Cassandra's Mega Birthday Party

Welcome to Cassandra's mega birthday party, ya'll!

Hi yas! Glad to see you arrived and are here to help me celebrate! As day turns into night, my friends and I will be updating this post with new information, adding pictures, and winner announcements for the various door prizes. Also, a little later in the party, we'll draw the two winners from my Valentine's Day contest entries. Each update to this original post will start with the words UPDATE in red and include a time stamp, so you can catch the new stuff as well as zip past old updates as you scroll. I hope this makes things easier than a ton of same day posts that are confusing. There can only be one...(post, that is), hmm...I remember that phrase from somewhere...? lol
The comments section is where you'll want to leave your open bar drink orders, song requests, birthday wishes for me, etc. My goal is to get over 100 comments today, just to see if we can. Yeah, I'm goofy that way. :) The more you comment, the more your name is entered into the kitty for the various door prizes. There are fifteen door prizes in all, so you'll be seeing that red update a lot in this post. But I think you'll enjoy dropping in and seeing what I'm doing next. :D  ~ Cass
::birthday bad girl::

Let's get this party started!

  
Birthday Wishes and Stardust Dreams...

If you could give Cassandra anything in the world, what would you wish for her? Be creative, no holds barred. Leave a comment with your birthday wish for Cassandra and you'll be entered for the first door prize of the day, a $10 Subway gift card, the perfect treat for lunch.

UPDATE! 12:15pm >> The winner of the 1st door prize is: CRYSTAL ATKINS!
Congratulations, Crystal! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address, so we can get your prize out to you asap! :)

Check back and see if your name is listed HERE! :)

The *live* band will be here later this afternoon, 
but until then, help yourself to free virtual drinks at the open bar.

OPEN BAR
Order your drinks here and click on the video to learn how to make five of the best party cocktails ever.

Remember to watch for door prize announcements to be added throughout the day and don't forget to leave a comment to enter to win after each update. Scroll up (or down) for more door prizes and fun. Unless stated differently, all door prizes will be drawn and the winner announced during the birthday celebration 
(party til midnight, February 16, 2014).


The second door prize will be drawn when at least ten people have checked in by leaving a comment with their drink order and letting us know they're here.  Want to see the second door prize?

Faceted amethyst gemstone and silver pendant.

UPDATE! 7pm>>> The winner of the 2nd door prize is: TESSA
Congratulations, Tessa! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address so we can get your prize out to you, asap!  

The *live* band has arrived, I hope you enjoy the awesome tunes. 

UPDATE! 7:22pm >> Door Prize#3
Item: Silver and Amethyst pear drop natural amethyst earrings and 3 strand genuine amethyst bracelet.

The winner of the 3rd door prize is: Ginger R.!
Congratulations, Ginger! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address so we can get your prize out to you, asap! 

 What is one of your favorite singers or rock bands? 
Leave a comment and let me know.  

UPDATE! 7:45pm >> Door Prize #4
The winner is: Tigger! Congratulations, Tigger! 
Please email me directly so we can set up a time to do your reading. 
Item: This door prize includes a 45 minute tarot reading with interpretation and consultation.

I'll be drawing for the Valentine's Day Contest winners in a few minutes...in the meanwhile—
Do you have any requests for the band?

UPDATE! 7:50pm>>Drawing for The Month of Romance Valentine's Day Contest!
Date:  2-14-14 Two winners of amethyst earrings & ebooks on Valentine’s Day.
Garnet silver heart earrings & Natasha Moore ebook, Her Royal Masquerade
Prize Winner is:  Michelle A.

Amethyst silver heart earrings & Cassandra Curtis ebook, Song of The Sea
Prize Winner is:  Night Diva!

Congratulations to both Michelle and Night Diva! Please contact me directly via FB or email to receive your prizes!

UPDATED! 8:45pm>>Want to see Door Prize #5?

Item: ROSE QUARTZ+RAINBOW MOONSTONE+AMETHYST earrings & NATURAL 7 3/4" AMETHYST Bracelet
The winner is Tina Green!
Congratulations, Tina. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address. Thanks!


Door Prize #6 is a Papa John's $10 Gift Card!

UPDATE! 9:15pm >> The winner of the Papa John's gift card is... HOTCHA! Congrats, Hotcha. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail addy so we can send your door prize. Enjoy!

Want to see Door Prize #7? Here you go:

UPDATE! 10pm >> The Winner is... Judy Z.  
Congrats, Judy. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info so we can send your door prize to you asap!
Item: BLACK ONYX & RED MADAGASCAR AGATE GEMSTONE 20 1/4" NECKLACE. This is a totally heavy, gorgeous beaded necklace, a true statement necklace that will go great with shirt and jeans or a slinky dress.

Time for a game!
You may know the birthstone for February is amethyst, but do you know the zodiac sign associated with amethyst?

