Top 5 - Rocking the Red!

by Anna Sugden

Yes, I've borrowed that phrase from my beloved hockey. Come Playoffs time, all those teams who play in red try to rally their fans to 'turn the arena/stadium red' or create a 'red wave'.

In honour of our support of a wonderful cause this month, and the fact that red happens to be my favourite colour *g*, I decided to devote this blog to favourite red things.

Here are my Top 5 Reds (not necessarily in this order):

1. My sports teams - amazingly, all of my teams (apart from the Yankees) are 'reds' - Manchester United aka the Red Devils, Exeter City, The New Jersey Devils and the Washington Redskins. (OK - so it was also an opportunity to show pics of two of my fave players!)

2. Gerbera daisies - you can keep your red roses, I love red gerbera daisies.

3. My red VW Bug *sniff* - when I lived in NJ, this was my car. I LOVED it. It was one of the saddest days when I had to sell it.


4. My red Manolo Blahniks - a present for my 40th - say no more.

5. My favourite red wine - Nine Popes. I'll brave a migraine for a glass of this lovely wine.

I also have a favourite red dress that I had made in Thai silk and to my measurements when I was in Bangkok on business, years ago. Sadly, I'm nowhere near the weight I was back then and haven't been able to wear it for several years. Maybe one day!

***So, what are some of your favourite reds? Remember, we're giving away an AHA Go Red For Women pin today! And, in honour of Going Red, I'll be giving away a bar or bag of chocolate with a red wrapper.***

Don't forget to check out the Healthy Heart tip and free book opportunity below.



The healthy heart tip for February 22 is: Wet your whistle and help your heart! Stay hydrated – staying properly hydrated helps you feel (and look) better and water is a great alternative to high-calorie, sugar-sweetened drinks. Treat yourself to a fun new water bottle to encourage the habit – if it’s always handy, you're more likely to drink up!

Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease. Visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/ to learn how to fight heart disease.

And just in case you missed it....

Sign Up for the Go Red BetterU Program and Receive Two Free Romance Novel E-Books

From Feb. 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance novel e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's BetterU Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited-edition magazine (that features this offer) on newsstands and in a grocery store near you.

To sign up for the BetterU program, visit http://www.goredforwomen.org/betteru/index.aspx.
(Go Red For Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.)

Red Carpet Time!

by Susan Sey

Well, friends, it's almost time.

Time for the biggest event of the celebrity gossip hound's year.

It's time for the Oscars, baby.

Now I'm not going to lie to you people. I love celebrity gossip like kids love candy. We geek out for the Oscars like royal watchers geek out over Prince William & Kate. We'll celebrate the opening monologue with a make-it-yourself sundae bar set up in front of the TV. But never fear. We'll eat dinner during the red carpet coverage. Probably popcorn.

What? It's a whole grain.

Now I like a Hugh Jackman song-and-dance number as much as the next girl but what I really like? It's the speeches. Remember the year Phillip Seymour Hoffman won? I don't remember what for, just that his hands were shaking. You could see them on camera, trembling, as he rambled through a really genuine & heartfelt moment. I loved it.

And Sally Field's "you like me!" thing? Cringe worthy. And as a result? Instant classic.

The dresses are fun, too, though. Hilary Swank's all-but-backless dress the year she won for Boys Don't Cry had me choking on my popcorn. I thought we were about have butt cleavage for sure.

And I'm still in love with Julia Robert's vintage black-and-white number the year she won for Erin Brockovich. The one where Benjamin Bratt fixed her train for her as she ascended the steps? Swoon.

So what about you? What do you love most about the Oscars? (I'm not even going to ask if you love them. Of course you do. Come on.)

Are you a monologue/opening number type? Do you print out the ballots & try to pick winners? Are you in it for the acceptance speeches? Or when the camera cuts to the losers trying to look all pleased for the talentless hack who stole their award? Share!

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Hey, it's Go Red month. (You may have noticed my clever tie in--red carpet, go red, etc.) The Romance Bandits are partnering with the American Heart Association to promote awareness of women's heart health, which means we have give aways!

First, because everything is all red & stuff, I'm giving away a signed copy of my book Money, Honey to one lucky commenter. It's got a cute red cover & a red-hot love story, so wheee!

We also have an AHA Go Red for Women pin for one commenter today.

