Twas the Night Before

Christmas Eve! Not a creature was stirring, except us little mice who have to work today!

But at 5 o'clock this evening it will be VACATION!!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve & I'll be on vacation until after the New Year.

It's 5 o'clock somewhere. Can I start vacation now please?

Wrapping: Check

Yep. The wrapping is done & the gifts wait under the tree for Christmas morning. The last cookie is baked & the only thing left to do is clean the house & get ready for Christmas dinner. Then all next week I'll be sitting back, relaxing, & enjoying a week's vacation before the new year begins. Ahhh...I can't wait!

Shopping: Check

Yay!! I got all my Christmas shopping done!! Now I just gotta wrap it all & put it under the tree. And wait till Sunday to see everyone's face when they tear it apart.

How's your Christmas shopping going? Have you finished or are you waiting until Christmas Eve to make a mad dash for what's left on the store shelves?

Aaaaggghhh!!

Well, Christmas is almost here & I haven't bought a single gift. But that's not unusual for me. There are only two things I seem to procrastinate on with any regularity; Writing & Christmas Shopping. They do get done in the end, however ,so I'm not completely without hope.

Since this is the last full shopping weekend before Christmas I'll get it all done on Saturday. I know what I'm getting, mostly, so it shouldn't take all day. Thank goodness for that because I hate fighting the crowds. And you know there will be crowds. It is Christmas after all.

As for writing? Well, I'll work on that this weekend, too. Saturday morning is MCRW's annual Christmas Party & Book Swap. I can't wait!! I love this group & "book swap" is a mild term for the "give me that book or I'll pour punch in your lap & smear frosting on your head" dirty Santa game we play every year. It's all in good fun & we always leave with a good book & an even better memory.

I love this time of year!!

Weekend

Check out my little helper. Isn't he the cutest thing ever?!

Wow. What a great weekend. The house is clean (a feat in itself), the tree is up & ready for Christmas, my stove is working again (for now) and my baby girl turned 20. I'd say I accomplished quite a bit over the past two days. Now back to the old grindstone!

Furlough

Well, we just got the announcement that there will be another furlough in the first quarter of 2012. Only this time is a little different. If you're below a certain base pay you don't have to take it. I'm barely under the threshold so I hope they don't decide to lower it just a tad.

As of right now I don't have to take one. Thank the Good Lord for small blessings!

Pumpkin Cookies

I love cookies. Chocolate chip are usually my favorite for obvious reasons. But during the months of October, November and December that favorite changes. There's nothing like a fresh from the oven, cakie delicious Pumpkin Cookie.

It's probably the only good thing I ever got from my ex-mother-in-law. They're yummy and you can add so many optional ingredients that they're really customizable to whatever your taste might be.

Ingredients:
4 cups of flour
2 tsps of baking soda
2 tsps of cinnamon
1 tsp of salt
2 cups of brown sugar
1 cup of white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 cups butter (melted)
1 16 oz can of pure Pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Optional Ingredients:
1 cup oatmeal
1 cup raisins
1 cup nuts
peanut butter for frosting

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add vanilla, pumpkin and butter. Mix until smooth. Add chocolate chips (and other optional ingredients). Spoon onto cookie sheet or stone and bake for 15 minutes.

Makes approximately 5 dozen cookies per batch.

What's your favorite cookie?

I Got Nuttin"

Hmmm...it's been a while since I posted. But then I don't lead a very exciting life so I can't think of a single thing I've done this month that's even remotely blogworthy.

I'm working on the 2nd draft of my first novel. It's slow going because I'm still getting to know my characters, but I'm hoping to finish this draft by my birthday in January so I can take Angela James' "Before You Hit Send" workshop. That's gonna be my reward for finishing on time.

What kind of reward do you give yourself when you finish a draft?

The Chains That Bind You

Writing is a solitary job. We sit alone and craft our stories and sometimes the only people we talk to are those in our heads. I’m good at talking to the people in my head. They generally don’t hurt me in the way real people have. But to be a writer you also have to open yourself up to the outside world or you have no solution when the people in your head want an answer to a problem they’re facing. So I did something drastic (for me). I joined RWA and found a local chapter where I could meet other writers.

The first time I walked into an MCRW meeting I was terrified. I’m not a social person so joining any group would have given me a nervous breakdown. But I knew that if I really wanted to get serious about my writing I needed to study the craft and find out how other writers worked. And I had to find a way to make sure the chains I had placed around my own shoulders were broken.

That first meeting taught me that my heart still beat when it was in my throat. I was welcomed as if I were already a part of the group and I’ve learned more than I thought possible from this awesome group of women. The first link fell away

Over the past three years I’ve attended almost every meeting and workshop and I volunteered last year as editor of Love Notes. I even made myself go to a retreat and play Little Red Riding Hood for “mystery night”. These things were a big deal for me because I’m not a joiner. I’m a sit-on-the-sidelines-and-pretend-to-cheer kind of girl. But I made myself step up and I’ve had a wonderful time. Now I know that I don’t have to pretend to cheer. I can shake my pom poms like anyone else. Another link broken..

But joining isn’t the only step I’ve taken. I also write. Not every day, but I do write. And I’ve finally done something I never would have done if not for joining this group. I finished my very first first draft. It’s taken three long years of rattling my chains but I did it. I think that one broke away at least two links. And layering in all the things I didn’t know I needed when I started the draft might just get me two or three more links.

Since I started this journey I’ve slowly lightened the load that held me back. I’m still sawing the links and sometimes a blade dulls and I have to stop and hone the edges. But because I took that first step I know that I can break free. And I intend to keep cutting away until I’ve done just that.

If you’re struggling to break your own chains, don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. Pick up a saw and start cutting. Take that first step. You’ll be glad you did.

THE END!

The two sweetest words in the English language & I just typed them. And I'm so stinking excited about it I could pop!

THE END

I finished the first draft of my very first manuscript. Oh, I've written little stories just for me and I've written poems for years, but there's something about finishing a first draft on a novel that is just pure bliss.

It's mostly dialogue so I need to go back & layer in Setting/Description, expand on the conflict and add more Action. And I didn't write in a love scene because that will take some planning. But at least now I have something to work with & I'm not writing blind.

