First, before I forget! SUGAR RUSH is the Fresh Pick over at Fresh Fiction today! Check the site out and add to your Must Read list. SO many goodies over there…

Okay, so…not as enthralled with the second installment of The Voice last night. Some good singers, but it didn’t stand out for me the way the first night did. I thought a lot of the singers were close, but not quite all there. A lot of pitchy and, in some cases, not enough power/oomph. I do think the judges did a pretty good job on not turning around for the less-than-stellar. (Comparatively speaking. The talent bar is high this year.) Speaking of which, I love Prince, so it was a tough sell for me on their tribute opener. Although I did like the southern mix there at the end. Kinda cool, slant!

I liked the HIV guy (I’m sorry, that’s a horrible way to refer to him, but you now know who I’m talking about, right?) It was a bit patchy, but he brought it home. I expected to like, and didn’t, the Alicia Keys back up singer. He’s got pipes, but he needed to dial it way back on the push, and then later, dial it back even more on the arrogance. Dude. You’re not All That. I liked Fiona Apple girl well enough. There were a few more that were in that realm, but just didn’t pull it out, that I wished had. (Katy Perry chick, I’m looking at you.) And I thought the military chick singer did better on her You Tube performance. Not enough growl for Pat Benatar. So…an uneven night for me.

But all was forgiven when I switched over to Castle and got to see the much talked about 40’s noir episode. And hubba hubba. And hubba some more. Wowza! That was some delicious eye candy, wasn’t it? I loved the styling of the whole episode. And it was perfect for the Rick Castle character. Now, that’s the kind of “alt-episode” I like to see. Yum!

Then we got nail biting intensity over on Hawaii 5-0. I like the storylines with Danno and his daughter and this one didn’t disappoint! Plus, an excuse to dig up half nekkid photos of Alex O’Loughlin. Never a bad way to spend a few minutes.

And, tonight? Squee! We get the ‘alt’ NCIS episode we’ve all been waiting for as they celebrate their 200th!! Lots of returnees and I can’t wait. Is it 8PM yet????

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest! Since yesterday’s blog post was forever and a half long, I’ll repeat the entry details here:

We’re celebrating Book Release MONTH! This week, TWO lucky Happening Blog Babes will win a copy of any book from my website bookshelf (including the Cupcake Club romances) and ONE lucky grand prize winner will receive both Cupcake Books AND a little cupcake treat package, including gorgeous designer cupcake wrappers, fun flag toppers, and an adorable silicone Valentine cupcake pan! I’ll post photos of the prize package in tomorrow’s blog. But you can enter rightthisverysecond!

Just drop an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Still a Happening Blog Babe…still want to WIN!” in the subject line. I will draw three winners from the stack and announce them right here, next Monday. Deadline to enter is Sunday, 2/12 at midnight, EST.

Tune in tomorrow and we can all drool over how great Mark Harmon was together. In the meantime, we’re building The Harem over on my Facebook page. Come help us, won’t you? (Build it and they will come, right? We can only hope!) Let me introduce you to one of our more popular inductees from yesterday.

Hey, we needed a guy who could dance. On today’s menu? Surf instructor!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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…the winners of the Release Week Contest, wooooo!!!!!!! (But, serious Man Candy Alert below…so keep scrolling!)

Thank you ALL for your overwhelming support and the landslide of entries this past week. WOW!!! I think we covered a good chunk of the 50 States, a good part of Canada, along with the most happening spots in Europe, South America AND Australia! What can I say? Blog Babes ROCK! And ROLL!! International style! But then…we already knew that.

So, we’ll leave the Morning After Commentary (MAC) for below and just get right down to giving-away-free-stuff business! The TWO winners of the pair of Cupcake Club romances, SUGAR RUSH & SWEET STUFF, are??????

Judy R from CT and Jennifer K from Oregon!!

The winner of both books and the super awesome cupcake apron goes to???

Sara Derks!!!!

Wooooo hooooo! Cupcakes with sprinkles all around!!! Congratulations all of you!! I have addresses from Judy and Jennifer, so Sara, send yours along to me and I’ll be sending out your prizes right away. Also ~ If you already have either of the books, please feel free to select an alternate choice from my Bookshelf. Send along a few title ideas in case I’m out of your first choice.

Okay, okay, so for the Still Fabulous Blog Babes who didn’t get the big win this time around…well, I haven’t forgotten you. Come on! Everyone deserves a second chance!! As we lead up to the always festive (and never fattening) Valentine’s Day, I think it’s my duty as a cupcake baker to contribute to the fun and frivolity!

So…here we go!! Yes, we’re celebrating Book Release MONTH! This week, TWO lucky Happening Blog Babes will win a copy of any book from my website bookshelf (including the Cupcake Club romances) and ONE lucky grand prize winner will receive both Cupcake Books AND a little cupcake treat package, including gorgeous designer cupcake wrappers, fun flag toppers, and an adorable silicone Valentine cupcake pan! I’ll post photos of the prize package in tomorrow’s blog. But you can enter rightthisverysecond!

Just drop an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Still a Happening Blog Babe…still want to WIN!” in the subject line. I will draw three winners from the stack and announce them right here, next Monday. Deadline to enter is Sunday, 2/12 at midnight, EST. So, go on, get your entry in….then come right on back here and join in a little MAC dish!!

So…last night was a bit of a television extravaganza, wasn’t it?

