You know that..

Notice Geoffie looking at him in
adoration ;-)

...you are bored on the internet when you suddenly find yourself desperately in need of a brightly colored pair of harem pants.

...your husband is immersed in a multiplayer RPG when "The door is open and the mosquitos are coming in," sounds a lot like, "Shoot that guy or I'm gonna die."

... your youngest daughter suspects you of not paying attention at her soccer games when she starts quizzing you on the plays.

... your younger son got his little heart crushed again when the very mention of the Valentine dance makes his big brown eyes get all wet and shiny and sad.

Nope. Ain't moved.

... your grown son is truly growing when he goes and gets his hair cut in an effort to not look like a serial killer. (That last one is purely mom's supposition.)

...you have taught your grown daughter well when she comes up with especially colorful phrases in her Kylo Ren/Hux hatesex fanfic.

... your dogs are frickin' obnoxious when you see a Newfie roll it's eyes as the small one goes batshit, and the turkeys don't think "bowling for turkeys" is a real game.

...you live in a shitty neighborhood when you see the same car in the same place you saw it before you left for a week--and it doesn't look capable of moving. (This isn't my street or I would have done the shrill bitchy neighbor thing and reported it.)

...you are almost recovered from a con when you feel capable of going back to working out. (So, tomorrow, hello aqua!)

That Day Was Sort of Useless

My friend, Maria Teresa, who
inspired Miguel's mom from Lollipop--
also my gossip buddy during
soccer games. 

Well, honestly, I don't get much done on Wednesdays anyway--GATE and dance, and usually there's aqua, which I skipped today because I wasn't feeling well. And yesterday as a "day of rest" was sort of laughable, because there were people to meet and an indoor soccer game and there was dinner to cook. So I started today with a sleep hangover, was barely making it to my nap and then...

The weirdest thing happened to my keyboard.

It just... I can't even explain what it did to me. The middle row just stopped working.

"Help!" I texted Mate. "My keyboard is broken! I can't type S, D, F, G, H, J, K, or L! FUCK!!!"

"Or, yanno," he texted back. "UC."

And suddenly my panic was gone.

Kids at dance, one at either end. 

But so was any option of getting work done. (This was okay-- I had books to read to judge a contest, and it was like permission from God to get some of that done, as well as take a nap.) Mate tried to tell me how to hook up our wireless keyboard to my computer, and thus, it was, that the least technically savvy person since Harry Dresden spent an hour between picking up offspring trying to install a piece of equipment I still don't understand.

It doesn't matter.

Unconscious dog. Mate says she's been gassed, but
she still appears to be breathing.

I gave up and went and got Squish and then took both kids to dance. By the time I got home, Mate had parked a new keyboard in front of my laptop, and it's like a whole new laptop!  Unfortunately, It's like a whole new laptop I can't see, because, hey, bifocals and screen distance. SO frustrating. (I actually had a new prescription but lost it, and am now really grateful I do most of my driving in the day time when the sunglasses--which are present prescription--really help.)

But my technology works, and now I can finally finish Licorice Whip-- which I'm thinking of renaming Pixy Styx, for story reasons, and the fact that it's the last book in the series, and Pixy Stix were an integral part of Candy Heaven. Anyway, Cy and Robbie are coming along just fine, thank you--I know a lot of people have asked me about them, and I'm hoping this book (a little shorter than Lollipop) will be the ending they want.

So, you know. Writing is about to commence. Huzzah! And just as well--I have a whole novella to write in a month! *bitting fingernails*

But still-- actually today was a little bit useless. *sigh* Travel. Every damned time.

Think they're Glad to Have Me Home?

 Mate said that Steve only sits on my chair when I'm here-- when I'm not here, she sits in the hall and meows piteously for someone to let her in to their bedroom.

When I'm here... well, she sits in my chair and waits for love. Which she got.

And the dogs have been my second skin.  Well, I love them too.

Squish asked me repeatedly how my day was-- I had to talk to her about how silence was good, it meant you were thinking of really good stuff to say.

