Join the Team

I attended a writer's conference last weekend and because of a workshop I attended, I decided to form a street team. I had thought about forming a street team before, but had been under the impression that street teams were aggressive marketing groups, mobilized by authors who acted more like military masterminds than writers. I have no problem with other authors incentivizing their street teams with swag and such, but that didn't feel right for me.

But in this workshop, I learned that street teams can be more about fun and connecting readers with authors whose books they love, with only a tiny bit of (very optional) promoting, and that's more like what I want to do.

So my street team is called The Body Checkers. I kind of liked the dual meaning of that name. Hockey players body check. For those of you not familiar with this term, basically, it's when one player crashes into or uses his body to force another player off the puck. Members of my street team will likely be doing another sort of body check, in the form of ogling man candy of the hockey kind. This is Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars.

Although I have no objections to ogling non-hockey playing man candy.

So, there will be an issue of the newsletter coming soon that will give a lot more detail, so be on the lookout. If you're not a subscriber, there's a tab up top where you can sign up. Or, if you already know you want to be a Body Checker, you can go here.

I Love Hockey! (Not a Surprise)

I am an avid hockey fan. (Sometimes it's interesting to remember that "fan" is short for "fanatic.") I may not understand all the ins and outs of the game orwhat all the stats mean, but I love watching the game. I love reading about players. Most of all, I love following "my" team, the two time Stanley Cup Champion Los Angeles Kings.

I thought I would share my "Because...Hockey!" Pinterest board because there's a lot of great stuff there. If you're not a hockey fan, you could probably stand to skip it.

On the other hand, there are more studly men there.

With puppies.

My Guys - Justin Williams #14

I never forget Justin William's jersey number (#14) because I associate it with Valentine's Day, and I love this guy. He's handsome. He's approachable. He's a family man. He's honest and intense. He's everything I want my fictional hockey heroes to be.

He also has a reputation now for being a clutch player, coming through when it's do or die, especially Game 7s.

For you non-sports fans, in order to win the Stanley Cup, you must win several "best of seven" series. Sometimes a series doesn't go seven games. Sometimes a team will "sweep" the other team 4 games to zero. If you end up playing a Game 7, that means both teams have won three games and it's all on the line for everyone. For some reason, Justin Williams always pulls something extra out of himself during Game 7s, so much so that the press have deemed him "Mr. Game 7."

So, check him out.

Here he is clean-shaven and super sexy. (I think it's one of Newton's Laws that the sexy factor of all men increases 200% if they're wearing a suit.)

The Kings are up against the current Stanley Cup Champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, right now. The Kings have won three games. The Hawks have won one. Heh heh.

Go Kings.

Suspension of The Other Guys Feature

It's the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Kings have made it to the Western Conference Final. This is SERIOUS. Therefore, until further notice, I am hereby discontinuing the "The Other Guys" feature, in which I highlighted sexy guys from the opposing team.

Instead, I will show all the sexy guys from the Los Angeles Kings, of which there are many. Let's call this feature, MY GUYS, shall we? Wishful thinking.

Let's start with an "A," Alec Martinez. Alec is on fire right now. He's been beast on the ice lately. He's really had to step it up because we were down a couple of defensemen (Willie Mitchell and Robyn Regehr) due to injury.

He's from Michigan. He was once a San Jose Jr. Shark. In 2010 on my birthday, he was recalled from the Monarchs to play for the Kings and on the very next day he scored his first NHL goal. He is a Stanley Cup Champion.

This isn't really eye candy, unless you're a die-hard hockey fan. Personally, I think this photo is inspiring. It's of a man, doing what he was born to do, and doing it very very well. This was taken in 2012, when the Kings won the Cup.

There is really nothing like a half-naked, wet athlete. Nothing. Look at those thighs!

Here's a provocative photo of him with the cup. Holy muscles, the man is a lean, mean hockey machine.

The Other Guys - Jason Garrison of the Vancouver Canucks

Although depressed about the Kings recent losing streak, I am optimistic about tonight's game against the Canucks. Not for any hockey specific reason, like stats or having a history of winning against that particular team. I'm just an optimistic person.

When browsing the Canucks' roster for a handsome player to feature today, I saw the name Jason Garrison, which cracked me up because I have a friend whose husband is named Jason Garrison. Needless to say, my friend is not married to an NHL player. Anyway, the Canucks defenseman was pretty cute, so I didn't have to look any further.