First, the Super Bowl. Now, as a Steelers fan, I didn’t have any real favorite coming into this race. So, as I posted on FB last night as I FB’s and Tweeted my way through the event (are you following me yet? Come join the fun!! See the little buttons up there on the right…then get back down here!) So, given the lack of a home team, I was forced to employ the most scientific of deep sports analysis. Yes, I chose my team based on how good the players looked in tight pants. What can I say? And did I get it right?? I most definitely did!!! Never underestimate the nice snug fit a uniform, that’s all I’m sayin!!

But, boy, did both teams put on a heart pounding show. And I’m not even just talking about the uniforms. Only, well, mostly i am, but wow, all that leaping and catching and doing manly things. it was most eventful! And, in between their feats of masculine prowess, we had the pleasure of viewing some pretty decent commercials. (Although, most way through the first quarter, I was getting a bit concerned on that score…)

But finally, a few sexy, nekkid M&M’s showed up, and everything started to look a little brighter. Doritos provided some pretty good laughs, then Betty White KILLED with the Voice commercial. (”My eyes are up here.”) Bueller made a comeback, followed by Seinfeld…and Weego. (Check out my FB page to find out how to get Budweiser to donate more money to Rescue Animals!)

But mostly I was distracted the men who showed up. (I know, this comes as a shock.)

And by men, I mean my new harem. Yes, I’m a firm believer (firm….) that if you build it, they will come. So…I’m building a harem. And I’m starting with John Carter….

Then moving on to David Beckham…..(I’d buy a road map to that body. Just sayin….)

And then we get the always gladiator-like Rock....

Speaking of gladiators…I was ready to forgive Madonna everything when she started her halftime show with a field full of them. All bronze and muscular. Honestly, what else did we need? And, I happen to like her oldies but goodies, so I was a happy camper. Or…well, I was until the gladiators left. She should have kept them around longer. Then we would have been too distracted to notice that while the music was great (lip syncing kind of guarantees that) that her dancing was….well….how shall I say it? We’re almost the same age, me and Madge…she’s a few years older…but I think my younger son summed it up best (he’s 22) when he texted me and said, “I like her music, but watching this is kind of going clubbing with your moms.” Nailed it. Am I right?

After the heart-pounding, breath-stealing ending to the game, I hung around to watch the opening of The Voice and it didn’t disappoint. Well, Xtina can dial it waaay back on the faux feud with Adam, but the talent was tremendous and so diverse! I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to more! (And the judges do a Prince medley tonight that I’m definitely tuning in for.)

Then it was time to wind down with Maggie Smith, who was utterly spectacular last night on Downton Abbey. I swear, I love her more every week. It was a far more eventful and interesting show this week, and a good set up to what looks like a critical, crazy, turning point episode next week! We got Maggie Smith deliciously setting down Madame Crawley - again, we got Cora looking gorgeous and being strong (have her eyes ever looked so stunningly blue?), they tried to make us believe there was actual heat between Sybil and the chauffeur, but I’m still not buyin’ it. Things got interesting between Mary and Matthew, and even more interesting between Mary and her fiance. Yowza, but that’s looking like a nasty bit of work there!

We got a strange by-story of a possible return of the supposedly dead Patrick, aka the Original Heir, who was thought to have perished in the Titanic. I’m undecided on whether I think he’s for real, but then he suddenly disappears at the end, leaving Edith heartbroken all over again, and….I’m not sure what that deal was all about. Except then we get a glimpse that maybe, could it be…does Matthew maybe feel a bit of tingling in his nether regions? And I’m not talking about those nether regions, but any of his nether regions..given he’s paralyzed and all. And just when Mary was threatened within an inch of her life not to even think about crossing her fiance. Ever. Ooooh. And, if that weren’t enough, we get the grim except not news that Mrs Bates? Dead as a door knocker. I was left almost as breathless as I was by the game!

And next week? Promises to be crazy better. I can’t wait!! (I hate it that we only get two more weeks!!)

But, in the meantime….HELLO to the next three members of my Harem. Two of which come on tonight. Yes, we get Hawaii 5-0. Welcome to the club, Alex…..

And Castle… Hello, Nathan!

Plus tomorrow? Both NCIS’s are back. By Friday, we should be well stocked!

So…what did you think? Any favorite commercials? DId you love Betty White? And Maggie Smith last night? And….most importantly…who else should be in our harem?? DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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No, not because it’s Sweeps Week…although it totally is! Yes, the long drought of rerun after rerun is finally over and all of our beloved shows are finally back. (About time!) Well, except for Once Upon A Time, which skips a week due to the Super Bowl. But we still get Downton Abbey. Followed by the much anticipated return of Man Candy Monday (and Tuesday) with Hawaii 5-0, Castle, and both NCIS’s returning for our viewing pleasure.

Speaking of Man Candy…guess what I found out? If you Google search images of me, this shows up on the first page. I don’t know how I managed that (or I’d do it again….and again…) but I’d like a lot more of him showing up in my image searches! Just sayin….

But…I digress. (Man Candy has a way of doing that. I mean, come on, you’re still staring, only partially paying attention to anything I’m saying…admit it! Well, then move over and make room in the shallow end of the pool, will you? And pass that tray of umbrella drinks my way. And cupcakes, too, if you got em.)

Ahem.

What I’m talking about, this time, is books! Specifically, a place to gather and talk books and see what everybody is reading. Yes, I’m talking about Goodreads! With my deadline met and my most recent book on the shelves, I’m enjoying having some time to dive into a stack of delicious stories. And I need recommendations to add to my pile! So, I joined up and am loading up my bookshelves there with all my favorites.

