Happy Halloween!!

Thanks to my friend Sandy for sending along these funnies!

STOP BY PETTICOATS AND PISTOLS ON FRIDAY FOR A LOOK AT HALLOWEEN HAUNTS AND HISTORY.

I'M GIVING AWAY A TREAT FROM MY BAG OF TRICKS!!

Christmas Corner and New Look for Eharlequin!

Do you ever shop at Eharlequin? The site has a brand new look! They have this cool new Christmas Corner, all the Christmas books throughout the site are on sale! If you love those holiday tales from any or all of the lines, check out Christmas Corner.

And Eharlequin now lists the Top 10 Bestsellers. I want to thank all of my readers who have made Do Not Disturb Until Christmas, a Top 10 Bestseller for one entire week, the past three days it's been at #2!

Here's the list as of today:

1.Baby Bequest
2.Do Not Disturb Until Christmas
3.Pregnant on the Upper East Side?
4.The CEO's Christmas Proposition
5.The Prince's Arranged Bride
6.In a Bind
7.The Cowboy's Christmas Miracle
8.The Spanish Billionaire's Christmas Bride
9.Sicilian Husband, Unexpected Baby 10.Spaniard's Seduction

They also have the Top 10 Dark and Dangerous Heros and a Halloween Masquerade Ball!

Trivia Anyone?

I love trivia. I don't know why, I'm not a gossip hound. I don't watch TMZ, the latest hip, trendy gossip show rivaling Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. But I do love learning snippets of information about people, places or things.

By the way, do you know what TMZ stands for? Take a guess.

Here's a bit of trivia about oldies but goodies, that I find fascinating:

Humphrey Bogart's lisp was a result of an injury received during World War II. While his ship was being shelled, a splinter lodged in his upper lip rendering it paralyzed.

Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman were once voted Least Likely to Succeed in their Playhouse Acting School.

Doris Day longed to be a professional dancer, but when she broke her leg at the age of 15, she decided to give singing a try.

Lucille Ball was kicked out of drama school for being too shy!

Shirley Temple was originally slated to play the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, but Judy Garland got the part when Temple's studio (20th Century Fox) asked for too much money from MGM.

1400 actresses were interviewed to play the role of Scarlett O'Hara.

Walt Disney was given one normal Oscar statue and 7 miniature statues for his film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937.

Quotes:

"We don't like their sound, and guitar music is on the way out." - Decca Recording Co. rejecting the Beatles, 1962

"The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." - Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Writers should be read, but neither seen nor heard." - Daphne Du Maurier

"It has been my observation that people are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be." -Abraham Lincoln

"All you need for happiness is a good gun, a good horse, and a good wife." - Daniel Boone

Random Historical Facts:

Benjamin Franklin was the first head of the United States Post Office.

Attila the Hun died of a nosebleed on his wedding night in A.D. 453.

John Hanson - not George Washington - was the first president of the U.S.

When the Congress met in 1781, the U.S. was governed by the Articles of Confederation, which were adopted in 1777 and ratified by the states in 1781. At that meeting, Congress elected John Hanson its "President of the U.S. in Congress assembled." George Washington became the first president of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution in 1789.

Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words to the classic American anthem
"America The Beautiful" after her trip to the summit of Pikes Peak in 1893.

St. Nicholas was bishop of the Turkish town of Myra in the early fourth century. It was the Dutch who first made him into a Christmas gift-giver, and Dutch settlers brought him to America where his name eventually became the familiar Santa Claus.

By the end of the U.S. Civil War, 33 percent of all U.S. paper currency in circulation was counterfeit. This was a devastating situation for a nation struggling to recover economically from such a destructive war. On July 5, 1865, the Secret Service was created as a part of the Department of the Treasury to help suppress counterfeit currency

So, do you love trivia? What's the most interesting bit of trivia you've heard?

How many of you know what TMZ stands for?

Tote Bags 'N' Blogs

I'm guest blogging at Tote Bags 'N' Blogs today.

Hope you get a chance to stop by and say hello!

Can you guess what the subject is?

