Things I like about Holland Michigan

1. Little sweet pugs in the visitor information center.

2. Centennial Park

3. Froggies

4. Guinness (surprisingly) I had one. So sue me. :-P

5. The fountains. (they were put into service today)

6. The old Firehouse and City Hall.

7. The cobblestone streets.

8. People stopping their cars for us to cross the street.

9. Friendly people.

10. The food.

11. The swimming pool and hot tub at the hotel.

12. The Historic District.

13. The souveneer shops and wooden shoes.

I've come to the conclusion that I have to write a story about this wonderful town. I also couldn't help myself. I did some work. I dropped off pens at the local animal shelter and dropped off bookmarks at the libraries here in Holland and in Grand Haven.

I even made a few contacts at local bookstores. If I can get more time off from the day job, I'll call and schedule a few signings here, provided the book stores don't go out of business. The independant bookstores seem to be struggling everywhere.

We've decided to try to come back in two weeks on a day off for the Tulip Festival. It's one of the biggest things that happens around here. Besides, after seeing how this city looks without the flowers, I can't wait to see what it looks like with millions of Tulips in full bloom. The Tulip festival starts on May 2. I can't wait.

Until next time...

Tianna

Been away for a while

I wanted to apologize for not posting for a while. I have been under deadline and with a recent illness been having a difficult time keeping up.

I'll begin the Thursday Thirteen again tomorrow with or as a post about my trip to Holland, Michigan. I hope my readers will find this city as interesting as I do.

Until tomorrow...

Tianna

Thirteen books I reread last month

Thirteen Books I reread last month.

1. Dark Prince by Christine Feehan

2. The Beast Within by Lora Leigh

3. Wyndham Werewolves by Mary Janice Davidson

4. The Knights Elemental by Sahara Kelly

5. Road to Rapture by Marilyn Lee

6. Forever Enchanted by Maggie Shayne

7. Enforcer by Lauren Dane

8. Single White Vampire by Lynsay Sands

9. Charming the Highlander by Janet Chapman

10. The Blue Viking by Sandra Hill

11. Rules of Engagement by Christina Dodd

12. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

13. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Thirteen Reasons I Love Dogs

1. Dogs love to play.

2. They always know when I’m upset and offer comfort.

3. Dogs never judge you.

4. They never lie.

5. Dogs never cheat.

6. They are usually happy.

7. Dogs eat whatever you make for them without complaints.

8. They are always there when you need a friend.

9. I love the way they beg for ‘cookies’.

10. They shake my hand. (sometimes over and over again)

11. They kiss my cheek when I hug them.

12. They'll play fetch till they drop.

13. Unlike a cat they poop outside. If you’re lucky they do it in the neighbor’s yard, so there’s no hands-on crap handling.

Thursday Thirteen

In an effort to find a way to post at least once a week, I decided I'd try a Thursday thirteen. At least this way you'll learn a bit more about me if nothing else. LOL So here goes...

Thirteen things I love about writing Paranormal romantic erotica:

1. I get to tell outrageous stories and no one ever calls me a liar.

2. Research ::waggling brows::

3. I get to dream up yummy vampire and shifter type men.

4. People tell me they blush when they read my books.

5. All the friends I've met.

6. My man never accuses me of being a prude.

7. No one ever accuses me of being a prude... LOL

8. Meeting my readers.

9. Signing autographs. I don't know that it will ever get old.

10. Embarassing my kids.

11. Writing awesome sex scenes.

12. Dreaming up inventive ways to do a menage.

and last but not least...

13. Being able to get paid to do something while sitting on my ass. (usually at the top of anyone's list)

Until next time...

Tianna

Nice Guys?

Those of you who know me or have been to my Yahoo group know that my day job is as a technician in a photo lab. I'm working toward being a specialist but that's for another post...maybe.