Find me! Friend me! And let’s talk books!

And, speaking of Once Upon a Time…(which I do, whenever I can…) I just finished reading Eloisa James’ latest Fairytale inspired historical, THE DUKE IS MINE, based on the Princess and the Pea. Now I have to go find the first two in the series, A KISS AT MIDNIGHT (Cinderella) and WHEN BEAUTY TAMED THE BEAST. (THE UGLY DUCHESS comes out this fall!) I don’t read many historicals, but this one pulled me right in, with the witty banter and eccentric cast of characters. And if you like your heroes both quirky and scandalously seductive, well, you’ll love Quin. I did!

So…what are you reading? Next up, for me, is Janet Evanovich & Dorien Kelly’s LOVE IN A NUTSHELL. Have you read it? What did you think?

And don’t forget, there is still time to enter this week’s Most Awesome Release Week Contest Ever! Check out Tuesday’s blog post for all the details on how to enter to win copies of SUGAR RUSH & SWEET STUFF, the first two books in the Cupcake Club romance series, and the most adorable cupcake apron ever! Deadline to enter is Sunday Feb 5 at midnight, EST and the winners will be announced right here Monday morning.

I really want to thank you for all again for your support for these books! It’s because of your enthusiasm that there will be two more (at least!) books in the series! BABY CAKES, coming this October (with cover art and back cover copy coming soon!) and, the following spring, the tentatively titled HONEY PIE, which I’m writing rightthiseverysecond! I’m thrilled you all are enjoying Sugarberry Island and the love stories I’m cooking up there! And for those of you who took advantage of the Amazon/BN links in Tuesday’s blog post and left book ratings and reviews on those sites, double the gratitude! Blog Babes rule when it comes to getting the word out and I couldn’t be more appreciative of your continued support!!

If you haven’t tried the books yet, to whet your Cupcake Club whistle….Kensington has the first chapter of SWEET STUFF available on their Facebook page for free! Click here and wander on over to Sugarberry Island, grab a cupcake, and sit a spell.

Okay, okay….yes, NOW you can scroll back up and take another lingering gander at Gilles. I know you want to. Heck, I’ll join ya!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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YAY! Cupcake Club Book #2–SWEET STUFF–is now officially ON SALE everywhere!!

A little peek at the back cover copy:

Double Fudge…Toasted Coconut…Key Lime…Strawberry Cream… Every bite is a mouthful of heaven.

And the women of the Cupcake Club are bringing their appetites …

Riley Brown never imagined she would find her bliss on Georgia’s quiet Sugarberry Island after years of Chicago’s city life. With a new career and fantastic new friends, she’s got it all—except for eligible men. But a gig staging a renovated beach house delivers a delicious treat—six feet of blue-eyed, gorgeous writer as delectable and Southern as pecan pie. Quinn Brannigan has come to Sugarberry to finish his latest novel in peace, and suddenly Riley has a taste for the bad boy author that no amount of mocha latte buttercream or lemon mousse will satisfy …

Riley’s friends are rooting for her to give in to her cravings and spice up her life, but it’s Quinn who needs to learn that life’s menu just might include love, in all its decadent, irresistible flavors…

Here’s what the reviewers are saying…

“A deliciously sexy fulfilling treat!” –New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

“Romantic fun, lovable leads, and surprising emotional complexity…”
— (Starred Review!) Publisher’s Weekly AND a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Spring Romance !

“This is only the second book in the series but I can tell this is going to be a promising one. Kauffman touches on trust, desire, friendships, and a promising new love that just needs a little tlc to grow into something amazing. The emotions behind the characters were a big part of the story that kept me intrigued and wanting to find out more. Every single character made this story more than enjoyable but also delightful. I can’t wait until book 3 comes out. I am excited to see who will be next to fall in love in the town of Sugarberry.” ~ Lush Book Reviews

Want more? (Of course you do!)

Kindle readers (any version - PC, mobile app, or Kindle) can sneak a peek at the first chapter over on Amazon! Click here to check it out. (See button on right side of page!)

Also, a BIG thank you to Barnes & Noble for getting the up-to-date editorial reviews and quotes listed. Much much appreciated by this author!

And speaking of Amazon and Barnes & Noble…I’d love to hear what YOU have to say!!!

If any of my fabulous blog babe readers feel the urge to tell the world what they think about the new Cupcake Club series, you can post all your thoughts for SUGAR RUSH right here for Amazon (where Kindle folks can also get a first chapter sneak peek!) or here for Barnes & Noble.

And all your SWEET STUFF comments here for Amazon or here for Barnes & Noble.

I know, I’m so helpful like that! But it’s all because of your amazing support that the books exist in the first place, and I owe each and every one of you a huge THANK YOU for all that you do in getting the word out. I couldn’t be more grateful.

And…one way I’d like to say thanks is to have a BIG HUGE CONTEST this week!!! With amazingly cool and awesome (not to mention freaking adorable) prizes!!

First…TWO lucky readers will win a set of both SUGAR RUSH & SWEET STUFF!! I know! How cool is that?

And ONE fabulous blog babe reader will win the grand prize of both books AND this handmade, adorably kitschy and cute cupcake apron from The Cracked Cup. Seriously. Does it get any more fun that this? No, it does not!