And ZoomBoy hugged me lots.

Big T cleaned the kitchen.

And Mate detailed my car.

I was missed.  And right backat'em.

Shh... I should be asleep...

But I'm blogging instead.

*  I hate saying goodbye at the end of a convention. They really are a meeting with my friends.

*  I love the occasional late night convo that stretches until just right a.m.  It feels like a con wouldn't be the same without one.

*  I  bought T-shirts at one of the vendors during the con. I think they are WONDERFUL. If my family doesn't, I"m donating them to charity. The family, not the shirts.

* Okay. I admit it. I've been eating well on this convention--but part of that is that I haven't found the snack shop that sells the chocolate yet. FTR?  I REALLY need some frickin' chocolate.

*  I'd like to thank Jade Lee, Kiernan Kelly, and Lisa Kessler (odd how these names keep popping up!) for making my new tag line, "Amy Lane: she might make you pee a little."  Now, I just need artwork for that...

*  I'd also like to thank Jennifer Morris for a new plot bunny. At our social media silliness panel, she used a name generator to give everyone superhero names. I am The Amazing Flaming Bear. Uhm, tell me that's not screaming for a story...

*  Damon and Jade-- dinner was amazing, and conversation even better. Thank you. (Uhm, notice how Jade's name popped up again?)

*  I had a MAGNIFICENT nap today. Which does not change the fact that I am, at present, very very tired.

*  I almost forgot! Lunch with Aria Kane and Jessica Savage and Drake (eep, name!)  and his friend Elizabeth and Eugenia and her great husband and Eric J. Asher and and his lovely wife Amy the reader named Tamye was an unexpected treat! Thanks guys, cause when I said, "I'M STARVING!" you all said, "CHARGE!" and the result was most awesome!  You all also put up with my knitting. And Eric's wife Amy got to eat coconut shrimp which she usually doesn't. And I got to talk to new people. Twas great! Thanks again!

*  Tomorrow I'm going to have about two hours to clean up the suitcase vomit that has become my hotel room. This thought will send me into a panic spiral-- tomorrow.

* For tonight, Coastal Magic was a lot of fun--and I can't wait until next year!

And For That, I Must Apologize

*waves madly*

Okay-- first off, there shall probably be no fanfic Friday this week, BUT let me just say...

Today I learned that both bats and bears can blow themselves. Dex and Kane may never have sex again. This fic MUST HAPPEN.

Second, I'd like to say that Lisa Kessler is a good sport and a lovely person.  She and Jocelynn Drake  were among two of the victims, er, volunteers who were on the flash fiction panel with Damon Suede, Kathy Lyons, Kiernan Kelly and me. (Sorry other two volunteers, uh, victims, whatever! I can't find your names, and you too were wonderful!)  But Lisa sat next to me as I spun bullshit out of thin air and sunshine and picked up my random story thread without a hitch. Later we talked about college age children and how you do NOT spike the end zone and win the game just because they're out of high school, or even in college, and how it was an interesting age to parent.  Talking to her was actually like a Goddess-born gift, because it was something I needed to hear. Bless her!

Third, well-- LOTS actually. I was on a panel with Julia Talbot, B.A. Tortuga, Charlie Cochet, and Kiernan Kelly (yes, twice, because I am fortunate!) and we talked about romantic men.

Mate figured large.

I'm sure you're not surprised.

And fourth?  I just danced for a really long time (okay, two hours, or thereabouts.)  I had fun, although Mate and I tore up the dance floor in August (okay... we sort of tripped on it, but you know, it's as glamorous as we get!) I was still surprised how much fun dancing is.

With friends.

However...

I do get the feeling that as much fun as I am having, it is probably not as much fun for others to watch me dance. Let's just say that after my bit on the dance floor today, I'm starting to see why maybe enrolling Squish, Zoomboy, and Chicken all in dance was not the act of good parenting I thought it was.

Possibly, given my genetic material and stunning sense of hamster rhythm, it was closer to child abuse.

