The post office delivered WHAT?

Last week I was expecting two boxes of books from a friend, Barbara Vey. Well, one of the boxes came in and all was well.  Yay! A few days later I get another box. The box was still sitting on my front porch, and I wondered why the hubby hadn't brought it in. He proceeds to tell me he wasn't bringing that mess inside. Hmm. I had no idea what he meant be that.

So I go outside to bring the box inside, and found a very odd surprise. The box had multiple holes in it, and it had oily stains all over it.

I figured this box was accidentally delivered to me, so I proceeded to read the label and it matched the first box of books, but I could barely see where it had come from, but sure enough it was from the same address as before. 

I opened the box and found an engine. Wha???? Needless to say I was very puzzled.

My daughter suggested that Barbara was shipping the engine to a mechanic, and accidentally sent me the engine and sent the mechanic the books. Well, wouldn't he get a surprise if that were true... :-)

So I called Barbara and her voice mail picks up. I leave her a message that went something like this.
"Hi Barb - It's Dawn. Um. Did you send me an engine? Call me."

Anyway I left the engine on my porch because the stupid thing was leaking oil through the box, plus it must have weighed 40 pounds, which got me thinking, how could some one ship an engine for $10.95?  That's what the label read.  Man she got a deal. lol

Later I left for the mall with the kiddo to shop for her home-coming dress and shoes, and while she was trying on dresses, Barbara called me back.

"Hi Dawn.  I don't think I heard you right. Did you say, and she proceeds to spell it. "E.N.G.I.N.E."

I busted out laughing in the dressing room, and I'm sure people thought I was insane.  "Yep. That's what I said. The box was from you, but didn't have books inside. It had an greesy engine."

We laughed and she suggested I contact the post office.  So I called them and told them and the lady thought it was funny.  She told me the supervisor would call, but I haven't heard a word. The motor is still sitting on my porch, and it might still be there for Thanksgiving when all the family comes over. Wouldn't that make a great conversational piece. :-) "Er, Dawn. Why do you have an engine on your porch?"  

Were you ever surprised by a package before? 

Dawn Chartier
Diamonds, Amazon, Nook, Siren-Bookstrand
Not An Angel, Amazon
www.dawnchartier.com

RWA party scoop from Barbara Vey (Publishers Weekly) blog

Run over to Barbara Vey's Beyond Her Book blog....See some great RWA party insiders scoop...(plus my buddies and I are posing for a picture for her)...My eyes look closed, but yep thats me...worn out, yet still so excited to be there...

I'll post my own blog when the fog clears from my head...

http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/

Barbara Vey's question got me thinking...(scary, I know)

Barbara Vey posted a question on Publisher's Weekly "Beyond The Book" blog recently, asking when do you put the book down if you are not into it?

As a reader I replied that I put the book down after the first chapter. But then I started second guessing my answer. Sometimes I put the book down much sooner. Maybe 10 pages into the story and yet sometimes it gets a second chance when I'm in a different mood. Often I'm glad I gave the book a second look, but sometimes I can't get into it no matter what.

So how did this get me thinking you ask. Well it's because my mood changes all the time. Some days I want light and funny, like Janet Evanovich or Karen Wells. Other days I want my heroes torchered like in J.R. Ward's or Sherrilyn Kenyon's books. Some times I just want to read a cool YA such as P.C. Cast. And sometimes I want to read about a kick-ass heroine such as Karen M Moning's Fever series or even Charlaine Harris's Sookie series or maybe something serious like Jodi Picoult.

I'm trying to find a common thread in these book, and why sometimes I like the mystery, humor over a paranormal romance, and other times I want the dark paranormal romance over the light mystery. I'm guessing it's the same reason why one day we want to watch a scary movie or a comedy or a action packed thriller. It all depends on our moods.

So my thoughts is this. Do you think editors and agents have moods as well when reading submissions? One day they love your story and voice and then the next day they aren't in the mood for it? I know you are wondering where are these random thoughts are coming from. Heck, I don't know. Just some weird crap that goes through my mind is all.

