Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Judi Fennell Surfaces for a Day on The Revenge

Ahoy, maties!

Thanks for having me aboard The Revenge-though, these days, more often than not, you'll find me under it.

That's because I'm writing a Mer series and swimming with the fishes these days-and trying to avoid the nasty ones. Sharks, barracuda, scorpionfish, lionfish; you get the picture.

Kraken, too. And Ceto, the mother of all sea monsters-and I don't mean literally. In Greek mythology, Ceto is the mother of all of them, which I found out when researching my debut novel, In Over Her Head, which came out in June from Sourcebooks/Casablanca:

When Erica Peck, one terrified-of-the-ocean marina owner, finds herself at the bottom of the sea conversing with a Mer man named Reel, she thinks she's died and gone to her own version of Hell. When the Oceanic Council demands she and Reel retrieve a lost cache of diamonds from the resident sea monster in return for their lives, she knows she's died and gone to Hell.

          When they escape the monster and end up on a deserted island, she amends her opinion - she's died and gone to Heaven.

          But when Reel sacrifices himself to allow her to return to her world, she realizes that, Heaven or Hell, with Reel, she's In Over Her Head.

I had so much fun writing this story and the rest of the series because I had the chance to take what we know about the sea, and mermaids, and fish, and legends/myths/stories, and play with them. Twist them to make them my own.

I threw in a talking fish named Chum, a shark with an attitude, the Bermuda Triangle, gangs of pirate sharks, parrotfish with dental problems, I manipulated language for sea-speak, tossed in a couple of pop culture references and a dozen or so puns... the sea was the limit for this series and what a blast I had writing it!

Trivia note: in Pirates of the Caribbean, the dog with the keys is named Ceto (yes, bad use of passive voice, but it didn't make sense to say it any other way, but I digress). I got a delicious little chuckle when I heard it because I love little things like that in movies and books.

For instance, one of my favorites parts of the story, which gave me giggles for far longer than it takes to read, is when Erica, the heroine, meets the sea monster she's been fighting. Now, we all have that image from Pirates of what Kraken looks like: a hideously large, mucus-spewing octopus, right? Not in my world:

A twist of its tail, and the monster slid through the opening. All twenty muscular, undulating feet of him, an eerie kaleidoscope of glittering scales.

It was over. There was no way out.

"Erica? What happened?" Reel pulled himself up with a hand on her shoulder. Lightning shone on the monster like a spotlight. "Holy Hades. Kraken." Reel's voice went from slurred to alert in the space of a word.

"Kraken?" she yelped over her shoulder as the monster's threatening rumble rocked the water. "That's Kraken? Isn't he supposed to be a giant octopus or something? A Norse myth? What's he doing in the Caribbean? I thought you said he was killed a long time ago."

Reel's fingers tightened on her shoulder. "Ceto must have spread that rumor to keep this guy a secret." A harpoon appeared next to hers, another burst of lightning gleaming off the metal. "As to the octopus thing, where do you get your information?"

"Johhny Depp?"

The next book in the series, Wild Blue Under, comes out November 1, followed by Catch of a Lifetime in February 2010. To celebrate the release of each book, I've partnered with the Atlantis Inn in Ocean City, NJ (www.AtlantisInn.com) and the Hibiscus House in West Palm Beach, FL (www.HibiscusHouse.com) to be able to offer 3 romantic beach getaways. The first one was awarded in June, but you can still enter for the rest by visiting my website: www.JudiFennell.com.

And for commenting here today, one person will win a signed copy of In Over Her Head.

Thanks for stopping by, and watch your step - you don't want to end up walking the plank. You never know who is waiting for you down there!

What people are saying: 

"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 


 


 About The Author:


Judi Fennell has had her nose in a book and her head in some celestial realm all her life, including those early years when her mom would exhort her to "get outside!" instead of watching Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie on television. So she did--right into Dad's hammock with her Nancy Drew books.

These days she's more likely to have her nose in her laptop and her head (and the rest of her body) at her favorite bookstore, but she's still reading, whether it be her latest manuscript or friends' books.

