Monday, November 23, 2009

Welcome Susan Gee Heino to the lair!

I have to admit that I've been waiting to host my good friend, Susan Gee Heino, and her new Regency historical debut for well over a year. She sent me a more traditional author photo to use for the blog but I prefer this one (he-he). Susan has a quick wit that is so evident in MISTRESS BY MISTAKE which has a release date of December 1st from Berkley Sensation. Treat yourself to an early Christmas present - or, more appropriately, reward yourself for surviving yet another family Thanksgiving celebration. Whatever the justification, discover this new author!

Thanks for inviting me to hang with the Banditas, Donna! You gals always know how to throw a party here. And speaking of parties, it’s Thanksgiving here in the states this week and you know what that means: the dreaded House Party.

Ah, yes. You get to stand in line for the bathroom, your vertebrae all crunch together after a night on the sleeper-sofa, and invariably somebody’s kid breaks a priceless family heirloom. All those lovely holiday traditions—beautiful and warm… except when you’re living through them.

But what if we were suddenly a great, omnipotent being who could reach down and control all the goings-on at this year’s family get-together? Wouldn’t that be cool? No more snobby mother-in-law taking over your kitchen, no stick-skinny cousin Tina bragging how she can eat anything and never gain an ounce, and for the first time ever Uncle Bob-the-Lush would leave some beer for the other guys.

If I were this grand omnipotent being I would drag my holiday festivities out of 2009 and back into Regency England. Wouldn’t that be just awesome? (As long as indoor plumbing and my blow dryer could go back with me, of course!)

Instead of piling the kids into the mini-van for a four hour drive to a bi-level in the suburbs, my family would board a well-sprung coach and journey to some pretentious country estate. I’d cast my darling husband as the put-upon nobleman who is traveling with us against his better judgment (not a stretch, he tells me) while I’d get to play the part of innocent Regency maiden desperate for a bit of adventure. (Er, that is a bit of a stretch, I’m afraid.)

But would Omnipotent Susan honestly be content to leave things well enough alone at that point? Heck no! Everyone knows a really great Regency house party must have a full complement of misunderstandings, secret affections, unlikely bedfellows and mischief galore. Throw in some honest-to-goodness emotion with true lovers longing, and that sounds like a gathering to remember!

This is what I tried to do when creating the house party scenes in my up-coming debut, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. Clearly I did not leave well enough alone there, either.

What? Dashford was joining the group for dinner, after all? Did he not realize Evaline would be here? Oh, God. How could she face him so soon after they'd… well, afterward. She felt her nerves unhinge at the very thought.
She struggled to keep herself calm, but her hands shook. The glass of lemonade she lifted to her lips in an effort to soothe the choking dryness of her throat wobbled, then slipped from her grasp. Lemonade splashed around her and nearly covered poor old Mr. Peterson who'd been seated, unfortunately for him, at her left. What a disaster this dinner was turning out to be!

Yep, that dinner ends badly. And so do a few others before true love finally conquers all. And of course we see that in real life, too. Do we really want that Omnipotent Presence to reach down and spare us from an under-cooked turkey or an over-stewed Uncle? Probably not. It’s all these things that make our get-togethers special and our hearts grow fonder. Even for the snobby mother-in-law.

So, what would you change about your family get-togethers if you could? What would your fantasy House Party look like? Share with us and one person will win a signed copy of MISTRESS BY MISTAKE!

69 comments:

mariska said...

ME !

Jane said...

Congrats on the upcoming release, Susan. I wish my house party would look something Martha Stewart had planned. I would love to be able to make crafty decorations.

mariska said...

Congrats for the upcoming release, Susan ! YAYS !
house party ? well, i'm an introvert person. so it's very rare for me to have party in my house. but i will come again when i have some ideas. now, i'm going to have nap with my son first.

Christine Wells said...

Thanks for bringing Susan to the lair today, Donna. Yay, Susan!!! I've been looking forward to this debut ever since I read your fabulous MISTRESS BY MISTAKE in manuscript form. You certainly captured the Regency house party at its zaniest best.

Loved your post. It reminds me of sitting talking with you and Susan Sey in D.C. and laughing until the tears poured down my face. You have a wonderful comedic voice and I wish you the very best success with MISTRESS BY MISTAKE.

