I remember the summers of 1969 and 1970 probably because those were the last two my family spent in North Wildwood, NJ in July. I was 13 and 14 and everything important in my life was going on — I finished Catholic school and finished out my freshman year in high school. But I really remember it for the music.

Of course, 1969 was the summer of Woodstock. I was too young to even think about going but I knew people who did go! The son of the people who we rented our summer house from went….and I remember listening to his stories about it….And I think my older brother’s friend went, too! WOW! The shocking stories! (Can you say Country Joe and the Fish and ‘give me an F’….!? Uh huh!) But I was too young for any of THAT…

Then in 1970, I remember my favorite song — Fire and Rain by James Taylor. I remember meeting a girl my age at the beach and hanging around together and listening to this new 45/’single’ from him. That girl and I became penpals (how’s that for nostalgia!?!) and we kept in touch through most of high school before drifting away. Right after that album as I began high school, Carole King’s incredible Tapestry album was released and I connect that to sooooo many things in my freshman year…but especially to hanging out with my friends near Audubon’s pool and walking all over the place…and listening to “It’s Too Late” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” are very poignant….

So, tonight, I spent the evening reliving those years as I listened to both James Taylor and Carole King in concert. They reunited to mark the 50th anniversary of the Troubador club in West LA (and their own 40th anniversary of playing it). Oh gosh — they played all the songs I loved, alternating all evening and ending with an acoustic version of “You Can Close Your Eyes” and even the 45 minute wait to get out of the parking lot didn’t spoil my buzz…

And if I rouse from this trip down memory lane to the early 70s, I’ll be seeing Pat Benatar in concert in a couple of weeks and that will send me back to the 80s — ohmigosh –not the 80s!!! Do you remember those shoulder-padded dresses!?

So, in honor of nostalgia, tell me what romance novel was the first one you read….and how long ago that was? Mine was “The Prize” by Julie Garwood which I found in 1991…and I haven’t stopped since! For your posts, I’ll pick one commenter and send out a signed book and a small gift…

Terri is getting ready for a very busy summer — she’ll be at RomCon in Denver on July 9-11 and then at RWA in Disney World (with the HUGE Booksigning for Literacy Event which is open to the public!) at the end of July. Visit her website at for more info about all her events and her upcoming books, too!

When I was growing up, I moderately enjoyed watching sports. Through high school I attended football and basketball and baseball games, cheering on my friends (and the cute boys!) on the teams. Heck, I was even the first girl manager of a boys’ team at my high school and have a letter in Boys’ Track! But I never really considered myself a true fan of sports (just the cute boys who played sports…notice a pattern?).

Then I met my future husband and was introduced to a whole family of sports fans and I felt out of place — I didn’t know enough of the details to really argue an umpire’s call or a referee’s foul. So I went out and bought the 1970’s equivalent of ‘Sports for Dummies’ and learned the rules…And the only thing I could think of was …. Did a man come up with these rules?!

Think about it — ice hockey played in cities and states where there ice cannot exist naturally? A batter gets two strikes called if he swings at a ball and misses but then can swing and miss ad infinitum without having another strike called? Baseball that continues until the snow falls in some cities where it’s played? And how about ice hockey games that continue almost until we’re ready to visit the beach!? C’mon!

Would a woman set up rules of games like that? I know that’s probably a terribly sexist thing to say, but I’ve been living in a house of men for the last 33 years and I realize that they just don’t think like us…!

But, even though I don’t have the sports-watching/fan gene (or the pet gene), it’s been fun watching my son find a woman to love who matches him in his enthusiasm and interests…though not in the same teams!

You see Matt is a Philadelphia Flyers fan and Carrie is a Jersey Devils fan… (their wedding cake topper is a hockey couple!) Oh the horror of it all! Carrie is just as fervent for her team as Matt is for his…and all those rules I think are completely stupid….they both seem to understand and accept.

And tonight, while the Flyers battle the Boston Bruins to continue in their quest for the Stanley Cup, Carrie will be watching with Matt and cheering on his team–a sign of true love, eh? So, I guess true love conquers all, even sports…and all its stupid rules….