And for that, I must apologize.

#CMCC2016

Okay-- so just a quick mention-- Cinema Craptastique is tonight-- we are watching Abduction starring Taylor Lautner-- get out your remote control, get out your phone or computer, jump on twitter and #CMCC2016.  8pm, EST, February 4th (that's today!)  and come snark along with us!  Chat with you tonight!

Thanks, Julian!

"Hello, how are you tonight?"

"Hot! It's hot here-- I looked it up, it said it would be cooler, but it is not cold. I am thinking about my luggage. Mistakes have been made."

"Oh, that is too bad. It should cool down later this week."

"I'm so glad to hear it--my favorite dress in the luggage is not made for a balmy 70 degrees with humidity."

"It is nice to meet you. My name is Julian!"

"Hello, Julian. My name is Amy."

"Where to, Miss Amy?"

"The Daytona Beach Hilton. And..."  I don't want to do this-- I really don't. But I didn't eat in Atlanta during the layover and...  "Julian--could you do me a big old favor?"

"Certainly?"

"I'm starving. Is there any way we could go through the drive thru of a McDonalds or something?"

"Absolutely. I think I know where one is."

Well, he couldn't find it--but we went to Wendy's instead. They had a North Pacific Cod Sandwich that I WISH they had in California, which is significantly closer to the North Pacific. And now I am in my hotel room, in my jammies, happy as a clam at a bake.

By the way? Daytona Beach is even better than I remembered.  But that could just be Julian-- or the cod!

Yay Coastal Magic!

Does it Make Me Look Quizzical?

*  So, got all gussied up for Coastal Magic, including a trip to get my eyebrows waxed. The place I normally go has changed ownership, and the people there are not quite as sweet and friendly as Lily, whom I sort of adored. On Friday, I offered to come back on Tuesday, so they could get my pedicure done in time for me to pick up the kids.  They said they could do it in time and offered tweeze my eyebrows simultaneously to save time.

I had a bad feeling about this.

Today I went back to get my nails done, and before I got out of the car I took one more look at my eyebrows.

Oh yeah. They were definitely not even.

Nevertheless, I went in and got assigned a different stylist, this one under the strict scrutiny of the woman who had sort of butchered my eyebrows last time. The eyebrow butcherer left, and the woman doing my nails tried the upsell-- like ya do.

"So. We do your eyebrows when this is done?"

"You did my eyebrows on Friday."

Her eyes widened in horror. "I did your eyebrows Friday?"

"No, no. Uh, the lady who was just here..."

And now her eyes narrowed. "Yes. You come back after your trip. Ask for me. I'll make them even. Will give you a facial too. No more blackheads."

"Sure. Why not. I'll just cook some more confidence onto my fingernails and forget I'm a quizzical troll."

Okay-- didn't say that last part. But you know I was thinking it.

That's okay. I went into Babetta's Yarn and Gifts (which is, frankly, the whole reason I patronize this nail salon. Because yarn.)  I told her the story and she cracked up--and then I told her about a thing I saw on BuzzFeed-- knitting like a drinking game. Like, you make up the rules to a drinking game, but instead of drinking you change colors or execute a random cable or an eyelet pattern or change from knit to purl. I loved this idea. Babetta's eyes got big-- I could tell she was a fan.

*  *  *

The dogs saw the suitcases on the bed tonight. When I went to sit down with family, they could not get enough of me. It was cute. And sort of sad. Damned dogs.

*  *  *

I read once that once a kid reaches puberty, his or her pheromones are genetically engineered to repel the parent. This is to make things like incest less likely-- the new adult doesn't smell like a mate. This is good thinking on mother nature's part--but I have to tell you, as a parent with an adult son?

Every time his shirts get mixed up in my laundry I want to wad them up, stalk into his room and tag him in the back of the head with them.

Holy Kerrist what a stench.

I told that last thing to Mate. He was horrified. "You mean ZoomBoy is going to smell worse? Holy God, is that possible?"

Oh yes. The smell will continue.

