Brain Candy Blog

Hey, everybody! Pharaoh here. Mom let me take over her blog to give you some awesome gift ideas for your[...]

One of our (many thanks to Heather Machel!) favorite things to do each year is curate a list of fabulous[...]

One of our (many thanks to Heather Machel!) favorite things to do each year is curate a list of fabulous[...]

This is our final post about finding the perfect reading spots for different genres (at least for now!), so if[...]

Wow, y'all! People went ga-ga over my Contemporary Romance Reading spot last week. That makes all the virtual shopping Heather[...]

Hey, y'all! I am soooo stoked to share today's post with you because Heather "Rock Star" Machel and I have[...]

Well...this is it! There are just a few shopping days left before Christmas. Are you ready for the big day?[...]

Yesterday was an ugly cry day. It started with a text from my husband that said I'm taking Jacob to the[...]

Whoop! We've totally covered 10 Gifts for the Super-Reader and 10 Reader Décor Gifts in posts over the past couple of[...]

Last week we started a series of posts about gifts for readers - 10 Gift Ideas for the Super Reader - and[...]

I get it - some of you are just recovering from the American Thanksgiving and now it's Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa time! Gah[...]

I've always been a big fan  of ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (so much so that I've joined up with Adrienne Giordano and Tracey[...]

Guess what today is? Yep, another fabulous If You Like post by the sweetheart CHRISTINE GLOVER. I've known Christine for[...]

The ​IF YOU LIKE​ series has been a little quiet over the summer, but now the wonderful NICOLA MARSH has stopped by to[...]

Hey, y'all!I'm super happy to welcome the very talented Mary Buckham to my blog today to give us pointers on[...]

Hey, y’all!I am just too excited to have my writer pal Tracy March here with us today! Tracy and I have been[...]

Have y'all been missing your dose of IF YOU LIKE? Well, bawl no more because I'm bringing you the fantabulous Jeannie[...]

Who's up for some truly excellent PARANORMAL ROMANCE? My friend LAURIE LONDON is a fabulous paranormal author herself, and she's here[...]

Today on the IF YOU LIKE series, I'm just slap-happy to have a gal here today who lives in Georgia! TRACY[...]

Today, the lurvely KIMBERLY KINCAID is here to chat with us about who we should read if we like Laura[...]

In the mood for another romantic suspense  IF YOU LIKE post? Well. you're in luck because my Texas-gal writer friend ANGI MORGAN is[...]

Whoop! Guess what, y'all? The uber-popular IF YOU LIKE series here on Brain Candy is back! We all know what[...]

I love all kinds of puzzles, but crosswords have a special place in my heart because my mom loved them[...]

Wow, y'all. The one week countdown to Designed for Love's release is ON! I can't believe the final book in[...]

In light of the...ahem...bruise we found on Smarty Boy's neck after a recent school trip, I thought y'all might enjoy[...]

Something occurred to me recently (okay, stop laughing. We should celebrate when I have a coherent thought.) when one of[...]

I’m always woeful behind on pop culture, especially TV shows. I like to blame it on the fact that we[...]

There’s only one bad thing about birthdays…getting older. When I was a kid, I’d look forward to my birthday all[...]

Today is a special day! It’s the 21st anniversary of the day Tech Guy and I got married! (Why yes,[...]

I have a secret to share with you… I’m not an artist. At least, I’ve believed that most of my[...]

As a reader, I figured authors traveled all over the place to do exciting and exotic research. What fun! Uh…yeah…what[...]

It was bittersweet to receive the fourth and final book cover in the Texas Night series. I was ecstatic that[...]

Next week, my sister, my brother, and their kids (ranging in age from 11 to 31) are coming to Georgia![...]

Many of us hardcore readers dream of the perfect reading space--a little corner nook, a deep window seat, a treehouse.[...]

Holy guacamole, y’all, it’s the end of July! Where the heck did the summer go? As a writer, I love[...]