Catch me at Petticoats and Pistols Today !

Read my True Confessions of a Romance Writer Blog!!

And for those in the Los Angeles area, join me and many other authors, including Lynne Marshall, Susan Squires, Eden Bradley,Christie Ridgeway and Barbara Samuel for a fun Bookfair and Meet and Greet! Stop by and say hello to me and receive a free Petticoats and Pistols sexy handfan!

Corner of Ventura Blvd and Hayvenhurst

12 Noon to 2 PM

Sunday, October 19th

If you'd like to be a part of the LARA writer's meeting, first time guests can attend free. Join us at Barnes and Noble at 10:30.

Do Not Disturb Until Christmas made it in Eharlequin's RED HOT Reads!

Go to Eharlequin to get a 20% discount or click on my Link to get free books and a mystery gift!!

It isn't Just about Earthquakes!

Well, it's been a whirlwind week! Not only did we have a lovely wedding in Malibu on Saturday... we had Santa Ana Winds on Sunday and our Wildfire Season started on Monday!

You've probably seen the film on your local news. It's quite frightening. But I managed to work my way thru 4 pages of my latest book, a continuity of the Texas Cattleman's Club series yesterday, smelling smoke and thinking it was off in the distance. It wasn't until I turned on the news in the afternoon that I saw how close those wildfires were coming again. I called my friends who lived in the area, and found out they were all fine. We were fine too.

But the winds shift. They are fickle and within an hour, those 6o MPH gusts could change direction. Still and all, while all other neighboring towns evacuated, we didn't have to. We stayed and I watched the news all night. How exhausting it is to see those firefighters and police try to prevent houses from burning. And how, scary. Late last night, I climbed inot bed, wondering if I would sleep at all.

As it turned out, the LAPD knocked hard on my door and said to "get ready to move out. Pack a few things and wait. They'd come back if we need to evacuate." Great. I told my husband to go to sleep and I stayed awake, listening for the wind, the tormenter of our destiny. But in the wee hours of the morning, the winds died down and it appeared the fires changed direction. They were off to torment other unsuspecting residents. All I can say, is that we've been lucky. This the the 3rd time fire has threatened, and we've made it thru okay.

I hurt for those people who weren't so fortunate. They left their homes yesterday morning to go to work, and weren't allowed back. Many didn't know if their homes were still standing. And some weren't.

It isn't just earthquakes in California. It's wind and fire. And then the rains come and we have floods. You know, aside from all this, I still love living here. I love my home, my neighborhood and the "burbs" where we know lots of people.

So today, instead of posting horrendous pictures of wildfires, I want to post the best thing about this week. My daughter's wedding. Here's a few pics. We had so much fun!

My son Jason walking me down the aisle to my seat.

Nikki and dear Hubby, on the famous walk down the aisle.

Dancing With Stars, in their eyes!

Nikki and Zac

Too Cute, flower girl and ring bearer!

These are just snapshots, but I'm happy to share them with you!

An A+ for Do Not Disturb Until Christmas!

Some nice reviews for my newest!

Do Not Disturb Until Christmas is a guarantee to touch your heart and your emotions. Charlene Sands can do no less.

Cody Landon loved Sarah Rose as a teen but that love was shattered when Sarah left him to pursue her singing career. Now Cody is a rich businessman and Sarah a famous singer. Cody decides the time is right to get revenge, a perfect Christmas present. He already took the first step by seducing and leaving her but it was not enough. Now he plans to seduce her for more than one night but will that be enough? Cody did not count on Sarah’s pregnancy. Forced to marry, now Cody has her right where he wants her. After the baby is born he will divorce her, but the best-laid plans are often derailed by something simple. The more time Cody spends with her, the more he wants her.

Cody had been deeply hurt by Sarah’s actions. Sarah knew this but felt she had no choice. Coming together in steamy romantic encounters brought out feelings neither wanted. Is that first love really dead? You will need to read Do Not Disturb Until Christmas to find out. Is the magic of the Christmas season enough? Do Not Disturb Until Christmas is perfect for the magic of the time. Steam, romance, and some danger all add up to the perfect book.