And just because we're givers, we also have this heart-healthy tip: Rekindle an old flame...on the grill! Try preparing a not-so-favorite food in a new way. Like, hey, not a banana fan? What if you threw one on the grill? It's a great dessert! Or chill out with some frozen grapes. Yum!

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

Even Better With Age

by Beth

It's true that some things--such as wine and cheese--get better with age. And while I enjoy both, and I'm sure they'd make an interesting blog topic, today I'd like to discuss something a bit...prettier. (Or at least, more fun to look at *g*)

My top five picks for men who have gotten better with age!

1. Hugh Jackman. I think most of us could agree that the years have been kind to Hugh *g*

2. Liam Neeson. I fell hard for Liam in Love Actually.

3. George Clooney. I never watched ER but I do remember George from his days on The Facts of Life. Yes, he has definitely improved with age :-)

4. Patrick Dempsey. The same goes for Patrick who I first saw as a nerdy teen in Can't Buy Me Love.

5. Sting. I recently saw footage of Sting in concert and he still kicks butt up on that stage! I also love that he's into yoga *g*

Who are your picks for men who have gotten better with age?

We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today. I'm also giving a copy of Tawny's latest Red Hot Blaze, BREAKING THE RULES!

The healthy heart tip for February 20 is: Try something new - dare yourself to try a new fruit or vegetable. Next time you're at the store, pick up something you've never made before. Many grocery stores have free recipe cards in the produce section or just type the food into your favorite search engine.

Romance Writers of America and the American Heart Association have partnered to raise awareness of heart disease in women and encourage you to join us in wearing red on February 4, National Wear Red Day. Visit Go Red for Women to learn how to fight heart disease.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

None So Blind

by Caren Crane

Lately at the dreaded day job (henceforth known as the DDJ), I have had occasion to speak with (or about) a number of customers who claim they have no knowledge of a certain service in which their business was enrolled. A free service, mind you, and one which saves them money. Still, a small number are miffed they "didn't know" about it (intentional use of quote bunnies) and it made them see red!

Now, letters were sent. Two letters, as a matter of fact. Before the service was implemented, each of these customers was also called and, if they answered the phone, were asked if they knew about the service and if they wanted it. If no answer, a message was left. In any case, they received yet another letter when the service was activated. Still, they claim no knowledge.

Which has made me think that the old adage "there are none so blind as those who will not see" is certainly true. Now, at my house we don't answer the phone unless we can tell it is a person or business with whom we wish to speak. If it is a telemarketing firm or one of those anonymous phone numbers, we tend to let the machine pick it up. We figure those who really need or want to speak to us will leave a message. We listen to messages, though, so we can't claim we didn't know they called.

I vividly remember the days before cell phones and caller ID. Heck, I remember having a rotary dial phone. We picked up the phone when it rang. We had no e-mail or internet, so the mail was a major source of information. We read mail, even junk mail!

These days we are bombarded with information all day long: calls, texts, e-mail and advertisements on the TV, radio, billboards and even subliminally on our TiVos. I suppose it's no wonder customers are claiming they "don't know" about services, despite efforts to inform them. If they are anything like me, they don't want to know!

I'm about ready for another information vacation. Although it would mean missing things I love, like our fantastic blog or e-mail from my Banditas, I like to disconnect and give my brain a break sometimes. Not this weekend, though. I'm with you guys today, then my husband and I have to fill out a heinous financial aid form (the dreaded CSS Profile) for my older daughter on Sunday. I do have Monday off, though. Maybe I'll take a break then and do my favorite commercial-free activity: read a great book.

Are you ready for an information vacation? Ever find it hard to disconnect from your phone or computer? Had a bout of information overload recently? Ever go cold turkey (either on purpose or had it forced upon you)? I'd love to hear how you regain head space and reboot your brain!
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We have an AHA Go Red for Women pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for today is: Instead of frying foods – which adds unnecessary fats and calories – use cooking methods that add little or no fat, like stir-frying, roasting, grilling or steaming.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

Winner from the Roots Post

Sorry I'm a little late posting the winner from Tuesday. I've been trying to finish up a book and get it out the door to my editor. Good news, I finished yesterday.