I haven’t done a Red Hot Read post in way, way too long. Probably because I’ve been focused on the If[...]

After all the hullabaloo (I love that word) of release week, I figured it was time for me to 'fess[...]

Guess what this week is (yeah, besides release week for Problems in Paradise 🙂 )?? It’s puppy sitting week for[...]

Hey, y’all, guess what day it is? Nope, not Hump Day. It’s release day for Problems in Paradise, the third[...]

Hey, BCBers! I'm doing a little chair dance (chair, people, NOT pole) today because we have Tracy Brogan, author of[...]

I recently had someone ask me who (other authors) I would compare my writing to. Yow, talk about tough. If[...]

Thanks to everyone who's been so, so supportive over the past week as we found out our CCI (former CCI,[...]

I take absolutely NO credit for this deliciousness of a recipe. My friend Sacha Coutu from Ontario (yeah, people, that's[...]

Today, I'm excited to welcome Stacy Eaton to Brain Candy for another "If You Like" post. Don't know about y'all,[...]

I just published a post earlier today telling all my fabulous friends that I'd keep you updated on Pharaoh's progress[...]

Today's post brought to you by the letter H. If you follow me or are my friend on Facebook, then[...]

I'm super-happy to have Amie Louellen here today to give the SEP-lovers (and who doesn't love Susan Elizabeth Phillips??) some[...]

Yes! I’ve finally finished all edits for Designed for Love, the fourth and final book in the Texas Nights series.[...]

Since I’m winging my way to the Windy City today, I thought it was time for a few travel tips,[...]

Why yes, I have been MIA from Brain Candy for about a week and a half. I don’t normally do[...]

We've all heard "Diamonds are a girl's best friend." And believe me, I'm not anti-diamond. But I've also found it's not[...]

Super excited to have the lovely Kate Willoughby here on Brain Candy today. I love all of Rachel Gibson's books[...]

The biggest thing on my mind lately is staying in shape. Since I signed a contract with Carina Press in[...]

I’ve pondered this question more than a bit since moving to Georgia almost two years ago. I would argue Texas[...]

In early February, I turned in the final book in the Texas Nights series, Designed for Love. Other authors are[...]

Hey, y'all. I'm posting today's Tasty Texas recipe 'specially for Sacha Coutu. I'd like to claim this is an old[...]

This is the time of year when things get a bit busy in my travel schedule, so I wanted to[...]

I'm loving all these If You Like posts, how about y'all? But I have to admit that I like the[...]

Imagine my surprise (and happy dance!) when Candis Terry, author of tons o' fun contemporary romances, contacted me on Twitter[...]

Wish I'd had this done before the big Texas Romance Celebration a couple of weeks ago on Facebook! Alas, too[...]

Whoop – whoop! Today, we have a new category in our If You Like series–paranormal/urban fantasy. The lovely Amy Manemann[...]

Hey, y'all. I'm tickled to welcome Kimberly Kincaid back to Brain Candy. She wowed us with her If You Like Jill Shalvis[...]

I'm THRILLED to have Bette Hansen here today! Bette is a member of Dangerous Darlings, the street team that is[...]

I used to think the world should be fair, that we should give back to the people we received from.[...]

I turned in Designed for Love, book #4 of the Texas Nights series, at the end of January with a[...]

We haven't had a contemporary romance author interview in a while so I'm uber-excited to be chatting with Ava Miles,[...]

Today, I'm thrilled to have one of my best writer gal pals, Tracey Devlyn, here to tell us about some[...]

Another great IYL post from the lovely Jeannie Ruesch - read on for her  suggestions!I love a good romance, be[...]

Whew! Sorry y’all haven’t heard from me in a while. But I’ve been so excited to let folks do the[...]

Whoop! The new IF YOU LIKE feature is going gangbusters. So far, we've discovered authors similar to Joan Swan, Jill[...]

