10. My Week – I decorated for Halloween! Are we getting ready? Do all the kids have costumes picked out? I have a seven year old who is obsessed with scary things and a five year old who cries if there is a mean looking pumpkin. I can’t win. I did buy a plastic hand that crawls across the floor. I may have scarred my five year old for life. We’ll see.
9. Fun news! USA Today has started a romance blog, Happy Ever After. It went live yesterday afternoon. I was asked to be a part of it and I couldn’t be more excited. Joyce Lamb is in charge and there is a great group of authors and readers that will be contributing. (Including Lea and Mary G – who doesn’t blog but comments here often!). I’ll mostly be writing book reviews and I’ll be able to post them to Smexy as well which will help me out – since I don’t think I could add any more books to my schedule as it is:) And at Smexy I’m still able to include my naughty quotes and words, which I must do!
My first review for Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis is up. So go check it out!
8. Damn, Lori Foster gets some hot covers. A Perfect Storm, book four in her Men that Walk the Edge of Honor series, comes out in April. Blurb:
Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including the nightmare she survived and her resulting trust issues. But in order to expose a smuggling ring—and continue avenging his own tragic past—the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to make Arizona a decoy. Yet nothing has equipped him for her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.
Arizona wants to reclaim her life, which means acting as bait to lure the enemy into a trap. Sure it’s dangerous, especially with a partner as distractingly appealing as Spencer. But as their plan—and their chemistry—shifts into high gear, Arizona may discover there’s an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero…
7. Kresley Cole has just released the back cover blurb for Lothaire, which I think is my next most anticipated release. (followed by Lover Reborn). I’ve been dying for Lothaire’s book since I read Dreams of a Dark Warrior. Here is the blurb (from her facebook page):
ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD
Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness—until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.
A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER
Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.
CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED
Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia-old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?
Zomg…the heroine is on death row!!! I’m so excited. I think the way Cole writes this paranormal world is so unique…and witty. Although not every book in this series is a favorite, overall I highly recommend them. Is it January yet?????
6. One last cover alert! If I Fall by Kate Noble. I love yellow on covers. And I love this author. She writes very sweet historical romances. Link to her books. Another one I can’t wait for! Out in April.
5. A couple of book deals I’ve found this week:
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemison, Fantasy is $2.99 Kindle, Nook
Cover Me by Catherine Mann, Romantic Suspense is $.89 Kindle
Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson, Paranormal Romance is free Kindle, Nook
This Fierce Splendor by Iris Johansen, A Loveswept Historical, is $1.99 Kindle, Nook
And as always, Dear Author has a weekly $2.99 and under round up HERE.
4. Pie Pops. Are they not the cutest thing ever? I’ve done cake pops (okay, my mom has done cake pops – but I’ve eaten them. Does that count?) But Pie Pops – they just scream fall! And I love pie so much more than cake. Found at Full Fork Ahead.
3. I’m obsessed with the show, Arrested Development, which went off the air several years ago. Since then, there have been rumors that there will be a movie. Now confirmed – they are bringing the show back for ten episodes, which will then lead into a movie in theaters. Ahh!! This show makes me laugh like nothing else. Period. Plus my hubs quotes lines from the show at least a dozen times a day. Every day. It’s a good thing I think they are funny. 
I leave you with their chicken dances.
2. Okay – so I’ve seen the word “Gandy” tweeted about often, but I didn’t know what (or who) it was. Then I found out he was a male model – David Gandy but didn’t google him as I should have. This week, Thea Harrison mentioned him in her guest post, so I started doing a little google image search. Sweet mama. Smexy and Gandy need some time to get to know each other. *waggles eyebrows* Check out this tumblr too.
You know you are hot when you look so very fine in undies and a furry hat.
I think he will be added to the side bar, stat. (And yes I know I’m SO very late to him)
1. Weekend – We are taking the boys to the Maryland State Renaissance Festival. We go every year and it is a lot of fun! I’m also reading Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt. Her Maiden Lane series is so good!
Happy Friday!!
