The Gilded Cage and Hot Couture are OUT!

Phrew, what a day - let me tell you about my two new releases :-)

My 'A Passion for Fashion' series is all about women with some place in the fashion world who experience a once in a lifetime opportunity in the field they love. The first three tales have been brought together to form "Hot Couture" [available in both paperback and ebook].




Who are these women? Well, there's a muse who makes an unusual walk down the runway in "The Leather Bride" [New York], a graduate student hosts her dissertation project...a Haute Couture exhibition...in "Taming Marie Antoinette" [Paris] and a jeweler is offered a place in an world-renowned museum in "The Gilded Cage" [London].



Did I mention they're each located in a different fashion capital? They are and this takes the reader on a trip.

Now, the one thing I have mentioned as yet is the men in these women's lives. They are gorgeous, successful, and have a passion for their lovers that is unmatched. Oh, I almost forgot [not likely :-)]. These couples have a varied taste when it comes to sex...they play!

A bit of random ridiculousness...

All is going well this month of pure writing and a booksigning [on the 21st] but there's been one hiccup - September. Why? Simple really, there's too much I want to do and they are all at roughly the same time!

1. the Moveable Book Society's conference is going to be held in Washington D.C. and will be full of unexpected treasures - since I missed both San Diego and Chicago, I promised myself I'd go to this one but something else came along that was both pleasure and work,

2. the West Hollywood Book Fair - I even said yes I'd go until I remembered,

3. a friend's wedding in Cork, Ireland.

Yup, going to the latter and it's on my birthday as well.

Thursday 13 - #28!

Last week my TT was about where we stayed in Milan. It was a treat all on its own. I was on my own for most of it, cutie had to work some seriously long hours - even jetted off to Paris for a day. Today I'm going to list 13 highlights from the trip:

1.

The Duomo is the most noted of all the sights and it is impressive. There are a many many statues decorating the outside, even a few women, placed there over decades by different artists. I found the crypt - not my usual fortay - interesting. I should've realized then that the gems of Milan would be hidden.

2.

One night the cutie and I were in town and this has to be one of the most vibrant sunsets I've seen. The Duomo is at our back and were looking toward the Castle. Wow!

3.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is right off the Piazza del Duomo [think Traffalgar Square with all the bird - eek] and is full of shopping. No, I didn't take these pictures, mine were far too dark. I had to laugh when I noticed McDonalds was located across from Savini - way upmarket restaurant. Nice. No, I didn't spin on the bull for luck but did shop in one of my favoritebookshops - Rizzoli. Great selection :-) Opposite the Duomo entrance is the one from Teatro alla Scala. Didn't get a chance to go in but would've loved to have - it looks stunning!

4.

The Castello Sforzesco was much more than I'd expected. It's a Castle with a handful of museums inside, but it was the wildlife that caught my attention first. There are over 50 wild cats that have been adopted by the staff and they live in the walls of the building. If you can't see the one white cat in this first pic...



here is a close up...yup, he came out of the hole for scaffolding to sit in a sunny spot on the ledge.

5.

The various museums were a great mixture from Mummy's to musical intruments, but I had one favorite. I could take a picture - too dark - so borrowed these here and here so you guys can get a brief idea of what it looks like. Leonardo Da Vinci was painting the ceiling and walls in this room while working on The Last Supper. It's a pergola and so much more. It's been covered by paneling for decades before they discovered what was underneath. Eventually the limbs and trunks of the trees start digging in through the rock foundation. It is a powerful piece.



6.

Please forgive me for not remembering which church this one is and cobbling the picture together from two, but the beauty is in the differences. This is the backside and interesting to see how many different additions there have been. In front, there was a bride and groom out on the front steps being congratulated and an inside out collande full of young goths. I never really understood what the single row of columns and partial architrave were from, but it was an interesting mixture going on out front and in back. Oh, and the parc where the goths feeling romantic were decorating the benches used to be where they hanged people. Yup, had to laugh.

7.

Did you know there's a canal district in Milan? There is and it's a hot bed of fun! This is where the parties are at night and during the day the shopping is interesting. I forgot to take a picture but there was one guy who had a shop right on the canal and he painted the most incredible purses. Yes, purses that looked so real someone might of picked one off a counter. If he hadn't been closed I think I would've checked it out for one for myself. Fun, quirky, and fell perfectly into the Hot Couture series. Oh yeah, remember, I was in Milan doing research for "His High Stepper" - work, work, work :-)

8.

On the otherside of the canal was a crepe shop! Dang, can't remember what it was called but it was spectacular. The Italians seem to love Nutella. It isn't something I care for so went for a limone e zucchero [lemon and sugar] and it was divine. It was a great little shop, all of those brown things in the cupboard and handmade cones for the gelato, which is found under those brass bells. I did partake a couple of cups of gelato and it was lovely!

9.

I walked, lots. Each morning I'd take the bus to the Central Train Station and from there hop on the Metro and take it to the area I wanted to explore and walk. I enjoy finding the everyday life of these places I visit. Whenever I know I'm going someplace new I get 2 things: popout map and travel guide [like the DK Eyewitness Travel ones because they give you history of the place, details and more about what else there is besides what the place is known for]. Getting off the well known path is how I feel like I get to know some place.