So, the winner of a copy of Elly: Cowgirl Bride and a Go Red pin is...Tracey Devlyn! Send me an e-mail at trishmilburn AT yahoo DOT com with your mailing information, and I'll get your prize out to you.

A Very Bad Place To Start

posted by Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy

Tomorrow (the 19th) my fabulous critique partner Jo-Mama and I are giving a presentation to our local Romance Writers of America chapter. We were asked, along with another chapter member, to talk about contests and critique groups.

I am concentrating on contests for my portion of the panel, specifically contests for unpublished writers. One of my topics covers things in contest entries that drive judges BONKERS. But as I was going over my speaking notes, it occurred to me that this could just as easily be things in books that drive readers BONKERS.

Editors and agents aren't the only ones who make decisions on books after reading a page or two. I can usually tell right off if I'm going to like a story, and I know I'm not the only person who stands in the aisle of the bookstore reading the opening page.

It is so true that an author must hook the reader on page one. There better be something compelling, fresh, or different on that very first page for me to keep reading page two. I don't know about you, but lately, I've run across waaay too many stories whose beginnings leave me scratching my head or yawning. I've seen or read these openings too many times before, and I'll bet you have as well:

• A big fight is going on or a huge chase, but I (the reader) have no idea why or who these characters are, nor do I care.
• The heroine (or hero) looks in the mirror or out the window and contemplates her past and/or future.
• The heroine (or hero but again usually it's a female) is late for work or an important function.
• The heroine hates her job (usually justifiably), has just been fired or is about to get fired.

I'm not saying I won't read a book with one of these openings. Matter of fact, I have read GREAT books with all of these beginnings. But I've seen each of these scenarios so many times that the author better have a very unique twist for me to keep reading a story that opens with a such a cliche.

What about you? Is there a particular opening scene you've seen too often lately? Have you read a good book with one of Aunty's openings and it totally worked for you? What are some other things in books that drive you BONKERS?

In keeping with our Go Red celebration, Aunty is giving away a red box of six pretty lip glosses from Ulta and an AHA pin to one lucky commenter!
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The healthy heart tip for today is: If you want to get a start on health for your heart, take a walk! Walking costs nothing to get started and can be done in your very own neighborhood. Walking for as little as 30 minutes a day provides heart-health benefits.

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

'Rithmetic WINNER!

by Caren Crane

Okay, I did all the complicated math in my head (NOT!) and came up with a winner for my Readin', 'Ritin'...where's my 'Rithmetic blog. The winner of an AHA Go Red for Women pin is...Jennifer Tanner! Congratulations, Pink! Yes, you won my heart with your enormous Girl Scout cookie order. I'm shameless!

Please send your snail mail addy to: caren AT nc DOT rr DOT com. Congratulations (and enjoy your cookies)!

Cara Elliott's Winners

The winner of Cara Elliott's fabulous TO TEMPT A RAKE and a Go Red pin is Margay!!!

Margay, please send your address to christine AT christine-wells DOT com

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by to party!

Winter Reading

by Christie Kelley

I've just finished reading 8 books for RWA's RITA contest. Since I tend to read historical romance, it was fun to get some books I wouldn't normally pick up. I don't want to divulge the category but suffice it to say, not all these stories were my cup of tea. But it did give me the chance to try some new authors.

I found a few authors that I would read their back list and a few I probably wouldn't read again. Nothing against the story, it just didn't suite me. I'm sure other people loved it.

So what about you? When was the last time you tried a new author? What are you reading now?

Please excuse the short post. I'm a bit overloaded in my life right now.

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We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for today is: Go fish – did you know for ideal health you should eat fish (particularly oily fish such as salmon, mackerel or tuna) twice a week?

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

Readin', 'Ritin'....where's my 'Rithmetic?!

by Caren Crane

I'm pretty sure I used to know some math. I studied engineering in college and took many semesters of calculus, plus fun math electives like linear algebra back in the day. Still, arithmetic seems to have leaked out of my brain sometime in the past twenty years. Saturday, I was called upon to help separate Girl Scout cookie orders and count (and recount and re-recount) boxes of cookies. To make it "easier", we tried to make up full cases of twelve boxes each. Um...but then we had to count by twelves!

I don't know about you, but I learned the twelves times table in third grade when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Asking me to recall all that on a Saturday morning, without benefit of caffeine, seemed a bit much. Still, I persevered and we managed to get the orders resolved somehow, though it was slow, painful going.