Actually, I wouldn't be without all the strange quirks and cringes of ye olde family get together. Those are the times you remember fondly and laugh about later, aren't they, even if you want the floor to swallow you up at the time.

Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a lovely festive celebration with your families and that the lushy uncle manages to behave himself.

Congrats on the rooster, Mariska!

Donna MacMeans said...

Well done Mariska! So are you planning to employ the rooster's babysitting talents? Helen has provided him with a lot of experience in that venue.

Donna MacMeans said...

Jane - I know what you mean. I love those crafty decorations, but seriously - who has the time? In my opinion, the measure of a party is in the quantity of desserts. Heck with the name card holders (grin)

Donna MacMeans said...

Christine - Susan is definitely one of those people who is fun to hang around. A conversation between you and the two Susans would most likely have me in tears. You guys are just too witty.

Helen said...

Congrats Mariska and yes as Donna says he is very good with kids keeps then occupied for hours.

Hi Susan
I love the sound of this book I will be adding it to my order must have I love regency books and I love the house parties in them.

Here in Australia we don't celebrate Thanksgiving but our family always has a big Christmas get together it is my sisters turn this year so we have to drive up the coast (no hardship) Linda has a pool and is close to the beach and seeing as how it gets very hot on Christmas Day I love being at her place although I end up doing all the cooking so my dream family get togethere would be to have caterers in to do the cooking and especially the cleaning up afterwards.
I think one of the reasons I love historicals is that they take me back in time to some wonderful places and where there is always time for relaxing and reading and having lots of fun.

Donna thank you so much for inviting Susan today I love hearing about debut books.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Have Fun
Helen

Tawny said...

Congratulations and welcome to the lair, Susan :-) Your book sounds fabulous!!

I'm one of those crazy people who actually loves the holiday and all the overflowing family and wild hi-jinks. Its the only time of year I happily hole up in the kitchen cooking and baking and being all cozy-domestic LOL.

My fantasy house party? That'd include all the Bandits and Bandita Buddies, of course. Flowing margaritas and chocolate served by hunky cabana boys. I'd miss most of it, though, since I'd be off in the corner with People's Sexiest Man of the Year, the nummy Johnny Depp LOLOL

Mariska :-) Congrats on the rooster nabbing!!!

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey Helen - Can you come to my house for Thanksgiving? Love to have a houseguest who does all the cooking and cleans up afterward (grin).

Yes, here in the states we have house party redux with Thanksgiving and Christmas - but this is the season that lasting memories are made...some good and some just out and out hilarious.

Donna MacMeans said...

You know, Tawny - The first time I saw that photo of Susan and I, I thought it was you and me. I think maybe you and Susan are related!!!! Where's that family tree thingy?

Minna said...

Guess where I was today...
"Weird Al" Yankovic: Bad Hair Day - Cavity Search
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwFZXujLJg

I finally -after 2 long months- got new filling to my tooth. My mouth is still numb.

I can't say we even would have had any house parties for a long time. It seems that no one ever gets free from work at the same time with everybody else, so we hardy ever even get together all at the same time.

Miljoonasade: Marraskuu (November):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxW6DeHJme4

Deb Marlowe said...

Hi Susan! I'm so glad it's finally time for Mistress by Mistake! Hooray!

Your house party sounds wonderful--I'd love a house big enough to host one comfortably. All those bedrooms. I lust after the space.

Like Jane, I'd love my new space to be decorated brilliantly. I think I'd require help with all that crafting though!

Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Gillian Layne said...

Susan, huge congratulations on your release! It sounds like a very fun read, and I can't wait to enjoy it over Christmas break. :)

My house party would be in England, as I'd love to go, and I'd gather all my girlfriends. I admit, after wearing jeans and tops for my job, I'd love the chance to change gorgeous gowns several times a day.

If I could change my family get-together? I'd probably transport the lot to Hawaii. I think Thanksgiving by the beach would be an awesome change of pace this year.

pjpuppymom said...

