Gang, it’s late, I know. The joys of marriage to a procrastinator… But here it is. Enjoy!
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FROM THE DESK OF MR. BRADLEY:
“Wow, what a lucky guy you are” or “You da man.” These are just a few of the comments I’ve received over the years when folks realize I’m married to a romance author. In the past, I would have a good laugh with them or even regale them with my self-deprecating humor by saying, “My wife has a vivid imagination.” But no more.

I’ve recently adopted a different outlook on my newfound celebrity and am currently playing it to the hilt. Oh, folks just love it when I retort, “You should have seen the position we were in last night” or “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you. My ears are still ringing from all the moaning last night.” Every cliche about eyes widening like saucers is perfectly applicable.

Still, I’m not one to let all of this go to my head. Besides, my wife seems to always be within earshot of these boasts and is quick to correct any gross over-generalization. But, for a few brief moments, I join the ranks of Casanova, Romeo, and even the great David Hasselhoff. A guy can dream, right?

As for the truth…I’ll never tell.

Gang,

A friend sent this to me the other day and I thought it might be a fun blog (especially since my centerfold is feeling lazy this month and hasn’t fulfilled his blog duty yet). So who else wants to play along?? C’mon…

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:15

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds – a girl’s best friend!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Sky High, somewhat against my will. But Kurt Russell is…still Kurt Russell.

4. What is your favorite TV show? Desperate Housewives, even though this season is disappointing so far.

5. What did you have for breakfast? Cheerios and a banana.

6. Favorite cuisine? Mexican, hands down!

7. What foods do you dislike? Carrots, cooked cabbage, anything with mustard or pickles. Want me to go on? I could…

8. What is your favorite flavor? Chocolate

9. Favorite Soda? Diet Coke w/ Splenda. Drinking one now!

10. Flavor of Popsicles? Don’t eat them.

11. Flavor of Coffee? Don’t drink it. Blech!

12. Favorite Cake? Yellow with chocolate frosting.

13. Favorite sandwich? Grilled cheese on sourdough. Yum!

14. What characteristic do you despise? People who act stupid when they aren’t. Anyone passive aggressive.

15. Favorite items of clothing? T-shirts and Capri pants

16. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Right now, I’m dying to go to Italy. Hubby isn’t interested because he wants to go to Hong Kong. And I’m not interested in that.

17. What color is your bathroom? Wheat and sage.

18. Favorite brand of clothing? Lee – great for those of us with hourglass figures.

19. Where would you retire to? Someplace it doesn’t snow. I HATE cold weather.

20. Favorite time of the day? Morning

21. What was your most memorable birthday? The last one. My hubby and I were on a cruise and he had our cabin decorated, people signing to me–the works. Great guy!

22. Favorite sport to watch? Football

23. What fabric detergent do you use? Whatever my hubby buys. He does the shopping.

24. Do you have any pets? My new kitty Hermione, who is suddenly fascinated by everything she shouldn’t be, including water and my jewelry.

25. What did you want to be when you were little? An actress. I’m not tall enough :-(

Who’s next…

You know the familiar refrain about the dog eating your homework? Well… I wonder how my editor would feel if I said the cat was eating my manuscript in progress. No, she didn’t literally eat it, thank goodness. But dang it, the little fur ball is so busy chasing the cursor–and she stands in front of my monitor to do it– that I can’t get anything done. People who don’t like cats always cite the fact they are stand-offish. I’ve only had two cats, both major people kitties. This one is an attention slut, but she seems to be fixated on me. I have to pet her and meow with her and put her up on my shoulder and stroke her head. My daughter has picked her up so often, that poor Hermione runs and hides in some little inaccessible corner whenever she sees the little girl/monster coming her way. My husband tries to pretend indifference about the cat, (apparently, cats aren’t macho pets) but I do see him petting her occasionally–when she allows it. The rest of the time it’s all about me. If I’m home, she’s walking across my desk, trying to get my attention, meowing in protest when I set her on the floor and/or move her out of my way. Consequently, I’m getting waaaay behind schedule on my current deadline. I’m going to have to think of creative ways to keep her out of my office. Or maybe I should just revisit kitty handling and maintenance 101 with my daughter and hope they start bonding. Because somehow, I don’t think my editor will be amused if, come April 1, when this book is due, I say to her, “Um, my cat ate it.”