It made me wonder, though, what else I might have forgotten. Do I really still know how to ride a bike or have I lost that, too? Do I remember how all the chess pieces move on the board or the best strategies to use when playing Yahtzee? Could I still play Hearts or would I have to relearn? These things used to be second nature to me, but I'm afraid all that knowledge may be a "use it or lose it" deal.

Now I'm a bit worried about all the things I don't do on a regular basis: cross stitch, drive a stick shift, French braid hair, perform CPR. Will I know how to do them when I need to? I mean, someone might forgive my poor embroidery but people sort of count on you to remember how many chest compressions to how many breaths when restarting someone's heart! (That, by the way, is a skill that could help you save someone's life, so please consider getting your CPR certification, like all of us Girl Scout leaders!)

What about you? Do you have any skills you fear may be rusty? Any that have deserted you (like knitting – I've learned three times!)? Please share and let me know it's not just my brain dumping things like it's been watching Hoarders!
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We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for today is: One of the best things you can do for your heart is to give up smoking or help a loved one quit. Smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death.

And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

Roots

Once upon a time, I worked full time as a magazine journalist, covering the interesting people and places across Tennessee, especially in the rural areas. I still do freelance work for the magazine, and recently I did a feature on the new interpretive center at the Alex Haley Museum in Henning, Tennessee, a very small town north of Memphis. Haley is most famous for the novel Roots, on which the ground-breaking 1977 TV miniseries was based. Haley is responsible for getting a lot of people, especially African-Americans, interested in genealogy and their family histories.

A few years ago, I started working on my genealogy and found out a few things I'd not known before. My mother's paternal side came from Germany before the Revolutionary War and took part in that conflict, and I believe I could technically qualify to join the Daughters of the American Revolution if I so chose. I know the man and his son who came from Germany came into Pennsylvania then moved to North Carolina, where they were living at the time of the Revolution. The family eventually migrated to what is now Roane County, Tennessee and then on to Western Kentucky, where I grew up. Each Memorial Day when I take my mom around on what I jokingly call the Annual Tour of Cemeteries, one of the ones we stop at holds the graves of some of those early ancestors who migrated to Kentucky. Unfortunately, some of their grave stones are probably either lost in the forest or so worn down that you can't read anything that might have been etched in the stone.

Now, my dad's side, that's a different story. I haven't managed to get back very far, and I stowed all my genealogy work away in a plastic tub several years ago. But the new program Who Do You Think You Are? sponsored by Ancestry.com, which helps celebrities trace their family histories, has me itching to give it another go. I know that's their plan, to get you interested so that you fork over the money to join Ancestry.com, but it's working. There are things I can find out through public records and through the genealogy materials offered by the Latter Day Saints church, but I think I might join Ancestry.com soon, at least for a few months to see what they have available. I want to know where my paternal line, my birth surname, hails from. My dad hasn't a clue. He didn't even ever know his grandparents because they died before he was born. His dad was 50 when my dad was born, so he died when I was only 5 and I never had a chance to talk to him about his family's history. I wonder if his father or grandfather might have fought in the Civil War though because my grandpa was born in 1889. While many people my age still have their grandparents, my grandpa would be 122 this year. My other grandparents died when I was 10, 15 and 24, all before I got interested in family history, sadly.

It's less the names and dates I'm interested in than the human stories and the connections to other countries. Before my ancestors set their feet on America's shores, where did they call home? What did they do for a living? I'm guessing some good peasant stock, but that's okay. But it would be great to come across a surprise like Tim McGraw did in last week's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? He's always been a fan of George Washington, so it was an awesome moment when he was allowed to see a journal kept by a 16-year-old Washington when he was surveying in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and mentioned staying at the home of McGraw's ancestors.

So after I meet a couple of deadlines, I'm going to drag out those old materials and start organizing them and getting copies of official documents to back up some of the information I found on online forums. Hopefully this time I'll be able to trace my paternal roots back to their country of origin, just like Alex Haley did when he followed the branches of his family tree all the way back to Gambia.

Do you enjoy genealogy? Do you know where your family hails from? Any interesting family history tidbits you'd like to share? And if you have tips about effective genealogy research, please share those too.