To enter the contest, send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “I want to be the winning fabulous blog babe! PICK ME!!” in the subject line. I will draw three names from the stash - first two get the book sets and last one wins the grand prize!

DEADLINE TO ENTER is midnight EST, Sunday, February 5. Winner will be announced right here on Monday, February 6. Don’t forget to stop by to see if you’re a Big Ol Blog Babe Winner!!

Ready…..set….ENTER!!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So….was last night’s weekly tv offerings a bit disappointing? Kinda sorta? Just me? Okay then.

Over on Downton Abbey, it was just plain depressing all the way around. I felt bad for everyone. Well, everyone except for Mrs. Bates, who got hers! Kinda. Sorta. I’m sure she’s not done wreaking havoc quite yet. But everyone else’s life seemed to take a turn for the worse. The way worse. It was just sad and awful. I mean, I know it’s wartime, so it’s to be expected, but geesh. The only high spot was Dowager Countess Maggie Smith’s behind the scenes machinations. (Does anyone think of her as Dowager Countess Violet? No. She’s Maggie Smith. And we love her for it.) When she was forced to finally rely on that new fangled telephone…hilarity ensued! Otherwise, it was just poor Anna, poor Mr. Bates, poor Matthew, poor Mary, poor Lavinia, poor Daisy, poor William’s father, and really poor William. I hope things level out across the character arcs and soon, war or no war.

Then I skipped on over to Once Upon a Time, knowing I was in for my weekly grand adventure, excited to get more information to plug into the Big Picture. Only…not so much. At least, not so much as usual, anyway. It started out cool. We learn that Sydney/Magic Mirror actually started out as Aladdin! Then it was kind of all downhill from there. In Enchanted Forest land, King Leopold (Snow’s daddy, and Evil Queen’s hubby, frees the genie from the lamp, and gives him the last wish to boot. And we all know it’s going to a bad end, because? Say it with me now…“Magic always comes with a price!” Genie and Leopold both learn that the hard way.

The part that didn’t work well for me was Genie’s affection for the Evil Queen. I mean, I get that he was enthralled, she’s the queen, after all (though zero chemistry…probably because he was still wimpy Sydney to me.) But it was never plausible, at least to me, that EQ had the hots for Genie. Now, in the end, we learn she was just using him (zero surprise to me) which -thankfully!- means that we’ve yet to meet her One True Love. Because I was all, “Puh-leeze. If you even think of trying to tell me Sydney is her True Love, I’m over with this show and I just fell in love with it.” So, whew! But it made for a less than plausible story-line to sit through, as you wondered if EQ could really feel that way about Genie. By the time he used his last wish to stay with her forever and ever (even after he learned she never loved him) I thought “Well, you deserve life in the mirror….” So…not satisfying or even much fun really. But I did like how they tied Aladdin to the Magic Mirror. Just wished the story itself had been portrayed more deliciously.

And then…conversely…in Storybrook land, we have Sydney pissing and moaning that Mayor Regina done him wrong and he’s all ready to attack and render her asunder, if only Good Sheriff Emma would help him out. Now…I don’t know that I suspected that he was in cahoots with Regina all along, only because his counter story in the EF leads us to believe that he’d be pretty unhappy with her. However, I had a really (really really) hard time believing Emma would just skip off into the diabolical sunset with him and join forces. Sure, she does things not exactly by the book, but I didn’t buy that her BS detector went that far on the fritz. So, all that happens after that sort of just pissed me off. She doesn’t gain anything by it, it doesn’t develop her character believably, and didn’t make for a particularly fun or engaging episode.

And yes, I know she’s done similar-ish things…but I can believe that Mr Gold can pull her in, he’s Rumpel…and she always doubts him along the way. She just usually shows more character when she does it, especially when it comes to doing the obvious wrong thing (which is why she goes against Gold when he pushes her or tricks her that way.) But then wimpy Sydney pops up and wants her help she’s all “sure, I’ll break all kinds of laws, let’s go!” I didn’t buy it. There wasn’t strong enough motive, there was no “if we don’t do this right now, we’re all doomed” which is kind of where she’d have to be to go as far as she did. Or at least have Henry in specific danger, something. But she’s been out for Regina all along. Why now go to all these lengths? What’s the sudden hurry? The evidence wasn’t compelling enough for me to buy it, either. Clumsy storytelling and I expect (and have gotten) way better than that so far.

And we also have Mary Margaret/Snow and David/Prince C sneaking around to see each other. So, apparently when he caved and kissed her right there in the middle of town, he didn’t trot right home and end it with the wife. Really not liking that development. Because I want my heroes to act heroic. (And he already left wife-he-doesn’t-love once, so it’s not like it would be a big shock to her.) I hope they straighten that out sooner than later. At least they had Snow feeling awkward and defensive about it. I just don’t want her in that spot. Fix it, writers!

The one storyline that I did enjoy was Henry losing his book (oh no!) and then finding out that the Stranger in Town has it. Now…I’ve suspected that he’s the author of the book, or the one who has come to write the ending to the stories…or….something like that. More of that storyline, please!

Okay….so, with that episode over, I can share some of the upcoming episode dish I’ve uncovered! We get a Red Riding Hood story in episode 15 (Red Handed) and we also get a Mad Hatter storyline!!!! (Hat Trick, ep 17) And !!!!!!! again. I love Alice. We’ve seen that next week we get Beauty and the Beast…and the Beast is none other than Rumpel!

