Lisa, you lucky girl, Sam chose you as the winner of a copy of WHAT I DID ON MY SUMMER VACATION!!! Congrats! Please email her at samhunter@samanthahunter.com.

And…. the winner of the beaded earrings, chosen from those who’ve posted to my blog for the last week and a half, is Julia-Yen!!! Julia, please email me with your shipping instructions.

I’ll post a new blog later today and we’ll start all over again. Post those comments for your chance to win!

Kay :smooch:

Today we’re getting to know Blaze author Samantha Hunter. Sam hangs out with us on the eharlequin Make Mine Supers! board and is a great writer and friend. Check out her latest, What I Did On My Summer Vacation, and her Getting To Know responses below.

For those who post, Sam will choose a winner and be giving away a copy of the hot, hot summer read. Welcome, Sam!

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Favorite thing to do in your down time?

Watch television. Especially in the winter, I can watch TV for 5-6 hours a night of new shows or DVDs when I really need to relax, though in the summer we spend more time outside. But I have an unapologetic love of television, always have. I’m not much into movies, but I’ve been a TV fanatic since I was a kid, and I love my favorite shows and watching new ones. It relaxes my mind, but also feeds my creative bones to get into the stories or just be mindlessly entertained by a reality TV show or whatnot. Also a great place to find hunky guys to inspire new heroes.

In ten years I want to be. . .

Healthy, with my husband, and on the NYT Bestseller list at least once. And about 50 lbs thinner. I’m working at it a few pounds each year, so this should be doable.

Milk chocolate or dark chocolate and why?

Dark chocolate, but only around 40- 60% cocoa. I don’t like it too bitter, but it is tasty and better for you health wise — also, dark chocolate seems to bring out the taste of other things better, coconut, truffle fillings, etc. I am not much of a milk chocolate fan at all, except for some candy bars, especially Nestles Crunch Crisp.

Are you a planner or do you like surprises?

I’m a complete planner if it comes to big events — something like a family holiday will require many lists and working ahead of time, though with something like a vacation, I can be both — I like to plan to an extent, but then when we get somewhere, we’ll hit the road and see what happens, take each day as it comes. Writing is always a mix of both as well.

If I won the lottery, I would…

Wow, it would depend on the size of the jackpot, *G*, but I would open and run an animal rescue shelter, and I would donate as much as I could. Dh and I always said if we won, we’d automatically give away half and then take care of family, and then have fun with the rest, travel, live the easy life. Nice dreams. In the meantime, I do donate to animal and environmental causes however I can, and we have our own little mini-zoo here at the house, and enjoy life as it is. We’re very fortunate, so if I ever win, it will just be icing on the cake.

So, HIS SON’S TEACHER is scheduled to be released July 8 but copies are out and available now if you shop eharlequin. Anyway, I thought you might like to see my character photo of Nick, the hero. Best part? Nick’s twin’s story is up next. :happybd: So, we’ll be seeing this image again. LOL

Anyway, in case you’re interested in how I envisioned Nick Tulane. Here he is:

What do you think?

Don’t forget to post those comments! The more you post, the better your chances of winning!

Kay

So, how many of you are going to national? If you are, mark your dance card for Wednesday evening after the literacy signing. If you’re a fan of Supers and/or hang out on the eharl board, we’re planning a reader gathering with door prizes. Sound like fun? I hope so. It would be bad to have all authors and no readers. I hope you’ll come join us. And please, if you’ve never read a Super, read one before you come. :nono: LOL It’s only right. Details will be given at the literacy signing. All you have to do is come find one of the authors involved which are Amy Knupp, Kim Van Meter, Roz Denny Fox, Ellen Hartman, Holly Jacobs, Susan Gable (tentative) and myself.

Did I mention one of my purchases recently was a Kindle? Got it yesterday and began reading last night. I love it. Wish I was able to purchase books other than those on Amazon but I knew that going into it. I’ve been told there are ways around it. We’ll see. My complaint is that I’m surrounded by Sprint service where I live but guess what? No service here. *sigh* Why didn’t I realize that? I had to pull out the old USB cable to get my book. Good thing I go to a friend’s house often enough that I can download everything there. The joys of living in a small town. Do you have an e-reader? Like it? Hate it? My first e-book EVER is Jane Porter’s ODD MOM OUT. Loving it!

Got on the scales this morning. I’ve got four pounds to go to get back to my weight before leaving on vacation. So, eight pounds total to my goal. I’ll get there eventually, but it’s hard staying on track with all the great summer food out there. What are your weaknesses? Strawberry shortcake? Fruit dip (You know the one. The ooey-gooey, yummy one.)?

Kay

Well, I survived. After the allergies triggering a nasty migraine, I found some meds and went to the doc. I’m alive! unch: Thanks for all the get-well wishes.

On the couch unable to read or write or do much of anything but whine to myself, I started thinking… and wondering…what have YOU been into lately? Started any new projects? Going on any trips? New Hobbies? Are gas prices getting you down?

Yeah, let’s not go there.

Anyway, while on vacation I bought a couple pieces of beaded jewelry. I absolutely love them. They’re so simple yet so pretty. But after watching the person create the earrings to match the necklaces I wanted to buy, I thought, “I can do that.” I’m a fairly crafty person. I have a decent eye for color and form so… I picked up some supplies and got started. Yesterday I made my first two pair of earrings. They’re beautiful! (If I do say so myself.) And today I bought more beads. I’m addicted. Totally.

And that got me thinking… I haven’t given much away on my blog because to be honest, I want you to come visit with me without having to buy your affections :flowers: but there’s no way I can wear *all* the earrings I have in mind so… maybe you might be interested in them?

So I came up with a way to draw those of you lurking out into the open. All you have to do is post a response about what you’ve been into this summer. At the end of the month, I’ll chose a name from those who’ve posted not only to this blog but to the blogs after this and come up with a winner. The more you post, the better your odds! :winner:

What do you think? I’m beat tonight, but I’ll try to post a pic of the earrings tomorrow. Until then… let’s hear it!

Kay :wave2: