The Oscars are over and I decided to wear a bright red dress and pashmina to work today accented with black stilettos and fabulously bold black purse.  Why, you ask. Well why should the movie and music stars have all the fun?  I think every women should put on one of her best outfits and beat her face with enough MAC products to make a camera envious and enjoy the power of being a woman.

Didn’t Mariah Carey teach us anything, Ladies! Embrace your inner Diva and be
super festive! :-)

Forget about living vicariously thought over paid entertainers (yes, I believe the money could be spend better on teachers), just live for yourself.  How many times, have we brought an outfit and said, “Oh, I’ll wear it on a special occasion” and we let it stay in the back of our closet for months? 

Like really? Being alive isn’t special enough to put it on today? 

How about that you look great in that outfit now, and forget about next month, or next year?

I get that it might be labeled dry clean only or the place you’re going to today doesn’t call for you to dress to the nines but who cares!  This is about you.  Make an entrance like those red carpet Oscar divas. I don’t want to hear about your feet hurting or Spanx making you feel like sausage casting filling.  Just do it. 

And if you’re home with your kids, make yourself look like the hot mama you are on the inside.  Swap those big sweats for your best jeans (or curve-hugging, black yoga pants) and top it off with a colorful V-neck top.  Oh watch how your kids respond. You’ll be showing your children that Mom still has it after all these years.   And if you have daughters, they'll learn that women can pull out the 'fabulous card' whenever we want, and not just for a hot date.   

And for the ladies that just experienced heartbreak this week, after you've cried your last tear and packed away everything that had to do with that failed relationship.  Stand in front of the mirror.  Yes, you!  Get off the laptop and take a good long look at yourself.  You are a gift from God and one failed relationship doesn’t change that.  You will love again and the next time you’ll be wiser and the right person will see all the wonderful things you bring to the table. Now, play Beyoncè’s ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ until you can sing along with conviction.  Once you can do that, get dressed and let the world know that relationship didn’t end your fabulousness.

Ah, the power of being a woman is one of the greatest gifts God gave the planet. I know men think they have a better deal but I really adore being a girl. Now get out there and make some new memories!

I'm overjoyed that Laila's story is no longer in my head. The story came to a satisifying end today and now all that’s needed is some very careful polishing so readers will enjoy Book Two in the Sheridan series.

I’m tremendously touched by the family and friends that supported me as I worked to bring this novel to fruition. Now, I know many fans are watching my South Beach progress meter, so let me explain why it still shows a small percentage of the novel listed as not done.  That’s because the revision process puts more depth in the story. More depth usually equals increased word count.

Very few people jump for joy at the thought of revising. But it doesn’t have to be a grueling, gut-wrenching process, either.  It is said that Michelangelo, when asked how he had sculpted his masterpiece, David, replied, “I looked at the stone and removed all that was not David.” 
 
Not a bad description of the novel revision process. From the mass of words you have created, you’ll take away all that is not your novel. You’ll chisel and add, touch up, and cut, but in the end what you want is your story in its purest form. 

And only an author can decide what form that will be. (Okay, the editor helps a lot too.)

I learned some valuable lessons about love and friendship from Laila and her best friends in South Beach and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you soon.

On a personal note: Today was also Whitney Houston’s funeral service here in New Jersey.  It touched me in a way I never imagined.  She left us too soon and my prayers are with Whitney’s daughter Bobbi Kristina, her mother Cissy, and all of her family and friends.

Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California this evening. The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) despite all resuscitation efforts.

Whitney Houston was among the A-list performers planning to attend veteran music mogul Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party Saturday at the same hotel, the see-and-be-seen event of the year.

I'm at a loss for words right now. My prayers are with her family. Rest In Peace, Whitney.

Billboard has compiled Houston's top 20 Hot 100 singles, and    
unsurprisingly, "I Will Always Love You" tops the tally. It is     followed by the buoyant "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)," which was her
fourth of 11 career No. 1s on the list.

All 11 of her hits on presented on the recap (below) and also happen to comprise her entire top 11 singles on this  tally.

