The Great Big, It's Fricking Chrismukkah Quiz...

DEADLINE EXTENDED UNTIL JANUARY 12TH - COME ON LADIES, IT TOOK ME TWO DAYS TO WRITE THAT QUIZ! AT LEAST HAVE A BASH AT IT...Sweetlings,I promised a surprise and here it is! It's a quiz. A very special quiz with a very special prize. Fifty questions all about my books and one lucky winner will get signed set of the newly re-jacketed Diary Of A Crush books. (That's them at the top of the page and

Does this blog post make me look fat?

Happy Holidays, readers!In the next couple of days I'll be posting an extra special thing that will thrill, delight and astound you. That's the general plan, anyway!But in the meantime, I just wanted to shout out to my North American readers, that includes you kooky Canucks, to let you know I have a short story, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, in a wonderful collection called Does This Book

How Can The Decline In Serious Crime Since The Mid 1990’s Be Explained?

One most consider the factors and what led to this decline. Analyzing these factors can help predict future trends with crime. There are numerous factors that may have factored in the decline in juvenile crime rates.

Could the decline in juvenile crime be influenced by the improvements in the economy during the 1990’s? According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics the percentage of children living in poverty feel sharply from 1993-2000, especially for African American children. The reduction of poverty contributes to better parenting practices and improved school performance which may lower delinquency. During the same time period, unemployment declined and gave teenagers with limited skills and education the opportunity for work. Employment is a contributor to crime reduction due to their job commitment and prevents opportunities to commit crime.

Could the decline in crime rates be contributed by improvements in police practices? More police were hired during the 1990s and a new method of policing was introduced. Community Policing made efforts to crack down on specific crimes such as, drug sells, guns, gangs, and to lower crime in locations know for higher crime rates. Community Policing is problem-oriented policing where the police attempt to address the problems that contribute to crime. In addition, other cities did not adopt Community Policing and reported a reduction in crime according to researchers.

Were more juveniles incarcerated at a higher rate in the 1990s that may have led to the decline in crime? Incarcerating juveniles prevents crime because juveniles are unable to commit crimes on the street, and their incarceration may prevent others from committing crime.

Overall, besides these factors there are numerous other factors that may have led to the decrease in crime during the 1990s. Future trends depicting an increase or decrease in crime will be determined by the economy and the current crime control strategies utilized by law enforcement, preventing delinquency, improved incarceration methods for juveniles, and effective methods to rehabilitate juvenile offenders in the United States. All these factors are important because they significantly impact the causes of delinquency.

Tis the season...

Greetings to one and all!Winter is upon us, Chrismukkah is just around the corner and I still haven't sent off my mammoth Amazon order to ensure that all my presents will arrive in a timely fashion and I don't have to slip IOU's into my cards.This is the season for many things:* Norwegian formula hand cream* Long-sleeved black thermal vests under everything I wear* Home-made soup * Suddenly

Gender Differences In Delinquency

Males are significantly more delinquent than females. Females are more likely to be arrested as runaways. According to the 2004 UCR, female delinquents have been increasing faster than males. Between 1994 and 2004, the number of arrests of male delinquents decreased about 22%, whereas the number of female delinquents arrested increased by 12%.

What crimes are male and female delinquents arrested for? Males commit more crimes than females, but do males commit different crimes then females? Both male and female delinquents are most often arrested for minor crimes. There are some differences in the crimes which males and females are arrested. A majority of all males are arrested for serious crimes. According to the 2004 UCR, 4.7% of all males arrested are for serious violent crimes compareed to 2.6% of all female arrests. And 7.1% of all male arrests are for the serious property crimes such as, burglary and motor-vehicle theft compared to 2.7% of all females. In contrast, the majority of all female arrests are for larceny and status offenses. About 18% of all female arrests are for the status offense of running away and curfew violation versus 9% of all male arrests. Even though males are more likely to be arrested then females, the proportion of all arrests accounted for by females has been increasing over time.

Despite the statistics from the 2004 UCR what other variables may be responsible for the gender delinquency differences? The interactions of socialization, learning, and their culture are all significant factors. Males and females may behave differently due to how they were exposed to different styles of socialization, learned different values, and had different cultural experiences. If both sexes were equally exposed to those factors that produce delinquency, then their delinquency rates would be equal. In American culture, gender role is a significant factor as to why both sexes act differently.