Prize time! Family is an important aspect of the continuity series (Codys: First Family of Rodeo) I was in last year with five other authors. One commenter today will receive a copy of my October 2010 release, Elly: Cowgirl Bride. That's in addition to our daily Go Red pin for the lucky winner.
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The healthy heart tip for today is: Still seeing hearts even after Valentine's Day? You've seen hearts all month long; now look for a slightly different heart icon at the grocery store. Select products with the Heart-Check Mark. These items are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.

Mega-Booty: Jessica's, Jana's, and Laura Anne's

Thanks to everybody who stopped by on February 2, 3, and 4. You made it a great week!

I have several winners to announce.

The winner of Jessica Andersen's February 2 prize, a copy of On the Hunt signed by Jessica and the 2012 End of the World Calendar is Pat Cochran!

The winner of Jana Oliver's The Demon Trapper's Daughter prize package is Eilis Flynn.

Last, but never least, the winner of Laura Anne Gilman's prize, the winner's choice of any one of Laura Anne's published novels, is Cybercliper!

Each of these winners will also receive an AHA Go Red pin courtesy of Romance Bandits and the American Heart Association.

Winners, please send your snail mail contact to me via romancebandits AT gmail DOT com and put "for Nancy" in the subject line.

Congrats to the winners, and thanks again to everyone who stopped by!

Valentine's Ball Booty!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by our Valentines Literary Ball. Sven and the guys, and our various character guests, appreciate your giving them a chance to be in the spotlight.

The winner of a prize package donated by the American Heart Association, including a bookmark and, a Go Red pin, and assorted other goodies is Danielle Gorman.

Danielle, please send contact info to romancebandits AT gmail DOT com with "for Nancy" in the subject line.

Congrats to Danielle, and thanks again to everyone who stopped by!

Bandit Booty and Socks!

Using the highly scientific method of drawing a name, the winner of the Valentine walking socks goes to:

BJ!!!

BJ send your snail mail addy to JoanieT13@gmail.com and you'll get your socks and your Go Red gift!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!! It's a day for Wacky Sappy Love Poems, and a visit from the HEART!

by Jeanne Adams

Hi everyone! Happy Valentine's DAY!!!!! Today, we're going to have a TON of fun, and learn some things too.

Oh, and did I mention prizes and prezzies? Grins.

We'll have those too. Make sure you get your pencil sharpened and your mind in gear, because it's WACKY SAPPY LOVE POEM DAY! (there are some terms and conditions for winning, so you have to wait for the next bit to see how to play....)

As most of you know, it's alllll about the HEART around the Lair. Broken hearts are mended, singed ones (watch out for Ermingarde!) are healed, and there's always a happily-ever-after in our favorite romance novels and in the Lair.

That's what happens when you're a Romance Bandit or Bandit Buddy! Grins.

But in "real life" hearts are not always hurt by love, bad boys, rakes, dangerous dames or rambling roues.

Sometimes, it's genetics. Or maybe in some cases, it's our lifestyles that do damage to our hearts.

Here to talk to us today about HEARTS and heart health is Dr. RoseMarie Robertson, Chief Science Officer for the American Heart Association!

WELCOME, Dr. Robertson! (Dr. Robertson will be joining us LIVE at 11 a.m. ET, USA, to answer YOUR questions!)

I first heard Dr. Robertson speak at RWA National last year. And her advice and information about women and heart health bowled me over. There were so MANY things I didn't know about heart disease.

For instance, did you know, heart disease - NOT breast cancer! - is the NUMBER ONE killer for women, at any age? Oh. My. Goodness! I certainly didn't know that! And did you know that women's symptoms are totally different than men's?

None of that sterotypical chest-clutching for the ladies, thank you very much. It's more about dragging fatigue and upper abdominal indigestion.

Subtle, just like most of us ladies prefer - but dangerously subtle in this case, right, Dr. R?

Dr. R - That's right, Jeanne. Most heart attacks are NOT what you see in the movies! They're usually not so painful that you fall to your knees, clutching your chest. They're quite often "pain you feel you could put up with" - especially if, like many women, you've had other episodes of pain that eventually went away and didn't do you harm - like severe cramps or even childbirth.

But both men and women most often have typical sypmtoms. Those include: discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, tightness or pain. It can also involve one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or abdomen. Shortness of breath is also a symptom, with or without chest discomfort. Other signs - some of them the subtle things you referenced - are breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness.

