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Summer is in Full Swing

Jun 29, 2011 | | 7 Comments

Yes! It’s summertime. That means no school, no classes, and lots of fun. It’s been so nice to have lots of time with my boys. We’ve been to Disney, swimming, movies, library, and doing our own version of school here at home (poor boys having both their parents as teachers!).

I’ve also gotten a chance to do a lot of reading and writing. My WIP is coming along nicely and I’m excited about it. Are you on Goodreads?  I am here. Come friend me! I love to see what my blogger friends are reading.

One of my favorite reads so far this summer was Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins. I liked the first book in the series but this one really pulled me into the story. I was so impressed with Hawkins storytelling. It’s true, I’m a very picky reader, but this book was not only hard to put down with its engaging plot, but her writing was so smooth and effortless that I forgot I was reading a book. So often in books I find myself being reminded by the narration that I’m actually reading a book rather than just ‘living’ out the story.

What is your favorite book so far this summer?

The Brilliant Ones

Jun 1, 2011 | | 12 Comments

Hey guys! There is always so much going on in the blogging world, but I wanted to share some great things happening with The Brilliant Ones (the name I coined for my crit buds). These girls are the coolest chicks on the web so head over to their blogs and check out what they’re up to!

I can’t even begin to express how much they mean to me. I can’t deny I think I’m the luckiest girl on the planet to be a part of their lives. I know for a fact I wouldn’t be still writing today if it wasn’t for them.

And on a personal note, Angelina C. Hansen interviewed me here: Partner on the Path, Christina Farley. Please click and say hi!

Casey McCormick runs the famous blog, Literary Rambles, where her Agent Spotlight helps make the agent search less daunting.

Beth Revis has all the ins and outs listed on where to get autographed books from fantastic Indie Bookstores here.

Andrea Mack is a guru when it comes to middle grade fiction. She’s got fantastic tips and if you’re looking for a starting point on books to read, she’s the one to check out.

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is not only a fantastic writer, but she creates cartoons that brighten up my day like Will Write for Chocolate (Hello? Could there ever be a better name?) You can even order cool writer gear from her site here.

Over at Author 2 Author, Kate Fall chats about Internet Time.

And Carmella Van Vleet shares great insights with the MiGs about her latest book here.

Oh and one more for you! I found the most awesomeness recipe, Chocolate Crumb Bars. Bake them and everyone will think you were sent from heaven. Try it!

My 20 Minute Trial

May 29, 2011 | | 7 Comments

As you all may have remembered, I was having a hard time sitting my butt in the chair to write last winter (see here). It’s been a roller coaster of a year with moving, getting back into full time teaching, taking classes and taking all of my teaching certificate tests again. (I had certificates in three states and smart me thought one of the them was still active. Still kicking myself for letting that expire.)

The mere thought of finishing my revisions and querying an agent who I thought might be right for me seemed daunting. So I just didn’t.

But then spring came and I started to feel like I was treading water rather than sinking. So I thought, yeah I could do 20 minutes of writing a day. And let me tell you baby, it worked!

At first it really was only 20 minutes but as the days grew, I started finding my muse again, started finding time (I’ve learned to become very efficient), pulled out the caffeine and wrote, wrote, wrote.

Actually I started writing like a mad women.

And in two and a half weeks it will be SUMMER. This will be the first summer I’ve had in 10 years where I haven’t had to travel, shop for a year, and see all the relatives. My summer plans? Write a book, or two. It’s going to be great. No, it’s going to be awesome.

I Can. Not. Wait.

Disney’s Flower and Garden Festival

May 26, 2011 | | 8 Comments

Hubby and I went on a date (squee!) the other evening to Epcot’s Flower Festival. Every spring, Disney blows it out on floral and garden ideas at Epcot. We had fun taking pictures and smelling all of the lovely flowers and herbs along the way.
I love picking off the leaves of plants and smelling the different herbs. I think it’s because I kill practically every plant that I buy. Currently I’ve got two plants still alive! (Brown but living) So seeing gardens like this totally blows my mind.

I’ve decided rosemary is my favorite.

There are 75 Disney character topiaries and 100 topiaries overall. It was fun finding them all. I was like this giddy little kid when I would find a new one (especially the Beauty and the Beast one, my fav movie). Hubby just laughed at me. 

Here are some of my favorite Disney character topiaries:

Rapunzel’s Tower

100 Dalmatians

Sleeping Beauty



Hunger Games- The Movie

May 9, 2011 | | 6 Comments

Have you seen this link? It has the cast for the Hunger Games. I’m so excited about this, I can’t even handle it. Wish we all could go out and do movie night together to see it!

Winner of FURY!!!!!

May 1, 2011 | | 4 Comments

Thanks again to Cindy Pon for stopping by and chatting here at Chocolate for Inspiration. And now for the winner of FURY…

(Drum roll)

Terry Lynn Johnson!!!!!
By the way, I had to put that picture up of Cindy, Lexi and myself. It’s an old one, before her first book had come out, but still fun memories!