Females are expected to be feminine and display nurturing traits such as being sympathetic and gentle. In contrast, boys are expected to be masculine and display traits of assertiveness and dominance. Females are expected to behave according to the gender role and avoid masculine behavior. Females display more self-control then males which is a factor to help explain differences in delinquency. Whereas, males learn to become masculine by their actions approved by peers such as, aggressive behavior and to avoid displaying nonmasculine traits. The aggressive factor displayed by males increase their delinquency rate. Gender role has a significant impact as to why males commit more crime then females.

Links of Interest:

1. Strain, Self-Control, and Sex Differences in Delinquency

http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/1/2/9/0/p212902_index.html

2. Gender, social bonds, and delinquency: a comparison of boys' and girls' models

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WX8-4CG2J53-1&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=918a9269ccd402d8534a2c7b8449a421

The beast, it wakes!

Photo by Sandra Löv.Sayonora, sweetlings!I'm back! I have survived the the mammoth revisions of the grown-up book and can say no more about the experience because it's too traumatising. I've also been doing a ton of magazine-y stuff, which I'll let you know about as and when it's out - though actually I think I have a piece in the new Grazia out tomorrow. But I feel liberated from the yoke of

Okay....okay! Now is the moment you have all been waiting for (all 4 of you)! Here are some wedding pictures - especially for YOU, Rena McCarty Howard!

my pretty Reagan!

About to get hitched!

The handsome devil (or groom...whichever you prefer)!

The Johns...he is so trying to steal my man!

My mostest favoritest picture in the whole wide world!!

The kiss to seal the deal...

Reagan and me gettin' down with our bad selves!


Oh...and did I mention there was karaoke?? Oh yes, there was karaoke! This picture brought to you courtesy of Pat Benatar.


And with karaoke, comes the girls singing, what else? "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." I would like to take this time to personally thank Cyndi Lauper for making the most fabulous karaoke song ever to be recorded.

The Love Birds

She could have been a sweetheart but with punk rock manners...

Dearlings,I am alive. But very busy doing hideous rewrites and edits on grown-up books and as much freelance work as I can get my hands on because, oh my God, credit crunch!I will be back soon enough, in the meantime, here's a song to fall in love with.Live onSarra x(I should point out that I don't actually resemble the photo above when I'm working. The smile alone should make that obvious,

Effects Of Divorce On Children

Are children of divorced couples more at risk for antisocial behavior than children in intact homes? Parents whose marriages are secure produce secure and independent children. In contrast, a child living in a broken home is a strong indicator of a child’s delinquent behavior. Children who have experienced family breakup are more likely to display behavior problems and hyperactivity than children in intact families.

The effects of divorce on child are not short term but are long lasting. Family breakup is usually associated with conflict, hostility, and aggression. Furthermore, there is a clear link why children living in broken homes are more likely to become delinquent than children who lived in two parent households. Children of divorce develop lingering fears about their own ability to develop long-term relationships which, these fears often hinder their lives a few years after they divorce. Most spouses are able to reduce their emotional pain and move on with their lives a few years after they divorce; where as this is not be true of their children because their emotional distress may last for decades.

How does divorce effect boys and girls differently? Boys seem to be more affected by the post divorce absence of the father. In post divorce situations, fathers seem less likely to be around to solve problems, to discuss standards of conduct, or to enforce discipline. A divorced father who remains actively involved in the child’s life reduces his son’s chances of delinquency. In contrast, girls are more affected by the quality of their of their mother’s parenting and post divorce parental conflict. Overall, boys and girls are affected by divorce due to emotional distress and are as prone to delinquency but the major difference is the father to son and mother to daughter relationship following the divorce.

Links Of Interest:

Coping With Divorce

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/children_divorce.htm

Effects Of Divorce On Child

http://extension.unh.edu/Family/Documents/divorce.pdf

Myths Surround Child And Divorce

http://divorcesupport.about.com/od/childrenanddivorce/p/childrenmyths.htm

Correlation Between Age And Crime

http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/queensland-by-theme/society/crime-justice/regular-publications/crime-justice-stats-qld/crime-justice-stats-qld-1998-99.shtml
(Click Link For Larger View Of Graph. Figure 1.9 "Age of Sex And Offenders.")

The statistics on this graph indicates juvenile and young adult offender’s crime peaks between the ages of fifteen and nineteen in which their offending rates decline shapely. The statistics also indicate juvenile offenders are arrested disproportionately compared to the general population.

