So, with the most talented final four in DWTS history, last night was geared up to be the most challenging night of dances ever. I enjoyed the evening, I did…but, honestly, I think the pressure not only to compete and show well for the judges and viewers, but also to compete against each other, knowing what they’re up against, kind of psyched every last one of them out a wee bit. Pros and celebs.

I found myself thinking that off and on throughout the performances, then, after the show, I ran across Maks’ blog for the week, posted yesterday as well, and like him or not, he makes some very, very valid points on the show in general, and what the intensity of the show and their (producers) unending quest to ratchet up that intensity, is costing everyone who participates, especially the celebs. He lists some of the ideas he had to amp up the show quality while simultaneously helping to preserve the health (physical and mental) of the contestants at the same time. All shot down…

Anyway, click here and read it for yourself. It’s definitely thought provoking! And after watching the 20/20 behind the scenes show earlier this season (click here to watch it!) I tend to agree with the guy! (Which was a surprise, trust me!) They need to sit down and have a powwow before next season.

Only, Tom announces that tonight, on the results show, they’re making another big announcement. My guess is it might have something to do with an All Star season Maks alludes to (but doesn’t know if it’s happening or not) in his blog. Seriously…go read it, then come back. I’ll wait…..

Mmmm, cupcakes!

Okay, okay, so….what did you think? Am I right? When put like that, it makes you think, doesn’t it?

So…let’s talk the show last night, and the wild scoring that seemingly had very little to do with content. The Stoner Music Dude was back in full force, although the Costume Fairies stayed sober for the most part, with only one or two questionable fashion statements (you call that a bellydancing outfit?)….but I have no idea what the judges were on, or what show they were watching, because after a season of inconsistent scoring, last night took the ridiculousness to a whole new level. To the point the contestants themselves were completely shocked over some of their scores. Shriekingly happily so, unless, of course, you’re Donald, but their over the top reactions (Maria, Katherine) showed both how incredibly stressed out they were, and also that they weren’t remotely feeling like they’d put in that kind of performance for the scores they got.

Well….I thought so, too, gals. And Donald? How you even keep a straight face and your composure, at this point, I do not know, but kudos to you for handling it as well as the professional man you are. Because….wow. I’m not sayin’ you’re perfect, but if they’re handing out 30’s for a routine with a major bobble in it, how do they ding you because they didn’t care for the tilt of your neck. Seriously, judges? SERIOUSLY? I mean, I’m not even quibbling with your “this is the semi’s and we have to be really nit-picky” scoring…but then you have to apply it fairly across the board. And if that means no perfect scores for bad neck tilts? Then no perfect score for tripping, stumbling, and FALLING OVER.

Me? Worked up over a dancing show? Possibly. (Just wait until So You Think You Can Dance starts! This is just the warm up show for that show. So You Think You Can Blog? Oh…you betcha I can!)

All right, I am going to talk about the actual dancing. No, really. And let me just say, my quibbles below aren’t about the contestants themselves. I really like, respect, and enjoy all four finalists and feel any of them have it in them to win. About the judges? My thoughts are not so pure of heart. I root for each and every pair…but when the dance is done, I just want the scoring to reflect what we all just saw. That’s all. Or at least keep your Mr Magoo glasses on all night.

Each couple got 2 dances. I’m going to talk about both of them in each paragraph below. Then you can jump in with your reactions. Were at least we watching the same show? Just me? Alrighty then.

First up was, quelle shock, William and Cheryl. Finally, no pimp spot for him, so I thought it might finally be Donald. Or Katherine. Nope…Derek. I know. You’re mouth is agape. Stunned, is what you are. Cough.

So, out come William and Cheryl to tango to Sweet Dreams. It’s been done on the show before, and sung just as badly. It was a decent tango, but the music has all the flair of a good zombie stomp. It’s dramatic, but plodding, with that monotonal back beat, and they couldn’t really punch that up, you know? But it was a decent dance, and I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. Oh, but you can bet the judges did! Now, even “nit picking for the semi finals” they found very, very little, but it was enough to keep them out of perfect score territory. I thought the plodding nature of the unfortunate music choice kept it out of that range anyway - but was curious to find out, if he was being dinged a full point for a momentary awkward foot placement (that Carrie Ann saw, but no one else did) then my god, what was going to happen to the rest of them! He gets a 28 and is very happy and relieved to have that dance over.