October 7, 2011 at 2:03 pm
We’re all so happy to hear your good news. I’m sure Happy Ever After is going to be great (and even better with you a part of it.)
As for Gandy (**sigh**)… you know he’s not afraid to show his dangly bits, right? And he is the prevailing favorite for a Barrons casting. Who cares if he can act?
October 7, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Someone MAY have sent me a picture of his dangly-bits last night. I can’t confirm this. *drool*
A boy this pretty better not have any speaking lines. Just shush and pose.
October 7, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Yay you!!! Yay LOTHAIRE!! Yay for Gandy!!
Have an awesome weekend Mandi Bear!
October 7, 2011 at 2:47 pm
Have a great weekend too Pam!
October 7, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Wow! Love these roundups, and a big congrats on that Happily Ever after gig! Woo hoo!
October 7, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Also, Lothaire has kind of the same haircut as Jim Carey in Dumb and Dumber…but I don’t care because I KNOW I WILL LOVE HIM! Hurry, January!!!
October 7, 2011 at 2:48 pm
OMG..I just fell out of my chair laughing because you are so right. MUST get his character out of my head and replace with sexy Lothaire.
LOLOLOL.
I will love him too.
October 7, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Oh Gandy. *swoon* He is so beautiful.
I can’t WAIT for Lothaire’s book. Love a heroine on death row.
I want some pie pops.
Congrats on Happily Ever After gig. You totally deserve it.
October 7, 2011 at 2:48 pm
I want pie pops too Tori. Come make me some. *bats eyelashes*
And thanks darlin’
October 7, 2011 at 2:50 pm
LOL, yes, it does take a sexy man to make that look work. I think he pulls it off pretty well though!
Yes, I need pie thingies. I love pie.
And mmmm, sexy wet shirt with nipples showing. Happy friday to me!
October 7, 2011 at 2:58 pm
He does pull it off..I’m pretty sure there is not a pose out there that wouldn’t work for him
October 7, 2011 at 2:53 pm
Gandy is so damn yummy!!! Who cares if you’re late to the game. At last you’re in the game! LOL!
Congrats on the HEA gig on USAT.
I love Halloween and do everything in my power to scare myself daily. My husband says I’m sick. What does he know?
October 7, 2011 at 2:59 pm
True – I’m game for Gandy. ;p
I admit I don’t like to be scared. No idea where my 5 year old gets it from *ahem*
ANd thanks!
October 7, 2011 at 2:56 pm
Bring it on Paul Marron!! Don’t care if he looks weird at that Lothaire cover =P
BTW, why peoples just knowing about Gandy now? I know him a year ago and lusting over his D&G commercial
October 7, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Poor Paul Marron. This one might not be his best. BUT damn it – I need Lothaire’s book!!!
I know – I have failed the Gandy lusting!!!
October 7, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Holy Moly… I’m late to the Gandy train too, but DAMN I’m onboard now!!
I love the new Foster cover. Soaking wet man? Yes please may I have another?!
October 7, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Yay – another Gandy noob!
October 7, 2011 at 3:04 pm
I hope you all are happy, i am not poring of Gandy tumbers! But sadly no dangly bits in any I found
October 7, 2011 at 3:10 pm
I could email you something a little special *cough cough*
October 7, 2011 at 5:03 pm
You are so good to me! Have to wait until the kids are in bed to watch!
October 7, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Enjoy the fair! I hear it is a fantastic time! I have the same dilemma with my twins. One likes the scary and the other freaks over the littlest thing. This year they reached a compromise. Instead of being Scream, she is going to be a Pokemon trainer…. sigh….
October 7, 2011 at 3:17 pm
LOL..yes you really can’t win! I think we are going to take my 7 yr old to a scary halloween thing at night and one of us will stay home with 5 yr old. Maybe one day they will reach a compromise
The fair should be a good time!
October 7, 2011 at 3:39 pm
*snickers* the hottie on the cover of A Perfect Storm has TTHOs. The rain must be cold.
Gandy…yum. Of course, I’m late, but I’m so hopping on his train.
October 10, 2011 at 7:31 am
Cold rain works!
