Welcome special guest: author Starla Kaye

Today we have romance author, Starla Kaye, visiting. Welcome!
I asked her how she got into being a writer and what she loves about it, and this is what she had to say…


Like many writers, I have been writing ever since I was a child. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, which I got from my dad. He was an amazing man. Because of him I grew up reading science fiction and not romance. I didn’t actually read my first romance until I joined a romance writers group. But I have always loved books and movies that ended with the two main people getting some kind of Happily Ever After. So writing romance has fit me.
I started with my first short story, The Little Family,

around age ten and eventually wrote my first attempt at a mystery about fifteen years later. The hard copy of that is buried somewhere, but will never be among my list of books published. Sometimes it is best to move on. Since then I have published 18 novels, 17 novellas, and 5 anthologies…all in some sub-genre of romance. I write for Black Velvet Seductions, Blushing Books Publications, Decadent Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

What I love about writing is that it gives me a chance to let my imagination run free. I can write about whatever I want, in whatever sub-genre strikes my fancy at the time. I am lucky enough to sell almost all of what I write. But I also write some “for fun” stuff on the side to take a break from deadlines and avoid the whole assembly line feeling of writing one project to sell after another. For fun, I
write a short story series about this adventurous, imaginative, romantic cow named Blossom and her bullfriend Ferdinand. It started as a goofy writing exercise for one of my writer’s groups and has “blossomed” since then. She even has her own website http://blossomandfriends.com.

Being a writer isn’t nearly as easy as some people think it will be when they read a book and think, “I could do that. I could write better than that.” You might have a lot of ideas, but can you really sit down and put them to paper (or on computer)?

There is so much to learn when you first start writing, particularly if you want to make this a career. You can read and analyze every writer’s help book out there. But if you don’t sit down and actually hit that keyboard long enough to finish a story, novella, or novel, you will never reach your dream of being published. This is a serious “stick to it” business. You have to want it. You have to love writing, with all its ups and downs. I do.

Starla Kaye has worn many hats professionally and as a writer. She works part-time with her husband (who believes he is the model example for each of her heroes, “yes, honey, of course you are”) in an accounting firm. A gerontologist by degree, she volunteers in the community with a very active group of senior adults, who provide her with story ideas for senior adult romances she occasionally likes to write for fun. She is a multi-published author on-line in e-book and Print-On-Demand book form, writing as both Starla Kaye and S. K. Fero for Black Velvet Seductions, Blushing Books, Decadent Publishing, and Red Rose Publishing.

Today she is promoting her new release: ‘Their Lady Gloriana’ available at Black Velvet Seductions
Blurb:
Think medieval times when honorable men must do what is required of them.  Thomas Lancaster, a widower with bad memories of marriage and a young son he barely knows, is a hardened knight loyal to his king. In reward for his efforts fighting in the Crusades, King Edward gives him Middlemound Castle to hold for the crown. But he must marry the beautiful young widow of the castle’s previous lord.
Lady Gloriana Stewart suffered brutally in her first marriage and has no desire to marry again. She has no choice and must protect her people and obey her king. All she wants is for her new husband to give her a baby. Thomas refuses to even consider it.
Complicating the situation is Sir Rowan Montgomery, Thomas’s first knight, friend, and lover. Complicating the problem even more, Gloriana has feelings for both her new husband and for Rowan.
Excerpt:
Gloriana was a tiny woman, delicate, fragile for a man such as him. Thomas’s first wife had been a woman of fair size, not that he’d minded. They hadn’t been in love and he’d never grown to love her. She had managed his household well. His people had respected her, as had he. There had been no lustful feelings between them. This small woman drew him as no other before her ever had. He was both uneasy with that and glad, for they were to marry.
He heard Rowan’s heavy footsteps behind him as they walked toward the solar. The two of them had talked about Edward’s decree during their long ride from Tunis. Both of them had concerns. Neither wanted this marriage to affect their deepening relationship, but both knew it would. But Thomas would not give up Rowan. Somehow he had to make both situations work.
“She’s a pretty one,” Rowan said quietly. “I’m thinking ‘twill nay be a hardship to have her as a wife.”
Thomas considered what his friend said. He was certain he’d heard a touch of envy in his lover’s tone. As if he, too, well appreciated the petite beauty thrust into their lives. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that.
To his surprise, she faced him and thrust out her chin. “I feared Geoffrey every day of our life together. But, know you this, I will not endure that kind of life again. No man will ever treat me that way again.”
Thomas felt his chest swell with admiration. “You will never need to fear me, little one.”