Their second round is the samba, to samba music! I almost passed out (because this was the fifth dance on the night, and let’s just say they were equal opportunity offenders with the music for all of the pairs. There was a a lot of atrocity happening.) So this was a pleasant surprise. As was the sexy, samba-ness of the two of them, swiveling around the floor together. After the uneven performances by Katherine and Maria (to me) and the wild scoring, I was really hoping they would nail this. I thought he was far smoother with this one, and there were no glaring missteps or even not so glaring ones. Given how the judges had gone on to score the other three in round 1, and how unfairly dinged he was, comparatively only, they owed him that 30. Was it 30 level? For me? No, not on skill level - though execution was great. But if you’re going to toss ten-fetti to stumblers, you kinda sorta haveta make it up somehow to the guy who’s actually dancing pretty well. And? He gets his 30.

Next up is Mark/Katherine. They have a quickstep, with cute flapper outfits on, and music that has the word “boogie” in his, so given this is Mark’s favoritest thing ever, I was stunned, I tell you, stunned, that he somehow managed to leave off the spats. The hat, however, was there. The routine was very cute, high level of difficulty, but poor Katherine, though doing her best to mug her way through it all sparkly and adorable (which she was) her feet simply weren’t always keeping up with Mark’s. They had one pretty big slip in the corner (which Mark owns as his fault, but since when has that mattered?) And, cute, high energy, hard…but I thought she paid dearly for the difficulty by being a bit off tempo almost the whole time and playing a bit of catch up the way Melissa often had to do with Maks. She just looked a lot more confident while doing it. I love her, so was sort of cringing, because if they’re in nit-picky mode, as they just told us they were, I expected the judges to be sadly unenthusiastic. Instead? Oh no, this was awesome! Your best dance ever! What the…. Honestly, were they watching the same show? No, really. And there’s a 10 thrown out in the scoring. THEY STUMBLED and, remember, we’re calling out every detail, being super nitpicky! Really? Then you can’t give that a ten. Much less TWO of them. They get a 29.

So, two dances in, I’m frustrated, and it’s coloring my enjoyment of the night. Katherine was beyond stunned that they gave her the scores they did, because she has to know she was off tempo a good part of the time. They come out for dance two with this belly dance-y kind of action for a….salsa. I know, don’t ask. And the dance was to an Akon song. No, seriously. Sure, it had the words belly dancer in the lyrics, but in no other way was that salsa music. Katherine stayed on beat this time, but it was slow, a bit clunky (as in not the most graceful) and slightly tentative, mostly because that was just odd music. She totally gave it her all, but it just wasn’t all that good. Then, poor Katherine, in the final moments, she does something to her back and literally locks up, I think both in total mortification that she’d locked up, but also in shock because she’d done something to her back, only didn’t know what she’d done, or why she was suddenly in so much pain. Everyone rushes over and she’s really just kind of out of it. She finally pulls it together to try and listen to the judges, but you can tell she’s seriously distracted by the pain. Due to this, the judges curtail their comments, more or less….and I’m glad for that, because we’re all really worried at that point, but…she still gets 9’s across the board for a 27.. And…I know that ending was injury related, but things like that have happened before and…usually it’s sorry, we feel bad, but you know we have no choice, so sorry. Anyway, I felt so badly for her, I honestly didn’t quibble. Far worse was done last night.

Next to last is Donald/Peta. They have a lovely waltz that is ethereal and flowing, however an overly aggressive fog machine diminished, for me, the emotional intensity of the dance, as they had to kind of fight their way through it, or give the appearance of such, just by virtue of having it all but swallow them alive. Still, a lovely dance, very well executed, and…so, yeah, uneven responses from the judges, as the suddenly nit picky judging was back. He gets 28, with one ten thrown his way, and…okay. But if you contrast and compare…yeah, you can’t. Because you’d pull your hair out.

