Monday, January 28, 2013

2013 U.S. Nationals-Exhibition


This was one of the best Skating Spectaculars I've seen at Nationals! There was a DJ rinkside, and he kept the energy up with music before and throughout the show. And since there were a lot of new medalists, we got to see some fresh exhibition programs.

My photos didn't come out so great because of the spotlights, but here's the link to them.

There are a few videos in the album:

Sunday, January 27, 2013

2013 U.S. Nationals-FOFS Breakfast & Men's Free Skate


This morning started with the Friends of Figure Skating breakfast, which was a great event. A ton of skaters from all levels came and mingled with the crowd. Then it was on to the men's free skate, which brought some phenomenal skates! Alex Johnson's performance was so beautiful (his skating is divine), and every guy in the last group tried at least one quad. I was beyond ecstatic for Josh Farris for winning the pewter medal after the tough Nationals he's had in the past. We have some great young talent at the top!


Saturday, January 26, 2013

2013 U.S. Nationals-Saturday Events


What a day! I'm SO HAPPY for Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir!! I know it's not the skate they wanted, but they fought like heck to hold it together after the missed spin. 

The free dance was another incredible event. Every year it just gets tighter and more intense. I think our World Team will do fabulously in London!

Here are my photos from Saturday!

2013 U.S. Nationals-Friday Events


It was a busy, busy day! Started with senior pairs practice at the big arena, then headed over to the practice rink to watch one group of the juvenile pairs practice, then senior SD warm-ups, then senior SD, then the men's short program. Whew! I got lots of photos and some videos today!

Photos are here.
Davis/White Warm-up video #1
Davis/White Warm-up video #2
Davis/White Warm-up video #3
Davis/White Warm-up video #4




Thursday, January 24, 2013

2013 U.S. Nationals-Thursday Events


The pairs short program was one of the best I've seen in years! Everyone in the first two groups landed their SBS jumps and throws. Unfortunately, the last group had a lot of mistakes, but it was still an awesome event overall. So happy for Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir skating well and taking the lead!

I attended Senior Dance practice this afternoon and captured Meryl Davis and Charlie White's free dance run-through on video. They had the emotion and passion going, and the large crowd at the Convention Center responded heartily!

My Thursday photo album includes pictures from practice, the pairs short program, and the ladies short program (to be added later). Enjoy!



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

2013 U.S. Nationals-Wednesday Events


Caught two groups of Senior Pairs Practice tonight and the final group of the Junior Ladies Free Skate. The pairs were a little up and down. Donlan/Speroff had a rough SP run-through: they both fell on the triple twist and she fell on the throw. Kayne/O'Shea looked great with a clean SP run-through. I really like them! Baga/Toth did most of their FS with a fall on the throw flip but pretty good otherwise. In the second group, Castelli/Shnapir had strong SP with a step-out on the throw. Davis/Ladwig clean SP (little shaky on SBS jumps). Denney/Frazier SP - Haven fell on SBS jump. Lang/Leduc impressed me. Tim had an odd fall on the death spiral.

All photos from both events are here!

2013 U.S. Nationals-Wednesday Dance Practice


Greetings from Omaha and the 2013 U.S. National Championships!!!! It's just a bit cold here, but thankfully this is the BEST setup for Nationals ever! The hotel is connected to the arena AND the practice/rink Fan Fest by a convenient skybridge. It's only a two minute walk!

I walked over to the practice rink this afternoon for Senior Dance practice. Here are some photos!

I'll be checking out some of Senior Pairs practice and the Junior Ladies free skate later. Photos to come!!



Friday, January 18, 2013

Thursday, January 17, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 17


January 17th Tour Stops:
3Ps in a Pod - Review & Interview

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card/Paypal cash at any stop!



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Monday, January 14, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 14


January 14th Tour Stops:
Ever and Ever Sight - Review & Interview
Bunny's Review - Excerpt
Something to Offer - Interview & Review

Also check out my special guest post thanking readers and bloggers on Making the Grade's Bookapalooza Celebration!