How strange is it for a customer to drop by just to say hello? Should I be worried about what goes on in that customer's head or just chalk it up to he thinks I'm nice and leave it at that? I wouldn't really worry about it much but I have several customers who do this. I've even been told they sing my praises to other associates... Should I be worried?

For example, one middle aged man visits and tells me his life story. I'm talking his sex life story. Another just drops by to say hello and let me know how his son is doing. Another, professional photographer, has actually asked me to model for him. I've seen his work. Can I keep my clothes on? That's the first question that popped into my mind. Normally I wouldn't question this since I usually only get one or two of these types a week. This week I've been getting two or three a day and now I'm wondering why I seem to stand out in so many people's minds.

I'm beginning to wonder if I'm being too nice to people now. Should I change, be less personable or should I stay the same and not worry about how many people come into the store then smile and wave as they pass? Actually, it's not the smiles and waves that bother me. It's the, "Did I tell you I have a penile implant and my doctor also prescribed viagra" comments that creep me out.

Until next time

Tianna

Cell Phones

Sometimes cell phones suck. We've lived in Michigan for almost seven years now. When we moved here in July of 2002, we had our phones switched over to Michigan. Three years ago we noticed that the cell phone company was still billing us for Virginia Beach city 911 tax and Virginia state sales tax along with the taxes for the state of Michigan.

We went on happily with our lives paying our bills and generally noticing the bill wasn't as expensive as it had been. Then a year and a half ago, suddenly our bills seemed more expensive again. The taxes were back or, according to their customer service never left. They were just hidden deep within the bill where we couldn't easily see them. We called again and asked them to remove the charges. They did.

Tonight, we looked at our bill on the internet and what do we see? Virginia Beach 911 taxes and State of Virginia sales taxes. Now they don't want to credit these monies to us because we should review our bills better and notice these things the month they happen. What? Whatever happened to customer service? And businesses wonder why the economy is so bad... I don't wonder. I know.

I don't look at my bills unless the charges are more than what I expect. So I guess a little of this is my fault but still, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that phones being used in Michigan shouldn't have any Virginia taxes on them. And the problem should be fixed the first time the customer calls and complains about it.

I hesitate to mention the company's name here. I only know I'm going to run very fast to the nearest cell phone kiosk and see which company will give me better service. Anyone have any suggestions?

Until next time...

Tianna

In Memory of Prince

If I had to choose a favorite breed of dog I think it would be the German Shepherd Dog. Of all the working dogs I've ever been in contact with they are the most versatile, loving and hardworking animal. I haven't met a great many working dod breeds, however, so I could be wrong.

I had a German Shepherd Dog named Prince Albert, Prince for short. He was a large boned German Shepherd (also known as Shiloh Shepherd) who looked just like Rin Tin Tin of TV fame. I didn't know this when we acquired him just outside an animal shelter where his previous owner was about to drop him off outside the closed shelter in a crate.

It seemed the man's new wife had a grown Doberman that didn't like my little Prince. The man had the puppy wrapped in a blanket, his papers tucked inside the box. Apparently the man had only had Prince for three weeks when they'd gotten married and the Doberman was an adult. The woman wanted the messy puppy out of her house so there we were looking at this purebred puppy that looked more like a husky mix than a German Shepherd Dog.

Little did we know when we took this small puppy in that we would end up with a large dog that, when he stood on his hind legs, would be as tall as my husband who is six feet tall, by the way. He saved my life at least twice and was the best babysitter I ever had.

I'm writing this today in memory of his generous nature and love of life because today was his birthday. He crossed over in June of 1988 a victim of a sick individual's poison. The exboyfriend of a neice decided he shouldn't live because he'd protected our neice from the same man's rage.
I know you're waiting for me at the rainbow bridge, Prince and I can't wait to see you again.

Happy Birthday.

Until next time...

Tianna

Blog Post Winner

As many of you know, I had a blog post contest last week through Author Island. I meant to announce the winner last night but I had a migraine and, truthfully, forgot to choose and post the winner.

