Happy New Year!

Wishing you the best and brightest days ahead!

My Fictional Characters Win More Awards Than *I* Do!

I was just notified that my heroine in A Little Slice of Heaven, Gianna Randazzo, was awarded First Runner-Up in Book Utopia's Favorite Heroines of 2008! Said Book Utopia Mom: "Gianna is one of those characters that I can see in my everyday life. A woman I'd value as a friend. A woman like so many women I already know. She reacts like the women I know, takes care of herself like the women I know. I like her in ways that I don't necessarily like other heroines. She's the girlfriend I'd call with good news or bad, and in the end, she's the heart of this warm book."

Thanks, Book Utopia Mom! I'm always thrilled when someone gets my characters.

Monday Pop Quiz: What Kind of Wine Are You?

You Are Pinot Noir

Sophisticated and worldly, you probably know more about wine than most drinkers. You have great taste, and you approach all aspects of life with a gourmet attitude. You believe that the little things in life should be cherished and enjoyed... and of the best quality possible. And while you may take more time to eat a meal or tour a city, it's always time well spent. Deep down you are: A seductive charmer Your partying style: Refined. And you would never call it "partying" Your company is enjoyed best with: Stinky expensive cheese

What Kind of Wine Are You?

'Twas the Day After Christmas...

The Boy is currently anchored to the couch, XBox 360 controller in hand, new cell phone beside him. My Girl is in love with her plum-colored shiny new laptop. Dh loved all his gifts this year--I think this is the first time in 25 years he hasn't questioned my taste or choice on any item. Even the ski jacket was a perfect fit! And surprise, surprise! He managed to shop without a specific list for me and really wow me yesterday morning. Best of all, he bought my pizza charm!

A little background: Before I was ever published, I always said when I finally reached that pinnacle I would buy a charm holder. For each book I sold I would then buy a charm to represent that sale. When I finally signed the contract for The Bonds of Matri-money, I bought my first charm: a pair of handcuffs, naturally. Dh bought me the holder and chain for my birthday and I was on my way. Except...when I sold A Little Slice of Heaven, I really wanted a pizza charm. Good luck finding a gold charm shaped like a slice of pizza for under $300! And so, despite the sale of Slice, and all the months that elapsed since its release, my charm holder remained with just the handcuffs charm. And when I sold A Run for the Money, I picked up a sand dollar to represent that book. But I still lacked the charm for #2: the pizza slice. Until yesterday morning when I found a small jewelry box in the toe of my stocking. Inside sat a slice of gold pizza, complete with little red pepperoni, on a bed of white cotton! He claimed he walked the length of the mall until he finally found the only available slice of pizza. And if you knew my husband and how much he hates the mall, you'd understand this was a great sacrifice on his part.

Dh also bought me a new chair for my desk and a shiny new wireless all-in-one printer. When he remarked how badly he felt that he hadn't bought me anything personal, I assured him that the items he bought me, all related to my writing, couldn't have been more personal.

I hope you were all as fortunate this holiday season. But now, with the hoorah behind us, it's back to work! I'm looking forward to buying some more charms in 2009. How about you?

Merry Christmas!

glitter-graphics.com


Wishing you love and joy this holiday season. May 2009 bring us all peace and happiness!

Monday Pop Quiz: What Kind of PJs Are You?

You Are Flannel Pajamas

You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home!

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

Umm...

Don't forget the robe! A very important component of my home fashion choice. My tatty, terry bathrobe. Other than that, yeah. You got me here.

We Have Met the Enemy and He is...Me?

According to this study, romantic comedies are bad for your love life. Apparently, rom-coms paint a distorted view of love and relationships. And there are actually people out there who, believe it or not, expect their love life to play out with the same easy Happily Ever After as movies like Serendipity, Notting Hill, and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Can y'all say it with me now? "Ummm...hell-o? It's FICTION!"

Why Am I Posting This?

more animals

I honestly have no idea.

Except that it gives me the giggles something fierce.
And maybe because my current WIP takes place in the Afterlife.
And maybe, just maybe, 'cuz it matches my mood these days.