Find Starla here:
Starla Kaye’s website:  http://starlakaye.com

Black Velvet Seductions:  http://www.blackvelvetseductions.com

Starla will be giving a piece of medieval-style jewelry to one randomly drawn commenter! Please visit http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/virtual-tour-their-lady-gloriana-by.html to follow the tour because the more you comment on the blogs she's visiting the better chances you have of winning!

Sunday Snapshots - Lake Havasu - part 1

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics…
Well this isn’t exactly Las Vegas. The pics this week and next are from a day trip we did down into Arizona to see the London Bridge.

As always, I appreciate your comments and if there's something you'd like to see, let me know!
Happy reading,
C.

Welcome special guest: author AE. Roud

Today we have science fiction author, AE. Roud, visiting. AE. Roud who writes under S. Behr for

scripts and general fiction, assigns meanings to the letters of her name depending upon what she’s writing, such as: AE. Roud, An Earthly Realm of Universal Designs – or – An Earthly Realm of Universal Desires. Her bio: I live in New Mexico, North East of Roswell. I have a connection thing going on with that area. I have been married 22 years to the same man. We have no children, unless you also consider as your children, the domestic four legged, furry animals. We have three dogs, three house cats and at any time a various number of barn cats. My house is in the middle of a field but I don’t have a rodent problem, and if a rodent problem does surface, it’s not a problem for long.