Martha E is the winner of a free download of The Prophecy. Martha E, if you could contact me at tianna xander @ yahoo.com (minus the spaces of course) I will send a copy right to you. You have your choice between a PDF and Microsoft reader.

Congratulations!

Tianna

Groundhog Day

Almost everyone knows that February second is Groundhog Day. It's the day when most everyone gets up early to watch the morning shows to see if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow or if we'll be lucky enough to have a short winter and an early spring.

By the way, he saw his shadow today so I guess we're going to be cold for a while longer yet -- if you believe the prognostications of a little fat rodent.

Very few know the ancient meaning of this day. In the Pagan world it has a variety of names but most commonly it's called Imbolc, prounounced im-bolk. It's a festival. You know, back in the anceint times they had little to do in the winter so a party or celebration was something taken very seriously. Especially if it marked the halfway point between winter and spring. They were halfway there! Winter was on the downward spiral and warm weather would come again soon.

Imbolc, the fire festival, marks the point halfway between the Winter Soltice and the Vernal Equinox with roughly six weeks between the two. This time is also known as Solmonath or Candlemass depending on tradition.

To the Romans, this holiday was known as Lupercalia. Ancient Egyptians called it the Feast of Nut after the mother to the sun god Ra. Her birthday was February second. Christians celebrated this as Candlemass, the purification of the virgin. Many religions celebrate something on this day. Was it because there was nothing else to do in the dead of winter? Was it to celebrate surviving the first six weeks of winter or was there some other more mystical reason most religions had a celebration on this day and in fact have many holidays that coincide?

I fear no one will ever know the correct answer but it's fun to learn about and fun to wonder. And the celebrations aren't too shabby either!

Until next time...

The Prophecy

The Prophecy

By Tianna Xander

Copyright 2009

Now available at http://tinyurl.com/8rps79

Niklas Voortag, High King of Terrna lives his life for his people. His own needs are unimportant. Driven by the words of an ancient prophecy, he searches far and wide for the woman who can save his world. Now that he's found her, can she also save his heart?

Kidnapped from her world and everything she knows, Brianna O'Neill finds that she is The One bound to save an entire world. A trip through space, an acquaintance with a faery and an ancient sorcerer was never at the top of her list. Now she must come to terms with the fact that she is the only one with the power to thwart an evil plan.

Excerpt:

A slight movement in the corner startled her and she shivered with fear. Swallowing thickly, she tried to talk around the giant lump in her throat. “Is someone there?” She sat up, pulled the sheet up to her chest and squinted into the darkness, trying to see around the shadowy shapes she knew was her furniture. The sound of breathing from the corner made her heart pound faster.

Brianna’s hands fisted in her sheets, she hadn’t been this frightened in her own bedroom for years. The old fears and insecurities rose up, bound her to the bed, making it nearly impossible to move. She was torn between running and pulling the covers up over her head like a frightened child.

She inhaled sharply when a person stepped from the shadows, even opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Reaching for her throat, she wanted to claw at the slim column and force it to comply. She tried again, still nothing.

Is this another dream? The intruder stepped fully into the moonlight and she could see him, or her, very clearly now. Whatever it was, it couldn’t possibly be human. It was tall and thin, with long silver hair and long pointy ears. Brianna resisted the urge to giggle. Hysterics were not an option. She needed to keep her wits about her.

“I would appreciate it if you did not think of me as an it or as a female.” The creature straightened. “I am Larin of the Fey. Messenger of Morgaine.”

“Huh?” Brianna sat up, holding the sheet to her chest. Now that she knew she wasn’t looking at a specter, whoever it was, had to be human. Fear came bounding back. She cast furtive glances around the room, hoping to find something she could use as a weapon. What the hell, if she was going to die anyway, she was going to go out with a bang. Maybe literally. “First of all, how did you know what I was thinking? Two, how did you get in here, and three, just who in the hell are you?” Brianna waggled three fingers, glaring at him. She didn’t give a crap if he was gay. She just wanted him out of her house.