For their second dance, they get a samba to Mr Big Stuff.. I know. William gets hot samba music, and Donald gets? I know. But you know what? They really worked it and worked it hard. I thought the whole thing was lively, really well executed, a lot of samba content, and Donald did a great job. Certainly far more smooth and graceful than Katherine had been in her first dance, and most definitely her second. Very well done. Does he get his perfect score? Ahahahahahaah. Surely you jest. He get’s a 29. Because Len poops out. Again. And the expressions on the faces of his competitors up in the sky box? Yeah, they’re on the same bus I am with this ridiculousness.

Last up is Maria/Derek. They get an Argentine tango to….Argentine tango music. Of course. (Although it was really cheesy tango music. Come on, band.) Now, I know both of them are injured, so while decent and innovative with choreography, as Derek always delivers that much, their dancing was tentative, and Maria, very clearly, was playing it pretty safe. Her flicks, her extensions, nothing was quite as smooth or particularly elegant as she can be. It struck me as good, but ultimately…serviceable. A few missed hand holds, an off step here or there, a bit wobbly on some of the lift landings, but given the scoring, I figured they’d get a 27. But no! The judges thought that was just simply awesome! Why nitpick? Let’s just give them a 30. WHAT??

Now, in addition to this, Maria was either oddly emotional or in pain, or both, after the dance. Me, I initially thought she was just embarrassed because she knew she messed up some of the landings, and missed a hand hold, and she puts a lot of pressure on herself. Then I thought, mmm…maybe she’s hurt. Either way, she knew that the criticism was coming. You could hear her war whoop of joy on that 30 all the way here in Virginia, that’s how stunned she was. No more than I was, Maria, no more than I was. The only part of any of that that made me happy? Was seeing her dad cry with all of his dad pride.

Their second dance, last of the night, was a jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monae. No, you read that right. Quirkiest music ever and for a jive? And sung oh so very, very badly. So, handed that, Derek does what he always does, he mostly throws the jive content out the window and goes cute and quirky with the choreo in hopes that no one notices. I honestly can’t blame him, because who in their right mind would jive to that? But, we know how, alllll season long, the judges have been coming down hard on lack of content, even with Derek. (Bollywood, anyone?) There’s all this weird, slow, slithery foot stuff that I don’t get (Where are the flicks? The kicks?) And Derek is literally leaping and flipping about in an effort to draw any and all attention away from slithery foot Maria….so, I’m cringing, because, remember! Nit picking! It’s semi-finals! And? Oh, we loved it! Sure it lacked content, but who cares! It was cute and quirky!!! I about fell off the couch. And this was after a night full of crazy scoring crap. But…that? Even I knew they had to score down lack of content. (Plus? It was quirky and weird…and also not perfect.) But pshaw, why let a little thing like that get in the way! And? Oh yeah, they get not one, but two tens, and a nine for a 29. (Keep in mind that Donald’s trio dance jive last week kicked this dance’s ass….and look at the scoring. Just sayin.)

Dogs and cats, living together Down is up, up is down. Apocalypse, coming.

Me? I gave up and just started voting. Donald and William? You got all my votes. Everyone danced hard, but you two did the best, with the least errors, and handled your nit picky feedback incredibly generously.

We’ll see how it all plays out tonight! So….okay Blog Babes…what say you? Love it? Agreed with it? Wishing you had hair on those bald spots you have now? And what did you think of the childhood stories? Pretty intense. Well, for three of them, anyway. And, it did elevate my admiration for what they’ve overcome…but I’m not really so sure what it has to do with the dancing show, given they’ve all found their way to successful lives long before this show began. Anyway….still interesting insight! And Peta, I loved you for choreographing part of your dance so it was right in front of Donald’s kids and his mama! Also? How seriously adorable are both Donald’s and William’s kidlets? Pretty damn adorable, I’m sayin!

Who did you vote for? Who wins? Who goes home? DISH!!

(And don’t forget to check out end of yesterday’s post for details on how to win a book from me this week!)

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I am the guest author at Borders True Romance blog today, talking about Men in Kilts. And, well…men out of kilts…. Come play! Win stuff! Tell your neighbors!

You can also play here and win free stuff. See Monday’s post for the details. Winner announced in tomorrow’s blog. AND! You can check out my “other site” Cakes By The Cup Blog and read my wacky adventures into learning how to be a pastry chef. Leave a comment over there for any post this week and, yes, yet again another opportunity to be a Winner! (Seriously, it’s like a contest bonanza or something!)

