Okay, not TV Land as in the network by that name. I’m talking about TV in general. With the writers’ strike still under way, the ol’ TiVo has been recording mainly movies and some random shows I’ve never heard of, plus, curiously, episodes of Gunsmoke. Maybe that’s because I recorded The Quick and the Dead. Hmm. Anyway, some shows are coming back on with the few episodes they were able to complete before the strike. Here’s a quick roundup:

Prison Break — So it’s incredibly far-fetched. So what. Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell still have me glued to the episodes, and I can’t help rooting for Agent Mahone. I HATE what happened to the Sarah storyline because of actress Sarah Wayne Callies’ departure from the show, and I don’t know how Michael will possibly get any sort of happy ending after all he’s gone through, but I’m intensely curious how it’s all going to play out.

Smallville — If you’ve read my blog for very long, you know I love superhero stuff. No surprise I’m still watching the boy who will become Superman. I’m ready to say bye-bye to Lana now though. Her and Clark’s romance doesn’t feel real anymore, and I’m ready for the turn toward Lois to start. It’s fun to see James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) back as Brainiac though. I’ve read he also has a role in Torchwood now, but that’s on BBC America and I don’t get that channel.

Supernatural — The Winchester boys are BACK! This is my favorite show, and it came back on tonight. We got to learn a bit more about Ruby — I think she’s a cool character. I mean, Dean and Sam hunt and kill demons and she’s a demon. BUT she’s on their side. More fuel added to the “everything isn’t black and white” fire tonight when Ruby revealed a fact to Dean about her own past and the nature of demons. I think something else she revealed to him is the turning point for him in how he thinks about being doomed to die within the year. My poor Sammy, pinned to the wall AGAIN.

Stargate Atlantis — I’m excited about the potential new romance between Dr. Keller and Ronon. Plus, I just like sci-fi shows. John is still snarky, Ronon still kicks butt, and Rodney is still fantastically annoying and yet endearing.

LOST — I haven’t watched tonight’s premiere yet. Must write a guest blog post for next week instead.

Anybody out there in blogland watch these shows? What do you think of recent episodes?

Okay, so I’m not really finished with The Willow Creek Cafe, my second book for Harlequin American, but I did just write the end of the first draft. I now have 15 days to whip this book into shape. It’s currently too short, but I already have ideas for some new or expanded scenes that will lengthen it while strengthening the overall story. But, yea, I’m finished with the first draft. I can go to bed early and read. After all, I’ve got almost 800 pages of The Sweet Far Thing to finish reading. I’ve been so tired the past couple of nights, I’ve only gotten a few pages read before I drifted off to Snoozeville.

In movie news…the other day my TiVo recorded a movie called Romancing the Bride staring Laura Prepon from That 70s Show (which I think is totally hysterical) and a hottie named Matt Cedeno who is evidently a soap opera star (wouldn’t know, don’t watch them). So, imagine me kicked back in my recliner watching this cute little romantic comedy after a day of writing when all of a sudden in the middle of the movie it is cut off and the next hour of what should be the movie is an infomercial for Proactiv! Now picture Trish not happy. Grrr. Luckily, I was able to get the movie from Netflix and watch the rest to see what happened.

I’ve blogged in the past about book trailers and about how very few of them really stand out. I’m always impressed when one does. Today, a member of an e-mail list I’m on posted about the trailer on her site for her upcoming book. I clicked on it, curious. Wow! This is what a book trailer should be like. Granted, Jessica Brody works for a film production company, but her book trailer is still something for all of us to aspire to.

Have you seen any really good book trailers? If so, let me know.

The winner of the Bag O’ Books (and other goodies) is Amanda who was post number 10 on Jan. 23. Amanda, contact me through the Contact page on this site with your mailing address and I’ll get your books off to you pronto. Congratulations!

And thanks to everyone who came by to post during the launch week of my newly redesigned site.

I finished Tanya Michaels’ Trouble in Tennessee last night (and let me just say I’ve never seen a cutie-pie doctor like Dr. Keith Caldwell), so I have a new “What I’m Reading”…

What I’m Reading: The Sweet, Far Thing by Libba Bray

So, what is everyone else reading this week?

I have been burning up the keyboard on my laptop this past week. Starting last Sunday through the end of today, I’ve written 127 pages. I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the first draft of this book. My main goal for this week is to finish the first draft by Thursday. Other goals for the week ahead:

1. Announce the winner of the book giveaway here tomorrow. Remember to check back to see if you win if you’ve posted a comment on this blog during the past week.