Terri will NOT be watching the hockey game (and will still be thinking that some of those rules just don’t make sense), but she wishes the Flyers well in the series against Boston. She will be getting ready to attend the NH Romance Writers’ Spring Fling this weekend in Portsmouth. Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com for more info about her current book – UNDONE from Kensington Brava – and her upcoming ones, too.

Terri also apologizes for being so behind in picking blog winners, but promises she’ll catch up soon! Thanks for your patience!

In spite of terrible tree pollen counts, I went for a walk outside today. Oh, I could use my treadmill and avoid most of the pollen and mold and all, but the sun beckoned to me and the beautiful breeze whispered my name…. I just finished hours of sitting and working on my copyedited manuscript and decided that fresh, even pollinated, air was just what I needed to refresh me. So, with iPod and earphones in place, tissues and phone in pocket and sunglasses on, I went off walking.

With my house being on a busy road and with after school traffic picking up, I decided on a different path through the area than my usual one, so I crossed the road and followed a side street into a newer development. Ok, to be honest, I’m probably the only one in my town that would call it newer but when hubby and I bought this house there was nothing on that side of the road. Some of it was part of an old farm….and the other part (between us and the school about 3/4 mile away) was part of an old farm, too! You get the picture? My town was more than 50% farmland when we moved here but, over the years, houses have gone in and created whole new neighborhoods I didn’t even know were there!

I wandered down one street and discovered the end of a cul de sac…but it wasn’t the end at all!! There at the edge, a small, paved path led through a thick line of bushes into a whole new world….er…neighborhood! I had no idea this connection existed or that it ran into this other even newer development. I felt like I’d gone through the wardrobe into Narnia and was seeing a whole ‘nother place! The house styles and sizes were different from the other side, the streets were laid out in a squarish-pattern. I had no idea.

After walking around there a bit, I retraced my steps back to the narrow opening between developments and headed back home, knowing I now had new lands to explore on my upcoming walks.

Have you ever had that happened in reading romances? Or in just reading? You open up a book and begin reading with certain expectations but the authors just blows you away by taking you in a different direction or by putting a different spin on the same old story or plot? Or the characters are simply not the ones you would expect — the Regency nobleman who turns out to have lots more substance than first thought? The Scottish highlander who speaks with more words than ‘canna’ and ‘dinna’? Or a storyline that begins with the old ‘tried and true’ but goes off into something quite…remarkable?

I remember that happening with a historical romance I read last fall while in Scotland. I remember thinking “oh ok, a Regency romance about a duke and his duchess” and then I began reading it. It certainly was not your ‘regular’ Regency and I kept reading long after dark because I needed to find out how the author was going to resolve the seemingly-impossible conflict. And, wow, the author did not wimp out, take the easy path or disappoint. That book, in case you’re curious, was A HINT OF WICKED by Jennifer Haymore..

So, has that happened to you before? Unexpected delights in reading? Did an author surpass your expectations by going down a different path with characters or story? Post a comment and I’ll pick three people to receive a copy of my April anthology – PLEASURABLY UNDONE from Harlequin Historicals — it’s another book filled with unanticipated twists and turns from five different authors.

Terri

Terri is thrilled that her newest release, UNDONE, from Kensington Brava will hit the shelves and online booksellers next week. Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com for more info about her 4 2010 releases and more!

I’m checking in from one of my two favorite places in the world to let you know that I’ve gone fishing!

Yes, it’s true, I’m in Disney World again! I have a weekend meeting to attend nearby and took advantage to visit for a couple of days…because I never tire of the way that Disney makes ’story’ the most important thing in this world. And because, without my kids, I could stroll my way around the ‘House of the Mouse’.

What was extra-special is that the Flower and Garden Show is going on in Epcot and I was able to sightsee through their displays and topiaries and even take a Twinings’ Tea Garden tour that explained all about how tea is grown and made. It was scenic and very informative! They had various types of tea growing in large teacups with explanations about various flavorings and ingredients. At the end, we all received samples of a number of plain and flavored Twinings’ teas – a nice treat!

The topiaries were amazing! All major Disney characters were included and many of the countries had their own special ones — my favorites were these:

And….