As many as 1 in 4 heart attacks may occur withouth ANY pain, especially in patients with diabetes or older people. Since women, on average, have their heart attacks at an older age, as I mentioned, the're more likely to have one of these "painless" heart attacks, with just unexplained shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness or a cold sweat. Or even just unusual and sudden fatigue.

But these can happen in younger individuals too, so don't ignore these symptoms!!! The big difference is that the symptoms of a heart attack tell you that you're losing heart muscle every minute they go on. They mean "CALL 911! NOW!!"

Dr. Robertson, isn't it true that women are more likely to die from their first heart attack? Why is that?

Dr. R - Over the past decade we've done better in preventing or delaying heart attacks, and both women and men who have them have a much better chance of surviving, especially if they get to the hospital early so we can stop it in its tracks. However, if you look at all the deaths that occur over the year after a first heart attack, it's true that women are at higher risk. About 26% of women will die, as compared to 19% of men. That's at least in part due to the fact that women are older on average when they have their first heart attack, by somewhere around 6-10 years. The risk is always greater when you're older.

Eating a great diet and keeping the chocolate, wine and rich foods in moderation are all heart-smart things to do, but what are some good heart-healthy foods TO eat?

Dr. R - A heart-healthy diet is full of delicious foods! I start my day with strawberries, raspberries adn blueberries, or sometimes a banana on my whole grain Cheerios or eat that fruit alongside some whole-wheat toast or a whole-grain bagel. Some smoked salmon on that bagel is delicious and gets me half a serving of omega-3-rich fish too! If I want something warm on one of these wintry days, I'll substitute oatmeal for the Cheerios or I'll toss some egg whites or egg substitute in a pan with some low-fat shredded cheese (with just a pinch of double Gloucester or parmesan on top for some intense flavor!) and some mushrooms and spinach or other green veggies, grated or in small pieces. If I put it under the broiler, it's a frittata, if I fold it up, it's an omelet! Since it's hard to predict meals when I travel, I always take a plastic baggie or two of cereal, usually with some dried fruit, so I can have a healthy snack and NOT be tempted by the mini-bar! And that's just for breakfast!

Of course you should get your veggies too - that spinach I mentioned - or dark greens like kale or broccoli, or even lovely red beets. You can go to http://www.heart.org/ and search Nutrition for more tips!

YUM!!! All foods I love...well, maybe not the beets, but hey, that's just one that I won't eat. The rest? Yum. Gotta say I love the chocolate and wine, of course, though I prefer white. Grins.

(For those who love lists, WebMD has a list of the Top 25 Heart Healthy foods here: http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/25-top-heart-healthy-foods )

They say laughter is the best medicine, and we do love to laugh around here. Which is why, of course, we’ve got Wacky Sappy Love Poem Day going for Valentines, and we want Dr. Robertson to be the judge for us.

Dr. Robertson, feel free to jump in and comment on the mayhem when you sign in!

Besides keeping a great sense of humor (and visiting the Romance Bandit’s Lair) what are some of the most important lifestyle changes that people should consider to be heart healthy? I’m sure stopping smoking is one…

Dr. R - Absolutely! Stopping smoking is the top of the list, since it's a huge risk factor. That's especially true if you use birth control pills - the combination raises your risk 35 times normal! Quitting can make an equally dramatic change for the better.

One simple thing to do, especially now that spring is finally on the way, is to get moving. Walk for 15 minutes a day, then move it up to 30 minutes. Make healthy food choices - a diet rich in fruits, veg, whole-grains, two servings of fish a week, cut back (or cut out) high-fat, high cholesterol foods, get lean protein with sodium no more than 1500 mg a day if you can. Portion control is key! You can check on how you're doing, and get great hints from the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women program at http://www.goredforwomen.org/

Thanks for these top-tips, Dr. Robertson! We’re so happy to have you with us today. Are there other things you’d like to have our (mostly) female audience know? What about our guys?

Dr. R - Our guys are very important to us! And we've got some help for them as well. In fact, the AHA's MyLifeCheck is a great tool for both men and women. Try it out at http://MyLifeCheck.heart.org/ and see what you can easily change to improve your odds of living a strong and healty life, free of cariovascular diseases and stroke!