Welcome to Susan and thanks to Donna for bringing you here! Congratulations on your upcoming debut. It sounds like my kind of story. :)

I love the holidays! I've already started the Thanksgiving cooking/baking and will continue until the big day. My family is scattered all over the country (I celebrate with my wonderful family-of-the-heart). If I could change something, or do something different, for the holiday, it would be to bring my brothers and their families together with me for one of the wonderful celebrations we enjoyed when we were kids and our parents were still living - complete with all of the zany extended-family characters. It's the spice that brings out the full flavor of the holiday!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Donna, thanks so much for having me here today! Love the photo you chose. And big gooey thanks for all the well-wishes, everyone!

Christine--waving madly and blowing kisses your way. (She read MISTRESS and gave me the lovely quote you see on the front cover.) We had too much fun with Susan Sey that night, making each other cry.

Susan Gee Heino said...

You ladies are a chatty bunch here! Feels a bit like a house party already--without the mess.

Deb--it's so nice to see you here. You know you've always got a special place in my heart. (She gave me a little necklace in San Francisco.) And you write a fun Regency!

Janie Mason said...

Best wishes on your release, Susan!
I don't really have much that I would change about Thanksgiving. I suppose a shorter car ride on the years we drive out of town would be nice. Especially with the price of gas. But other than that, I just enjoy the opportunity for extended family to gather.
Enjoy the holiday!

Susan Gee Heino said...

I love all the house party suggestions, gals.
Hawaii? Yeah, I'm in for that one! More space? Yep, need some of that!
Get a caterer? Ah, dream come true!
But I agree--those wild, zany times are what we live on after the party's over.

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome, Susan, and congrats on your release! Mistress By Mistake sounds fabulous :-)

The only thing I'd change about our family's Thanksgiving is I'd get more leftovers! Since we don't host Thanksgiving, we don't get the leftover turkey which means no turkey sandwiches the next day.

I've decided to stock up on a few turkeys now since they're so dirt cheap. I'll cook one in a few weeks just so we can get tired of turkey leftovers ;-)

Susan Gee Heino said...

I do exactly the same thing, Beth! LOL And here I thought I was totally unique in the world.

My family might complain, but I just never, ever seem to get tired of the bird!

Robin Gianakopoulos said...

SO excited about your release, Susan! Since I often laugh out loud at your posts on the COFW loop, I can't wait to read your book. I suspect I'll be grinning all day!

My idea of a wonderful Thanksgiving would be for our leaders sit down to a big meal and think and act like the Pilgrims and Indians did. They were thankful for the wonderful blessings they had, and grateful that they were able to offer each other skills they all benefited from. Wouldn't it be nice if our leaders did that? Sat down with appreciation for our country and each other, and figured out ways to compromise in the midst of trying to solve our problems?

Maybe someday... Meanwhile, we all have lots to be thankful for - except maybe that five pound weight gain on Thursday :-)

Buffie said...

Hey Susan! I have to say that I just adore debuts! There is nothing like reading an author's first published novel. And MISTRESS BY MISTAKE sounds like a wonderful story, one the I would really enjoy. Wishing you much success with the book!

With family scattered all around the country, Thanksgiving is usually a small affair for us. Just my family and my MIL and FIL. My MIL always cooks everything, and I do the dishes for her. It's a quiet day spent eating, watching football, and playing games.

I do wish my children could experience a Thanksgiving gathering like I did in my childhood. We lived in Florida and would travel to Indiana where my parents are from. My grandparents would have a huge gathering at their house with all the family there. Grandma would put scriptures at every place setting and we would take turns reading those and then saying what we were thankful for. As a child it was a great experience.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Wow, Robin, and I thought my little Regency-Thanksgiving fantasy was far fetched. But indeed, wouldn't it be wonderful if we could wave that magic wand and world leaders would kiss and play nice? I'll wish for that with you!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Buffie--I've had many Thanksgiving dinners in both Florida and Indiana. Great memories, all. I love the idea of putting scriptures at the place settings. Really sets the tone and reminds us to truly be thankful!

Anna Sugden said...

Welcome, Susan! Glad to have you in the Lair. Can't wait to read about the House Party misdemeanours in your book - have added it to the next load the Amazon pigeon has to bring me!

Congrats Mariska on wrestling the rooster from Lime *g*.

I'd need decent heating for a winter house party too, Susan - our English piles are ever so draughty and cold at this time of year. Perhas a sexy butler or man-servant (like Clive Owen in Gosford Park) would do.

