NEW Sites!

Change is GOOD! I've been away from writing and many other projects in recent weeks, and I missed the activity. But I haven't been resting on my laurels... far from it! Thanksgiving I was in Connecticut with my agent, Susan, and another author. Many plans were laid, many projects birthed.

Romance
News
will be published monthly...

So what's new? First off, I am launching a new online magazine in January for lovers of Romantic Fiction! RomanceNews.org will be a blog-zine published monthly with all the latest release titles, reviews, news, and as much fun content as we can cram into one zine. The site is under construction now, but feel free to cruise over, take a look, give feedback on design, and read the current post, which is a general announcement.

Stay tuned for more information. We WILL be looking for reviews, articles, and interviews, so if you are a romance novelist or a fan who writes, check back with us. Advertising and promotion opportunities will be forthcoming.

Movie Reviews Re-Launch

Reel Reviews has been reincarnated! My movie reviews are back, in a new format, and better than ever. We relaunched this weekend with a Harry Potter critique and some inside info on the coming films. Check out the new site:

OlingerOnMovies.com

Combined Gemstone Bead Challenge

I WON!

*brag, puff, strut*

The Mystic Beadwork Collective had a challenge this month: create your best piece using a combination of more than one gemstone and more than one color. My finished set, a necklace and earring combination, stole the prize.

The piece is a trilogy of cabochons, one moss agate cab in the center, flanked by two carnelian cabs. Accenting the choker are cranberry colored cultured pearls, olive green swarovski crystals, and seed beads.



To view the set in large scale, CLICK HERE.

This set will be for sale Saturday, November 19th, at the Assumption Parish Christmas Bazaar.

For All Brothers in Arms

In this season of remembrance of veterans I humbly dedicate a song to those serving everywhere. THANK YOU for your service.

Brothers in Arms
Dire Straights

These mist covered mountains
Are a old now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There's so many different worlds
So many differents suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

Deepest Sympathies

Romantic Times reported that last month, on October 6th, author Jude Deveraux lost her son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in a tragic accident. Young Sam was struck by a truck while driving a dirt bike near his North Carolina home.

I do not know Ms. Deveraux personally, though I sometimes feel as though I do. Many of her fans past and present will, I am sure, join me in wishing her strength in the face of this unthinkable loss.

My prayers will be with the family. Rest in the arms of the angels, young Sam.

Movie Review Re-Launch

Reel Reviews was near and dear to my heart for a very long time, but it was also becoming a pain in the ass. It was huge, constantly running out of bandwidth, and became costly.

I retired from Ladybug Live this summer when I got my final diagnosis for Pulmonary Fibrosis... my voice is constantly shorting out and my breathing is not always steady. I miss working with Georgia Jones at Ladybug Live and recommend everyone visit for wonderful programming.

But fear not! Soon you will be able to get your Movie Muffin fix in blog format, which is cheaper, quicker, and much easier to manage. Check out the new site:


OLINGER on MOVIES

We will be relaunching in earnest on November 20th.

Give Somebody You Love MILLIONS

Last April a movie was released to quiet acclaim and near anonymity. I reviewed it with great praise and begged people to seek it out, but it was not widely released.

Millions, a Danny Boyle film that touches the heart and lifts the soul, is now available on DVD. This movie is the ideal holiday gift for anyone you love. Cleverly written, beautifully acted, and soulfully directed, it would make a perfect gift for Christmas. Check it out!