*  *  *

The movie Keanu looks hilarious. Mate and I want to see it so bad, but I'm pretty sure Mate and Big T will go. Alas... destined to see it on cable.

*  *  *

This last one I stole from the great Berkeley Breathed --

"Okay, kids, I've got to stop by the store for a Chartreuse Flamethrower."

"What?"

"Feminine protection!"

*  *  *

And there you go!  BTW-- watch the Twitter airwaves on Thursday-- we will be airing Taylor Lautner's movie Abduction, and engaging in Cinema Craptastique with the magnificent Damon Suede!  Fun times! Bring your snark, your phone, and your sense of humor!!!

Wish me luck on the big jet plane!

Peace :-)

Kermit Flail Monday-- February Style!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!

Well, mostly Yay, we made it to February, really--it's been sort of a rocky month, amirite?  But, we survived, and there are some lovely books in waiting for us--and even some books that got sort of released late in January and didn't make it to January's Kermit Flail--so these may, indeed, be some hidden treasures for you, and that's always nice.  Also-- at the end of the last book, I've got an idea for another feature I'm going to talk about, so, yanno, after you see the buy link for Lollipop for possibly the two-hundredth time, stay tuned!

Okay-- so this month, we've got some great stuff!  We've got some Rick R. Reed (I told him I'd put this book up twice, since it was sort of in the middle) and some Kaje Harper-- who I am so looking forward to reading! (I love Kaje--I get to fawn all over her at GRL, which is always one of my biggest joys :-)  Also, I have Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen, with their new installment of their Rainbow Award Winning series, Chaos Station.  Now, Jenn has been a Twitterpeep for a dog's age, and seeing that she had her own successful series out made me do happy dances for her-- I couldn't know a nicer person, so YAYAYAYAY!  Michael Rupured is new to me, both in personality and in writing, but I'm always glad to see a writer give us crotchety old folks a try, and Qaida Harte is also new to me, but hey! Urban fantasy is my birthplace, and we always need fresh blood. And speaking of Urban Fantasy-- dudes!  Lex Chase is one of Chicken's favorite writers, and I know Bru Baker from the DSP conferences and she's awesome. So when I saw they had co-written an urban fantasy which features an IKEA-esque version of purgatory, well... man, if I get to read one thing of choice (and right now, I've got a while before all my reading is homework) I think this might be it. I mean... IKEA!~!~! 

And to top that off, Jaime Samms, my lovely, lovely friend and sister in the BlueWater Bay universe has not one but two new releases this month, pretty much right on top of each other. So, you know, buy The Cookie Crumbles because I think the next one in the series is Selfie by, you know, yours truly, and then buy Neat Trick because it's Jaime frickin' Samms!

So, there you go--not bad, huh?  

I think it deserves a sincere *Kermit Flail* welcome, so here we go, folks, YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!

Mute Witnes

By Rick R. Reed


The abuse of a little boy turns a community against a loving gay couple, and nobody comes out of it unscathed.

Sean and Austin have the perfect life: new love, a riverfront home, security. Their love for one another is only multiplied when Sean’s eight-year-old son, Jason, visits on the weekends.

And then their perfect world shatters.

Jason goes missing.



When the boy turns up days later, he's been so horribly abused he’s lost the power to speak. Immediately small town minds turn to the boy’s gay father and his lover as the likely culprits. What was a warm, welcoming community becomes a lynching party out for blood.

As Sean and Austin struggle to stay together amidst innuendo, the very real threat of Sean losing the son he loves emerges. Yet the true villain is much closer to home, intent on ensuring the boy’s muteness is permanent.

1st Edition published by ManLove Romance Press, 2009.

BUY AT DSPP






Tracefinder: Contact (Tracefinder #1) 

by Kaje Harper

What could an undercover cop and a drug lord’s pet psychic have in common?