A three-time finalist in online contests, Judi has enjoyed the reader feedback she's received and would love to hear what you think about her Mer series. Check out her website at www.JudiFennell.com for excerpts, reviews and fun pictures from reader and writer conferences, and the chance to "dive in" to her stories.

What do you say, crew? Anyone ready to take up scuba and find one of these Mer men of your own? Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of In Over Her Head.

81 comments:

2nd Chance said...

Judi - Welcome aboard the Revenge. I gots me a drink called Slimy Seamonster Sex (sounds worse than it taste...tastes wonderfully. And don' be put off by the color...)

So, the Kraken that lingers 'bout the Revenge be there ta eat inner critics, so do feel free ta toss any lingerin' near ya over the side. He's gettin' a bit fat, but it do keep 'im near by. He's sorta the Revenge compost pile...

Yer books sounds like a total lark. I be crusin' the Mexican Riveria in December and they sound like the perfect read when sailin'...

Renee said...

Judi!!

Okay, pirates, I'm an absolute historical snob, minus a few JK Coi books. Well, I've done a lot better since DC. I've really gone out of my box to read outside the historical realm.

In Over Her Head was a delightful surprise. Judi definitely has an imagination. There were many times I was stunned at her brilliant use of terminology, after I got over my shock I laughed out loud.

I'm currently reading Wild Blue Under and I'm enjoying it just as much.

Of course, I might be a bit biased. I had the pleasure of meeting Judi at Conference, and she's absolutely one of the nicest people you'll meet. And, being able to relate to the heroine of WBU doesn't hurt. I'm one of those land-locked Kansas girls who used to dream of becoming a marine biologist when she grew up.

Terri W. said...

Welcome Judi!

Your books sound great and I love the covers! Adding to my TBR pile!

I've heard great reviews of your books and they make me want to read them even more!

Quantum said...

Hi Judi

Your Mer books sound fascinating. I dabble a little with sea sirens when I'm not immersed in physics. My sirens are beautiful, adorable, don't lure pirates onto rocks, love humans especially alpha males and travel by whale.

Would your Mer people perhaps be related? You can find my colony of sirens in under water caverns on the north Devon coast (UK), though when they read your books, and learn about Reel, I guess they may want to visit the warm Caribbean! They are very sociable and would love to meet some of their descendants!

Will you be going electronic soon? I would love to download a copy to see what competition I face ... and to just enjoy the fantasy!

Thanks for the fabulous introduction to your work.
Lovely to meet you on board. :D

Judi Fennell said...

Ahoy folks!

First, I want to say thank you for having me aboard! Second, today's a writing day so I probably won't be checking back in until I get back from my lair where there's no internet (blasphemy, I know!), but I will get to your questions, promise!

As to those above, here goes:

2nd Chance - I'm told the books are a good beach or cruise read. Gee, wonder why?? LOL. Just be sure to check the water before you dive in. Vincent the Great White and Hammerhead Harry have a bit of a "thing" going on to see who owns the Continental Shelf.


Renee, right back at ya, hon!! Glad you're enjoying WBU!

Terri - Thanks for adding them and for letting me know you've heard good things about them. So often it's just the writer and her computer. I love getting reader feedback!


Quantum - I'm sure there's a relation somewhere along the family reef. And, yes, my Mers do occasionally visit that part of the sea. Actually, do you know Thorsson? He's up in that neck of the woods, er, waves. As for electronic, there is an electronic version of In Over Her Head available on the Sony store. Here's the URL:

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/judi-fennell/in-over-her-head/_/R-400000000000000172740

As for competition - I always say there's enough room on the shelves for everyone! Come join me!

Judi Fennell said...

change in plans. I'll be around today. Ask away!

RKCharron said...

Hi :)
Thank you for having Judi Fennell on your site & thank you Judi for sharing.
Your books sound intriguing.
I love the blurbs & the fun excerpt.
I've put your series on my ToBeRead list.
All the best,
@RKCharron
xoxo
PS - Do the books get easier to write the more you do?

Judi Fennell said...

RKCharron - Thanks so much for climbing aboard! Easier to write... Yes and no. I already have the world, so that part is easy, but fitting the new story inside the parameters I already created for that first story can get kind of tough. I hadn't planned a Mer series when I wrote it, so some things were tough to incorporate. I will say, now that I have another contract for another world (genies) I am thinking more globally as I write the first one, i.e. will XYZ work if I have So-and-So in book 3 doing this... It's like one more piece to the puzzle of plotting and characterization to do a linked series.

