Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has a fun and safe night bringing in the new year. Hopefully you will be able to celebrate with your special someone. And if you can't be together, I am sure they will be in your thoughts as the new year rings in at midnight.

Thanks to everyone who supports my writing and pages here and at MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo Groups, and Bodyspace. If you ever attended one of my booksignings I thank you. Thanks to the best writing friends a girl can have... especially Marianne LaCroix and Kim Sullivan (Orlando here we come!!)... and to my model friends especially Julian Fantechi, Chris Howell, Jason Santiago, Andrei Claude, and Michael Elan. Thanks for the inspiration guys!!

And so here's to 2009 and all the possibilities it brings with it. A new beginning in our lives and our loves.

<3

Annmarie

Please Vote for my Friend!

My best friend from high school is a photographer and needs votes! She is in the running for "Best Photographer" in Naperville Magazine. You need to create a log in and password to vote, but I promise it is super easy. And for all of you Chgo people... You can vote 10 times!! Come on, you know you love that!! The link is http://napervillemagazine.com/?q=node/407/

Vote Kate Dwyer- Lollipop Portraits

Kate took all the studio pictures of me I use online as "Capture His Heart Again". http://www.capturehisheartagain.com/

She takes kids, babies and maternity as Lollipop Portraits. http://www.lollipopportraits.com/ I am including a few kid pictures here so you can see the incredible quality of her work.

Thanks to anyone who votes!

Appearance at RT Orlando 2009

I am scheduled to be in Orlando for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in April of 2009. The schedule is now out and here is the description of the panel I will be on.

SPECIALTY: MULTIPLE NAMES, MULTIPLE GENRES OR WILL THE REAL AUTHOR PLEASE STAND UP?
THURSDAY: Many authors write in a variety of different genres, crossing boundaries at will and using multiple pen names to help readers identify their various types of books. From Nora Roberts writing romance while her alter ego J.D. Robb pens futuristic detective tales, to Isaac Asimov’s stellar reputation in both science fiction and science fact, it’s clear that some authors won’t be pigeonholed in one section of the bookstore. This panel addresses why authors choose this diverse career path, the value of pen names and both the advantages and pitfalls of writing in multiple genres. Panelists: Donna Grant, Marianne LaCroix, Minnette Meador, Annmarie Ortega, Kimberly L. Sullivan

For more information about RT go to http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=b9e5bab5-c13d-4395-9cfd-ce2f6b441271

(Photo from RT 2007, Houston, TX)

Lawman? Who says that??

This is scheduled to be released in Feb 2009, just in time for Valentine's Day! I've read these two paragraphs describing the book a bunch of times and I'm still not sure of the storyline. The last part of the description makes this sound a bit "bdsm-ish" but it being Harlequin, I don't think it will be. I do know that the last time I got pulled over the officer did not look like this guy!! LOL I wonder where Lakewood is? : )

Chad Michalski is just doing his duty when he pulls over Tessa Howard for speeding. But from the moment the vivacious blonde strolls into traffic court, the widowed cop knows he's headed for trouble. Especially when she enrolls in the Lakewood Citizen's Police Academy, where he can keep a stern eye on her…and attempt to resist her much-too-tempting charms.

Tessa has always admired a man in uniform. But the sexy lieutenant's by-the-book attitude could derail their relationship before it picks up steam. That's when Tessa, who's working hard to support her six younger siblings, decides it's time to show Chad what it really means to protect and serve. And maybe even land the lawman in the process!

My Friend is on the Cover of Men's Exercise!!

My friend Julian Fantechi is going to be on the new cover of Men's Exercise Magazine. The issue is for March 2009 but will be out by the end of this month. If Julian looks familiar you might have seen him on "Ugly Betty", "The Colbert Report", or one of the four issues of PlayGirl Magazine he was in. (He was also the PlayGirl Man of the Year for 2007!)
He is also a pediatric physical therapist in New York City working with disabled kids. (I know, can he be more perfect?? LOL)

Julian and I got to hang out at RT in Houston last year and he really is an awesome down to earth guy. I got to watch him during a photo shoot with my friend JL Foster... and I am still recovering!! (During the photo shoot he wore boxers and a smile...)

Julian also appears on romance novel covers, the most recent for Harlequin.

Diva Confections

Diva Chocolates & Confections™ is a creation of Chicago Pastry Chef Karianne Soulsby. Chef Karianne is a graduate of The French Pastry School and has trained with some of the world's most elite pastry masters and celebrated American chefs in the fine art of pastries, desserts and confections. With experience in top-rated Chicago area bakeries and restaurants including critically acclaimed TRU and Zealous, Chef Karianne delights you with classical French pastry traditions and contemporary interpretations of hand-made artisan chocolates, candies and jams.

