The other day, I ran across this little bit on Yahoo with a list of the ultimate cheesy ballads. Who comprises these lists, anyway? Whose opinion is more exalted that anyone else’s? In this case, I think the titles were submitted by blog surfers, but it was amusing. The original list was longer, but I whittled it down to those I disliked the most.

11)Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx
I really never did like this song. I liked some of his other songs, but this one… I just kept wondering if he was so pathetic that he would just wait his life away while some chick was out there having the time of her life? The rest of the song might not even been about that, but I disliked the chorus so much, I didn’t really listen to the verses.

10)Hold On – Wilson Phillips
Oh…yikes! This is was totally overplayed, first of all. But I remember having this job right out of college, and one of my co-workers LOVED Wilson Phillips. I sat right across the aisle from her, and she played the CD over and over and over. She was going through a pitiful break up and said their music made her feel better, but I didn’t see how. And I didn’t have the heart to say, “I hate all of these *&^$ songs!” Especially Hold On.

9) One More Night – Phil Collins
This was the theme for my senior prom, which doesn’t necessarily have good associations for me anyway. I went with an ex-boyfriend…while he was supposed to be dating someone else. She glared daggers at me for 3 hours. But we double-dated with my ex, so talk about a tense night. I’m not one of these dress up types, so when we left early, changed into jeans and to let the limo take us for a ride up and down Pacific Coast Highway, THAT was a much better time. This song always reminds me of sitting at my prom, wishing I could just go before my date’s girlfriend found some way to dig her table knife in my back.

8) Everything I Do, I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
Where to start with this one… Remember that Kevin Costner movie, Robin Hood. Yeah, unfortunately, I do too. I always liked Bryan Adams. I have some of his music in my iPod now. But this song just reminds me of the fact I sat in the back of the theater, watching a movie that was supposed to take place in the 12th century and writing down all the words they used that weren’t actually words at that time. And don’t get me started on the costuming… For someone who’s written medieval historicals, let’s just say I winced a lot. This song brings it all back.

7) Crazy for You – Madonna
Another movie reference. Vision Quest was a basically sucky movie. Can’t stand the guy who starred in it, Mathew Modine, I think. Anyway, I don’t dislike the song that much, to be honest. But people were determined to put Madonna on the list and ponied up this suggestion. I have moments where I can see the point…but I still think it’s listenable.

6) Somewhere Out There – Linda Rondstadt James Ingram
Talk about pissed… So after RAH and I come back from our honeymoon, we get the wedding video back. We had a photo/intro segment of pictures of us growing up that segued into our engagement pictures, then the ceremony itself. I’d specifically asked for certain songs to be played on the video. When it ran long, did they call me and ask if I wanted to cut pictures or request another song? No, they just added this one. Even before this event, I’d disliked the song. Now…let’s say I don’t watch my wedding video that much. *sigh*

5) Oh, Mandy – Barry Manilow
Do I really need to say anything? Don’t get me wrong. I like some other Barry songs. Others suggested Weekend in New England. I was deeply offended. I have always liked that song. Very poignant. This one… Maybe it’s just me.

4) Lost in Your Eyes – Debbie Gibson
I never liked her, and this is really the worst of the worst.

3) Could Have Been – Tiffany
See # 4.

2) Glory of Love – Peter Cetera (Karate Kid II Soundtrack)
This was, as RAH would say, a beating all the way around for me. I disliked the movie it went with. The song itself annoyed me. The Glory of Love? Does anyone know exactly what that means? Yeah, me neither. Anyway, to make it worse, my mother decided that she LOVED this song. Seriously. And she got the cassette tape (back in the day, you know) and played it repeatedly. I think after a while it served as punishment. Why ground me and try to change my behavior over a week when a 3 minute song would have me backing down and groveling?

And drum roll please…

1) Open Arms – Journey
I like Journey and was surprised to see so many song suggestions by Steve Perry and the guys on the cheesy list. But this one did nothing for me. When one of my best girlfriends used this as her wedding song when she married a man I loathed (and still think is an utter jackass), that was the nail in the coffin. Every time I hear this, I see them dancing–the beautiful bride and the stiff corpse, both in terms of dancing ability and personality. He didn’t like me either. Go figure. After the wedding, he didn’t “allow” her to talk to me anymore, so naturally we’ve lost touch. She told me once this song motivated their first kiss. So it’s really another reason for me to thoroughly dislike the sucker.

So, those are from the users of Yahoo. What’s on your cheesiest ballads list and why?

So it’s the end of the Thanksgiving holiday. On Tuesday, it was 82 degrees here. Today? 42. Just sucks. Have I mentioned that I hate winter. And for those of you in Wisconsin and North Dakota, yes, this is winter for a girl from Southern California.

Anyway, due to the weather, we’ve stayed in the last few days, caught up on TV, vegged, baked. I wrote, of course. (Currently working on a book for Ellora’s Cave, DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY, for anyone curious.) But by late this afternoon, I had cabin fever in the worst way. So what did we did?

Packed up and headed to the new Wal-Mart.