And I know there's tons of work still to be done. I'm sure I'll write a fourth or even fifth draft before I call it completely finished, but for now I'm in heaven.

THE END

I Lost It

I had it, I loved it, and I lost it.

I wrote the most perfect story, finished it, sold it, the whole works. In a dream I had last night. And now the perfect story is gone. I can't remember for the life of me what it was about. Usually when I have a dream like this I get up the next morning, rush to my pen & paper and write down everything I remember.

But not this time.

This time it's gone. And I can't seem to get it back. It's driving me nuts. I really loved that story. I was so proud of that story. And now I've lost it.

Guess it's time to move on to another story. Perhaps I'll find one in my waking life that will be just as wonderful. One can dream, right?

Same Time Next Year

This weekend was AWESOME! I had so much fun hanging out with family members I haven't seen in WAY too long.

We drove down on Friday and spent Friday evening with my parents. We all loaded up and went to the county fair. We had funnel cakes and hot dogs and just had a great time. My 67 year old mom even got on the Tilt-A-Whirl with me. That's something that hasn't happened in way too many years.

Saturday was the reunion. I got up early because I was so worried we wouldn't get the pavilion if I didn't get there by 8am. I got everything decorated and ready to go and people even showed up early to hang out with me while I worked. There were a good 50 people there if not more and every single one had as good a time as I did. I met cousins I've never met before and I spent time with the ones I grew up with. The food was great but the company was even better. And I can't wait to do it all over again.

After the reunion I drove over to visit and Aunt and Uncle who couldn't make it to the reunion because they were sick. It was a nice visit and I know they loved it as much as I did.

On Sunday I visited the cemetery where my great grandparents are buried, then went to church with Mom and Dad. After that we visited the cemetery where my grandparents are buried before we left to head back home.

It was a full, busy weekend and we had an awesome time. I can't wait to do it all again next year!

I'm So Excited!

And I just can't hide it.

OMG! It's almost time to leave for Arkansas for my family reunion. I can't wait! We're gonna have a great time. Hallie & Tyler with baby Zander and Josh & Ashlee will be going. My mom has taken her vacation so I'll be able to spend almost the whole time I'm there with her. My sister will be there and she's coming back with me for a few weeks to Nashville. I have cousins coming in from as far away as Charlotte, NC who I've never even met.

It's going to be an awesome weekend!!

WARRIOR WRITER is coming to Nashville!

Join the Music City Romance Writers as they welcome Bob Mayer on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at the Courtyard Marriott Nashville Airport from 9am to 5pm. Visit www.mcrw.com for more information. Seating is limited and the early deadine is September 23, 2011. Hurry and reserve your seat today!!

Reunion Plans

Plans are starting to come together for the Family Reunion next weekend. I've got a little shopping to do, but for the most part everything I'm doing I'm creating on my own. I'm bringing the research I've done on the family so far, I'm making a banner to go across the pavilion to welcome everyone, I'm creating centerpieces for the tables (maybe? lol) and I've printed out pictures for the older generation. I'm not too sure about games/prizes, but we're right next to the zoo & there will be plenty for the little ones to do.

I'm hoping mainly to get more information on my great-grandparents. I would love to have old photographs that some of the older generation might have, but I'm not holding out much hope of that. I do plan to ask though. It couldn't hurt. :-)

One more week and I'll be on my way to see almost my entire family. I'm so excited I'm having a hard time sleeping. Are we there yet? Are we there yet?

I Haz A Sad

My personal plans for the reunion aren't going so well. First KAM and the kids can't go because gas is so high and they don't have the money for it. And now HNM can't go because they might have to work that day and money is tight with them renting an apartment this month. I'm waiting to hear from JWM but since he never calls me or comes by the house unless under the threat of death I might not even know he's not going until he doesn't show up.

Here I am planning this reunion and my own immediate family can't even show up. So, yes. I definitely haz a sad.

Labor Day Weekend

I definitely did not labor this weekend. It was a great 4 day weekend for me. I went with MJM to visit his parents in KY and loved every second of it. His sister & her husband flew in from Seattle & his brother drove in from Chattanooga and we all had an awesome time.

I love hanging out with this family. Friday night we met them all at a nice Japanese restaurant for great food & fun. Then we went back to the house & continued Happy Hour (which usually lasts until Sunday morning...lol). Saturday we hung out at the house, went to the flea market, had yogurt at Stakz and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. The kids were all well-behaved and the adults tried to be.

My father-in-law gave each of his kids copies of paperwork that belonged to his father & grandfather with information on how they arrived in America; such as which ship they sailed on and their certificate of Citizenship. It's amazing to have such concrete proof of your family tree. I can't wait to find such gems on my own family.

With my own family reunion coming up I'm working on getting a chart done to hang on the wall of the pavilion the end of this month. I believe my family will enjoy it as much as I have and I can't wait to share with them what I've learned so far. Granted, it's not much, but it's a lot more than we've had before.

Mason Turns 1

It was a pretty laid back weekend. We had a great time at MAM's 1st birthday party this weekend. There was great food prepared by KAM's mom & there was a pinata for the kids. Only I think most of the adults left with the candy...lol

Other than that we didn't do much. I did get the flyers in the mail for the family reunion, though. Only 4 more weeks until I get to see my mom & the rest of the family. My sister is supposed to come back with me for a visit. Can't wait for that.

How was your weekend?

Getting Ready

Ok. The car is back again & it seems to be fine now. No oil leak, no popping wheels & no Check Engine Light shining at me. Let's just hope she stays for awhile now.

Getting ready for the family reunion next month. I've got tons of notes on the family history, but haven't started writing anything at all yet. I'd love to be able to visit some of the other states we came from, but that's not feasible right now. Eventually I will get to do those things, but for now I'll have to rely on the internet.

I did manage to get a few addresses & create a flyer that I'll put in the mail this next week. So far, so good. Looks like quite a few people will attend so it's going to be a success. We'll get to visit without the specter of a funeral hanging around us for a change. I can't wait!

I still need to work on the descendent chart. I want to be able to hang it up at the pavilion so everyone will be able to see what I have so far & we can add what they know to the mix. Plus it will help with my research.

And maybe by next year's reunion I'll have a lot more information to include!

Grrrr

Ok. I'm about ready to put Baby in the corner myself. Darn thing is back in the shop again. The Check Engine Light came on & wouldn't go off, there's oil coming from somewhere & the wheels pop when turning. I am not a happy camper right now.

But at least it's still under warranty & we're not paying for any of this stuff. Although driving the loaner car after the Mazda is not fun!

Baby's Back

Baby's back! We FINALLY got the new car back yesterday. The cruise is fixed and the car still runs like a dream. Can't wait to get it out on the open road again! But I'm still a little miffed that we had to leave it at the dealership all weekend when it was fixed and ready to go. Oh, well. It's over now & Baby's back!

It's No Fun

Our new car is awesome! It makes driving fun. There's only one little problem. It's in the shop.

There's nothing wrong with it mechanically. It still drives like a dream. But when we first got it home we realized the cruise control didn't work. The system would turn on but it wouldn't set. So we took it back where we bought it since it's still under warranty.

Only no one seems to be able to find out why it's not working. The dealership where we bought it had to send it to the Mazda dealer who is online with a tech-line/hotline trying to figure it out. I mean it can't really be that hard, can it? If you can't figure out why it's not working replace the entire thing.

Just please give me my car back. The loaner you gave me isn't nearly as much fun.

OMG! We Did It!

Well, the DH & I did something *almost* spontaneous last night. We bought a new car. Well, not exactly new, but new to us. Wednesday night we went to Carmax just to look around. DH has been wanting a new car for awhile, but we kept putting it off. He test drove a couple of cars, a Mazda RX-8 and a Z. We both fell in love with the RX-8. And it's my favorite color, too. lol

So, we ran the numbers & were told we could be financed at 10% interest (as apposed to the 25% interest we were currently paying on the Kia we bought a couple of years ago). We were completely surprised and decided to go home & think about it. And last night we went back, the car was still there, so we bought it!

I'm so excited. DH gets the car he wanted & I get to drive it. We still only have one car so I'll still be driving it everywhere, but it's really his. I'll get a new one later on when we can save some money. But until then...vroom, vroom!!

Stupid Laws

I’m gonna take a spin off The Goddess Blogs and post these dumb laws. I couldn’t resist looking to see what’s out there. Some are too funny for words, right?

Tennessee
• You can’t shoot any game other than whales from a moving automobile. (Like that’s gonna be an issue in Tennessee)
• It is illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish. (I’d like to see someone try though)
• Ministers are to be dedicated to God and therefore are not eligible to hold a seat in either House of the Legislature. (This explains a lot!)
• It is illegal for a woman to call a man for a date. (Someone’s mother must have made this one up!)
• When you pull up to a stop sign you must fire a gun out the window to warn horse carriages that you are coming. (Ummm…is that supposed to make them stop?)
• By law, anyone who has been drinking is “sober” until he or she “cannot hold onto the ground.” (Well, ok then)
• It is illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket. (Really?)
• Illegal for a woman to drive a car unless there is a man either running or walking in front of it waving a red flag to warn approaching motorists and pedestrians. (Doesn’t say anything about her running him over, though)
• It’s illegal for frogs to croak after 11 PM. (Do they have people who monitor the frogs?)
• It is illegal to give any pie to fellow diners. (That’s ok. I ain’t sharing anyway)

Arkansas
• No one may “suddenly start or stop” their car at a McDonald’s.
• Flirtation between men and women on the streets of Little Rock may result in a 30-day jail term. (Wonder if they have a big enough jail for these violators)
• It is unlawful to walk one’s cow down Main Street after 1:00 PM on Sunday. (Darn. I had planned to take Bessie to town this weekend)

Louisiana
• It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol. (Is it legal to shoot the teller with a real gun, I wonder?)
• Biting someone with your natural teeth is “simple assault,” while biting someone with your false teeth is “aggravated assault.” (Well, that’s a relief. I don’t have false teeth)
• Prisoners who hurt themselves could serve an additional two years in jail. (Wonder what they do to those who hurt others)
• All garbage must be cooked before it can be fed to any hogs. (Did the hogs revolt & demand cooked slop?)
• Chasing fish in a city park is against the law. (As apposed to chasing them down the street?)
• City commission members may not drink during a public meeting or risk a $50 fine. (Bet they don’t meet very often)
• Snakes are not allowed within 200 yards of the Mardi Gras parade route (Well I ain’t gonna be the one to enforce this one)
• You may not tie an alligator to a fire hydrant. (I don’t think you should try tying an alligator to anything unless you want to be armless)

Kentucky
• One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once. (So that’s where “Blue Duck” comes from)
• It is illegal to fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky. (Again. I’d like to see someone try it)

Texas
• It is illegal to sell one’s eye. (I need both of mine anyway)
• It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. (This one would be difficult for a lot of people)
• It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. (Well, I’m not gonna get any closer)
• It is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster. (So use a swiffer instead)
• Landing an airplane on the beach is illegal.
• Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500. (Better put in a few benches then)
• It is illegal to drive within an arm’s length of alcohol – including alcohol in someone else’s blood stream. (Hmm…not sure this one will be enforceable)
• It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts. (This one should be heavily enforced)
• It is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands. (But it’s ok to smile & wiggle your butt at someone)
• Owners of horses may not ride them at night without tail lights. (Tail Lights…ha…that’s funny)

Nice Weekend

Ahh...it was such a nice weekend.

Saturday MJM & I went to KY to visit his parents. It was an awesome day. We had lunch at Olive Garden, tried to see Harry Potter but it was sold out, & had dessert at a place called Stakz, a great do-it-yourself yogurt shop. First you choose the flavor you want, then you fill your bowl with as much as you want. Then you add whatever toppings you want including candy bars, cereal, pop tarts, sprinkles, gummy bears & dozens of other things. The cost is determined by weight so you can pay quite a bit if you add a little of everything! But it was so worth it. They really need one in Nashville!

Sunday we spent at home doing absolutely nothing. Well, I did the laundry & bought groceries, but other than that I did nothing at all. It was great.

Of course, now it's back to work. Another week is here & time to "make the donuts".

Cable It Is!