Erin T said...

I have to admit I have not read your books, but the blurbs and the excerpts sound fantastic! And the covers are just yummy! What an interesting and fun idea, I will have to check these out!
~Erin

terrio said...

Thanks so much for joining us today, Judi. You were already my dream guest as of yesterday. :) Then I read this and thought, "Wow! It's like she's on the ship with us everyday!" Right down to the Kraken.

So you didn't have a Mer series planned when you started this? When you first told people you were going to write Mer men, what kind of response did you get? Oh, and we love call stories around here. We'd love to hear yours.

Adele Dubois said...

Ahoy! I'm thrilled for your success. You deserve it. Congrats!

Best--Adele Dubois

Sin said...

Also, those were great blurbs about your book! Congrats on your success!

Sin said...

Welcome aboard Judi!

I love this idea of a Mer series. Since Ter beat me to the punch about asking if you had Mer-people planned as a series when you started, have you always been fascinated with tales under the sea?

Judi Fennell said...

Erin, thanks so much! I hope you have as much fun reading them as I did writing them. And I have been majorly blessed by the cover gods.

Terrio- I can do dream guest, thankyouverymuch! LOL. And, hey, with all the nautical stuff I've been living over the past year and a half or so, yeah, this is a perfect fit. ;)

Nope, didn't have a Mer series planned. I was writing twists on fairy tales. In Over Her Head is the 4th book in that series after Cinda Bella, Beauty and The Best, and Fairest of Them All. Here's hoping they see the light of day someday.

As for the response I got, I have to laugh. I told people about my talking fish and merman and they looked at me like, "ooooookkkkaaaayyyy...." But I kept writing because I was cracking myself up the whole time. I was writing for me. Thank God others, and my editor and agent, have the same sense of humor.

Re: The Call. Mine was more like The Email. I knew Deb (my editor) was taking it into the editorial meeting and I knew when that meeting was--and yes, that was pretty much all I could think of that day. I even went shopping to keep my mind off it - and if you know me, you'll know that shopping is NOT a fun thing for me to do. Then, when I came out and got in my car, and looked at the clock, some person almost hit my car. I was just about to blare my horn when I saw his/her license plate: Mer4Evr. I kid you not. I just sat there kind of stunned. Then when I got home and saw The Email from Deb that said, We Want To Buy You!, and saw that it was from the EXACT SAME TIME the person almost hit me... well, there's a reason I write paranormal! (Though I could have never made that up - no one would be able to suspend disbelief enough to believe it!)

True story.

Adele - *waving hi to my chaptermate! Thanks for stopping by!

Judi Fennell said...

Sin - re: fascinated by tales under the sea. Hmm... I used to love Man From Atlantis on television (Patrick Duffy anyone? Or am I dating myself???) and I had a crush on marine boy as a girl (LOL), but once I saw Jaws, that was it. (I was 10 - it left a mark.) To this day I'm the world's biggest chicken when I go in the ocean. I love the ocean, I love dolphins and sea lions and sea otters, and all cute, furry sea creatures, but sharks and barracudas and those teeth... It's an irrational fear. I know it's irrational. I make myself go in the ocean BECAUSE it's irrational. And I have a running dialogue with myself the entire time. I KNOW there isn't a shark off the Jersey coast twiddling his pectoral fins just waiting for Judi Fennell to get in the water. I know that. But knowing it and believing it enough to swim out past the breakers are two different things. I have what I call my Sharkmeter when I'm on vacation with my family. It starts at my ankles when I go in the water. Depending on several factors, it rises either very quickly or very slowly. Last summer I think I could go boogie-boarding for 45 minutes before the panic hit my throat and I had to get out. Pitiful, I know. But there you have it: irrational.

Sabrina said...

I read an ARC of In Over Her Head and loved it! Chum and Harry were my favs of course - love me some sidekicks!

Welcome to the ship and good luck in you rlair today!

Judi Fennell said...