Today, I explored the Magic Kingdom and managed to stay for both the Spectral Magic parade (all I can say is WOW!) and for the Wishes fireworks show (another WOW!) so I am exhausted now! I’ll be home next week, just in time for A)my next Harlequin Historical release – PLEASURABLY UNDONE! — and B) my next writing deadline….Oh MY! I hope you’ll visit my website for more info about that anthology and my upcoming Brava anthology (also titled UNDONE!) in May…..

Terri

Terri just received her July HH cover and will be sharing it soon on her website. Please stop over at www.terribrisbin.com for lots of info about all her upcoming and current books!

Okay — I resisted…I really did. Though I’ve had a computer since 1988 (aka the Dark Ages of the pre-Windows computing world), I could be called a Luddite by some who have observed my resistance to certain forms of technology. Yes, it’s true, I do not want an electronic book-reading piece of machinery. I like turning the physical pages of a physical book as I read. I cannot edit my work on the screen and must print it out to really get a clear look at it and pick up errors. I don’t like to have a Bluetooth receiver on my ear and prefer the old-fashioned, operator-style, one-sided, over-the-head kind of earphone. And right now, my son is in the process of moving photos from my old phone to a flashdrive so I can access them…because he knows how to and I can’t fathom it…

So it was with great trepidation and suspicion that the first inkling of desire flared within me to get an iPhone. I watched my eldest son and his wife using theirs with gleeful enthusiasm over the last two years — they IM’ed each other and friends, they sent photos, they search the internet, they found directions and maps and restaurants and on and on… Having tremendous fun and being productive all at the same time. And I began to covet one.

Still, I told myself, I didn’t NEED one. I had a cell phone for phone calls and text messages, a laptop to be productive when I traveled, a camera to take photos and an iPod to listen to all my music or watch movies or TV episodes. Why did I need another piece of equipment?

Then, just before my phone’s contract was up, I began to think that maybe, just maybe, it might be fun to have one. I wasn’t sure so I began to question my son more about how to do what he did with his and what else I could do IF I had one. His wife, clearly and confidently an Apple afficionado for years, added in her helpful comments and encouragement.

Just before Christmas, I made the decision to take the plunge….but timing was the issue. You see, at the same time I was struggling to finish a book that was due in mid-January. As I tumble and race towards ‘THE END’, I am more easily distracted than during the rest of my life (when I am only just easily distracted) and I knew that a new toy to play with would destroy my chances of finishing the book on time. Dear hubby, misunderstanding my intentions, picked up the new phone the night before we left on our trip to Disney World (where I finished said due book after pulling a couple of writing-through-the-night sessions).

Finally, I turned the book in, joined the family to finish out the vacation fun in WDW and then got my son to set up my new iPhone . . . and it’s been quite an adventure since then!

I think it qualifies as a full-fledged addiction now — I find myself checking email, texting friends, IMing friends, downloading apps (there is the cutest game called snowfight to play!), identifying and downloading songs, and, oh yeah, making phone calls, too! I’ve opened emails, webpages, maps, and photos. I’ve plotted paths and played games. I even made dinner reservations and ordered from several online merchants with the touch of a finger on a screen. And did I mention I make phone calls, too? LOL – I did!

So, I’ve boldly taken a step forward in my comfort with technology….my iPhone makes it easy to multitask and makes all kinds of things easier for me….Gosh, who knows where this may lead?

Are you a Luddite or a Techie or something in-between? Post a note and let me know and I’ll pick one winner to win an ARC of my upcoming BRAVA novella “A Storm of Love” in UNDONE!

Terri’s next two releases are both shorter works — “A Night For Her Pleasure” in PLEASURABLY UNDONE from Harlequin Historicals and “A Storm of Love” in UNDONE from Brava in May. Check out her website for more info — www.terribrisbin.com

I am writing this from the Happiest Place on Earth — Walt Disney World in Florida — and have decided to show you a place where a writer should not come when on a book deadline. Oh, I had all good intentions, but you know what they say about good intentions and where they really lead…they lead to deadline writing mania. LOL!

In spite of my best efforts, I am way behind on the book that’s due yesterday, so I’m going to share some photos with you that I’ve taken so far here. I arrived last Wednesday for a work/conference and am staying for a family vacation…but because of that deadline I mentioned, the family is currently running around Disney World, Animal Kingdom to be specific, without me.

So — here for your viewing pleasure. . . .

We’re staying at the Contemporary Hotel and my room is as far as you can get from the main tower and still be on the grounds! That is the connector channel between Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon right there. I keep forgetting that boats filled with people with cameras in hand go floating past my very large glass doors…..

Although the Christmas season ended a couple of weeks ago for most us, it still lives on in Disney World as the decorations are removed slowly. We watched (and darn it! no camera in hand) as they placed the huge crane that would lift the LED-decorated top spire off Cinderella’s Castle and replace it with the ‘normal’ one until the autumn. Garland and holiday lights are still visible in many places.

Although winter made inroads into Florida last week, our first day here, at Epcot, was stunning — sunny, crystal-clear, and temps in the low 70s. I snapped this photo just as the monorail crossed in front of the Spaceship Earth. Looks like a postcard – huh?

Try as he might to avoid photos, hubby capitulated after my sixth attempt to get a photo with a Disney character. Fearing who else we might meet up with as we strolled through Epcot, Mary Poppins seemed the least dangerous. LOL!

And now we come to one of the real reasons I like Epcot so much — MEN IN KILTS!!! Yay! OffKilter is a Celtic rock band from Canada who appears in the pavilion between Canada and the United Kingdom in the World Showcase. They perform most days and play a variety of Celtic, rock and Canadian Celtic rock music. High energy but they do wear biker shorts under their kilts, thereby destroying the myth about men in kilts. . . not that I LOOKED or anything…

My family left me behind today to finish my book — going off to the Animal Kingdom to see the wildlife…and other creatures. WDW conveniently provided me with my own view of the wildlife — out the window of my room! Since I have no idea what kind of waterfowl this is, other than one capable of scaring the pants off me when it walked in front of my door, I’ll reward someone who can tell me what it is!

Post a note and let me know and I’ll pick a poster and send out an autographed book and a special WDW souvenir to that person. (Since I don’t know the answer, you don’t even need to be right — just make a guess and you’re eligible to win!) I’ll show the photo down at the docks to the WDW peeps and find out the correct answer before I leave here on Wednesday!

So, from the Happiest Place on Earth, I’m signing off to get back to writing! See you soon!

Terri

Terri has just received the coverart of her next release – a Harlequin Historicals anthology – PLEASURABLY UNDONE will be available in April 2010 and features her short story – A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE for the first time in print! Check out her website for more info — www.terribrisbin.com

How is it possible that we’re nearly to the end of November and no one is mentioning Thanksgiving Day? I see a bunch of posts about Christmas approaching, but it looks like we skipped a holiday! I know the stores jumped almost from Labor Day straight through to celebrating Christmas, but we don’t have to, do we?

So, let’s pause for a minute and focus on Thanksgiving!

For me, November is such an up-and-down month — my dad died in November, but my youngest son was born; I sold my first book in November while I was recuperating from breaking my back…also in November; I was diagnosed with cancer and then cleared of it in November. So, I usually begin the month with a bit of trepidation but it ends on a good note….Thanksgiving.

I have to admit, I do like the day. I like cooking and the wonderful smells that fill the house all day. I like having my boys (and their girls) around, watching tv — usually a continuous stream of football games– and then eating. And then, when everyone has gone home and the aromas still linger, I know that there are plenty of leftovers to last through the whole weekend.

Of course, I really do appreciate that for a time, we focus on all the things we’re thankful for. And I have many, many things to be thankful for….another contract, good reviews, good health, family, friends and on and on…. To help you celebrate this holiday before we all begin charging towards Christmas, why not post something that you are thankful for and I’ll pick 2 posters to award signed copies of something I’m also thankful for — my new book is coming out next week!

So, please take a moment and post one thing you’re thankful for in the comments and I’ll choose the two lucky winners!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Terri B

A STORM OF PASSION, Kensington Brava, will arrive on shelves just before Thanksgiving — next Tuesday — and Terri hopes you’ll all give it a try. Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com for more details about the book and upcoming signings and blogs.