Why do individuals commit less crime as they age? Despite the variables of race, and sex social class, intelligence people commit less crime as they age. What causes the aging-out process of crime? Maturity is a key variable due to the ability to resist a quick fix to their problems. A juvenile may turn to crime as a way to solve problems of adolescence, loneliness, frustration, and fear of peer rejection. As one matures, conventional means of problem solving become available. Life experience helps former delinquents seek nondestructive solutions to their personal problems. Furthermore, maturity correlates with increased levels of responsibility. As juveniles and young adults get older, they take on new responsibilities that are inconsistent with criminality and risky behavior. For example, some people who marry, enlist in the armed services, or enroll in school or vocational training are less likely to pursue criminal activities.

In addition to maturity, what other factors help to explain the decline of crime with age? Personalities can change with age. As one matures, rebellious, and troublesome juveniles may develop increased self-control and be able to resist antisocial behavior. Furthermore, juveniles and young adults become more aware of the risks that accompany crime. They realize crime is too dangerous, physically strenuous, and unrewarding. As adults they are no longer protected by the juvenile justice system, and face harsher punishments in the adult criminal court system that may have negative long lasting effects.

Juveniles Tried In Adult Criminal Court

In the past two years in Ventura County the number of juveniles tried as an adult has increased 170%, from ten in 2006 to twenty seven in 2007. In comparison, from 2002 to 2005 only five juveniles were tried as an adult. Proposition 21 passed in 2000 gives the prosecutor discretion to determine whether juveniles fourteen and older who commit serious crimes will be tried as adults. Despite those opposed of juveniles tried as adult, across the nation the incidence of violent juvenile crime is as low as it has been since the early 1970s.

Transfers to criminal court are intended for the most serious juvenile offenders, but how effective is transferring juvenile offenders to adult court? For example, the transfer may create long-term harm. Transferred juveniles may be stigmatized due to the conviction in the criminal court. Labeling juveniles as adult offenders may seriously impair their future education, employment, and other opportunities. Juveniles convicted in criminal courts are more likely to be incarcerated and receive longer sentences than if they remained in the juvenile court. Furthermore, juveniles incarcerated with adults may become exploited physically and sexually, and develop permanent damaged. In addition, following their release, transferred juveniles have a higher recidivism rate than those kept in juvenile court.



In contrast, there are many juvenile offenders that commit crime and deserve punishment in which rehabilitation programs may not be effective with all juveniles. The transfer of juveniles to adult court is attractive to conservatives due to the get-tough policy, which is currently popular. One may argue the increased use of the transfer can help get violent offenders off the streets and should be mandatory for juveniles committing serious violent crimes. Transfers are reserved for the most serious cases and the most serious juvenile offenders. They are most likely to be transferred to criminal court if they have injured someone with a weapon or if they have a long juvenile court record.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/17/juveniles-tried-as-adults-up-170-da-cites-gang/

Early Success In School Prevents Drug Use

http://www.ns.umich.edu/htdocs/releases/story.php?id=6085

Researchers at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research tracked a national sample of 3,000 students from the age’s mid-adolescence to young adult. An interesting fact from the research is the effects of educational setbacks of marijuana or cocaine use were less and not as long lasting as the impact of cigarette use. Overall, the research found adolescents who have not made good adjustments to school are likely to become involved in a variety of problem behaviors such as delinquency, smoking, drinking, and illicit drug use.




The research demonstrates how school success protects against teen and young adult drug use but why is school an important factor? Poor academic performance has been directly linked to delinquent behavior. School failure is a stronger predictor of delinquency than economic class, racial or ethnic background or peer relations variables. In addition, how does school failure affect the student? School experience is a direct cause of delinquent behavior. Students who fail in school become frustrated, angry, and rejected. Believing they will never achieve success through conventional means, they seek out like-minded companions and engage in antisocial behaviors. Educational failure, beginning early, produces negative responses from important people in the student's life.



The article stated, “The beauty of tracking individuals through this crucial period or maturation is that we can see which events come first, thus gain important evidence about what cases what,” In contrast, tracking divides students into groups according to their ability and achievement level in which is a factor to delinquency. Students who are in the lower academic groups carry with them the stain of failure and academic incompetence. Over time may cause these students from having any hope of achieving academic success, in which causes a lack of motivation, failure, and rebellion. All of these factors promote delinquent behavior.