Do Not Disturb Until Christmas by Charlene Sands get an A+.

Debby at Cataromance

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cody "Code" Landon is a wealthy and respectable businessman. However, he has had to pull himself up by his bootstraps in order to achieve that success and along the way his heart has been badly broken by country superstar, Sarah Rose. They were madly in love in high school but Sarah had to walk away from him when success called. Her family needed her and Sarah needed to use her voice to help them live. But years later, Code still has not gotten over his anger over Sarah's leaving him in the dust.
Code has been hired to protect Sarah in her Christmas concert series and he is taking his duties seriously. Code wants revenge and he wants Sarah in his bed. He is determined to succeed and show her that the boy she was in love with no longer exists. But Sarah just yearns for one more chance with Code, the first and only man she has ever loved. Can Sarah convince him that their future is more precious than petty revenge? Can she show him that, despite her stardom, she just wants a life filled with love, happiness, and...babies?

Code and Sarah have some serious tension between them. Their chemistry is smoking hot but Code carries a lot of anger inside of him. Would he be strong enough to let that anger go for the promise of happiness Sarah would bring to his life? For her part, Sarah is very lonely. While she is successful, she does not have many close friends and little opportunity to meet an honest and kind man. Code reminds her of her past and her hopes for the future. At times, Code was the very epitome of a man in love but he was also fighting a strong desire for revenge.

That conflict was interesting as Code was clearly yearning for Sarah, but was scared to admit it. I enjoyed watching these two rediscover each other as successful adults. Sarah and Code do not have an easy road together but that makes their romance that much sweeter to savor.

4 of 5 Ribbons

Sarah W at Romance Junkies

Short and Suite News!!

The Brand New Suite Secrets Contest is up and running!!

Check it out and be sure to get your copy of Do Not Disturb Until Christmas!

It's almost crunch time - and soon I'll have a married daughter! I've been a little busy these past few weeks, but I'll be blogging regularly after the wedding. I promise pictures! Think of me on Saturday!

Wedding Funnies from the Mother of the Bride

Thanks to my friend Mark for sending this along.

We're counting down!

11 Days to go for my daughter's wedding.





A Man's Perfect Wedding

If Men Were in Charge of Weddings
There would be a "Rehearsal Kegger" rather than a "Rehearsal Dinner."
Bridesmaids would wear matching blue jean cut-offs and halter tops.
They would have NO tan lines.
Vows would mention cooking and sex specifically, but omit that "forsaking all others" part.
The couple would leave the ceremony in a souped up '73 Charger or some other Mopar with racing tires and flame designs on the side of the car.

Better yet, a Harley!
Idiots who tried to dance with the bride (unless they were really old) would get punched in the head.
Big, slobbery dogs would be eligible for the role of "Best Man."
There would be "Tailgate Receptions."
Ceremonies would be short and honeymoons would be long.
Ceremonies and honeymoons would be inexpensive compared to the cost of the bachelor party. Those strippers and liquor sure do add up.
Men wouldn't ask, "Well, what do you think, dear? The burgundy or the wine colored napkins?" They'd just grab extras from their local pub or tavern.
Favors would be matchbooks and cigars. Better yet, free drink passes at the local lounge.
The bride's dress would show cleavage, her navel, and be form-fitted to her butt.
Instead of a sit-down dinner or a buffet, there would be a hog roast or buckets of chicken, pizza and plenty of bar-b-que.
No one would bother with that "Veil Routine." But they would insist that the garter be as high up on her leg as it could go.
The bridal bouquet would be recycled from a previous funeral or something.
Invitations would read as follows:
Tom (Dick or Harry) is getting the ol' ball and chain... He's getting married. He either: A) knocked her up, B) couldn't get a different roommate, or C) caved in to her ultimatum. Please meet the woman who will cook and clean for him For the rest of his life at Texas Stadium On the 50 Yard Line At Half-time during Sunday's Game. Please join us at The Clubhouse after the game For Beer, Nachos and Pizza. Oh yeah... B.Y.O.B




Thank Goodness Men Don't Plan Weddings!!