We don't celebrate Thanksgiving over here, but believe me, Christmas more than makes up for it. I'm quite happy to avoid all the family sagas and traumas over the holidays, thank you *g*. But don't mind dealing with all the other stuff that goes on - it all adds to the fun and frivolity. And who better to share it with than friends!

Donna MacMeans said...

Tired of turkey? Impossible. I've learned there are never too many leftovers. We also cook the birds - sans company - in the winter months. It makes the house smell so lovely....but the problem is that it's impossible to cook a turkey without all the trimmings! I tried once. "Where's the stuffing? What do you mean there's no green bean casserole? Surely you made turkey gravy? NO PIE!!?" I've learned that husbands must think all the side dishes must magically appear without effort once the turkey goes into the roaster.

Donna MacMeans said...

Gillian - Hey! Can you include me on that trip to England? Love the idea of dressing up in fancy gowns for dinner though, in my case, I'd need to be swathed in head to toe napkins. Messy stuff that gravy.

Be sure to ask Susan about her experience dressing up ala regency style - complete with feathers in the hair. Talk about instant height. (grin)

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey Buffie - I miss those holidays with cousins & aunts and uncles - enough to justify a "kid's table" (remember those?) Like you, my family is scattered - in my case all along the eastern states from Florida to New York. My parents and my husband's parents have passed. It'll such be my immediate family and my sister-in-law's family here this year. I miss those days when family remained physically close in distance rather than scattered across the country - oh well - thank heavens for the internet to keep in touch.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey PJ - Yes - bring the family together! Would that cooking and baking include your fabulous chocolate turtles? I wonder if those nuts can be manipulated to look like little turkeys? (grin)

jo robertson said...

Great blog topic, Susan, and welcome to the Lair. I've just this moment added Mistress by Mistake to my Amazon order! Sounds delightful.

And you have a skinny cousin Tina too??!! A pox on her!

I love house parties as long as they're not at my house LOL. Our immediate family is soooo large and my house so small that it's horrible squeezing all of us in. For several Thanksgiving celebrations we rented a hall and did a pot luck. That was great fun.

Pissenlit said...

Congrats mariska!

And happy early book birthday to Susan!!

What would I change about my family get-togethers? My family. *snarf* Really, some of them are nice but there's a good portion that are very much not. My blood pressure goes up in and around family get-togethers. I suppose in a way, it's a silver lining that my family doesn't always get invited to all of them(and then the nicer relatives ask where we were and then the not so nice ones pretend that we were totally invited...bah!).

My fantasy house party would first off all include a totally neat and tidy house...bwahaha! I think it'd be a fancy dinner party. I've always wanted to have one of those.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hi Susan! Welcome to the Lair!!! Grins.

Hey Mariska, you got the bird. He's stepping out on his lady-love, Limecello, I guess. Fickle, fickle bird. grins.

Susan, we met at the GH booting out ceremony a couple of years ago now. It was a pleasure to meet you then and great to see you here and learn about your book. It sounds great BTW. Sigh. Another book to add to the TBR pile. The Leaning Tower of TBR. Ha!

As to what I'd change about family gatherings, I'd probably change the venue. I love going to my sister's house but she needs a bigger house. Ha! She'd love that too, so if I could wave a magic wand - *poof* bigger house. Also, there needs to be a better way for us to get home for Thanksgiving than flying or taking 8 hours to drive. *poof* teletransporting. :> Otherwise, it's aces.

Where I'd have the ideal house party? Some big, fun house, in Atlanta or Asheville or Durham where everyone could gather, have a room for free, and play together or apart as much as they want, then come back together for meals and discussion and fun. THEN, someone to come in after and help clean up. Snork.

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Tawny said: My fantasy house party? That'd include all the Bandits and Bandita Buddies, of course. Flowing margaritas and chocolate served by hunky cabana boys. I'd miss most of it, though, since I'd be off in the corner with People's Sexiest Man of the Year, the nummy Johnny Depp LOLOL

Oh. My. Yes. (I'll leave Johnny toyou, but the rest of it? Ohhhhh, yeah! This would be SUCH a blast, wouldn't it?)