Sabrina, I LOVED Chum. OMG, when he popped in, I LMAO. He shows up on some of my posts on my CasablancaAuthors.blogspot.com posts - just because he can.

I think you'll enjoy Livingston then, in Wild Blue Under, and if you like Harry, you're definitely going to want to read Catch of a Lifetime. ;}

Hellie said...

I love the irony of a writer of a series of ocean-mythology books whose afraid to get into the ocean...for some of the things she writes about (badass sharks.) I'm totally cracking up--though I'm laughing WITH you, not at you. :)

This series sounds hilarious--I love pop culture references in my books. *LOL* And I love learning new mythology...and I'm a big fan of the ocean (but not sharks. *LOL*)

Your call story is great: writing to entertain yourself first, even though everyone around you thought it was a little out there, and then beating the odds to get published! That's a great story!

Do you plan to extend the series beyond the three? Or do you think you'll start writing/publishing some of your other fairy tale twists?

Kat Sheridan said...

OMG, there's a PIRATE blog and I didn't know about it?? How the heck did that happen? Now I have TWO things to thank Judi for. 1--writing books that I absolutely love (hot and funny is a great combination), and 2--leading me to this blog! Judi mentions freaky coincidences. How freaky is it that my current WIP deals with Anne Bonny, and a merman led me to a wonderful new blog? Yo Ho!

Judi Fennell said...

Hi Hellie! My irrational fear made it incredibly easy to write Erica's. She's as terrified of the ocean as I am and when she wakes up underwater, that scene just flew off my fingertips because I'd be thinking just like her. (Or is she thinking just like me??? A conundrum for writers - who's thinking what, the characters or the author.) People have told me they really enjoy the reality of that scene, if you can enjoy someone's terror. LOL. And thanks for laughing WITH me. ;) As to doing more of the series, I've actually already started Mariana's story, but it's on hiatus while I write my next contracted series to come out Fall 2010. It's about genies and the first one is tentatively titled: I Dream of Genies. There are blurbs on my website under Books. And I'm hoping to someday see the rest of the fairy tales out there. Beauty and The Best is done, Cinda Bella needs some tweaks and Fairest of Them All is about halfway done, so it's possible. We'll see what direction I go in next. I have so many ideas in my head, that I just need the time to write all of them!

Raz Steel said...

Judi, I loved IN OVER HER HEAD and I'm looking forward to reading WILD BLUE UNDER! I can understand why you enjoyed writing these stories so much. Did you ever dream of being a mermaid? What inspired these stories?

Judi Fennell said...

Ha! Enjoy, Kat!!!

terrio said...

Geez, the knowing the meeting is going on thing would have driven me nuts, but then you throw in the license plate and the time and this was FATE. I'm all about that kind of stuff. And that reminds me, did you have an agent before you sold? I know Sourcebooks (Deb in particular - she's such a sweet lady) is one of the places you can sell without an agent.

Welcome to all our new visitors!

Kat - We're just happy you found us no matter how it happened. LOL! We're a motley crew and get a bit off color as well as off topic from time to time, but we do love welcoming new members to the group. You'll have to tell us more about your Bonny lass. (Chance is going to LOVE you.)

Judi - The sidekicks are always such fun. I admit, I'm picturing Flounder and Sebastian. LOL! So how do these books connect? Are the Mer men related or just from the same neck of the ocean?

And I live within minutes of the ocean but never go in it. It's not really a fear, I just hate sand and salt water. LOL!

Hellie said...

Chance is going to love Kat? I love Kat! Anne Bonney is one of my favorite historical characters! No one knows what happened to her after she wasn't hanged for being a pirate! I always thought it would be cool if someone wrote a story about what might have happened to her AFTER her pirate life. Did she have the baby, et al.

Okay, back to ocean topics (do not get me started Terri that you live by the ocean and hate sand and salt--that makes me crazy)--Judi, what sort of resources did you find for the mythology? (I'm always more intrigued by mythology research. *LOL*)

Judi Fennell said...

