"In general my children refuse to eat anything that hasn't danced on television." ~ Erma Bombeck

Balk or Baulk

(1) To stop short or refuse to go on.

(2) To refuse obstinately or abruptly

How often do you balk at things, specifically new foods or a change of plans? This weekend my daughter and I went on a trip into Manhattan with her Girl Scout troop. The weather when we left that morning didn't look promising, so being the prepared Girl Scout myself - I carried jackets and an umbrella along for the ride. (But, did I put them in a nice, convenient bag? No, would I really be that organized?)

We took the train into Penn Station and five minutes off the train and I knew I was in for a long day of lugging these things over my arm. We emerged from Penn and our group of 14 decided it was in our best interests to take cabs to the Circle Line Pier. Good choice, I was thrilled and would never balk.

Three hours later, our group got off the boat and now needed to walk about 10 city blocks to the restaurant we'd chosen to take the girls for dinner. A limo driver tried to convince us that our party of 14 would fit in his limo - it was old, had only two seats in the back and he suggested the 7 girls sit on the floor between the adults. Um. No thanks! While the girls thought it would be a fun adventure - I guess at 11 safety isn't a major concern? All seven adults balked at that plan!

We walked.

After having to find a bathroom along the way, and stopping briefly at the Hell's Kitchen Farmer's Market (which was really fun and had the most amazing pickles!) we finally found ourselves at our destination.

Dinner was great, the girls had a blast and we ended our day at the Rippley's Believe-it-not Museum (where I finally broke down and bought a totebag to haul my umbrella and jackets!) Back at Penn Station around 8pm, the Hagen-Daz ice cream called out to all of us and we loaded up with cones and cups before racing to catch the train home. No one balked at that decision!

It was a great weekend!

Your challenge this week is to think about the word and try to use it! I'd love to hear what made you balk today or if you didn't balk at something new.

Winners of Writing Inspiration Friday!

Free Download of The Kandy Shoppe ~ Carly Carson

Acid-free ice-cream themed scrapbook stickers ~ Stephanie

Please use the "contact me" link at the top. For downloads, I need your email and format you'd like. For stickers, I need a mailing address.

Have a great Monday!

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"Good men and bad men differ radically. Bad men never appreciate kindness shown them, but wise men appreciate and are grateful." ~ Buddha

It's because of the loyalty of my readers that I post here on the blog as often as I do. I appreciate the comments left both on the blog and the comments I receive in my email - they mean a lot to me!

So just to let you all know that I not only listen, I hear you and I deliver! Which means, a few new things on the blog!

(1) For your commenting pleasure, I have found another spam fighter and have removed the dreaded math from the comment box! (I know, I hated it too!)

(2) DeboraDennis.com has been modified for your iPhone/iTouch viewing/commenting enjoyment - I even have my own little app button (really, how cool is that? It matches my twitter icon, if you follow me on twitter, you'll recognize me!) *From your phone or touch, go to safari, type in deboradennis.com - the blog is officially the home page so you get your Saucy Scribe quicker. Hit the bookmark feature and choose - save to main screen - and you'll see my icon with your other apps! (I'm really excited about this, can you tell?)

and

(3) Get ready for "Writing Inspiration Friday's!" Starting within the next few weeks Friday's will be taken over by a guest blogger every week. Get ready for blogs about what inspires authors to write or what inspired their latest release. And what guest post would be complete without prizes? Yup - my guests will be bringing goodies to give away too.

Watch the sidebar on the right for my guest spot line-up.

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• Writing Inspiration Friday – Rachel Brimble
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• Writing Inspiration Friday – Kaily Hart
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• Writing Inspiration Friday – Angelika Devlyn

Each year, the published members of Dunes & Dreams Romance Writers (the eastern Long Island chapter of Romance Writers of America) invite a few authors to join them at Pindar Vineyards in Peconic, NY for a special afternoon of wine, books, and charity.



These authors come together to host the annual Multi-Author Vineyard Booksigning to benefit Literacy Suffolk, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Long Islanders learn to read and write.



This year's event will take place at Pindar Vineyards on Saturday, May 8, 2010 from 12-3 pm. Buy a personalized, autographed novel and a portion of your sale will be donated to this worthy cause.

