Megan Hart

I didn’t know you when you started.

Oh, I saw the articles in Entertainment Weekly, heard the buzz. But you came on in a time when I didn’t watch television, had no Tivo to help me. I didn’t care much about you, in the beginning.

And then…Netflix came into my life. That saucy whore. Teasing me, tempting me with unlimited rentals of programs I’d heard about but had never watched.

Like you.

So…yeah, I rented you at first. Just one disc. I said, “hey, if I don’t like you, I don’t ask you out again.” I didn’t know when I slipped you into the DVD player, slowly, carefully, that you’d turn out to be so. Damn. Beautiful. That first season murdered me. Tore me up, slit me open and sewed me up again. I screamed, I cried, I writhed.

I fell. Hard. Fast and deep. All the way.

Dr. Troy? Yes, please. Over and over again, and then one more time? Break my heart, please, because it yearns to be broken by the likes of you.

That first season was some of the most balls-to-the-wall, over-the-top, outrageous, horrifying, tantalizing, scintillating and sometimes disgusting television I’d ever seen. Oh, sure, you were too much to believe. Sure, you took everything that was good in anyone and turned it bad. I knew I could count on your characters to always make the wrong choices, no matter what.

You have no redeemeable qualities, Nip/Tuck. You know that? You know you’re filthy and unrepentant, don’t you? Just like you know you have me begging for more every single time you’re on.

Season two was next, and I ate that season. Oh, I didn’t rent any more. I had to OWN YOU. Yes, Nip/Tuck, you’re my filthy, nasty habit. I could watch you over again…and here’s a secret…oh, yes. Yes, I did. Snuck peeks at you during the day when I was supposed to be writing. “Research,” I called it. But we both know I lied. That’s what you do to me, Nip/Tuck, you turn me into your dirty, lying whore, and I LOVE IT.

Got caught up just in time for Season Three on broadcast, and with the help of some strange gadget called a DVD recorder (NOT A DVR, no, baby, this thing actually used RECORDABLE DISCS) I was able to keep up with you every week. Oh, sure, the dvds never recorded right and the timer was always off. Sure, I had to scream myself hoarse with frustration when I missed you. Thank God FX played you so many times I could always catch up.

This is it, Nip/Tuck. I wasn’t with you from the start, but I’ve been with you a damn long time. I’ve cried. I’ve laughed. I’ve cringed. I’ve stayed with you through every single unbelievable, repulsive story twist and plot line. I kept up with you even when Sean and Christian moved to L.A. because…how fucking ridic was that? But I was there with you. Loving you. Yearning for you. Aching to be filled with your weekly dose of OMG WTF.

And now…

Now, we say goodbye.

There’s only one episode left. And I can’t watch it. I can’t. I cannot bear to watch you end.

Christian, Sean, Liz, Julia, Matt, Connor, Annie, Kimber…none of you could ever get your heads out of your asses, and with one more episode to go, I don’t see as how you possibly CAN. But I guess that’s okay, because it would be unfair to expect any of you to get it straight after so long.

And after all, isn’t it what I so loved about you? Your constant flaws? Your never-changing lack of common sense?

Oh, Nip/Tuck, my dear Nip/Tuck…my beloved Nip/Tuck. I weep in advance at the thought of losing you. You were the one show I cheated on Supernatural with. The one I have to watch. Must see. Can’t be without.

I’m going to miss you.

<3,

M

The first time she’d met him, he’d been blindfolded and at her mercy. Partnered in a trust exercise, Graham had been enticed by the allure of Julia’s voice, and eagerly followed her direction to navigate a maze. But as a warm friendship developed between them, their mutual attraction remained unacknowledged. And in the long-distance e-mail relationship that followed, their reticence persisted. Until the day a cancelled flight stranded Julia in Graham’s home town.

