2014 World Cup Fever!

hollandAnyone who’s been checking me out on FB or Twitter knows that I’m an avid soccer fan.

Who wouldn’t be with this incredible 2014 World Cup!

So many favorite powerhouses have been felled in Round 1: England, Spain…the list goes on.

The matches have been astounding. In the three elimination games played to date, two went down to penalty kicks. My heart’s getting a total workout!

Being as the dh is Dutch, we are rooting for the Oranje team. The game yesterday between Holland and Mexico appeared a complete disaster, when in the 88th minute, the Flying Dutchmen rallied and scored. What a goal!!! And then it was followed by another! OMG, the sons, dh, and I were holding our collective breaths.

Poor Mexico. I felt their pain. After dominating the first half, they sat back, and played it safe. Big mistake.

I have a terrible weakness for the underdog in any competition (probably because I’ve always been one and I lived in Trinidad, a 60×40 country that rarely tops any completion). BTW, Trinidad and Tobago made it to the 2010 World Cup in Germany – take that you underdog doubters (we also managed to have 2 Miss Universes and 1 Miss World, won 2 Olympic golds, 5 silvers, and 11 bronzes)!

Therefore, yesterday I rooted for Costa Rica in the second set of games.  Another game resolved by penalty kicks. In the next round Holland will play Costa Rica (on Saturday) and I will be wearing orange. Can’t wait.

Since I’m now a PIA obnoxiously proud citizen, I will be supporting Team USA on Tuesday.

Lord help me if the unlikely happens and Holland ever meets the USA in the World Cup.

What a miraculous Monday today is!

Enjoy the games.

Cheers,

Jianne

Prymal Lust!

Prymal_lust2_Jianne-Carlo-500x800

PRYMAL

The first book in my new Prymal series debuts on August 7, 2014. What is Prymal?

The primal call of Mate Claim sparks battle among the three species of shifters—Wylfen, Feral, and Rogue—and has for generations. These violent feuds incite hunts by humankind, driving shifters near extinction.  

To protect their people the aristocratic Wylfen ban the practice of Mate Claim. The Senior Council now decides all mate alliances to protect their pure blood and promote the politically premier families.  

Feral and Rogue shifters still practice the primitive ritual. The Feral shifters are half-breed humans, while the Rogue shifters share two sets of animal DNA, big cat and wolf, as well as human.  

Both are considered the basest of beasts in the eyes of the Wylfen. Secret schemes to eradicate the Feral and Rogue are put into motion backed by Wylfen wealth and power. Their success leaves less than a hundred Feral and Rogue shifters on the planet.  

When a Rogue alpha claims a Wylfen female, the mated pair forms a coalition with a Feral male. An alliance is created: Prymal, a new species and pack born of Rogue, Wylfen, and Feral, fracturing all established traditions.

 And war begins… 

Here’s the blurb for Prymal Lust:

Tania, a Wylfen aristocrat, hooks up with a stranger right before her twin’s graduation from military college. Not hours later, the bottom drops out of her world when she’s introduced to Axe, her twin’s new SEAL instructor. Then she discovers he’s a Feral Wolf, the arch enemy of her people. Wylfen laws prohibit her from mating with a half-breed. If anyone finds out she’s mated with Axe, exile is the least she has to fear…

Have a Merry Monday!

 

 

Jianne

Go Dutchmen!

'The Hunter' Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

‘The Hunter’
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar

You all know what team I’m rooting for today. I have a weakness for underdogs though and the announcer just mentioned that The Australian team is the lowest ranked of all the teams in the World Cup. So, may the House of Orange prevail, but the Aussies put on a grand show!

Best I can do.

Cheers,

Jianne

U.S.A. Victory!!!

Brazil Soccer WCup Ghana US

Photo courtesy The Global News.

We won! Doing a huge yes yank right now! And we played brilliant soccer. Now, my loyalties are broken in half. Is there any way Holland can meet the USA in the finals?

Sigh.

I’ll be cheering on the House of Orange tomorrow!

Cheers,

Jianne

World Cup Fever!

Photo courtesy Entertainment Tonight

Photo courtesy Entertainment Tonight

I grew up in the Caribbean, specifically in Trinidad and Tobago, and that means I’m a confirmed soccer and cricket fan.

Okay, okay, through sheer osmosis (I live in a house with four males and have all my life), I also know waaaay too much about hockey, football, golf, baseball, and basketball. But, the World Cup takes the cake. And will do so until Anthony Rizzo’s in a World Series.

Every World Cup, there are controversial lists of the hottest players. It’s fun and entertaining to see who thinks who’s hot. Here’s a few eye candy lists for you:

http://www.eonline.com/news/547705/the-2014-fifa-world-cup-begins-today-see-all-the-hottest-soccer-studs

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/11/world-cup-2014-hottest-soccer-players_n_5476100.html

http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/twelve-hot-soccer-players-in-the-2014-world-cup/#1

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/soccer/sexiest-soccer-stars-playing-2014-world-cup-gallery-1.1814160?pmSlide=1.1814147

And, of course, I’d be remiss without including this!

http://on.aol.com/video/meet-the-23–the-united-states-mens-national-soccer-team-518253982

Have a blast World Cup fans! I know I will!

Cheers,

Jianne