Brian Kerr has spent years hiding behind a facade of mental slowness. His brother and sister got all three of them off the streets and into a cushy life, under the protection of a dangerous criminal. But to keep that safety, Brian has to use his Finding talent to track down the boss’s enemies. Although he pretends not to know what he’s really doing, each Find takes its toll, and he’s trapped in a life he hates, losing touch with his true self.

Nick Rugo’s job is to protect and serve the people of Minneapolis as an undercover cop. He isn’t closeted, but he isn’t out at work, and there’s a wild, angry side to him that he’s managed to keep hidden until now. When he’s assigned to bring Brian’s boss to justice, he intends to use anything and anyone it takes to do that.

Nick initially sees Brian as a pawn to be played in his case, but he keeps getting glimpses of a different man behind the slow, simpleminded mask. As the two men get to know each other, it becomes clear they share secrets, some of which might get them both killed.


Amazon US
ARe
Smashwords






Inversion Point (Chaos Station #4)

by Jenn Burke and Kelly Jensen

Zander and Felix’s relationship has been to the brink and back: the Human-Stin War, imprisonment and an actual death/resurrection. Zander’s death, to be specific, and the experience has left him…changed. The mysterious race known as the Guardians chose to revive him and appointed him as their emissary. A high honor, but he could do without the group of would-be cultists following him around the galaxy.


When a recently discovered species destroys a stin probe, Zander’s new role soon commands all of his time and focus. The human ambassador—Felix’s ex-lover, much to Zander’s annoyance—pulls them into strategy talks aimed at preserving galactic peace. Soon everyone is relying on Zander’s Guardian tech to telepathically communicate with the strange aliens.


Only Felix seems concerned with the strain piling up on Zander, but he has his own resolve tested when the very stin that imprisoned him show up to a summit. Zander and Felix will both have to find a way to face their doubts and preserve their love—while preventing another galaxy-wide war.


Book four of Chaos Station

Buy: Amazon | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iBooks | Carina Press


Whippersnapper

by Michael Rupured


Tellumo Magnamater is a fresh-out-of-college, first-year English teacher at Salt Lick County High School in Kentucky. He rides the bus to and from work, and every day he walks to the gym behind his small efficiency apartment to exercise. Perhaps because of being raised by two lesbians, Tellumo is attracted to older men. He sets his sights on fifty-something available bachelor Oliver Crumbly. But Tellumo isn’t the only resident interested in Oliver.

Peggy Tucker, a widow approaching her sixtieth birthday, is determined to marry again, and she thinks Oliver is her perfect match. Despite Tellumo and Peggy striking up a friendship at the gym, neither realizes they are interested in the same man. But the joke might be on both of them. Oliver, a retired history teacher, is both gay and the original crotchety old man who hates everything and everybody—especially young people.

Amazon



Some Assembly Required 

by Lex Chase and Bru Baker

Everyone wishes they were dead when wandering the purgatory of a home furnishings store, but these guys actually are.

Benji Goss is the quintessential good guy. When his boyfriend dumps him and moves out, Benji obligingly keeps the cat—even though he’s allergic—because his ex’s new place doesn’t accept pets. He’s always joked the cat would be the death of him, but not in a way he expects when a feline mishap crushes him under a DEL TORO bookcase.

Snarky loner Patrick Bryant is in such a rut he barely remembers the life he used to lead. The last thing he recalls is being decapitated by a DEL TORO bookcase in a freak accident. As a spiritual CASA resident, he haunts the aisles of affordable Italian furniture, assisting fellow spirits in moving on to their final destinations.

When Benji appears in the CASA café, Patrick considers the naïve spirit just the man to cure his boredom. Benji’s relentless optimism chips away at Patrick’s sarcasm, making him question if there’s something beyond what he can see. But the heart is like CASA furniture—there’s always some assembly required.

Amazon

Dragon's Treasure

by Qaida Harte

College student Ahndrai has the ill fortune of falling into the grasp of an attractive, sadistic vampire. He encounters Eita, a vampire who lusts for Ahndrai's sweet blood and tears apart his world. Eita proves that every myth and legend ever written is only too real, and they are far darker than portrayed in any story.