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Beth said: The only thing I'd change about our family's Thanksgiving is I'd get more leftovers! Since we don't host Thanksgiving, we don't get the leftover turkey which means no turkey sandwiches the next day.


Oh, so true, Beth. I get to cook a bird at Christmas though, so I'm okay with it. BUT...I'd still love the leftovers in November too. :>

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Hey Robin! One of my best friends growing up was from the Gianakopoulos clan. :> Welcome to the Lair!

Deb said...

My TBR pile is growing and yours is going to be in there soon, Susan.
I wouldn't change one thing about our family get-togethers. We love getting together and do so for birthdays, holidays, and Girls' Day Out (my 2 sisters, my mother, and I; sometimes the nieces and daughter are included).
On Thanksgiving Day, after we can hardly move from eating such a splendid meal, the kids play inside or out, the men go watch football in the rec room, and the girls and women stay in the kitchen and chat or make gift tags for presents.

Julia Phillips Smith said...

Luckily, my family get-togethers are things I would move heaven and earth not to miss. In fact, Christmas Eve at my aunt's is the nearest thing to bliss I can conceive of. And there are generally 14 of us at these things. Thank heavens for more than one washroom in most homes, these days!

Susan, your excerpt is already intriguing. Can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

Great post! Congrats on you new release!

I am not sure I would change much on anything during our family get togethers other then having more room. There just never seems to be enough room and everyone seem to want to gather in the kitchen and you can't get everything done the way you want it. Men and kids just get out of the kitchen and let the women take care of the cooking PLEASE!

Hellie Sinclair said...

What would I change about my family get togethers?

Um: 1) there would be no more discussion about the stepson who is in jail for the next five years or so, who is of course "innocent"; 2) there would also be no discussion about the brother, who is basically a felon who hasn't gotten caught; 3) I would not cook for 6 hours only to have my sister (the one with the stepsons) and her current husband and family swoop in like grumpy vultures, eat for 40 minutes, then leave again so they can return to their trailer for their real Thanksgiving dinner; 4) I would not have my ex-brother-in-law (yes, same sister) show up, as he always does, because he is unaware the divorce went through 20 years ago. He tells the worst jokes.

But on the upside, I am only cooking about three or four real dishes (including the Turkey) and they don't take long to assemble. I am not making rolls (I refuse after the Rolls of 2005 in which no one complimented the fact I made homemade rolls--and they were good, damnit.)

Despite all the felons, there is a lot to be thankful for this year. It's good. It's tradition.

Nancy said...

Susan, welcome and congratulations! Just from that excerpt, your book sounds fabulous!

As for an ideal house party--I'd like it to be in one of those grand Palladian manors, in the winter and preferably with snow. The Christmas season sounds good as a time, though probably not Christmas itself. I like to be home at actual Christmas.

I'd invite lots of writers to come and talk about books and drink wassail or eggnog by the hearth while we shunted our families off to other parts of the estate to amuse themselves.

Dinner would be turkey, roast beef, winter squash, assorted veggies, a variety of breads, and syllabub or trifle for dessert. There would also be water, tea, coffee, and a variety of wines chosen by Cassondra.

Maybe we'd go for an evening sleigh ride by torch light, assuming that's not incredibly unsafe.

There would be no group singing. Those who have heard me sing will be pleased to know this. :-)

Nancy said...

Mariska, congrats on taking home the rooster. I hope you'll make him work very, very hard. It's good for him!

Anna Campbell said...

Congratulations on the chook, Mariska.

Susan, welcome to the lair! And congratulations for Mistress by Mistake. I've heard great things about this book!

Do you know what I'd love about being at this Regency house party? SERVANTS!!!!! I don't care what the celebrations are as long as I don't have to clean the house first and then clean the house when they go and cater while they're here. That means I can just have a lovely time pushing Mr. Darcy into the fish pond and watching him emerge. Oh, bliss!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy said: There would be no group singing. Those who have heard me sing will be pleased to know this. :-)

Awww, c'mon! Seriously?

Grins.

catslady said...

I wish our family hasn't grown so large that we can't all get together any longer (or that my house was a lot larger lol). My niece now has 7 kids and although the chaos is fun, there just isn't enough room. She now either has it or goes to her inlaws (her brother in law has 5 kids)! I'm at least lucky that my married daughter will be here this year although she has to work and it will be late in the day. So I'll only be cooking for 6 but I'm trying to make it special :)

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Welcome to the Lair, Susan!