Looks like we get to keep the Cable. I called today to go down to Internet only & they're letting me have the Double Play I asked for yesterday. Which means we get to keep the Cable & Internet, get rid of the phone & still cut our bill in almost half. Works for me!!

To Cable or Not To Cable

So we're trying to decide what luxuries we can live without and which make like so easy we have to keep them.

Our cell phones we have to keep in case of emergencies, but I think once we're up for our New Every Two in December we're going to downgrade to phones that don't require the data package. It's not necessary to be so connected to the world that our every waking moment is consumed by email & internet.

Now, the cable on the other hand is another matter. We're signed up on a Triple Play with Comcast which is supposed to save us money by giving us Cable, Internet & a Home Phone for a lower price than their individual prices. Which was fine 2 years ago when we had kids at home & we needed the phone to be able to contact them. But now, Comcast tells me that we can go up to a better package and pay more OR we can take off the Home Phone (which we never ever ever use) and pay retail price for Cable & Internet which would cost us the same as the Triple Play. Ummm...the idea is to SAVE money...

There's a package for "Current Customers" that's available ONLY to customers who want to upgrade from either just internet OR just cable & include the one they don't currently have. It's a great deal, but WE CAN'T HAVE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE THE TRIPLE PLAY? Tell me how that can possibly be fair to long time customers who pay their bills on time every single month, including all the extra fees that are tacked on that we don't even know what they're for?

And another thing. Regular internet service is about $30. We have the "faster" internet & pay about $45. I learned yesterday we also have a $10 fee for our internet being faster! It seems to me if I'm paying a higher rate for faster internet I shouldn't be charged a "faster internet fee".

Anyway. The question is: Can we live without cable & just have internet only OR is cable a necessity with babies in the house? What do you think?

Random Thoughts

Finished Chapter 12 yesterday. Only 4 or 5 more to go. I'm not where I wanted to be by this time, but I'm a lot farther along than I thought I was going to be. Hmmm...that didn't sound quite right. lol

Saw Harry Potter 7 Part 2 last night with JWM. It was great! The graphics were awesome & the storyline stayed true to the books, just as the other movies did. I can't wait to see it again with my honey.

HNM & TKE bought a new car yesterday. I tried to talk them out of it since they have a brand new baby & she's not working right now, plus he works for Sonic making very little money & they just moved in with me b/c they couldn't afford their apt. I have to wonder how they're going to make a car/insurance payment. Even when she goes back to work they won't make that much. TKE really needs to find a job that will do more than Sonic pay. With HNM only working part time when she goes back the money will be short. But no matter what arguments I put in front of them they always have an answer. Even if that answer keeps them living with us forever. I had to inform them this was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, not permanent. I can only pray they start listening to me!

Ok. Rant over. For now!

*yawn*

I'm tired, cranky and would love nothing more than to curl up somewhere and take a nice long nap. But, alas, it's not to be. Gotta work or I don't eat.

But on the bright side I'm going to see the last Harry Potter tonight with my JWM. We always see the Harry Potter movies together. It's about the only thing we get to do together so I'm looking forward to it.

Weekend Reflections

Whew! Another weekend over and gone. KAM and the kids spent the weekend with us plus HNM, the new baby & boyfriend have moved in with us until they can save enough money for a car & a new apt. My house was chaos & I'm exhausted.

I love having a houseful of kids but at the same time I really, really want peace and quiet again. I must be insane for allowing so many at one time in the house because the place is way too small for family gatherings that last more than a day. But I was raised in a full house and I can't seem to get away from it. With 30 cousins and 8 sets of aunts & uncles always in & out of my grandparents house I never had peace and quiet.

But I love the little buggers and mostly they don't bother me so much. I worry more for MJM's sanity than my own.

Excuses, Excuses

Ok. So I haven't written anything in a while. That doesn't mean I'm not a writer, does it? I mean. I write stuff. I write ads at work. I send emails & write letters. I put out the monthly newsletter for my writing group. Doesn't all that count?

Oh, who am I kidding. Of course it doesn't count. But just because I write in fits doesn't mean I'm not a real writer. That's just my process. I do write, just not every single day for a certain number of hours at a certain time of day. Everyone has a different way of approaching their WIP and mine happens to be to write in fits.

Yeah, I know. I'm making excuses. So, what's your writing process?

NEW RELEASE! Haunted Heart by Carolyn Rosewood

HAUNTED HEART
SEXY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

CAROLYN ROSEWOOD
Etopia Press

Get Your Copy Here!

Rowena Sommers thought moving back home to restore her beloved Aunt’s home was the key to starting over. Van Whitney thought taking the job would keep his business afloat. When a ghost hunter tries to convince Rowena the home is haunted, can these two escape the past and find a future together?

EXCERPT:

She didn’t need Hollywood, or Brett Fontaine.

Rowena Sommers stuffed the latest issue of Celebrity back in the magazine rack, glancing around the Pilot gas station to see if anyone was watching. She sipped her coffee, fuming over the slant of the article.

Contrary to what the reporter said, her relationship with bad-boy leading man Brett Fontaine was in trouble long before she filed a libel suit against him for leaking her personal e-mails to the tabloids. The dumb-ass reporter should have checked the back issues, like the ones with candid photos of Brett and his female costars, taken every time he went on location. They ran right next to the stories with headlines like: Who’s Keeping Rowena Company While Brett Romps in Australia?

A woman in denim cutoffs and an Ohio State T-shirt plucked a copy of the magazine from the rack and glanced sideways, her eyes wide. “This is you. On the cover.”

Rowena studied the picture, taken on the steps of the Van Nuys courthouse three weeks ago. The day she won her lawsuit against Brett. The same day she found out her great-aunt Lunette had died. She’d trade twice the settlement amount to hear Aunt Loony’s voice again. “Yes. That’s me.”

Rowena took another sip of coffee as she tried to formulate an answer that didn’t involve telling this woman where she could stuff that magazine. Her cell chirped. Saved by the ring tone.

“I have to take this. Excuse me.” She headed for the counter as she opened the phone with her free hand. “Tricia, impeccable timing, as always. You just saved me from an inquisitive fan.”

“And judging by the sarcasm in your voice, I’m guessing you’ve seen this week’s Celebrity?”