"Paging Dr. Freud..."

Monday Pop Quiz: The Snow Test

Your Snow Test Says You're Independent

You feel like something good will happen to you in the next few days. You have an amazingly strong work ethic. You are likely to be very successful in life. You are an independent, individualistic person. You thrive when you're doing your own thing. Your biggest worry in your life is your health. You tend to be a bit of a hypochondriac. When it comes time to relax, you really indulge. You are all about your favorite comforts.

The Snow Test

Feel Good Moment of My Day

So...I'm getting ready for the first December booksigning in Islandia this coming Friday. Earlier this week, the cafe owner told me a customer wanted to pre-order my book, A Little Slice of Heaven, because she wasn't going to be around on Friday. I happened to have several copies in my car so I battled the elements to dash out, grab one, sign it and bring it back to the cafe owner.

This morning he told me the lady in question was thrilled to receive her copy so quickly. He asked her if she'd read it yet. She told him the book wasn't for her; it was for her niece in Ohio--she had actually asked specifically for my book for Christmas and this lady couldn't believe her good luck that I was actually going to be near enough for her to not only buy the book but have it autographed as well.

So...to my fan in Ohio: thank you and enjoy. Your aunt's efforts gave us both a great big smile (I hope!)

I'm a Little Behind

The holidays are coming? When did that happen? Oh, yeah. Probably between my finishing the edits for A Run for the Money and arranging booksignings for A Little Slice of Heaven and The Bonds of Matri-money.

I remember a national election that had me pretty riveted for a while, too. And then there was football and lacrosse for The Boy, college shopping for My Girl, the economic crunch and its inherent panic for the Hubster who works in the financial district. So, umm...yeah. Suddenly, I find myself with a hundred things to do and that giant clock of doom (you know the one Buster Keaton hangs from in that old black and white movie? Or was it Charlie Chaplin? Whoever. You get the gist.) is ticking inside my head.



I still have to buy my holiday cards, much less fill them out and mail them. I'm still working on my WIP. I need wrapping paper. I've got my LIRW holiday party this weekend. I haven't bought a single gift for the hubster yet. Did I mention I'm co-chair for the 2009 LIRW Luncheon?

Is it any wonder I'm behind?

Monday Pop Quiz: What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

What The Holidays Mean to You

For you, the holidays are about generosity. You give as much as you possibly can to friends, family, and charity. You celebrate the holidays in an over the top style. If something is cute, you'll buy it. People end up with a lot of gifts from you - and your house is like a holiday wonderland, full of decorations. During the holidays, you like to feel cozy and comfortable. You're happy to stay inside with a roaring fire and a warm drink. You think the holidays should be energetic and packed with activities. You'll double up on caffeine and sugar if that's what it takes to get you through them. Your favorite holiday memories are complete and very visual. Past holiday events play out like a video in your mind.

What Do the Holidays Mean to You?

All The News That's Fit to Print

It's official. I'm in love with my Dyson. My carpets haven't looked so fresh and perky since they were first installed. Even dh admitted he was wrong. (Quick! Write this date on the calendar!)

I've got a series of events coming up where I'll be appearing. Check the sidebar to the left or the home page of my website at www.ginaardito.com for more details. To paraphrase that old Mae West quote, "Why don't you come up and see me?"

Football season is officially over, with the obligatory turning-in of the equipment this morning. Just in time for the winter lacrosse season to begin...yesterday. And just in time for the first snowfall of the season. Last night.

Edits for A Run for the Money in electronic and hard copy form were sent back to Faith Black at Avalon Books. And I'm back into Ends...With Benefits, which really needs a better title. Hmm...do I smell a contest in the air? We'll see.

And I would love to know the name and address of the advertising genius who came up with the Five Dollar Foot Long jingle because if my husband doesn't stop singing it, I just may have to leave him.

Tonight is official tree-trimming time in the Ardito Household. I'll make a lasagna or baked ziti, dh will build a fire, the kids will argue over whether to play humorous or alternative rock holiday tunes, and the fun will begin.

