Never make that mistake again

IN August of last year, I had a new counter top installed, something called LG HI-MACS Acrylic Solid Surface. I was used to tile, which is practically indestructable. I could put hot stuff on it, let my kids sit on it, whatever...well, this new stuff isn't so durable. I forgot you're not supposed to put hot stuff - like a crock pot - directly on the countertop....and I did....and it cracked. Of course, it isn't covered under the warranty, so it's going to cost me $400 to have it repaired.

An expensive mistake....next time I replace a counter top (or a sink top, for that matter), I'll either get tile or granite, which I probably should have got in the first place!!!! If any of you are thinking of buying a new counter top, don't get any of those acrylic countertops...why they sell a product for kitchen use that you can't put a hot pot on is beyond me. Why I bought one is an even bigger mystery!!!!

Mandy
about to be $400 poorer

the kiss of death, that's me

I guess there's no sense wondering or lamenting the loss of old TV shows, but...

I was watching reruns of Moonlight last night.....and Blood Ties tonight....and thinking how much I loved both shows. They both had great casts (and really sexy guys) and intriguing storylines, and they were both canceled after 1 season.

The same with Invasion.

The same with Surface.

The same with The Dresden Files.

And now they've taken Pushing Daisies and My Own Worst Enemy off the air.

I feel like the kiss of death. Every show I like gets the axe! Frasier seems to be the only exception. It ran for something like 10 years and is still in reruns.

Mandy
Night's Pleasure
in stores January 27th

Blogs

"I suppose blogs are a good thing in many ways, but I read one recently that reviewed one of my books. The author of this blog hated my book, and said so, and then picked it apart from beginning to end. I know not everyone likes the way I write, and that's fine. I'm not the world's best author. Heck, I'm not even close. But you know, I do the best I can. I guess the thing that bothered me most was that it was so mean-spirited. I have to wonder if the people who write nasty reviews on Amazon and elsewhere realize how hurtful those reviews are to the authors who read them.

I was tempted to post a reply on Sheridan Sakura Carlotta's blog (yes, that's her name), and ask her to please take the knife out of my back when she was through trashing my book, but I decided against it after some good advice from a friend of mine who said:

"First of all, whoever wrote the review is so flip and impressed with her own wit that she can't stand it. She likes to see herself blog, if you know what I mean, the way some like to hear themselves talk. She's found an audience and gets perverse pleasure from it. I'm sure you know that you can't please all the people all the time---there will be many who don't like you, or don't get what you do. You can't worry about them, although I know it's hurtful. Bottom line, you have a great career and your own fan base who do love what you write."

So, thank you to my friend for helping me put things in perspective.

Mandy

Happy New Year

Well, here we are, in 2009, and it's already the 3rd! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Christmas was fun ~ lots of food and presents and laughs. New Year's Eve was pretty quiet, and downright boring on New Year's day! Some people may think writers live a wonderful, exciting life. Maybe some of them do, but I'm not one of them. The biggest excitement on New Year's day was taking down the Christmas tree, and I broke one of my favorite ornaments - a Beauty and the Beast one. Don't know how I'll replace it.

My new book, NIGHT'S PLEASURE, is scheduled for release on January 27th. This is the 4th book in the series - Night's Kiss, Night's Touch, Night's Master, Night's Pleasure. A 5th book, tentatively titled Night's Mistress, is due out next year.

There's a website running a contest where you can vote for the best cover. My book, Hawk's Woman, is in the running. If you've got a minute, and you're so inclined, you can vote for it here http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheMonth.htm I think all you do is click on the cover, which opens an email for you to send, which automatically enters you in a contest. The winner receives a copy of the winning book.

I'm hoping this year doesn't fly on by quite as fast as the last.

Wishing you a happy, healthy, properous New Year!!!!!

Mandy