And speaking of Men in Kilts…This week also was Launch Week for THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE, which includes short stories by moi, and a lot of other authors, including Connie Brockway, Susan Sizemore, Jacqui D’Alessandro, Terri Brisbin and a whole slew more. Check out the cover copy below…. (Oh, and did I mention my short story is my first foray back into writing paranormals in a handful of years? You all kept asking, so….here you go! Time traveler hero….just for you.)

Real Men Wear Kilts

Enough to make even the hardiest Highlander blush, here you will find the steamy romantic history of Scotland laid bare. With swords, through sorcery, and in the course of some of the hottest nights ever experienced on the Inner Hebrides, Scottish heroes stake their claims, both in the bedroom and out. Dreams come true and legends are born as ancient prophecies are fulfilled by time travelers from the future; in a Scotland where real Historical figures exist side by side with Pagan magic and werewolves. Dashing lairds and Scottish barbarians fight For love and honor in a wild, magical world.

Let Julianne MacLean, Patricia Grasso, Lois Greiman, Marta Acosta, Donna Grant and many more lead you into the fierce, sexy, irresistible heart of a Scotland that Is, was, and might still be.

MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE
January 2011
Running Press
ISBN 9780762440030

What is it about those Highlander Heroes that gets out…imagination flowing, anyway?

DISH!

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Happy 2011, Blog Babes! Why is it that when I type 2011 it looks all futuristic and 2010? Not as much. Just me? Alrighty then.

We’re going to launch off this futuristic year with some yummy fun (and a couple opportunities to win free stuff this week!) But first, the yummy fun part. Man Candy and cupcakes. Honestly, what more does a happenin’ blog babe need? (Well, other than a stack of really yummy books to read? See: Cupcake News below!)

So, who is the first Man Candy Candidate of 2011! Hello, Daniel Sunjata! You may recognize him from Rescue Me and his soon-to-be-more prominent role on Grey’s Anatomy as Nurse Eli…and possibly Dr. Bailey’s own personal man candy. But the reason I feature him here? He has also snagged the most anticipated role in recent casting history. (Okay, okay….so this is according to me. But then, this is my blog.) Who is he going to play on the big screen you ask? Well, none other than that sexy, secretive, most highly trained badass man candy of them all…..yes, he’s going to be Ranger in the movie version of Janet Evanovich’s first fabulous Stephanie Plum mystery series, ONE FOR THE MONEY. I know? How mmmmmmm is that? Very mmmm, if you ask me. What say you, Blog Babes?

But the yumminess, it does not end there. Oh no. I have very exciting news to share with you all! This is going to be a fun year of book releases. Right now OFF KILTER is on the stands, which is the second in the Hot Scots series (SOME LIKE IT SCOT being the first)…and the finale of that series will wrap up this fall in the Brava Christmas anthology, UNWRAPPED. But that is just icing, as they say, on the cake. Tomorrow, (yes, as in almost today already!) I have another release coming out, this one from Running Press. I have a short story in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SCOTTISH ROMANCE, which also features stories from Connie Brockway, Susan Sizemore, Jacquie D’Allesandro and many more. Here’s the yummy cover! (Are you sensing a trend of yumminess?)

And where does it all lead, you ask? And what about the cupcakes? Well, that’s my Big Announcement! We can enjoy hot Scots all year long (and really, that’s an entree I can have again and again) and then, this fall, dessert! Yes, I have a new series coming your way. I’ve been researching and writing my patootie off (and will keep doing so) to get ready for the launch of the CAKES BY THE CUP series. Yes, a series set in and around a cupcake bakery, Cakes by the Cup….the first of which will debut the end of this year, titled SUGAR RUSH (featuring hunky Brit hero Baxter Dunne, aka Chef Hot Cakes!)

As I mentioned, I’ve been doing a lot of research for this book, not only learning all the ins and outs of running a bakery and all the fun stuff that entails, but also learning about the world of bakers, pastry chefs, and all things flour, sugar, and butter. I did mention the whole yummy thing, right? This research was the yummiest yet. And because I believe in really immersing myself in my research, it made perfect sense to me to turn my kitchen into my own little pasty chef school. I kept a journal as I did so (and continue to as the research is on-going) and I thought it might be fun to share that journey with you all.