Lana Parilla, who plays the EQ/Regina, also let it spill that we will find out what happened between her and Snow, and who the EQ’s One True Love is…and that it’s a character we’ve already met! (Hence my moaning and groaning when they were making it look like it might be Genie, because…chemistry, please!) So….who is it??? WHO IS IT???

What did you think? Good episode? Disappointed a little? And no episode next week because it’s Super Bowl Sunday, so we have two weeks to speculate… Here’s a link that will help you do that! A great site that keeps an ongoing Time Line for both the EF and Storybrook, which they update after each episode. Helps to see the Big Picture more easily.

Feeling a bit deflated by the letdown of my two favorite shows, I moved on over to Good Wife, which saved the night! Now that was a satisfying hour right there! We find out just how Kalinda and Will were in cahoots on the grand jury thing, so we can see Wendy Scott Carr get hers. (Delish, wasn’t it??) There is the hilarity of Eli hitting the sheets with the Nancy Grace lawyer lady, which was equal parts eww and aww. Only, please, I don’t ever need to see Eli’s bed head again! It was fun speculating on just who was going to end up using who and how, and it didn’t disappoint. Of course, the show ends with previews making it clear that Wendy Scott Carr isn’t done with her crusade against Will, and….I don’t know about you, but dead horse, stop beating it!! I want that storyline to be over. I used to like Will. But the longer this goes on, the less likable he is. Cut it out, Good Wife writers!

So….what did you love? And if you’re not watching any of this because you’re too busy reading…share what books are on your nightstand/Kindle/passenger seat. I need some good reads!

Okay….drum roll!!!!! Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!! SWEET STUFF - Cupcake Club #2 - hits the stands! As does the mass market release for BAD BOYS IN KILTS. Tune in to tomorrow’s blog for the details on this week’s contest. It’s a fun one!!

But right now….DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Thanks to all who entered to help celebrate the mass market release of BAD BOYS IN KILTS! And the winning happening blog babe, who scores a copy of the above along with the sequel, THE GREAT SCOT, is……

Margie D! Woo hoo!!!

Margie, just send me an email (donna@donnakauffman.com) with where you’d like your Hot Scots to be delivered and they will be on their way!

Join me again on Monday, for all the latest in Once Upon a Time & Downton Abbey dish and a chance to win a special prize next week, as we celebrate the Tuesday release of Cupcake Club Book #2 SWEET STUFF!!

Have a great weekend!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Last night was some delicious dishy television! And, oh yes, some Morning After Commentary, coming your way.

Let’s talk Downton Abbey first…

The war is continuing and Downton has now settled in many recovering officers. I loved Dowager Violet/Maggie Smith’s comment about how it feels like some low rent hotel, where guests keep checking in but they never seem to leave. Then Matthew and William go missing in battle and all of Downton is worried sick that they’ve lost yet another heir…and, you know, a really great footman. (And hmm…is Daisy maybe thinking differently about her faux-fiance now that he might be dead?)

In the meantime, Cora has finally had it with bossy Isabel and when Isabel throws a hissy about Cora daring to usurp her authority (in Cora’s home, no less) and threatens to leave, Cora quite brightly says, “Well, okay. That might be best.” Isabel is stunned, tells her again how serious she is, and Cora, still quite brightly, is all, “Yep, Got it. Don’t let the door hit ya…” Isabel runs to the Major Doctor Dude in charge of all things military hospital and complains on how she’s the one with all the medical training and how dare Cora actually think she can, you know, run her own home…only to have Major Doctor Dude tell her, “yeah, well, we don’t need medical stuff as much as we need a cruise director, and Cora was born to do that…” So, Isabel hies off to France and thank goodness for that. I was all done with her anyway. Love how Cora is coming into her own.

This leaves Isabel’s staff of cook and valet to dawdle around the homestead with nothing to do, what with Matthew being at war and all, and Isabel sulking with French Red Cross (where they hopefully sniff at her too.) So, they sort of, kind of inadvertently open a soup kitchen for veterans….right out of their own kitchen. Downton’s cook, Mrs. Patmore, gets in on the deal and starts siphoning off food from Downton’s kitchen to help support the growing numbers of soldiers being fed. Naturally, snoopy old O’Brien gets wind of it, and thinks the Downton chef is stealing food. So she follows her and sees her handing off food to Isabel’s staff…and assumes, of course, the worst, and runs to tattle to Cora. And then, in perhaps my most favorite five minutes of Downton Abbey in two seasons, O’Brien drags Cora to the scene of the crime. Cora immediately realizes that there is no shady commerce going on here, which her own cook confirms, telling her about the soup kitchen deal and how they’ve only been taking the Army’s food, not Downton’s food. Cora immediately tells her she’s to stop doing that–which makes O’Brien smile her evil smile–until Cora adds that she’s to take it from Downton’s pantry instead. And not only is Cora going to help that morning, to serve the soldiers….so is O’Brien. HA! And HA again! Favorite. Scene. Ever.

Matthew and William make a heartwarming reappearance, safe and sound, during song night, and, oh, right, Mr. Bates is back! Giving Thomas what for, as is Major Doctor Dude. Oh, the delicious smackdowns in one night. And well….how much more could they cram into one episode I ask you? Not much! So much upstairs, downstairs goodness! Can’t wait for next week, where we can hopefully finally see Mrs. Bates get her much-warranted due. Heh heh heh.