* So, AE, what inspired you to become a writer?
I wrote journals and stories from the point I could write and understand. I became serious about writing, when I was offered a job of writing 3X works for the adult industry. When that began to fade, I stepped back from writing, did not do any writing for several years then read a book that just flat angered me. It was a moment that I said, “I can write better than that.” That started my latest writing adventure and I have been at it now for around nineteen years.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first attempt of a story was a real bad. I began writing on it in the early 90’s. I knew what I wanted to say but I could not say it in a way that was acceptable to the publishing community. Oh the pain those first rejection slips brought me, OUCH. It hurts just remembering. At that point, I needed to make a decision, do I go on, or do I quit? I decided to go on but I made some changes to the way I did things. As I knew how to write a script, I put the story in script form and when I was finished with it, I set it aside, and when I was ready, I returned to that script and wrote the book manuscript. This did not always work but it helped me to get around the writing bare and lean.
I will mention here, that it is difficult to go from writing scripts to writing a book manuscript. Why? In a script you write bare/lean, only what a scene or character needs, no emotion, no color, nothing unless it is integral to the scene. The director and actors take that script and put their take on it. By the time, your script is in the can, you don’t recognize your own work. A book is very different. You must describe everything to show the reader a scene, to write full and flush, colorful and with emotion and description. That is hard for a writer to accomplish when their training is to write bare and lean. Even now I still have the bare/lean problem and one of the reasons I love book editors.
I still have that work, still in the original script form. Over the years, I have written it out in book format and rewritten it in the same file numerous times, as my ability to write for publication has grown and matured. It is a story that I will never finish and never submit for publication. That story is in single line format, and that single file is now over 700 pages. It is on a CD in my writing library.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Numerous. The thing about my first published work is it is a short- short with a sizzling erotic theme, titled Shadow Pleasures. The work still has a very personal meaning for me. It found publication in an online Romance/Erotic magazine, that I ran across while surfing the web.
The site management put out an immediate call for submissions from anyone. I was hesitant, fearing a sharp worded, skin slashing, gut ripping rejection slip, but I put it out there anyway then sat and ate the tips of my fingers waiting for what I knew would be a scathing, rip me apart rejection. I remember I was overwhelmed when the notice came that my work, management liked. I did a quick revise of the work for them, and at the next round of updates to their site, my work hit the web along with I don’t remember how many other works. I thought my work was the best of the best, of the best, of course.
There was no contract, there was not cover art, there was no payment, but I was, in some form, published! At that time, I had no idea of the intricate ins and outs of the publishing industry, and all that the web would unleash in and upon the publishing industry and other art industries. Frankly at that moment of realization, I didn’t care if the World ended, Hot damn, I was published. I regret I do not remember the name of the publication that gave me that first overwhelming warm feeling. They probably do not remember me either, if they are still afloat.
For your reading pleasure, here is my first published work, circa 1993, published 1996 if I remember right. Back then, I went under the name of Secrt Pleasures.
Shadow Pleasures by Secrt Pleasures © 1993 —
Shade me with your shadow of pleasure. Let our tongues begin the experience of our fantasies as we explore the secrets leading to passionate penetrations.
In my hand, I caress him to strong and hard, preparing for the pleasure I will give with the hot moist depths of my mouth. Around his tip, I caress with my tongue then engulf him slowly. A moan of pleasure as I tickle and massage with lips of fire as pleasure zings from my nipples, which his caress taunts into standing tall rods.
His tongue teases the hot nature of this woman who for so long remained hidden. He strips away the veils I hide behind, revealing my longing for a lover when the tide of need rolls in under the cap of desire.
Our union is the lost treasure of passion into which we dive. I guide him to my shadow of pleasure in hopes that together we will rejoice in the passion of paramours.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
Science Fiction and Fiction, is the short answer to the first question. I am a Star Trek fan and over the years have found several series or shows in that genre that I like. My favorite to write in is Science Fiction for general audience or for the adult venues. I am currently writing in the Science Fiction genre with environmental themes to my work.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
The best advice was not just one or two items, but a multitude. Have patience and be willing to make changes within reason. Never give up, get some thick skin, and practice makes perfect, (see comment about 700-page work for my way of practice).
The worst writing advice I received, came in the form of rejection slips. I still use them for wallpaper around a dartboard. Need to have some form of exercise and I am horrible at throwing darts. :)
* How do you celebrate/deal with acceptance/rejection letters?
It is not so much of a celebration but more a feeling of relief when something I wrote, a publisher accepts for publication, because it takes me a couple years to put a work together for publication. Yes, although I write Science Fiction, I do research.
Rejection slips, well they go with the territory and after I digest any good information from them, if there is any, they still go on the wall around the dartboard.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
As a writer of scripts, I see all my works as a series for television. It is the way I do things. I still on occasion write a scene in script form so I can come back to it, because what I am working on at the time, it does not fit. Some people that have read my works comment that I write visually which to me, as a scriptwriter, is a compliment. That however, is also a pet peeve with some editors and I have received comments in the editing phase like, “why are you writing as though the reader is dense?” It is one of those good thing/ bad things and an area you need flexibility with to work around and make changes to present a better piece of work to the readers.
When I think about characterization, I think about what actor/actress would fit the character. I like to change thing up and a show that does that, is Dr. Who. I like the idea of changing out characters every so often to give a fresh face to the series. The difference between my works and Dr. Who, the main characters in my works can be played by either male or female and I like to mix things up. The points of retirement, rebirth, regeneration or sudden death are good areas to change out actors and mix things up. There would always be someone in the two main character roles to lead the series on into the future, but they may not be the same gender as the actors from the previous season.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
I try to write stand-alone works. Each book needs its own set of characters and events to deal with. The first two books, Tevi’s Legacy, and Beyond the Nebula, are tied together by the characters and is a point of contention within me, because if a reader picks up the second book first, I don’t want them to feel that they have missed something by not reading Tevi’s Legacy. At this moment in the writing phase for BTN, I plan several “remembering scenes to bring the reader that did not buy the first book, Tevi’s Legacy, up to speed on events. That is proving to be a bit tricky but I am slogging through it. In my works, retirement does not mean the old characters will die off. They just move to the side for the new set of characters to take the forefront. Then again, I might decide to kill off the first set of characters. Right now as the second books is a work in progress, nothing is set in stone at this point.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
I like a rainbow of colors. The color I prefer more than others though, is green. Green is life, grass, plants, animals, and seen in nature, a lot.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
I have never met a flavor of ice cream I did not get along great with.
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I have both, cats and dogs and they live in the same house. That is a point of fear for me, because I learned the hard way that cats need that inset fear of dogs to survive. I have lost more than a few cats to wandering dogs, because they did not fear the dog, and those wandering dogs, have killed my cats because they are cats. My dogs will chase a strange cat, such as the barn cats. They will chase them but I have never seen one of my dogs catch and kill one of the barn cats. I have seen them get one cornered then let off and the cat goes on its way. I would not allow one of my dogs to kill a cat if I could stop the event from happening. My dogs do not run free, they are contained and on occasion, I tie them outside the front door. When the dogs are out there, the barns cats don’t hang around the house.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Does a hybrid Timber Wolf / German Shepherd count? If so then yes and her registered name was Willow Poco Lobo. I still have her collar