A quick welcome to the talented, gorgeous and generous Robin Covington! Robin's going to expand our horizons on more contemporary[...]

Hey, y'all. My friend, contemporary romance author Kimberly Kincaid, is here with another If You Like... feature. Kimberly writes uber-fun[...]

An author’s most dreaded question. Hell, we don’t know where we get our ideas. From a bottle stashed inside the[...]

Hey, y'all! I'm dancing a little jig today because we're kicking off a new feature here on Brain Candy. I've[...]

It’s a new year, so we’re gonna try something new. And don’t listen to Tech Guy when he says I’m[...]

What does your lingerie (or lack thereof) say about you? Yeah, I don’t really want to talk about the deplorable[...]

Yes, it's likely that Brain Candy will be all Red Light, all the time for the next couple of posts[...]

You may already be aware that Running the Red Light, the second book in my Texas Nights series is releasing[...]

Hope everyone who celebrates Christmas had a fabulous holiday this week. I so enjoyed hanging out with Tech Guy, Smarty[...]

Okay, I admit to being a little sideways, so the “don’t buy” post in the Christmas Extravaganza is one of[...]

Stocking stuffers…you either love 'em or hate 'em. I’m solidly in the love 'em camp. In fact, at our house,[...]

Let’s just tell it like it is: buying for tween and teens is a B!TCH. I have one myself (the[...]

Oh, gifts for foodies. Easy because there are so many options. Harder than hell because foodies can be so…well…picky. I’m[...]

Yes, this is another gift day that I could go on and on and on about. So many wonderful things[...]

Oh, yippee - the day we’ve all been waiting for! Yep, it’s gifts for readers day! I probably could’ve based[...]

Maybe this one doesn’t sound so hard because there are bazillions of toys in the world, right? Well, if you[...]

Honestly, aren’t women so much easier to buy for than men? I was strolling through Pier 1 last week looking[...]

Men. As Abby Ruth from In For a Penny says, “You can’t live without ’em, and it’s illegal to shoot[...]

Well, I'm just a Brain Candy posting fool today. The latest news in Kelsey Browning-land is that I have a[...]

Oh, those hard to buy for folks…teachers, bosses, service providers, and other acquaintances. You don’t want to blow your holiday[...]

Since 1994, the pet industry has grown from a $17 billion a year industry to one topping out at over[...]

Don't you just love the word "extravaganza?" I mean, it's big. It's bold. And for some reason, it makes me[...]

When we imagine our significant others showering us with romance, we often think of flowers, champagne, cards, and candlelight. And[...]

I'm super-stoked to introduce you to a fabulous contemporary romance author today. I met Jamie Farrell way, way back when[...]

Last week, I was fortunate enough to spend three days at an event called Writers’ Police Academy in Greensboro, North[...]

Title: Making the First Move Author: Reese Ryan Genre: Contemporary Romance Why Making the First Move is a Red Hot Read: MTFM is another[...]

Wow. I’d always heard an author’s debut release day is amazing. It’s true, all true. In fact, I’m betting I’ll[...]

I’ve been pretty remiss on the Red Hot Reads lately. Strange how trying to get ready for your debut release[...]

I’m counting down the days until my debut contemporary romance, Personal Assets, is finally out in the world (August 26[...]

The countdown is on! Twenty days until Personal Assets’ release date. Good news is you can pre-order it now via[...]

Happy Tuesday, BCBers! I'm head over heels to introduce you to one of my Carina sisters, Reese Ryan, who is[...]

Today, I'm stoked to offer an interview with another fabulous contemporary romance author, Alison Packard. Alison and I (along with[...]

We interrupt this Monday workday with some exciting news! I received the final cover for my debut contemporary romance, Personal[...]

Title: How to Misbehave Author: Ruthie Knox Genre: Contemporary Romance Why How to Misbehave is a Red Hot Read: This contemporary romance novella was the first[...]