But then we must leave Downton….and head to the Enchanted Forest for an equally great episode of Once Upon A Time. I thought it would be a Red Riding Hood-centric epi, but she’s just a bit player…for now. (Although we do learn that she and Snow White are buds because Snow stood up for her when no one else would…so that story is SO not over yet.) This episode, however, was all Snow and her Prince. And it was gooooood. We get a bunch more of Snow’s backstory, and how she meets the dwarves and they champion her. My only complaint is…really, writers? Stealthy? I mean, if you’re going to add an 8th dwarf to a group with names like Sneezy and Grumpy, you give him a name like…Sneaky. Not Stealthy. Sheesh!! But that was my only complaint of the night.

We learn about the deal Snow makes with Rumpel…and how, in Storybrooke, Mary Margaret and David are still pining away for each other. David is trying to make the marriage work, because that’s what he’s supposed to do–but boy is he glad when his wife isn’t pregnant!–and it doesn’t stop him from loving Mary Margaret like it’s a biological imperative…because it kinda sorta is. And finally, after several almost-but-not-quite true love kisses…they finally lock lips, right there in the middle of town, in a very satisfying oh-the-hell-with-it moment. Which, of course, Regina manages to witness.

So…yet another pair get their happy ending on in Storybrooke…only we simultaneously learn that in the Enchanted Forest, Snow takes Rumpel’s elixir of Forget All About HIm just when Charming ditches Midas’ daughter to come looking for her. Oh no! Of course, we know he finds her at some point - I will always find her! Sigh! — and they do get married because that’s what started the whole Storybrooke curse in the first place…but….how? And when? You’re torturing us, come on!!

Oh, and then, back in Storybrooke, Sheriff Emma confronts the Stranger, and he shows her what’s in the secret wooden box on the back of his bike…and it’s a typewriter? Hmm…. So, who is this guy? I can’t figure out his fairytale counterpart. Yet. Can you? What am I missing?

Such a good hour…and over far too quickly!!

Is it next Sunday yet?? Can we dish now?

So…on Downton…most satisfying episode ever for you, too? Love how Bates is back with a sense of himself that he’s never had before, and Anna is all floaty happy and you know they can’t let evil Mrs Bates win again. I want to see Thomas get his, too. Does anyone smoke a cigarette as snarkily as Thomas does? I want to knock that thing out of his mouth every time. Oooh. Does anyone care about the Sybil/Branson storyline? I like Sybil, but could care less about the chauffeur and find it hard to believe she’s really all about such an arrogant ass. (Especially when he sniffily dismisses her work as a nurse.)

What was your take on Once Upon A Time? What will Mary Margaret and David do now? Does he ditch the wife even though he promised to go to counseling with her? Is Stranger on a Bike a love interest for Emma? (If so, I’m seriously wishing they’d hired someone other than the Covert Affairs guy.) And his whole rant about how he was going to make Emma crazy with curiosity was just kind of…icky. Not hot, even in a villain kinda way. I dunno…. I guess we’re going to find out! And next week? Oooh, Emma starts to fight back against Evil Regina, and uses her trusty sidekick Sidney Glass to do it…only he has an even darker secret? Reeeeallllly? Muah ha ha. I can’t wait!

Is it SUNDAY YET????

Well, in the meantime, tonight we get Castle in all of his hunky goodness. AND? Yes, there is a Free Stuff Friday Contest a-happenin’ again this week. We are only one week away from the release of Cupcake Club #2, SWEET STUFF….but did you know that we’re also just one week away from the mass market release of BAD BOYS IN KILTS? With its very hot new cover? (See above. Grab umbrella drink. Meet me. Shallow end of pool. You know the drill.) And…did you also know, there is a sequel? THE GREAT SCOT (with possibly the best cover of all time. Yes, more umbrella drinks!)

How’d you like to win a set of both? To enter, just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Hot Scots? I’m IN!” in the subject line. This Friday, I will draw a name from the stash and announce it right here. PLEASE remember, you have to check in here on Friday to see if you’re a winner!! Good luck!

And now?? DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Crazed week of catching up on all the things I let slide during deadline…it’s amazing what you can ignore/overlook/pretend-isn’t-there when otherwise completely immersed. A little scary, however, when you’re not!

I also caught up on some fine DVR programming….

So, American Idol is back, and thank-you-very-much, they are sticking with the “Hey, it’s a talent show…let’s show some talent!” theme they embarked on last season. When I tune in to a singing show…I want singing. Not mocking and mean-spiritedness directed toward those who simply really don’t know any better…or giving any kind of reward to those who want to use the platform to be idiots to get attention. Equally sad, really. I want a happy show.

And the first two nights of auditions certainly delivered that. My god, they were plastering the crowd with yellow tickets. Unlike last season, however, at least from the singers we got to hear, they weren’t letting too many “maybe-sorta’s” through. Most of these kids could saaaang.

I will say that there were only a few true stand outs for me, with really interesting voices. And, naturally, I can’t remember a single name. The first guy on last night, who was Asian? Loved him. And there were a few girls who really belted it out. I liked the soft spoken girl who went first, the first night. Loved the young kid who they said looked like Bieber, only I thought he looked like the kid on Two and Half Men’s younger brother. (See above. Eben is his name. Very polite young man.) Like the kind of geeky guy who scat sang. The guy with the guitar was a whole lot more interesting to me when he was playing his guitar. His voice was really very roadhouse, so I don’t know… not as impressed as the judges, but I wasn’t in the room. Liked the blonde girl at the end. This chick in the tent. It was truly an interesting few nights with a whole lotta singing going on. Glad the guy whose mom ditched him got through. He won’t win, but he’s got presence.