Heads Up! A Fun Week Ahead!

It Anniversary Week at Petticoats and Pistols.

Stop by all week long. We're having fun, playing games and giving away a whole wagonload of prizes!!

Blogging At Petticoats Today!

And giving away a really nice little prize. Post a comment there and you're automatically entered! Hope you stop by to say hello and see what I have say about Western Myths!

Do Not Disturb Until Christmas! Top Pick!

I'm thrilled to announce that Do Not Disturb Until Christmas is Romantic Times Magazine's Top Pick for November!

4 1/2 STARS *****

The book is available for pre-order now on Amazon.

I hope you enjoy this sneak peek excerpt:

The scent of hot, fresh coffee called to him from the kitchen of his penthouse suite in the Tempest Hotel, New Orleans. Code Landon walked over to the coffeemaker and poured himself a mug. Thick, mudlike brew, just the way he liked it, slid down his throat, warming him instantly from the cold Louisiana day. He strolled over to the long L-shaped sofa and sat down. Sipping coffee, he picked up the television remote and hit the power button. The wide-screen bleeped on, bringing bright hues to Code's parlor and lighting up the room. He channel surfed, put his boots up on the coffee table and leaned back.

Sarah Rose's face appeared on the screen, fifty-two inches of green eyes, soft features and auburn curls. Code took a sharp breath. His heart pounded. He whipped his boots off the table and sat ramrod straight, listening to Sarah's interview.

"My work for the Dream Foundation is very important to me. I'm thrilled to be here in New Orleans and thank the people at Tempest for allowing me the opportunity. This is a great city. We want everyone to work together to rebuild homes for the most needy. No child should be without shelter and a place to call home."

The female interviewer stood beside Sarah, holding the microphone very close to her face. "You're a country superstar now, but you came from humble beginnings, I understand. Is that what drives your charitable work?"

"Yes, I think so. My mother was left with three children to raise and a houseful of bills. I remember that terrible fear as a young girl, thinking we might lose our home any day. No child should live with those frightening thoughts. And because of a natural catastrophe, many people here have already lost their homes. They need our help."

Sarah took it all in stride. She'd been in the limelight most of her adult life. She could handle the press, Code thought. She'd been through a scandal or two earlier in her career. Linked to playboys and

athletes, the rumor mills had churned and churned about love triangles and breakups until Code couldn't take hearing about it any more. He'd turn the television off at the mention of Sarah's name. He'd read headlines in tabloids until he learned to ignore them. He'd managed to block out the public Sarah Rose from his mind for the most part, but it was the private girl that he remembered—that had stayed with him all these years.

They'd been deeply in love in high school. He thought he'd found the girl of his dreams, the one and only girl he'd ever want. God, he'd loved her like no tomorrow. But Sarah had plans that didn't include him. She wanted out of Barker, Texas, at all costs. And when the first opportunity had come, she'd packed her bags and left her hometown, leaving him high and dry and completely heartbroken.

It wasn't too long after that Sarah became America's newest female country-western artist, a woman whose concerts earned her big bucks. She raised money for charity. She had small movie roles. She got just what she'd wanted in life.

Code had never gotten over Sarah—the way he'd loved her so deeply and how she'd betrayed him for her career. It had taken him years to figure out that he couldn't move on with his life until he purged her from his system. But he wanted more than that now.

He wanted revenge.

He'd tracked her down at Tempest West in Arizona weeks ago and seduced her. They'd had a brief fling, and Code wanted it to end there and then, but he was drawn to Sarah in ways he couldn't name. He wasn't through with her yet.

His company, Landon Security Agency, had a contract with Tempest Hotels. The timing was perfect; while Sarah was performing here, he would oversee his team's work revamping the hotel's security system. Brock Tyler, owner of the hotel and Code's best friend, had seen clear through his guise but Code didn't care what anyone thought at this point. He had aright to insinuate himself into Sarah's life.

She owed him, and the payback would be sweet.