I was so stoked to be tagged by my pal Tara Kingston in this sort of author chain-letter-blog-post-thing called The Next[...]

Title: Opposing Forces Author: Adrienne Giordano Genre: Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance Why Opposing Forces is a Red Hot Read: Giordano[...]

Hola, BCB readers! We have a treat and a half today because I have finally browbeaten sweet-talked Tech Guy into[...]

Today, I'm stoked to offer an interview with another fabulous contemporary romance author, Kimberly Kincaid. I was first introduced to[...]

I’ll admit I was bummed on Sunday. This was my first Mother’s Day since my mom passed away late last[...]

Today, Brain Candy is hosting another fabulous contemporary romance (and romantic suspense/thrillers) writer. Tracy March released her debut book, The[...]

                  Titles: How Beauty Met the Beast (Book One of Tales of[...]

Hey, y'all! I'm thrilled to host Rebecca J. Clark, author of several fun and fabulous contemporary romances--sometimes steamy, sometimes sweet,[...]

Who here is old enough to remember the Laff-a-lympics? You know, the ones where all the Saturday morning cartoon characters[...]

Today, I'm doing the Snoopy dance (albeit with less floppy ears) because contemporary romance author Macy Beckett is here on[...]

No reading today, Brain Candy readers! Just a picture from Tech Guy's portfolio of fabulous Texas images. How would you[...]

Today's post is brought to you by the letter P. Playful. Puppy. Persistent. Pharaoh. Hey, BCB readers! Pharaoh here. Sorry[...]

Yikes, people - it’s March! How’s the weather around y’all’s (yes, it’s a word) part of the world? Down here[...]

Sometimes you get news that knocks you in the head and sets your priorities straight. Yesterday, a friend from California[...]

Today I want to welcome the super-sweet, generous and talented Hope Tarr. I met Hope face-to-face for the first time[...]

Brain Candy Readers, welcome to another fabulous interview with contemporary romance writer, Wendy S. Marcus. We're fortunate that Wendy could[...]

A couple weeks ago, I gave you the 411 on how to add random books and documents to your Kindle[...]

I’m super excited to announce a new feature here at Brain Candy: short interviews with some of my—and hopefully your—favorite[...]

Title: Operation Cinderella (a Suddenly Cinderella Novel) Author: Hope Tarr Genre: Contemporary Romance, Series Romance Why Operation Cinderella is a[...]

Before I owned an iPad, I read e-books—my hand to God—off an iPod Touch. I had to go primarily to[...]

I’m super excited to announce a new feature here at Brain Candy: short interviews with some of my—and hopefully your—favorite[...]

Tech Guy came across this article on USA Today, and I decided it’s just the kind of thing Brain Candy[...]

Last year, I gave Brain Candy readers the inside scoop on how to cook yummy black-eyed peas for New Year’s Day.[...]

Kitchen fail? Mine tend to happen when I try a new recipe, especially when I am using friends as Guinea[...]

Today is Brain Candy’s last Twelve Days of Christmas post. And today, I’d like to encourage you to give the[...]

Okay, you’ve procrastinated, and now it’s three days before Christmas. Are you simply SOL? (BTW - SOL is today’s freebie[...]

Maybe you’re short on money, but not on time. If so, you’re in the perfect situation to give homemade gifts.[...]

Sometimes gift giving goes wrong. Not just I-missed-the-boat wrong, but I-don’t-even-know-where-the-ocean-is wrong. Kind of like that time my sister’s ex-FIL[...]

I was so stoked to be tagged by my pal Laurie London in this sort of author chain-letter-blog-post-thing called The[...]

Ah, gifts for the reader in your life (and no, I don’t mean you). Is anyone more fun to buy[...]

Writers can be a tricky lot to buy for unless you’re a writer yourself. The rest of the world—well, they’re[...]

Let me tell you what the busy woman on your holiday shopping list does not need. She does not need[...]

