Year: 2007

  • A mediocre ride …

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    Saw Ghost Rider with Nic Cage this weekend.

    I was interested in seeing it because it’s based on a comic book character, Johnny Blaze, who makes a deal with the devil and becomes Satan’s bounty hunter. I’ve never read that comic — never even heard of it until the movie came out, actually. But I like comics, and it looked like cheesy fun if nothing else.

    It was cheesy, all right. Basically, a teenage Johnny accidentally gives his soul to Satan (Peter Fonda) to cure his dad’s cancer. Only Satan double-crosses him and offs dad in a fiery motorcycle accident. Of course, when Johnny grows up, he sort of has a death wish and spends his time thinking of new and interesting things to jump over on his motorcycle (trucks! football fields! helicopters!) since he’s a bad-ass stunt driver.

    Satan finally gives him some bad guys to track down, which Johnny does with the help of a crusty old codger (Sam Elliot, the go-to guy for this sort of role) while trying to explain his new nighttime job to his old flame (Eva Mendes).

    There were some funny lines, and one scene with Eva Mendes chugging wine that was pretty humorous. Nic Cage looked like he was having fun and was entertaining enough.

    Overall, a meh movie. It was okay. Not great, but not bad. Pretty predictable all the way around. Save a few bucks and catch it on cable one night.

    What about you? What movies have you seen lately? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • And the winner is …

    I rolled the dice and the winner is … Renee Wissbrod! She won an advanced reading copy of Karma Girl as per my March contest.

    Renee, please send me your snail mail address at jennifer@jenniferestep.com so I can send you the book.

    And for everyone else out there, I’ve still got more free stuff to give away, including five $20 Barnes & Noble gift cards. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter by April 15.

    Good luck and congrats to Renee again! 😎

  • People who rock …

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    I’ve been meaning to do this for a while, but today, I’d like to spotlight some people who’ve helped me out during this whole book process.

    There are mean and nasty and ugly people in the world, but there are also lots of nice, thoughtful folks who are willing to help out a newbie like me, especially within the romance writing community.

    So, here we go, in no particular order:

    My agent and editor, of course. Without them, there would be no Karma Girl.

    Margaret Elsea, Kathryn Nichols, and Dottie Leonard with the Sullivan County library system, along with the Friends of the Thomas Memorial Branch Library for always being interested in and asking about my work.

    Meljean Brook, who gave me some great information about comic sites.

    Edie Ramer and the other gals at Magical Musings for letting me guest blog — and for always having something interesting to say themselves.

    To everyone (like the folks at RWA or Romantic Times) that I have ever e-mailed with a stupid question. Thanks for answering.

    To the folks who’ve e-mailed me and said how much they were looking forward to the book. Thanks for your notes. I really do appreciate them, and I hope that you enjoy the book.

    To my significant other, for putting up with my insanity this last year, listening to me babble on about contracts and deadlines and other things, and telling me to just relax.

    And to my mom, because everybody knows, you always gotta thank your mom. 🙂

    What about you? Who’s given you a helping hand recently? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • This is your last chance … for now

    Just a friendly reminder that you have to sign up for my newsletter by midnight March 1 in order to be eligible to win an advanced reading copy of Karma Girl. The form is located in the bottom right corner of every page except this one.

    In addition, you’ll be in to win some Barnes & Noble gift cards and Rubik’s Cubes if you sign up by midnight April 15.

    So, what are you waiting for? Sign up now! 😎

  • 800 and counting …

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    I’ve been slack in my reading lately, but I finally finished Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines this weekend, marking the 800th book I’ve read since I’ve been keeping count.

    Goblin Quest focuses on Jig, a scrawny, little nearsighted goblin who gets roped into leading a group of adventurers through a mountain filled with all kinds of nasty things. There are hobgoblins and poisonous fish creatures and undead corpses and, of course, a dragon sitting on a hoard of treasure.

    Along for the ride with Jig are two arrogant princes, a reluctant elven thief, and a dwarf who likes to drink ale and draw maps. The book is basically a Dungeons & Dragons adventure come to life. And before you ask, yes, I play D&D, making me a total geek. 😎

    The book starts out slow, and Jig’s whining about being a goblin and treated like dirt by the other adventurers gets old after a while. But the book picks up steam as Jig realizes that he’s stronger and braver and smarter than he thinks. Plus, Jig has a cool pet — a fire-spider named Smudge.

    A good, solid, fatansy read. You’ll get a real kick out of it if you play D&D because you’ll recognize all the stereotypes. So, thumbs up.

    What about you? What have you read lately? Inquiring minds want to know …