Leap Year...

Today is February 29th, 2008.
Aren't you glad I'm keeping every one up to date with these important late breaking and important news events on my blog? :)
I just wanted everyone to know that I was paying attention.

As we all know this date only happens once every four years. According to those who count up and keep track of time...every year there's an extra six hours not accounted for therefore, once every 4 years we play catch up. There are several fabulous math calculations to ascertain whether any given year is a leap year but I usually remember that it's the same year at presidential elections in the US.

One pretty cool thing about this date are all the babies born today will technically only have a birthday once every 4 years.
Handy when you turn forty and can claim you've only had 10 birthdays. :)

I always feel like since this is a rare date that I should do something special.
Today I'm going to go out and spend the day with a friend. Lunch, a movie, and probably some shopping. :)

How will you spend your extra day this year?
L

Romance Novel TV - Fondue anyone?

For those who wonder where I spend my Friday nights...check out this fabulous blog article by Romance Novel TV reporter, PJ. ;)
I even got to sit next to her. :)
http://www.romancenovel.tv/wordpress/rntv/marias-blog/
L


p.s.
Or click HERE for the individual post.

Fate - What does it mean?

I think about fate a lot.
Probably more than I should given that I have deadlines. :)
I looked up fate. It also means destiny.
Destiny refers to a predetermined course of events.



In palm reading, and my limited understanding is that your fate line is the one that goes straight down the center of your hand.
Mine is fraught with all sorts of possibilities early on and then a straight as an arrow line from upper mid palm area...at least that's what I see.
Am I on the right track? If I knew how long I was going to live the lines in my hand might tell my something important. Or not. :)
Or perhaps it's a difference of opinion depending on what another saw in the lines of my hand...or perhaps actual knowledge in palm reading skills is needed, which sadly, I lack.

Where did this all come from?

Occasionally, I'll do something a little out of character for the life I currently lead and I'll wonder...why in the world did I do that?
Perhaps it's fate and one day there will be an explanation. Or more likely not.
Will I even remember this odd occurrence if one day in the future a parallel event arises from it?
Should I just get back to my writing and quit day dreaming?
Um...yes. :)

Fate.
What do you believe?
L

Have a Happy Panda weekend :)

Don't be a sad panda.
Instead, have a great weekend. :)

The little happy panda says, "Hi. How are you?"
Isn't he cute? :)
L

Five Flag Review for The Mercenary's Wife :):)

Thanks so much, Melisa!
L

Review: The Mercenary's Wife by Lara Santiago

Title: The Mercenary's Wife Author: Lara Santiago Publisher: Siren Publishing Genre: Publication date: 01/08 ISBN: 1-933563-99-0 Pages: 273 Series:The Wives Tales Rating: Heat Rating: Reviewer: Melisa

Veronica Moorehouse had her first run in with Tyler Blackthorn when he became her sister’s temporary husband so that she could escape an evil man. The attraction between them was almost overwhelming and Veronica had never felt anything like it. But before she and Tyler can explore the attraction to a greater degree, Veronica is captured and hidden in her father’s house until the man her father has chosen for a husband can marry her. Tyler tried to forget Veronica after she failed to show for a rendezvous. Then he receives a note telling him of Veronica’s marriage auction. For some reason he won’t look too closely at, Tyler has no intention of letting her marry the abusive scum her father wants to tie her to. It’s no secret that after the man was done raping and torturing her, he’d kill her and go on to another bride. Besides, it’s Tyler’s business to temporarily marry women to get them out of bad situations. Only he wasn’t prepared for Veronica. She didn’t want to trick him, but she needed him to be a permanent husband and the only way to do that was to prove they’d had sex. Course, it was no hardship being in Tyler’s bed. Little did she know, Tyler was sober as a judge and willing to see just how far she’d go, and why. They are faced with challenges and road blocks, but will it be their own pride that keeps them apart, or will they find the common ground they need to be together? Lara Santiago has done it again! Fourth in her Wives series, she packs enough raw sex and sweat popping heat to set off a heat wave. This one is a keeper! High marks all around!

Do you ever just want something different?

Hair!
I'm talking about hair people...not anything life threatening or mood altering. :)

I've discovered a process called low lights. A subtle blending of a darker shade throughout my honey blonde locks.

My husband says I now have brown hair and he wants the blonde back.
I told him he'd get used to it. Besides, I still have very blonde hair albeit a slightly darker look.
My kids are split. One likes it the other says he's not used to it yet.
I love it! I'm not changing it. You can't make me. :)

Here is a picture to give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

Now picture this hair on me I also have a similar style...just try to picture it okay...sheesh.

Isn't it cool?
Love low lights.



Has anyone else ever experimented with low lights?
Good results? Bad? No one noticed? Your husband wrinkled his nose and declared you're now a brunette?
L

The Mercenary's Wife ~ Reviews

For Valentine's Day yesterday I got two new reviews for my latest release, The Mercenary's Wife.
I also got roses from my husband. :)
All in all...it was a fabulous day for me.






From Romance Junkies:

Title: The Mercenary’s Wife

Category: Futuristic

Reviewer: Angel

Reviewer e-mail: angelbrewer@romancejunkies.com

Author: Lara Santiago

Publisher: Siren

Release Date: January 2007

Blue Ribbon Rating: 4.5

ISBN: 1933563990

Format: EBOOK

The fourth book in the WIVES TALES series brings us the story of Veronica, who is willing to do whatever it takes to find her sister, even if that means going to a dangerous mercenary for help.

Veronica is in a bind, she is about to be married off to the most evil man she has ever met and her father is behind the horrid plot. Veronica never thinks that help will come in the unlikely form of a mercenary that she met months ago. Now she must convince him to help her find her missing sister. Veronica gets much more than she bargains for.