and I miss her very much. She was a friend, protector, and she traveled this country. She rode in the truck when we drove for a major trucking country out of Commerce City, Colorado. She left her mark in all states but two, North Dakota and Maine.
One time when she was on the truck with the hubby, I was home with his dad who was having some medical problems, hubby went into the truck stop and got cleaned up, shave and a haircut. He did not wear his hat when he went back to the truck. Willow would not let him in the truck. His comment on the phone to me was. “I unlocked the truck, opened the door and saw nothing but her pearly whites, a big furry head, her staring at me with those black eyes, and heard that growl. I shut the door.” He got in the truck finally but it took a while to get his hat out of his bag and open the door enough to slip it through to her so she could smell his scent. The hat took a beating before she realized whom that man standing outside was, and when she did, she started howling, crouching and asking for forgiveness. All was forgiven and she got her treats on a gold platter that night I can tell you. :)
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I like a good Thunderstorm, with the lightning and thunder. No tornadoes please, been there done that and it is no fun. I am not a fan of real cold weather, because my arthritis acts up real bad. I prefer mild winters with not much freezing cold or snow. Grew up in the Eastern Plains of Colorado and I got tired of eighteen foot tall snowdrifts.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
This question depends on what I am doing when I am doing it. Like right now, it is 10 pm at night and I’m yawning. I was up at 230 this morning though and napped during the day. It’s been one of those days that if I could, I would have slept through.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
My favorite day of the week is the one I can sleep without getting woke up every three to four hours.
* What’s your favorite number?
My favorite number is 13. I was thirteen when I met Shelly Layers.
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
I would live on a Marrott because in my work, they are space capable sentient beings and can travel. I would see the universe in the safety of their shells, the planets, nebulas, different parts of the galaxy. Oh, to be a character in my works in reality, wow. I’m actually jealous.
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
I’m laughing at this question because as soon as I read it, the thing that popped into my mind was toilet paper.

*** About her book … ***
Tevi’s Legacy is due out in 2011 through Devine Destinies Publisher. The environmental theme in this work is extinction, of the oldest living humanoid cultures in my universe. Queen Tevi and her Marrott put their lives on the line to save their own.
Recently a species indigenous to the United States became another name in the extinct category. The cougar, mountain lion, puma, whatever name you prefer to call it is now officially extinct. That happened in our lifetime and not an animal that no one knows about. Cougars are part of the heritage of the United States like the Wolf, or I should say, they were.

***Find AE. Roud here***

I am on Face book as Aeroud and at my website Aeroud.com. I will have a page for my works on Devine Destinies after publication of Tevi’s Legacy.  I am starting a blog which people can find at my web site or directly at www.aeroud.com/blog.

Thank you for joining us here today, AE! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Sunday Snapshots - Bellagio - part 3

Snapshots of Las Vegas through a resident's perspective.
Here are this week's pics…
Outside the Bellagio

As always, I appreciate your comments and if there's something you'd like to see, let me know!
Happy reading,
C.

Welcome special guest: author Gabriella Bradley

Today we have author, Gabriella Bradley, visiting. Gabriella lives amidst rugged mountains. She more than often has a grizzly in her backyard searching for food. Other critters that visit on a regular basis are cougars, coyotes, squirrels, raccoons. She has been a writer all of her life, though only ventured into erotic works in 2003. Her hobbies include hiking, gardening, swimming, sewing, embroidery. Favorite movies are old timers like Gone with the Wind, Spartacus etc. Favorite music is Abba.