UPDATE! 11PM >> Door Prize #8
The winner is...Mary Kirkland! Congratulations, Mary.
Please contact Marie Wyatt on FB to receive your gift certificate and order your chosen gifts.
Item: $15 Paparazzi Gift Certificate good for jewelry at Papparazzi



UPDATE! 11:36pm >> Door Prize #9

The winner is...Jodi Henley! Congratulations, Jodi!  
Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info so we can get your door prize in the mail, asap. :)
Item: Silver and Amethyst dangle earrings

UPDATE! 11:50pm>>Door Prize #10

The winner is: Silma!
Congratulations, Silma!
Please email and contact me directly to claim your prize.
Item: Mystery ebook lovers Gift Basket from authors
Jennifer Frishetto and Artemis Greenleaf

 

Update! 11:55pm>> Door Prize #11
The winner is...Tira!
Congratulations, Tira.
Please email me directly for your door prize. cass [at] cassandra curtis [dot] com (no spaces)
Item: Natal Birthchart Astrology


Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #12
The winner is Fedora!

Congratulations, Fedora. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info.
Item: Silver, Druzy, Garnet, and Amethyst pendant

Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #13

The winner is Sally! Congrats, Sally!
Item: pewter manatee thumb ring sz. 8, and russet jade dragon necklace with magnetic clasp.


Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #14

The winner is... Susan! Congratulations, Susan!
Item: Honey Topaz and Ammonite fossil earrings

...and the final door prize of the night—Door Prize #15
Update! 12midnight! Item: $15 Amazon egift card 
 

The winner is...Pamela!  
Congratulations, Pamela. Please Email me directly.

Thanks all ya'll for spending your Sunday with me 
and helping me celebrate my birthday. 
May your wishes come true and my best wishes to you! Cass.

Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion. Not responsible for lost/stolen mail.

    

February: The Month of Romance

Leave a Comment to Enter!

February is often called the month of romance. When I'm developing a story, I think of what's romantic and one of the things I look at is the setting.

Where and when does the story take place?

Many of my stories are set in the south (USA), but I've also set books in fictional towns and villages, even a fictional city state in Central America. As for when, I've even written a futuristic colony world on the far edge of the galaxy (Open Season).

Thinking of romantic settings, what would you consider a romantic place and/or time?

Contest ends midnight, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Good Luck.

February bling— Amethyst earrings!

Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion. Not responsible for lost/stolen mail. 

Birthday Contest Winner!

The winner of my birthday contest is...
**drumroll please**

Rhonda D.

Congrats, Rhonda!

Watch for my email and
remember to check back for more contest fun
on my blog this weekend and enter to win!

Birthday Fun plus Contest!

Yeppers, today is my birthday. I'm 39. What, you aren't buying that? It worked for Jack Benny. lol. Okay, would ya believe 43? No? Well, considering a lot of folks under 36 don't even know who the heck Jack Benny is, err was, I guess not. But I think it's a rule that you have to fudge on your age when you reach a certain point, so I've always liked the number 47 and figure I might as well go retrograde. lol.

The neat thing is that in my family, someone in each generation is always born on February 16th. No idea why, but that's just how it is. Not like anyone timed it on purpose. lol.

In my generation, I'm it. My Aunt Patsy (Dad's sister) was also born on Feb. 16, and my Dad's Uncle John (my great uncle) was also born on Feb. 16th. Just another weird family quirk, but one that makes me feel connected to all the generations of my ancestors.

Another tradition is the cake. Although I love chocolate, and fudge, and frosting — in my family, the traditional birthday cake is pineapple upside down and since it's the only time I usually have it, that makes it even more special. With my mum gone (RIP), my sister (who likes to bake) over in Oz, it looks like I'll be making my own birthday cake again. Bear (my dh) offered to buy me a small ready made yellow cake, but it's not the same and they never taste as good as homemade.

I really don't mind, but Bear has always thought it was odd for me to fix my own cake. Of course, this year since I am on the HCG diet, I am also fixing it with stevia. Plus, on the diet I cannot eat out in restaurants, so I fixed turkey dinner and made enough so I won't have to cook tomorrow. I imagine most of you reading this are cringing. Leftovers for your birthday dinner? But it's not so bad, plus come this summer when I can squeeze my fat ass into a size 16/18 swimsuit (fingers crossed) it will have all been worth it.

My sister is going to try and get off work early, and Bear and I are meeting her at the multiplex. I've been wanting to see the movie based on Janet Evanovich's book, One For The Money. I've always been a fan of the Stephanie Plum series since Janet's first book came out, back in 1994.

Now, for the contest. To help me celebrate my birthday, please leave a comment on my blog and let me know which book (by any author) you'd like to see made into a movie, and also which one of my backlisted ebooks you'd like if you're picked as my winner. If you're not sure which one you'd want, click the tab at the top and go to my website and select books and pull down until you see erotic romance. All my books are listed there. The only exception is Open Season since it won't be out until Sunday. My contest ends Friday morning, so get those comments in. :-) Good luck!