It's my day off today and I have some writing to do, so I've got to go.

Photo credit: Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head and Hockey Talk with Courtney

The Other Guys - Eric Nystrom of the Nashville Predators

After a four day break, the Kings are playing again in less than four hours. Thank goodness. I was starting to get jittery. They go up against the Predators, of which Eric Nystrom is one.

Nystrom is an American. Woot. He's thirty years old, a veteran player. He is also the son of NHL player Bob Nystrom.

Here he is rocking the bald look. Personally, I find myself bypassing the shiny pate completely because, man, he has amazing eyes.

Here's another photo of him sporting a Movember 'Stache. He kind of looks like he might be an extra in a movie set during the turn of the century.

Finally, I apologize for the graphics marring the photo, but he looked really delicious here in an interview with his dad, who had a huge 4-Stanley-Cup career in the NHL. And you know what? Dad's pretty handsome too!

The Other Guys - Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars

Welcome to The Other Guys - a regular feature on my blog where I share yummy players from the opposing team with you.

Today we're taking a look at Tyler Seguin (SAY-ginn). The kid's only 21 and he has a Stanley Cup ring (from his time on the Boston Bruins.)

He left under a bit of a bad press cloud with the media suggesting he was a bad boy off the ice and perhaps wasn't being as professional as he should have been, but the media isn't always a reputable source for the truth.

I was impressed when I saw this video. Apparently at every home game, he invites disabled people to watch the game from a suite at the American Airlines Center. When the game is over, he goes up to visit with them.




This is a sizable and admirable commitment. I applaud him. It's relatively easy for a  player to donate money. I don't want to demean monetary gifts. Obviously, money is a terrific way to "give back" to the community. But to give up time and to make that personal connection with people is something special.

And here he is with his dog. Super cute.

Oh, and some eye candy, just because.

Photos: What's Up, Ya Sieve?, Boston's Bettah, Broadstreet Diva

The Other Guys - Semyon Varlamov of the Colorado Avalanche

The hockey season is packed this year because of the Olympics. It seems as if there's a game every other night. Now, I'm not complaining. I love watching my Los Angeles Kings win. Heh heh. They're doing quite well right now. We're fourth in the league as of the posting of this blog.

The frequency of the games means I have to keep looking at/for sexy hockey players from the opposing teams for my new The Other Guys feature.

Today's guy is the goal tender, Semyon Varlamov. Too bad the Kings beat the Avs yesterday in a shoot-out, so he wasn't quite as good a goalie as our guy, Martin Jones who is the THIRD STRING goalie for the team. 

Yeah.

Anze Kopitar scored on Varlamov, to win the game.

Anyway, here's  photo of Varlamov, complete with boutonniere. 

Photo from: Chris Gordon

The Other Guys - Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks

Welcome to another edition of The Other Guys, where I feature a cute player from the opposing team.

Patrick Marleau is 6'2". He plays left wing and is the alternate captain, although he was captain previously. He's a handsome dude clean-shaven, but with that five o'clock shadow, he's upgraded to absolutely yummy.

In the picture below, I can imagine him saying, "Kate Willoughby? Yes, as a matter of fact, I have read her books. Love 'em. I hope she uses me for inspiration for one of her heroes someday."

And then, who doesn't love a man in argyle? Rockin it, Patrick. Although I really think they should have taped the stick. It just looks weird without tape.

The game is over. We won 4-1. Shark sushi for the Kings!

Photo credit: NHLPA, CSNbayarea.com, puckbuddys.com

The Other Guys - Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers

The Kings beat Edmonton, 3-0, in another shut-out. I am smiling smugly. I was never actually worried, not like I was when we played Chicago the other night.

Anyway, back to the topic. I remember when I first subscribed to The Hockey News a couple of years ago, they did a feature on Taylor Hall. What a good looking kid.

Every time they zoomed in on his face during the game, I found myself admiring his very nice teeth.

But he also has some very nice arms. This is a photo of him performing a "grip test." I have no idea what that is, but damn, he looks good doing it.

The Other Guys - Joffrey Lupul - Toronto Maple Leafs

I was inspired to do a feature on the blog about the yummiest guys on the opposing team the Kings are playing at the time.