Kari and I have been friends from years ago when we took our kids to Kindermusik together when they were babies. Her candy and jams are awesome ( her caramels are fantastic!) and can be bought online at http://www.divaconfections.com/ or at Sweety Pies Bakery at 7931 N Lincoln Ave, Skokie, Il, 60077.

Happy Christmas Eve!

I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday with friends and family. Be safe!

And if you are looking for a last minute gift... buy a book!

For my cousin Kim... The perfect card from me!

I am not mailing this because I am a complete wimp and don't want to go out in the below zero temps!!

I want to go to this mall!!!

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in California the regular mall Santa is replaced by "Hunky Santa". Santa is played by Eli Wilhide, 31 years old. He is an actor (of course he is!! haha) and has appeared in "CSI Miami". You can go sit on his lap, tell him what you want (You Santa... I want you!! I've been good this year, really...), and get a photo taken. The downside is he is known to give health tips... like not to drink too much eggnog or to make sure to exercise during the holidays. Bah Humbug on that I say...

There's WHAT in his pants??

This is not for kiddies to see, so be warned!! BUT funny as hell...

Remember This?

I was at Pier One today and while I was checking out I saw a stack of Fortune Telling Fish. As soon as I saw them I had one in my hand and I was scanning the package to see if they were how I remembered as a kid. It was exactly the same... "Place fish in palm of hand, its movements will indicate your fortune." Your fortune depends on how the fish moves... Moving head- Jealousy... Curling Sides- Fickle... Motionless- Dead One (yikes, that doesn't sound good!!) They only cost a quarter so I bought a few of them to give to my friends. When I got home I took one out to see if it worked. I placed it on my palm and it quickly curled up tight. I read the back of the package to see what it meant and read the word "Passionate". Time will tell fishy... time will tell.

I sold my novel!!

I have some exciting news I wanted to share with everyone! I just signed the contract for my paranormal/contemporary novel titled "Dead Girl Talking" to Resplendence Publishing. I am thrilled about the book getting contracted. I would describe it as "Bridget Jones" meets "Interview With the Vampire". When I get the release date and cover art I will be posting it here.

Gay Marriage Will Save the Economy!

I lifted this off of Smart Bitches. Enjoy!!

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

Bettie Page Died Tonight

It was just announced that model Bettie Page died tonight after suffering from a heart attack a few days ago. When I heard the rumor I had to go on MSNBC to see if it was true. So sad... She was truly beautiful. And it turns out she and I were both born on April 22nd. I never knew that...

This Could Only Happen to Me

So I was walking through Target today and when I passed the Harlequin books I saw a title that made me laugh. "The Italian Billionaire's Secret Love-Child" Then I looked at the picture and laughed out loud even more. Turns out that the "Italian Billionare" is none other than my friend Julian. I am going to go out on a limb and say not many people can say their friend is on the cover of a Harlequin romance novel. This could only happen to me!

The Chicago Bag

This is the coolest bag for anyone who loves Chicago. I got mine a few years ago and it is still in great shape. I had seen a small article in Chicago Magazine about this bag a few years ago and ordered it. I get so many people complimenting me and asking me where I found it, and since it's close to Christmas, I thought I'd post the link.

Now I admit it is not a cheap bag... it sells for $115.00. BUT it is really well made... it's a thick canvas type material. I've even taken mine to the dry cleaners and it still looks awesome.

The link is Chicago Bag

Good In Bed

I did some volunteer work three days this week so this weekend I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing! I'll be back to posting next week after I get some much needed sleep. : )

Funniest thing!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

My Muse Has Left Me High and Dry

Maybe it's because I have been writing this "sweet" romance project with my cousin... or maybe it's because I have had two kids sick here with some sort of flu bug from hell that has been keeping me guessing who's going to be running to the bathroom next.... but I am having a hell of a time writing lately. My muse has gotten up and left without the slightest warning. All I need to do is finish one chapter I told my cousin I would write and I haven't been able to.

I think I need chocolate, or ice cream, or the newest issue of PlayGirl...lol

Or maybe I just need to go watch Lakehouse again. Keanu always has a way of solving all of life's problems!!

I don't do this for just anyone!!

Well, today I did some more modeling for Capture His Heart Again. My best friend Kate owns the company, so that is why I agreed to hot rollers and false eyelashes. At CHHA she takes boudoir and pin up photography. Now, to any fellas out there... this is an awesome gift for your girlfriend or wife... She will feel like the most important woman in the world during the photo shoot, and you get to keep the images... ( I think this is called a win-win ) And ladies... giving the gift of a sexy portrait of yourself is WAY better than another sweater for him this Christmas! You can do individual portraits or even have a little book done with multiple images.


Take a look at the website at www.capturehisheartagain.com/main.html

Annmarie
PS And ladies...don't worry about feeling weird getting your photos taken. I was incredibly nervous at first being so out of my element, but Kate has a way of making you feel totally comfortable during the entire process. (I'm a mom of two young boys... I live in sweats most of the time, NOT lingerie!!)