Oh and check back this weekend for my Book Launch Party when I will be giving away copies of Open Season and some other fun stuff here on my blog. See ya then. *waves*

From the Writing Cave

Haven't posted on my blog for a while since I am still stuck in the writing cave working on edits. I basically gutted my wip, shifted a few salvageable chapters around, added new chapters, changed some of the backstory to better fit the plot and theme, and added just a small touch of snark (I promise it's not full blown snark, or I would have had to shoot myself), but it's just enough to make the work funnier and a miniscule amount edgier. I also reduced the 'facetime' of one character since he was hogging the story, and I added another love scene.

When this sucker is finally done, I am so going to break open a bottle of the bubbly and celebrate! Whew-wee! To anyone out there contemplating being an author, are you of sound mind and body? Seriously wish someone had asked me that seven years ago when I decided to resurrect my teenage dream of being a published author. It takes a certain amount of dedication mixed with insanity. Lucky for me I'm stubborn and eccentric enough to qualify for nuts. :p

This weekend is my critique writing partner's birthday and was glad to know her box o' fun arrived in time yesterday. Maybe one day I'll get to shock her and deliver the present in person. lol. That would be a hoot.

In my upcoming novella, Naughty Little Secrets, the heroine loses her red story binder and panics. In real life, my binder is black and just as naughty, except everyone knows what I'm up to when I'm nose deep scribbling in it, and tries taking a peek. ::smack:: ::smack:: lol

Once the ebook comes out, I have several fun events and contests planned, so stay tuned for more.

Until next time...

~Cass

Birthday For A Bear

Yesterday was Bear’s birthday, so I took him out for a movie and dinner. We saw the movie Salt, starring my least favorite actress, Angelina pouty lips. Since it was his birthday, I didn’t try to talk him out of it. It wasn’t a bad movie, although it was rather too violent for my tastes. And of course, being on Team Anniston (yes, I still think of it that way), I dislike Ms. homewrecker pouty lips. But the guys all love her, so what can ya do, ya know?

Later, we went to the delicious feast that is P.F. Chang’s. I love the food there, however the wait is usually long for a table, and last night was no different. Normally after 40 minutes, I would have said fuck this shit, lets roll. But it was his birthday and I left the decision up to him. So we waited while he had his Jack and coke and I enjoyed a fruity and smooth Granny Chang’s Frappé.

The waiter was this really nice guy who told us he moonlights at the Comedy Caravan as a stand-up comedian. He has a great voice and Bear told him he’d be good on the radio.

It’s been ages since I went to the comedy clubs. Maybe I should take my sister as she needs some cheering up and a break from the drudgery of life. It’s good to laugh.

Anyway, Bear told the guy it was his birthday, so we got a dessert in one of those tiny square cups for free, I decided to join him and screw the calorie counting. I mean, we were eating Chinese for God’s sake, so the calorie counting never started yesterday. :P

We both chose the strawberry cheesecakes (see picture above). Very delicious, as was everything they had. I couldn’t finish it all, so we brought boxes of food home, and leftovers are on the menu today. lol.
After the dinner, we came home and I got the birthday cake ready and placed his presents on the table. I mainly got him clothes, since he’s lost weight and needed new things. He went down a size, so I am glad I got the right sizes as it seemed everything fit pretty well.

No writing done though, as the day was all about Bear. Today I have to get with Ms. Cora and go over stuff, also promised friends in SL I’d drop by their place today as they recently redecorated and must also check my visitor counters and rents so I don’t accidentally get kicked out. rofl.

Tomorrow belongs to mum, as does Monday, so I will have to write in between it all somehow and hope it’s enough to finish my book. Wish me luck.

Until next time…
~ Cass

Saving Up Memories

Snowed in, and with my back still giving me fits from trying to lift an empty storage tub two weeks ago, I decided to stay home for my birthday. So yesterday morning and afternoon were spent on the phone with my family. Then last night, “Bear” gave me a lovely card that brought tears to my eyes (which of course I tried to hold back and not show), and for dinner we shared my favorite pizza he’d brought home, Tony BoomBozz, and the DVD of The Time Traveler’s Wife. I’d been wanting to see that since I read Audrey’s book.

Everything was so cozy and mellow. Fireplace lit and crackling, delicious food, and us watching a movie. No cake and ice cream, but I imagine I damaged the diet plenty with pizza.  It was all good…I could almost fool myself and think things were the way they used to be.

But they aren’t. And I need to stop fooling myself. However, I can save up that memory and store it as a happy one. Sometimes that’s all we can do. Store up and save bits and pieces of the good memories. I know there will come a day I will look back at last night with fondness…and without a touch of sadness.

Cassie's Pineapple Cake

My guy always thinks it's odd for me to insist on making my own birthday cake. But try finding a decent store-bought pineapple upside-down cake!
At best they are soggy, gluey pineapple concoctions, lacking any discernible flavor, especially that of pineapple.  ::snerk::

Since pineapple upside-down cake is my absolute favorite cake in the world (yes, even more than chocolate), why shouldn’t I have my favorite cake for my birthday?

I got some awesome presents yesterday. Teddy Bear slippers *yay* and a new computer! Woot!  I now have more bells and whistles than I know what to do with! LOL.

Hey, ya know what would be great with this cake? Pineapple sherbet. OMG! I am maxing out on a pineapple overload and it is…divine!