November 6th was a significant day for me, though not for the reason you probably think. One year ago that day, I was in the Emergency Room wondering if I was going to die. Later I found out that the severe chest pain I experienced was not due to a heart attack or a pulmonary embolism, but was instead something non-lethal called costochondritis. So I spent most of Tuesday in remembrance and thankfulness to God – not a bad way to spend the day for whatever reason.
Of course, it was also Election Day in the US. I’m glad the election is now over for many reasons, chiefly because it reaffirms that I live in a democracy where I can make my voice heard by voting. Regardless of whether you’re pleased or unhappy with the election outcome (and I would ask that you not air those opinions here because I don’t want a partisan fight in the comment section) let’s remember that in some countries, citizens are not allowed to vote. In other countries, women are either disallowed from voting or they put their lives at risk to do so. That’s what I think of when I wait in a voting line (although voting early this year meant I didn’t wait in a long one. I am SO doing that again for the next election!). The other reason I’m glad the election is over is because that means no more inundation of emails, robo-calls, pamphlets, and nonstop political commercials from both sides. Now I can get back to being annoyed over everyday junk mail, spam emails, unwanted phone calls and stupid commercials (whoever told Charmin that “Enjoy the Go” was a good slogan is twisted, in my opinion.)
But speaking of voting – heh – I was very flattered to see that Once Burned has been nominated for two different awards: Best Vampire Romance in the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice awards and Best Romance in the Goodreads Choice awards. Thank you so much for the nominations, readers and reviewers! Once Burned is in stellar company in both categories so seeing my book up there with some from my favorite authors gives me another reason to be thrilled.
And now, I leave you with this too-cute video of a dog frolicking and snuggling with the deer she “adopted” after the deer was abandoned by its mother. As your Foolishly Optimistic Thought of the Day, let me hope that if animals can overcome their natural differences and make it work, maybe there’s a chance for our political leaders, too ;-).
Link to full article here.
You would hope that the human race is smarter than animals but I kinda doubt it! All I can do is keep on hoping that we finally learn the lesson that differences should be celebrated and embraced – not annihilated.
Hey Jeaniene, great post! Love the video. So…how are Gypsy and Loki getting along?
They’re getting along better but Gypsy is still doing everything on HER terms, lol. When she wants to play, she’ll play with Loki. When she doesn’t, she growls at him like a crazed werewolf. My husband jokes that she is just like me. I’m sure I don’t know why he’d think that ;-).
It’s always great to hear of things that you think were lethal actually being non-lethal. It serves to remind us that we should not always assume the worst. I’m glad everything was alright last year. 🙂
And you brought up a good point. In a lot of countries, people, let alone women, are not allowed to vote. We should be grateful that we have that opportunity.
I concur!
THANK YOU for being a positive person. 🙂
I’m glad the election is over too heheh, luv u jeaniene <3
I SO agree with ya, Jeaniene! I watched that PBS episode last night and it was simply amazing and touching. 😀
I have had costochondritis before too and it is horribly painful. And scary when you don’t know what it is. Glad you recovered from it and kudos on all of nominations!
Thanks, and glad you got past the “costco” too! Not a fun club to be a member of.
Yes, we should be thankful for so many things.. I am on my 4th read of Once Burned. Just can not get enough of Vlad and Leila. I can not wait to see what happens in the next book.There are no doubts that Vlad will be able to tell Leila that he loves her, maybe even turn her so that they will spend eternity together.
Thanks for writing such great stories.
Laura
Congrats on your nominations. They are well deserved as Once Burned is a fabulous book. 😀
I have listened to it five times so far.
David,I will be checking in every week. I have not seen or heard anityhng bad about this from early previews. Scorsese’s stamp on this tells me all I need to know.John, I look forward to discussing the show with you. DHS
My husband had costochondritis years ago and I still remember how scary it was. And how grateful when we found out it wasn’t dangerous!
I have a question about your covers — I understand Tom Egner is the art director for all of them, but is he also the actual artist? I found postings on artist Gordon Crabb’s Web site of the covers for First Drop of Crimson and Eternal Kiss of Darkness.
I hope your next year will be happy and healthy.
When is your next book out after Once Burned????? I hope soon. I have almost memorized your other books. Your audiobooks make me laugh, make chorus less arduous and make me generally happy. Thank you
My sympathies to your husband! It took a couple months for me to be correctly diagnosed, so for a while, I wasn’t sure if it was heart problems. So glad it wasn’t!
Re-the covers. From my understanding, Tom Egner creates the concept for the covers and draws out the pose, background, etc., but then contracts someone else to do the actual cover shoot based on his design/sketches. So Gordon Crabb could be the person the photo shoot is subbed out to (for lack of a better word).
I also have occasional bouts of costochondritis,and understand your fears last year when you wrote about it then. I am one of the fans who voted for Once Burned, and I would do it again if I could! It was my absolute favorite this year. Vlad and Leila’s next adventure is much anticipated on my list of books to read! Just can not wait! Missing Cat and Bones, too. Don’t work too hard, and stay stress-free and healthy!
Thanks for voting! And my sympathies (and cringes) for having costco symptoms more than once! I still have aches, but haven’t had that sudden horrible chest pain again, and hope I never do.
What a great post Jeaniene. I try to remember to thank God daily and I try to keep my prayers/needs/wants to a minimum and only ask for something if I desperately need it, otherwise I just remember to say thank you. I think the 6th was a great way to spend your day and I’m really happy that you figured out what was wrong and was able to overcome it.
I honestly don’t stalk my favorite authors sites often LOL… but I finally managed to listen to Once Burned on my audible, I just got distracted and forgot I had it and just spent the last 8 hours or so devouring it and I came over here to see if I can’t stalk the next book date 😀 I think I’m still attached to Bones but he’s had like 5 books to make me swoon, so its not surprising, I’m sure I’ll be as attached to him as I am Bones, getting close! 😀 I think its the narrator and the way she does Bone’s English accent, truly priceless 🙂 I’ll make sure to get a review up on it soon on it.
Btw, I agree with the political calls/pamphlets, etc!! I have never been so annoyed in my life… My house phone rings 6 times before going to the answering machine and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to turn it to like 2 LOL! So several calls a day from ROBO machines that won’t let me be put on a do not call list had put me in a foul mood. Since then, no calls and the blessed silence is amazing 🙂 Glad its over.
Now I’m off to go stalk your books to see if there is a date for Vlad and Leila (not anything to do with Leiha M? LOL) because I must know what happens 😀 <3<3 Thanks for your stories, they brighten my day, I think I'm going to go relisten to my audible versions of Cat and Bones.
(huge fan for years! I post all your new releases and other paranormal ones on my FB page Paranormal Addicts) 🙂 Thanks for making my years! I look forward to many more!
I am glad that you are starting to feel better. I would like to say that I listen to all the autobooks. I do not know who picks the person that reads them but I love Tavia Gilbert that reads for your books on Audible I hope that they do not change her. I have laughed so hard on your books that I had tears rolling down my face. 🙂 Of course there was some sad parts as well. I think that you are one of the best story teller. I am glad to hear about your Nominations. Good lucky with your healh and best wishes for your future.
I’m so glad you’re okay. You’re such a wonderful writer and are by far my favorite author! I can’t wait until winter 2013 to read more of Cat and Bones! Thank you so much for making such wonderful characters, and such an addicting universe to disappear into. You ma’am, are incredible.