10.

Walking off one of the pedestrian only streets in the Fashion District was a busy street and this was across the way. Really look at it. The windows are different, there's arches for structure but off from those above them, and up top is a fresco. It made me pause - I enjoy finding interesting things like this.

11.

When you see pictures of European cities, you often see these huge double wooden doors, sometimes with a small portal in them and sometimes not. I often wonder what's behind them. Some drive their cars through them for parking, some have private roads behind them, others have extensive gardens. This one had a courtyard with cannons. It was a museum so open to the public.



12.

You guys know me, what's a trip without some cioccolata and once with panna [cream]! Trust me, the cream was a distraction, the chocolate was so thick you ended up with a face full of the stuff before tasting the dark glory :-) The bottom cup won the award for the thickest cup...as it cooled I needed a spoon!

13.

I saved my favorite place for last - the Villa Belgiojoso Bonaparte. This is a place you go to see for the structure as well as the art found inside. Although full of guards, it was all very relaxed with a gem around every corner. One room I walked throug had a young man with a lifesized portrait leaning against the wall and was cleaning it while a young woman was taking detailed photos of the hardwood floors - for repairing. The next room over is the one you see above. Those were the last people I saw for 3 hours when they closed for a 2 1/2 hour lunch :-) From this floor up to the attic was full to the brim of treasures.

My only disappointment, there was no guide for the Villa or any other place other than the Duomo. Such a shame really. The one book I came away from Milan with was The Sforza Castle with watercolors by Jack Tow and text by Amelie Gale.

Many people have mentioned to me that Milan is an industrial city and therefore boring - I beg to differ, I found some of my favorite places and things of all time here. So, if you're ever given an opportunity to visit this city, GO!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone :-)

Thursday 13 - #27!

Back at the start of December the cutie went off to Milan and I went to the New York Small Press & Independent Press Book Fair. It was a wonderful fair, met some truly interesting people, but I knew I would've enjoyed a new adventure with the cutie as well. So, when he had to make the trip again, I went along and what a wonderful hotel he found - and not two blocks away from where he was working. Let me share some of my favorite bits of the Villa Torretta in Parc Nord, Milan.


No, I didn't take this picture, it was dark when I finally thought about doing it. Oh, I guess I should give you a little background on the hotel. It's a renovated 15th century villa that was going to be torn down until they decided it was a true gem inside, because under all the years of white wash and wallpaper were the original frescoes.

The cutie and I were up every morning to eat breakfast together and there were two ways down the hallways from our room to the restaurant.

1.

Downstairs, along the outside hallway and then back upstairs [this is the view of the picture above], or down the hallway from our room. This took us through:

2.

a sitting room,

3.

another sitting room,

4.

a ballroom,

5.

and another ballroom with a coffered ceiling painted with birds,

6.

and into the hallway where the buffet was set up.

7.

And of course I'd enjoy a cioccolata [I could spend another post on this alone, it was gorgeous, thick but not sweet] in one of 3 rooms.

8.

9.

10.

Other highlights in the Villa are:

11.

This is the Torretta Belevedere, which takes some interesting twists and turns to get up to, but it's worth it. I'd bring my laptop up here and get some writing done - yeah, I know, deadlines are deadlines.

12.

This is just one example of how interesting the structure is. The picture is looking down from the 5th floor to the 3rd where there's a glass floor, through which you can see a doorway which doesn't meet up with the current floor - which is as old as mud. These types of unique bits and pieces were all over the place, with a bricked up doorway there and a odd beam ending hanging out over there. Just great.

13.

If you go outside the Villa using the opposite side as the one shown above, then you come out onto a brick courtyard. There's a park on one side and a Chapel on the other. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to go inside, we were out with associates of the cuties the night it was open for a festival. I've seen pictures though and it is as frescoed as the rest of the villa. Incredible!

The staff were very kind and gave me a copy of their guide...research guys, it's all in the name of research :-) I'm not sure how I'll use this gem in "His High Stepper", but it will definitely be there.

Next week I'll show you a few of the highlights from my various trips into the center of Milan.

Buon Giorno!

I'm HOME! Basically we've been gone since before Christmas and I fell in love with my bed all over again last night.

While I was away there was some great news on the publishing front...The Leather Bride, Taming Marie Antoinette and The Gilded Cage are going to be put together and published as Hot Couture, with a simultaneous ebook/print release! How fabulous is that! And, dare I say, what interesting timing because while in Milan I did plenty of research for the fourth book in the series.

That's right, I was in Milan and tomorrow will take the opportunity of TT to share the incredible place we stayed...let's just say Villa, frescoes and plenty of cioccolata calda! So hope to see you all tomorrow!

A bit of random ridiculousness...

Eight different hotels in ten days, what did I learn on this trip? Well, you decide. Here's what happened.

