Juno ... the Movie

Was it ever explained why her parents named her Juno? I don't know, but I do remember her father calling her June Bug. That's cute.

It's a good thing we didn't rent this movie. There are rentals and then there are borrowed movies. We borrowed this movie from our son. I'm not saying I didn't like the movie, but I guess my expectations were very high. The actress played by Ellen Page got rave reviews and was nominated for an Academy Award. I expected Meryl Streep I guess.

Word of mouth is priceless and I heard nothing but great things about the movie. My daughter loved it. My friend loved it. Many people I know saw it on the big screen when the movie first came out and loved it.

The movie was different, unique in ways I can't describe, but it did remind me of the humor of The Office - another show that the critics and millions of people adore ... that I don't "get". I've tried. Oh, how I've tried. I want to fit in and say, "Yeah, I love The Office ... it's sooo funny." But I can't. I don't find it entertaining.




Getting back to Juno. I'll watch and enjoy a variety of movies because as a writer, I'm always learning. I study people. I study characters. To find their motivation. To see how they tick. So, in that regard I liked Juno. There were some funny moments. The writing was very good. I learned something from watching it and that's always a positive.




Juno was nominated as Best Picture along with 3 other Oscar noms and has been labeled, "A fresh, unusually intelligent comedy."

So there it is. I should have liked it more. I should have loved it!

But did I love Juno? No. Not even close. Like I said, it was engaging. I was mildly entertained. I observed and learned a little. But, I didn't "get" it. Aside from great acting on young Ellen Page's part, it was okay. Not my cup of tea, as they say. Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I don't really think so.

So, what about you? Have you ever expected to enjoy a movie or a book because your expectations were so high, only to be disappointed. What didn't you "get" that others did?

Covers, Covers and More Covers!

Have I got your attention?

When I wrote the Suite Secrets Series for Desire, I envisioned what my hero characters would look like. Trent Tyler in Five-tar Cowboy is more rugged than most of the wealthy tycoons you might expect. He has a deep love of the land, respects animals and loves winning. He's tall, dark and handsome, but he's also clever and smart as a whip. I searched and searched until I found a man that would fit the bill.

What do you think? Pretty handsome and rugged and a millionaire to boot! In my mind, maybe Trent had a less cleanly shaven face with some scruffiness on his very sharp features.

But the cover gods, had a different Trent Tyler in mind. They chose to show his millionaire status and I'm not disappointed. I like a man who wears a tux and a Stetson so well.

It just goes to show that the author's concept and the artist's concept of the character can be miles apart. I've been happy with my covers thus far, so no complaints out of me. I do a 6 page Art Fact Sheet explaining the story, concepts, theme and finally physical characteristics of my main characters.

Here's who I've picked for the next two books in the series. You may recognize them!

Cody Landon in Do Not Disturb Until Christmas:

Brock Tyler in Reserved for the Tycoon:

Okay, so I have lofty aspirations for my covers, but these guys do fit the character so well. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what the cover gods have in mind!

Visit me today at Petticoats and Pistols. Take a walk down Memory Lane and you may win a copy of my May anthology, Western Weddings!

Hope to see you there!

I love Idol ... I admit it!

There isn't anything I don't like about the final ten weeks of American Idol. It's pure and simple entertainment. It's Star Search and Ed Sullivan all wrapped up and tied with a pretty bow.



Last night I was in Idol Heaven. I sat with my eyes glued to the set, much to my company's groans. (My kids 25 and 30 are NOT fans) After dinner, I made the announcement. Didn't matter that the Laker play-off game was on, we were going to sit down with cake batter, expresso and peanut butter flavored frozen yogurt and watch the entire show! My bribe worked, but the comments I endured would be considered cruel and unusual punishment by most civilized countries.










Despite their claims to "cheesy singing acts by the top ten", "bad staging", trying to figure out if the Guru was really in the scene with David and David, and Ryan being a Dork - all sacrilege to me, my family sat with me and watched the two hours while I relished every second!



I loved Carrie Underwood's performance. I'm an avid country music fan!

I loved Gladys Knights and her New Pips - Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. It was a real hoot!!


I loved it when Ryan almost fell off the Guru carpet ride!

I liked seeing the judges dressed up, smiling and nice to everyone! Simon even made an apology of sorts to Cook.

Even though I was an Archuleta fan, I thought the votes came in as they should have. David Cook, a little more mature, a little more entertaining and a teensy bit more talented, deserved the Idol Crown.

All in all, a great season of Idols.


I won't be there in January to watch the lunatics try to impress the judges. I know those first few weeks are popular, but watching them reminds me how many delusional people live in this world. But when the wannabes come to Hollywood, I'm so there!

Five Star Cowboy Contest!

The Contest Begins...

Be sure to enter my brand new Five-Star Cowboy contest on my contest page! And as an added bonus, you'll win an advance copy of August's Five-Star Cowboy, the first in the Suite Secrets Series from Silhouette Desire!

Contest ends July 15th!

Bookseller's Best Award Contest!

I'm pleased to announce that I finaled in the Greater Detroit Chapter's Bookseller's Best Contest. Actually, I'm a Double Finalist, for Bodine's Bounty and Fortune's Vengeful Groom!
Awards to be given out in San Francisco during our Romance Writer's of America Conference.


All judges are booksellers or librarians!




These are the 2007
Award winners!

Hi all,

I'm guest blogging today (Friday) about Starting Your Story in the Right Place! Come visit me at Seekerville!

And just for your trouble, I'll give you a sneak peek of my newest Desire to be released in August.

Pretty cool cowboy ... don't you think?

Have a Cup At Coffee Time with Me!

Come visit me and sit down for a hot sizzling brew. You might even win something. Six of us Fillies from Petticoats and Pistols will be chatting and giving away prizes! Let's have COFFEE!

This from Harlequin today:

Whichever way you cut it, cowboys are sexy. They have rugged good looks, charismatic charm and best of all, they look great in a well-worn pair of jeans! Rustle up some cowboy books below, including stories by Diana Palmer, our steamy SPICE read Caine's Reckoning and many more! We'll lasso $10 off your order when you spend $35 or more! Plus, you'll automatically qualify for FREE shipping.*

If you'd like to read an excerpt of Springville Wife from our Western Weddings anthology, go to The Good, The Bad and the Unread! I hope you enjoy!!

And congratulations to Susan Sestak for Winning my Spring Contest!

Prizes are on the way!!