A couple of years ago my then-manuscript, Sleeping with Ward Cleaver, finaled in the Dorchester Publishing/Romantic Times American Title III contest. Amongst the group of finalists was my guest today, Judi Fennell, whose friendship just happens to be yet another wonderful thing that came about from being in that contest (yeah, winning it was pretty sweet, too, but Judi, you’re a close second!). It was a pleasant bonus to learn that she, too, is a graduate of Penn State, which is, of course, one kick-ass institution of higher learning ;-) . 

After the American Title contest, Judi went on to final in I think one or two of the Gather.com writing contests and networked her butt off and landed a publishing contract with the lovely Deb Werksman at SourceBooks for her novel In Over Her Head and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Judi and I have been compared at times. Must be because we’re from Penn State. Or because we’re blonde…Ish. And because we have a snarky sense of humor at times. Whatever it is, I really love to read what she writes because it is funny and clever and because she works so damned hard at it too. I know you’ll love her debut novel In Over Her Head.

Here’s the buzz on the book:

Nora Roberts? Danielle Steel? Much acclaimed romance writers should step aside. There is a new romance writer in town and she is certainly causing a great splash with her debut novel, In Over Her Head.”

-ABibliophile.com

I truly found a pearl in my oyster when I read this delightful tale. I was surprised how good of a book In Over Her Head is. It is extremely well-written, the storyline flows and I was hooked from the first page.

-LongAndShortReviews.blogspot.com

IN OVER HER HEAD is a delightful, quirky blend of humor, adventure and passion. All in all, this is a fast, fun read and a great way to spend a snowy afternoon or a sunny day at the beach.

-Lynda K. Scott, Star-Crossed Romance

In Over Her Head is a heartwarming, but action-packed story of two people-one human and the other of the seaworthy body-joined together in an adventure. I enjoyed this story immensely.

-Dawn M. Ekinia, Armchair Interviews

A delightful underwater adventure… full of good-natured humor and fun. A strong first effort by a promising new talent.

-Romantic Times

A playful debut… sincere wit.

-Publisher’s Weekly 

JG: Tell me a little about your book. 

JF: Erica has been scared of the ocean ever since The Incident when she was a little girl and won’t go in unless under duress. Being at the wrong end of her ex-boyfriend’s gun is that duress. Reel Tritone, second in line for the Mer throne, has been fascinated with Erica ever since The Incident, but interacting with Humans is against Mer law, so he can only watch from afar. Until she ends up in the water with a shark on her tail and Reel has to make the biggest decision of his life… because Erica is really In Over Her Head.

JG: What got you writing in the genre in which you write. 

JF: When your favorite shows are about genies and witches – I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched – it’s kind of pointless to assume you’re going to write straight romance. In my stories, I get to relive the wonder and fun of those shows. Toss in my love for all things Disney and fairy tales, and paranormal romance novels are right up my alley.

JG: Favorite thing about being a writer? 

JF: Writing in my fluffy robe, fur-lined mules, feather boa and tiara. :) Seriously, my favorite thing is to hear from people that they liked my story.

JG: Least favorite thing about being a writer? 

JF: The perception of Romance in the media. I recently saw a story on a major network show about how Romance is recession-proof, that the sales of Romance are up in this rotten economy, yet the reporter went for all the “bodice-ripper” and “tales of lusty love.” Mystery writers don’t have to defend their genre, Science Fiction, thriller, etc. but Romance always has to justify itself.

JG: What is the most interesting thing that’s happened to you since becoming a published author? 

JF: Having people I don’t know email me that they love my stories. This was my “little talking fish” story that everyone else is getting the humor and enjoying, and that just tickles me pink.

JG: What’s your favorite type of pie? 

JF: Apple. And I make a good one. Thanks to my 9th grade Home Ec teacher, that’s my contribution to family gatherings. The funny thing is, I entered a pie baking contest against that teacher (it was a blind judging) and won. Yes, I got an A in that class. :)

Here’s how on top of it Judi is: she’s already got her two sequels put to bed and ready for publication. Well, almost. But they’ll be out soon, so look for these titles: Wild Blue Under and Catch of a Lifetime.

And lastly, to celebrate the release of each of her books, Judi Fennell and the Atlantis Inn and the Hibiscus House bed and breakfasts are raffling off three romantic beach getaway weekends. All information is on Judi’s website, www.JudiFennell.com

Hi all! Sorry I’ve been slack about posting lately but between deadlines and the month of May, I’m out of steam! But for you, I’m dredging up something my friends and I came up with one night over a couple of bottles of wine. It was good for a few laughs then…Not so sure if by the light of day it’s quite so amusing…You decide.

Okay, ladies, you’ve all faced this dilemma. You’re rifling through your purse, digging for your keys, sunglasses, wallet, whatever, when you pull up at least one and probably several unusable tampons, the wrappers half-unraveled, no longer something you want to use for their intended purpose. Yet it seems such a waste to just toss them in the trash bin. After much deliberation and consultation with experts, and in the interest of economy and ecology, I have compiled an extensive list of suggested uses for these seemingly useless items. Next time you start digging in your purse, you too can imagine the possibilities…

(oh, and by the way, there might be exactly 101…I got tired of counting!)