A couple of days in to the trip the cutie mentioned my carrying a Victoria Secret bag was causing interesting looks. No way, I said. That was ridiculous. The bag was full of pens and manuscripts printed out so I could work while in the car [deadlines were and still are looming]. There was also a box of nuts, girlscout cookies [thin mints] and later a license plate holder was added [visited one of my publishers - but more on that later]. Niether of us brought this up again and I kept using the bag to hold things I wanted to get to while we were driving.

Seven days later we unload the car for the latest hotel and it's freezing outside. A few guys called out and offered to hold open the side door for us so we could get inside as quick as possible. Thank you, the cutie said, as he stepped through the door. As I made it to the door, the man holding it open said I see a Victoria Secret bag and say, get those two inside.

I kid you not! It's a bag without a hint of lingerie showing, just the opposite. So what do you take away from this little happening? Me, I'm starting to think guys actually can see sex in just about anything.

Thursday 13 - #26!

I'm Back! Okay, we returned sometime on New Years Eve and am slowly getting back into the swing of things - very slowly and with a few really stupid mistakes along the way. With very short notice as in the day after we had all their pressies shipped to the right of us, we decided to spend the holidays to the right of us - I know, but we wouldn't have carried them over with us anyway. We shopped and posted pressies to the left, wrote this sides cards and posted, packed, left SideShow Bob [prelit palm "christmas" tree], and flew away. So how did it go:

1. Hassle free getting to the airport, checking in, and made it to the lounge where we sat down with a glass of champagne and wrote the cards out for the right of us with plans to post from the airport when we landed. See we were thinking ahead! The flight was slightly delayed, but by the time we pulled away from the gate there were 50 planes ahead of us - GASP! Yes, I counted the planes waiting behind us as we rushed down the runway and hit 38 by the time we pulled up. Most of the flight was full of turbulence so sleeping was tricky - and I missed the hot fudge sundae I'd been looking forward to.

2. Despite the delay, we were only about an hour late. Luggage was there so we went up to the cafe, put stamps on our cards and posted them, then the in-laws arrived and the rush rush began. After flying 6+ hours, we drove 4 [okay I slept most of the way] to the brother-in-laws and were thrilled we had the attic room with our own bathroom and a tv. It was deliciously quiet up there - and with 3 kids under 10, that was really nice. One problem, it was flippin' frigid!

3. The next day, we went into town and did a little shopping and narked everyone off by stopping by the pub on the walk home :-) Yup, roped the sister-in-law onto the dark side. Christmas Eve we hung out at home and played with the kids - eating and drinking, you know, the usual. Later, we wrapped up pressies that had arrived before us unwrapped and then the cutie put together a medieval castle, my part was the battering ram.

4. We actually woke up early - or early for us considering our bodies thought it was about 3am. The house was quiet so I took a shower, pushed the cutie in to take one and went downstairs only to find the kiddos had dashed through their pressies from Santa. Niece #4 had been happily snoozing and the other two waiting patiently for her to wake up. BIL and SIL finally took pity on the boys and woke up sleeping beauty. It was a blast watching them play with their pressies - until the cutie showed the youngest, wildest, nephew #3 how to fling the army out of the castle via slapping the drawbridge down to the ground. Yes, someone is not in the brothers good graces but what can I say, the cutie is a genius :-)

5. Did I just call him a genius? My mistake, because the man found in town a hot pink cowboy hat with a tiara that lit up for me me. Of course I wore it, anything is better than those found in the crackers. Oh, yes, we did the christmas cracker thing, ate turkey, the cutie bbq'd a slab of beef, and enjoyed my favorite bad for you sausage wrapped in bacon. There were roasted potatoes, parsnips and more, as well as mashed potatoes that made it on to my plate - all lovely!

6. Boxing day was more of the same, only I od'd on fabulous cheese :-) What can I say, I'm easy for a nice creamy brie on crackers. The BIL was kind enough to buy in a couple of different dark beers - I know, who'd of thunk it, a girl from the left of us who never liked beer, moves to the land of ale and falls in love with it. So, yes, I had some Black Sheep - the Emmerdale special edition was all right - and a few others.

7. Because it was raining on Christmas day, we took the kids out on their toys this day and it didn't turn out so good for everyone. Niece #4 [who is 7] on her roller blades was wonderful, only going downhill gave her a few nerves. Nephew #3 [who is 3] pushed his scooter and was happy doing that - I think he'll be a demon once on the driveway and flat road. Newphew #2 [who is 9] wiped out on the skateboard and wouldn't carry it back home, in fact he put some serious distance between him and it, so the cutie and I took turns. I forgot how much balance it takes to ride one of those things.