(Remember, Dr. Robertson will be with us LIVE at 11 am, so post your questions along with your poems...)

And now...Da RULZ for Wacky Sappy Love Poem Day! Give us a poem, haiku, cantrip, rhyme or verse using the following:

It has to have: Heart, Love, Healthy

And one or more of the following: Go Red, Red Dress, vegetables, fruits, (or named fruits or vegetablesm i.e. strawberries)

SO, the other thing is....GO RED!!!

At the end of the day, Dr. Robertson will pick FIVE winners!

Oh, you want to know about the PRESENTS?

That would be a GO RED Backpack filled with GO RED and Romance Bandit goodies, for one poster, AND cool magnets, heart-healthy cook books, and other prizes for the other four.

So rock on you Valentine's Poets, rock on!

BANDITA BOOTY!!!!

For the post with the most, from Mr. Brad Parks, aka Mr. Romance, the winner of a copy of his book EYES OF THE INNOCENT is:

MAUREEN!! I believe it was the rum drink that did it....

And for my book, DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS, it's: TM Lunsford!

Send me a post with your snail mail addy to me at Jeanne AT Jeanne Adams DOT com and I'll get your booty right out to you!

Grins,

Jeanne

I Just Go Walking, After Midnight...

by Joanie

...out in the moonlight..... la, la, la la la la...

Ahhhhh...Patsy Cline. She had the right idea. Walking is a great way to a healthy heart.

As we are celebrating the American Heart Associations Go Red for Women's heart health here in The Lair I thought I'd talk about some walking benefits. I'm not going into great detail, because you can find out LOADS of information through our link to the AHA below. But some highlights.

Walking:

*Maintains a healthy weight *Improves blood pressue and lowers cholesterol
*Reduces/manages Type II Diabetes *Decreases risk for a heart attack and stroke
*Decreases stress and prevents
depression

We already know that walking is important for our health. And there is a pleathora of information out there about the proper shoes. But what about...socks?

Socks are a very individualized preference. There are practical white cotton socks, moisture wicking socks, athletic socks, Socks the cat. :-D But there are lots of fun socks out there that really reflect a persons personality. For instance, which Banditas or resident of The Lair do you believe own these socks?

Socks make the woman! So slip your favorite pair on, tie up those shoes and let's go walking!

Now what about you? What do your socks say about the woman you are? What would you have on your socks?

One lucky reader will win a special Valentine package of fun socks from Cricket and Grayson.

The comment link is below the healthy heart tip for today and the AHA BetterU information.

**Before embarking on any exercise program, check with your doctor.

Go Red Tip for February 13: Don't forget to love Fido, too! Give your pet a Valentine and remember to walk or exercise them daily-getting active will benefit your health and your bond with your pets.

And...Sign Up for the Go Red BetterU Program and Receive Two Free Romance Novel E-Books

From Feb. 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance novel e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's BetterU Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited-edition magazine (that features this offer) on newsstands and in a grocery store near you.

To sign up for the BetterU program, visit:

http://www.goredforwomen.org/betteru/index.aspx

(Go Red For Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.)

The Lure Of The Past

Why do historical romance writers select certain periods in which to set their novels? What drives them to choose the dangers of the Wild West, the adventures of the Medieval era, or the elegance of the Regency Period? Three authors in the new anthology, An Invitation To Sin, talk about their chosen historical settings and why they love them.

Sally MacKenzie says:

I think we can safely blame a librarian for my fascination with the Regency. Growing up I read a lot of science fiction and what I guess might be called fantasy--Lloyd Alexander, P.L. Travers, Edward Eager, E. Nesbit, Andre Norton. When I reached about middle school age, I must have been casting around for something new, because a friendly librarian introduced me to Georgette Heyer. It was love at first page. What’s not to like about rich, handsome, nobles with grand estates looking for marriage? But it was more than that with Georgette. I loved her humor, the way she had the hero and heroine match wits, her use of language. My husband, even back when we were dating as law students, accused me of using Regency-isms in conversation. (Doesn’t everyone know the word “brangle”? And don’t you just love the sound of it...or the sound of balderdash, rapscallion, bamboozle, namby-pamby, shilly-shally?)