So! I’ve launched a separate site, blogging my adventures into becoming a world-class (according to me) baker…one cupcake at a time. Please join me over at Cakes By The Cup Blog and share the ups, the downs, and the occasional kitchen disaster (okay, so I define “occasional” perhaps a bit more loosely than some might…) with me. I’ll be posting at least once a week (yes, there will be photos! And recipes! Well…of the ones that turned out, you know, edibly…) and will always cross post here so you don’t miss a single, delicious bite!

Whew! I think I got it all in! OH, wait!! No, I didn’t. I am guest blogging today over at Romancing the Book. If you swing by (there’s an excerpt of OFF KILTER!!) and leave a comment, you could be in the running to win a free book!

You can also be in the running to win a free book right here. First Free Stuff Friday Contest of Futuristic 2011! Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Cupcakes? And Man Candy? Sign me up!!” in the subject header. I’ll draw a name from the pile and announce the winner here in Friday’s blog.

Okay, Blog Babes…that’s a heapin’ servin’ of yummy. What do you think? How was your holiday? Are you ready to tackle the future? Because, it’s here! It’s 2011! So, join me…and DISH!!

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Thank you all for entering this week’s contest! We do have a winner!

Congratulations Seoyoung G! Just send me your mailing address and a few title ideas from my website bookshelf (in case I’m out of your first one) and I will get your prize to you.

I hope everyone is having a good holiday season! I will be back on Monday. Ho ho ho!!

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Saying good-bye isn’t easy, but I’m so glad you’re in a better place. You were a faithful companion for twelve years and a real little trooper. Rest in peace, Scamper…and have a good time up there!

Thank you, Paul & Rhonda, for your kindness, your generosity, your animal loving spirit, and your friendship. All of them mean more to me & Scamp than you could possibly know.

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
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So, one more Idol hit the road, Jack. And it wasn’t Casey. (Woot woot!) It wasn’t Lee, either. Lady Gaga, also on Idol. Where hasn’t she been? Just askin. But it wasn’t boring! Harry was lovely, as always, and funny, forever more. And then it wasn’t Crystal, either. Which leaves Big Mike and Aaron in the Bottom Two. Am I surprised it’s Mike and not Casey? Of course. Am I happy I get to stare at Casey another week? Well, why don’t you join me in the shallow end of the pool and we can discuss. At length. All said and done…it’s Aaron going home. I think he did well on this show and it was appropriate for him to depart at this juncture. And, you know…pass the umbrella drinks! Next week? Jamie Foxx and Cinema Favorites. Definitely steppin’ it up in the mentor dept these past few weeks.

Tonight we’re back on the island and we find out who is getting voted off Survivor next. Your guesses? Hopes? Dreams?

And don’t forget - one last day to enter this week’s Uber Special Free Stuff Friday contest. You could be the first one on your block with a copy of SOME LIKE IT SCOT, my May 25 release. So, check out Monday’s blog for all the details, and good luck!

Right this very second? You can DISH! What did you think about the vote off last night on Idol? Who do you want to see go home next? And who needs to leave Survivor tonight? Besides Russell, I mean. Go!

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
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So, last night on American Idol, due to Crystal Bowersox being ill, they changed it up and put the guys on first. What follows is my MAC (Morning After Commentary for those just joining us…) as the show unfolded…

First up, Michael Lynch and dayum, that was niiiice. Smooth, soulful, lovely. I could rewind and watch that again right now, that’s how smooth that was. Huge improve.

John Park brings us some John Mayer. I’m not a fan of Mayer (seriously, John? Shut up.) But Mr. Park also seemed to learn his lesson from last week’s debut. Sounded good with Gravity. Hard to follow Big Mike, especially doing something soulful, but he did a better job than last week. He’s not in the winner’s position yet, but he shouldn’t go home on that performance.

Mmm, Casey. Killer baby blues. And I honestly just like the guy. And btw, John? The first five seconds of this performance was what they meant by authentic. I don’t think this knocks Bo Bice out of the box as Bo has a much bigger bluesy voice, but the electric guitar was a nice touch. I wish his voice had more power. But there are those baby blues. Yeah. He’s not going anywhere.

