Archive for August, 2005



Thursday, August 11th, 2005
A bit pissed.

OK. So at the conference we were given a bunch of free books right?

Lots of people were shipping them home. I think it’ll be too expensive to ship mine home to Canada so I give a lot of them away, and pack the rest in a small box with my NOTEBOOK, and a pair of shorts to keep everything from banging around. I go down to the Business Center on Sunday just before check out so I can have it taped shut to take on the plane with me.

The guy at the business center says “Ahh ship it home, It’ll only be $18. So, I pay the $23.50 (taxes) and think OK, not bad so I don’t have to carry it to the airport. I was tired, and sick too.

Then, I get a UPS delivery man at my door saying it’s COD $150!!!

I call UPS. Explain it was a box of FREE goods. After faxing them the receipt and a statement about the content they remove the $100 of taxes. UPS guy shows up this morning with it. Still a $49.67 COD charge.

WTF??

Poor UPS guy. I refuse the package, Again. Call UPS. They say it’s a Brokerage charge for taking it across the border. Not their fault idiot didn’t tell me there would be one. They will not budge on this.

So I call the business center in Reno. Poor poor underling that answers phone and tells me there is no supervisor present, could he help me?

OK. Don’t feel too bad for him. I AM a bartender. I know customer service. I know it’s not HIS fault. I don’t yell. I explain the situation to him. He says he doubts UPS will Budge for them either. I say. “I know. I want YOU to make it better.”

“Uhmm, but the guy probably didn’t Know about the brokerage fee.” He stutters in defense of his co-worker.

“Then it’s a training issue. My intention when I walked into the Business Center was just get a box taped shut. I was convinced to ship it because of low-cost and being obviously sick. I was not told about this charge. I would not choose to pay $75 to ship a box of a few free bookmarks, a couple of books and my notebook home when I could’ve taken it on the plane with me for free.”

“Can I get your phone number, and when my boss gets in later I’ll have her call you?”

“Yes, that would be best. Thank-You.”

Now I’m waiting, and getting more pissed off…so I write this in an effort to not be pissed when she calls me back. But really, come on. How is it conceivable that I would chose to pay $75 to ship a small box of free stuff home when I could’ve worked a small bit and taken it on the plane for free?
I don’t really even care about the BOOKS or the goody room stuff. I want my notebook, the notes from the workshops…and my fave pair of laze about shorts that I used to fill the space!

My phone bills probably going to be $50 by the time this is over with. I think I should just suck it up, realize I paid $25 to throw away a bunch of books and my notes. :angry:

Wednesday, August 10th, 2005
Fantasy

On Monday I did an Auhtor Day with JJ Massa, and as part of our entertainment we started a bit of a story, and had it go back and forth between us. She wrote some , I wrote some, she wrote some….you get the idea. It was something fun and funky to do.

Well, we didn’t finish it…so this is the next installement, and JJ will add more on her blog next week!

I was sitting in the hotel’s bar. I didn’t know anyone in this large city but I’d be damned if I was going to just go to my room like a good girl. It was fun watching the players try to score. It was even more fun watching the ice hard business women shoot them down.

I sipped at my wine and glanced at the door. My heart just stuttered for a second. I didn’t think men that looked like that were real. Sure there’s Brad Pitt, even Tom Selleck… but this guy, living flesh just walking in. I couldn’t pull my eyes away but oh how I tried.

I didn’t usually find clean cut men attractive, but despite this guys business suit and close cropped hair, there was no denying his bad boy aura. The one that said. “Can you handle me?”

Oh yeah. Not only can I handle him. I made up my mind right then that I was going to.

He strode up to the bar, ignoring the hot glances the not-so icy-anymore businesswomen were shooting his way. And he stopped only two feet away from me.

What did I do? I tossed him a cool smile and then I ignored him. The bartender, a husky guy, more tattoos than skin showing, kept his eyes on me. I winked and held out my glass. He might not have been suma cum laude when he graduated, but he could read. He grinned at me and filled it up.

“I’ll have what she’s having,” a deep voice purred from just behind me.

The body -art bartender arched a brow. He was enjoying the free show as much as I was loving the thoughts of later — well, almost as much.

“She’s having whatever she wants,” the bartender rumbled.

“So am I,” tall-dark-and-Oh-MY-God-did-he-smell-good, replied.

I turned to face him. Gazing boldly into his deep blue eyes I let a small smile play at my lips before speaking. “And just what is it you want?”

One dark eyebrow lifted and he leaned forward, reaching for the drink the bartender had set on the bar behind me. His arm brushed lightly against my shoulder and his breath feathered across my cheek. “You.”

