Going once, twice, 3 times...done, all done

Have I mentioned I'm a demon for auctions? Mostly I keep myself away from eBay because that would spell doom for my budget, but once or twice a year I allow the bidding fiend out to play and last weekend was one such time. I am now the proud owner of not one, but two, charm bracelets. I didn't expect to win either with my one bid but lo and behold, two bracelets and each a steal. Yay.

Why was I so inspired last weekend? Research. I was on the net looking for a specific bracelet and got sidetracked. I did find the Vivienne Westwood "Woo Me" charm bracelet and my heroine is going to be a very lucky girl. (This wasn't one of the ones I bought, I hasten to add -- this one I cannot afford!)

Speaking of auctions... I've also been doing my share of bidding at Brenda Novak's fundraiser for juvenile diabetes research. Brenda has put together a brilliant list of goodies for readers (autographed books, lunch with an author, bring an author to your readers group, bookstore vouchers), for writers (buy a guaranteed read of your manuscript by an agent or editor, lunch with an editor, critiques by authors, promo packages) and for everyone (jewelry, craft work, memory books, restaurant vouchers.)

I'm not telling just how many items I've bid on. I can tell you that I'm not leading the race for the most bids placed (so I can't be TOO out of hand, can I?) for which there is an awesome prize:

*A 2.5" Pocket Dish, which enables you to download movies from DVD's, your TV or your satellite receiver (Retail Value $350)
*A silver and diamond tennis bracelet (Retail Value $450)
*A silver bracelet from Tiffany's (Retail Value $300)
*A set of three elegant candlesticks to make any dinner more romantic (Retail Value $100)
*Two pounds of See's Chocolates (Retail Value $28)
*An autographed ARC of my next romantic suspense novel, DEAD SILENCE (out in August)
*A few undisclosed surprises!

Do check out the auction. You'll be supporting a great cause.