Alex Lambert is the cuteness and I can identify with his competitive nerves. My youngest always had to do that before every football game and once he did, he was calm and good to go. I hope he’s comfortable up there this week. I can’t imagine performing for the third time in your life on that stage. Wow. And you know what? I like the guy this week. Serious cuteness and a pretty sweet sound, too. Hunh. Who knew? Wow, the guys are really stepping it up this week!

Toddrick Hall decides to take on Tina Turner, which would have had me rolling my eyes, but his humble interview with Ryan pre-sing had me hoping he keeps the improvement trend going tonight. (And what a dancer. Triple threat! I can see why Christina Applegate and Adam Lambert have been hyping this guy now.) And he’s not hard to look at, either. (Pass me the umbrella drink and just get it over with.) What is with the ballads tonight? Possibly not as deeply soulful as say Big Daddy Mike, but he’s trying. Not sure he has enough to be the winner…and agree, go with your strength. Dance. I also think it’s got to be confusing to know to what degree to implement the advice their getting. He honestly tried to do that, and to learn and grow, and for that he gets mad props from me.

Jermaine Sellers is up next. Not quite as humble, our Jermaine, but I wish him well. Singing Marvin Gaye…(why can’t these guys be current? And STOP changing it up so much.) I really think the ones who are struggling are applying too much of every nuance of what the judges say to their performances and losing themselves in the process. Toddrick I hope gets it figured out. Jermaine? Not so much. He’s not a bad singer, he just doesn’t do anything for me. I’d be okay if he goes home this week. Boot #1 of the night for me.

Onto our seventh performer is Andrew Garcia! Yay! Man, I hope he brings it, because I love him. I love his voice. I could listen to him for a long time. Well…not a step forward. He had a few flat notes and I hope he brings his guitar back next week. Pout. I hope he’s back next week, because he was my number one coming into this, but the judgery is right, he’s not really bringing it.

Aaron Kelly is up and he’s also the cuteness. Surprised he went the non-country route. The opening didn’t get me going, maybe he should have infused a little country into it…but he can truly sing. More confident, this week. And there’s the cuteness, so I’m thinking he’s safe.

Tim Urban is up next and…wow. What do you do when you bombed so spectacularly last week, but didn’t go home? Tough being this guy. But, on the other hand, what have you got to lose, really? It could only get better…or get you sent home for reals. He did a better job, but that’s not saying much. Was it enough to stay? Not thinking so. He’s got the same kind of vibe as Alex Lambert, but Lambert has a better grip on his sound and Tim isn’t going to be special enough to stay. So he’s Boot #2 for me tonight. But then, he was last week, too. We’ll see.

Lee Dewyze winds up the show for us, and I liked his backstory about his school years. Motivational and very true. This guy has such an authentic voice…the one I wish Casey had. Needs to work on the flat stuff, which was harsh tonight….but hope he stays around. He hits it right, it will be memorable.

So, tonight for me? Big Mike owned the night in terms of all around performance. Casey made me want to keep liking him. Same with Andrew and Lee. My surprise this week was Alex Lambert. Cutie patootie…and good chops. In the playback at the end of the night, still really got me. I hope Toddrick stays around, and Aaron already will. Beyond that, Tim, Jermaine, and, sadly, John, are the ones in danger for me.

Tonight it’s the ladies and I hope Crystal, as my frontrunner, is back up and running. I also hope the girls bring it like the guys did last night. Could be getting interesting in here!

What did you think? DISH!!

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Hello Blog Babes Everywhere! I have officially unburied myself from the second (third?) avalanche of snow and am slowly resuming normal life, with electricity and everything!

One fun announcement before we get to all the MAC. The new issue of Cosmopolitan hit the stands this week - March issue, red cover - and that is the very one that contains the excerpt from my current release, HERE COMES TROUBLE, as the Red Hot Read of the Month! Woot! For all you Cosmo Girls out there…enjoy!

Okay, on to the more important things, like did Jake actually even consider inviting Ali back on the show. And HA, no he did not. Even if I hadn’t already started liking the guy for his up front honesty and golly shucks earnestness, this would have earned him my undying love. For once, the mean girl gets hers. (And don’t you just know that when Jake was saying how he couldn’t let any of the women still on the show go to make room for her, she was killing to say he should ditch Vienna? You could just SEE it.) Speaking of Vienna, they did show more of their connection last night, which largely alluded back to their initial terrifying bungee jump together. There was a trust bond made that day that I’ve said all along the rest of the women will never be able to compete with.