8. The next day we made the drive north. I have always disliked this drive and it wasn't any better this time, in fact it was really bad! The FIL had to drive [and he sucks big time, the cuties hand was my saving grace] and there was traffic so a usually 4 hour drive took over 7. I admit to falling asleep at one time and woke up on screaming - no one said anything, but later I asked the cutie and he admitted his father had been speeding then slamming on his brakes. Yeah, I figured it was something like that because I can sleep like the dead if I'm tired. Somewhere along the way we stopped at an "american diner". Yup, I'm always dubious of these things, especially since a beefburger is not a hamburger. But they sold "burgers" and it was actually ok, as were the fries

9. Once we made it up to the north, we went to the chippie [fish & chip shop] and I had a sausage and chips with scraps. No, this is not a healthy meal, it is all fried, the scraps are bits of fried batter that fall off, but so good with vinegar, salt and a bun with butter, mmmm. Later we walked down to the local pub to see if the cutie had any friends in and there was the best man from our wedding, propping up the bar doing the quiz. We joined him and lost, dang, but I love the quizzes. Once that was finished we sat in a booth and were joined by another friend who was up from London for the hols.

10. This day should have been relaxing, but the FIL got us in the car again. He likes to go around roudabout on two reals and floor it to the next one. What does this do to someone who has a dubious stomach - that's right, I was ready to throw-up. We made it to the seaside in less than a half hour and I never thought the north sea looked so welcoming and that's saying alot. We stopped at a pub, I had water instead of what I would've liked to have. We walked along the front and out onto the pier before heading back to town for dinner.

11. That night we met up with best man and friend at the pub for a crawl, but because it was raining we stayed there, ready to take a taxi to the next where we'd set up to meet up with another friend later on. But we pleasantly surprised when another friend and his wife showed up. The last time I saw the wife, she wasn't doing so well. They'd done an around the world trip and caught up with us after having come up through south america [yes, she had the water]. She looks great and I was thrilled to catch up with her. All six of us grabbed a taxi to the next pub and met up with the other friend. The pub had late hours so we closed it down and they kicked us out at about 1 and walked home.

12. This day we took the in-laws out for lunch and shopping. It was an easy day mainly because I think the cutie and I were feeling a little worse for wear. Who wouldn't when one round had been a pint with shots dropped inside it. Later we went to the bowling club to watch the cuties team play away. Now, get your head around this, we were watching the game taking place a few hours drive through Al Jazerra with a turkish commentator. Yup, my head is spinning as well. They won so all was good and we headed home to pack, have an early dinner before heading off to another set of friends. They couldn't make it out the night before - no one to leave the kiddies with - so we went to them. It was great to catch up with them, they bought in bottles of coke for me and yes, I partook. In fact, everywhere I went they kindly had cokes for me - so thoughtful!

13. It was another late night - not bad for us because we thought we were still on the time here - silly us. Next morning we went drove to the airport and stayed at a hotel for the early morning flight. We watched another footie game in the bar before heading up to take a relaxing bath and sleep. Everything went well on this leg of the journey, and I enjoyed the hot fudge sundae :-) The only bad part was they screwed up the customs video thing and I missed the end of the movie I was watching, so if anyone knows how Goya's Ghost ends please let me know.

Get this, an hour and 10 minutes after landing, we'd made it through immigration, luggage collection, customs [without any questions about the duffel bag full of smokey bacon, worcester sauce, and prawn cocktail bags of crisps, oh and some chocolate as well], driving what would normally be about a 45 minute drive, and we were home! No snow to shovel, no more ice skating rink, it was all good. We dashed next door to wish the neighbors a happy new year and then we were home. It was a lovely trip, lots of time with family and friends, just what we needed to end the year on a good note and we needed that.

So, happy new year everyone, may this one be a great one for us all.

Thursday 13 - 25!

Last week I mentioned having spent some time at one of my favorite places, The Getty Villa. If you didn't know, this museum is a duplicate of the Villa deo Papiri in Herculaneum and houses JP Getty's collection of antiquities. The building has recently undergone almost 10 years of renovations. For a couple of years I spent at least a day a week up here, rifling through their old reading room. It's gone now, and so are many other things, but it is still worth a visit. They now both an indoor and outdoor theater, great lecture series, as well as visiting exhibitions. The one we saw was glass and it spanned ancient, historical, and modern examples of various pieces. I honestly wouldn't have picked this one as being interesting, but it was.

Enough, here are 13 highlights and a couple of low lights.

The Structure
1.
The outside peristyle is still the same - there's something rather relaxing about the Drunken Satyr, and his copatriot in debauchery at the other end. I could spend hours out here in the sun, listening to the water falls.

2.
The east garden is the same as well, small, enclosed and totally peaceful. There are benches running along the path for sitting.

3.
Okay, what's exciting about the roof of a parking garage? Nothing, other than it's a reclamation zone. That's right, despite being in an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires, they still made an effort at conservation - kudos!

4.
The inside of the museum circles around the inner peristyle. Nothing changed here, although walls have been put up so there's no more immediate view of the Lansdowne Herakles in his special marble alcove.

Infamous Pieces
5.
The Lansdown Herakles is a key piece to the collection and I think a real stunner. This is one the articles I studied in depth, and let me tell you, having to take pictures of a larger than life cock with a guard standing nearby laughing is no easy task.

6.
There's been a problem with museums around the world and how they obtain some of their work. The Getty is caught up in this area, and the Italian government has asked for the return of this bronze. The Victorious Youth now has his own room, sealed so he doesn't fall apart so I guess he's staying for a long time.