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card/Paypal cash at any stop!


Sunday, January 13, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 13


January 13th Tour Stops:
Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews - Character Interview
Jersey Girl Book Reviews - Review & Interview

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card/Paypal cash at any stop!


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Friday, January 11, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 11


January 11th Tour Stops:
Katheryn Lane - Interview
Book Diva's Reads - Excerpt
I Read Indie - Review

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card or Paypal cash at any stop!





Thursday, January 10, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 10


January 10th Tour Stops:
Making the Grade - Review
Making the Grade - Interview
My Photopage - Excerpt

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card or Paypal cash at any stop!


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 9


Jan. 9 Tour Stops:
Blkosiner's Book Blog - Interview
Framed in Words - Excerpt

You can enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card/Paypal cash at any stop!


Tuesday, January 8, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour - Jan. 8


Jan. 8 tour stops:
Froze 8 - Guest Post about the book cover
Cuzinlogic - Interview
MK McClintock - Interview
Libby's Library - Excerpt

Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card or Paypal cash at any stop!




Monday, January 7, 2013

EDGE OF THE PAST Blog Tour



Today is the start of my EDGE OF THE PAST blog tour! Here's the complete schedule of where you can find me the next two weeks. You can enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card at any of the stops!

January 7th
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer - Kick Off
Peace from Pieces - Interview
Bea's Book Nook - Excerpt

January 8th
Froze 8 - Guest Post
Cuzinlogic - Interview
MK McClintock - Review & Interview
Libby's Library - Excerpt

January 9th
Blkosiner's Book Blog - Interview
Words I Write Crazy - Review
Framed in Words - Excerpt

January 10th
Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways - Interview
Making the Grade - Review & Interview
My Photopage - Excerpt

January 11th
Katheryn Lane - Interview
Book Diva's Reads - Excerpt
I Read Indie - Review

January 12th
Every Free Chance Book Reviews - Review
LDS Forever Friends Book Nook - Review & Interview
Books, Books, The Magical Fruit - Excerpt

January 13th
Laurie's Thoughts & Reviews - Character Interview
icefairy's Treasure Chest - Excerpt
Jersey Girl Book Reviews - Review & Interview

January 14th
Ever and Ever Sight - Review & Interview
Bunny's Review - Excerpt
Heather's Book Chatter - Review
Something to Offer - Interview & Review

January 15th
Book Worm Brandy - Review
Older Mommy Still Yummy - Excerpt
A Girl, Books and Other Things - Review

January 16th
The Bookmark Blog - Review
My Devotional Thoughts - Review
The Book Labyrinth - Review

January 17th
3Ps in a Pod - Review & Interview
Kaisy Daisy's Corner - Review
Getting Your Read On - Review

January 18th
Four Sisters and a Book - Review
~Oh, The Books You'll Read - Review
Genuine Jean - Review
Me and Reading - Review

Sunday, January 6, 2013

New Year's Hop Winners

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the giveaway! Congratulations to the winner of the $10 Amazon gift card:

Latisha DePoortere

The grand prize winners are being notified by Carrie Ann Ryan!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

New Year's Blog Hop


Happy New Year! To celebrate the start of 2013, I'm participating in the New Year's Blog Hop sponsored by author Carrie Ann Ryan. I'm giving away a $10 Amazon gift card, and the grand prizes for the blog hop are a Kindle Fire/Nook Tablet, $300 Amazon/B&N gift card, and a large swag pack. See all the details below for how to enter!

Here's a special deleted scene from LIFE ON THE EDGE, the first book in my EDGE series. It's a glimpse at what New Year's Eve 2001 would've been like for Emily and Sergei if certain events in the story hadn't happened ;-)

****
Aubrey rushed into the kitchen, shrugging her coat over her shoulders and flipping her blonde hair over the collar. "Em, I need help carrying the champagne and glasses upstairs."