* So, Gabriella, what inspired you to become a writer?
I've always written stories, ever since I was a little girl and learned how to write. As a toddler, my favorite toys were pens and pencils.
* When did you attempt your first story? What length was it? What's become of it?
My first story was a little one. I wrote it when I was six and it was published in a magazine. I haven't got it anymore due to a house fire years ago.
* How many stories did you complete before you sold your first?
Dozens. I sold my first book in 1998.
* What genre(s) do you write in? What drew you to write in it/them? What’s your favorite genre of all to write in?
My favorite genre would be historical romance, although I haven't written it of late. It takes a lot of research and time is scarce. I write erotic romance--science fiction, fantasy, paranormal, contemporary romance, whatever the muse inspires.
* What is your best-selling title to date?
I would say Savage Lust.

It has outsold anything I've ever written. I wrote that book in a few days and it's never ceased to amaze me how well it did. It is also available at eXtasy Books http://www.extasybooks.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=ebook_flypage&category_id=16&product_id=6705&Itemid=50 and other retailers.
* What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?
LOL in my very early days of submitting to the big guys, about twenty-six years ago, I received a letter filled with advice, one that near brought me to tears. The worst line in that letter was: "I don't know where you learned your English. Go back to school." Since I aced English, spelling, grammar, it was quite the insult. Of course that particular editor wasn't familiar with Aussie spelling and grammar, obviously. I've learned to adapt since then and now write USA style.
* In regard to the book you’re promoting, which actor and actress do you envision playing the roles of your hero and heroine? If there’s a villain or other characters who are pertinent to the story, who would play those parts?
My latest book is The Orgasm Whisperer. I didn't have any actors in mind when writing the story. I believe I only did that once with Law of the Jungle. I based the hero on Sean Connery.
* Is it a stand-alone story or part of a series? If it’s part of a series, please list the order the books need to be read in for maximum reading enjoyment.
The Orgasm Whisperer is a stand-alone. An article in a magazine sparked the title and the idea for the story.
*** Now for some fun info… ***
* What’s your favorite color?
Maybe you should be asking which color I dislike the most--it would be green. I love all colors really, except green doesn't suit me.
* What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Pistachio
* Are you a cat, dog or both kind of person?
I'm a both person. I'm an animal lover, except you can keep spiders, snakes and anything that would eat me.
* Would you/have you own(ed) a snake or some other exotic pet?
Nope.
* Which do you prefer: rain or sun & warm weather or cold weather?
I'm a sun child, although I live in a place where winters can be long, cold and rainy.
* Are you a morning person or night owl?
Both. I get up at the crack of dawn and go to bed very late.
* What’s your favorite day of the week?
Sundays
* What’s your favorite number?
Nine
* If you could live anywhere in the universe, where would it be and why?
Mm, since we don't know of any habitable planets, I'd say it would still be Earth, but I'd choose Australia. Why? The climate for one, the people are a lot more relaxed, life is more relaxed and it's a beautiful country.
* If you were stranded on a desert island and were only allowed to have five modern conveniences with you, what would they be?
My computer, Internet connection. Can't think of anything else. A few toy boys maybe to wait on me hand and foot and keep my erotic cravings satisfied???

*** About The Orgasm Whisperer… ***
My last release was The Orgasm Whisperer. I'd already started this story, but my editor told me she needed a book and to finish it, so I finished it in a couple of days and brought it to 66200 words. It was meant to be a novella, but once I start writing, it's hard to stop. I did some interesting research while writing the last half of the book causing it to be more than erotic. It contains quite a bit of exotic toy play that I found out about on the web.
It's available at: http://www.extasybooks.com
http://extasybooks.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=ebook_flypage&product_id=9810&category_id=3&manufacturer_id=38&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=50
It's also available at Kindle, ARE, Fictionwise and other outlets.