Top Uses for Unravelled Tampons

1)  Stop those annoying nose bleeds

2)  Ear plugs

3)  Pretend sticks of dynamite for the kids

4)  Mop up small spills on the floor

5)  Effectively dabs away tears

6)  Unusual hair accessory

7)  Tie several together to make unique pompom

8 )  Plug holes in boat

9)  Creative dangly earrings

10) Zit cover-up applicator

11) Christmas ornament

12) Pasties in a pinch

13) String along rope for one of a kind garland décor

14) Toothbrush of last resort

15) Drapery tassles

16) Roll in catnip to drive your cat crazy with insta-kitty toy

17) Fringe for flapper dress

18) Pull cord for lamp or ceiling fan

19) Unique tool for sponge painting

20) Finial for curtain rods

21) Plug holes in dikes

22) Dab on pizza to absorb excess grease

23) Avante garde indoor plant decoration

24) Tie on dog’s tail and watch Fido chase his tail for hours

25) Dental cotton

26) Useful paint applicator

27) Use to skim fat from surface of soup broth

28) Tassels for loafers

29) Makes great parrot toy

30) Ideal for quick dusting of crumbs from moustache

31) Dip in hot wax, then ignite string end for unusual taper

32) Tie clusters on ends of bike handlebars, watch them flap in the wind!

33) Decorate bumpers of newlyweds car

34) Tongue depressor (added bonus, ends problematic side affect of drooling)

35) Great pretend rescue float for Lifeguard Barbie

36) Dip in hot wax and use as sink-proof key ring for boat keys

37) Starter kindling for fireplace

38) Collect lots and use for confetti

39) Paint in pretty pastel colors and tie together for stylish bouquet

40) Final touch for gift wrap packaging—no more curling ribbon!

41) Suspend in clusters from tomato stakes to frighten deer and crows away

42) Glue on rim of picture frame for textured look

43) Just for fun, fill sink with water, see how many it takes to absorb all the water in the sink!

44) Science experiments

45) Great for cleaning test tubes

46) Use to polish sunglasses

47) Wrap with old tootsie roll wrapper and fool your friends when you offer them candy!

48) Soak in witch hazel, squeeze out, and press over puffy eyes

49) Perfect shape for cleaning out dogs’ ears

50) Glue several, end to end, leaving string on one end. paint camouflage earth tones, tease your sister with authentic fake snake

51) Pretend cigar

52) Polka dot applicator

53) Tie on car antenna for ease in finding vehicle in crowded parking lot

54) Makes great protective packaging materials instead of landfill-unfriendly Styrofoam

55) Tie string in loop, use as napkin ring

56) Have crazy tampon  battle with your friends: just aim and shoot

57) Use cardboard tube to shoot spitballs (added bonus: you can even use wrapper for spitball!)

58) Tube makes a fun straw

59) Poke holes in tube to make a slide whistle

60) Connect cardboard tubes together for chopsticks

61) Insert pointer finger in cardboard tube and annoy friends by tapping them with it

62) Glue tubes together in random format to make reindeer antlers for Christmas play

63) Replacement Nerf gun ammunition

64) Cardboard tube is great storage for your favorite pens

65) Cardboard tube makes perfect spyglass

66) Secure tampons at armpit, avoid embarrassing pit stains on dry clean only clothes

67) Pacifier/drool inhibitor for teething baby

68) Place between toes during pedicure

69) Drop in outdoor fountain for “instant water lily”

70) Connect cardboard tubes together for drumsticks

71) Unscrupulous plumber trick: drop down drain before leaving plumbing job; guarantees a return call to find source of new clog

72) Tape to finger tips and enjoy gratifying thump thump thump while drumming fingers

73) More effective than sandbags for halting encroaching flood waters

74) Snip off string and works as comfie Barbie neck pillow

75) Great tool for hypnosis (you are getting sleepy)

76) Fill tube w/ coffee beans, cover ends w/ pointer finger and thumb for handy percussion instrument

 

Okay so I don’t have quite 101, but I’ll add more if I think of them. In the meantime, saving the last for last…

101) Dangle in front of husband to use as excuse to get out of sex (don’t have to say you have a headache, just shrug your shoulders and say, “Gee, can’t honey, I’m having my period!”). He’ll run the other way with no questions asked.

Yes, folks, this was made entirely of tampons. How’s that for creativity?

Ah, the month of May…The flowers in bloom, the birds whistling a happy tune, parents across America ready to throttle the next teacher, coach, or offspring activity-related person who dares to lump one more have-to in their lap.

The month of May…what my friend refers to as the Storm before the Calm. What I view as the annual rite of hazing inflicted upon every mom (and most dads, to a certain extent) every springtime as the school year draws to an imminent close.

The drill goes as follows: class play, class music program, soccer practice, soccer games, soccer try-outs, baseball, baseball and more baseball, piano recitals, ballet recitals, field trips (why weren’t these scheduled for the dull month of January?!), teacher appreciation luncheons, class parties. Class parties? I’m thinking class warfare at this point.

I get nightly calls: can you come in for the teacher appreciation luncheon? Can you drive for the field trip to Pakistan? Can you pledge your extra kidney to be auctioned off at the school fund drive? Can you stop calling me before I have the national do-not-call list enforcer come after you for harassment?

Truthfully, I’m happy to be of help. To a certain extent. But when I start to wake in the middle of the night, fearful that I have sloughed off my duties to prepare Pad Thai for 300 for International Day, I get to worrying. And when I realize that I am clenching my teeth so hard that I think lockjaw has set in, I’m a little more concerned.

And when the call comes in for me to do just one more teeny little thing to help out so and so, and I—without thinking, without feeling, snap the first snarky come-back that pops into my head to the poor unsuspecting room-mother calling me in a desperate spot, I know two things. One, that it’s time for me to hang up my mommy cleats for a few hours and re-gain my grip on reality, and two, summer vacation must be just around the corner. At which time I might just be longing for the days when the kids were in school and the demands on a mother’s time were at their peak.