2. Start work on my line edits for A Firefighter in the Family when they arrive.

3. Work on some task force responsibilities for the RWA board.

4. Work on a freelance article for the Romance Writers’ Report.

5. Exercise at least 30 minutes (if not more) every day.

6. Various domestic duties such as an exciting trip to the recycling center and the cleaning of two bathrooms that mysteriously get dirty every time I turn my back.

On my old Blogger blog, I used to put what I was currently reading in the sidebar. In the absence of that option, I’m going to start putting it down at the bottom of posts each time I start a new book.

What I’m Reading: Trouble in Tennessee by Tanya Michael

I’ve written 96 pages since last Sunday, so by the time I finish working today I’ll have written more than 100 pages this week. No wonder my brain feels abused. I wrote 16 yesterday and could have pushed myself to write more, but after writing that many pages in so few days I took the evening off to rest and just veg. I watched the Katie Holmes/Marc Blucas (Riley from Buffy) movie First Daughter, last night’s episode of Stargate Atlantis — no Ronon in sight , and The Prince and Me 2: Royal Wedding. Yes, I’m getting into that YA state of mind since I’ll have to start working on YA #2 after I finish The Willow Creek Cafe and the line edits that are their way to me on A Firefighter in the Family.

Hey, anyone out there with a MySpace page? If so and you want to link to mine, you can see it in all of its Will Turner glory here.

Don’t forget to comment on the blog here before the end of the day tomorrow to be in the running to win the bag o’ books and other goodies.

Also, voting for the American Title contest is still under way for Round 4. My manuscript, OUT OF SIGHT, is one of the four finalists and I’d appreciate any votes. To read the entries and vote, visit this page.

My Wet Noodle Posse pal Jill Monroe and her good friend, fellow author Gena Showalter, are known far and wide for their funny antics. This new “interview” Jill does with Gena just showcases it for the world to see. I had a good laugh at this, but at the same time it’s a fun way to get the word out about their books.

On the topic of author self-promotion, I had a funny dream this morning just before I woke up. I dreamed my husband bought me a PT Cruiser that had belonged to hugely successful romance author Nora Roberts. It was part of a promotional campaign, something like “Buy Nora Roberts’ Car”, and when I got in the car it was full of promo materials for Nora’s books — bookmarks, flyers, even a book signed to me and congratulating me on getting the car. Strange, huh? This might have been the combination of my current car recently hitting 250,000 miles and seeing some of Nora’s comments on a blog yesterday. Weird how the mind processes info while we’re asleep.

What are some of the best and most unusual methods of book self-promotion you’ve seen?

On the writing front, I’ve written 81 pages so far this week and that’s without writing on Tuesday, when I had a million other things to do. The goal is to finish the first draft of this book by the end of January.

My pal Kirsten Scott and I are team blogging today over on the Romance Novel TV site about how young adult novels are the same as and different from adult romance novels. RNTV is a hugely fun place to hang out, so come join in the fun. We’re sharing comments on our favorite YA books and authors as well as reliving our worst high-school moments. Come on, you know you all have at least one.

I was shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Heath Ledger yesterday. He was one of my favorite actors, and I admired his work and the way he didn’t just take any ol’ role to make a buck. He waited until he got scripts he liked. I think I first saw him in 10 Things I Hate About You with Julia Stiles. It’s one of my favorite teen movies. I also really enjoyed A Knight’s Tale and am looking forward to his performance as the Joker in this year’s The Dark Knight, though it will be sad to watch it knowing he’s gone and it will be his last performance. But the role that really showed his range as an actor was that of Ennis Del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. I was very disappointed when he didn’t win an Oscar for that performance. However you feel about the movie and its subject matter, he did a fantastic job in the role.

I have to wonder how many other fantastic performances were in store for him. I’m saddened for him, for his little girl, Matilda, his family, his friends, and for the movie-going public who won’t be able to enjoy what would have likely been a long, distinguished career.

When asked what my thoughts were about the end of LOST last season, I’d have to say, “Lost.” What a mind twister. I have my TiVo set for next week’s return of LOST, and I can’t wait to see what happens. And, hey, my buddy Tanya Michaels is blogging about LOST today too. Tanya and I share a lot of TV and pop culture obsessions, so we ALWAYS have plenty to talk about when we see each other. Pop over to her blog and share your speculations for the new season.