Both tried to play it cool, though each had approached their dinner date with intense anticipation. But the minute they stepped into Julia’s hotel room, the flood gates opened and their unfettered passion exploded. What really excited Julia, though, was that as in the trust exercise, Graham was great at taking direction. Because what really excited Graham was pleasuring Julia as no one else ever had.

Available now from eHarlequin.com and Fictionwise.com and probably a bunch of other places I don’t know about.

Find more information, including an excerpt, here:

And…would you like to win a signed copy of STRANGER? Provide proof-of-purchase of Layover (a screenshot of your computer with the book file open, a copy of your receipt– don’t forget to blank out the credit card information! or an email confirmation naming the title — something!) and I’ll put you in a drawing to win a signed AND CARESSED! copy of Stranger! Contest runs from now until Dec. 29, 2008. So, if you’d like a chance to win a copy of Stranger, just buy Layover! I’ll pick on lucky winner out of all entries received. (C’mon. You know you’re going to buy Layover anyway! Right?) Send your emails to: readinbed AT gmail.com with LAYOVER CONTEST in the subject so I’m sure to get them.

M

I don’t really like the new Britney Spears song — it’s ok but I don’t like it enough to buy it. I don’t even really like the video…

Except the part where she’s got the secretary outfit on and is totally domming that dude in the swirly chair.

Yeah, I know my kinks.

I’m thinking of getting bangs now. What does everyone think?

M

Want to win an ARC of Stranger?

I have one left. You can win it! All you have to do is agree to talk about it on your blog, to your friends, to your neighbors, sisters, brothers, that lady on the bus with the strange hat, the mail carrier, that dude in the coffee shop who always spills the sugar, your ex-boyfriend, your college professor (the one who gave you a D), your doctor, your houseboy and the local radio station.

Or, just, you know, someone other than yourself.

Of course I hope you love it, or at least enjoy it, but it’s okay if you don’t. (I may cry inside but I’ll never let you know.)

If you’d like to win a copy of Stranger long before any of the other cool kids get theirs, leave a comment with the reason why YOU should be the one to get it. The wilder, crazier, the better. Remember that old commercial, what would you do for a Klondike bar? I’ll randomly draw one lucky person by the 17th of October…!

I have an ARC. Want one? First Five people to reply to this entry (U.S. only, please, due to shipping costs) can get one. Get There is my novella which will be included in the Red Hot Valentine’s Day anthology coming out from Avon Red in January 2009.

I only have the copy of *my* story, not all the stories.

All I ask is that you review or talk about the story at some point to your friends, family and/or blogs. Yes, even if you think it’s the worst piece of suck you ever read. I might cry on the inside, but I’ll never let you know.

First five, people! Sign up now!

M

And I’m gonna have a good time!

*waits for appropriate homage*

M

Today, please welcome Chris Winters!

I met Chris last year at the Romantic Times Convention, where he introduced himself to me with a full-on, full-frontal, full-body hug. Ok, so anyone who knows me understands that I’m more of a one-armed, sideways, semi-contact hugging person (or a no hug at all person) but hey. When at RT, and a Mr. Romance contestant wants to hug you, what do you do but go with it.

Chris is participating this year in the Mr. Romance Competition again, but it wasn’t until I saw his face all over the Dollar Tree that I thought about asking him to become one of my minions. After all, we’d already shared a hug. It seemed perfectly natural to take the next step by inducting him into the wonders of becoming part of my army. (What? Kiss has an army. I have minions. Want to join? email me, we’ll work it out. No hugs required.)

So, without further ado, I bring you…Chris Winters.

M: First, thank you for agreeing to become one of Megan’s Minions. I realize you didn’t know what you were agreeing to when you said you’d do an interview for my blog, but I only just thought of this last night. Besides, being my minion is easy (just do my bidding!) and though the pay is shite, the benefits are FAAABULOUS.

Chris: HA! I don’t mind. There are times where doing things for free are fine. I mean, it’s more value to see you smile.

(author’s note: He’s a natural at this.)

M: Let’s get started.

Chris: Sure!

