Since November is both the National Family Caregivers month and Thanksgiving, I wanted to share a article I wrote on this topic: Honoring Family Caregivers.

 Hi to everyone! I’m working hard, trying to promote my brand new book, HIGH ANXIETY, but I wanted to come up for air and set something straight: I am NOT dead.

I discovered, quite by accident, that there are at least three other women bearing my name. (And, here, I thought I was special.) I hope I have my information right, but it seems one of them is 115 years old, the other one just died at 85, and the last one is po’d at some man and spewing bad language all over the place. Of course, it’s difficult to talk about men without using bad language, am I right?

I hope I don’t live to be 115. For me that would mean adult diapers, gumming food, and wearing my bra around my waist because I don’t think breasts were created to live 115 years.  As for my butt; we’ll, I shudder to think of it because I’ve seen my butt at 55. It happened by accident — I sure as hell wouldn’t have done it on purpose — as I was getting in the shower and happen to glance over my shoulder at the huge wall mirror. The only person who has a bigger butt than me is my aunt on my mother’s side of the family, and she’s not doing well. If she dies that means I’m going to have the biggest butt in the family.

I’m not even sure I want to live to see 85. By then, what’s left of my mind will have been long gone. My kids will hire a caretaker for me named Cruella or Attila. Medicare and social security will be nonexistent, and I’ll have to eat cheap dog food as opposed to healthier ones like Pedigree or Science Diet.

As for the woman spewing curse words over some man; well, that could have easily been me.

After giving her statement, Kate goes home to her fireman ex-husband who she has been nursing back to health. So she won’t stress him out, she tells him the class went fine. Her attempt backfires when the story hits the front page of the newspaper the next morning. Angry, Jay storms out to go volunteer to fight the wildfire sweeping through drought-ridden Florida.

               

Kate’s day goes from bad to worse when her best friend and receptionist, Mona, calls her that she can’t come in because of a bad case of hives. Kate is determined to run her office on her own, but Mona calls Kate’s mother who is more than glad to help. But when Dixie turns the office on its ear, Kate breaks down and calls a temporary employment agency. What she hadn’t counted on was being sent someone more disturbed than her patients.

 

After noticing many disturbing habits, Kate discovers that the temp, Abigail, refused to put a colleague, Thad Rizer, through in regards to a patient, Kate realizes she needs to fire Abigail.  Her life becomes one high tension moment after another at that point. Is Abigail behind the stalking? Or could it be someone that Kate doesn’t even suspect?

 

HIGH ANXIETY is filled with colorful characters that are a riot to read about. Ms. Hughes has a witty way with words. The story itself will keep you on the edge of your seat. Three dimensional characters and believable situations make this a fun read. Don’t miss it!

 

By Romance Junkies Reviewer: CinLee

Well, my summary can’t even come close to giving you an idea of all the fun things going on in this hilarious story. There is something going on from beginning to end with Kate finding herself dealing with a gun waving senior to worrying about Jay fighting a large fire in Florida to delivering a baby in Mona’s bathtub. 

 On of the best things about this story are the quirky characters. Not a one doesn’t have some sort of issue or problem which only adds to the humor. Mona while a fashion plate has a hillbilly type mother who is a midwife and healer. Kate’s mother lives with her twin sister where they make a living by turning junk into art. They also still dress alike which can be strange. Their roommate is one of Kate’s patients, a former Marine who has gender issues. 

As strange as all of these characters are Abigail is even stranger and scarier. The really weird thing is, I could actually picture all of these people and all of the situations that they found themselves in. Ms Hughes does a wonderful job describing things so you feel as if you are there and involved.  

While there is a bit of a romantic flavor to this story, I couldn’t call it a romance. There is also a mysterious element, yet it’s not exactly your normal mystery novel. What this book can be called is entertainingly funny.  This was one of those books that I just couldn’t put down. I also couldn’t help laughing as Kate goes from one interesting situation to the next bringing with her chaos and hope.  

This is the third book in a series. I haven’t read the first two yet, and that is a definite yet. I plan of finding them as soon as I can. I didn’t need to read them to thoroughly enjoy High Anxiety. I just like Kate that much. This is one series that will be on my automatic buy list and one that I can’t wait to share with my family and friends.            

                              Terri of Night Owl Reviews 5 stars

I want Michelle Obama’s arms!

Hey, I know you guys have noticed that our new First Lady has awesome arms, but what I want to know is how she got them. I hate flabby underarms, but mine are headed in that direction. I used to do aerobics religiously. I even used weights. I’m thinking of starting back.

Notice I said I’m “thinking” about it. I don’t want to rush into anything. Anyway, I’d love to know what exercise is good for underarm flab. Also, is there anything to be done about inner thigh flab? I’m not just talking about muscles that need tightening; I’m talking about the added flesh that makes thighs unattractive.

 If anybody out there knows the secret to getting rid of this flab, please let me know!

Okay, so I’ve turned in my new book. My publisher didn’t like the previous title so I came up with a new one, HIGH ANXIETY, which aptly describes my life these past few months.

My book tour stole precious writing time – I was so late getting the book in! – but I’ll have to say it was worth it because I met the nicest people. The booksellers went out of their way to accommodate me and I came face-to-face with readers who had been following me since I started my career writing category romance some 20+ years ago.

On a sad note, I met and talked at length with an 80-something year-old-woman who was incredibly depressed because her eyes were giving her so many problems that she couldn’t do what she loved best: read. She was hoping her new eye glasses would rectify the problem, but think how hard it would be to go through life unable to read a book, even in large print! I know books on tape are very popular, but when I climb into bed at night I still want to reach over and pick up a book. It’s a simple pleasure. And who doesn’t need them at this point in time?

Anyway, everybody keep your fingers crossed that my editor and other powers-that-be love my new book.

Charlotte is interviewed today at Romance Bandits Blogspot and before I could get this posted there were already 65 comments on the interview:  http://romancebandits.blogspot.com/2009/04/have-laugh-with-charlotte-hughes.html .

FYI the new title for the third book in the Crazy series has been officially changed to HIGH ANXIETY.

If you are on twitter please be sure to follow http://twitter.com/charlottehughes where there are already more followers than on Facebook (1500+).

I am going to be interviewed for the Introducing Writers program on BlogTalkRadio hosted by Kim Smith. IF you would like to listen in then follow this link:

Click here. If you would like to listen later the show will be archived at the same link.

Guest blog at Romance Vagabonds:  Whoever said that laughter is the best medicine was right on. I love making people laugh. Especially now, when the news is full of doom and gloom. If only we could worry less and laugh more.

I’ve received mail from terminally ill patients who claimed my books lifted their spirits and gave them a lot of chuckles during some of their darkest days. There is no greater compliment. If I can help someone escape their problems or great sadness, even for a little while, it brings me joy.

To read the entire blog click here.

Charlotte Hughes is interviewed tonight (March 24th) live on radio by Dr. Howard Glussman, a Beverly Hills Radio Psychologist. The interview starts at 11 pm EST amd you can listen to it on your computer live (or later hear a podcast) at this link: click here