October 7, 2011 at 3:40 pm
I never got over my fear of scary things though.
Love love love that Lori Foster cover, a wet t shirt never looked that good! I am also looking forward to Lothaire, though I still don’t like the cover.
I want a pie pop! Is some one going to sell those in Holland?
Have a nice weekend Mandy and family.
October 10, 2011 at 7:32 am
I’m totally a scaredy cat! LOL
I think you should make the pie pops and start selling them over there
It could be a big business!
October 7, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Gandy would be the perfect man to play Barrons!! RAWR! He is so freaking hawt!!!
And check out that man candy on Lori Fosters book! Damn…I am all sweaty just looking at those photos.
October 10, 2011 at 7:32 am
Do you think Gandy can be all dark and dangerous though? I can’t think about Barrons casting without getting nervous!!!
October 7, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Congrats and have fun this weekend. Gandy reminds of Oded from Mummy…yummy. Oh nice looking books.
October 10, 2011 at 7:33 am
oooh..he does! I hope you had a nice weekend Julie!
October 7, 2011 at 3:54 pm
David Gandy did an interview for Jonathan Ross a couple of years ago. Stunning. (It’s on Google)
Also, we are fans of Matt Gordon. See him in action here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpj2U8G1gDc&NR=1
And the David Gandy ad from a few years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrUJY4D5Bc
oh, man!
October 10, 2011 at 7:35 am
ZOMG!! I love how the camera pans down to Gandy’s lower half on each shot…LOL.
And Matt Gordon – he can snap his fingers at me anytime. He looks kind of Emo..I like emo.
October 7, 2011 at 4:22 pm
It cracks me up how much you and I have in common when it comes to TV shows! Now that I have Netflix I can’t wait to watch old Arrested Development episodes…just have to finish Sons of Anarchy first.
mmmmm Gandy.
October 10, 2011 at 8:01 am
My hubs LOVES Sons of Anarchy…I haven’t watched it yet but I want to.
October 7, 2011 at 4:25 pm
Yay for you being at that new blog
So cool!
And I do love the Noble cover, so yellow and pretty
October 7, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Oh Gandy. *fans self*
October 7, 2011 at 7:59 pm
I love your Top 10. BTW dibs on reviewing the Lori Foster book LOL!!!
Just teasing – we’ll flip a coin, or bribe Joyce.. or something.
October 10, 2011 at 8:02 am
ahaha…big congrats to you!!! And you go ahead and review that one!
October 7, 2011 at 9:25 pm
Congratulations on your newest venture!
I hope the internet police don’t come knocking b/c after this post I *might* have googled “gandy naked”…purely for research of course. What a fine specimen of hot male goodness.
I am so far behind in the Kresley Cole series. I need to catch up!
October 10, 2011 at 8:07 am
I approve of this research Patti!
October 10, 2011 at 12:51 am
Congratulations on the USA Today gig Mandi! Well done
Some have suggested David Gandy for Roarke but, as yummy as he is, I prefer Andreas Jaenke – without the German accent of course. Here’s why:- http://tinyurl.com/3s7l5wn
….and, you’re welcome!
October 10, 2011 at 8:13 am
Oh my…well hello there Mr. Jancke
Smexy likes!
October 10, 2011 at 12:52 am
Oops, spelled his name wrong, that’s Jancke. Must have got flustered for some reason…
October 10, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Congrats Mandi! I am so proud of all you do – you are a rockstar in my book!
I really wish I would have kept up with my Reading Challenge for IAD! *hangs head*
December 3, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I had this post bookmarked a while before but my PC crashed. I have since gotten a new one and it took me a while to come across this! I also really like the template though.
May 22, 2012 at 3:52 pm
molto il ricordo
April 25, 2013 at 5:21 am
I never tried American Spirits, but I can tell you that there are a lot of good cigarette-like flavors out there. I’m vaping some G.I. Joe from Aroma Ejuice at the moment that is great. Goodejuice, FreedomSmokeUSA and LitecigUSA also have some great tobaccos. I would recommend trying some of those to see if you can find something that works for you.