Yes, video games and gift cards are always appropriate, if not very creative, for the nine to twelve year old[...]

Most of us have enough candles, stationery and earrings (okay, I take that back, you can never have too much[...]

I confess, I don’t know much about gift buying for cats or birds or ferrets, so I apologize in advance[...]

Tech Guy is hand’s down the hardest person on my gift list to buy for. Do you have a similar[...]

Okay, I wrote a letter to Santa earlier this month, asking that the holiday season not begin for another two[...]

Title: Relentless Pursuit Author: Adrienne Giordano Genre: Romantic Suspense Why Relentless Pursuit is a Red Hot Read: If you’ve yet to read[...]

It’s Texas vocabulary day, so I wanted to offer up these examples of bad behavior before the holidays. That way[...]

I just returned from a weekend trip to Texas for my nephew’s wedding (and yes, he was born when I[...]

Title: Texas Two Step Author: Cynthia D’Alba Genre: Contemporary Romance Why Texas Two Step is a Red Hot Read: I’m[...]

Today’s Brain Candy post is brought to you by the letter P. P is for Puppy, Piddle Puddles, Playful, Pharaoh[...]

People are usually fascinated when we tell them we lived overseas, and then they quickly give several reasons they could[...]

Title: Negotiating Point Author: Adrienne Giordano Genre: Romantic Suspense Why Negotiating Point is a Red Hot Read: If you’ve yet to[...]

Smarty Boy is homeschooling this year and so has found himself with extra time on his hands. Lucky for me,[...]

Tech Guy and I were in our local home improvement store this weekend wandering through the major appliances. Yes, our[...]

In August, I attended Killer Nashville, which is an amazingly cool regional writing conference for folks who write mysteries, suspense[...]

We all have to-do lists. Some of us (like Tech Guy) carry them in our heads and some of us[...]

Title: Do the Work Author: Steven Pressfield Genre: Self-help, Creativity Why Do the Work is a Red Hot Read: Pressfield, also[...]

I have only one living grandparent, but she’s a doozy. My paternal grandmother turned 95 in April, and when we[...]

One of the first orders of business Smarty Boy and I took care of when we arrived in Georgia in[...]

Most of us do NOT need an excuse to avoid waxing our legs. Things like: 1. I’m a man or[...]

Yes, you’ve heard enough about Sri Lanka to last you a lifetime, so I promise this is my last post[...]

Title: Sweet Tea and Secrets Author: Nancy Naigle Genre: Small-town Suspense, Romance Why Sweet Tea and Secrets is a Red Hot[...]

Some Brain Candy readers might know that my family had planned to live on either coast for the 2012-13 school[...]

Smarty Boy and I are closing in on the end of our cross-country travel (California to Georgia) in the SmartCar.[...]

  Title: Lions of Kandahar: The Story of a Fight Against All Odds Author: Kevin Mauer and Rusty Bradley Genre:[...]

If you haven’t realized it yet, Smarty Boy is an only child. As you can imagine, people are sometimes nosy[...]

I promised a few more details on our Sri Lanka experience (whether or not you want those details), so I[...]

Big changes have happened in Kelsey Browning-land over the past couple of months. If you were reading Brain Candy in[...]

A couple weeks ago, Smarty Boy and I stopped by a local shopping center to grab some frozen yogurt and[...]

Title: Refuse to Choose! Author: Barbara Sher Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help Why Refuse to Choose! is a Red Hot Read: I stumbled[...]

Today’s post is hard to write. Brain Candy’s been online about 10 months now, and I have a small core[...]

Title: The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice Author: Todd Henry Genre: Non-fiction, Business, Self-help Why The[...]

I get a kick out of just about everything on the Mary Phillips website, and it was darn hard figuring[...]

Title: Borrowed Stilettos  Author: Rebecca J. Clark Genre: Contemporary Romance Why Borrowed Stilettos is a Red Hot Read: In these times[...]

