Pssst!

Mickey's sleeping but I'm watching the morning light stream across our back porch. Oh, how I love the beach! We're here in Key West and I am loving it. The house is in need of a serious pre-winter cleaning but I don't mind that one bit. Cleaning at the beach is a chore I'll gladly endure.

If I hurry, by this afternoon we'll be at the beach!! YAY!

I love these! Angel wings!

Today in the Big Apple

Mickey and I spend some of the cold wintery months in Florida. We have a small place down there, sort of off the beaten track, where we can go snorkeling, beachcombing and generally kick back and relax. It's nothing fancy but it's ours and we love it.


Today I'm tossing a few things into a bag and getting our NY life in order so we can take a quick trip down to the beach house. We'll only stay for a few days, just to give the place a cleaning and stock the pantry. In a couple of weeks we'll go down for a longer stay, but for now we're just zippping down, then zipping back up at the end of the week. Hmm...sounds like fun, doesn't it? The zipping part, I mean. Not the cleaning!


So today in the Big Apple I'm grabbing my flip flops and sunscreen. Yeah, life is good. :)

Just something to think about!

Today in the Big Apple

Oh, it's so normal, the things that are going on here today. Baking, dusting, vacuuming and writing. Yep, just a normal housecleaning day in the Big Apple. Working on some stories that have a deadline so I'm pretty much consumed by them now. But I can share the cookie recipe I'm using this afternoon. This morning I made Peanut Blossoms. This afternoon it's going to be Butterscotch Cookies. Yum!

1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 T. vanilla
1 1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking powder
4 c. flour
1 (12 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs and vanilla. Blend until creamy. Add salt, baking powder and flour. When blended, add the chips.

Drop by teaspoon on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Just gotta love a good review!

Amy at Gotta Write Network gave Violet Moons an awesome review. Here's a tiny bit of it:

"...I could go on forever about Violet Moons by Nina Nash, it's that good. Violet Moons is an excellent, well crafted fantasy story that brings romance to bloom in a world filled with magical creatures. The hero and heroine are sympathetic and believable. There is a scene with a dragon that is brilliant and witty. I recommend that anyone who likes fantasy or romance read Violet Moons. You won't be disappointed! I wasn't. This book has put Nina Nash on the top of my auto-buy list."

Thank you, Amy!

National Novel Writing Month

It's nearly time again for the kick-off of National Novel Writing Month. I'm thinking of taking the challenge to write a novel in a month -- 50,000 words in 30 days. I think it'll be fun, an interesting way to spend the month before the holidays.

I've got a suspense/thriller plot in mind...

What about you? Are you up to taking the NaNo challenge? C'mon! It's going to be fun! ;-)

Today in the Big Apple

There's a shoe sale I've got to go to. That's right, a shoe sale. God, I love shoes. I am almost a slave to shoes. Ask Mickey and he'll tell you they're one of my minor obsessions. Because a shoe doesn't mind if you gain a pound or two. It still looks gorgeous. And a shoe can change an outfit from ho-hum to hubba-hubba in a heartbeat. Reallly, what's not to like? What's not to love?

Me, I adore shoes, so today I'm getting up bright and early so I can be one of the first through the door and into the inner sanctum of--

Oops! I nearly gave it away, didn't I? Maybe tomorrow I'll let you know just where I'm shopping today but for now I'm going to keep that to myself. I don't want you to get there first, do I? Who knows? You might be the one to see the last pair of size six, perfect little black sandals in the store. And I wouldn't want to have to tackle you for them, would I? ;-)

Hope you have a fab day!

Fall, the best time to fall in love?

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness ... thou hast thy music too." - John Keats

There is scientific evidence to substantiate the theory that fall is the best time to fall in love. Novelty, dopamine, anticipation, testosterone...so many things come into play during the autumnal rush to find love and sex. I suspect all of these things take place at the change of every season, but isn't it kind of fun to think it only happens in autumn?

The entire article is here.

So what are you waiting for? Why not snag yourself some of that love and sex that's just taking us by storm? I know I'm going to... Mickey. Yoo hoo, Mickey dear...

4 Ribbons for Cairo by Moonlight!

A new review for CAIRO BY MOONLIGHT from Romance Junkies! Here's part of what Jenn L. said:

"CAIRO BY MOONLIGHT is a hot sexy romp through a land full of mystery and intrigue. While the center of the story is the rekindling of lust and love between Layla and Caleb, Ms. Nash still manages to weave enough mystery and suspense throughout to keep you guessing.

