Yes, I sang. And yes, it was very sad to watch the final destruction of a relationship on national television, but, in all honesty, it’s a relationship that should have ended long, long ago, mercifully before dragging us through the protracted ending of it while they raced around the world. But they did drag us along, forcing us to watch their awful bickering and name calling and abuse. Not to mention Jen’s complete lack of sportsmanship or her grasp that other teams, you know, racing–in a race–weren’t trying to win the race as a personal affront to her. So yeah, I was perfectly happy with that elimination.

And tonight we also learn that Thai food comes from…..Taiwan. And to think I paid good money for all those world maps I have. Thanks for the updated info, Nate.

So, for me, this was, perhaps, one of the best legs in Amazing Race history, and not just because it ended with the ugly team gone, giving us three teams going into the finals we can actually root for, for a change…it was great because it was truly a race, throughout the leg, and everybody had a chance to make it into the final three. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And, while I’m thinking about it, Phil’s Dresser? Yes, please shop at the tight black pants store as often as you want. Much appreciated.

Now, with the end in sight, I feel different levels of anticipation about each of the final three teams we have left winning it all. Each team deserves a good finish and I’d be happy with any of them taking home the prize. Mostly I’m happy because I get to watch Jen and Nate stand on the sidelines, forced to clap and act HAPPY as the teams race past them toward the million dollar bathmat.

TK and Rachel really do race hard, and it’s their very mellowness while doing so that makes me like them. Sort of a hippy version of the Chas. Not to mention a fabulous counterpoint to the shrieking McBickersons.

Don and Nick - it’s just great to see a pairing like that, two generations apart, do so well and behave as such a great team with one another. They both have a dry sense of humor and they balance each other well in temperament. (I’m kind of over the “bitches” humor though - it was funny once.) It’s been fun watching them, thought, and I really appreciate their attitude of purely enjoying the race and totally getting that it’s just that, a game. They race hard, but their interaction with the other teams is playful, competitive fun. Much to love here.

Ron, yeah, not so much with the supportive generational gap thing, but you can argue that he’s probably made the biggest turn around in attitude and actually seems to be stickng by it (Nate and Jenn!) to the best of his ability. Chris’s huge smile throughout this leg was a thing of beauty, and I loved their “I love you’s” as they raced to the mat in first place. She’s earned it, and he’s trying. Hard to fault that.

So…no particular favorite really. They’ve each earned it in their own way, and I’ll be happy to see any of them hit the mat first. Can’t wait to see what the final leg has in store!

Now…it’s SHaQ Attack time! Woot! I’ve been making you scavange for the first few weeks of this new year, so it’s time for a Super Bowl Playoffs-Beginning of the First Grand Slam break. Okay, so maybe there’s a little scavenging to be done. Next week I’ll go super easy. No really! But it’s an easy one this go, promise! Here it is: Since the Australian Open started this week, what Grand Slam event was the setting in one of my books? Send answers to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Grand Slam!” in the subject line. Winner gets a free book! I’ll draw one name from the correct entries and announce it in Friday’s blog. Good luck and happy hunting!

And…..dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, last week, we made clothes from chocolate wrappers, and, you know, Willy Wonka, eat your heart out. SO much fun. This week? Not as much. Unless you enjoy watching Catholic highschool teenagers from Jersey attempt to understand haute couture as it applies to their newly designed prom dresses. Yes. That would be a challenge now, wouldn’t it? Why yes, indeedy, it was.

And, to be fair, I thought most girls (and even their moms) made the process go as smoothly as one could hope, and most were really happy with their outfits. However, poor Christian (yes, poor….and he really was) got the “designer” teen from hell, and man, did he have to work to stay in the competition. All in all, though the dress looked like a hot mess to me, considering what she asked for, it was a miracle she ended up with something even approaching wearable. Still, I’m glad he didn’t get eliminated because of her. I know he can be attitudinal, but for some reason, Christian cracks me up rather than annoys me. And, given the level of concern the other designers had for what he was obviously going through with his ridiculous model, clearly they have affection for him, too.

On the other hand, I wasn’t happy to see Kevin go, as I think he’s really talented, but his dress? Yeah, not a good week for him. Hem your stuff, Kevin. Most of the looks were okay, but the judges only found two that they liked. I thought that was a little constrictive to what was on the runway, but whatever. The two they liked were good. They had a bottom four this time, with Ricky, Christian, and a surprising Rami joining Kevin. All in all, I’d have sent Crying Ricky home instead. But then, maybe it’s because I’m realllllllly tired of Crying Ricky, well, crying. Every. Single. Week. For the love of Kleenex, man, get a grip.

