 9 and up who like themselves a little unicorn and adventure, this will be the book for them.  More to come on that. 


Quote of My Week:  "I love the book! I would buy it if it was published. It was truly was one of the best books I have ever read and I was honored to read it." - Abby, middle grade beta reader 

Keep Those Reviews Coming

I am very excited to see positive reviews coming for Ravenstoke.  Please check out the latest at The Caffeinated Diva.