Ahndrai must face a host of monsters that Eita allows to attack and kill him. Each time Ahndrai dies, Eita revives him so he can continue to feed off him. Ahndrai believes that every creature is as cruel and unforgiving as Eita. Then Nakiirn, a dragon prince, rescues Ahndrai. But even after Ahndrai overcomes his fears and falls in love with Nakiirn, they must both contend with Eita's cruelty again before the vampire succeeds in claiming Ahndrai once more.

Amazon

Neat Trick

by Jaime Samms

 Being 100 percent sure you know what you want is a sure-fire way to get exactly what you need. You just might not recognize it when you do.


Jacob has rebuilt his life inside Rainbow Alley after a vicious beating sent him to the hospital when he was a teenager. He’s strong again, and he knows what he wants from life. He just has to accept that he isn’t going to get it from Cliff Thatcher.

Aaron has discovered that life never offers handouts. He’s spent years paying other people’s debts and now he is indentured to Douglas, a man who won’t hesitate to use every ugly trick in the book to retain control over Aaron, his skateboard and his life.

When Jacob and Aaron meet, there is not an ounce of doubt in Jacob that he’s found what he wants. The young man might be a little rough around the edges, but he’s a safe bet, and Jacob knows he can control the thrust of their relationship. That is, until Aaron proves he can handle Jacob’s submissive side and pushes to take the dynamic out of the bed and into the rest of their lives.

Jacob’s hard limit, though, is the bedroom door. Only when Douglas makes it clear he isn’t letting Aaron go without a fight, or a pay-off that he seems intent on taking in the form of Jacob himself, does Jacob begin to understand just how shaky his world really is.

If Jacob doesn’t believe Aaron can protect him, he’ll lose everything. Including what might just be his only chance at true freedom from his fear.

Reader Advisory: This books contains scenes of violence and references to past abuse and child pornography. It also contains one instance of sexual violence.

Pride Publishing


How the Cookie Crumbles

by Jaime Samms


Blurb: After losing a rigged cooking show competition—and a potential lover—to another baker, Frederic Jackson packs up his considerable baggage and moves to Bluewater Bay. He uses the network’s hush money to buy a new bakery where he hopes the small town’s revitalized economy will let him start anew.

Blaire Caruthers never wanted to work for his father at Caruthers Industries. He should have known that fixing the company’s show results was a mistake, and that choosing another man over kind, generous Frederic was an even bigger one. But the damage is done. To escape the fallout, he’s gone to Bluewater Bay to oversee the company’s interest in Wolf’s Landing merchandise.

Stuck in a small, nowhere town doing a job he hates, Blaire wants nothing more than to prove to Frederic he’s changed. However, Frederic struggles to trust the man who betrayed him once already. As Blaire loses ground with his father, and Frederic starts falling back into self-destructive habits, they both have to find the balance and control that’s been missing from their lives

Riptide

Lollipop

by Amy Lane

Ezra Kellerman flew across country to see if he had another chance with the man he let slip through his fingers. He didn't. Rico has moved on, but he doesn’t just leave his ex high and dry. Instead, Rico entrusts his family and friends with Ezra’s care. Ezra, confused, hurt, and lost, clings to Rico’s cousin and his boyfriend as the lifelines they are—but their friend Miguel is another story.

Miguel Rodriguez had great plans and ambition—but a hearty dose of real life crushed those flat. When Miguel finds himself partially in charge of the befuddled, dreamy, healing Ezra, he’s pretty resentful at first. But Ezra’s placid nature and sincere wonder at the simple life Miguel has taken for granted begin to soften Miguel’s hardened shell. Miguel starts to notice that Ezra isn't just amazingly sweet—he’s achingly beautiful as well. Suddenly Miguel is fending off every single man on the planet to give Ezra room to get over Rico—while fighting a burning suspicion that the best thing to help Ezra get over his broken heart is Miguel.

Amazon

ARe



*  *  *  *  *

Okay-- and now the other stuff.