Who did I love? I loved, loved Chris. Both the dress he created, and his bouyant attitude about the whole thing. And was I the only one who didn’t get it, until he pointed out to his client’s mom, that all those over-the-top costumes in his portfolio were being sported by….him? I heart Chris, in a big, big way. Which is really the only way one should heart Chris.

I also really liked Victorya’s blue mini dress and thought she deserved the win, though you know that disappointed Sweet Pea. Still, Sweet Pea did pretty damn good just to get out of the bottom ranks and anywhere near the top. I don’t think she’ll last, but she was a surprise this week. Jillian’s was also pretty. Rami’s and Kit’s were pretty dresses, but way too matronly for teens.

If you want to check them out for yourself….go here: Bravo!

Next week? I don’t have a clue, but it doesn’t look easy.

And now we come to the SHaQ Attack contest portion of today’s program. This week I asked you to name a book of mine, other than Dear Prince Charming, which had been reissued with a new cover. Correct answers ranged from The Big Bad Wolf Tells All, to The Naked Truth, and Her Secret Thrill. There were a lot of correct guesses….but the winner this week is: Crystal from Kentucky! Wooot!

I hope you all have a great weekend! See you back on Monday for more SHaQ and more MAC.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, if yesterday’s cover hunk wasn’t enough for you, then today’s sneak peek should put you over the edge… At the very least, it might make you think entirely differently about being Mrs. Santa…

Back cover copy to follow!

TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Donna Kauffman
Jill Shalvis
HelenKay Dimon

This Christmas, sugarplums aren’t the only visions that will be dancing in your head. Prepare to have your toes curled by some of the holiday’s hunkiest heroes in this hot, hot, hot collection. . . .

DONNA KAUFFMAN
Unleashed
When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with the CEO’s sexy great-nephew—and heir—whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear….

JILL SHALVIS
Finding Mr. Right
Brilliant chemist Maggie Bell has a knack for choosing Mr. Wrong, and with yet another lonely Christmas looming, she decides it’s time to alter the equation—and seek out someone who seems totally wrong for her. Enter Jacob Wahler, the rough and rippling contractor who’s about as far from Maggie type as he could get. But suddenly what’s wrong for Maggie seems oh-so-right….

HELENKAY DIMON
Can You Hand Me the Tape?
Natalie Pritchard is desperate. It’s a week before Christmas and she’s lost the naughty tape she made for her now-ex-boyfriend. She’s so desperate, in fact, that she’ll turn to her nemesis Spencer Donovan for help. The sexy criminal defense attorney would be only too happy to assist—but can Natalie afford his price?

Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com.

Now you know why I suggested the fan and something-cold-to-drink, eh? And, I’m thinking in my next contract, I must insist on being present for all cover shoots. Strictly for quality control, of course….

No Dance War MAC yet…I’m going to wait until the competition begins. I will have some Project Runway MAC for you in the a.m!

And don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest - it’s your last day to get in this week. Winner announced tomorrow!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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I know I promised, really I wasn’t teasing you! As it turned out, my son broke his hand, so we spent the day trotting from one doctor to the next, but, after all is said and done, he is now sporting quite the lovely blue club on his right hand, and all is, essentially, well.

But here is the promised sneak peek! Finn’s cover is here! You’ll have to let me know what you think. The back cover copy follows…

THE BLACK SHEEP AND THE ENGLISH ROSE

With a few thorns…

******************************************************************************
BACK COVER:

Finn Dalton is the black sheep of his privileged family—because he’s always trying to do the right thing. But do good guys let bad girls go free? Ask British heiress Felicity Trent. Finn should have called the cops when he caught Felicity with a fortune in stolen jewels. But after the hot night they’d shared, betraying her meant he’d never have her again. Two years later, he discovers Felicity scantily clad and handcuffed to a bed in a posh Manhattan hotel room. Finn has three choices. Turn Felicity in. Turn her loose. Or turn her on…

Finn Dalton is bad boy personified. Felicity Trent should know; she’s a bad girl herself. But for Felicity, life as a jewel thief is almost as seductive as Finn is—and that’s dangerous. Because for a girl like her one night is all she needs to get what she wants, anything more means trouble. Now, with both of them after the same thing—the rarest of treasures—who gets there first might be the last thing they want…

Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com.

