Win Flirting With Disaster!

Don't forget--you still have time to win 4 teen books! Just go HERE to check it out!

Also, enter to win 1 of 2 copies of the second book in my trilogy, Flirting With Disaster, on Goodreads! (If you aren't a member of Goodreads, you should totally sign up--it's a great way to see what your friends are reading and to talk about books. Plus, you can friend me on there! ):

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Flirting with Disaster

by Rhonda Stapleton

Giveaway ends August 26, 2010.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

So, DO EET!

Contest: enter to win FOUR teen novels!

All kinds of goodness this week! First things first--it's my birthday today, and I'm super duper wuper excited. EXCITED! This Red Bull I'm drinking may have a little something to do with that, but whatev. I always love my birthday...it's fun to pamper myself for a day and take the time to do the things I want to do. Today I'm going to Red Lobster and then I may do a wee bit 'o shopping. Woo hoo!

Also, I found out that my trilogy's rights sold in Germany. That's right, people--Stupid Cupid, Flirting With Disaster, and Pucker Up will be coming to a German bookstore near you. Uh, if you're near a German bookstore, that is. Anywho, I'm so freaking stoked about this, I can't even tell you. I hope I get copies of the books, though I really don't know German that well. I know German cuss words though, so that part should be fun to read. :D

Last, but not least, I want to do a contest for my birthday. Cuz I'm cool like that, yo. Therefore, I'm giving away four signed YA books: The Tension of Opposites, The Cinderella Society, Shadowed Summer, and a signed copy of one of my books (you choose)!









And what do you have to do to win this bounty of booky goodness? Simple: entertain me by posting a birthday memory in this post. The most epic birthday memory, as judged by an impartial panel (read: a friend I bribe into it) will win! You can enter as many times as you like. And if you promo this contest on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc, you get an extra entry each--just let me know where you put it when you post your memory.

US and Canadian entrants only, please. I don't want to have to sell a kidney to send you the books. LOL

Contest ends Wednesday, 7/28/10, 11:59 pm. So enter now, and enter often!

Orlandoooooo, the dreamiest of dreamies...

My daughter and me in the car, on the way back from Universal Studios

I've returned from my glorious, decadent 5-day vacay in Orlando, Florida. I haven't been there since 19*coughitycough*, back when I was a senior in high school and led our marching band down the parade route in Disney. Needless to say, things have changed since then. Plus, I hardly remembered anything at all. So it was all new to me! Woo hoo for old-timers!

Anyway, on my drive from the Orlando airport, I noticed some interesting things. There's a restaurant called Hungry Howie's Pizza Place. The sign shows a kid with red smeared around his mouth. I guess it's supposed to be pizza sauce, but it totally looks like blood. So, that was nice and all family-like!

I also saw some other interesting things--there was a guy wearing women's yellow flip-flops. That was...wow. There was also a huge bulletin board sign advertising vascectomies. And I'm fairly sure I saw a pimp at the bus stop. Of course, he could have been waiting for a bus, but I like to think not.

Somehow, I highly suspect the claim that this hotel has luxury rooms--just sayin'...

Anyway, Friday was spent being all slothy. I chilled in the pool (we rented a house that came with a pool. Yeah, it was awesome.). I visited with a friend who lives nearby. I hung out with the family. Nice day to unwind.

Saturday was THE MAGIC KINGDOM...I had to type that in all caps because seriously, it was magically delicious. I forgot how insane Disney is. haha. We ran around and rode a bunch of cheesetacular rides that gave you diabetes from the sugary sweetness overload. We went into the Hall of Presidents, as well as the Tomorrow whatever-it's-called ride, where you see how this one family progresses through the decades and that one song gets stuck in your head..."It's a great, big, beautiful tomorrow..."

Check it out! The big castle in Disney World

I don't know what the deal was with this dude, but he was mega awesome

I would be remiss if I didn't include something from the It's a Small World ride, haha

We also hit the Pirates of the Caribbean ride (and while I dug seeing Johnny Depp, I was kinda disappointed in some of the changes), as well as the Haunted Mansion. At some point, we tore into a turkey leg (or, if you will, ye olde turkey legge) like there was no tomorrow.

Probably the CRAZIEST thing I saw there was this crazy hillbilly bear jamboree thingie. If you've never been to Disney but are going to go, promise me you will watch this show. I almost got hiccups from laughing so hard. It's...wow. Words fail me. It's creeptacularly hilarious. Plus there's a song called "Blood on the Saddle." For that alone you must see it.

Sunday was another lazy day at the house (we were planning to hit the beach, but it rained). In the evening, we went to a luau in Sea World. The show was awesome--the fire twirly dude was super talented. Um, and it didn't hurt that the guys were all tanned and buff and shirtless. I'm just sayin'.

Monday was Universal Studios...which meant Harry Potter World! It was amazing, you guys. AMAZING. Magical. Butterbeer was incredibly delish--OMG SO GOOD. The whole environment was insanely accurate. We toured through Hogwarts and rode this 3D ride that made me want to hurl. And then hit some other rollercoasters that also made me want to hurl. Really, really fun. haha

Hogwarts! It was so, so cool

Check out the snow and details on the buildings in the Harry Potter World

Tuesday was Epcot. I had to leave for my flight, so I didn't get to hang out there a whole lot, but we hit Mexico, Norway, and Japan in the countries section, as well as some other areas in Epcot itself.

The Japanese area was so cool!

Overall, I give the trip 2 thumbs up. Orlando was a blast. Can't wait to go back!