And the other semi-interesting stuff… Well, with a book due out in a few short months, it’s review time. I am starting to hear feedback from reviewers, and so far it’s way beyond what I expected. Just the other day, I learned that Just Erotic Romance Reviews gave me a coveted Gold Star award. I’m really, really thrilled. But it all worries me. (If you haven’t guessed, I’m a worrier by nature.) So, three reviews back and all of them great. Hmmm, is there a maximum number allowed? Is there some sort of fate/karma thing that only allows a certain number of great reviews before it pulls the plug? Maybe it’s that none of the great reviews make it to Amazon? Or that you get tons of great reviews but Romantic Times or Publisher’s Weekly (or insert other publication of your choice) will trash you just to balance things out? See the weird/crazy things writers worry about?

As an update to my last blog “Damn Demanding Characters”, you’ll be happy to know that I wrote down enough to make Stefan happy, and while he’s still impatiently tapping his toe in the corner, he’s at least being quiet. Now Jack and Morgan can…get on with the important things–if the cat will leave me alone long enough!

Because I’ve forgotten the last few times (my apologies):

Mood: Happy
Currently into: Vanilla candles. I’m burning them all over the house. Love it!
Currently reading: HEART OF THE DRAGON by Gina Showalter
Currently listening to: The all 70′s station. My husband knows I hate it and changes my radio station to that frequency every chance he gets. Grrr!

Stefan: “Come closer. Yes, over here. I have a story to tell you. It’s hot and fascinating.”

Shelley: “Well, I really shouldn’t. I’m working on another hot, fascinating story at the moment.” Big sigh. “Okay, maybe just a minute.”

Stefan: “You won’t be sorry. You see, it all started when I met this woman four years ago. Then her husband was murdered and I–”

Jack and Morgan: “Um, hello? We were busy over here. I mean REALLY busy. We were just about to get to the main event, if you catch my drift. Who is this guy and why are you listening?”

Shelley: “Oh, yeah. Sorry. He just sounded so insistent. I wanted to hear the story, just in case he doesn’t come back later.”

Jack and Morgan: “We’re you’re focus right now. We’re dying here. You left us hanging, remember? Even your critique partner called you mean for leaving her hanging here, too. We’re going to call you a lot more than mean if you don’t get on with it.”

Shelley: “You’re right. So sorry. Tonight, I’ll be sure to focus on you two. I KNOW your first time is going to be wild and amazing.”

Jack and Morgan: “Exactly.”

Stefan: “But wait, there’s more. This woman I met, Sasha, she shows up four years later needing protection. And there’s only one thing I want from her in return…”

Shelley: “Tell me–quick!”

Stefan: “Here, start typing. I’ll give you a few juicy details now. We can fill in the rest at a more convenient time–”

Jack and Morgan: “Wait a damn minute! Didn’t we just settle this?”

Shelley: Remembering exactly what Jack and Morgan are supposed to be doing… “We did, but isn’t there a way I can hear what Stefan has to say then settle in with you two in a minute? This is sounding like really good stuff.”

Jack: “I’ve been watching her self-pleasure in the bathtub for a week. I’m kind of on edge here…”

Morgan: “I can’t stop thinking about Jack and wanting him. Please, help.”

Stefan: “They’ve had their moment in the spotlight. You know their story, even if it isn’t written. I am totally new. Sasha needs me. I need her.”

Shelley: “I’m going insane!!!”

Welcome to my life. I’ve often said that writing is the only profession where a person can admit to hearing voices in their head and not be carted away by people in white coats with heavy sedatives.

I really have been torn between Jack and Morgan (from my January 2007 trade paperback, currently titled GOOD TO BE BAD), and Stefan, the brother of a character from STRIP SEARCH (8/06). Why, WHY is it the first rule of romance fiction that all interesting men must have equally interesting brothers? Grrr!

Excuse me, I need to referee a fight in my head…and figure out what to do.