Heat swamped my system and pooled low in my belly. I tried to keep my expression cool while squeezing my thighs together subtly. Now was not the time to let him know he could have me. He was way to confident, and the urge to take him down a notch was strong.

“You don’t always get what you want in life.” I was proud of my steady voice and the fact that my body’s excited trembling didn’t show in when I lifted my own drink to my mouth.

“Some people might not,” he chuckled. “But I do.”

I let my eyes run over his body. Tall, lean and hard, he made my mouth water. “You might get what you want…if you’re willing to work for it.”

“Work for it, hmmm,” he smirked at me. “That’s fine, honey, I’m a workaholic.”

Self-confidence I like, even a certain amount of arrogance. But this… he had
to come down a little. With studied nonchalance I turned on my stool, bending to fix the strap of my heel. Silly thing was twisted you see. Shame it left all my cleavage on display. I was so lucky to find the nice, lacy support bra that actually did cover my nipples - not much else but what’s a girl to do?

When I turned back to smile at the bartender, I accidentally brushed Mr. Cocky.

Well, really I brushed Mr. Cock. Seemed he had woken up and decided to play.

“I like a man with a good work ethic,” I murmured. Right on cue, the bartender slid a fruit tray onto the bar. I snatched a convenient cherry and wrapped my tongue around it. “Are you okay?” I asked my new employee. He seemed to be choking.

He regained his composure quickly, and stepped a bit closer, laying his hand on my thigh, and pressing his body against my side. “If I say I’m not ok, will you make me feel better?”

“Maybe”

His gaze roamed over my expression. I knew he was trying to get a read on me. To see if I was ready to take this to the next level.

I hoped the “Hell Ya!” excitement I was feeling was showing just enough to keep him on the hook.

His eyes darkened and he pressed against me a bit harder. “Maybe isn’t good enough, Baby. Yes or no? You want to help me out?”

“Hmmm,” I stalled, turning to face him. I spread my legs a little and rubbed the inside of my thigh along the outside of his leg. “I know a little CPR,” I
murmured, looking him up and down. “Where should I apply the pressure?”
He lifted my hand from around my glass and pulled it below the lip of the bar. I tilted my head, wondering what he would do next. He didn’t disappoint. He took my palm and flattened it against the rigid length barley hidden by two thousand dollar’s worth of Armani’s best work.

I licked my lips and did what any Good Samaritan would do. I applied pressure. Lots of pressure.

I felt him twitch beneath the fabric, and heard his sharp intake of breath.
A euphoric sense of power merged with the pleasure flowing through my veins.

“Very nice,” I murmured. “But nothing special.”

Pulling my hand away I nodded to the amused bartender and signaled for another drink. I could feel him tense beside me. He was off balance.

Good.

Wanting to keep him that way I slowly walked my fingers up his length.

“I don’t’ think this has grown to it’s full potential, do you?” I gave him a moue of disappointment. “I so hate when resources aren’t developed properly.”

He made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl. I squeezed the top of
his growth prospectus. “Any chance we can move this conference to another boardroom?” his voice was low and almost menacing.

“Mmmm, in a minute,” I purred, keeping the upper hand. My lower hand slipped even lower, his sacs were tight. His breathing ragged. I sipped my drink.

Deciding to kick it up a notch I turned towards him and lifted my hand from his body. Locking my gaze with his, I brought the hand up to my face and trailed a fingertip across my lips. When his gaze wavered and his eyes dropped I let my mouth open slightly and my tongue darted out to flick at the tip before I sucked the finger slowly between my lips.

A low rumbling growl issued form his throat and I fought back a triumphant grin. “How do you feel about oral sex?” I whispered.

He cocked an eyebrow at me. “I feel pretty good about it. You?”

“I have this yen to do it in public every now and then.” I nodded in the direction of the booths in the back of the lounge . . . where the lighting was a bit dimmer.

Tuesday, August 9th, 2005
Hot is hot

Gershon

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It’s a common saying, and it’s true. However, I have to say that hot is hot. Some people are sexy no matter how they change their look, what they do, or don’t, wear. Gina Gershon is one of those people.

I’m not bi-sexual and I passed the bi-curious phase years ago…but if this woman hit on me…the word NO wouldn’t come anywhere near my lips. Why? I mean, sure she’s slim and she’s pretty, but really. . . it’s more than that.

She has that quality that just makes everything sexy. She broadcasts Sexual Confidence.