However you enjoy your day, do it with love and laughter!

Long Islanders Unite

I've posted a very special blog message over at 2BRead today. If you're a proud Long Islander, please stop by and leave a comment. And even if you're not from Long Island but proud of your own hometown, head on over and boast!

Looking for a Little Holiday Treat?

Look no further than my uber-talented travel companion, critique partner, coffee-klatscher and razzarita sipper, Debora Dennis. Just in time for the colder nights, she's got a newly released sexy, sassy novella, Her Knight Before Christmas. Here's the blurb:

Dreaming of the past.
Hannah Falcon loves her job cataloging medieval artifacts and setting up the displays at the Natural History Museum in New York. What she doesn’t love is her father’s steadfast refusal to let her go on any of his archeological digs, or her friends insisting she date more. When a man dressed as a medieval knight shows up in the museum, Hannah mistakes him for her friend’s latest attempt at a blind date.
Sent into the future:
Sir Gavin of Rogueforth is a battle-hardened twelfth century knight, having seen and caused his share of death in the Crusades. He expects nothing more from life than to live and die by his sword. After Gavin rescues a woman and her daughter from a band of highway thieves, she sends him through time to protect another Hannah, claim her as his own and fulfill his destiny. He doesn’t expect a woman who refuses to be protected.
Timeless passion:
Can a man in chain mail convince a twenty-first century woman to follow her heart? Can a modern day woman show a medieval knight there’s more to life than being a protector? When two people from two different times explore Manhattan during the holiday season will time be an obstacle or will they find the magic to span centuries under the mistletoe?

Sigh! I'm in SugarPlum Heaven just thinking about it...

Get your copy at Blade Publishing

It's a Dyson!

A few years back, when I found myself shopping for a new vacuum cleaner, I fell in love. No, not with the salesclerk. With the Dyson vacuum. Dh, jealous I suppose, insisted we should buy a canister vacuum instead. A war broke out in the household appliance department of my local store. Even the salesclerk (whom I didn't love but appreciated for trying) tried to get my man to see reason. "Who does the vacuuming?" she asked him. Dh admitted I was the Chief Housecleaner (a title I do not aspire to on my best day). "Then she should get the vacuum she wants."

Bless that woman's heart. She tried. Really. But when it comes to my dh, he has an opinion whether the item being purchased affects him or not. And the more options he's presented with, the more indecisive he becomes. (You should have seen him with our wedding invitations! On second thought, it's probably best you weren't there to witness that maelstrom of confusion.)

We wound up leaving the store with neither vacuum, barely speaking to one another. A few days later, as a show of apology (or affection or just plain stupidity...take your pick) dh came home with a brand new vacuum cleaner for me. The canister.

Well, it's two years later now and the warranty has expired so, naturally, as I predicted, the canister no longer has any strong suction, I hate the fact the bags fill up so quickly, and I struggled with the blasted thing for hours just to get the carpets in relatively decent shape for Thanksgiving.

And then my little holiday miracle arrived in the mail in the form of a postcard. My dearest daughter works retail for a national store chain. And her store notified us of a private Dyson event for "sales associates" which began yesterday. I gave dh the ultimatum. I was getting my Dyson whether he liked it or not. So immediately after work yesterday, I picked up my darling girl at school and whisked her to the store. In ten minutes I had my Dyson in hand and paid half price for the beautiful machine. It now has a place of honor in my walk-in closet and my heart goes pitter-pat every time I pass by.

Sometimes, it's the little things in life that matter most. Or maybe the moral is Good things come to those who wait.

In any event, the great Dyson Christening is this weekend. I'll let you know how it goes.

Monday Pop Quiz: What Yoga Pose Are You?

You Are the Tree Pose

You are a well grounded, down to earth person. Not much shakes you. You can remain steady through a crisis - and other people lean on you. You have high standards and morals. You easily rise above pettiness. While people sometimes accuse you of being stubborn, you are able to shift focus when you need to.

What Yoga Pose Are You?