I also remember meeting you in San Francisco and am anxious to read your debut! SUPER CONGRATS!

As for House Parties, I think Hellion and I are related... Ixnay on the elative-rays! I'm going to show up at Nancy's party, or Tawny's where I can laze about talking, eating and doing NONE of the work (just like the MEN in my family)!

Then, when we are all suitably stuffed and feeling no pain, I'd grab Jane and we'd fly off to Tahiti to laze about on the beach sipping fruity drinks with some scantily clad native boys! (Yes, Jane and I have discussed this very scenario before.)

AC

Cassondra said...

Hey Susan, and welcome!

Congrats on your upcoming release. I know you must be SO excited!

Lessee...If I could be that omnipotent holiday helper, I'd make my house be CLEAN. That's all. Just Clean and uncluttered, with stuff put away in closets that were finished. No wires snaking across the floor and around the baseboards (we're restoring an old house, so things are always in progress). Yup. That's what it would be. Clean and uncluttered. If only I could twitch my nose like Samantha on Bewitched. I think it is wrong that we humans were not born with this ability.

Cassondra said...

Mariska, congrats on the rooster!

Donna MacMeans said...

MsHellion - Is it any surprise that you're a writer when you're surrounded by so many characters! Sounds like a Chevy Chase movie. I suppose that's why there's so many Thanksgiving movies - all the drama, the characters and the food. Never hurts to be reminded as well of all our blessings at these annual occurrences.

Donna MacMeans said...

Anna - I'm with you on the Servants!!! A definite improvement on the holiday tradition. Jeanne - like the idea of a pallatial estate to comfortably house everyone - as long as I'm not the one doing the cleaning and upkeep (grin).

Nancy - I think some singing is in order at our next bandita gathering. THe joy of singing loudly should not be silenced just because the listeners can't "feel the love" - let them drink more or sing louder.

Maureen said...

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! The one thing I would change is that I would give myself more elbow room at the dining room table.

Minna said...

And happy Thanksgiving from Finland, too!

Nancy said...

Donna and Jeanne, I kid you not. Much alcohol is required to make it tolerable.

Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes, everyone.

Carol Ann said...

Hi Susan, Your new book sounds yummy! Can't wait to get my copy. Congrats, my friend. One day I'll say, "Hey, I knew here when..."

Hugs,
Carol Ann

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Nancy said: Donna and Jeanne, I kid you not. Much alcohol is required to make it tolerable.


Hey, I'm good with that. :> On the other hand, it takes very little alcohol to GET me to sing, so we'll make a good pair. Snork! I'm like a musical, I'll break into song at odd intervals, totally shocking the people around me.

(My kids and DH are now used to it...)

Pissenlit said...

Jeanne, I think I'm in your musical because I do that too! *snarf* :D

Donna MacMeans said...

Just checked with Susan and she had an unexpected emergency that required her to transport her dad to the emergency room. She should be back with details soon.

Louisa Cornell said...

Congrats, Mariska! Keep an eye on that GR. He is trouble on two drumsticks!


Susan !! SQUEEEE for my Pixie Sister and More Important - For the Manwhore's Mama!! Susan is a woman of many surprises, ladies!

I can't WAIT to get my hands on this fabulous book!! One more SQUEEEEE just because!

For me the ideal family Thanksgiving would be one where I actually get to spend the holiday WITH my family. I have to work Thanksgiving Day so I won't get to go to my SIL's where everyone else will be snarfing down the chicken and dumplings, dressing and chocolate pie my Mom always makes for me, her favorite daughter. (I'm her only daughter, but that is beside the point!)One of the perks of getting published one day and eking out a living as a writer is that I would NOT have to work on holidays!

Now, my ideal house party would definitely be on some remote country estate in the middle of winter - around Christmas time to be exact. And my guests would all be stranded single lords whose carriages mysteriously break down at my gates. These lords would all bear a striking resemblance to Gerard Butler, Clive Owen, Andres Velencoso, Johnny Depp, Viggo Mortgensen, well you get the picture. Other guests? Female guests? You did say this was MY fantasy house party, didn't you?