First, let me say that we have 3 Wal-Marts, 2 of them the Super variety, within 10 minutes of my house, so I’m not impressed by the store in general. But the new one…OMG!

The place is huge. Nothing is crammed together, like the stores usually are. The store flow is a little odd, but could be because they aren’t trying to shove cat food and hair spray on the same aisle. The electronics department alone was enough to leave RAH drooling for an hour. Munchkin was digging all the toys and other goodies that screamed Christmas gift. Me? I went with the intent to get groceries and get out. Hard not to be distracted by the gourmet bakery, the butcher, the pizza bar, the pre-made meals, the olive bar, the specialty breads… I could go on. We all walked around the place in a daze for nearly 2 hours. Seriously. Not 1 Dunkin Donuts in the store, but 2–one on either end. Best of all, I found the new Lara Adrian book, which I’ve been impatiently waiting for since the last one. You don’t have to guess what I’ll be doing the rest of the night…

I realize you’re probably giggling about now, knowing that I was impressed by Wal-Mart. But a new, clean store near my house with enough iPods and miscellaneous toys to enthrall my family, plus a good book selection? C’mon. Admit it, you’d be amused, too.

For everyone in the U.S., happy Thanksgiving day! 2007 has been a GREAT year for me!! I’ve been really blessed, starting in January with the release–and your support–of my first Shayla Black novel, WICKED TIES. In May, Samhain re-released my very first Shelley Bradley historical romance, THE LADY AND THE DRAGON. July saw another Samhain release, my first novella titled WATCH ME. In October, my second Shayla Black novel, DECADENT, released–and again you all supported me beyond my wildest expectation. THANK YOU!!

I also sold 5 more titles in 2007, for release over the next few years. A PERFECT MATCH will be a Samhain release next Summer. In fact, I just emailed it to my editor this morning! Then in September, you’ll see my first Doomsday Brethren novel, TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS. April 2009 will see the release of DELICIOUS, which is (for all who asked) Luc’s story. There will be more beyond that, for which I’m completely grateful!!

In real life, I have my health, my wonderful family. I’m with them today, watching the Thanksgiving day parade. I’m looking forward to football later. I’m cooking for 10, but most of the work is mercifully already done. Life isn’t perfect; nothing ever is. But life right now…very, very close! I hope that you and yours are equally blessed. Hug each other tight and be thankful for every day!

Speaking of cooking, I made these cute little table decorations. You need Vanilla Wafers, candy corn, mini peanut butter cups and some Kisses or chocolate chips.

* Melt the Kisses or chocolate chips. A little will do it.
* Then spread a dollop on the top of a vanilla wafer.
* Set a mini peanut butter cup face down on that chocolate.
* Put another dollop on the back of the mini peanut butter cup
* Then set a candy corn on the back of the mini peanut butter cup, right over the chocolate.
* Let it set up for a few minutes.
* Put another dollop of chocolate on the top of another vanilla wafer
* Then take the unit you previously created and set it on top of the vanilla wafer.
* Let set up.

They should look like this when they are complete:

If you decide the try them, let me know how it goes! Have a great day!!

A fan I correspond every now and then was recently injured. She’s at home recouperating and just the other day sent me an email telling me that I’ve been chintzy with excerpts lately. I’ve spent a lot of time talking about my upcoming paranormal, TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, which is the first in the Doomsday Brethren series. I’ve created a website and posted bios of each of the Brethren members. I’ve written multiple times about how excited I am. But, as she noted, I have not posted any excerpts. Shame on me.

If you’ve popped over to ShelleyBradley.com lately, you’ll see that I recently finished my latest, A PERFECT MATCH, a sexy-sweet contemporary Samhain will release next summer. I didn’t leave any excerpts there either.

I’m a “why” sort of girl. You can’t tell me something–especially something I don’t like–and expect me not to ask why. I’ll give you some examples.

Why do horror movies have to be so gory? A girl can’t get a good scare anymore without a blood bath

If you figure out a meaningful answer to any of those questions, let me know.

Since I am a “why” person, I’m going to assume that, like my vocal fan, you might have wondered why I haven’t been providing my usual wealth of excerpts lately. This is simple: I can’t, in good conscience, give you excerpts for books my editors haven’t approved. Until they do and we go through the editing process, I don’t know if the excerpts I’d love to leave around here will actually make it into the book. In the interest of being accurate, rather than loud-mouthed, I hope you forgive me.

Will this make it up to you?

Since it’s Manly Monday…let’s talk men!

Writers and readers alike get into discussions (sometimes) heated about the greatest romance heroes of all time or their favorites. They argue about what constitutes a great hero. There are huge differences of opinion.

I hear from readers and authors who like a tender man: supportive, emotionally available, gentle, not afraid to show affection, the “strong, silent type.” This is a good man, a solid man, loyal, dependable, committed. He’s there for the long haul, understands you and will got the extra mile to make you happy. In real life, I live with this man–and he’s wonderful. I’ve also written him into Marrok, who is the hero of my first Doomsday Brethren paranormal romance, Tempt Me With Darkness, coming August 26, 2008 from Pocket Books. Another Brethren member, Ice, falls into this category, as well. And Luc from my recent Berkley Heat erotic release, Decadent.