And…..dish!

Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. See Monday’s post for all the details.

Tomorrow…..more drooling. Lots more. And maybe some Dance War MAC!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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No, not in sports. I’m grumpy about that. Both of my teams lost this weekend. So, I rebounded by spending an evening with My Phil and his Amazing Bathmat of Elimination. I feel much better now. Okay, so the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream might have had a little something to do with that, too, but let’s stay focused, here…

So, to recap, last week? The Goths didn’t make a smart U Turn choice and now they are gone. (I did read an interview with them and, after hearing their rationale for the choice they made at the time, I do understand a little more, their mindset, and yet, I’m still stuck with Nate and Jen, so I’m not all that happy about it.)

This week, on the “not really wanting them to win side” we have Nate/Jen and Ron. On the “I’d feel SO much better if it were you” side, we have Nick/Don, TK/Rachel, and Chris. Sadly, Chris is paired with Ron, so that makes it a little difficult to root for her team wholeheartedly.

All teams are off to Osaka, Japan. TK and Rachel, unfortunately get the first flight out, but it has to go all over the place, so they are still in the air when other teams are already on the ground and at the roadblock. Once again, Ron is aware that he’s being a total ass to his daughter and says he wants to change. And, once again, we are not collectively holding our breath. Jen and Nate, on the other hand, are also taking self-awareness pills, but Jen’s has taken her all the way to adopting some kind of “Look how perky and cute I can be!” on camera persona that, if we hadn’t already seen her for five weeks being a complete screeching shrew, we might buy. Now? Not so much, really. Nick and Don huff along, and Don has always wanted to see Japan, so he is a happy, if huffing and puffing, camper. Liking this team the best of the final four. So far.

Btw, Phil’s Roadblock camera dude? Thank you. You know why.

Roadblock - one racer from each team has to become a taxi driver. Have you seen the streets in Osaka? Yeah, makes New York City look rural. Anyway, Jen is checking out how her new perky persona plays with a taxi cap on in the rearview mirror, making her passengers roll their eyes, because…she’s Jen and can’t help but be annoying, even when playing cute and perky. Did I mention it’s all an act? Yeah. Whereas Christina and her ability to speak Japanese, immediately jumps into the task, depsite the fact that both she and her father agree she’s….not so good with the driving thing. But she doesn’t falter. Nor does she primp. Yet, another reason to like Chris. (Btw, what’s with the blonde hair and rouged up cheeks on the taxi guy?)

Jen can drive a car, but can’t read Japanese. (This does appear to be a very challenging task. I’m glad I’m not doing it.) Chris can read the clue, but can’t drive the car. How frustrating that must be. Okay, as she figures it out enough to get out INTO TRAFFIC, we learn that Chris doesn’t drive ANY car. Wow, and she’s carrying unsuspecting locals in the back? That seems rather…law-suit inviting, doesn’t it? Not to mention potentially lethal.

Nick is quite spunky about taking on the task, while gramps gets some much needed water and some rest. Given that Nick hasn’t proven to be the most direction-savvy member of this team in past tasks, this should be…interesting.

TK and Rachel? Yeah, we have no idea.

Chris is managing, barely, Jen is lost. Nick is rocking it out with his passengers, cranking the AC, just having a good time despite not having any idea where’s he’s going. We like Nick. And it seems he finds it relatively easily, but he gets lost on the way back. Teams finish in the same order they started, albeit it takes Nick awhile to get back, and they head out to the next task.

TK? Rachel? Bueller?

Detour is sniff out one real flower in a two story fake flower shop filled to the rafters or use cell phones to manuever little robots to play soccer. The little robots kicking the balls were pretty adorable actually, but neither task looked easy. I’d have taken the robots, though. Nate/Jen and Ron/Chris use their sniffers, Don/Nick go the 3D Nintendo route. TK and Rachel finally make it to Osaka. Unless something goes crazy bad, I can’t see how they can catch up. But, who knows, there should be another NEL, or maybe an extended “keep racing” leg, so they might get a reprieve… (Is it Wacky Hair Color Day in Osaka? First the taxi guy and now the flower shop lady had an Oompa Loompa Green bob…)

Nate/Jen are soooooo fixated on coming in first on a leg and I say, dear god please let them so they’ll just shut up about it already. Except when Ron and Chris were running for a taxi and Jen/Nate were still looking for one, I couldn’t help but root for Ron/Chris. I know, but I also know I couldn’t have been alone in that. Show of hands? Then the bickering begins because Jen can’t help herself when she’s in kill-all-in-my-path-I-must-win mode. And now I never want to them get the satisfaction of coming in first.