7.
This gentleman, the Getty Kouros [male] was accompanied by notes for the viewers to know of his dubious status - rather ingenious of the curators. He is either a pristine very early archaic [530 BC] statue, or a flawed forgery.

Interesting Pieces
8.
The Dionysus Herm, an odd gentleman with one eye watching you check out his cock and balls. It's hard not to.

9.
The way this goddess is dressed makes the experts believes it's Aphrodite. If you can imagine this, her garments were red, pink, and blue, some paint still remains. What never fails to hold my interest is this lady's marble face. It's amazing how her hair, and most likely a veil, fell, but the face remained intact.

10.
Folds, it's all about how the sculptors were able to make such perfect folds, while still remaining true to the body beneath. Later, came the wet fabric look, where the body is show with a thin piece of wet fabric over it [another incredible approach to stone] but in 475 BC, this was HOT!

Missing Pieces
11.
The boys. I miss them so.

12. This centaur used to be the greeter at the old entrance, overlooking the outer peristyle. He is simply stunning.

13. Ahhh, Marsyas, used to rest just inside the inner peristyle, in the room of smaller greek objects. He isn't large, but he definitely packed a punch.

It's interesting how in contemporary times viewers think these pieces are stunning, but their original state is much more garish, gawdy, and scary looking. Maybe I'll do another list on what the gorgeous marble and bronze sculptures would have looked like all tarted up.

Thursday 13 - 24!

The cutie and I spent most of November to the left of us, enjoying ourselves. Friday was spent doing laundry so the cutie had something to take on his trip, and I prepared for the book fair on Saturday. Well, I'm feeling overwhelmed with the to-do's and need to calm it all down so I'm going to share the trip with you all.

1. Our flight was delayed by 2 1/2 hours. This left us with a bunch of drunks who were loud and obnoxious, but that was the worst thing they did. About half way through someone behind us collapsed and there was a dash of oxygen tanks and what not, and the drunks all stared with their mouths opened. Sorry, I'm not a crash viewer, at the worst moment in someone's life, the last thing they need is to be stared at.

2. Because we were to the left, I was the driver - for the entire time. We had our first Prius and it was great. Quiet, faster than I thought - apparently the optimum speed is 65, or so the cutie kept telling me, but I drive 10 over the speed limit minus a couple to make it not worth a policeman's time to pull me over. Okay, I hit the 80's a couple of times.

3. There's a different mindset where I was brought up compared to where I am or to the right of us. People to the left of us don't talk about miles, they talk in terms of how long it takes to get someplace. The drive from the big airport takes about 1 hour 15 to my Mom's, 2 hours with traffic. At one time during this visit we used Google Maps for directions and there it was time with and without traffic! Anyway, this time it took a shocking 45 minutes and there were miles where there wasn't a car to be seen. I kid you not, this has never happened to me, there's always cars on the road.

4. First morning, it was all about settling into the usual. We hit Jean Paul's for coffee/chocolate milk and croissants and sat in the sun relaxing. The jeweler who made my ring [an old family friend] came in for his morning constitution and joined us for a bit - this is what we do when we're there. Next we walked into town and hit Friends of the Library for a couple of books, and last, to the beach to read until someone came to feed the birds - ahhh! Went back to mom's and then dashed across the road to sit at our favorite spot overlooking Rockpile. No surfers, they're working on the hillside so the beach is closed.

5. We made it to my nephew's soccer game on Saturday - he's a speed demon! Anyway, they were winning so we felt comfortable in leaving early to make the local theaters showing of American Gangster - didn't want to have to drive to one of those metroplex things. Wow, what a flick!

6. Big sis took us on her errands day - cutie didn't believe me it was an exhausting endeavor. I've since been told by niece 1 and 2 separately that she tones it down for me. Anyway, we lunched, shopped and found our Christmas tree. If we're here for the holidays we head over to a local farmer and chop one down - but after seeing this gem, we figure a little more fun is in order. What is it? A 7' pre-lit palm tree :-) The tree's been ordered because the cutie worried they'd sell out of them...kid you not...so there will be a pic [maybe I'll set it up outside in the snow - yeah, that's part of why we did it, a palm tree in the snow suits us just fine].

7. Mom was being honored at her work with a special dinner and we weren't sure we were going. Well, once we found out we were going, it was a mad dash out to get the cutie a tie, coat and pants. I wore the dress with inappropriate cleavage with my leather jacket - give us a break, we were on holiday! Nephew was fantastic, dressed up in a coat, tie and real shoes - that's a big deal, and ontime!

8. We did a wine and cheese night up at big sisters house. It was lovely, although I couldn't drink any [an adamant no drink and drive, lost far too many classmates back in high school to this practice and don't need to see it as an adult], although it certainly smelt delicious. They also gave me my b-day pressie - it was back in September - and I LOVE it!

9. Sitting out catching some serious Vitamin D, the brother-in-law and nephew phoned and asked if we wanted to meet down at the cutie's favorite haunt for beers and nachos. We put on some shoes and walked down to join them. After the third round we went across the street to the beach and watched brother in law and niece #3 surf, and nephew swim. Then a school of dolphins came by and we watched them for a while. It was simply divine.