Title: My Sister’s Keeper Author: Jodi Picoult Genre: Mainstream / Women’s Fiction Why My Sister’s Keeper is a Red Hot Read:[...]

A couple of weekends ago, Tech Guy was a sweetheart and took me on a date overlooking the Pacific Ocean[...]

Did you realize flossing could significantly increase your life expectancy? Although there’s some debate about this topic on the internet,[...]

If you’ve been reading Brain Candy for long, you’re more than aware that I try to travel as light as[...]

    Title: The Gifts of Imperfection Author: Brené Brown, PhD Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help Why The Gifts of Imperfection is a[...]

Last week, I gave you a few SmartCar facts, but today, I’m sharing the real goods—the FAQs—on driving this tiny[...]

Last weekend, Smarty Boy participated in our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life with his school. And yes, they[...]

I drive a 2008 Smart ForTwo Passion Cabriolet with a little over 30,000 miles on it. Since I get a[...]

Title: Divergent Author: Veronica Roth Genre: Young Adult Why Divergent is a Red Hot Read: After reading the Hunger Games series,[...]

Today, I’m sharing with you a short post I wrote when we lived overseas. Smarty Boy was about eight at[...]

I’ve been remiss on treating you to Tech Guy’s fabulous photography lately, so here’s one to feast your eyes on:[...]

  Title: A Lady’s Revenge Author: Tracey Devlyn Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense Why A Lady’s Revenge is a Red Hot Read:[...]

One thing I’ve learned since moving to California not quite two years ago is the importance of shifting gears smoothly,[...]

I’m a list-maker. In fact, I’m such a list-maker that my friends make fun of me. But lists bring me[...]

  Title: Once a Good Girl Author: Wendy Marcus Genre: Medical Romance Why Once a Good Girl is a Red Hot[...]

Today, I’m packing for my trip to Chicago for the Romantic Times conference where I’m going to help out my[...]

Today, we’ll add more to your Texas verb knowledge. It’s no secret we love critters (aka varmints) in the Lone[...]

Here on Brain Candy, I normally try to give little tips or solutions. But I’ll be honest, a few things[...]

  Title: Over the Line Author: Cindy Gerard Genre: Romantic Suspense Why Over the Line is a Red Hot Read: I’ve[...]

In my Monday post on cooking brisket, I promised you a potato salad recipe today, so here goes: Red new[...]

Since we discussed barbecue a couple of weeks ago, I thought I’d share my weekend brisket indulgence. Since it’s around[...]

Title: Ender’s Game Author: Orson Scott Card Genre: SciFi, Teen - SciFi Why Ender’s Game is a Red Hot Read: Even[...]

The home we rent here in California is owned by a couple who is a little older—probably ten to twenty[...]

Travel season is upon me. I recently flew to Chicago and will return again early next month. After that, I[...]

Title: The Hunger Games Author: Suzanne Collins Genre: Teen Fiction Why The Hunger Games is a Red Hot Read: Smarty Boy[...]

One thing I love about Americans is our sheer ability to come up with insane, off-the-wall products that other Americans[...]

Since moving to California a year and a half ago, we’ve eaten west coast barbecue a couple of times. Here’s[...]

Title: The Luck Factor Author: Dr. Richard Wiseman Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help Why The Luck Factor is a Red Hot Read: This[...]

When I was a kid, my mom ate only one type of cereal: Cheerios. Later, when my spoiled younger sister came[...]

Last week, I promised you the scoop on how to make your Keurig (or other one-cup coffee maker) behave. Because[...]

Even though I seem to often recommend random items here at Brain Candy, I really don’t shop all that much.[...]

Tech Guy is…well…a tech guy, which means he often fixes the electrical things—from changing lightbulbs to tinkering with appliances—that occasionally[...]