I like to think that’s the way Sable is in Gypsy Heart and I know that Devon, in my novella THE CRIB has that quality too. I’ve met one or two people in real life that have that quality, so I know it’s not just the magic of the camera or a role someone plays in a movie.

What about you? Do you get what I’m referring too? Have you ever met someone that just has “it”?

Do you think there are people who just have “it”? or is it a personal chemistry between people that create that spark?

Monday, August 8th, 2005
Pout anyone?

pic01

Okay, he’s a bit young, but Yummy!!!

Happy Monday all!

Sunday, August 7th, 2005
Bits’n Pieces.

There’s stilll pictures of the conference floating around the net, and I have to say, I didn’t really grab Sela’s boobs! Honest!! It was just for the picture. :P

I have an interview up at NovelSpot if you want to hear me talk about myself. If that’s not enough for you, tomorrow, Monday August 8th JJ Massa and I are having a shared Author Day at eBookLove. That means lot’s of hot excerpts and free books for particapants.

In actual writing news. I feel like giving up as a writer. It’s been two weeks and I’ve still not finished my current short story. I have no clue why I’m struggling so much, but it sucks.

Must. Finish. Today. :angry:

Saturday, August 6th, 2005
Being Grown Up

Hey y’all! Beth here. I’m tickled pink to announce that I am an official (ta-da!) guest blogger for Sasha on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Guess what today is? Yup, the first Saturday. Are you ready?

I have a 13 year old son who thinks he is grown up. He talks about when he’s going to be able to drive, what kind of car(s) he wants (believe me that’s a very detailed plan), and what he wants to do with his life.

So, I thought back to when I was a teenager on the threshold of being grown up. Oh, eighth grade. Yeah, I remember it so well. I had a best friend named Marie Grogan who was every mother’s worst nightmare best friend. She smoked, she swore, she knew all about sex and makeup and boys. Man, I loved her. She taught me so much. :rolleyes:

Her parents were divorced and she lived with her dad. Her father was a loud Irishman who smoked like a chimney and didn’t know what the hell Marie did. Really though, I went out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant with them. And he ordered Mai Tais for us. OMG - I was so sophisticated - I had a mixed drink! I don’t know what they put in it, but I felt like such a grown up. Of course now I realize they just made me a virgin mai tai. But the point was, it felt real.

Then one time, her older sister brought us to a midnight showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You’re supposed to be 17 to see it right? So we dressed to the nines with lipstick and enough hairspray to freeze a small cat, and we made up names. I don’t remember what hers was, but mine was “Raven”. We sailed into the movie theater without a problem - I will say that Marie was about 5′9″ at the time so she could’ve probably passed for 17. However, I was about 5′ and looked every inch a 13 year old playing grown up.

Rocky Horror was an education unto itself. To this day, I love that movie. :)

Back to my own 13 year old. I absolutely shudder to think of him seeing Rocky Horror. Good God! There is m/m, m/f, blow jobs, licking, sucking, and everything else you can think of. But when I saw it, I was grown up. :rolleyes:

He’s still my baby, my first born son. If I think about all the things he thinks about, I may lose my mind. He’s already kissed a girl (some slut in sixth grade when he was all of 11 taught him). I don’t allow him to watch movies with sex scenes - you know what I mean where two naked bodies are rubbing together, grunting, and telling each other how good it is. He certainly is well versed in what sex is and we keep an open dialog on questions. Nowadays he asks his dad questions only, like “how did you get girls?” I’m invited to leave the room at that point.

Can I think of him as grown up? No, sorry, no can do. I will think of him as growing up and becoming more mature, but he still whines when his brother gets something he doesn’t, and he still watches cartoons. He also watches X-Files reruns, CSI, and Discovery Health Channel (loves to watch bloody stuff).

So let’s think of him as a growing up young man, and not a grown up young man. I know, I know, but just pretend along with me, okay? ;)

Friday, August 5th, 2005
More pics

For More great pictures from the RWA Conference in Reno..check out Suzanne’s Photoblog.

Geez, from all these pictures you’d think all we did was party! :rolleyes:

In other news, I spent a couple of hours last night learning how to play Texas Hold’em. Yes, I was at work. Behind the bar. With only three customers onthe other side of th bar. WE felt that a poker lesson for me was a good way to help my shift passs faster.

Oh, and I WON!! :laugh:

Ofcourse, we were just playing with chip for fun…I might not be so daring if I had to really play with money!

Thursday, August 4th, 2005
Normal? What’s Normal?

I went back to work yesterday. Life should be getting back to normal now.