Looking forward to Sunday night, to see what they deliver next. Looks like more good stuff. Thank you, Nigel, for getting it. FInally. And happy to see the Judge Trio back this year.

Then, last night, I stuck around and watched the premiere of The Finder. I have never watched Bones, which this is apparently a spin off from, but it doesn’t seem to matter. Love the lead guy - scruffy, geeky, and 6′4″ of deliciousness. Add in Michael Duncan Clarke and That Voice…and, well, I’m in for now! Because…I don’t watch enough television from midnight to three am as it is…

Okay, okay, enough about singers and hunky Finders–well, there will never be enough about hunks–but let’s get on with some winners! Oh, and for those who are jonesing for a new cupcake recipe. I’ve been in the test kitchen all week, perfecting the two recipes that will be included in the back of BABYCAKES (yes, Cupcake Club Book #3! Coming this October!) Will be back with recipes next week!

Thanks to all who entered the Free Stuff Friday Contest! We have two happening blog babe winners this week, each scoring a copy of Cupcake Club Book #2 SWEET STUFF! And the winners are? Kristi and Ann Marie B!!! Woot!! Send me your addresses (donna@donnakauffman.com) and I’ll get your prizes in the mail!

Check in next week for a brand new giveaway…see below for a clue….

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Yes, Book 3 in the Cupcake Club series is DONE!! You can look for BABYCAKES to hit the shelves this fall, October 29! (And yep yep, it’s almost time for Book 2…SWEET STUFF! On shelves in just a few weeks… January 31!)

So, to reward myself, I indulged in a tv marathon (especially since NONE of the football teams I wanted to win play off games managed to pull that off, except San Francisco. Sheesh!)

Yes…it’s Once Upon a Time MAC!

Okay, but first! Good Wife was excellent as always. I have to go back and see who wrote and directed this one, and the one previous, because they both had the same rhythm and the same type of opening sequence, both of which I loved. I hope that teams continues to work together. I do love the fact that they are keeping all the tension and twists, but adding in that wry, dry sense of humor. Great blend!

Love that Kalinda nailed Mr Bit Coin there at the end. Love that Alicia got to go up against Treasure Dept Dude again. But…so….at the end of the show…did Will want Kalinda to pass along that folder? I do not believe Kalinda would work against the firm (she’s not that caught up in the new babe, certainly not enough to go against Will…who is more like her than anyone else she knows.) So…why would she do that? And, still loving Elspeth! “Sorry, I guess we can’t help you. Look, my earring!” Serious love for that character. Looks like Wendy Scott Carr starts to get a little revenge next week, though. And, ultimately, I don’t mind them amping up her level of villainry if it means we just get that much more of a satisfying take down at the end. So many twists….

Also? Not loving that Zach is learning to use Grandmommy against Mommy to get what he wants, but, once again, Alicia’s kids are the very least interesting things about this show. The balance between her home and work life has never really synced well, making me wish they’d stick more with the work part, and even her personal adult life part (after all, it’s called The Good Wife) so yeah yeah, I know it’s all part of the deal, her balancing mommyhood and all….but..they need to get those stories to be more compelling, or let them go. Oh…and odd aside: I saw Alan Cummings (Eli Gold) doing the intro to the Masterpiece Miss Marple and may I just say…I really really wish we could get his Scottish accent in ALL of his roles. Sigh.

Okay! Now we can talk about the show that I wanted to wallow in mostest…. Once Upon A Time. And boy, did it NOT disappoint. I don’t know if it was because I was out of my deadline cave or what, but so many things started to come together for me with this episode. Like…am I the only one who just figured out that the shopkeepers in Storybrooke are the seven dwarves? The pharmacist is Doc, and the shopkeeper from this episode was definitely Sneezy. Any theories on which dwarf Mr. K is? Hmm…. Then you have the EQ looking in her mirror and commenting on Snow White cavorting with dwarves…. Anyway, COOL!

The Hansel & Gretel storyline, in both SB and the Enchanted Forest (EF), wasn’t the most gripping for me (Hansel, dude, man up!) But I did enjoy how it played into the overall storyline. And EQ was pretty much rocking that outfit, big time. We find out that this is where the poison apple comes from that puts Snow into her forever sleep. Makes me wonder if everyone eating apples from Regina’s tree in SB is what keeps them in their curse induced haze…

We learn that the EQ really does want children, but has no clue about unconditional love. I did like how things ended in SB with Emma calling the tow truck and pairing up dad and kids, thinking if he could just see them, he wouldn’t walk away from his responsibility. Just like she couldn’t after actually meeting Henry. (Also…more tv roles for the hunky dad guy please!) Emma gets to make another happy ending happen with H& G, as she did for Cinderella, so things, they keep a-changing! And did you love how Henry as all, “Hey, Gretel!” in the shop, until her brother popped up and he deflated…then when he found out it was Gretel’s bro, he was all perky again? Oh, Henry. Young love. It was cute.

Also loved the Emma finally told Mary/Snow that, in the Henry’s EF world, she would be Emma’s mother. Loved the moment with Mary, burying her face in Emma’s baby blanket. Man, this story has SO MANY LAYERS!

We get a little more of Mr Gold/Rumpy/Dark One playing games and moving marionette strings, with his blank card. So…does he want Emma to succeeed because this will free him from his Dark One curse somehow?