Now that I’m writing and researching for my books, I realize how much the world was changing during the Regency with the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the spread of industrialization, and the migration of people from country to city, but it wasn’t history that pulled me into the era. It was Georgette Heyer and that helpful librarian.

Vanessa Kelly says:

I became interested in the Regency period in the same way many historical romance writers did – through the novels of Georgette Heyer. From there I moved on to Jane Austen, which pretty much sealed my fate as far determining my favorite period of history. In graduate school I studied British women writers of the Georgian and Regency era, especially Fanny Burney. Her diaries are a detailed and riveting account of life in artistic circles and at the court of George III and, boy, did those real-life accounts ever suck me in further!

I guess what I love most about the period is that fascinating combination of glamour, glitter, and wit exemplified by London’s elite society, co-existing alongside a truly gritty and widespread underworld. The beauty and culture of the Mayfair mansions were only a few blocks away from the worst stews of London. But those worlds often intersected in a strangely democratic way in places like Covent Garden and Vauxhall. Talk about lots of opportunities for conflict, drama, and adventure!

When you throw in the danger and intrigue of the Napoleonic Wars, you have a killer combination for setting a historical romance.


Kaitlin O’Riley says:

I have always loved the Victorian era, ever since I was a little girl and wanted to wear a big hoop skirt like Scarlett O’Hara and carry a dance card tied with a ribbon. Although I’ve since realized that hoop skirts are an entirely impractical and most uncomfortable contraption, I still love the Victorian era. I tend to write stories that take place toward the later end of Queen Victoria’s reign, from about1870 to 1880, well past the fashion of the hoop skirts and more along the lines of the bustle gown.
Quite simply, the past has always intrigued me. Somehow it seems less complicated and more romantic than the present day. I know that was not always the case, but you have to admit that flickering candle light is far more romantic (and flattering!) than florescent bulbs. There were no telephones, no email, no text messaging. If you wanted to contact someone, you had to extend the effort to put pen to paper and actually wait for a response. And there’s something infinitely charming about handwritten notes. Although I am the biggest fan of electricity and air-conditioning there is, the past still calls to me. The overall slower and calmer pace of life without all the 24/7 pressure we have now seems luxurious! I also find the manners, the customs, and the fashion of the Victorian era inspiring. The idea of that era is old enough to be quaint and familiar, yet recent enough to not be ancient history, which is why I set my novels during that time.
Today we live in an era where anything goes, so it’s nice to slip back in time once in a while to when there were very strict social standards and have my characters break the rules a little. In “A Summer Love Affair,” my hero and heroine do just that…

USA Today bestselling author Sally MacKenzie writes the Naked nobility series--funny, hot Regency-set historicals--for Kensington Zebra. Her sixth Naked book, The Naked Viscount, arrived on bookstore shelves June 1, 2010, and the seventh, The Naked King, will be out in June 2011. You can reach her on the web at: www.sallymackenzie.net

Called one of the new stars of historical romance by Booklist, Vanessa Kelly writes Regencies with sizzle for Kensington Zebra. Her latest book, Sex And The Single Earl, is on shelves now. My Favorite Countess, her next Regency-set historical romance, will be released in May, 2011. You can reach her on the web at: www.vanessakellyauthor.com

Acclaimed author Kaitlin O’Riley writes historical romance for Kensington Zebra. Desire In His Eyes and Yours For Eternity, a vampire anthology with Hannah Howell and Alexandra Ivy, are her latest releases. You can reach Kaitlin on the web at: www.kaitlinoriley.com

What time period do you enjoy reading about the most? If you could go back in time, would you? If so, what time period would you choose?

One lucky commenter will receive a copy of An Invitation to Sin.
_____________________________________________________

We have an AHA Go Red pin for one commenter today.

The healthy heart tip for today is: Tip: Sharing is caring – if you do go out for a romantic dinner date, order one entrée to share. Many restaurant servings are enough for two – splitting will keep you from overdoing it.


And just in case you missed it...

Sign up for the Go Red Better U Program and receive two free romance e-books.

From Feb 1 through May 31, 2011, receive one free romance e-book when you sign up for the American Heart Association's Better U Program and one after you complete week six of the program. And look for the Eat Smart for Your Heart limited edition magazine (that features this offer) on newstands and in a grocery store near you.

Go Red for Women is trademarked by the American Heart Association, Inc. Romance novel downloads provided by Belle Books.