After last night, I have to say, I think he was right in sending Gia home. It was clear he was way more caught up in the “I can’t believe the hot chick likes me” than he should have been by then. And while he respected a great deal more about her, I don’t think, even with her opening up to him, he could get past that intimidation factor, overall. And while I had thought that Tenley would make a good match for him spiritually, and in other ways as well, for all that he gushes over Gia and Vienna in terms of how attracted he is to them, he never says this about Tenley (despite the fact that she’s beautiful.) With the preview clip about the sexual incompatibility next week, I’m pretty sure I’m on the right track there. Now whether it’s that he can’t get past the Madonna Complex (no, not the singer) with her, or whether it’s something else, I’m putting all my eggs in the Vienna basket next week.

At least he admitted that Vienna is young and immature, but in so many other ways he feels like “the man” with her, and there’s no game playing there. She’s not capable of being devious, not with him. She’s far too vulnerable there for that. Now, have they privately weathered the absolute bashing she’s taken in the press while the series has aired? I’m guessing probably not. But I do get why he’d pick her from the bunch he had left.

In that regard, I know a lot of folks wanted him to bring Ali back, thinking she was more the full package for him. But I’m sorry, I don’t see that at all. She’d run him right into the ground in no time flat. And I think he knew that, because, only a week later? Yeah, he’d have moved heaven and earth if she’d really been the one. He knew she had the hate on for Vienna and I think his protective instincts where that was concerned, also colored his world.

And if you don’t think that performance by Ali last night wasn’t really her audition piece to be the next Bachelorette, then I have some swamp land I’d like to discuss… The very idea of her as Bachelorette is like nails to a chalkboard for me. That scratchy voice? Urgh. I know why the series brings forward folks we’ve gotten to know as their next Bach or Bach’ette, but I think it’s about time to jump off the recycling train. Especially is this is the best they can do. (And they can’t bring Tenley forward as the next B’ette. She’d never be able to handle that kind of testosterone!)

So…who is your pick to win? I don’t have a horse in this race, but it’s a shame I don’t see him with the chance of coming out of this with a life partner. If anyone was ready for that process to work, it was this guy.

So, on to Our Phil and the return of his Amazing Bathmat! Woo hoo! So, the new couples are interesting. No out and out hateful, bickering couple, so that was good. Although when Joe said, “The leader is Big Joe, right here” I said out loud, “Aaaaaand, I’m done with you.” But he hasn’t been overly obnoxious about it yet, so we’ll see.

I’m also concerned that this is the Bubblehead Season. Between the Miss Teen and the Big Bro winner, they’re even giving bubbleheaded blondes a bad name. Scary. I have to admit I like the Stereotypical Gay brother, who I will call Just Jordan! (Will & Grace) I’m not overly bothered by Team Lesbians’ need to shove their class-ay style of living on me yet. But they could easily go the other way. Funnier would help.

I felt bad for Dana and Adrian, the couple who went home. I’m sure he’ll be kicking himself over that for a long time, but it was nice to see how supportive they were to each other.

Love, love, love Triathalon Grannie and her Triathalon granddaughter. Her bio says she also used to do standup. Ha! And love how Just Jordan! did admit that maaaaaybe he’d underestimated them when granny kicked his yellow-sneakered behind. I think he will give me the funny this season, and I will let him.

I also liked Team Dad/Daughter. Seems solid, strong, really respectful of each other. Team Undercover Cop (how does that work, after you’ve been on television tho….just askin) is okay, though I could take or leave at this point. And Ty Murray’s run on Dancing With the Stars has predisposed me to lurve Team Cowboy. They are pretty stinkin’ cute. Jet and Cord. And you all think we make up hero names. Nuh uh. Not sure how far they’ll go, but here’s hoping they stick around awhile.

Also liked Team Lawyer Moms. Shawne’s “God is with me” all the way across that cable did make me smile. I’d have never been able to do that. I would have disappointed God. So, I was with her, too, the whole way.

All in all, looks like a good season! And Phil is smokin’ hot as ever. So all is good. Can’t wait until next week!