And we get Emma telling Henry a total fabrication about his dad…except, I’m thinking, about the pie part. I mean, it if was a throw away element, then they wouldn’t have had Henry bring her a slice of pumpkin pie later. And, we now know he wasn’t a good guy…so who is he? Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater? ‘Cause…he wasn’t a very good guy. And did he have something to do with Emma going to jail? Also, did you notice that article in Emma’s file, with the headline about a seven year old boy finding a baby by the roadside? MORE layers… !!!!

And then…and then!! We get Mysterious Hot Guy On Motorcycle at the end. Did you notice he had a wooden trunk on the back of his bike??? What’s THAT all about? And who is he? My bet? Big Bad Wolf. And we’re finally going to get Little Red Ruby Hot Pants from the diner in a story. Hmm…..

I think this might be the first series that, when Season 1 comes out on DVD, I will buy it and watch the whole thing over again, in order, to look for clues that I wouldn’t know to look for now, because I don’t know enough to know what to look for yet. Honestly, I think this is one of the most interesting shows being written right now. And the way the style the show is truly magnificent. It’s what sells the fantastical story. Love, love, love.

Tonight is Super Hunk Tuesday. I get to watch last night’s Hawaii 5-0 AND Castle, and even though tonight is an NCIS repeat (what is UP with that anyway? Didn’t we just take a holiday break?) Mark Harmon is worth any rerun, really.

Okay, okay…I promised a new Free Stuff Friday contest this week! Send emails to donna@donnakauffman.com with “I’m sweet stuff! Pick me!” in the subject line. I will draw TWO names at the end of the week. Winning blog babes will receive advance copies of Cupcake Club Book #2SWEET STUFF!

Don’t forget…you have to check in here to find out if you win! I have TWO unclaimed prizes so far! Was it you? Might want to scroll down to the past two Fridays and figure that one out. You could already be a winner!!

So….back to Once Upon A Time….(I know, but it’s still buzzing in my head. Besides, we needed at least one picture of the seriously under-utilized but uber delivered Blind Witch…Emma Caulfield!) Are you watching? Have you figured out anything I’m missing? I know Regina/EQ knows about the curse on Storybrooke, but I’m pretty sure now that Mr Gold/Rumpel does, too. Was Regina sending Emma to Boston with the two kids to test her ability to bust the curse? Or did she hope the Bad Thing that would happen…would happen to Emma? I thought Emma’s car really did stall, meaning she could leave town, but the cursed kids couldn’t. Only, she told the tow truck driver/kids dad the car was fine. Was it fine? Or did she realize it was only not fine if she tried to leave the town boundaries with it?

Hmm….. Is is Sunday yet???? DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Hello Blog Babes and welcome to the end of a very long week! Please join me and pass the umbrella drinks around, will you?

First…are you watching Project Runway All Stars? Show of hands…who really needs NotHeidi to NotBeOurHostess? I know she’s trying to sound kind and comforting to the contestants, but it comes off as patronizing and not a little condescending.

And, though I really do love Joanna Coles as the mentor during her workroom strolls…I miss Tim coming into the sniff & sob room after the elimination and hugging the booted contestant. And do you notice that all of the contestants say “Good-bye, Mood! Thank-you!” when they leave…because Tim isn’t there to do it? In fact, I guess no one goes to Mood with them? So…I kind of miss all of that chumminess and good will.

But, I will say…these folks can sew a dress. I might not view all of the contestants as all stars, but I will say, the caliber of the competition is a high level. They don’t have a whole lot of Yike walking down the runway. Well, now that Moon Girl and Sweet Pea are gone, anyway. Yes, I know it’s a shock, but Sweet Pea did go home last night. Her dress was an improvement over the Little House on the Beach Commune look she did last week, but…alas…home she went. (See above dress on the left…not really an opera frock…) And I was glad they saved April, because, sure, she’s a mess and all over the place, but her point of view is at least interesting. Mostly. Other Bottom Three contestant was Kara. I like Kara, but she needs to get her act together. I do think she and April aren’t long for this season.

I am loving the high caliber of the guest judging. Badgley-Mischka? Are you kidding me? Pretty awesome. And for a Night at the Opera Gown challenge, you couldn’t get better. So, of course, all the pressure was on the Ballgown guys: Austin and Anthony, and they both came through in the top three, though I think I might have had Anthony down a slot or two (yeah, not digging those leather gloves…), and had Mondo up there instead, but…minor quibble.

The surprise…because it’s always a surprise to me that Michael can style…is that he was the other one in the Top Three, and I gotta say, he earned it. Fortunately, in the end, Austin’s very glam and sophisticated gold lame and tulle (no, it really was sophisticated!) won the day. And we didn’t have to see him have a heart attack. Poor thing was so stressed out, I was worried for him.

But…I still miss Our Tim. What say you, PR Blog Babes? DISH!! Are you looking forward to next week??

Now, the news you’ve all been waiting for (and you don’t fool me, I know you scrolled down and peeked already!) Which two happening blog babes win this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest and score advance copies of SWEET STUFF? Come on down Alyssa C and Kiki W!! Send me your mailing addresses to donna@donnakauffman.com and I’ll get your prizes in the mail.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I’ll be back Monday (Holiday!!) with a new contest! And, heads up…next week’s cupcake recipe is FUN!!! You’ll all want to try it!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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