  Title: Flirting with Forty Author: Jane Porter Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction Why Flirting with Forty is a Red Hot Read:[...]

We haven’t revisited the great state of Texas-isms since January. And since spring brings all types of colds, flus and[...]

Since today is Love Your Pet Day, this is perfect timing to tell you Bad Dog’s story. When we moved[...]

  Title: The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything Author: Sir Ken Robinson Genre: Creativity, Motivation, Non-fiction Why The Element[...]

If you haven’t been lucky enough to stumble into a gift shop stocking Anne Taintor merchandise, you’re missing out. There’s[...]

I’m a fan of the crockpot, but one of the biggest drawbacks is most recipes I have for cooking in[...]

  Title: The New Global Student: Skip the SAT, Save Thousands on Tuition, and Get a Truly International Education Author: Maya[...]

Today is the day you’ve all been waiting for…Greasy Tater Day. First, a shout-out to my mom because without her,[...]

In addition to my predilection for bags, I also have an unnatural attachment to office supplies. I have strange desires[...]

Title: Vegas Two-Step Author: Liz Talley Genre: Contemporary Romance Why Vegas Two-Step is a Red Hot Read: If you enjoy contemporary[...]

I haven’t posted any of Tech Guy’s great photos in a while, so I thought I’d share one that will[...]

I may be the only person who wasn’t aware of this little tidbit… I read recently that you can buy[...]

Title: We're Just Like You, Only Prettier: Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle Author: Celia Rivenbark Genre: Humor, Essays Why We're[...]

Last week, I was listening to the main country radio station in LA (yes, apparently they have hicks out here[...]

You may be relieved to know this is my last bag post (for a while, at least). After much poking,[...]

  Title: Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard Authors: Chip Heath and Dan Heath Genre: Business, Organizational Behavior,[...]

If you missed my posts on the perfect bag criteria, the perfect bag contenders and the first bag eliminated from[...]

Bag number one, the LL Bean Messenger, was not crowned the winner of Kelsey’s bag search. What I liked about[...]

Title: Undeniably Yours Author: Shannon Stacey Genre: Contemporary Romance Why Undeniably Yours is a Red Hot Read: I’ve always been a[...]

I know you’ve probably missed your Texas vocabulary lessons. So today, I want to share some ways you might express[...]

Last week, I promised you a glimpse at the three bags I ordered online in search of the holy grail:[...]

Title: The Artist’s Way Author: Julia Cameron Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help, Creativity Why The Artist’s Way is a Red Hot Read: Two[...]

Some women are addicted to shoes. Not me. I’m a bag slut. Drop me off in a luggage store or,[...]

Although I’m as much a fan of will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo and Fergie as anyone else, today I’m more interested in[...]

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday rather than reading blogs. But if you're playing with your new iPad or[...]

If you haven’t seen this fun little book, it’s worth flipping through.   Chronicle Books also has Porn for New[...]

Lots of romance authors’ blogs feature man candy, either occasionally or every week. And believe me, I’m not against candy[...]

It’s official. In this country, we will offer any item to score a Christmas sale. Could be tacky. Unneeded. Even[...]

Yes, since moving to California, I’ve gone over to the dark side. Embraced the Ugg craze. To my inexperienced eye,[...]

Certain things scare me. A nuclear holocaust. The power of the Federal Reserve Board. Rick Perry. But a couple of[...]

The holidays can be a stressful time with all the cooking and entertaining. But if you’re looking for a quick,[...]

If you’re still in the market for stocking stuffers, this box of bandages from Think Geek might just make the[...]

Today is Tech Guy’s birthday. I won’t spill the beans on how old he is, but I will confess that[...]

I often forget how much I love hearing colorful Texas expressions. But when I visit my childhood home in the[...]

If you’re not familiar with Mental Floss magazine, get thee to a book store and run to the register with[...]

I’m pretty sure Emily Post never covered bathroom etiquette in her books. But then again, I could be wrong since[...]