10. Thanksgiving came and we all went up to the big sisters. They hosted a fabulous feast for 13 of us. We watched a little football, chatted with the nieces and nephew, helped a smidgen, ate plenty, and were home in bed for 8:00pm.

11. There was a visit to Fatburger, Ruby's, Husky Boys for cheeseburgers - yummy in my tummy! We also hit the Royal Hawaiian for ribs and lapu lapu's - delicious! Went out to Thai Bros with the big sister and BIL, our anniversaries are within five days of each other, so it was all about celebrations and trying to talk them in to a trip to the right of us so we could show them where all their kids have been. We also visited a new Thai place so I had plenty of tofu to gnaw on.

12. Throughout our time there, and every time we go, Jean Paul's is where everyone met up with us at some point - even my big sister came [JP bothers her but if someone else will order, it's all good]. It's lovely when family and friends come and go from the table. We set something up or just natter for ages while sitting in the sun.

13. The cutie and I did only one organized thing and it was because I hadn't made it up there yet and really [really] wanted to go. The Getty Villa has reopened. This is someplace I spent months of my life at and I wanted to see what they'd done to it and some of my favorite pieces. I think I'll save all the details on this one for another TT. Now, to share with you how the cutie thinks, he was all excited to go because there was a big fire going on at the time and had hopes of seeing flames or something - nope, there wasn't a black cloud to be seen, it was simply lovely!

So, I'm sure you picked up on the trend for our trip...basically we did sod all except sit out in the sun and vegetate. Nice! Now I'm back and it's flippin' frigid! No, this isn't my usual it's 65 and I need a jacket, it's like 30 and to the left of us will be in the 80's tomorrow! It snowed on Sunday, on top of all the leaves that fell the day after we left - ahhh, the joy of Autumn. So beautiful and done in a few weeks, now we're left with copious amounts of leaf blowing. Bring on the hot chocolate!

Thursday 13 - #21!

On Monday, October 22 the second book in my 'A Passion for Fashion and Bondage', Taming Marie Anotinette, was be released over at Phaze. I'm very excited for this one to come out so thought I'd give you all a couple of things I did to research this erotic romance.

1. The first book, The Leather Bride, was such a blast I was inspired to briefly outline three other stories. This January the cutie had a trip to Paris and I went along - all in the name of research :-)

2. Some time before we left, my mom sent me an article about the best hot chocolate around the world. Ummm, in case you didn't know, I'm totally addicted to a great cup of hot chocolate.

3. From the moment we arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport [6 hours late], my personal quest to hunt out the best hot chocolate in the city began.

4. We went to Dalloyau and our host treated us to a tasting of everything from the salt to sweets. Yes, I even tasted the things that lived in water - didn't want to be rude, but the hot chocolate was divine! Oh, and the macaroons, simply lovely!

5. I was there as a corporate wife, but I also planned on doing some first hand research, so became tour guide and took my compatriot around.

6. We took the train out to Versailles. I didn't remember there was a small theater for opera and ballet out there, but it's there and a real gem.

7. We shopped - I bought our host a couple of bottles of wine for he and his wife, the pop-up Blue 2 for his son, and chocolates for the Monthly Scorcher members.

8. During the shopping trek acorss Paris, we visited Laduree for a sweet and hot chocolate - yum!

9. One night we took a boat up and down the Seine and ate a delicious meal - including my first ever Kir Royal, and yes, I had the escargot.

10. Another night our host took us all out to eat at Ma Bourgogne in the Marais section and visited the restrooms.

11. When the cutie was finished working, we took some time for ourselves and spent them, amongst other things, revisiting Notre Dame and then walked to Ile Saint-Louis for a crepe and beer.

12. Going through the Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries and into Angelina - the shop noted in my mom's list as having the thickest hot chocolate you'll ever taste. Yes, it most certainly did.

13. We also attended an exhibition at the Grand Palais on Egypt's Sunken Treasures.

Are you curious how this all comes together? Well, you'll have to buy a copy of Taming Marie Anotinette to see how each of these plays a part in the story, as well as how the three of them get to a happy ever after end.

Thursday 13 - 16!

Greetings All!

Yup, the break is over and I'm dragging. The usual things to do are on the table [literally], but the mail has been collected, milk and choc. soy milk are in the fridge, parents have all been called to say we've returned, and the laundry has been started.

Okay, it was a busy 3 weeks, full of eating, drinking, walking and much more, all good fun. Now don't go thinking it was a jolly because it wasn't, we both worked while spending some quality time with family and friends. And, it all ended on a great note...we were upgraded for the flight back and enjoyed some serious pampering. So why is my brain is still mush? Who knows.

Now, I walked off the plane with a newspaper so thought I'd give you all 13 of the more interesting bits I found. I'll give you the headline, author, and the first two paragraphs, you can let your imagination take you the rest of the way :-)

1. 'What About My Family's Rights'
by James Slack
The widow of murdered headmaster Philip Lawrence bitterly condemed the Human Rights Act last night after his killer used it to stay in Britain.