See? Phil agreed - he smiled when he saw which team came in first. I love that. Yay, Ron/Chris for staying calm and beating Team Shriek. And, this marked the first leg where Ron put his New Me plan into play and actually stuck to it. Chris nicely mentions that to him, and thanks him. Does he have any clue what a great kid he has?

Loving even more Phil’s not-so-thrilled expression when Jen/Nate show up. Ha! Nick/Don are third. Which means TK/Rachel, who they haven’t even shown doing any tasks at all, are so far behind it’s apparently not worth giving them any screen time at all. Way to go from first to last. Dangit. Still holding out for the second NEL…

The finally show them going through the paces and you can’t help but feel sorry for them as they’ve kind of figured out how far behind they are. I admire that they still go on and try to enjoy themselves and finish the leg with the right spirit. They are really good together and they actually realize that, which is great to see, so it’s a shame to see them go. At least Ron picked up his game, which makes it easier to root for his daughter. But wouldn’t it have been SO much more fun to go to final three with TK/R, Don/Nick, Ron/Chris and leave the bickering, hateful team out of it? Yeah, we never get that lucky.

Except YES! An NEL, just when we need one! We find out they are three hours behind - and hey, I thought it was a lot more, but I have no idea how they’d make up the time and do a Speed Bump. But one bunching point could render that moot, you never know! I’m just happy they get to stay in the race. Yay, show! Next week it looks like teams catch up during flight-time and nothing changes with Jen. She’s really rather toxic, isn’t she? Wouldn’t it be great if we got a good final three for reals?

In other Reality Show News, what Blog Babe Diana said is right - CBS has announced the Survivor:Micronesia cast, half of which is made up of previous players, and both James and Yau Man have made the “pro” team. Woot! This makes me very happy. Okay, so I also feel compelled to disclose that it also includes Johnny Fairplay and Jonathan, so…. But I’m focusing on Good Things, here. Go with me on this. Also coming back? Ozzy! Woot! And Amanda from the most recent season. Cirie is back - another woot for me! Less exciting for me is Parvati coming back. (Maybe Jeff will learn to say her name correctly this time. ) And then there are names I do not recall at all - Eliza and Amy from Vanuatu? Maybe upon seeing them again, a bell will ring, but this doesn’t bode well for them, I don’t think. We also learn the identities of the “super fans” they will be playing against, but as they are complete strangers, listing them here doesn’t make much sense. I will tell you that there are ten of them and they range in age from 22 to 48.

So…this could either be a really interesting season - as the former “pros” all have to start out as members of the same tribe, working together….or immensely annoying. Let’s hope for the former. After being exposed to the toxicity that is Omarosa earlier this week, the idea of dealing with Fairplay and his expanded “faux celebrity” ego again doesn’t bode well for me. I can only hope Cirie puts him in his place. Or James buries him. I’d be good with that.

February 7thm 8pm MAC Daddy time. Join us, will you?

Aaaaand, now it’s SHaQ Attack contest time! This week, it’s all about the reissues. As I’ve said here, Bantam is reissuing Dear Prince Charming this spring, and giving it a dandy new cover to go with it. So, for this week’s contest, you need to tell me which of my other books has been reissued with a new cover? You only have to name one. Send your entries to donna@donnakauffman.com with “New & Improved!” in the subject line. One winner will be chosen from all correct entries and announced on Friday - winner gets a free book from my website bookshelf. Good luck!

Lastly, no, I haven’t forgotten my promise to tease you with the new cover art for the final book in the Men of Trinity, Inc series. In fact, I have TWO sneak peeks to share with you this week! Tune in tomorrow to take a gander at the first one. Oh, and you might want to bring a fan. And something cold to drink. Possibly a nice hanky…or three, for the drooling. Just sayin.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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It pains me to say that I was that desperate. Yes, I tried to watch Donald Trump. But….I can’t. I thought the celebrity/charity angle might make it fun. Yeah. Not so much, really. Rats. I was hoping for something to tide us over until next month when the tried-and-true’s come back. Ah well!

BUT! I do have a winner for this weeks’ SHaQ Attack contest. I asked you to name the Chisholm family manse in my Great Scot/Bad Boys in Kilts books. The answer was Glenshire, which a lot of you got right. And the winner this week is J from New York! Woo hoo!!