Or so they say. But what exactly is normal? I think normal is constantly changing for me and I’m glad of it. Why? Because normal is now writing stories that I know will be published. I’m so excited to get back to writing.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the time off while I was in Reno. I even brought my NEO with me when I went down there, because I was in Reno 2 days before the conference started and I figured I’d get a bit of work done, but nope. The whole time I was there, Neo never once showed his face. :)

I lay by the pool, ate fantastic guacamole and chatted with anyone and everyone. Including the Dean Cain look-a-like bartender.

Now, after working a lunch shift at the restaurant yesterday, and sitting at my kitchen table last night trying to line up this months eZine (Sorry, It will be late as I was too busy having a good time in Reno to work on it…but look for it this weekend or by the 15th anyway. :) ) I’m psyched to get back to work on my stories.

It’s great to feel so motivated and eager again.

Now, if only I can feel that way about going back to the gym too. :rolleyes:

Actually, if I remind myself how great Sela looked at the Rita’s (see pictures below) I’m now motivated to go the gym!

Bye for now!

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005
Pictures!

For those men out there that are tired of seeing all the pictures of half naked men on my blog..here’s some pictures of hot women for you!

Starting with Sela’s Cleavage on Saturday Night!

SelaCleavage

Isn’t it fabulous?! The woman looked like a Goddess!

Ok, I’m going to dial this back a couple of days and give the rundown on what I remember about my week. Pictures included.

I blogged yesterday about my fan moments. Only I forgot to mention one. I stood in line, and got to shake Sherrilyn Kenyon’s hand, and have her sign a copy of Seize The Night. Now, I already have the book. In fact, I read it the day I baught it. I just wanted to shake her hand and tell her how much I loved her Dark Hunter Series. And let me tell you, the woman is a class act. I’d seen her get up on stage the day before an accept a Walden Books sales award, and she was in tears. Happy tears, and her words were “Dreams do come true.” I bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the house because you could feel her joy and awe coming off the stage in waves.

When I shook her hand and told her I was a fan, she was so gracious and sincere! Now, because I absolutely LOVE the Dark-Hunter series and I now have two copies of Valerius’ book. I’ll give away one of them. NOT the signed copy. That one’s mine.

But I do have a like-new copy that has only been read once…by me…that I would love to give to someone that has never read Sherilynn’s Dark Hunter series…so I can turn another person onto this wonderful series. OH! And reading them out of order is ok, it won’t mess up the series. So If you’re interested, email me TODAY (sasha@sashawhite.net) and I’ll enter you in the draw!

Now, on to other things. I had too much fun for words meeting a lot of my cyber buddies. I met so many that I can’t name them all. However, I can share some of the highlights.

The week started out mellow, me being the one by the pool almost constantly. While at the pool I managed to rope Sela into helping me protect my fragile Canadian skin. It was obvious she was a mother by the way she wasn’t happy with putting lotion on my back for me, but she had to cover my arms and hands too. ;) I have a picture of this, I just can’t find it at this moment…so many pictures to sort through!

On my way to the pool I ran into ChaosCat from Romance Junkies! it was so fantastic to meet this wonderful woman in person, and I’m so glad I did then, because I never spotted her again for the rest of the conference!

After that I put my camera away, and attended the literary signing where I got to finally meet online buddies like Suzanne McMinn, Jill Shalvis,Cheyenne McCray,and Leigh Wynfield. While wondering around the signing I ran into Danica with her Dh and sweatheart of a baby, as well as Diana P.

Thursday I got up early to got to Mia Zachery’s workshop and was so glad I did. The woman is smart, sassy and knows just how to get the creative juices flowing. After her workshop I went back to bed for a nap, only to get up and spend some time by the pool with Jill (see her blog for apicture. :) )before getting ready for the Moonlight Madness Bazaar.

I was lucky enough to get the table next to my buddies the Romance Divas and we had a blast! Let me tell you, these woman are complete sweethearts! I have to say Thank you to each and every person that spent some of their hard earned cash on some of my mothers Jewelry. I was so happy with the way things went that I almost called her at 2 in the a.m!! As it was I woke up an extra ten minutes early to call her.

Hey! Ten minnutes early is a big deal at 730 in the morning for a person like me who is used to going to Bed at 5…not getting up at 7!!

Friday ~ Really. I know I did something during the day, but nothing stands out in my mind. I know I had a great casual dinner with Morgan Leigh, Renne Luke, and her cp and GH nominee Stacey, and Sylvia before rushing to my room and getting changed for the Berkley cocktail party.
This was my very first RWA conference, and my very first publisher cocktail party. I introduces myself to Cindy Hwang before hiding in a corner for a bit.