The Home Office wanted to deport Learco Chindamo to italy, where he was born, after he becomes eligible for parole next year.

2. 'Parting shot of the gamekeeper who grappled with Mr Madonna'
by Richard Simpson
Perhaps his goose was cooked the moment the lady of the house told how she feared being haunted by the souls of birds she'd bagged.

Thereafter things went sour between gamekeeper Martin Taylor and his celebrated employers, Madonna and Guy Ritchie.

3. 'BBC children's TV hosts 'are either gay or childless...and they don't like kids'
by Laura Roberts
A BBC children's presenter has said that 'everyone at CBBC is either gay or childless and don't like kids'.

Kirsten O'Brien, a stalwart of the coporation's programmes for youngsters, made the claim during a stand-up show at the Edinburgh festival.

4. 'Freed, the man who branded his wife with an iron'
by Beth Hale, Emily Andrews and Colin Fernandez
A management consultant branded his wife with a hot steam iron because she had failed to press his shirt.

Cambridge graduate Colin Read, 25, also slashed her with a knife because she had forgotten to make his sandwiches.

5. 'Full of life, girl whose heart beat the traffic'
by Chris Brooke
Like all successful transplant transplant patients, Laura Whitworth owes her life to the skill of her medical team and the courage of a heart donor's grieving family.

But in two-year-old Laura's case, the roll of honour also includes a resourceful ambulance driver and council worker Margaret Rollinson and her old Volvo saloon.

6. 'Apart from the rain and wind, are you enjoying this unusually sunny August?'
by Fiona MacRae
As you shiver miserably under menacing grey skies and reach for your umbrella for the umpteenth time, here is some news that will come as a serious surprise.

This August, apparently, has been officially sunnier than usual.

7. 'Why we're ALL to blame for our bullying supermarkets'
by Joanna Blythman
Supermarkets like to portray themselves as the ultimate proponents of dynamic free-market capitalism. But these days they bear more resemblance to the feudal barons of medieval times, ruthlessly absuing their monopolistic power and turning their suppliers into little more than vassals.

Far from thriving on competition, they seek to stamp it out so that they can entrench their fiefdoms. The grossly unequal relationship between supermarkets and their suppliers has been exposed in a series of bullying emails sent by Tesco and Asda, demanding swingeing reductions in the prices charged by their producers.

8. 'Truth is the first Casualty - again'
by Richard Littlejohn
After halving rubbish collections, Portsmouth Council is now telling householders not to stash their bags in wheelie bins.

'Elf 'n 'safety has decided that the dustmen could hurt their backs lifting the bags out of the bins.

Oi, George, putcha back inta it. Second thoughts, best not, you might do yerself a mischief'.

9. 'From mean streets to Parliament'
by Roy Hattersley
The Trinity College Center in South-East London, a university settlement was founded long ago to enable Cambridge graduates to help the disadvantaged and dispossessed in Peckham.

In the yard, children of more or less primary-school age are playing a disorganized game of football. Inside the center's slightly dilapadated building, a mountain of luggage is ready to be loaded on to the buses that will take the young footballs on holiday.

10. From Ephrainm Hardcastle
Last night's Prom concert featured a suite from an opera called Powder Her Face, by Philip Hensher, a former House of Commons clerk with a PhD in 18th century satire and a confirmed bachelor. Based on the life of the late Margaret Duchess of Argyll, it has the distinction of being banned by Classic FM. It features, inter alia, the duchess, who died in 1993 aged 80, performing a sex act with a hotel waiter. Her businessman son, Brian Sweeny, says the work is 'largely fictitious' and written in a score 'only bats can hear'. Margaret's notoriously keen interest in sex is said to date from falling down a lift shafter after visiting her London chiropodist in 1942, aged 30. A friend says: 'Afterwards she started entertaining six men at a time.'

11. 'A WAG at the Foreign Office'
by Emily Andrews
By reputation, it is a carefree life of non-stop shopping, sunbathing and cocktail consumption.

But in reality, being a WAG in foreign parts can be a perilous business.
NB: WAG=Wives and Girlfriends [of soccer players]

12. 'Joan slapped her husband's face. 'I hate you! Get out of my house!' she screamed'
by Graham Lord
When Joan Collins was contemplating marriage to the Hollywood playboy Arthur Loew in the Fifties, she told friends she needed to be sure he was the right one for her before they tied the knot. 'I'd hate to be one of those girls with four or five husbands,' she said.

Many years later, when her third marriage was over and she was preparing to wed her fourth usband, the Swedish former pop star Peter Holm, she announced: "There can be no more divorces. I absolutely cannot and will not go through taht again.' The union was to last just 13 months.

13. 'Victory in the fight to send frontline troops free parcels'
by Matthrew Hickley, Ian Drury and Dan Newling
Royal Mail last night bowed to mounting pressure and agreed to scrap charges for sending parcels to troops risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The move comes after the Daily Mail highlighted the unfairness of anxious relatives having to spend hundreds of pounds a year to send morale-boosting home comforts to their loved ones on the frontline.

