Back

I’m back…after being MIA for a bit. But I’ve been missing for a really good reason. I’ve been working on the sequel to Reckless Bounty titled Maximum Velocity. I’ve also been participating in the KIA Marathon over at RWA online. My group is the Shadow Dancers and so far we’ve been doing really well!

Well, I'm off to write some more!

~Marly

Taxi

Last night, I watched the movie Taxi starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon. I laughed my butt off. I literally had tears in my eyes. Oh…I definitely recommend it for anyone that wants to have a good laugh and likes a good thrill ride! Ann-Margret was equally funny playing the part of Jimmy’s mother.

~Marly

Under The Weather

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather these last few days. Needless to say, my productivity level has been minimal. So, I did what any normal woman would do…I slept and I ate some comfort food…what would settle well on the tummy anyway…which wasn’t much. And when I wasn’t sleeping…I watched Television. Yeah, it’s been a lot of fun around here. Oh…and I saw Martha again today. Jamie Oliver was on there…and let’s just say his segment wasn’t long enough. So that bummed me out. Really. I don’t know how popular he is in the States, but he’s pretty well known up here in Canada. So, for the first time in watching a new Martha episode, I felt cheated. I loved the makeover story…but well…I feel Jamie could have had some more airtime…he seemed a bit rushed. And they didn’t need to cut back on the bedroom makeover segment either. Enough said.
Here's Jamie's website for anyone that might be interested.

Jamie Oliver

~Marly

Ghost Whisperer

Yesterday I watched a new show called Ghost Whisperer starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. I was actually impressed by both the show and her acting abilities. She never used to be one of my favorites but her acting abilities have definitely grown. Anyone that is into the paranormal, and loves shows with heart, then this is a must see for you! I give it a ten. The characters were richly drawn and the interaction between them was superb. I also liked the little touch that they gave it when she sometimes doesn’t know if she’s seeing ghosts until they “see her” and notice that she can see them. Her assistant in her antique store also did a great job. It’s good to finally see a show that doesn’t drone on about the negative things in life even though some of the main players in the show are ghosts. And I hope they keep the great work up! Also, I liked the fact that they have her character, Melinda, already being in a faithful relationship with her husband. Nice touch. Now we hopefully won’t have to go through the whole angst of will they or won’t they? I hate it when shows do that, dangling the romantic relationship in front of you, until they ultimately put the characters with other people. I also like the fact that her husband is supportive and comforting. I really, really hope that they keep on getting better with each episode instead of taking that road of no return. Okay, that’s all for tonight.

~Marly

Hurricane Rita

I'm sending out thoughts and prayers to everyone that is in the path of hurricane Rita. Stay safe!

Marly

Martha

My Television viewing of last night consisted of Martha Stewart’s new show The Apprentice: Martha Stewart. Let’s just say, I think I’m hooked on the The Apprentice: Martha Stewart and her other new daytime show, Martha. But that’s a good thing, right?

~Marly

Comedy Legend

I watched Bob Hope’s The Princess and the Pirate last night.

The Princess and the Pirate

I laughed my butt off. Those classic comedy movies are great stress relievers. And as we all know, Bob Hope was a comedy king.

~Marly

Aurora

Last night was Stargate Atlantis night. I was almost afraid to tune in…as I haven’t been too impressed with the last few episodes. But I was in for a most pleasant surprise. This episode actually portrayed the characters the way I like to see them portrayed. The funny banter between McKay and Sheppard was back…and even more astonishing I’ve begun to warm up to the character of Ronen…or maybe it’s just the actor. Anyway, the episode was called Aurora and it was definitely a great lead up to their mid-season two-part cliffhanger.
The other night I watched Johnny English for about the twentieth time. I love that film. And while it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, the humor in it cracks me up every time. Of course, there’s a gross part in the film that I could do without but I’ve learned to overlook it now. And the theme song sung by Robbie Williams is pretty hilarious and catchy as well.

In other news the writing is coming along and I’m right where I want to be. So that’s a definite good thing.

~Marly

A Little Piece Of Heaven

Three words: Homemade Banana Cake.

~Marly

Mimosa!

Scent of the day: Mimosa…not the drink…the scent. As an extra bonus for this blog entry, the lingering scent of mimosa was used to portray a spirit in the 1944 mystery/romantic movie The Uninvited.

The Uninvited

This movie is one of my all time favorites and I highly recommend it to anyone that’s looking for a spooky yet heartwarming movie.
Mimosa is a native plant from China. The Chinese call it the tree of collective happiness. Common name is the Silk Tree. A Florentine Nobleman, Fillippo Degli Albizzia introduced mimosa to the US in 1785. It was naturalized from Maryland to Southern Florida, west to eastern Texas and north to Indiana. Mimosa is also found widely in the Mediterranean. The tree flowers between June through to August. The bark and the flowers are used for medicinal properties. You can find mimosa scented soaps and perfumes. So, the next time you are looking for a scent to use in your story think about introducing Mimosa to your character’s life. Research has also shown that the flowers of the mimosa tree have a sedative effect…so think about that when next you need to relax your characters.