Hey Raz (my fellow American Title finalist!). I challenge you to find a little girl in a swimming pool or ocean/lake who DOESN'T dream of being a mermaid. The swim club I belonged to as a kid was called (get this) MERMAID LAKE. So, yeah, you could say it was an early theme. Maybe that's why Jaws did such a number on me! :)

Inspiration was my love for fairy tales. When it came to work on a new one, I chose The Little Mermaid since I love that one. After that it was easy to write.

Judi Fennell said...

Terrio - re: my agent. I was in an online contest (actually, my third) in the vein of American Idol, run by Gather.com and Pocket. This story made it to the Top 5 and I used that finalling status as my pitch, but I had a timeframe and I told the requesting agents that I wanted an agent before the winner was announced. I had multiple reads and multiple offers in the space of 10 days. Talk about an exciting time!!! My agent, Jennifer Schober, of Spencerhill Associates stayed up all night reading it and offered representation in an email first thing the next morning. That was a great week!

As to the sidekicks, Chum is definitely NOT Flounder. Flounder is too young and innocent, something no one is going to accuse Chum of. But every fairy tale needs some sidekicks, and if they're talking animals, more's the better!

Hellie said...

I love The Little Mermaid (Disney rather than the real version, which has a very depressing ending.) It's one of my favorite animated films of all time.

(My all time love is Beauty and the Beast, so I'm really hoping that one publishes sooner rather than later. *LOL*)

Renee said...

I so want to share some of my favorite terminology from the books.

Pirates, I'm serious this is, so far, such a fun series to read. Chum is awesome, and but I believe Livingston might have him beat. I was in bed reading the other night laughing out loud. How do I explain to hubs that I'm laughing at an albatross? The Tritone family is fabulous and the world Judi has created around them is even better. As I said it just blows my mind. But then again, when I was seven, I was going to visit Atlantis, who knew it could possibly be in the Atlantic Ocean and not in the Mediterranean.

Judi Fennell said...

Ah, Renee, I'd LOVE to hear which part had you laughing. Give a snippet or two.

terrio said...

A funny albatross? Where do I sign up?

And before I forget again, if you want to order any of Judi's books, just click on the covers in the blog up there and you'll link right over to B&N. :)

That is a great agent story. I have literally HUNDREDS of books on the TBR shelves, but these will have to move up to the top. Now that the tourists are gone, I could sit on a bench on the boardwalk (well off the sand) and read while listening to the waves. LOL!

Judi Fennell said...

Excerpt featuring Livingston:

http://judifennell.com/WBU%20Excerpt.html

and thanks for the links!

Renee said...

Got to give the Beast a bath. I'll be back after a bit with Livingston.

terrio said...

An albatross, not a goose. LOL! That's cute. I can see why this was so much fun to write.

Sandre' said...

I'm anxious to read this one! I've found there really can't be any romance without a sense of humor, so your style and attitude sound like just the ticket!

Renee said...

Okay, here is one, but you have to know the whole scene was hilarious.

Livingston landed with a splat and shook his head. "I knew I should have retired after that typhoon recovery," he muttered, settling back on his seat.

"You might want to buckle up, Livingston," she said, trying to get her care to maximum speed--in her own lane. That other car was approaching fast.

"With that?" Livingston griped. "If I put that lap thing across me, I'm going to end up looking like roadkill. No thank you. You just drive straight and I'm good."

Renee said...

And here's three, same scene--

"Enough chitchat, people!" Livingston was back to peering out the rear window. "We can discuss it later. Right now, I've got avians on the wing, starboard, coming in low. Two missiles each. I repeat, two missiles each."

Renee said...

Here's two, same scene--

"Here he comes." Livingston popped back onto his webbed feet, tap-dancing across the seat. "Son of a Sandpiper, there are two of them! Get ready for more fancy driving. I'm going to wedge myself under your seat and keep an eye out the back. You take the front, Rod."

Linda Thomas-Sundstrom said...

Yo Judi- I'm swimming by to say hello and comment that the covers and books are fab ! Good job, AT3 sista... and the mermaid thing? Terrific fun !

xo

Linda

Mary Marvella said...

Love the concepts of your series. I really enjoy books about Mer folks. You might like Deborah Smith's mermaid series. I'm thinking Bell Books published them.

2nd Chance said...

Hel - Captain. We can both love Kat, OK! Chill out, here 'ave a Shark's Tank. New drink, just invented it.