Whitney Houston's Top 20 Hot 100 Hits

Rank - Title - (Year) - Hot 100 Peak Position (weeks spent at No. 1)

1. "I Will Always Love You" (1992) - No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
2. "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" (1987) - No. 1 (2 weeks)
3. "Greatest Love Of All" (1986) - No. 1 (3 weeks)
4. "All The Man That I Need" (1990) - No. 1 (2 weeks)
5. "I'm Your Baby Tonight" (1990) - No. 1 (1 week)
6. "So Emotional" (1987) - No. 1 (1 week)
7. "How Will I Know" (1985) - No. 1 (2 weeks)
8. "Didn't We Almost Have It All" (1987) - No. 1 (2 weeks)
9. "Saving All My Love For You" (1985) - No. 1 (1 week)
10. "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (1995) - No. 1 (1 week)
11. "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" (1988) - No. 1 (2 weeks)
12. "My Love Is Your Love" (1999) - No. 4
13. "Heartbreak Hotel" (featuring Faith Evans & Kelly Price) (1999) - No. 2
14. "You Give Good Love" (1985) - No. 3
15. "I Have Nothing" (1993) - No. 4
16. "One Moment In Time" (1988) - No. 5
17. "I Believe In You and Me" (1996) - No. 4
18. "I'm Every Woman" (1993) - No. 4
19. "Count On Me" (Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans) (1996) - No. 8
20. "It's Not Right But It's Okay" (1999) - No. 4

Last Friday night I was sitting at Cafè Centro, a quant French restaurant in the MetLife Building on Park Avenue in New York City.  Now, this wasn’t where I pictured my weekend beginning but my seat by the fireplace made me the envy of the room.  It was a chilly night.  Brrr!

Anyway, some of my friends and new business associates wanted to celebrate the launch of the North Star iPod Touch contest. The manager was gracious enough to let a photographer take a few photos, I’m not sure if I’ll post the pictures online but I’ll frame a few for my home office.  Now, I want to take a moment to say I really hope my fans will enter this contest.  

It’s quite easy to enter, if you complete one of the task you’ll gain a number of entries in your name toward the prize.  Now, I would love to have a true fan complete every contest task but I’m not going to limit my fan base.  Just let me know you want to win. If all you can do is ‘Like’ my AMB Novels Facebook page, or if you’ve only post a review of my novel on Amazon.com, then that’s fine. I only want to know you’re out there and give you chance to win.  

Now for the skeptics, I don’t send spam emails or sell your information to a third party.  I’m too busy writing South Beach – Book Two in the Sheridan series to do that. I just want your email so I can contact you if you win. Point blank. Period.

Many people believe authors should only give book-related items in their contests winners but I’m going to listen to my fans.  You guys told me you love the type of prizes I offered so I'll continue to feature prizes that appeal to you. The moment no one enters one of my contest, I’ll know that prize wasn’t worthwhile.  Until then, I’ll keep thinking of nice prizes related to my novel. (You know what they say, 'If you build it, they will come'. LOL)

This contest is my way of acknowledging that I wouldn’t be published author without your support and encouragement. Thank you for the uplifting messages, I read and answer every one.

Well, I better get back to writing I can't wait to present South Beach to you. :-)

February is a month that brings the most reflection in my life. Why?  Well, because it’s the month that marks the celebration of love and my acknowledgement of my birthday. 

I have to acknowledge that January taught me some valuable lessons. It was tough to watch a friend’s life implode, face the disappointment of a betrayal, and to get criticized for my attempt at a good deed but I’m wiser and stronger because of it.

Last Sunday, I had the pleasure of talking to someone famous.  (Being so close to NYC gives many New Jerseyans a chance to literally bump into the rich and noteworthy.)  If I drop his name, I'd get numerous blog hits but that’s just tacky so I’ll just share the wisdom he gave me instead. It was wisdom I really needed to hear.

On life: “Remember all experiences and connections contribute to who we're meant to be.  There isn’t one person that crossed your path that didn’t add to your life in a positive way.  You either learned something from them or they learned from you.”

On men:  “We know when a woman is adding value to our lives and when they’re just a distraction.  We also know when we’re being total a##holes, so women need to call us on our sh*t.  If we’re constantly feeding you blatant lies that insult your intelligent, then we’re not worthy of your royalty or trust.  Remember you teach men how to treat you.”

On business:  “When you summon the courage to live the life of your dreams, you can expect obstacles. The world will tell you, ‘you cannot become what you want to be.’ Some people will be threatened as you exceed the limited expectations they've always had for you.  And in your quiet moments, some fears may cause you to self-doubt. Remember, you can't get rid of the fear or doubt; put you can learn to live with it. Just have the courage to pursue your dreams no matter what.”

I hope this advice helps you too.  If you have some words of wisdom you want to pass along, please drop me a note.