~Marly

Reflection

I’m back. I finished the revisions of Do or Die this week.
The events of the last few weeks have opened our eyes and our hearts. Hurricane Katrina dealt a devastating blow to many, and my heart goes out to everyone involved and affected.

I thought I might start up a little fun feature on my blog called scent of the day, week or month, as I am known to go into deep writing mode. Since we as writers sometimes like to use flowery scents, citrus scents among others, to enhance our scenes, I thought this might be enjoyable to explore. So come with me on my fascinating adventure through scents of our lives.
Stay tuned: Mimosa, coming soon!

~Marly

Deep Writing Mode

Hey everybody,

I’m sorry that I’ve been MIA this last week…I’m up to my ears revising my latest romantic futuristic action adventure DO OR DIE.

~Marly

Romantic Films

Last night I watched two really good classic black and white films. One was from 1936, and the other was from 1945. I have to say…I never get tired of watching films from this era. For the most part they leave you with a happy go lucky feeling that always improves your mood.
The movie from 1936 was MY MAN GODFREY, starring William Powell and Carole Lombard. They both gave an excellent portrayal and the romance between the two lit up the screen. From my humble opinion I’d have to say that this version is MUCH better than the one made in 1957. I’ve found that remakes either sink or swim…and for me they usually pale in comparison to the original.
The second movie made in 1945 was THE STORK CLUB, starring Barry Fitzgerald and Betty Hutton. This movie was also a feel good romantic comedy. It showcased the love between a couple that had been married for forty years and the love between a marine just back from the war and the woman that waited for him to come home to her. Both were touching and sweet heartwarming movies that actually had a plotline. If you’re looking for great romantic films I highly recommend both!

Sprinkling some faerie dust your way,

~Marly

Long time, no blog

Hey everybody just thought I’d pop in and say that no…I haven’t dropped off the face of the Earth. I know it’s been a couple of weeks...okay more than a couple of weeks since my last post but who's counting. Anyway, I’ve been busy writing. I’ll try to pop in again in the next few days or so to write a proper update.

Sprinkling some faerie dust your way,
~Marly

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Okay, so I’m sitting here writing this blog entry while rain pelts against my office window. Where did the week go? I can’t believe my last entry was on Monday. I’ve been so busy writing and living my life that the week just flew by. Anyway, most of the writers I know are at this moment gearing up for the RWA National conference in Reno. Alas, I won’t be there this year…but I expect full reports from my friends.

Well, I think I hear thunder in the distance so my Internet time is almost up…

Sprinkling a little faerie dust your way,
~Marly

Urgent Warning!

I’ve been visiting my regular blog haunts this morning, and I just noticed an extremely important warning on Deidre Knight’s Agency Blog. Anyway, I urge any of the readers of my blog to scoot right over there and read her warning.

Knight Agency Blog
Please take the time out to visit her blog. I would elaborate further, but I think it’s best if my readers hear it straight from Deidre.

~Marly

I'm So Excited!!!

I’m so excited. Tomorrow I’ll be getting my copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Yesterday, I read this interesting article about how the Canadian copies of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince will be printed entirely with recycled paper that is free of pulp from ancient trees. Ancient trees are generally defined as being trees that are at least 150 years old. The Canadian Publisher of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is Raincoast Books. Activists say their printing of the book will save more than 28, 000 trees. To give you a visual picture of that number they say it is more trees than what will fill New York City’s Central Park. Wow.

Sprinkling some faerie dust your way,

~Marly

Spellbound

I just skipped over to Marjorie M. Liu’s blog, and I just have to rave about the cover to her book Shadow Touch. It’s one haunting cover. The color scheme is catchy and there is just so much to entice the eyes. Okay, I’m going back to my writing now,

Sprinkling some faerie dust your way,
~Marly

Spitting Nails

Okay here’s one of my biggest pet peeves in some people. People that can’t seem to mind their own freaking business! Why can’t some people just concern themselves with what is going on with their lives, instead of sticking their noses where they don’t bloody belong? And I’m sure I’m not alone in having this viewpoint. Here’s another thing that really ticks me off. People that seem to think they can talk for other people. I mean give me a break. I’m perfectly capable of speaking for myself, please and thank you. There’s no need for anyone to put words in my mouth. I’m a pretty private person, and I like to keep my business just what it is-MY BUSINESS! I don’t really like to air my business, and I don’t appreciate being backed into a corner. I especially don’t like being forced to defend myself or anyone else that has been put into the corner with me.
Newsflash, I believe in treating people with respect, and I believe in being nice almost to a fault…but don’t piss me off. I can and do bite back. I’m sick to death of people thinking that being sweet and kind is a weakness that they can exploit. Or worse, they think that I’ve got fluff between my ears. Well, I guess I can only say one thing. Those people that think they can push me into a corner aren’t worth the time or trouble. I really do try to see the best in people…but sometimes it’s just a lost cause.

I’m off to write,

~Marly

Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the people of Britain, following the horrible terror attacks in London.

~Marly