My Sister’s Bridal Shower

Apr 27, 2011 | | 17 Comments

So one of the reason’s why I hadn’t been blogging much was I threw a bridal shower for my sister, Julianne. A couple of you mentioned you’d love to see the pictures so here they are! Maybe it will inspire you to have an Asian themed party.

Since my sister worked in Hong Kong and then in Japan, Joy (one of the bridemaids) suggested we have an Asian theme. How fitting. So you’ll notice our theme is Springtime in Japan (thrown in with all of Julianne’s favorite foods and flowers).

I labeled all the food on parchment paper, one side in English, the other in Japanese (katakana and kanji) and glued it onto skewers. Then I stuck a daisy at the end for extra fun. 

I put the cheese and fruit on a cutting board and a Japanese umbrella over it to protect it from the Florida sun (ironically, I got that unbrella in Korea while pregnant and hiking).

I hung Chinese lanterns that I found on sale at Old Time Pottery and Joann Fabrics inside the house and outside by the pool.

The champagne had sprigs of fresh lavender and for the lemonade glasses, I bought them online at Specialty Bottle (they are actually sauce jars!). I got the swirled straw online as well. Then I tied leaf paper cutouts onto the top with hemp. Guests wrote their names on it so their glasses wouldn’t get confused.

For food, we had a chocolate fountain (of course!). What is a party without chocolate?

We had habachi grills and guests grilled chicken and tuna with skewers over the coals. Yum.

I kind of went overboard on the baking with the cookies on a stick, but they are so adorable aren’t they? The boys loved them.

And then, Julianne’s favorite dessert, Red Velvet Cupcakes. I used Paula Deen’s recipe. The frosting is heavenly. When the guests left, they all got a cupcake wrapped in a baggie and tied with yellow ribbon.
We of course had games and prizes. Julianne sat in her ‘throne’ to open presents.  We had gave her a memory book which made her cry. Thank you to Larissa (she’s a Creative Memories consultant) for coming to my rescue and knowing what to order to make that happen! On my desk, guest could also write a message to Julianne with good wishes or advice.
It really was an amazing time. I can’t believe my baby sister is getting married!

Interview and Giveaway with Cindy Pon!

Apr 16, 2011 | | 12 Comments

On March 29th, Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon was released! I’m so excited because this is a book I’ve been waiting forever to be released since I finished reading Silver Phoenix.
And even better, today we’re going to chat with Cindy (love her) and I’m giving away a copy of Fury.

In case you were wondering what Fury is about, here’s a little blurb:
When Ai Ling leaves her home and family to accompany Chen Yong on his quest to find his father, haunted by the ancient evil she thought she had banished to the underworld, she must use her growing supernatural powers to save Chen Yong from the curses that follow her. Part supernatural page-turner, part love story, and altogether stirring, Fury of the Phoenix further heralds the arrival of Cindy Pon as a stellar author of paranormal romance and fantasy.
Me (drinking tea): Fury is a sequel to Silver Phoenix. What has been your favorite part of continuing Ai Ling’s and Chen Yong’s story?

Cindy (drinking boba): Although it was challenging to write, I did enjoy the sexual tension.

What was the most difficult part about writing a sequel?

Cindy: Oh, the whole thing. haha! Writing Fury was honestly one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my life. I think the fact that I couldn’t write and revise at my own leisure was the most challenging. I wasn’t certain if I could do what I needed to do for the story (and my editor) in the time given. High pressure!

I love how you bring food into your writing. It’s like your signature. I kept getting hungry when I read Silver Phoenix. What are your favorite foods?

Cindy: Thank you! I do love to eat. But I think that food is essential to world building, especially in Xia, which is inspired by China. Food is so important in our culture for celebration and for ritual. Of course I love Chinese food like xiao long bao (soup dumplings), chow mien and mapo tofu. I also love Taiwanese “small eats” like pigs blood with sticky rice and intestines and deep fried tempura (fish cake).

One of the things I loved about Silver Phoenix is how you brought in the Chinese mythology and tales. It really adds something fresh and unique to what is on the bookshelves. What are some of your favorite Chinese mythical creatures that you brought into your books?

Cindy: Many of them were made up by me! But the most intriguing actually based on Chinese folklore would be the snake demon.

I noticed your lovely paintings on your website and read that you’re currently developing a picture book. Any gossip that you are able to share with us?

Cindy: Alas, no. Though that is my next project to tackle. I’m hoping to fill a picture book full of color and cute animals. Wish me luck!

Absolutely!

And here are some quickies:
1. Favorite type of chocolate: Belgian pralines
2. #1 country you’d like to visit: China!
3. Favorite mode of transportation: London tube
4. Preferred writing method: my macbook!

Thank you so much Cindy!

Now fill out the form below to be entered to win a copy of FURY! The deadline is April 30th.

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