I turned away from my conversation with Chris. "We're going on the terrace? It's snowing."

"It's tradition. We have to."

I'd been hoping to sneak up there for a private toast with Sergei, so my plans would have to change. "Let me grab a jacket," I said while Chris stepped in and gathered a handful of plastic glasses from the counter.

As I snaked through the living room crowded with our party guests, I tapped on Sergei's and Trevor's shoulders and let them know we were going upstairs to toast. I assumed our other good friends were already on the terrace since I didn't see them inside. After stopping in my bedroom and throwing on my pea coat, I met everyone outside, where tiny flakes were lightly falling. 

Chris popped the cork on the bottle, and it shot over the balcony and into the trees, eliciting a raucous, "Ohhhh!" from all of us. Aubrey and Nick lined up the glasses on the wrought-iron table, and Aubrey signaled to Chris to pour the drinks.

Marley snatched a full glass and laughed as she quickly put her hand over the top."I don't want snow in my champagne."

Once the eight of us had drinks, we gathered in a tight circle. Trevor peered at his watch and started the countdown with thirty seconds left before midnight. Across the circle, Sergei's blue eyes gleamed in the lantern light as he gave me a look I'd come to know well. The quick look no one else would notice but that told me how much he wanted me in his arms. My pulse sped up with anticipation.

Trevor reached ten seconds, and we all joined him in the countdown, getting louder with each number. Fireworks exploded in the distance in the moment before we screamed, "One!"

"Happy New Year!" Chris bellowed above everyone.

We all tapped our glasses together and downed the contents. I exchanged hugs with each of my friends and saved Sergei for last. He put his arms around me, and I whispered in his ear, "My room in ten minutes."

His hand squeezed my waist as confirmation, and I swiftly moved over to Chris, who poured more champagne into my glass.

"What's your resolution for 2002?" he asked.

"Hmm..." I sipped my drink and pondered the question. I could say, Win an Olympic gold medal, but that was partly out of my control. I decided to go with, "No regrets."

"I'll drink to that," he said and raised his glass to mine.

A few minutes later, I snuck away and ducked into my bedroom, leaving the lights off so no one would notice me. Not long after, Sergei stealthily backed into the room and shut the door, encasing us in total blackness. I heard the lock on the door knob click.

"No one's going to catch us this time," he said.

My eyes hadn't adjusted to the darkness yet, so I could only feel his body approach. The sizzling energy grew stronger with each step he took. His hands grasped my shoulders, and I jumped and let out a tiny laugh. He massaged my neck and drew me toward him, bringing me closer to his warmth.

I pressed my palms to his hard abs and then slid them over his chest, rubbing the soft knit of his sweater. Feeling my way upward, I touched his cheek, and his stubble tickled my hand.

"Happy New Year," I said softly.

Faint light slipped through the blinds, allowing me to see the dark outline of Sergei's tall figure. He bent his head toward mine and our lips crashed together, not holding anything back. We both knew we only had a few minutes to be alone.

Sergei's fingers sank into my hair, sending a shiver through me, and I wound my arms around his neck, holding him tighter. I didn't want to let him go, but the longer I kissed him, the less willpower I'd have to stop. I tilted my head back slightly, and Sergei's heavy breaths fanned over my mouth.

"We should probably go," I moaned.

Sergei rested his forehead against mine. "I wish we could go back out there together... really together."

"I know." I sighed. "But I'm trying to look on the bright side. Last year all I could do was dream about giving you a New Year's kiss."

In the pale light, I watched his lips curl upward. He cradled my face in his hands and kissed me gently. "Funny, I had the same dream."

****
Read more about Emily and Sergei in LIFE ON THE EDGE (currently on sale for 99 cents) and EDGE OF THE PAST!

And now for the giveaways! You can enter to win the $10 Amazon gift card through the Rafflecopter below. In order to be eligible for the grand prize giveaway, please leave a comment and include your email address.

To hop around to the other sites on the blog hop, check out the list here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway