Getting to know all about you”¦.
I can never resist a good Rodgers and Hammerstein reference. Trust me, it’s better than the Jon Lovitz, “Get to know me!’ bit that was running through my head earlier. I can’t help myself. You’d know that if you knew me at all.
Please allow myself to introduce”¦myself. Sorry. The Austin Powers quote was too good to pass up. I digress”¦.
Hello! I’m Margaret Ethridge, a contemporary romance author, who has a hard time getting through a conversation without throwing in random bits of pop culture. It’s a sickness, I know.
Since this is the first time I’m blogging with you, it was suggested that I do a little intro piece.
Here’s the official four-one-one:
Margaret Ethridge survived the tyranny of six older siblings and the rigors of twelve years of Catholic schools, so she can handle anything. A graduate of Illinois State University, Margaret migrated to Chicago where she tried on careers like shoes while attempting to figure out a way to make a living as a professional spinster. Then, she met a Southern man with a sexy drawl and big chocolate brown eyes and her career plan went down the tubes.
Now she lives in Arkansas with that same sweet-talking Southern gentleman. She is the not-so-wicked-step-mother to their two children, the adoring mistress of three spoiled dogs, the food purveyor to eleven hungry goldfish, and the comic foil for one rather impertinent house rabbit who thinks he rules the roost. She spends her days buying booze by the truckload, but at night she spins tales of love and lust.
Margaret is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Diamond State Romance Authors. When she isn’t tapping away at her keyboard, Margaret engages in an epic battle against her never-ending laundry hampers, cajoles the flowers in her yard, sings into her hairbrush, and has been known to hold entire conversations speaking only in movie quotes.
Blah, blah, blah. I know. It’s canned, but it’s all I have. Sometimes it’s hard to break the ice without Bill Murray around to lead the games. How exactly am I supposed to know what to tell readers about my oh-so-fascinating life?
Did you snort? It’s okay. I snorted too.
So, dear Coffee Thoughts readers, I decided to pull a Ringo Starr (or Joe Cocker) and ask for a little help from my friends. Here are some of the things they thought you’d want to know about:
Julie said that if she didn’t know me, she would ask about my pets. Alas, I do know Julie, and I know her angle. You see, she couldn’t care less about my dogs and goldfish. Okay, maybe she cares about them, but she really wants to talk about the bunny.
I have a house rabbit named Tim. He’s a gray and white lop-eared tyrant. Trouble with a capital “T’. Tim owns everything measuring less than twelve inches tall in our house. He marks every pair of shoes, the bottom step, and the broiler drawer on the stove every day by rubbing them with his cheeks and chin. Tim is a carrot junkie. He has been known to accost people as they pass the refrigerator. He also knows that no one can resist a begging bunny. Lucky for Tim, he’s cute enough to get away with his antics. I’m a little crazy about him.
Taking a page from her fellow Canadian, Morley Safer, Michelle went for the hard hitting, pot-stirring questions. She tried to hit me where it hurts by questioning my addiction to Steak “n Shake restaurants.
Why do you think it is that your favourite restaurant, Steak n’ Shake, doesn’t serve steak?
I choose to ignore her excess vowel usage and dive straight into the meat of the matter. Oh, Michelle, they do serve steak. Steakburgers. Each delicious Steakburger is made only with 100% pure beef including round, sirloin, and T-bone. So there!
She also went for the jugular demanding to know the root of my distaste for condiments. That’s right, condiments. I don’t use ketchup, mustard, relish, or anything of the sort. Why? I don’t know. I’ve just never liked them. Now, I will say that I can tolerate a little ketchup or mustard if I must, but I prefer to scrape any sauce from my sandwich. I cannot and will not abide mayonnaise in any form. On that, I stand firm.
Okay, so maybe the questions weren’t as exciting as I hoped. Perhaps it would be easier if I just offered up a few random facts about myself to see if we can cover some common ground.
You ready? Here goes:
I wear socks every day – even during summer. I love toast. I’m not a chocolate hound. I prefer my sweets in the form of baked goods. I can recite almost all of the dialogue from such film classics as Gone with the Wind, Airplane, and Caddyshack. I love music – everything from Cole Porter to the Moody Blues to Duran Duran and the Cure. The only television shows I watch regularly are Castle, Glee, and Mad Men. I have a weakness for handbags, but I’m no Imelda when it comes to shoes. I abhor shopping for clothes. I’m turning into my mother. I fear turning into my mother. I take my caffeine cold – a minimum of three (five on a good day) Route 44 Diet Cokes from the Sonic Drive-In per day – and I still sleep the sleep of the dead at night.
So, that’s me in a nutshell. Notice how I’m refraining from pointing out the second Austin Powers reference made in this post? Yeah, I’m proud of me too.
So, tell me a little about you. What do you like to read? Do you think Don Draper is hot? Have you had your coffee/Coke/almond bear claw yet this morning, or are you hungry like a wolf?
I’ll be back later to discuss steamy books and imaginary men. Thanks for letting me ramble, and happy Friday Eve!
Hi Margaret: yep, I’ve had my early morning buzz – one cup of freshly ground Black Magic beans processed using a ceramic Melitta filter (3 heaping scoops per 12 oz. of water). Uh, yeah, I’m a coffee snob. It’s just seven o’clock here in (thankfully) not-so-cold Santa Cruz, but just got a call from my son in the Tucson area where he said it’s 4 degrees!
Music: I like it…as long as it’s classical or Irish Folk. Maybe a little Heino, too.
What do I read? Paramour, of course! Romance, Romantic Suspense, the occasional thriller, even an Inspirational if not too preachy. I prefer my protagonists, especially the heroines, to consider sex a BIG DEAL not the “Coffee, Tea or Me” type of thing. Call me old fashioned but not naive.
Thanks for stopping by, Suzanne! Wow. I’m impressed with your coffee dedication! That seems like a lot of work first thing int he morning. I’m naturally lazy, so I’ll stick with zipping through the drive-thru. 🙂 Love Irish folk music! This is the time of year when I start whipping out the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem CDs. I also take the Christmas socks out of rotation and add the St. Pat’s socks in, but that’s beside the point.
I’m so happy you enjoyed Paramour. I also like a good romantic suspense. I love a book that can keep me on the edge of my seat!
Hi Margaret!
What a fun post. For someone who didn’t know what to share — you did a great job telling me things that made me laugh and curious. You will have to post a picture of Tim, you know that right?
I love women’s fiction and romantic suspense – as long as it’s contemporary. I don’t want to work that hard to get into all the translation of historical stuff, so familiar is good for me. Afterall, reading is my escape from the hectic day-to-day…let’s get right down to the fun. I like characters who are quirky and memorable, and I’m fine with all their flaws. Reminds me that no one else is perfect either 🙂
Thanks for sharing so many fun tidbits.
Hugs and high 5s
Nancy
Oh, Nancy. I love to share pictures of Tim! Perhaps I’ll go back and add it to this post. I’m with you in some respects on the historicals. I like the ones I can relate to easily. I am easily distracted, so having to translate either the setting or the language can take me out of a story entirely. Reading is fun. It’s also sexy! 😉
Hi Margaret!
I’m like you in a lot of ways. I’m a Gone With the Wind quoting, sock wearing, Coke drinking, Castle watching girl, who loves to read! Where we’re different is in the fact that I adore chocolate. It’s my daily medicine, along with my Coke and coffee. I guess that would make me a caffeine junkie. I also would not be able to write such a fabulous book as you have! My reading habits vary according to what mood I’m in, like lately it has been romantic comedies, but last week it was historical romance. I love variety in my reading as much as I love variety in my music.
Thanks!
Thank you, Michele! Like you, I bounce around in my reading. I do get on author kicks, but I tend to genre hop too. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at once so I can pick up whichever story I’m in the mood to read. I’ll share my chocolate with you, but don’t tell my husband. He thinks he should get my cut.
*waves* hullo Margaret. Yes it’s me one of your biggest fans following you around the internet. Great post and I can verify you are true to your word in your blog. You did leave out one of your other favourite movies you love to quote (notice the inclusion of my Canadian vowel there)
So lets play a game shall we? I will reply with a few sentences and see if you can pick out the quotes? Are you game? “Yes. A thousand times yes.” Great!
So how do I feel about you my friend? “I would have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love… I love… I love you. And I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
If you thought I’d reply back on your blog late this afternoon,“You are mistaken; I write rather slowly.” so I had to start early.
I really didn’t know if this would be the right place to tell all these nice people at Coffeetime Romance this information but what the heck “In vain I have struggled this will not do, allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
I love romance books and very much love your writing. “We are all fools in love”.
“What do you suggest, to encourage affection?
Thank you for playing along in my little game.
Forgive me for startling you with the impetuosity of my sentiments, my dear Michelle—I mean, my dear MichelleKCanada. It cannot have escaped your notice that for some time past the friendship I have had in my heart for you has ripened into a deeper feeling, a feeling more beautiful, more pure, more sacred. Dare I name it? Ah! It is love which makes me so bold!
Your writing has the flavors of real life romance, and enhances all the right parts! It’s sweet, saucy and there’s just the right amount salt mixed in that any reader could relate to. I’m having my coffee now, with chocolate frosted cake! I’m going to have to swing the other way in favor of Don’s oversexed equal,Joan. That’s ok isn’t it?
Thank you, Holman! Are you sure you can handle Joan? That’s one feisty redhead!
Coffee and chocolate cake – what a way to start the day! I just downed a bag of Cheez-Its with my Route 44 Diet Coke. I’ll be the salty to your sweet!
LOVE this post, Margaret. Ok so here’s me in a nutshell:
I like my caffeine hot, with lots of whipped cream. I like my heroes to be tall, blond, and blue-eyed. I haven’t shopped for clothes in 10 years cause my stylish 29 year old sister gives me all her clothes (some with tags on them) on a regular basis. I love horses and dogs. And will admit to liking my two daughters’ pet hamster, Alice (yes, it was named after Edward Cullen’s sister.)*rolls eyes* Anyway, I do not like being cold. I am nothing like my mother. And I love people – being around them, mingling, or just meeting for the first time. Oh, and I love seafood, Mexican and Thai.
Ok not as entertaining as yours, but it’s me.
Ha! Renee, I love your run down! I thought it was highly entertaining. I wish I could raid my sister’s wardrobe. Sadly, she’s about four inches shorter and three sizes smaller than I am. I only go clothes shopping when my husband forces me to because he’s embarrassed to be seen with me. Tall, blond, and blue-eyed, huh? I never would have guess that. *eyes Daegan Raeliksen* Thanks for stopping by!
Java? Check. Chocolate? Check. Hot man? Nathan Fillion. Oh, did you ask that? No matter. Okay, so maybe he’s imaginary. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. Maybe it’s even…hey, I’ll let him live in the lamp over my bed even. No, no… Maybe there’s someone else living there. Hm. Or not.
Anyway, bring on the imaginary man post. I’m waiting, darling.
p.s. Maddie *loves* Paramour and wonders about a sequel?
CASTLE! Oops. Sorry, Maddie. I’m always distracted by the mention of Nathan Fillion. Boy, wouldn’t it be great if you could hide your imaginary men in the light fixture above your bed? Wait. Probably not so great if the husband is nearby. Oh well.
I’m glad you loved Paramour. I do have an idea for a sequel. I hope to start outlinging it this spring!
Okay, Margaret, I don’t know about three to five Route 44 Diet Cokes a day…But, then I have this coffee and tea thing going on. Let’s get back to that truckload of booze. 🙂
Great post,
Bobbye
Well, not everyone can have as sexy a day job as I do, Bobbye. Yes, booze. An entire warehoue full of booze. My mother is so proud! Thanks for your comment! I’ll leave the coffee and tea consumption in your capable hands!
Helloooooo, Margaret!!
Well, first of all, who is this Julie person you refer to in your post? She sounds positively fascinating! 😀
What do I like to read … um, smut, smut, and more smut. I don’t care who writes it or where it comes from (dirty), just give it to me (dirty again). Actually, that’s not true. There is one author who writes smut that rises so high above the rest it’s practically in Jupiter by now. And her name rhymes with, uh, flags. Other people may know her as Margaret.
I had peanut butter for breakfast, peanut butter for lunch, and it looks like it’s gonna be chili for supper. Didn’t see that one coming, did you?
I feel like dancing pretty much every second of the day, I sing all. the. time., and my greatest joy in life is making people laugh, including myself. And that’s ME in a nutshell! 🙂
Peanut butter is the food of the gods! Thanks so much, Julie. You’re right, that Julie girl I referred to in my post is positively delightful!
Hi Margaret,
Wow! Maybe we’re twins? I love diet coke, peanut butter, and wearing socks (always with the cold feet).
I also love classic movies. So, do you have three favorite all time quotes (from any movie)?
And what is one (or several) fav. quote from GWTW?
We must be twins, Jennifer! We’re both a tad snarky too. I think it works for us.
Favorite quotes. Well, off the top of my head (and these may not be entirely accuarte):
‘There will be no locks or bolts between us, Mary Kate, except for the ones in your own mercinary little heart.’ – Sean Thornton in The Quiet Man.
‘How was the suicide? Oh, the usual way, insufficient poison.’ – Grandmama and Aunt Alicia from Gigi.
‘You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.’ – Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.
GWTW quotes? Well, there are so many. The one I the most mileage from is: ‘Melanie Hamilton is a pale-faced, mealy-mouthed ninny and I hate her.’
But I am awfully fond of: “Savannah’d be better for you. You’ll only get in trouble in Atlanta. You know what trouble I’s talking about. Mr. Ashley Wilkes will be comin’ to Atlanta when he gets his leave, and you’ll be settin’ there waitin’ for him just like a spider!’
HAHAHA! “Just like a spider!!!”
I can hear Hattie McDaniel saying it even now.
Perfect!
I may have watched it a few (million) times….
You had me at Diet Coke. Hiya there Margaret, gosh I always have to make sure I spell that correctly. I’m not very good with the music references or a lot of movies but I have been known to have random facts rolling around in my brain. I’ve been told I’m punny and I do get tested on my wit by some wonderful wilful women. (was that a GG reference? *nods*
I go through spurts of reading, but my favorites are the smuffy romances. Pleasure talking to you.
Hello, Laurie! Thank you for stopping by! You might want to be sure to check back later for my post about imaginary men. We may have a mutual friend in there….
Thanks to my day job, which sadly has nothing to do with booze, I’m way late for commenting, but couldn’t resist responding to such a fabulous post. I am curious about your day job and really looking forward to your post on imaginary men. For me it’s Diet Mountain Dew and I’m working on my 4th 24oz’er. I resemble the not-so-wicked-step-mother to a 26 yr old who still lives at home. Time for him to vacate the nest. The horses and dogs can stay.
Oh, Christina, we can talk about the nesters…. The pets are so much easier, but I will admit they run up our grocery bill just as much! My day job? I do inventory control for a wholesale distributor. Yes, that’s every bit as exciting as it sounds. Every day I count bottles (and cases and pallets) of booze. I’m way past 99 bottles by 7:30 each morning. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me!
Hi Margaret,
Swooning with you over Don Draper. He’s in my top five! You know what I mean! 😉
Tracy 🙂
Oh, I know what you mean, Tracy. Tell me, did you laminate your top five?
Margaret – That was delightful. A great read on a Thursday night (Friday eve). No rabbits here, but I used to have a cat named Bunny and she ruled the roost, too!
Thank you, Grace! Our rabbit is rather cat-like, so they would probably get along well. Happy Friday Eve to you!
Diet Coke. Check
Socks. I’ve a wee bit of an obsession with them.
Booze. Yes please.
Help! I’m in a nutshell! How did I get into this bloody great big nutshell? What kind of shell has a nut like this?
This was a very cute post and I’m glad I got to know you a bit better.
I like to read all sorts of things, from smut and fluff, to Harry Potter.
I share my abode with a 20 pound cat who likes to sit on my while I’m lying in bed, and purr.
I love to laugh and one of my favorite times of the year involves some crazy ladies, a karaoke machine, and things that shall remain nameless.
Thank you, Christine! There’s nothing better than a group of crazy women with a karaoke machine for some laughs. I appreciate your comment- particularly the Austin Powers love! We could be twins!