"Damn it," he said, pushing the power button off. He got up from the sofa, wondering what the hell he'd been waiting for, a personal invitation from Sarah to resume the fling they'd started in Arizona?

Code showered and changed into an Yves Saint Laurent jacket and black trousers, and slipped his feet into calfskin Ferragamo shoes. A quick comb to his thick hair kept the locks from falling onto his forehead, and a pat of cologne finished off his grooming. Satisfied with the cleaned-up version of Code Landon, he strode out the front door with one thing on his mind. Getting back at Sarah Rose for all the heartache she'd caused him.

* * *

"C-Code? W-what are you doing here?" Stunned, Sarah leaned against the doorjamb of her penthouse suite, facing Code Landon. He was the last person she thought she'd see in New Orleans, much less standing at her door. She'd expected room service, for heaven's sake.

She continued to stare as an unwelcome flash of warmth surged through her system. She battled not to let his sudden appearance and those piercing, dark-blue eyes get to her. Wearing black from head to toe in expensive attire, he was as devilishly handsome as they come. But seeing him dressed like a man of success and power was a good reminder of how much he'd changed since they'd known each other in their younger days.

One side of his mouth cocked up in a slight smile. "If I didn't know better, I'd guess you didn't want me here."

She didn't. She thought they'd put their feelings to rest in Arizona. They'd made tender and tumultuous love, a culmination of years of wondering, yearning and heartache. It had been bittersweet yet wonderful, and all Sarah had hoped for when she'd dreamt of making love to Code.

But why was he here now?

She couldn't deal with the myriad emotions swirling through her stomach seeing Code again.

She'd been keeping a hectic pace with interviews, rehearsals and touring the ninth ward, or as the locals called it, the Mighty Nine, and all of it led to the place Sarah wanted to help the most, the area desolated by Hurricane Katrina. Seeing the city's destruction firsthand had put her in a melancholy mood lately. She needed to keep her focus and raise as much money as she could. Code's appearance today could only complicate matters.

"I'm…sorry. My mama taught me better manners. But I am surprised to see you here. Did you want something?"

Code blinked slowly, revealing thick dark lashes and tiny lines around the corners of his eyes that appealed to her in a dozen different ways. "That's a loaded question, babe."

The endearment stayed with her as she combated her innermost feelings.

"Actually, I'm here on business," he explained finally.

"Oh."

"I came to check out your setup here. While you're on Tempest property, my company is responsible for your safety." Code glanced past her into the suite. "Are we having this conversation in your doorway?"

"No, no. Come inside," she said and allowed him entrance. As he walked past her, brushing her arm,

she caught a faint whiff of his cologne, the same musky scent that had lingered on her skin after their night between the sheets.

"I'm perfectly safe here in the hotel. My manager takes me wherever I need to go, and if I leave the premises, I have a bodyguard."

"You were attacked while up on stage in Nashville."

He turned to her just as blood drained from her face. She couldn't conceal her discomfort, the memory never far from her mind. A crazed fan had jumped on stage and rushed at her with such force that he'd knocked her down. She'd been startled and frightened, and she'd never forget that one moment when the man had been upon her. She still recalled his insane rumblings in her ear.

A security officer had apprehended the fan and taken him away, but it was Robert, her manager, who had calmed her. He'd cosseted and comforted her, making sure she hadn't been injured in any way. For all his flaws, Robert had come through then, protecting her and giving her the option to cancel the rest of the show. She'd never forget his concern and compassion. After an hour of his soothing talk, she'd made the decision to continue with her performance, and the fans had greeted her with warmth and kindness, giving her a standing ovation at the end.

"How did you hear about that?"

Code cocked a corner of his mouth upward.

"Who didn't hear about it? You made headlines. The whole incident landed on YouTube. Besides, it's my job to know these things."

"It's your job?" He made it seem as though he was worried about future employment when they both knew that his company branched out to every corner of the country. She'd read about him on the Internet and in High Tech Today. The magazine article depicted the Landon Security Agency as the fastest growing, most innovative company of its kind. He and his father had developed some new type of sensor device that they'd patented and sold to the government for millions.