Tonight, they're playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's the first intermission and the Kings are ahead, 1-0! Our goaltender, Martin Jones, a rookie, playing in only his fourth NHL game, is doing a tremendous job.

But, I'm not here to talk about the Kings. I'm here to show you a damned good looking guy on the other team. Joffrey Lupul. I searched for pictures, thinking I'd just post an nice head shot.

But look what I found!

Holy crap. Thank you, ESPN!

Viggo

In my favorites menu bar, I have saved the site "Wet Men." It's a collection of photos of, well, wet men. Lots of great eye candy.

Here's an example. Of Viggo Mortensen. I see this pic and I drool.

Then, I scroll down and find this. LMAO. And just like that the dream bubble pops.

That's What I'm Talkin' About

Here's some eye candy for you. This video really appealed to me because I have gotten into making bread lately. But I don't look anywhere near as sexy when I'm making mine. I apologize about the formatting issue. I'd fix it if I knew how. I figured small price to pay for having it right here instead of having to go to YouTube.

This Eye Candy Belongs to ME

Here is the cover for my new book, the third in the Be-Wished series. Isn't it gorgeous? Don't you just want to touch those muscles to see if they're as hard as they look?

Heh heh.

His name is Joe Kimball. But don't get any ideas. He's taken. ;)

The book is scheduled for release on August 25. I can't wait. I've been working on this one for over a year.

Leap of Faith Celebration - Day 3

Turns out that no one would be brave enough to try cuy. Maybe I shouldn't have answered myself. Maybe I turned people off to the idea of roasted guinea pig...

Since no one wanted to do my Mad Lib, I decided to have a go at it. You were supposed to think up

• a period of time
• a name
• a verb
• four nouns
• an adjective

And here is the Leap of Faith blurb with the Mad Lib words inserted:

A split second ago, Vladimir blew up the Incan flip flops and has since been condemned to a life of pancakes and dirt. Only through tongue will he find forgiveness. But is it his tongue that is required, or that of the young woman who stumbles into his busty world?

Well, that was pretty funny, if I do say so myself! Feel free to provide a list of zany words, and I'll insert them tomorrow.

Today I'm posting a short excerpt from Leap of Faith. I hope you enjoy it. I even hope you buy it!

Sometimes what seemed enchanting at night lost its glamour by light of day, especially when it came to men, but even in the bright sun Amaru was one spectacular example of masculinity. The man was all muscle, not a scrap of fat on him, and although his face wasn’t handsome in the classic sense, the rugged, primitive strength Kira saw there was just as appealing as any of the pretty boy looks she might find on the pages of a men’s magazine.

He thrust his head under the stream, washed his unshaven face, then combed his hands through his hair. The water ran in rivulets down his neck to be soaked up by his tunic. Until today, she’d never considered necks to be particularly sexy, but if her lips had had free will they would have been on his neck like magnets on a fridge.

Reluctantly, she pulled her eyes back up to his face, but judging from his smile, he knew she’d been ogling him and he didn’t mind one bit. In fact, still grinning, he said, “It is already hot today and I am somewhat sweaty from working the garden."

And sweat never looked better.

Then, to her shock and delight, he stripped off his tunic to reveal his magnificent body clothed in nothing but an honest-to-goodness loincloth. Having never seen a loincloth in person before, she realized now how little they actually covered.

Her lips suddenly had a different destination in mind.

Question for today: Would you prefer your hero garbed in a loincloth, chaps, a tux, or a kilt? Answer in the comment section and you may win a free book at the end of the week.

Tennis, Anyone?

It's been a while since I did Manly Thoughts. Forgive me if I'm rusty.

"Aaarrgggh! Who put Krazy Glue on my tennis racquet? And who stole my pants?"

Hot Aussies

Time for another choice. Inspired by the Oscar show, I find myself thinking of Hugh Jackman. He's Australian. That country can sure put out some hot guys. And who knew he could sing and dance? I was flabbergasted. That was a really tough number he did with Alicia Keys, all those song changes!

However, Simon Baker is another Aussie that I think is damn sexy. You might remember him as the shitheel in The Devil Wears Prada. He also starred in the TV show, "The Guardian." I have no idea if he can sing or dance, but frankly, I don't care! All he has to do is stand there and breathe. (Okay, he could kiss me or fondle me or...you get the picture.)

So, who do you prefer, Hugh Jackman or Simon Baker?