I won’t deny that the sex in this book takes center stage, and trust me it’s as hot as the desert sun, but beneath was real life situation we all face in life. Sometimes the simple act of day to day living forces us away from the passion we once shared with our significant others. CAIRO BY MOONLIGHT is a sexy and sensual reminder that life is more than just obligations and material possessions—it’s about finding a balance and reconnecting with those we love. Ms. Nash delivers a story that will cause you to think and have you seeking out a little adventure in your own life."

Today in the Big Apple

I'll be hunkering down. I'm finally on to a new story that has me reeled right in and I can't stop writing. I was awake until 2am this morning working on it. Then I got up just a while ago and am anxious to get back to it. Ooh, I love it when a story grabs me like this!

Today in the Big Apple there'll be lots of intrigue and mystery. And some smooching, too! ;-)

Alpha Female?

You Are an Alpha Female

Powerful, confident, and successful - you are definitely a dominant force.You control social and dating situations. It's clear that you're always in charge.

Are You an Alpha Female?

Rocks, Walls and learning to let go

I told you all last week that I've finally begun rock wall climbing. My first lesson was last week and I loved it--just LOVED the experience. I think I may have found a new passion. It's like being a human fly, scaling a wall with only your wits and whatever muscles you have keeping you from falling. Oh, and the harness that could probably hold a two-ton gorilla if it had to! That's another thing that keeps the adventurous climber in the air, LOL.


The hardest part of learning to climb rock walls in my local fitness club was learning to let go. That's right. Letting go. Just having faith that when I sit back and take my hands from the wall, I'm not going to fall. It's frightening, especially the first time you actually let go. I mean, instinct says to hold on at all costs. Let go? That's ridiculous...isn't it?


My instructor was patient and waited the full three or four minutes *that felt like an hour or two* while I psyched myself up to removing my fingertips from the wall. But when I did...it was like Heaven. I hung suspended and didn't feel one iota of fear, not after the first two seconds anyway.


Letting go can be liberating.


Today I'm going rock climbing. What have you got planned? I hope that at some point, on some level, you get to let go.

Today in the Big Apple...

the sun is shining, the air is warm and the sky is blue. Why oh why wasn't it like this yesterday, when we were at Jones Beach?

Yesterday it was dull and foggy, but I had time to relax on the damp, chilly sand. Today, I've got errands to run, a dentist appointment to keep and no time to lounge on what is surely warm, soft sand! AAHHHHH!!

Yep, today in the Big Apple...

Habla Espanol?

Do you speak any language other than English? Mickey and I spend our time between New York City and Key West, so I've picked up a good amount of Spanish. Granted, some of it is the kind of stuff best saved for private company ;-) but I can get by in the real world if I have to.

Yesterday afternoon I was on my way to pick up the dry cleaning, just walking along the sidewalk minding my own business, when I began to pick up bits from the conversation the two men walking ahead of me were having. They were talking about a woman who was walking ahead of them. Get the picture?

The men were speaking Spanish.

Their conversation, roughly translated:

"Ay! Look at that! Now that's what I call a nice ass."

"Yeah, round, just like I like 'em best."

"Wonder how much it'd cost to get a piece of that?"

"I dunno, man. Doesn't look like she's selling."

Apparently the woman with the "perfect" behind had a brain to go with her posterior. She, too, had guts and a grasp on the Spanish language.

Turning to face the two men, she put her hands on her hips and answered, "You're right. It's not for sale. And I can assure you, boys, that if it was--it'd be way out of your price range."

I nearly wet my pants. I laughed until I cried.

Why don't they ever think we can understand them? We may not always understand men, but most times we understand them. Understand?

Today in the Big Apple

I'm going to write. That's right. After a long hiatus, I'm going to sit at my keyboard and knuckle down. A new story is brewing in my head. It has been for a while and I've been rudely ignoring it. Now, though, it's percolating so loudly I know I've got to begin writing it. It's time.

So there you have it, my return to writing. I'll probably work for a few hours this morning, then take a walk. Research, that's what I call the walk. After all, if I can't find characters along the sidewalks of New York, where can I find them?

Have a great day!

Countdown to October Contest Winner Announced!

Wow, I had no idea there would be so many entries! I spent all morning printing out, then cutting apart, the lists of names and dates comments were made. A lot of people commented several times! That's great! I'd hoped people would stop by more than once!

I put all the slips of paper into a big basket, tossed them around a bit and then let my neighbor put her hand in and pull out the winning entry. Without furter ado, the entry she pulled was

Jo G., September 21st

Jo G., please email me at ninanash@gmail.com with your snail mail address and I'll get your gift basket out to you.

Thanks to everyone for entering The Countdown to October Contest. It was loads of fun! I plan on having another contest before the holidays, so please check back often.