Bloggin' about Chattin'

If you find yourself with nothing to do on (May 7) Thursday, night 9pm EST (which is 8pm for those of us in the Midwestern region), you're welcome to participate in a reader/author chat over at Jove/Berkley/Ace's Writer's Space.

I plan to stop by, but a word of warning... if anyone has had the misfortune of IMing with me, you'll know that Garnet and I have one thing in common: we're both computer dweebs. So, while I'll be there, I'll probably respond three minutes after you ask a question. Okay, it might not be that bad, but... well, you've been warned.

And the Winners Are....

Listed below are the winners of the signed, manuscript copy of the first chapter of DEAD IF I DO (the book after ROMANCING THE DEAD, which came out offically yesterday). Will the winners please send their snail mail address to me at tate.hallaway@gmail.com I'll get that out you all y'all as soon as I get your address!

And the winners are....

1. Jolene
2. Tetewa
3. Leah
4. Meljprincess
5. crystalgb
6. abigail
7. limecello
8. valerie oakley
9. lori
10. carmel

Thanks to everyone for making the blog roll contest a success!

Blog Roll Contest

Welcome to the blog roll contest!

How this works is that each author involved in the blog roll will pose a question on their blog. We will print our answers (and links to the next blog). You can participate by giving me your answer in my comments. The first ten people will receive a signed, manuscript copy of the first chapter of the book after ROMANCING THE DEAD, DEAD IF I DO (2009).

My question is:

If you could marry (or date) one character from your novels who would it be, and why?

Michele Bardsley: Patrick O'Halloran from I'M THE VAMPIRE, THAT'S WHY. He's got that Irish accent and he's really hot and he's been around for four-thousand years ... and did I mention the accent? Not to mention all that licking and sucking involved with dating a vampire. Of course, that's IF I could wrest him from Jessica because quite frankly, she could kick my ass.

Erin McCarthy: Damien from MY IMMORTAL because he owns a plantation house in Louisiana and an apartment in the French Quarter. I have a thing for quality real estate. ;-)

Anya Bast: Hmmm...just one? That's a hard question. Man... *thinks* Okay, I guess I'd pick Alejandro Martinez from The Chosen Sin (Berkley Heat, October 2008). He's a vampire with an extra special skill in pleasure giving when he takes blood (what's not to like about that?) He lives in the future and in another part of the universe, so he'd be able to show me all kinds of interesting places. We could gaze at the stars together (we'd have a great view). Plus, he's got a wicked sexy accent and would speak Spanish to me. Grrrrooowl. I seriously doubt I could get away with stealing him from Daria, though. She scares me. *whimper*

And finally.... my answer:

Tate Hallaway: I'd date Daniel Parrish. Like Garnet, however, I'd be pretty hesitant to marry anyone quite as bad boy as Parrish. If I had to pick a guy from my books to actually settle down with, I think I might pick William. Sebastian is a bit broody for me, and William seems lie he'd be a lot of fun to talk to.

What's your answer? If you could marry any fictional character in your favorite books, who would you marry and why?

Saturn Direct

Our dear friends at astrology.com have this news about today's stars:

Saturn, the slow moving planet of karma and taskmaster of the zodiac, goes direct on May 2, 2008 at 8:07pm, PDT, ushering in an incredible period of possibilities and gifts.

Saturn commands us to get to work, and to work hard. Discipline and responsibility are important to this planet. So if you have been honest, responsible and hard working, gifts and rewards are coming your way! It could be a lucky break, a well-deserved raise at work or dreams you had given up, suddenly handed to you. However, if we have been shirking our responsibility or have been deceitful, then we will be found out and dealt with accordingly.

Saturn reinforces responsibility, carrying your share of the load and being held accountable for what you say or do -- or say you are going to do. Saturn rules wisdom, however, it is wisdom gained from hard work and experience -- earned one hard step at a time. During a direct period, Saturn inspires confidence. As its role as a teacher, during a direct transit, Saturn also bestows inner strength -- a strength of spirit, a deepening sense of compassion and understanding of self, others or a particular situation.

Star/Planet News!

And now this from www.astrology.com:

May brings more than just spring flowers -- there is dynamic activity happening in the cosmos, and it has deep and lasting implications for us all. It's time for a one-two punch from the heavyweights in the solar system -- Saturn and Jupiter -- and while some will feel like the bottom has dropped out, others will get sweet rewards that they've been working so hard for.

The month starts off with a bang! Saturn, the slow moving planet of karma and dharma turns direct on May 2. This is a period of endless possibilities and sweet rewards for hard work, as well as recognition for your contributions to both work and relationships. May 5 brings a New Moon in Taurus, and with it new beginnings. Any tangible, practical investment you make in your life can really pay off this month.

Jupiter, the planet of expansion and generosity, goes retrograde May 9. The effects of this retrograde will be felt differently depending on how Jupiter is positioned in your birth chart. However, the overall effect of a Jupiter retrograde represents a tightening up of finances. Wallets will be closing, and this is a time for frugality. The Full Moon in Scorpio on May 19 also signals that this is a good time to tune into your financial life and evaluate your financial responsibilities.

The final big punch comes with Mercury and Neptune both turning retrograde on May 2. Mercury retrogrades always bring disruption in communications and the Neptune retrograde period is a time to remember and revisit your dreams, goals and ideals.