The Orgasm Whisperer ~ A NOR Top Pick! The Find the review here: http://www.nightowlerotica.com/nor/Reviews/Trish-reviews-The-Orgasm-Whisperer-by-Gabriella-Bradley.aspx


Book Info: Listening to sexual fantasies not her own, Amaia must find her own true mate or be resigned to life as a psycho sex therapist.
WARNING: This book contains menage a quatre scenes and some sexual toy play.
Amaia has inherited the family talent! There is only one way to make it stop--she has to meet her soul mate, bond with him and consummate the relationship. But, how does one find him? Will she be an orgasm whisperer for just a short while or be stuck with it for years?
What's worse, when her mother enlightens her on how to use her gift, she also learns there's alien blood flowing through her veins and she has more abilities that will become apparent. It all seems like a science fiction nightmare, impossible to believe--something her imaginative mother had dreamed up.
When three to die for men enter her life, she feels attraction for all three, and worse, she feels bonded to all three. Is one of these men her soul mate? Will her orgasm whispering be over before it barely started? And how can she choose when her heart and body wants them all?

***Find Gabriella Bradley here***

Since my website was unfortunately hacked, I don't have one right now. I do have a blog: http://gabriellabradley.blogspot.com/

Thank you for joining us here today, Gabriella! It was a pleasure getting to know you and your work.

Another friendly reminider ~ watch out Wednesday

Hey there folks! Just wanted to remind you to be on the look out for all the great authors that have been and will be interviewed/visiting the blog.
On May 30 I'm one of the hosts for Goddess Fish Promotions Virtual Book Tour for Starla Kaye's newest release from Black Velvet Seductions, Their Lady Gloriana, a historical ménage story... The tour will run from May 18 - 30. Please visit http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/04/virtual-tour-their-lady-gloriana-by.html for available dates. Starla will be giving a piece of medieval-style jewelry to one randomly drawn commenter!

Sunday Snapshots ~ An author’s favorite hangouts…

Ever wonder what authors do in their spare time when they don’t have their fingers on the keyboards, pumping out words for their next great story? Well, since I can only speak for myself, I’ll give you a glimpse into my world & hopefully other authors will chime in and let us know what they do. ;)
I like to hangout in comfortable pubs. The kinds of places where you can visit with friends, not feel rushed, enjoy the ambiance, meals and drinks and maybe even play some darts…
 


*RoadRunner Saloon ~ RoadRunner Las Vegas ~ I love the chairs in the cocktail area.
The location I go to has good food, good beer, gaming, a pool table and other games. Prices are reasonable.







*J.C. Wooloughan ~ J.C. Wooloughan in Rampart Casino ~ 
 
Nice intimate setting. Food is good. They used to have potato soup on the menu. I loved that soup! It’s possible it’s a soup of the day now, but I haven’t seen it there the last few times I’ve been. :( Prices are reasonable. I like going there because we can play darts. :D

*Steiner's - A Nevada Style Pub ~ Steiner's Pub ~ For good food (love their Death Valley chips) and an extensive beer list, we go here for dinner.

*McFadden’s ~ McFadden's Las Vegas ~ This should come as no surprise if you’ve read my past blog posts…

Located in the Rio Hotel and Casino (Rio Las Vegas), this is the place where I meet up with my author buddies and other friends…usually before we go upstairs to the Chippendales show… Last week R.M. Sotera, author of Dirty Deed,

Shannan Albright, author of Dark Passion Rising, and another friend & I went there to celebrate R.M.’s school achievement. This past Friday we went back there to meet up with Kelly and HighlandHussy of DemonLover's Books & More. They were going up to the Chippendales show, but due to prior commitments we couldn’t join them this time. :( Then again, we’d seen the show twice in the past 2.5 months anyway so it didn't feel like a complete loss to us. ;) We liked just hanging out at the bar. The two tenders, Erik and Neil who are there on Fridays and Saturdays, are really nice guys and fun to talk to. McFadden’s has Karaoke on Tuesdays. I’m hoping to get to that one of these days, too, with the gals. Though the prices are a bit on the high side–it’s in a casino after all–the food is good & if you sit in the right area of the bar, you’ll be able to see the free show (which is performed hourly from 6 pm until 11 pm) and all the eye candy, um… dancers. Below is a pic of Kelly holding the warning sign about dancing on the bar. Yep, people get up there and, yes, we've seen them fall off. 

Happy Reading!
C.