I am not a day-after-Thanksgiving shopper unless I’m camped out in my PJs on the couch with my Mac in[...]

Like a lot of Americans, I learned at a early age that heaven was this cool place up in the[...]

My daddy (Yes, in Texas, it’s perfectly acceptable to call your father “daddy” at any age.) was an excellent cook,[...]

Title: The Sweet Potato Queens’ Book of Love Author: Jill Conner Browne Genre: Funny as Hell, Memoir?? Why The Sweet Potato[...]

I have a number of memories that make my face turn red when I think of them. And no, not[...]

I’ve become a real Trader Joe’s fan since moving to California. For those of you with no TJ’s in your[...]

Title: Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable  Author: Seth Godin Genre: Non-fiction, marketing, entrepreneurship Why Purple Cow is a Red[...]

It’s true. I was born with a unibrow. That’s what happens when you have hair as dark and brows as[...]

Title: The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life Author: Twyla Tharp Genre: Non-fiction, Self-help, Creativity Why The Creative[...]

Tech Guy’s mom used to tell me that before she had kids, she wished for four boys, two years apart.[...]

  Hmm…Brain Candy’s been live almost two months now, and I’ve yet to talk about…well…candy. Today, folks, is the day.[...]

Title: A Just Deception Author: Adrienne Giordano Genre: Romantic Suspense Why A Just Deception is a Red Hot Read: A heroine trying[...]

Although most office supplies were decidedly inferior in the Middle East, my time outside the United States turned me into[...]

As my friends will attest, I pack and unpack way more than most people could stand. Even after living five[...]

Title: Bonded by Blood Author: Laurie London Genre: Paranormal Romance Why Bonded by Blood is a Red Hot Read: An entirely new[...]

I think this cocktail napkin by Mary Phillips Designs describes the life of a writer perfectly:   *** Today is[...]

  Title: A Whole New Mind Author: Daniel H. Pink Genre: Non-fiction, Management and Leadership Why A Whole New Mind[...]

I’m not a huge shopper, but I do have an addiction to organizational products. Before we moved overseas a few[...]

Smarty Boy takes yoga at his middle school. Yes, as a Texan, I’m not sure whether to feel enlightened or[...]

Title: Raziel Author: Kristina Douglas Genre: Paranormal Romance Why Raziel is a Red Hot Read: A dead heroine with a[...]

It’s been a couple weeks since I mentioned southern food, and I’m feeling hungry today. If you need a mid-week[...]

Jennifer Tanner, friend and faculty member at Romance University, was kind enough to tag Brain Candy on her blog last[...]

  Title: The Male Brain Author: Louann Brizendine M.D. Genre: Non-fiction; Health, Mind and Body Why The Male Brain is[...]

We Texans have our own language, so here at Brain Candy, I’ll slowly teach y’all how to communicate the Texas[...]

    When we lived overseas, pet supplies were hard to come by and expensive so our vet suggested an[...]

Title: Lying Eyes Author: Amy Atwell Genre: Romantic Suspense Why Lying Eyes is a Red Hot Read: stolen jewels (Alexandrite[...]

  Food in Texas is as varied as are the state’s cultures. But I grew up in an area where[...]

Pithy is one of those words I simply cannot remember the definition of. I’ve seen picture of a Pith helmet.[...]

Title: Man Law Author: Adrienne Giordano Genre: Romantic Suspense Why Man Law is a Red Hot Read: A man who[...]

As women, we think we need a lot of stuff, but a few items are truly essential. Two things I[...]

If you’re not a Southern Living subscriber, you’ve missed something life-changing in the February 2009 issue. On the cover, they[...]

Americans don’t celebrate enough. Whereas many other cultures “work to live,” we tend to “live to work.” Insane? Yup True?[...]

Welcome to the nuthouse. Rather than create a heavy, ponderous blog, I decided what the world needed was little tidbits,[...]