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Louisa said: the middle of winter - around Christmas time to be exact. And my guests would all be stranded single lords whose carriages mysteriously break down at my gates.

Gosh, I DO love a good mystery....hmmmm. Wow, what a lineup. You are a woman of great fortitude, I'm tellin' ya! Make sure you have plenty of vitamins before this house party takes place. Seriously.

Snork!

Jeanne (AKA The Duchesse) said...

Pissenlit, sing with me now...

"There's no business like Bandita Business, like no business I know...everything about it is appealing, everything the traffic will allow...no where do you get that happy feeling, than when you take that extra bow..."

Grins.

Or, "Have a little priest,"

"Is it really good?"

"Sir, it's too good, at least. Then again they don't commit sins of the flesh, so it's pretty fresh..."


SNORK!!!

cheripye said...

Delurking for a moment, 80)

Congratulations on the Debut!

Now Mistress by Mistake sounds like a book right up my alley! I love the quirky, fun and humorous side of things and the little snippit you provided certainly seems like a foretelling of such a great read I cant wait to read it. 80) Plus regency is my favorite era and I am currently working on an MS that I hope to get published someday too. 80)

Well lets see I would have to find some way in my crazy and wacky fantasy Turkey day to ensure that the grumpy ol dowager would find herself in a scandalous position, that would save me from having to listen to her do's and don'ts along with the complaints of what was over peppered 80).

Then of course there wouldnt be any men sitting in corners glaring at the dreaded family members like a three year old who has been scolded.

All in all I dont think I would change a thing about my Turkey days, it is always comical there is always someone to laugh at and someone laughing. Plus I get to buy a good bottle of wine. 80)

Susan Gee Heino said...

Golly, I go to tend a family emergency and you gals stay busy here! I left a post a while ago, but now I don't see it, so forgive me if this is a repeat!

I had to take my father to the ER and so I wasn't here all afternoon to keep up with the delightful Bandita Banter. Thanks for all the wonderful warm wishes!

Anna--I love your house party fantasy. You managed to include fawning servants AND Mr. Darcy emerging from a pond. (Did his shirt happen to fall off, or is it just plasted to his body?)

Jeanne--Somehow you worked Sweeney Todd into the conversation and that is always a very grand thing. Extra points for you!

Louisa--Pixie hugs, my Regency sister! There you go giving me credit for your manwhore again. Naughty, naughty! You know he's yours alone, my dearest. (Not that I'd mind sharing... he's yummy!)

Thanks everyone! I'll try to reply to all, but I've got two unruly kids who don't quite believe me that it really is bedtime. Grr.

Susan Gee Heino said...

Oh, I guess I should have mentioned that my father is doing fine now. He's home with meds and I made him eat soup. No worries, just hassel. (This would be why I cling to my little holiday fantasy!)

Louisa Cornell said...

Glad to hear your father is okay! And yes The Manwhore is my creation but you gave him his name so you can definitely borrow him from time to time!

mariska said...

Eeek ! i come back but still don't have any ideas what will be my party if i have one in my house :)

for me, as long as we have good foods, our family can enjoy the foods with chats, laughs. it's a party for me *g*

Susan Gee Heino said...

That's so sweet, Mariska. I think you're right--what really matters is just being with our loved ones and spending time appreciating each other. And good food, of course!

Susan Gee Heino said...

AND THE WINNER IS...

All right, I said I would give away a copy of MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, didn't I? So, after carefully printing out the name of everyone who left a comment today, I threw them all in a pot (I didn't have a hat nearby) and stired them up really, really well.

When I drew one out, it said: TAWNY!

So, Tawny, if you will pry yourself away from Johnny Depp long enough to email me at susan_gee_heino@yahoo.com and give me your info, I can get a copy out in the mail to you. Just as soon as my publisher gets my copies out to me. Any day now, I'm hoping...

Thanks for stopping by to chat!

Susan Gee Heino said...

Once again, ladies, thanks so much for having me here and appologies for having to duck out for a while.

Donna, you're the greatest! Thanks for all the years of advice and for putting up with all my whining and worrying. Hope you get that rooster back sometime!

Tawny said...

Ooooweeeeeee I won something!!! Wow and thank you, Susan *g*