For additional information, see the Dunes & Dreams website page.

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• Dunes and Dreams WIP Day!
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On May 8th I'll be joining eleven other romance authors for a charity booksigning to benefit Literacy Suffolk. Last year our small group of eight authors raised almost $400 in three hours, we're hoping to beat that this year!

Join me today at the official Vineyard Booksigning Blog for more information.

http://vineyardliteracy.blogspot.com/

(And I'd love, love, love a comment or two so I don't feel so lonely over there! Thanks!)

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Now that the contract has been officially signed I can start giving a few more details!

I sold my paranormal romance, A FISTFUL OF FATE to Lyrical Press!

Would you die for the one you love - twice?

Past life memories, a long-held grudge and a love spanning two centuries will unite an 1806 blacksmith executed for murder with the soul of his true love during a present-day reenactment that becomes all too real.   

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• Lyrical Press Turns Two!
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As the contract ink has not dried yet, I can't say more than one of my full-length paranormal romances has been accepted for publication!

Details on my publisher, expected release date and excerpts will all be posted when I get them.

Hubby is home this morning too - so my celebration blueberry waffles will be ready any minute...

Cheers!

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WARNING - POLITICAL POSTING AHEAD!

When I first decided to add a blog to my website I reminded myself readers would come here to spend a few minutes with a romance writer. They'd come to share a few laughs with an average American mom with one husband, three kids and a crazy cat from the NY suburbs. I reminded myself there are two things that can quickly turn a readership off from a light and fluffy romance writer's blog - religion and politics.

Now, don't misinterpret that to mean that I don't have strong religious and political opinions, because I do. So much so, in fact, that I have a new personal blog in the planning stage that will let me discuss those two topics in great detail. Rest assured, I will NOT be posting that link here at the Saucy Scribe!

But in the meantime, I have two things that have been nagging at me so much lately and a clip I saw last night pushed me over the edge and I'm here to blog about them, I hope my readers will indulge me this one political post.

Would you believe the First Amendment is my favorite? Hmmm...as a writer and a blogger, I would guess that would not come as a shock. It's a fundamental right of all Americans, guaranteed by our constitution. I don't think it matters what side of the political fence you're on either, extreme left, far right or everything in between - we should all be able to get behind this. So, why is our goverment at this moment waging war on FOX news? I feel they are venturing into dangerous territory here and I'm flat out scared for what it would mean to the country if they continue on this path. The First Amendment gives me the right to read whatever books I choose, disagree with my government and shout it to the world when I agree with them. The First Amendment allows me to write erotic romance, it allows me to read political blogs and watch any news channel I see fit. I might not agree with you, but I would fight for your right to express it. I'm begging the government not to trample on that. For a democracy to work, ALL voices should be heard. Debate is the cornerstone of our great society.

Would you believe I support our armed forces? I hope you not only believe it, but are a supporter as well. Supporting our troops is NOT the same as supporting the cause.  You don't have to agree with the wars, you don't have to be a democrat, republican or independent to know that our fighting men and women are there for US. They are there, shedding their blood and putting their lives on hold for ALL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. OUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM! Our armed forces don't make policy, they don't choose war over peace. They are doing a job, they are following the orders of the people we elect. You don't agree with the cause? Get out and vote.

Supporting our armed forces means giving them the right tools to do the job in the field. I don't think any decent human being would deny them the right to be prepared for the battles ahead. We live in a great and wonderful country, with every technological advance at our disposal - I'm begging our government to stop the bi-partisan bickering, and do the right thing. Stop wasting time and give our men and women what they need to not only complete their mission, but to bring as many home alive as possible. Every one of those soldiers in the field is the son or daughter of our family, friends and neighbors. When a community loses a loved one - we all feel it! They are all missed.

You might be a Glenn Beck fan, you might not be (and that's your RIGHT to choose!), but he aired this at the end of his program last night. I hope you'll watch it and then go to http://www.milmoms.org and show your support any way you can. (and if you're a mom or at the very least, have a heart...grab a tissue)

And while I'm on a roll. God Bless America! (since I've already crossed the line with my political post, why not toss some religion in there too!)

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