Right now, this week? It’s time to DISH! Any faves on the Race? Are you watching the Olympics? I’m loving them so far! Bring on the snowboarders! And tonight on Idol they’re going to spill at least a few of the Final 24 one night early. Too many things to watch!

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First the Fun News!

My next single title, HERE COMES TROUBLE, will hit the stands the end of January. And I just found out that Santa is going to be very good to me this year as an excerpt from the book is going to be the Red Hot Read in the March issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. Yes, it’s true, I will officially be a Cosmo Girl. (Hey, I’ll take that any way I can get it. ) Woo hoo!

Here’s a sneak peek at the cover and the back copy!

GET LUCKY

A child of Vegas, Brett Hennessey knows about luck–especially the bad kind. But when this poker superstar hops on his Harley to outrun Lady Misfortune and ends up at a pretty B&B run by an even prettier proprietor, he can’t help thinking he’s stumbled onto a winning streak…

Sure, Kirby Farrell’s new B&B ski lodge opened to the warmest winter in Vermont history, but fate brought her a bad boy on a hot bike and settled him into her best room. She’s still broke, but the view across the breakfast table has definitely improved…

Only now Brett’s past has finally caught up to him. He has two choices: run again–and lose the best hand fortune’s dealt him yet. Or stay and risk everything for something he never thought would come his way…

February 2010
Brava Trade Paperback
ISBN 0758231334

And for any of you Cosmo Girls out there, check out the Red Hot Read in the December issue (which just left the stands for the January issue - already!) My anthology, Kissing Santa Claus, was the Red Hot Read in that issue, with HelenKay Dimon’s novella excerpted. Pretty sweet!

Okay, on to Free Stuff! Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with Is it my turn yet? in the subject line. I’ll draw one name from all the entries and announce it here in Friday’s blog. Winner gets a free book from my website bookshelf. Good luck!

Now, on with the Morning After Commentary (MAC) for the finale of The Amazing Race. We had Team Shut Up, Team Cheyne! Cheyne! and Team Calm Down Erika in the final three. I was okay with anyone winning but the Shut Up brothers. And it all worked out okay for me in that regard, though I wish Brian/Erika hadn’t melted down during the Cirque challenge as I’d have wanted it to be closer with them. But, to the surprise of absolutely no one, Team Shut Up had no idea who Wayne Newton was as they raced to the finish in Vegas, and though Team Cheyne! Cheyne! had no idea that Monte Carlo was the famous casino in Monaco, they did managed, as they’ve done so many times before, to cross the mat first. Not my favorite team ever, but certainly a deserving one. I saw a blurb in the Post about them today and didn’t realize they are only 23 years old. Given that, my tolerance for Megan does go up a little. Anyway - another season in the can. Lovely countries, some fun couples. Looking forward to next season!

This week we have more Dance, the finale of Top Chef (go Garden Gnome!) and we find out if it ever occurs to anyone on the old Foa Foa that maybe, just maybe, at some point, somebody ought to discuss voting out Russell. Just sayin.

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Now it’s time to DISH!

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Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all the Blog Babes out there!

I did make my deadline! Yay! So there is another Hot Scot coming your way next spring. Look for the cover art and back cover copy to be posted here next week. Free Stuff Friday returns next week, as does the Morning After Commentary (aka the MAC!) Thanks for your patience while I was crushed under this last deadline. But I’m back!

As I write this, I am out here in the balmy 18 degree temps of Steamboat Springs, Colorado to visit my son and his very adorable girlfriend and get to enjoy the holiday with family. I hope you are all able to connect with and enjoy family and friends today, too!

I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for your continued support over the years. It means a great deal to me. I love hearing from you all - those who have been with me since the beginning (eighteen years and close to fifty books ago!!) and those new to my books. You’ve all been so great with your notes and letters. I love hearing from you and getting your feedback. Keep spreading the word to the masses, you guys - you are the absolute bestest! (And if you’re feeling particularly happy from all that turkey & pumpkin pie drop in on Amazon or B&N and shout it from the rooftops - every good review helps keep the books out there! Don’t let the grinches win! Blog babes, unite! ) Thank you for all the love & support ~ you guys rock!

I truly hope you enjoy everything that’s coming in the new year. I am thankful for each and every one of you.

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