She glanced back toward the magazine rack, where the woman and a teen dressed like Lady Gaga were reading the article out loud. “Yeah, I’ve seen it. And as if this day could get any worse, I’m forced to drink gas station coffee.”

Tricia laughed. “No Starbucks in Creek Ridge, Ohio?”

Her best friend’s voice reached across the miles, tugging at her heart. Had it been a huge mistake leaving LA? “God, I hope there’s still a Starbucks here.” She took another sip. “This is actually better than the brown goo they tried to serve me at the Holiday Inn Express this morning.”

“Have you been to Aunt Loony’s house yet?” asked Tricia.

Rowena swiped her credit card through the machine. “On my way now. I’ll call and let you know what the contractor said.”

Ohio State and Lady Gaga moved behind her in line, still talking about the article. Rowena’s fingers trembled as she put the card back in her wallet. She pushed past them without a glance. As she opened the door to the parking lot she heard one of them mutter something, but only caught the words “Hollywood” and “bitch.”

Wonderful. Back in town less than twenty-four hours and already someone thought she had an attitude. So much for believing the gossip wouldn’t follow her home.

She waited until she pulled out of the parking lot in her brand-spanking-new Infinity SUV before screaming. Dialing her iPod menu to Led Zeppelin, she turned up the volume, loud. Angry, frustrated, rebellious. Perfect.

The readers of Celebrity weren’t interested in the story behind the lawsuit. They didn’t care about the string of bullshit promises Brett had made. Or the callous way in which he’d trashed her costume design career and her industry contacts with a few keystrokes, all because she’d dared to issue him an ultimatum.

They only cared about two things: reading her personal e-mails, and how much money the Superior Court of Los Angeles had ordered him to pay her because of what he’d done.

They didn’t care why she was in Ohio, or that Aunt Loony was dead. Brett’s money wouldn’t bring her back. Fun and zany, she’d been dubbed Aunt Loony by Rowena’s father when he was a teen, and she’d loved Rowena and her five siblings as if they were her own.

Fresh grief mixed with anticipation. Willow Lane was less than two miles away. Would she be able to handle walking through Aunt Loony’s house, knowing she’d never see her warm smile again?

Spotting a cop parked in front of a strip mall, she braked. Just for good measure, she turned down the volume on Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. She could see the headlines now: Rowena Sommers Arrested for Speeding in Hometown!

The memories overwhelmed her when she turned onto Willow Lane. She’d spent almost as much time on this street as her own, two blocks over. It hadn’t changed in ten years. The oak tree in front of Traci Westphall’s house, where she used to hide from her older sister Emma, still had dead branches along one side. Two doors down, she half expected Bud Williams to materialize in his driveway, sweeping up leaves and twigs while he muttered about the damn, dirty trees.

The scent of roses, lavender, and freshly cut grass filled the air. May sunshine shimmered on the pavement. The smells evoked memories of the end of each school year, when the magic of summer stretched out endlessly. Summer vacation meant going barefoot, walking down by the railroad tracks, and staying outside after dark to catch lightning bugs.

She was home, ready to be part of this town again. To be with people who made her feel safe, wanted, and who didn’t measure their lives by the latest Nielson ratings or market shares.

But would they welcome her? Or had they read the tabloids while laughing at the girl voted Most Likely to Trip Over Her Own Shoelaces? She’d tripped all right, landing smack in the belly of the gossip machine.

The imposing Queen Anne at the end of the street, just before the entrance to Oak Park, rose into view. Despite the faded siding and missing shutters, the grandeur of the home still took her breath away. As her eyes settled on the four-story tower, she remembered summer nights in the second-floor bedroom, wishing she could live with Aunt Loony. Her own room, with no Emma harassing her or parents screaming at one of her brothers.

She slowed the car, turning off her iPod. Letting her gaze travel up to the top floor of the tower—the lookout point—she recalled her big brother Jake and his friends pretending they were pirates. Part of the game included the ability to see all the way to Cleveland, where ships from exotic places like Spain or China would pull into port, stuffed with treasure beyond imagination. She was usually stuck playing the kidnapped damsel in distress or a cabin boy. They’d ignored Emma when she repeatedly pointed out Lake Erie had never been plagued by pirates, nor had treasure ships sailed on the Great Lakes.

The trim lawn and pristine flower beds brought a smile to her face. Her little brother had actually kept a promise. If a contractor showed up, he’d have kept two. For Mike, that would be a record.

She raised her eyes to heaven. “Thank you for the house, Aunt Loony. I promise to take good care of it.” She could almost hear Aunt Loony’s hearty laugh and see the twinkle in her green eyes.

Her smile faded at the sight of a silver Mercedes parked in the driveway. If that belonged to the contractor, she was about to get ripped off.

She parked the SUV in front, then caught the hem of her favorite summer skirt in the door as she tried to make a graceful exit. She glanced toward the Mercedes. Too late. The driver’s side door was already open. Classy way to make a first impression, Rowena.

In the towering maple on the front lawn, a pair of robins started to chirp, probably about her clumsiness. She released her skirt then took a deep breath, turning to look at the man leaning against the Mercedes. Her mouth fell open as she scanned his face. It couldn’t be…

Vance Whitney—everyone calls me Van—belonged to the perfect, popular crowd of cheerleaders and jocks that had made her existence at Creek Ridge High a lesson in insignificance.

He crossed muscled arms over a forest green polo shirt that set off his luminous blue eyes, even at this distance. Broad shoulders tapered to a trim waist, and the khakis he wore accentuated his long legs. The same confident grin she remembered spread across his tanned face.

This is the contractor Mike called? No way. Not happening.

No matter how hot he still looked.

NEW RELEASE! Quarter Square by David Bridger

English carpenter Joe Walker thinks his life is over when he discovers his wife and best friend having an affair. Restoring an abandoned theatre offers little hope for a fresh start...until he follows a group of strangers through a hidden door into a world he never could have imagined.

In the haven known as Quarter Square, Joe encounters a community of supernatural street performers who straddle the mortal world and the magic realm known as the Wild. Here, Joe finds a sense of belonging he's never known before—and a chance to uncover the truth behind the frightening visions that have haunted him since childhood. He also meets Min, an enchanting singer who quickly captures his heart.