First off-- I am surprised and excited to find that I can go to the DSP meet up in Orlando, so yayayay! I'll be there, sort of on the downlow (Th. night to Mon. morning) but really excited to meet all my DSP family. So, yanno-- HUZZAH! 

Second off-- I'm thinking of starting a new feature-- the Backlist Ba-dump-bump.  Now other blogs frequently do a backlist bump, but what makes this different is that what I want from the authors is a glimpse into their inspiration. It can't be a picture--acceptable use laws leave me crosseyed and I am taking no chances. But a youtube clip or a book you've loved and an explanation of how the one inspired the other--that's all I'm looking for. Oh yeah! AND a buy link, because it's all about the bump, the bump, the bump!  So, the Ba-dump-bump is going to be out on the fifteenth, and to that end, I need all of your suggested material in on the 13th of the month. Things like Kermit Flail and Backlist Ba-dump-bump depend on you authors and you readers to make them run, so hey guys, let's kick it into gear! Oh! And that reminds me! READERS-- if you'd like to give a Ba-dump-bump shout out to a favorite book, and you have a favorite song that you think goes with the book (And Nat and Bel, I'm looking at you, you purveyors of music for Chase in Shadow) by all means participate. 

The Backlist Ba-dump-bump-- I say we make it a THING. 

It's just a little world, ain't it...

Okay-- so I sent this out via social media, but I thought it would be good to tell the whole story, because DUDES, WOW!

So, most people know I twine the real and the imaginary in my contemporary--and sometimes that's a bad thing, because, hey, grasp on reality is a little thin, and sometimes that's a good thing. You know, like when I took the dance persona of a kid I've seen performing all his life and turned it into Cy-- looks like the kid, but I don't really know the kid, so I can write his story anyway I like.  That's a good time when the thin membrane of reality and imagination allows flow through. 

 And like what happened today.

Because this was cool.

I went in to Candy Heaven today-- and if you look close at that picture, you can see the sign in the corner of the building. (Sort of in the dead center of the picture, actually--and my God was it a pretty day.) I went to give Darrin a copy of the book, and we got to chat, and A. He's read the first two books and loved them which made me happy, and B. He told me he had a daughter--and I didn't know this, and this was one of the reasons I didn't want to make up a life story for him so, there you go. He's got a daughter--and she was reading Bitter Taffy. And she said, "Hey... I know this person!" 

"Who?"

"The writer! She's the teacher who let me crochet in class!"

And oh my God. He showed me a picture, and I remembered her--and you know what else I remember? She was actually in the second two books of Bitter Moon-- she's one of Marv's sisters. Now I want to go back and give him copies of of those books too, because I think they would both be excited. 

And my mind is blown. I mean so blown. That's amazing. And I love Darrin (the real Darrin) even more now!

As it was? He called my kids over and told them to fill up a candy barrel, on him. Their father and I were like, "NOT FULL NOT FULL NOT FULL!!" so, I think we ended up with about 2/3rds, and you know? It's gonna be there when I get back from  Florida, and that doesn't count that we gave some to my parents when we met today for ZoomBoy's soccer. 

Oh-- and about soccer.  Mate and ZoomBoy's team won their indoor game today-- 3-2. Squish's team lost yesterday, Mock 7-2.  We call it "Mock" because the indoor arena doesn't acknowledge a gap bigger than 5 points. So, you know, kids don't look up at the end of the first half and go, "20-1? We're just gonna lie on the floor like starfish and make faces at the ceiling!"  So, you know. Mock 7-2. Squish got put in midfield, and she'd never played that. She would look at us with this expression of, "Offense or defense?" and her father and I yelled, "YES!" 

Okay-- and one more thing.

The first two Ryan and Scott stories are going to be offered for free! They were tiny shorts, Shirt was in the Curious anthology and Phonebook was offered as a $1.99 short, and their contracts expired. I asked nicely, and my glorious CEO allowed DSP to release them for free and they should be up on the websites in March and May, I believe. 

And the covers are adorable!