Monica's Scary Movie

(or: You Will Never Wear Flip-flops to a Movie Again!)

How's this for a horror story. Last night hubby took me to see the new Harry Potter at one of those classic old theaters in our neighborhood (one I've been going to for most of my life). It's become a little run-down over the years, but it's got all the gilding, red velvet seats, organist at some shows, etc.

Anyway, about ten minutes from the end of the movie, I hear something shuffling. I look down and see--I kid you not--a huge rat. It was about 6-8 inches long (not counting the tail). To say I was freaked out was an understatement. I think my poor hubby thought he was going to have to carry me out of there. Serious "damsel-in-distress" moment. This is one of those reasons why I married a big strong guy!

The worst part was that when I told the manager, he (and the other two employees standing there) had absolutely blank expressions on their faces (i.e. no shock). He was very blase and said he was "sorry." I got the feeling that (a) he wasn't surprised and (b) he wasn't that concerned. After I went on for a while, he finally said he was going to call the exterminator "right now" (at 8:30 pm?). Needless to say, I won't be going back.

I'm still freaking out. A dark theater, bare ankles, scary movie and a rodent DO NOT MIX.

Anything icky like this ever happen to you? What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?

Back from Conference!

(With blog friends Natalie and "Natalie's Mom," aka Lyne, LOL, at the Literacy Signing)

D.C. was a blast, but I'm paying for it now.  I'm still trying to dig out, and (sigh!) it's almost the weekend.  But it was great--definitely worth the time and cost involved.  Not only did my friend Veronica and I score an AMAZING suite for the cost of a single (a long story--see pics below), I wined and dined with my friends, other authors, and my editor and agent.  

It's hard to qualify the conference experience--or put a finger on exactly what makes it "worth it."  There are so many intangibles--whether it's an elevator ride with a famous author (SEP...eek!), networking with the bigwigs at the publisher, listening to industry workshops, or meeting the kindle guy at Amazon and having him ask me what I'd change (how cool is that?).

I had too many highlights to regale you with them all, but I want to thank all of you who came up and introduced yourselves.  I mentioned to PJ that we might have to do a coffee next year, so stay posted!

I'm trying to decide what movie to see this weekend.  Have any of you seen the new HP yet? Gerard Butler's new movie also comes out tomorrow, so that might be hard to resist...

Romantic Comedies

My hubby and I went to see Sandra Bullock's new movie THE PROPOSAL last night.  Once a month we have "Kids night Out" at our gym, which gives us just enough time to catch a movie.  We'd already seen most of what was out last night, so I got my way for the "chick flick."  We were both surprised by how much we enjoyed it.  

I love romantic comedies and am always searching for good ones on NETFLIX.  My favs?  Off the top of my head OVERBOARD, SWEET HOME ALABAMA, CLUELESS,  and BRIDGETT JONES DIARY.  But I know I'm forgetting some of my favs.

I'm on my way to Washington DC for the Romance Writers of America's annual conference so if I'm quiet, you'll know why.  

What is your favorite Romantic Comedy?

My New Series!

Many of you have been writing to ask what's next.  I've just posted information about my new HIGHLAND GUARD series on my website, so make sure to check it out.  I'm going back a few hundred years to the time of Robert the Bruce, but you'll get a chance to see many of the familiar clans I've written about before, including the MacLeods, MacDonalds, Campbells, Lamonts, MacGregors, Gordons, and MacLeans.

I just turned in the first book today, and I am super excited about it.  It's called "The Chief" and the hero is Tor MacLeod.  I hope to be posting a blurb soon.

Happy 4th of July!