He wasn't a mere bodyguard. Far from it, yet he'd come from humble beginnings, too. He'd taken the lead fromhis father's military training and learned the security business from the ground up. His life had followed the American Dream to the letter just as much as hers had, maybe more. Her talent was a gift, not a honed skill born of hard work and gritty perseverance.

"I find that hard to believe, Code."

"I'm doing Brock a favor, Sarah. He asked me to oversee things while I'm here. And you're the big draw to the hotel during the holiday season. I'm just making sure his interests are secure."

Sarah didn't believe him, but there wasn't much she could do about it other than throw him out of her suite.

"Okay, do what needs doing." She wanted to add, then leave.

But Sarah didn't really want Code to leave. That was the problem. In her heart of hearts, she wanted Code Landon to stay. There was so much heartache between them. Sarah had run off to pursue her career, abandoning him and their love.

*** A New Suite Secrets Contest is coming soon!

Gotta Love a Talent Contest!

Do you watch America's Got Talent?

I have to admit, that during the dry TV season of summer reruns, I found this show to be quite entertaining. Some of the early acts are really silly, but when they narrow it down to the top twenty, I'm hooked.

I really loved last year's winner, Terry Fator. He's a ventriloquist extraordinaire! I'd love to see him perform live in a show ... and might if he comes to California. He does amazing performances, sings like a real pro, reaching high notes with his adorable and lovable "dummies" as they were called in Howdy Dowdy days.

This time around, I have a real favorite. Someone who Sharon Osbourne admits gives her goosebumps when he sings. It's Neal Boyd. He has a true gift, something you can't be taught. I really believe some people are put on this earth to sing. It's their calling. That's how I feel about Neal. He's has a Pavorotti type voice, maybe a little more raw, but when he belts out his deep baritone notes, I too, get goose bumpy!

He's also someone I don't think Piers, (the Simon Cowell of the show, complete with British accent) has never X'ed during a performance.

Also among my favorites is another singer, a man with a great voice and appeal, but I'm not sure he's a winner. Donald Braswell. And then there's sweet little Kaitlyn Maher, a four year old who never misses a beat.

This pic is not the greatest, but trust me, she is soooo cute!

Do you watch the show? How does it measure up to the other talent shows? Actually, if I had to rate them this is how my taste goes.

Dancing with the Stars

American Idol

America's Got Talent

Even though AGT was the least favorite, I still find it entertaining! I haven't watched tonight to see who got booted off. Don't tell me, I'm going to watch my DVR now!

Congratulations ... We have A Winner of the Suite Secrets Contest!

It's Jennifer The Forgetful Faerie Queen!

Congratulations!
Your name was drawn at random for the Suite Secrets Prizes!

Please contact me at charlenesands@hotmail.com with your name and address. I'll be mailing off your prizes asap!

Thanks to everyone who entered! I loved all your hotel stories. Be sure to check back. I'll be posting a new contest very soon.

Such a Bargain .... Billionaires from your favorite authors!

Both The Corporate Raider's Revenge and Five-Star Cowboy are included in this special Harlequin promotion. Half price books from some of the best authors around! Desires, Presents, Romance and more!

Check it out quick at Eharlequin!

Suite Secrets Grand Prize Contest Ending Monday

Please check back on Monday to see if you're our Grand Prize winner. Special thanks to all of you who entered those marvelous hotel stories.

I hope you enjoy Five-Star Cowboy and look for Code Landon's book coming November in
Do Not Disturb Until Christmas!

Join me today at Petticoats and Pistols!

You could win this out of print and

hard to find book!

www.petticoatsandpistols.com

September 11th - a day we'll never forget.

Hug a friend or loved one today in memory of those we lost.

Do You Think They Know They Aren't Supposed to Like Each Other?

Special thanks to Carol C for sending these. Aren't they precious pictures?
I couldn't resist sharing them!
Enjoy and remember to check back on Monday when I announce the winner of my Suite Secrets Contest.
There's still time to enter!