But as Joe settles into Quarter Square, he learns their haven is under attack, while an ancient enemy threatens to tear him and Min apart. Now, Joe must learn to wield his own powers in order to save the life he's come to love...

Buy QUARTER SQUARE at Carina Press!

It's a Wonderful Life!

Alexzander James Evans arrived at 6:33 a.m. on Thursday, June 16th weighing 6 lbs, 3 oz. Both Mommy & baby did great and spent this entire week with me. They're back home now, but I know HNM will be calling me on a more regular basis now with questions & observations.

I'm a very lucky woman. I have 3 great kids who have all found great people to share thier lives. And I have 3 awesome grandkids. Not to mention a wonderful husband & terrific best friend. I couldn't ask for more than I have right now!

NEW RELEASE! The Beta by Annie Nicholas

As the pack’s Beta, Robert needs to watch over the Vasi werewolf pack for a few days. He hates the responsibility, but his job is to dissolve any problems while his alpha honeymoons.

Nevertheless, trouble comes to town and her name is Esther. She's beguiling, beautiful and picks his pocket. Although Robert doesn’t trust her, he still wants to possess her.

Esther arrived in Chicago with the intention of slaying a vampire named Daedalus. While trailing her quarry, she encounters Robert who unhinges her world. He doesn’t know her trade, and she doesn’t know his connection to the vampire.

Disturbed by her attraction to this unusual werewolf, she can’t decide which prey to hunt. The one who’s stolen her heart or the one who’ll fill her bank account.

Hot graphic werewolf sex, growing body parts, and one pissed off Nosferatu.

For more information on Annie, visit her website.

To read an excerpt, click here. To purchase, click here.

Peace and Quiet

Well, KAM and the kids went home last week. I spent this weekend enjoying peace & quiet and maybe being just a little bored with nothing to do. The house is clean and there's nothing worth watching on TV right now so I sat in the quiet and read a book. It fell so good to do that.

Sunday was Mother's Day and I got a call from JAM in Afghanistan. It was great to hear his voice. He sent me roses, too. HNM bought me a rose necklace (see a pattern here? Obviously roses are my favorite flower.) and a beautiful card that made me cry. And of course I cried again when I got the card from JWM. He had to work all day but his girlfriend brought it over along with chocolate covered strawberries. All in all it was an awesome weekend.

This week will be more of the same. DH is going to play paintball all weekend and I'll be home alone. I have to work a little while on Saturday afternoon, but after that nothing but quiet. It'll be the perfect time to get some writing done.

Review: Living In Color by Trish Milburn

Book Description:
After the death of her father, Sabrina Bishop feels a sense of relief that he's gone. No longer will he be able to abuse her mother mentally or physically, and just maybe her mother might grow to see what he'd done to her was wrong. But with the death of Jim Bishop, Sabrina is now responsible for her mother's well-being since Ruby can't read or write and has lived a sheltered life. But Ruby has a very small comfort zone in rural West Tennessee, and that means she can't come live with Sabrina in Atlanta. Besides, Sabrina's job as an award-winning news photographer keeps her traveling around the globe most of the time. As she tries to make suitable plans for her mother's future, Sabrina offers to take Ruby on a road trip to expose her to a world she's never seen. As they travel to sites such as Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Gulf Coast of Florida, the trip becomes a journey of unexpected healing and self-discovery not only for Ruby, but for Sabrina as well.

Review:
A beautiful story of overcoming the past, Living in Color by Trish Milburn had me reading into the night.

As a victim of abuse myself, I could relate to the feelings and emotions of both Sabrina and her mother Ruby as they make their way through a difficult time.

The love Sabrina has for her mother is obvious even through the anger she feels at Ruby for “allowing” the abuse. Their journey is not only a visit to places Ruby has never been allowed to dream of visiting it’s also a journey back to themselves and each other.

Living in Color is a great read.

NEW RELEASE! Friction by Kim Knox

Book 2 in the Planetary Bodies series.

A deal is a deal.

But when that deal includes appearing in Tomas Thorne’s office ready to offer herself for his…consumption, Shan Rayner runs, hides and has no intention of going through with it. That is until she’s hit by sheen, a turbulent force from the Uranian lower atmosphere. A force that brings her darkest desires to the surface.

Need swamps Shan and she finds herself outside Tomas’ office, all too ready to agree to anything he wants. Absolutely anything.

Buy here from Ellora's Cave

You can also read an excerpt here

At my website there's a little sneak peek behind the series, Planetary Bodies
Friction is part of a linked series. The first book, Magnetism, can be found here.

Rain Rain Go Away!

It's been raining off and on for days now. The temps are at least in the normal range, but come on. Do we really need to soak the ground again? Didn't we just go through this last year with the 100 year flood? Now, to me that means we shouldn't have another like it for 100 years, but the way things are looking we're heading in that direction.

Not to mention the tornadoes and high winds and hail and all kinds of other things flying around in the air. Poor KAM had a tree limb on her house yesterday. She got a call from a neighbor who told her there was a tree on her brand new, month old roof. Thank God when we got there is wasn't as bad as we thought. No damage to the roof and we got it pulled down, chopped up, hauled away and the gutters tacked back up for a mere $50 by a tree cutting service that just happened to be in the area taking care of other homes that were hit worse than hers. It's one of the few things that have been good for her the past two months where that house is concerned.

Mother Nature has been in a bad mood for a while so if anyone knows what to do to make her happy, please let me know.

NEW RELEASE! The Weaverfields Heir by David Bridger

When Kate Richards inherits a dilapidated English estate from her estranged grandfather, she finds herself thrust into a world full of hostile new family members, mysterious Romany tenants, and strange visions of "the net" - an invisible web that connects everything in the universe. Kate thinks she's losing her sanity, but the odd family stories and disturbing tales of locals convince her that something sinister is going on at Weaverfields, while the inescapable pull of the net draws her deeper into the secrets of her new home.

But with those secrets come danger, and an old evil that refuses to let go of its hold on the net - or on Weaverfields. The only person who seems to understand is Joe, a Romany street artist with his own ties to the land. Kate and Joe must master the net before the past intrudes on the present... in very ugly ways...