He sighed. “I am most certainly not gay. Not in the manner you mean at any rate.” He hedged. “I am gay, meaning that I am happy.” He smiled and spread his arms wide, his hands palms up.
Like that was supposed to clear things up? Brianna slid backward across her bed to put more space between them. Turning her back, she dropped the sheet, grabbed her robe and put it on. Maybe he was a weirdo surgically altered to look strange. One who needed to make the acquaintance of the guys who wore the white coats?

She held trembling hands in front of her, in what she hoped resembled a placating manner. “I’m glad that you’re happy being gay,” she smiled. “Really I am. I just don’t know what it has to do with me or why you’re in my house.” She blinked and eyed the telephone, wondering if she would be able to dial nine-one-one before he could take it from her and make her eat it.

Larin closed his eyes, running a long slender finger up and down the most perfect nose Brianna had ever seen. He smiled and opened his eyes. They had the most devilish twinkle.

“I am pleased you like my nose, madam, but it is far from perfect.” He leaned back and sighed.

“Ah. Now, my Queen, she is another story. She is perfection.”

“Will you stop that?” Brianna shook a finger at him. “Just stay out of my head! You weren’t invited.” She glared at him, furious, her eyes becoming slits. “How do you do that anyway?”

“Do what?” Larin asked, feigning wide-eyed innocence. The glacial blue of his eyes was prismatic, reflecting what little light there was back at her.

“Ack!” Brianna threw her hands in the air. She was never going to get a straight answer from him. The creep was more slippery than a politician.

His silvery white brows drew down in a fierce scowl. “I beg your pardon!”

“If you don’t like my thoughts, stay out of my head.” She said with a smirk. There! That got him. What in the world did the guy want anyway? And why aren’t you scared out of your wits because he just popped into your house? The strange thing was that she really wasn’t scared of him. She felt more like sticking her tongue out at him than running for her life.

Biting her lip, she eyed the phone and frowned. Why should she care if he’s gay? That was his business, not hers.

“I am Larin of the Fey! F.E.Y. You know, the faeries.”

Now available at http://tinyurl.com/8rps79

Finally! After months of attempting to sign in to this blog, I'm able to post. I can't tell you how frustrating it's been to not be able to sign in to my blog. I got so desperate I even changed the blog on my website to reflect the fact that I could not blog here. Admittedly I've never been a frequent blogger but I've been know to blog more than once every year or so.



I will strive to blog more frequently.



Until next time...



Tianna

Disposable Society

There are so many things today that are considered disposable like paper towels, paper, plastic and Styrofoam cups, plates and bowls. TVs, DVD players and MP3 players are all designed, not to last but to fail so ultimately you must purchase another. Cars don’t even last as long as they used to. My father had a Chevy Impala he got over a million miles on before it finally kicked the bucket.

What ever happened to caring what happened to the earth or to others? What happened to being proud of a job well done and building things that last? Instead, that philosophy has been pushed to the wayside for looking out for the bottom line.

My father worked for a company and a city that cared about its people. They worried that their employees weren’t paid enough or had no family time. Instead, in this new world of super corporate dealings, we have very many who look out only for themselves.

Sometimes I think I was born a little too late. I think the world would have been better off had it remained the huge world it used to be. I can remember when businesses cared what happened to their people, when they remembered that it costs more to train new people than it does to keep the older, more experienced and savvy people happy. As technology makes the world smaller, so it makes the hearts of the worlds corporate giants smaller – along with their fists and wallets tighter.

Am I the only person who thinks that no one in the world needs to make thirty million dollars in a year when there are so many people homeless and starving? Perhaps I’m stepping over the line here but I have to believe that the world has really gone to Hell when the very people everyone depends on (because we ARE interdependent) become just as disposable as a burger wrapper at your favorite burger joint.

Just a little rant.

Until next time...

Tianna