Weeps softly

Greetings!I am still alive. Just. Though it's been so long without sunshine in Blighty that I feel like taking to my bed and staying there for a while.And then I read this on the interpipes. I'm definitely taking to my bed now, possibly with an eau de cologne-soaked handkerchief draped decoratively over my forehead.Really not much to report except I'm well under way with my new teen opus.Like,

i am SOOOO married now!

Oh my goodness!! Cannot believe it is done, over, finito! (I am going to ramble like a teenage girl now...)
The wedding was fantastic. All the stress and headache of planning, inviting, decorating, and preparing turned into dancing, singing, and rejoicing in just a few hours. The amazing thing is I did not cry once while walking down the aisle or while reciting my vows. The flowers were gorgeous...only one of Reagan's red blooms turned black...which was okay because it was in the back of the bouquet...and the air was filled with fun and excitement. My cake, which was made by my gal pal Jen, was super cute and yummy too! I get giddy inside when I think back on the day. The dancing was too fun, and the karaoke was awesomely bad! I have tons of pictures to post and stories to tell...very soon!

Summer Reading List (Part Three - Odds and sods and odd sods)

Hola Senoritas!Since last we talked I've become a platinum blonde (I went from black to brassy blonde a couple of months ago,) had a birthday and started my next teen opus. It only has a working title but it's a standalone and I'm very excited about it. I love my heroine and it feels so good to write in the first person again. Also, not to be writing a series, because I'm never doing one of them

Stress much???

My very lovely and beautiful maid of honor requested that I write a new entry already! Seeing as I haven't posted in quite a few months ago, I figured I would throw her a bone :O)

So here it goes....

Getting married is stressful enough...now moving, finding a job, and money woes are adding to the pile that already existed. Also, finding out you have upset someone because you didn't invite someone they know to the wedding is not helping, people!!! Lay off me...I am just trying to keep a wedding that I cannot even really afford as small as possible. If I don't know, them, and/or cannot have a full on conversation with them, I do not want to pay to feed, entertain, and booze them up at our wedding. Also, this wedding is not about gifts! I don't care if so-and-so would buy us a nice gift if we were to invite them. We just want to have our closest friends and family with us on our special day...oh and to sing karaoke with us! With that being said (sorry for the rant)...Luckily, I have found the most understanding and solid as a rock person when it comes to dealing with frustrating moments. I have also noticed lately we are a perfect balancing act for each other. When he is stressed, I tend to find myself very calm and collected. When I am going on and on and on and on...he is as cool as a cucumber. Hopefully, our relationship will maintain this harmonious balance.

All stresses aside, we did have a lovely shower thrown for us by John's sisters. The theme was a Mexican Fiesta. His sisters were awesome enough to make a vegetarian entree for me...spinach and mushroom enchiladas...YUMMY!!! It was also some good bonding time for me and John's sisters and mom because we stayed up late the night before making paper flowers. (Just like the one I am donning in my hair...and of course, John had to wear the sombrero) Here are a few pictures of us on our special day...enjoy!

Me and John - Mexican style

Me, John and Sadie (John's Mom)

John (acting goofy...naturally) with his sisters (Diana and Laurie)

Me and John (sans sombrero!)

Summer Reading List (Part Two - Difficult women)

Is anyone even reading my humble blog offerings anymore or are you all sunning yourself in foreign climes?Anyways, on Friday I delivered my first grown-up book, except today I decided there were at least two chapters that needed to be completely rewritten. But mostly it's done and as Dusty once sang, I just don't know what to do with myself. Tomorrow I will probably start my next teen book as I

Vote for me!

As some of you know, I'm on the shortlist for the Book People's Queen Of Teen award.If you're 18 or under you can vote for me hereI'm in some pretty illustrious, best-selling company, but still it would be nice to get upgraded from princess to queen! There could even be a tiara involved and I've always wanted one of them.Thanking you in advanceSarra x

Summer reading list (Part One - The Classics)

Finally, in the downtime between the second and third drafts of the grown up book and filing my business taxes (because being a writer is dead glamorous), I have found an hour to compile some book recs. It will be a part work, because there are so damn many of them.So, I'm starting with the classics. Those books of yore that you might even have to study at school and always end up on those 100

18 things to do before you're 18...

Greetings, senoritasOK, I am going to compile a summer reading list in the next couple of weeks, but it needs careful thought and consideration. I've compiled another list for you, because it was fun and I welcome all distractions as I trudge through the dark hinterlands of second draft hell. Oh, yes.Also, someone left a comment asking me if I have to pay to mention songs or bands in my books.

Nominate me!

Hello chickadeesI'm back from the Lake District, where I spent a lot of time being harassed by swans, geese, ducks and moorhens, which was very traumatising for a city girl like me. And I ate too much thunder and lightning ice cream, which is vanilla with chocolate and cinder toffee. Absolutely delicious!I've been told by the Powers That Be to ask you to nominate me to be Queen Of Teen. It's a

Welcome to the Upper East Side, Bitch

A science-based compare and contrast on which show rockeths the most: The OC or Gossip Girl(**WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR UK READERS/VIEWERS**)Marissa Cooper vs. Serena Van Der WoodsenBoth blonde girls with issues, low-rent boyfriends and an extremely low tolerance for alcohol. Serena does deserve some credit for being even more freaking annoying than Marissa, which I didn't even think was

Saying Goodbye!

On April 22nd, 2008, my fiancee and I had to say our goodbyes to the city we came to love so much. The hardest part, was saying goodbye to so many of the wonderful friends we made while living there. So this is for all of you who came to our going away party. I can only express myself by quoting the Muppets....

Saying goodbye, going away
Seems like goodbye's such a hard thing to say
Touching a hand, wondering why
It's time for saying goodbye

Saying goodbye, why is it sad?
Makes us remember the good times we've had
Much more to say, foolish to try
It's time for saying goodbye

Don't want to leave, but we both know
Sometimes it's better to go
Somehow I know we'll meet again
Not sure quite where, and I don't know just when
You're in my heart, so until then
Wanna smile, wanna cry
Saying goodbye

La la la la la la la la
It's time for saying goodbye

Goodbye New York, goodbye Brooklyn Inn, and goodbye to all of our lovely friends...we love you so very much and will miss you dearly! We'll be seeing you somewhere in the world again. Hopefully, very soon!

Much Love...XOXO

PS-Hopefully, none of you are too upset that I posted your pics! :O)

Moving To The Land of Meat

The move is done, and we've made it...back in the dirty south. My husband to be and I have been here for two weeks now, and I have to say, I don't miss NYC too much. There are things I miss about it, but that will have to be another blog entry!

As most of you know, I am now a vegetarian. Not for any political reasons, but for dietary reasons. I especially stay away from pork and red meat. But since I have moved, I have found the temptation of meat too great. There was especially one occasion in which my boyfriend and I attended a BBQ cookoff. Why in the world did I think I would possibly have the strength to fend off those deliciously evil pork ribs and brisket? I mean come on, wouldn't you cave too?!?






And just for some ridiculous fun....

Accept no substitutes

So, with the recent UK release of Candy, I have no new teen books coming out for a while, as I work on my first grown-up book Unsticky. And it's grown-up in that I'd be kinda horrified if anyone under 16 read it, though I guess the content is no more racy than you might find in an episode of, like, Sex And The City. And I guess you all watch that...Anyways, there will be new teen-friendly fare

SNEAK PREVIEW! Fashionistas: Candy!

I'm in deep hibernation mode as I try to get to the end of the never-ending first draft of my grown up novel, Unsticky.The fourth and final book in the Fashionistas series, Candy, is out or is almost out or was stocked way too early by some bookshops. Whatever! Either way, here is a teaser to whet your appetites:"I'm moving to London and that's all there is to it," Candy informed her mother who

Sneak preview of Fashionistas: Irina

I promised a sneak preview of Irina and here it is! I can't wait for you guys to get hold of a copy of this book, especially as there's a very special guest star who may well make you squeal out loud. As ever, though the book isn't officially released for a week or so, there are copies already for sale. This is because unless you're JK Rowling, book shop staff usually start putting books on the

Public Service Announcement

I'll be posting a sneak preview from Fashionistas: Irina later in the week but for now I just have to say:It's Edie. Ee-dee. Not Eddie. Short for Edith. Please stop spelling her name wrong as it causes both Edie and I untold amounts of distress.Live onSarra x

Motivating a Kitten

I am sure anyone out there that has read this blog (if there are any of you) is probably thinking "why the knittin' kitten?" Other than me, only those very close to me could answer that...my dream is to one day have a very successful business in knitwear for people and pets. I love to knit! Unfortunately, lately I have not been so motivated to pick up the needles. Why?? I started asking myself that yesterday...and I got angry at myself about it. Why has something I love so much become a mundane thing. Oh yeah...because I am looking at it as work. I have always been of the personality that sees anything work related is absolutely not good enough for my spare time. I have to make it fun again...hobby? I remember you! So I picked up a pencil and starting drawing/plotting out new designs. Happy to say, I have come up with a hat idea that I love on paper. Hopefully it will execute well in yarn. I am going to start tonight. I will be posting once it's all done. Until then...
Your in love again kitten,
Mindy