Some people like the smart ass/bad boy: ever-ready with a smart-alek comeback or a wicked innuendo, he’s quick and clever…and slightly unattainable. You never quite know what’s under the surface, and getting past his facade takes a tenacious woman. Getting him to be serious about anything–especially you–won’t be easy. It will be entertaining, frustrating, exhilirating–and just about any other “ing” you can think of. Another of my Doomsday Brethren, which you’ll meet in Tempt Me With Darkness, falls into this category. Bram is one sharp-tongued devil, master puppeteer, and sexy-as-all-get-out British bad boy wizard…

I’m personally fond of a hero type you don’t see often: the thinker/scientist. This guy is brilliant with a capital B. His mind is a mysterious and ever-changing place. He’s deep and his mental energy is boundless. He’s often distracted by things that have nothing to do with you, but when he focuses on you… *shiver* He has a dry wit, and once focused on your relationship, will view it with profound depth. He proves that brains are sexy! Duke, another of my Doomsday Brethren, falls into this category. I think his understated sexiness is totally yummy.

Then we have the hero I like to call “the guy”: he’s all about sports and having beers with the guys. He’s not a skirt-chaser, per se…but he’s not at all adverse to catching what’s underneath. He can be a surprisingly elusive bachelor. He’s not against relationships; they just aren’t for him. He’s got a full life: work, friends, sports, extended family. Why add a wife to the mix? At a glance, he might seem like more trouble than he’s worth. But you’ll have fun with him. He’ll introduce you to activities and people you would have never met otherwise. He definitely digs woman, and once he realizes he’s into you, he’ll find some pleasurable ways to show you. I’m writing this man now in Mitch MacKinnon, who appears in my upcoming Samhain release, A Perfect Match. He amuses me all the time! And Doomsday Brethren member Caden also falls into this category.

Another major hero type you see: Tortured Alpha male. Some readers loathe him. He comes with baggage, doesn’t trust easily, has a thousand reasons not to let you into his life or heart. He’s difficult and cynical. He can be argumentative…and find arguments stimulating. He’s pushy and aggressive and sexual and difficult and will, at times, make you tear your hair out and cry all at once. Personally, I love this guy. But I’m the kind of woman who likes a challenge. I can give as good as I get, and I’d sometimes rather be challenged than coddled. The women who like this hero want to be the one who “tames” him. Dangerous? Yes. Danger is this guy’s middle name. He’s intense…both in and out of bed. Once he’s determined to get his hands on you, you don’t stand a chance. And aren’t you glad? Once you get under that remote facade, however, is the heart of a man who will be forever yours. That always makes me close the book with a sigh. Several of my Doomsday Brethren fall into this category: Shock and Lucan, for sure. Ice has shades of this, as well. Definitely Deke from Decadent and Jack from Wicked Ties. The intensity of this type of man is something I just can’t resist!

You may be able to think of more heroe types. Whatever hero you like, that’s the great thing about romance–there’s a book, and a hero, for every type of reader. Go forth and read!

My mind is a scary place. For some of you, that will come as no surprise. But lately, it’s been downright frightening.

When it comes to writing and plotting books, I’m either completely ADD, leaping from one book to the next, or tunnel-visionally laser-focused, refusing to think of anything but that one book that’s gripping me. In both cases, it’s hard for me to take care of the necessary tasks like blogging and getting out my newsletter, but I’m crossing both off my To Do List today as done, you’ll be happy to know. But I digress… Shocker, I know.

Anyway, with the end of Tempt Me With Darkness, I was totally hooked in and thought of almost nothing else. Seriously. I could not wrap my mind around other things at all, which, my family informed me, made me loads of fun to live with for a few weeks. Now that it’s done, however, I find myself in the opposite boat.

I’m finishing the end of my edit/polish on A Perfect Match, my Samhain title next summer. At the same time, I’m trying to get my head back into the Ellora’s Cave book I hope to finish next, Dangerous Boys and Their Toy. But all my ideas for the next Doomsday Brethren book keep coming in and taking over, and I need to get that proposal to my editor. Then there’s Luc, just calling my name… In the background, Hunter has finally decided to talk, and the stuff he has to say just about makes my eyes bulge from their sockets. Is this guy kidding me??? Holy…OMG! He’s dealing with some serious crap. Whew! And just this week, I’ve received emails about heroes I haven’t had a chance to get to yet like Blade and Darius. I try, y’all. I really do. I can only type so fast.

To sort through this tangle, I’ve had to make a schedule. Since I’ve received more than one email asking, I’ll share. It goes like this:

Now – Nov. 15 – Finish A Perfect Match
Nov. 15 – Jan 1 – Finish Dangerous Boys and the Toy
Jan 2-15 – Put together Doomsday Brethren 2 proposal
Jan 16 – May 1 – Write Delicious

After that…sleep? It’ll all work out. At least I’ve got a schedule…if I can keep my head straight long enough to stick to it. Wish me luck!