Those were all found in the first third of the paper, what do you think - pretty interesting?

Gone the other way!

This is a brief interruption to the regularly scheduled "hot thoughts" - will return to the regular program soon - until then, play nice :-)

Our first house was couple doors to the right.

Behind us was a partially dismantled castle, and during the summer months they shot off its cannon...it would scare you crapless if you weren't ready for it. Yup, our garden backed onto the dry moat and a certain someone rarely mowed, not horribly neighborly Mrs.'s, hmph!

Where will I go this month?

Okay, in this instance, a picture is worth a thousand words. I'll need to make sure and pack plenty of sunscreen and a hat, but I can already feel the soft sand beneath my feet as I find my spot on Vabbinfaru, Maldives, in the Indian Ocean. Maybe I'll just lie down on my belly right there in the shallows and read.

Works for me.

An Invitation to the World 2: China and India is OUT!

Ever wondered how wild and kinky life can get on a private island?

The World is an exclusive enclave of 300 manmade islands, laid out to resemble the continents, set in the Arabian Gulf, and a paradise for lovers.




China tiptoes through the dangerous backlash of someone who chose to live outside the law.

On a busy summer’s day, Jia Li is kidnapped off a busy street in San Francisco's Chinatown, and wakes up on an airplane. Her ex-boyfriend Yi Burton is determined to save her life and bring her back into his, will they rekindle their love affair while hiding out on a secluded island?

India dabbles into the world of Bollywood film stars and businessmen, and the fulfilling personal lives they seek.

Sati Chaudhari is a beloved Bollywood starlet who falls for and secretly marries Bodhi Burke, a hotel mogul. Busy lives pull them apart but a private island paradise offers them a chance at reconnecting, creating new rules for their future. Is it too late to save their love?

Get your passport and pick up a copy of Tilly Greene's An Invitaion to the World 2: China and India. If you want to see more of the world, then read An Invitation to the World: Russia and New Zealand, also currently available at Whiskey Creek Press Torrid.

Where will I go this month?

Krabi, south of Thailand, is called the emerald of the Andaman Sea.

Okay, this month is not going to be relaxing. Simple really, I eat nothing from the sea. I found out a few weekends ago, it's weird that I grew up at the beach and don't like swimming with fish. Yes, I know they're there, I just don't acknowledge or look for them...in fact I'm out of water the minute I notice the slimmy things. Although I did love swimming with the cutie and a friendly giant turtle who decided he liked our lazy body surfing ways and joined us.

This months three boats have me thinking there's lots of fish around here - but the water is tempting, looks nice and cool. Maybe if I ignore the...did I mention I do a fabulous Flipper impersonation? And when the dolphins and whales come by, it's wonderful, oh and the seals...okay, I'm working with the positives here...

Where will I go this month?

A romantic looking sunset at The Bath's in Devil's Bay National Park, British Virgin Islands, The Caribbean. It looks perfect for a cool dip with the Cutie at the end of a heat filled day. Sigh, yes, I could go there right now...have to go, thunderstorms rumbling around.

Sigh, yup, I could go right now!

Gone to the Beach!

Well, I've been trying to "borrow" internet time from some unlocked networks out here and there's nothing good on offer. Riptide, I'm sorry, your internet sucks! So, early this morning I went down to JP's for a croissant, chocolate milk and some free wifi, but no go.

Everyone, cruel as it may sound...I'm going to the beach, to the right of this cove here [don't want to be sent dashing across the reef by a rogue surfer]. I'll return to normal [whatever that is] in a couple of weeks unless I can find some strong internet sooner :-)

Where will I go this month?

This month my work calendar will take me to a lagoon of Aitutake, Cook Islands, South Pacific.

Already I feel relaxed and ready to go wherever my fingertips and imagination decide we should travel. Sitting there on the sand, I wonder, would I be able to paddle over to that other island in the distance? Maybe it's shallow and I can walk or swim. Nah, I'll just sit right here, enjoy the sun and breeze rustling through the palm fronds.

A bit of random ridiculousness...

Whenever I go on a trip I take shorts and t-shirt to sleep in. There's a hotel in Sheffield we frequent and they always seem to have fire alarms going off [yes, I've been both asleep and in the tub when this has happened]. Personally I think I've shown enough to the local fire department, hotel staff and random visitors to last a lifetime.

Where will I go this month?

Last month my work calendar flew me to the unique and stunning Rock Island, Palau, Micronesia, in the South Pacific.

And this month, besides the very real trips taking me from here to there and then even further in the opposite diection, this month is a real treat, privacy is guaranteed. In a comfortable seat the calenar will take me to a peaceful, soothing, dream inspiring uninhabited island, Ari Atoll, Maldives in the Indian Ocean.

As always, I'm not let down...wherever I am is total inspiration! I can see myself sitting there in the shade, right there beneath a palm tree with my tootsies waving in the breeze. Occassionally I'll get up and go for a swim, cool off a bit, then come back and just be. Nice.