Read an excerpt and buy The Weaverfields Heir at Etopia Press.

NEW RELEASE! The Lost Soul by Carolyn Rosewood

The Last Soul
Carolyn Rosewood
Evernight Publishing
ISBN 978-1-926950-43-3
Heat Level 3
Be warned: light bondage and sex toys

http://www.evernight...n-Rosewood.html

Faina has been dead for one hundred and fifty years, but she's about to become human again. All she has to do is seduce Jace Blackmon,the most honest financier ever to grace the city of angels, into signing awayhis soul.

Jace Blackmon has fallen in love with his fantasy woman. But when he realizes she was tricked by a demon to bring about his ruin, including the revelation of a long-buried secret to the media, he must choose between his heart or life without her.

Excerpt:

Faina donned a Betsey Johnson flowered dress and wedge sandals, then materialized a few blocks from where Jace worked. It felt so good to be outdoors. The warm air was soothing, the traffic noises and bustling crowds reminding her of New York City. Faina didn't often getnostalgic for her human life, but today she did. If she succeeded in this mission, she'd be human again. Warm weather, noisy crowds and city life would be her reality, not simply the realm in which she was allowed to work.

Unless Mastema had tricked her. No. She wouldn't think about that now. She had a job to do. She took her time, peering in shop windows and trying to look like just another California trust fund babe out for a stroll on a bright summer day. The fact nearly every man pounding the pavement tripped over his own two feet as she strolled past wasn't lost on her. She didn't have the baby face, long blonde curls, and legs up to there for nothing.

She avoided eye contact. It was enough to leave them with her scent, they'd have trouble getting it out of their head for weeks, but to look them in the eyes would be downright cruel. Even when she'd been alive all she'd had to do was turn her baby blues in a man's direction and he followed her around like a dogin heat. She'd made more money for Madame Lily during her first six months than most of her girls made over the course of two years.

As she made her way to the entrance of the 770 Wilshire Building, she caught a whiff of burned toast. She ducked into the nearest shop and pressed her nose to the plate glass window, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. She'd only seen Mastema appear once in human form. He'd looked ridiculous dressed in a long coat and cowboy hat on the streets of Aurora Nebraska, population four thousand two hundred and twenty-five as of last year. His bad-boy Western get-up would have been more appropriate for Arizona in the late nineteenth century.

Either Mastema hadn't been the demon she smelled or he'd already evaporated. The sidewalks were filled with six foot blondes and men who looked like they walked off the cover of GQ. Not a weird outfit or menacing swagger in sight.

"Help you, Miss? You need mani and pedi today? We have new summer colors look perfecton you."

Faina whirled around to face the ancient Vietnamese woman. She'd ducked into a nail salon. Her senses had been so focused on the burnt toast smell and Mastema's human form she hadn't noticed the acrid smell of nail polish.

"No, not today. I'm sorry. I've got to go."

Faina opened the door and strode to the parking garage entrance of the building. On the way a clock struck five. The smell of burnt toast wafted from a nearby taco stand. Had that been what she smelled? Tacos? She was jumping at shadows. That wasn't like her.

She made her way to Jace's sports car by visualizing it. As the flood of workers poured into the garage, she hoped Jace would stay calm when he saw her. She was taking a risk as there would be plenty of witnesses if he wigged out.

He was busy scrolling through messages on his phone as he sauntered to his car,and didn't see her until she stepped in front of him as he was about to open the door.

"Oh Jesus. Holy fu—" His warm brown eyes opened wide and he visibly swallowed. "How did you... you're real. Holy sh*t."

"Get in your car, Jace. People are staring. One of them looks like he's going to take a picture with his cell."

The lie snapped him out of his trance. He unlocked the doors and she slid into the passenger seat. "Start the car but don't move yet."

He stared straight ahead as the engine roared to life. Beads of sweat pooled at his hairline. She could hear his heart pounding. When she reached up to wipe his forehead he moaned. "It's all right, Jace. Just try to relax."

"I don't understand." His voice shook.

"You don't need to. Wait until the garage clears out a bit. Then we'll leave."

"I...I have a dinner date. A family friend. I have to go. I don't want to but… I… I should."

"Do you want me to leave?"

He looked into her eyes with the most desperate longing she'd ever seen on a human face. A flash of apprehension shivered down her spine, unbalancing her. She was going to hurt him. Badly. He'd lose everything. His home, the Foundation, his dinner date, maybe even this fancy sports car. And some kid wouldn't have a place to sleep on a cold, winter night, or a youth group to keep him off the streets.

The men she brought to Mastema were bad-to-the-bone to begin with. They just needed a little help to push them in the right direction. The inevitable direction, as he liked to call it. But Jace Blackmon was a good guy.

Then why does Apollyon want him? But what if he didn't want Jace? What if Jahi was right and Mastema had forged the contract?

"Faina." His whisper pulled her back to the present. Until she had proof to the contrary, it was Jace's soul or her eternal torment as one of Mastema's sex slaves. This was self-preservation. Nothing more.

Shelooked into his eyes and smiled "Yes, Jace?"

"Please don't leave, Faina."

Sick

Finally back at work today after being sick with strep throat all week. Let me just say "NO FUN!!!" My throat was on fire all day Monday & I had a temp of 101 - at work. It hurt to breath let alone talk, which is not a good thing since my job consists of answering phones and selling advertising. That requires both breathing & talking.

So, after work, I stopped at the walk-in clinic b/c I knew something was wrong. I never feel like that. And sure enough, strep. I hightailed myself home, crawled in bed (away from the grandbabies b/c that would have been a disaster) and stayed there until yesterday afternoon. I'm on antibiotics & ibuprofen and am feeling much better today although I wish I could have taken another day off.

At least it didn't happen this weekend to make me miss my writer's group or the Southern Women's Show. I would have been seriously bummed.

I Wish I Were Me

Ok. I don't know where this came from this morning, but here's a little poem I whipped up.

I wish I were me and only me
The only me I want to be
But I’m not me as you can see
I can’t be only me
I must be who you want me to be
You want me to be another me
Another me I try hard to be
I wish I were me and only me

Get Motivated!