It was unbelievabley HOT in that hotel room, but it was worth every minute I spent in there to sweat it out. My agent, Roberta Brown, introduced to me some of her other authors, as well as some pretty important people to my furture. When the introductions were made, I switched from water to champagne, and shared a toast with Renne and Shelley Bradley. The toast? I can’t even remember…I just remember it being sweet to be in that suite drinking chanpangne with some of my idols (Nora Roberts, Janelle Denison, Angela Knight) in the same room.

Diana crashed with her agent, and we sat and chatted for a while. This girl is not only pretty and intelligent, but fun to just hang out with! Then she grabs my arm and say’s…let’s hit the Harlequin Party!

While Diana backed out at the last minute, to keep other plans with a friend, I went along to the party…and had a blast! I got to burn up the dance floor with people like Julie C, Kathy Love, PC Cast, Suzanne McMinn, Danica and Arrianna Hart! In between dances I had some time to get to know Crystal Green a bit better, and found that we had a lot in common. I knew there was reason I loved that womans stories!!

Saturday morning I met with Roberta for breakfast. Well ok, she had coffee I had water. I’m not a morning person, breakfast for me was a bottle of cold caffiene to go with my water.
We talked for maybe all of five minutes about my career, then conversation turned to party and gossip. I love this woman. She believes in me, in my writing and she encouraged me to have a good time at the conference. To just enjoy myself. I felt no pressure about career, only support and positve energy!

I went to a workshop or two…then upstairs to change for the awards dinner.

I’ve got nothing really to say about the dinner other than it had fish…not my fave..the awards ceremony other than I was glad I was sitting with people I liked and enjoyed their company, (See Sela and hubby) the dessert afterwards was really the only time I really pulled out my camera. I had pictures to take of everyone because it was the last night of the conference. So here’s more pics of some of us in our finery!

Sela and I:Sela_sat

The Divas!! Congratulations Gemma on your Golden Heart Win!!

Ok, in the picture below, I think I forgot to warn Diana about the wicked flash my camera gives. :O
Diana

Two absolutely gorgeous women. Sela and Lori!
Sela_Lori

Oh! And one from the Thursday Moonlight Madness Bazaar. Me and Crystal Green. Yes, I felt so comfortable with this woman after meeting her I had to hug her hard! She was Great! Although I do think she looks a little scared of me in this picture. :rolleyes:
Crystal_Green

OK. I think I’ve told it all. Well, all I’m going to tell anyway. ;) I hope you enjoy the pics..and I’ll get back to regular programming soon!

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005
Home Again

Hi all!

I see you’ve been entertained quit well by Beth, JJ and their men while I was gone. :P

I was trying to get some pictures uploaded for you all, but it’s going to take some time, so I decided to just write for now. If you want info on the workshops and publisher spotlights, check out HelenKay’s Blog. I met her while there, and she actually bribed me not to post our picture together. No, it wasn’t a drink or three she bribed me with, it was the puchase of some of my mom’s glass stuff.

Anyways, my report on Reno is basically gossip and good times. ;) Who I met and what a fan I was at times.

Like when I realized Janelle Denison was standing next to me. Yup, I’m sure she thinks I’m a complete idiot because when I introduced myself I was a babbling fan. But hey, we all love our fans, right?

I also got to meet Angeala Knight, Cherry Adair, Jill Shalvis, and Suzanne McMinn!

At the literacy signing on Wednesday night I got to meet two wonderful ladies that I didn’t get to spend near enough time with throughout the conference, but I will forever be a fan of. Gena Showwalter and Julie Leto. These two women are definate heroines in my book. They were gracious and beautiful, and so friendly. And Gena is alot of fun to share a few drinks with. ;)

Would it be wrong for me to mention that Gena’s hubby is pretty hot? The friend he brought along was up there too. I wonder if he was single? See! I can be shy! If I wasn’t shy I would’ve asked that in person. :P

Another amazing woman I met and got to spend a fair amount of time with was Crystal Green. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed her company. Crystal is someone I’ve chatted with a bit over at eHarlequin.com, but really, in person, she is such a warm-hearted, honest and special person that I can’t say enough about her. Plus, she writes Hot hot hot like in Playmates or adventurous and sexy like The Huntress.

OK, I have more to tell, but I was unfortunate enough to get sick on Sunday, and after two flights home that played hell with my head and stomach, I’m tired. So, I’ll post more later. For now, have a a great day!!