Weddin' in the Dirty South

So this morning I was getting ready for work, and it dawned on me...holy guacamole! I am moving in just a little over two months! You know that feeling you get when you have been putting something off and finally come to the realization that you cannot put it off anymore, and then the panic sets in. I have felt this way too many times in my life to count. For some reason the lesson is never learned.

I am sure most of you are thinking...2 months is a ton of time. However, I am not just moving across town. I am moving across many states from Brooklyn, NY to Austin, TX. And on top of it all, I must plan a wedding. Granted, this will be a very small wedding in comparison to most of the monstrosities that happen, but it's still a wedding, and every girl knows how much of an ordeal weddings tend to be. Every time one starts planning, they say "this is our wedding...we will do what we want and invite who we want." To that I say, "WHATEVER!!" The wedding is about keeping people happy and making sure they have fun. For example, planning the guest list with my boyfriend (I refuse to say such an ewwie word as fiancee) has turned into a discussion of...well, if we invite this friend, we will need to invite this person so that friend has someone to hang out with, and if we invite this uncle, then we will have to invite that aunt because we don't want dad (brother of said aunt and uncle) to be upset or given a hard time by the family. And so it begins...the major ordeal. Thankfully, I do have a very supportive boyfriend and fantastic best friend, Reagan Weaver (my maid of honor). Sadly, she lives in a far away place called Oxford, MS. Ugh...I miss her so!!

After the minor stress-out of this morning was over, I came to the realization that just as all things have happened in my life so far, it will all come together...although I'm sure not without a few freak outs, internal screaming fits, and long stress relieving workouts. Hey, maybe I will lose that pesky 10 lbs my body seems to want to hang onto. Gotta see the bright side somehow, right?

Girl Power

So it all starts with a fabulous weekend hanging out with my gal pals Reagan and Katie. They came from different parts of the US to see me in Brooklyn. This was to be the home base for our weekend of girl power...meaning yes, we went to see the spice girls on their reunion tour!



It was so great! Aside from the fact that we were surrounded by adolescent girls in which the meaning of "girl power" was completely lost, (as you can see, we were utterly disgusted)


we were singing, dancing, screaming along with the girl pop icons of our late teens/early twenties.

More than just the concert, I was able to take two of my most favorite gal pals to my most favorite haunts of New York City. We went to Lombardi's (the best pizza in the US), Rice to Riches (every flavor of rice pudding you can imagine), the Fluevog store (my favorite shoes, Reagan bought 1 pair, I bought 2!), and the Brooklyn Inn (home to most of my Friday nights and Tom the bartender that makes a mean cocktail!!).


To me, it is the best feeling in the world when something I love, becomes a love to the people I love. Confusing yes, but doesn't it make complete sense?

If you would like more info on the weekend, you can also go to reag's blog...
http://reagansblog.blogspot.com/

All the news that's fit to print...

Happy Valentine's Day, readersYou know, I'm so glad I work from home and I don't have to see those really smug girls on the tube clutching bouquets of red roses. Yes, because I am bitter, thank you for asking.It's been a tough couple of weeks, overshadowed by grief and loss, but I'm climbing out of the hole and have many things to tell you.The first is that the third book in the Fashionistas

10 reasons why you need to see Juno the moment it comes out...

I'm in love. L.U.V. I saw a preview screening of a new American film called Juno on Monday, which I think anyone who likes my books will adore.It's the story of 16-year-old Juno McDuff, who gets up the duff to her orange TicTac addicted boyfriend and follows the story of what happnes next. This is why I loved it:1. Juno is a snarky, moody, too cool for skool, but dorky girl with a hamburger

The Random Days Of Chrismukkah: The Lost Girl

Happy New Year to one and all! I am feeling a little bit fragile this morning. Except it isn't actually morning because that was over and done with while I was still sleeping. Oh dear!Anyway, my random Chrismukkah gift-giving continues with a bit that got cut out of the final draft of Let's Get Lost, like a deleted scene friom a DVD if you will. I tend to overwrite then find myself having to cut