Now on a totally different subject. If you are a TrueBlood fan, what do you think of Alcide Herveaux? OMG! I know. He is the hottest Mississippi redneck I've ever laid eyes on. (now don't get offended if you're from Mississippi and I called Herveaux a redneck, he's not really a redneck, he's a sexy-ass werewolf. Plus my dad's from Sugalock Miss. so I get the privledge of using the redneck term, and I once lived in Jackson for a total of 3 days. (grin).

That was all. I'm still counting down until I leave for RWA Nationals, and I'm super excited to meet some awesome agents, editors and new and old friends....(claps hands excited) One week from tomorrow!!! Yay.....

Dawn
NOT AN ANGEL, OUT NOW!
www.thewildrosepress.com
www.dawnchartier.com

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - BARBARA VEY'S BLOG

READERS AND WRITERS:

Anyone who is a fan of Barbara Vey with Publishers Weekly, drop by her blog, she is throwing a 3rd year anniversary party (ALL WEEK), and is giving away a bunch of books, including my soon to be released, Not An Angel...

They have food, drinks, lots of sexy men and a great castle to throw the party in....you should see this place..(and the men)..Join lots of authors in wishing Barbara a happy anniversary and win some great books too!

Barbara is such a terrific lady, and I'm so glad she's had 3 wonderful years with Publishers Weekly! Here's to many more years.......Cheers to you Barbara!! (Hugs)

www.publishersweekly.com (Barbara Vey's blog)

Dawn Chartier
NOT AN ANGEL, coming soon from THE WILD ROSE PRESS

K-Con 2009 was a great time, including the cute naked butt!

K-Con started on a Friday afternoon were I had lunch with Debbie, Cheryle and Jenn at Commanders Palace. Food, service and company were all awesome.

After that, I had to run back across the river to visit my mom in ICU. She was doing well, but they wanted to watch her for a few more hours just in case.

Then I went back to the hotel, signed up, and then hung out in the hospitality suite for a few hours. I volunteered with the ladies mentioned above to help with incoming fans, etc. After our deal was over, we were in the hall way and Debbie asked a very good looking man to pose with her for our treasure hunt picture. He did along with his friend who ended up taking his pants off and mooning us. Only in New Orleans!! (What is that you ask? Um, yeah it was a nice cute butt.) Deb has pictures to prove it.

The next morning I picked up Barbara Vey, Deb, Cheryle, and Jenn and we went to Cafe' Du Monde' in the Quarter. We had messy beignets, cafe' au lait, and I had hot chocolate. Yep, we made a mess. (go to Barbara Vey's blog at publishersweekly.com and you'll see us in her pictures pigging out - de-lish..). Not sure if you know it but Barbara Vey reviews books and such, and she shares tons of info on conferences too. Her site is a must.

Next we had to rush back for Diana Love's class, we made it just in time. Barbara then announced my new contract for my novel "Not An Angel". I need to get use to this, because I know my face must have turned red, purple, blue, and red again. It was sure hot as hell.

Then there was the League party. Everyone in costumes. Think, Terminator style... Lots of assassins and such... Next up was the dinner...they had so many people show up we ended up eating in the hall, but it didn't matter, we had a blast...Sherri's just a popular gal...and by the time desert came, we had more tables in the dining room.

Once we moved into the main room, Sherri was giving little gifts to all her helpers and she called me and Deb to go up there and get our gifts. I hugged Sherri, and then Diana Love tells her the news. So then Sherrilyn proceeds to announce to approx. 200 people my book news. I know, you want to know if I fainted right?? Actually, not that I can remember....(grin) I held it together, but after that, its all a blur. (grin)...

There was Q&A's with Sherri, and she gave away some top secrets to some future novels, but we were sworn to secrecy. Then my time ended after the Dark-Hunter tour. I had to visit my mom who was now moved into the regular hospital. I didn't go back on Sunday for the brunch, too much going on, but my mom sure got a kick out of my K-Con experience as did I.

Hugs,
Dawn