Tyler hires his services out to those who need it. He has gained a reputation as a husband for hire to help women get away from arranged marriages and such. When he agrees to help Veronica he never thinks that he will wind up permanently married to her with a three-year contract. Veronica wants his help in finding her sister, but he will make sure that he sets the price.

Lara Santiago weaves a plot of futuristic adventure with all of the classic plot twists. Veronica is the brave heroine and this woman isn’t afraid to do what it takes to get what she wants. Tyler is dangerous, but also has a soft side that will make you melt. The two make an explosive couple and together are pure dynamite. An added element to the tale is the mystery of Veronica’s missing sister and of course what plot isn’t complete without a villain, played by Veronica’s father. I have read all of the books in the WIVES TALES series and even though you don’t have to read them to follow this tale, I would recommend it.

And from Two Lips Reviews:

Title: The Mercenary's Wife
Author: Lara Santiago
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Genre: Futuristic
Publication date: January 2008
ISBN: 1-933563-99-0
Pages: 277
Series: The Wives Tales
Reviewer: Victoria

Heat Level:
Rating:

A partial of the review:

If you are a fan of Ms. Santiago’s Wives Tales, this fourth installment will not disappoint you. Ms. Santiago wrote a multi-layered thriller that kept me glued to the edge of my seat until the last word! I loved the way The Mercenary’s Wife starts slow, but quickly picks up speed. Tyler is a wonderfully complex man. Tyler’s hiding a secret past that impacts his current lifestyle, even as he runs a lucrative racket by marrying desperate women for high prices. When he finally acknowledges to himself that he wants to keep his thirteenth bride, Veronica, he wonders if she’ll stay with him. Tyler is unaware Veronica’s just as vulnerable as he is. She’s hiding from past choices she is not proud of either.

These two characters are perfect for each other. I enjoyed their journey as each layer of their past is explored and dealt with. It isn’t until almost the end that characters from the previous three books spill into this storyline. The Mercenary’s Wife is a brilliant story with many complex twists and turns. Thank you, Ms. Santiago, for creating a futuristic world where nothing is black and white. The depth of these characters creates a lot of fuel for thought as we quickly discover that the Tiberian world consists of multi-faceted characters displaying a wide spectrum of actions and reactions. In my opinion, The Mercenary’s Wife is the best of all four Wives Tales. If you enjoy intelligent futuristic adventures that plumb the depths of human emotion, run and buy this book today!


To read the full review at Two Lips Reviews...click HERE

Huge thanks to my reviewers Angel and Victoria!
L

And to my husband for the flowers. They were perfect. :)

I am Milk Chocolate...I knew this. :) Happy Valentine's Day!

You are Milk Chocolate

A total dreamer, you spend most of your time with your head in the clouds. You often think of the future, and you are always working toward your ideal life. Also nostalgic, you rarely forget a meaningful moment... even those from long ago.

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

And the winners are...

Sorry to post this late. My husband brought me roses for Valentine's Day at lunch and the truth is...I got a little distracted. Ahem.
So here is what I decided. I wanted three winners for this contest.

I decided to give one copy to Ruth Long for being first to respond. Yay!!
Then I let my kids each pick and entrant out of the Blue Bear Basket.
I hate when they fight. :)
Therefore Ilona Fenton and Katie Reus are my next two winners.
Congratulations to all.
Hope you enjoy the book.
L

Menagerie ~ coming soon

Menagerie
by Lara Santiago

[Erotic Sci-fi/Multiple Partner Romance] What's a girl to do with five hot guys who need her for their sexual survival the next three years? Create a weekly schedule.
Accidentally transported to an alien spaceship, Valerie Thornhill inadvertently volunteers to be the sexual relief for five men. It is forbidden to show favoritism, and when Valerie falls in love with one of the males in her harem, she jeopardizes the return trip to Earth for all of them.


I love this cover.
The cover artist is Jinger Heaston and as you can see, she's a genius. :)
L

Want a Mercenary?

Or better yet...want a chance to win a pdf e-copy of my latest release The Mercenary's Wife? :)

Here's what you do...send an e-mail to:
Lara@LaraSantiago.com
and in the subject line put: I want a mercenary

I'll put your name in my Blue BearBasket and draw a random e-mail address from the entries at high noon on Valentine's Day.
Good luck. :)
L

The Fantasm Awards Vote

http://fantasmawards.blogspot.com/

I've been nominated in two categories for The Wives Tales. :)
If you'd like to go vote...I think you should.
Thanks,
L

I'm off for a weekend Writing Retreat...

again.

This is what my husband always says when I go away for any writers conference. "Again?" LOL




The last one was in October of 2007 in Cocoa Beach. It was great to get away, and hang out with other writers. Changing my environment, if only for a couple of days, always helps clear my head and freshen my perspective.

This weekend, I'll be in Sarasota, Florida at the Tampa Area Romance Author's retreat. They have a marvelous week-end planned for us. I can't wait. :)

For the next two days I'll be sharing a room with my STAR chapter sisters, Roxanne St. Claire and Kristen Painter. I can't wait. :):)

There will be a few bottles of wine in our room. Tee Hee
I predict there will be lots of laughter and late night chat fests.
Again, I can't wait! :)

I'll also get a chance to hang out with new Siren author, Wendi Darlin.
I met her at the TARA Christmas party and encouraged her to send something to Siren. Now she has a hot new book coming out called Cowboy Games which has a smokin' cover. :) Check out the Siren Coming Soon page.

Have a fabulous weekend.
I'll be back just in time for the Superbowl. :)
L