M: Please tell us a little bit about yourself, Chris Winters. Man, model, computer geek. (Oh, and minion.)

Chris: Thank you! Well, my name is Chris Winters for all you that joined us or those who do not know me. I am an up and coming actor and model. Ive already appeared in two Discovery Channel programs, did nationwide campaign print work, an international commercial for Suburu, and various work in film like Evan Almighty and various independent film. So, I’ve done some stuff. I will be relocating to do some film shortly. Probably within a year.

I’m an easy going guy who loves to laugh, can be a dork at times, loves to work out and run. I am your typical decent looking guy who is funny and who has a heart! I will also try my best to be the NEW face of romance novels! HA HA!

Computers. Hmmm, well, I worked as a developer for some companies. A few to mention are: G.E. Financial Assurance, Symantec Corporation, and Dominion Enterprises. I mainly program in C++, which is a pretty cool language and PHP. PHP is a webbased language that is like C/C++. I am also certified in a few areas, in the computer world.

M: And okay, I have to say it. You’re so gosh-darned pretty, how do you stand it? If I were you I’d just stand in front of the mirror naked all day and touch myself. How do you manage to get anything done?

Chris: There are things called ’schedules’ and auditions I go to! *laughs* Seriously, I consider myself decent looking and I don’t let it get to my head. Once you do that, then you become something you are not. Not only that, there are TONS of beautiful people out there, guys and girls. One minute you could be the ‘in’ thing, and next you are not. So, I consider myself gifted from God, who made a deal with me to keep myself healthy. However, on a lighter note, it DOES take time for me to get ready. It’s pretty entertaining too!

(author’s note:…Heh. I bet!)

M: My karaoke anthem is Hanky Panky by Madonna. I’ll sing a lot of songs, but Hanky Panky is the one I will *always* sing. What’s your karoake anthem and why?

Chris: Probably will be Depeche Mode’s “Dressed in Black” because I sing that in the shower a lot. No apparent reason why, but I do. Not to mention I cannot sing, and I try, but that would be the song to do it because it’s ‘dark’ and a bit off key anyway. *laughs*

(author’s note: Be still my heart! Depeche Mode in the shower!)

M: You’re competing again in the Romantic Times’ Convention’s Mr. Romance Contest. Do you have a strategy, this year, for winning the coveted Reader’s Choice popularity award? How much woo do you plan to pitch? What do you feel your strengths are in the competition this year, and how have you been preparing for it?

Chris: This year I plan to be more flirtatious and again; myself! Last year I won a lot of hearts because I was just myself and showed women that you can be a man if you are funny, sexy, and charming -all- at the same time! I shocked many because when I appeared in the contest, a lot of people did not know I was in it! A lot of people said “Oh MY! I never knew that spikey haired guy was in the contest! He sat -right- here next to me during dinner and never mentioned it!”

I think the reason why is because that year, last year, I was there to have fun and test the waters. I never knew how big it was until I went to this. SO, this year I want to be a bit more serious. I’m not sure if I will win or not, but this year I will defintely shine again! I think my strengths are my charm and personality. Looks can always be replaced, overlooked, or even not remembered, but a personality can! This year I will try my best to be around a lot more people so people can remember me more!

(author’s note: Chris *is* funny and nice in addition to being cute, so anyone lucky enough to be attending RT this year, make sure you get the chance to meet him!)

M: Curse you and your balloon seductions! I dropped fifty smackers at the Dollar Tree, lured in as I was by the sight of your face on that poster. What’s your favorite thing to buy from the Dollar Tree, and why?

Chris: Actually, after doing that gig, I enjoy the store! Whenever I get big and famous, I plan to endorse that store! *laughs* Seriously, I enjoy the sugar wafers they sell. You cannot find pure sinful pleasure anywhere else. They have really nice snacks there too. Also their tuna is cheap and they sell it with lemon juice! Yum+eee!

(author’s note: Yum + eee = adorkable)

M: Valentine’s Day is coming. What is your opinion on this lovers’ holiday?

