Just a quick update to let everyone know that my blog postings will be even more sporadic than normal for a few weeks. The deadline for A BREATH OF MAGIC is nearly here, and I have my head buried deep.

I’m loving the story and can’t wait to share more about it!

Remember, you can find me at The Novel Girls every week. So even if I’m not here, you’ll see me there. I will, however, try to check in here at least once a week. But no guarantees!

I’ll announce the September winner when I have a chance to come up for air.

Later, folks!

Last week disappeared. I swear. Anyway, I’ve come up for air, and wanted to point out two blog posts today:

One, as normal, my Monday post at The Novel Girls. This week, we’re talking about PASSIONS, and my post starts off:

I want to thank all The Novel Girls for their awesome posts last week, and a special thanks to Jillian for jumping on last Monday. It is much appreciated! I wish I could enter to win an ARC of THE LIFE OF GLASS…I’m so ready to read this book. But, alas, I will have to wait. *SIGH*

This week’s topic is brought to us by Lesley! In addition, this week marks the paperback release of WONDROUS STRANGE. Listen up: if you haven’t read WONDROUS STRANGE yet, why not? Stop reading this blog NOW, go get a copy, and then read that. Trust me, you’ll love the story that Lesley has crafted.

So what’s the topic on the agenda? Passions.

I have to admit this topic flummoxed me for a while, because my passions are fairly recognizable by anyone who knows me at all. Writing (Check), Reading (Check), Family (Check), and Friends (Check). And seeing as I’ve already dished on all of those passions on this blog at one time or another, I had to really think about what else in my life makes me smile.

You can read the rest of the post at The Novel Girls!

Then, today is also my day at the Ohio Romance Authors MySpace Blog. There, I talked about my messy fall TV schedule, specifically about Thursday nights. Here’s the beginning of that post:

We’re into the fall TV season, and I’m looking at all the shows I’ve developed a liking for, and realizing that I flat-out don’t have time for them all. Seriously. I love watching television as a way to come down from a hectic day, but with all the stations beyond the original biggies now developing their own series…well, I can’t keep up.

So that means I’m going to have to be vicious in what I decide to use my time and/or DVR on. But weirdly, as I go down the list, I feel like I’m breaking up with people who have become near and dear to my heart. Let’s, for example, take a look at Thursdays.

On my plate for Thursdays are the following shows:

8:00 brings me two new shows: The Vampire Diaries on the CW, and FlashForward on ABC.

9:00 brings me THREE shows: Fringe on FOX, Supernatural on the CW, and Grey’s Anatomy on ABC.

10:00 brings me two shows: The Mentalist on CBS, and Private Practice on ABC.

You can read the rest at the Ohio Romance Authors MySpace Blog!

So, because I’ve already written two blog posts today, and because I am dying to get back into A BREATH OF MAGIC, I’m going to save any further post writing for later this week. Probably Wednesday!

Until then, have an awesome few days!

So yesterday I was talking to another friend, who is also a gamer. Yes, I am a geek, and proud of it! She pointed out this awesome video from the web series THE GUILD, which is about a group of online gamers (written and produced by the oh-so-talented Felicia Day, who also leads up the awesome cast).

This video (as does the web series!) totally rocks! If you’ve ever played an MMO, if you’ve ever lived with anyone who’s played an MMO, you will completely get why this video AND the web series rock. They’re both hilarious!

So, without further ado, here is “Do You Wanna Date My Avatar?”

Isn’t it great? I used to play EQ (Everquest) and then WoW (World of Warcraft) quite a bit, and while I have zero intention of starting up again (because I become WAY-TOO-ADDICTED), this video definitely makes my fingers itch…just a little. However, my daughter still plays WoW, so I get to live in cyberspace vicariously through her telling me about her adventures.

If you haven’t had any exposure to MMO games, then you might not fully appreciate this video. That’s okay…just trust me when I say how awesome it is.

And yes, if you like the video, then you should definitely check out the show.

Don’t Forget!

The Novel Girls is still celebrating our ONE YEAR Blogoversary! Head on over for the chance to win great prizes, including a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate at the end of the month, and to stop in and chat with us.

Let me know either via comments or email (tracy@tracymadison.com) what topics you’d like broached on this here blog, and be entered to win a bundle of books! 

While we’re still a few weeks away from the official first day of autumn (9/22/09), with Labor Day weekend over with, as far as I’m concerned, Summer is also over. All the kids are back in school, fall TV premieres are starting soon, and the temperatures will slowly begin to drop (at least where I live).

I am, through and through, an autumn girl. This is my favorite season of them all, so I’m mostly okay with summer’s passing. It always feels like it’s time to slow down, look around, and just settle into an easier rythym of life. At least until the holidays are upon us, of course!

Though, with the kids in school, I’m far more productive workwise now than I am in the summer. I get more done in less time, which then leaves me more time for wonderful activities like reading. This past weekend, I re-read one of my favorite books, REMEMBRANCE by Jude Deveraux, and I loved it just as much the second time as I did the first.

In fact, it’s put me on a Jude Deveraux kick, and I’ve already ordered several books of hers that I’ve never read, along with a few others of my old favorites I haven’t read in years. And, I’m about to start a book that has been in my TBR pile for a while called LA VIDA VAMPIRE by Nancy Haddock. I’m quite sure I’m going to enjoy it, as I really like the author’s voice.

Other than reading and writing, I’m also looking forward to this week’s season premier of SUPERNATURAL. I can’t wait to see what this season brings to Dean and Sam! And, naturally, as the weeks continue, there will be more of my old favorites coming back, as well as a few new shows I’m sort of interested in checking out. Such as “V” and “FlashForward.”

What about you? How are you feeling about the change of seasons? What shows are looking forward to returning and what new shows are you interested in checking out?

Don’t Forget!

The Novel Girls is still celebrating our ONE YEAR Blogoversary! Head on over for the chance to win great prizes, including a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate at the end of the month, and to stop in and chat with us.

Let me know either via comments or email (tracy@tracymadison.com) what topics you’d like broached on this here blog, and be entered to win a bundle of books! 

I totally meant to post something illuminating and wonderful yesterday, but for a whole lot of reasons, didn’t get around to it. And…uh…today is more of the same. But I did want to announce the August contest winners…

From the blog’s comments, the winner of one book of her choosing from Dorchester Publishing is…Tonya Kappes! Hey, Tonya, I found your blog but not an email address. Shoot me an email with your address, the book you’d like from Dorchester, and I’ll get it ordered for you posthaste!

And the winner from my newsletter subscriber list, who also gets to choose one book from Dorchester Publishing is…Keira N. I’ve already emailed you, Keira, so once I get a response, I’ll also send YOUR book out posthaste.

Thanks to everyone who participated!!!

Now, for my September contest, I’m giving away a bundle of books. The exact titles I’m giving away are:

1. Dragon’s Lair by Denise Lynn — This is an autographed copy!
2. Barbie & the Beast by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom
3. A Little Light Magic by Joy Nash
4. The Undead Next Door by Kerrelyn Sparks
5. Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta
6. No Words Alone AND When Sparks Fly by Autumn Dawn

All of these books are brand new copies that I somehow ended up with duplicates. Probably because my TBR pile is so huge, that I often forget what I’ve actually purchased. But hey, this is good for you all!

What do you have to do to win? Simple, simple…either post a comment or send me an email (Tracy@TracyMadison.com) with a topic or question you’d like me to talk about on the blog. And yes, the lovely two readers (Thanks, Jessica and Cecile) who already did this last week when I originally posed the question are already entered.

Okay, back to work! And I’ll post something illuminating and wonderful soon. Promise! Or, well, I promise I’ll try to post something that actually is illuminating and wonderful.

Don’t Forget!

All MONTH LONG at The Novel Girls we’re celebrating our 1 year Blogoversary! There are weekly contests with various prizes AND a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate up for grabs at the end of the month. This week, we’re talking First Loves. Come on over and join the party!