And I am getting allllllllll the books out in the mail today, so all of you past winners who have patiently waited through the holidays, keep your eyes on the mailbox. Your books should be arriving soon!

Now, for a tease for next week. I will have the cover art for the last Black Sheep book, The Black Sheep & The English Rose. Oh yes indeedy! Tune in Monday for a sneak peek!! And another SHaQ Attack contest.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So…on Project Runway last night, the designers had to make an outfit made out of things found at the Hershey’s store in Time Square (including pillows, stuff animals, wrappers, etc.) I thought this was a really fun challenge. And no, not just because I could envision myself in a dress with Reese Cup buttons…although I did.

I think most of the designers came up with some pretty cool, innovative stuff. I really liked Chris’s mini dress. So great to see him do something so elegant and make the top three! And though Christian can be wearisome with all his “fierce-ness” I thought his Reese Cup papers dress was pretty inspired and cool looking - the texture was really interesting. (And yes, I could be biased….) Also love Rami’s outfit - which went on to win! Ricky and Kit both made fun outfits as well. I wasn’t as enamored of the licorice corset, although the idea was really cool. It sort of hung on her like a shield, more than a top, but it was impressive that she actually used the candy and overcame all kinds of obstacles. Still, I was glad she didn’t take the challenge. I thought Rami did the most complex work - and boy did that dress fit his model or what?

I also thought they pegged the bottom two correctly - and finally, oddball Elise goes home. (What a wild story about her being hit by a car and being in a coma - which….could explain a lot, but then I kind of think she’s always been a bit off-center. And did she say her daughter’s name was Calliope?) It was a toss up between her and Sweet Pea as to who should leave, and while I agree with the auf-ing, I think Sweet Pea’s sewing days are numbered, too. Of the remaining designers, she’s the weakest by far. And I’m glad they tossed Victorya in the bottom three, as her aesthetic, while beautifully tailored, seems to go off-focus with the project at hand a lot lately. I think she’s really talented, but she needs to pay attention to the challenge a bit more.

Go here! if you want to see the dresses they came up with. The poses in these shots are awkward at best, so that’s a shame. It was much more fun watching them walk the runway. But then, Bravo only repeats these things like a million times before next week’s show, so catch this one if you want to see the whole endeavor.

Next week? I hear they have to make prom dresses for teenage girls. Save. Me. Now.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest! See Monday’s post for details. Winner announced tomorrow!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Happy New Year, Blog Babes!

I hope 2008 is a banner year for us all. Today is also the two year anniversary of this blog (woot! Pass the chocolate chip cookie ice cream!) and it’s been an interesting and wonderful trip. Who knew, two years ago, that a blog intended to be about the writing life, would end up as MAC Attack Central, the place to go for all your burning reality show morning after commentary needs? Certainly not me! Thanks for making it a fun, surprising, always supportive, humorous, and delightful two years.

Here’s to many more!

And hey, if you’re not watching our little band of merry reality shows, come on and join the party! Then you, too, can wax rhapsodic over Phil’s Amazing Pants, Making It Work with Our Tim, and Dancing with…well, anyone, really. We love our dancing shows here! Plus, teasing Jeff Probst never gets old. Come on over to the dark side, and sit right here next to Ryan Seacrest. Shhh. I won’t tell anyone! Seriously.

Last, but never least! I hope you all win a SHaQ Attack this year and get to claim your free book! Why not start now? See Monday’s post for the details for this week’s contest. Winner announced on Friday!

Also, thank you for making the debut of my latest book. The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty a big success. You guys rock! But then, we knew that. Critical reviews are coming in (thankfully nice ones!) but I always welcome reader reviews, too (no really, I can take it!) You all have been great in getting the word out about my books and that means the world to me.

I hope you enjoy everything I have coming up (and out) this year, too. I’m waiting with baited breath (and a fan, and a big glass of something frosty) for the cover for the final Trinity, Inc. Black Sheep book to arrive. I’m not sure how they’re going to top the first two, but I know they’re cooking up something. I’ll be sure to share it here the moment it hits my inbox. Okay, so I might take a few moments to drool–er, I mean appreciate the artistic integrity of their wonderful artwor–okay, who am I kidding? I’m totally going to drool, but then I will share. Promise!

In the meantime, we have Rafe Santiago’s ever-so-fine, uh, cover…yeah, that’s it, his cover, to tide us over….

It never gets old, really….

Have a wonderful New Years Day everyone!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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