Chris: Seriously? Valentine’s Day? ONE day for a woman?! Valentine’s Day should be every day for a woman. With all the stuff a lady has to do: Wake up next to us men, work, clean, have a child, and then the txing emotions, I think a woman’s day should be everyday. Loving someone should not stop on V day.

(author’s note: Good answer! *claps)

M: Let’s dish about Keanu for a minute. Your Myspace says he’s a person you’d like to meet. Anyone who’s ever spent more than an hour or two with me knows I LOVE KEANU! He is the only other man I would ever marry. So, Keanu. I love him. You’re into him. What is it about Keanu you like so much?

Chris: I like Keanu because he too struggled to get into the industry. Not only that he stays out of the limelight and drama Hollywood tends to carry. He also lives modest, until his sister’s cancer, and him wanting to take care of his family. I studied on Keanu for a while because I consider him a great actor. Many people think he is not, but how many people can pull off learning 200 martial arts moves within a year (Matrix)? How many people can do stunts as he did in the Matrix movie, and perform his lines? He did a great job in other movies like ‘As Good As It Gets’ and even older movies like ‘Permanent Record’, where he plays an intense character? Keanu and I share some qualities as well. We’re both Left handed. He’s also had a difficult times in is life.

(author’s note: I LOVE KEANU!)

M: And finally, just because I have to ask, since you’re Mr. Dollar Tree and all — what would you do for a dollar? (I’ll be bringing one to RT this year, so you’d better make it good.)

Chris: We’ll just keep this one secret until that time, shall we? *laughs*

(author’s note: BWAHAHA! *plots*)

M: Thanks for taking the time to become one of my Minions!

Chris: Anytime!

So, there you have it. A slightly in-depth look at Chris Winters! Find him at his official website, chriswinters.com or his Myspace where you can check out some verrrrry pretty pictures of him as well as catch a peek at some of his film work.

And, just because it IS verrrrrry pretty, and he said I could do it, here are some pictures of him:

From the Dollar Tree poster (I took it with my cell phone)

And from his website. Now, I’ll admit it. I looked at most of his pictures. There are pics of Chris in underwear. And low-slung jeans, covered in dirt and sweat. And in formal wear. And underwear, did I mention that? But when it came right down to it, I thought this picture was really one of the nicest. (Don’t get me wrong. I have absolutely nothing against picture of beautiful men in their underwear, or in objectifying said men. I just liked this one better. But go to his website and check out his pictures, he’s there in all his glory.)

EDITED! Since Photobucket was acting up, Chris linked me to HIS favorite picture of himself. It’s lovely, innit?

photo credit: snagged from Chris’s website, photographer listed as fotografikos.

And, what the hell, just because I know you all out there really want to see one:

Special thanks to Chris for agreeing with good humor to be my minion!

M

PS — Now taking applications for minions. Email me at readinbed AT gmail DOT com. You don’t have to be a beautiful boy to become my minion. You merely have to agree to be interviewed and do my bidding, and if you have something interesting to give away, that always works, too.

Since I forgot to ask Chris if he had anything to give away, I’m going to give away a signed AND CARESSED copy of Tempted to one lucky winner. Just comment here and I’ll draw one name from all the comments (this article will be cross-posted to a couple places) and send you the book. If you already have Tempted I can send you something else from my prize cabinet…or possibly a copy of Dirty /or/ Broken or an older title *if* I have any left…

AUDIBLE VERSION OF THE ROAD TAKEN

And yes. It’s free!

M

Yes, it’s that time again.

C’mon. You know you want to see me LIVE AND IN PERSON!!!!

Saturday, January 26, 2008
Lebanon Valley Mall
2-4 pm

I’ll be signing copies of my latest release, Tempted as well as my previous releases Dirty and Broken.

Don’t pass up your chance to get yourself a copy and meet me (I’ll personally caress all copies of the books…right in front of you!)