Judi - I live 1/2 mile from the shores a' Monterey Bay, CA. The Aquarium over in Monterey has played host ta several great whites. They get caught in nets and come ta live in the tank until they be well enough to be set free. Which is when they start bitin' the other fish in the tank...

This series sounds wonderful and thank ya fer bringin' several new victims...er...friends, ta the ship. I'm plannin' a stop at me Borders when I head over ta Santa Cruz this afternoon and pick up what I can!

I adore that ya wrote because ya were entertainin' yerself. That be a true inspiration fer me, cause that be me guiding light...

2nd Chance said...

Servin' meself a Blog Killer.

terrio said...

It's just lunch time over here. Don't sweat it.

2nd Chance said...

People eat at lunchtime? I'm not a noon eater... and it was going so well!

I hear you glow in the dark... ;)

Renee said...

Oh, well I wasn't eating, not really. I was playing the new Need for Speed game with the kids. Back to school.

Renee said...

Who glows in the dark?

It seems to be really, really quiet on the Internet today. Kind of eerie. Making me feel like I'm in a dark oceanic cave with Kraken sneaking up on me.

I think I need a drink, straight Captain Morgan, if I may.

terrio said...

That's a good question. Do I glow in the dark? Did I miss something? LOL!

Judi Fennell said...

Hi everyone. Sorry, been flying around the Sahara on my flying comforter for a while (you'll have to wait until next Fall to see that happen, though.

Let's see, who did I miss?

Sandre': glad that it sounds like something you'd be interested in. I always enjoy humor in what I read. Life's too serious sometimes, ya know?

Renee - I remember that scene vividly. It pretty much wrote itself. I had fun. "Avians on the wing." Yeah, that was a fun one to write.

Linda - *waving hi to another AT3-er. Linda wrote (and has published with Dorchester) Barbie and The Beast. Close enough to be confusing for voting during American Title, but an utterly fun title and book!

Mary - I'll have to check those out. I hadn't heard of them. Thanks for mentioning and for stopping by!

2nd Chance - imo the only good great whites are those in aquariums - until they start eating the other fish. Yes, I know sharks are part of the natural order and serve a function; I'd just prefer not to be served (up) to them. LOL. and Killer Blog? That sounds dangerous!

Have fun with the straight Captain Morgan - it's five o'clock somewhere, but definitely not here. Plus I've got Back-to-school night tonight, so I think laying off the liquor is probably a good thing. LOL.

Back to the desert with me!

Renee said...

Judi, I uh, homeschool my kids, one of which is a 13 yr old boy. I swearthe boy's, ultimate goal is to see me in an early grave. He is grounded at this moment and has decided that if he is going to be grounded so am I. He hasn't quite figured out that I have the upper hand in this situation.

Morgan is my choice, because, well, it's the only thing I can drink as far as liquor that I know of. And I haven't had any since b-i-l got married on September 1, I think I might be over due. *grins* Especially since I feel alone on the ship with sea monsters swirling around. :)

terrio said...

I'm guessing common sense and logic do not kick in until children are in their upper 20s. My kiddo is 10 and lately has done that "How come you don't have to go to bed at 9?" thing. If I had a dime for everytime I've said, "Because I'm the grown up!" Which I realize does not sound like a grown up at all. LOL!

Olivia Cunning said...

I absolutely adored In Over Her Head. Judi has such a strong voice. It lifts right off the page. Looking forward to the next two!

And I'd never heard the story about the Mer4Evr license plate. How did I miss that, Judi? I love it when things like that happen. Too cool!

2nd Chance said...

All the drinks on the Revenge have no calories and only get ya as drunk as ya wants ta be. I should know, I be the barkeep here on the ship. Captain Morgan be served! The fruit flavored type be me favorite breakfast beverage!

Terrio - JP be on Facebook claiming yer neon.

Judi - It were fun watchin' the great whites. They were in the deep channel tank and swam opposite the direction the other fish were swimmin'. The tuna, the nurse sharks, sunfish... Not sure who were keepin' sharper eyes out!

We see sharks periodically here in the bay. Me DH boogie boards and always leaves the surf when the seals gather about him. Don't want to be mistaken fer an entree!

Judi Fennell said...

Well then, I'll be bellyin' up to the bar and downin' me a pint o' the good Capn'.

Welcome, Olivia! Not sure how you missed that story - I try not to overtell things. Alas, that doesn't always work. :)

Renee- homeschooling? You should have a bottle in both hands at all times! :)

terrio said...

I think anyone who homeschools should have alcohol. And padded walls.

Kate Diamond posted this cool time-killer link today that sort of ties in here. Go go www.dolldivine.com and you can turn yourself into an animated mermaid!

(You can also turn yourself into a pirate, a Hogwarts student, and several other things. It's quite fun!)

2nd Chance said...

Hee, hee. Renee - Bottles or clubs.

Kat Sheridan said...

Hellie, my Anne Bonny tale is exactly what you hoped for--what happens to Anne Bonny AFTER she disappears from the history books. It's about hal written and is as dark and sad and romantic as you could want (don't you really want to see her get a happy ending?) And Terrio, as Judi could tell you (she's known me for ages), I'm about as raunchy a broad as ever winked at a pirate. Example: On the boardwalk in Florida, I spotted a fellow dressed as a pirate, posing for photos with tourists. Of course I wanted my picture, too. As the photo was being snapped, I leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Nice cutlass". Yes, he almost dropped character laughing at me!

And Chance, rum is my most favorite drink (well, and bourbon), and I was thrilled to read your bios and see the Ohio connection (waving madly from the center of the state!)

And Judi's books are fantastic beach reads, if you don't mind folks staring at you while you laugh out loud!

Judi Fennell said...

ack!!!! What a time suck!!!

2nd Chance said...

Ohio connection? What bio is she reading?

*raised eyebrow

Who lives in Ohio? Do I need ta get back and re-read the bios?

Kat, if'n yer in Ohio...check out the Romantic Times Conference in Columbus, OH, in late April, early May. I'll be there. Not sure any a' the rest a' this motley crew will...but I will!

Long as I don't read somethin' that prompts me ta drag a stranger inta the sand next ta me so I can read ta them... So we can laugh tagether. ;)

Judi Fennell said...

Oh, Kat will be at RT - or I'll go to her house and drag her there, as I will be there.

Pirate party in the bar??

terrio said...

Yes, major time suck, Judi. LOL!

Chance - I grew up in Ohio and Lisa lives there.

Kat - You are out type of girl. Seriously, pull up a hammock and hang a while. Chance will mix you up a Glittery Hooha with the best Glitter we got!

RT is in Cleveland, not Columbus. I think.

New lesson learned for the day. DO NOT type "go nuts" into google image search. Really, don't do it. Unless you want to BLEACH OUT YOUR EYES!

J - You so owe me. Gah!

Renee said...

Can't I have the bottles and the clubs? Pretty pleeeeeaaase?

I wanna go to RT, but no can do. I'm trying to figure out if hubs will let me go to TN next year and if he won't will he let me go to Chicago for Spring Fling. Better get to revising. First I want to finish Wild Blue Under, all I can say is thank goodness Catch of A Lifetime doesn't come out for a while or I'd never get any writing done. And, Judi, I don't think I can wait until next year to read the magic carpet ride. Wish you were hankering for another writing partner. *grins*

On the myth note, I was looking for things around Kansas, things that haven't been done, because we have plenty of dog-like creatures, and those have been done. And the wild cats thought to no longer exist in KS are coming back, but cats have been done. The only thing left really is bigfoot. I'm not seeing it, though. There is no way I can bring the terror of my childhood into the hero realm. I just can't do it.

Margay said...

Hi, Judi! Loving these little tidbits and behind the scenes glimpses at your books. Keep 'em coming!
Margay

Hellie said...

Kat, if you ever want a beta reader, I'm your girl.

Judi Fennell said...

Sorry, Renee, I have no idea how people write together. No clue at all. I barely know how I write, let alone throwing someone else into the mix!

*waves hi to Margay (whose book, Nora's Soul, is sitting on my bedside table waiting its turn...)

Gotta run to Back to School night, will catch you all when I get back. Met my writing quota today (and then some), so I'm feeling good.

Renee said...

Oops, I switched writing partner with critique partner.

Have fun at Back to School.

Kat Sheridan said...

Ladie, you had me at Glittery Hooha. As ye know, it's never a good thing to use your real name on the interwebs, and in more than one circle I'm know as ShinyThings (Judi and I had regular cat fights over who gets to wear the tiara! I was relieved when she got her own!) And RT is in Columbus next year, and Judi has threatened me more than once with a long walk off a short plank if I fail to put in an appearance, so I'll be sure to track you down!

chey said...

Your series sounds great! I'm looking forward to reading it.

2nd Chance said...

Yeah, Terri! It's in Columbus! I wouldn't get that wrong! I'm the preacher for RT, remember? I'm still thinkin' about Spring Fling in Chicago the weekend before, then straight to RT...

I'm all fer a pirate party in the bar. I'll see what I can pack a' me pirate paraphernalia... Let's see, I can always ship some stuff...

Found yer first book at me local Borders after the movies. Damn them, they be switchin' over ta these &uumla;ber tall shelves. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

2nd Chance said...

Screw it! I got it right yesterday! Blast it!

2nd Chance said...

Scuse me, make that &uulm;ber

2nd Chance said...

über

2nd Chance said...

Hahahahahahahaha! Got it!

J Perry, if yer lurkin'...ya write a blog on sex tomorrow and I'm gonna hunt ya down. I do not want ta foller a blog all 'bout sex again!

Ya been warned...

terrio said...

There you go! I knew you'd figure it out again.

terrio said...

I've been on the go since I got off work and now I'm ready to pass out. Thanks again for being here, Judi. And thanks to all our new visitors as well. We do hope you'll come back.

I'll take care of choosing the winner tomorrow so be on the look out for the announcement! (And someone please remind me to do that tomorrow. *sigh*)

terrio said...

No worries, Chance. The blog is ready to go and there is no sex involved. Well, I'm sure we can turn the topic to sex at some point, but it doesn't start out there.

2nd Chance said...

Long as it don't start out there... I know we likely ta get it there...eventually. ;)

Judi Fennell said...

Hey, Chey! Thanks for stopping by!

Chance - thanks for letting me know. Ya know, if you lengthened your peg leg you could reach those upper shelves... ;)

Thanks so much for having me, ye varmints! (or is that Elmer Fudd????)

Land ho!!!!!!!!!

2nd Chance said...

Honestly, why Borders has decided to add these really tall bookcases, that no one can reach the top shelf of, let alone read the titles of the books which are up there... Geez, if they need more shelf room, get rid of some of the sideline crap and make room for more books!

I had the clerk tell me they were putting romance on these new bookshelves because it had outgrown it's old shelving.

You tell me, anyone going to love finding a clerk to help you get to books you might want to read?

ARGH!

Maybe if'n I took me peg leg off and used it ta knock the books down!

Not rantin' at you, Judi. Just generalized pissiness at a stupid business decision.

Sia McKye said...

Judi, I loved your book and I enjoyed the way you made each thing I thought I knew, slightly different. You have such a clear vision of your world and it's so well developed. It was fun to watch how you handled things in IOHH. I have to say, tho Kracken is ugly, you made him pretty and powerful--his face is still ugly, but oh well. Ceto is truly a monster in many ways, but not ugly by any means. Loved Chum!

I recently got the privilege of reading the ARC of Wild Blue Under for review. If you loved IOHH, oh my have you got a TREAT in store with this next one. Judi only gets better with each story. It's fabulous! LOVED it!!!!

LaughSing said...

Go Judi!

LOVE the covers!


They almost do justice to the writing. :)

Beverly G said...

heck yeah i woulds ay most deff id go scubadiving to find mermen or just to go scuba diving love the covers and love the works u write keep up the good work

Judi Fennell said...

It's all good, Chance!

Sia - I thank you, my friend. And sooooo glad you loved Wild Blue Under - and are sharing the love.

LaughSing- wow, thank you. I think the covers are awesome, so your compliment really touches me.

Beverly - thank you so much! And, hey, if you come across one of my Mers scuba diving, send them my way (since there's no way I'd ever go scuba diving!)