I spent yesterday at a Get Motivated! Seminar in Memphis, TN. There were awesome speakers & great prizes such as a flat screen TV, an Ipad, a Disney vacation to Orlando & $10,000 cash (none to me unfortunately). It was a great day & I enjoyed it very much.

The trip to get there, not so much. I rode down with my BFF and we spent the night so we wouldn't have to leave by 4 am to get there in time. The drive was good, we spent it talking and just enjoying each other's company.

We had booked a hotel room that was just down from the venue. It was much cheaper than other places we looked at, which should have been a clue. But the reviews weren't bad & the photos looked really nice of the neighborhood & the rooms. When we drove up to the place, the surrounding area was completely deserted. Not a soul was walking around or standing outside; and this was downtown Memphis. So, we started to worry a bit.

We got inside & checked in, got our things from the car and went to wait for the elevator. We waited and waited and could see it was moving, but very slowly. It finally got down to us and we got on. We stopped on every floor until we figured out that if you hold the button of your floor down it would bypass every other floor. Not exactly my idea of a safe ride. But we made it to the 10th floor and found our room. The room wasn't bad & it was clean so we felt good about that at least.

We decided to go get something to eat & maybe check out Beale St to see why it's "World Famous". It was raining a bit so we took the car & drove the few blogs to the restaurant where we wanted to eat. No parking. And the prices were jacked up to $10 to part because the Grizzlies played the Spurs that night. Needless to say we didn't stop & just headed on down to check out Beale St. Only the roads were all blocked and the ballgame had just let out. We got caught in traffic and couldn't seem to get out of it.

We finally got through and decided to just head back to our room. We parked in the hotel parking lot and walked to TGI Friday's a block away to eat. After that we were exhausted and went back to the room to sleep.

The seminar itself was awesome! Great speakers such as Steve Forbes, Terry Bradshaw, Krish Dhanam, Laura Bush, Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani and more. I enjoyed every second of their sessions and can't wait to attend another one.

Lunch break was another lesson in disaster. Thousands of people at the seminar and the food vendors ran out of things to serve. The BBQ place ran out of buns, the sandwich shop ran out of coldcuts and the hot dog vendors ran out of hot dogs. Not exactly great planning on their part. After an hour of standing in line for food we made it to the counter and were able to order Chicken Alfredo & cheesecake. Not bad, for a sandwhich place.

We finally made it home about 9 last night and I'm back at work today. I'm exhausted, but I enjoyed the adventure even with all the issues.

How about you? Any misadventures of your own lately?

Follow Your Dreams

Unfortunately following my dream is not something I've always done. My dream when I was a teenager was to go to college and become a reporter. Instead I got married, had kids and quit writing altogether.

I let my insecurities and an abusive husband tell me I wasn't good enough to be what I wanted to be, so I gave up my writing and I didn't go to college. I am glad, though, that I didn't become a reporter. I don't think I have the get-the-story-at-all-cost mentality and wouldn't have made it far. Perhaps I could have been a columnist, and probably still could if I wanted to. And since I still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up, maybe I will. Who knows?

But I do know that I wouldn't trade my life for anything else. There have been a LOT of hard times and I've gone through things that no woman or mother should have to go through. But those things have made me the person I am today. And I happen to like that person.

And now it's time for me to finally follow my dream. My dream has changed over the years, but it's still basically the same beneath it all. I have always wanted to write. And now that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm not very good at it yet and sometimes I get so blocked and insecure that I don't write for days or weeks at a time. But I'm still following my dream every time I sit down at the computer (or notebook) and write even a single sentence. And that is the greatest feeling in the world.

Never, never give up on your dreams. Put them aside for awhile if you must, but never give them up completely.

What a great weekend! Saturday was MCRW with Mike Breedlove of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation giving us info on crime scene investigation and relaying stories about cases that he's worked. Fascinating! I was engrossed the entire time. Then we all went to lunch at O'Charley's. The group goes out for lunch every month, but this is the first time I've gone with them. After two years of being a member. I really need to get out of this whole can't-talk-to-people-I-don't-know thing. It's nuts and it's holding me back.

Sunday I had to work. With furloughs finishing up this week there are several people out in our group so I helped cover the obit department. Thankfully it was slow and I didn't have a hard time keeping up, but it would have been nice to be out in the beautiful weather. On the bright side, though, I got overtime!

Tired

It's Monday again. Minus an hour. Daylight savings time is kicking my butt today. Not to mention CDM was up sick last night & I got up to help clean her up & get her back to sleep, KAM was depressed because my son did/said something he shouldn't have. And MAM was just plain cranky (so was pawpaw, but that's another story).

So all that means that today I'm cranky & not feeling up to snuff. But it's my job to make sure everyone else is taken care of. Of course, who's gonna take care of me when I'm not feeling it?

My babies are home!

I'm so excited to have KAM & the kids back home now. She's always so miserable when she goes to visit her mother & it drives me nuts. I don't understand how a mother can treat her child that way. It just doesn't seem normal to me.

But they're back home now & I'm so happy to have them around. CDM & MAM are the most adorable babies ever. Of course, they can get loud & messy & just plain fussy, but I love it. It's good to have babies in the house.

HNM will have one to add to the mix in June. I can't wait. But boy could I use a bigger house!

Ok. I'm an Idiot!

Called the Home Warranty company & got a repairman to come out & check the stove to see if it could be repaired or would need to be replaced. He pulled the whole thing apart & checked every wire & every connection and nothing was wrong with it.

He finally checked the breaker box for a tripped switch and guess what. The switch was tripped just enough to allow enough electricity to power the lights & clock, but not enough to power the elements for cooking.

So, I paid $50 for someone to flip the switch on my breaker box. Can you say stupid? Why didn't I just check the darn thing to begin with? Because I'm an idiot that's why!

Oh, well. At least my stove works now.

New Kitchen

Well, looks like I'm getting my new kitchen. Piece by Piece. We had to buy a new refrigerator last year. This year it's a new stove. I got home last night and found the stove was completely gone. Oh, the lights were on to show we'd turned a knob, but nothing got hot. Not a single burner burned & the oven stayed cold. Grrr...

Luckily, we renewed our home warranty last month & upgraded to include the appliances. Now I'm waiting for them to come check it out and see if they'll actually cover the cost or if I'm going to have to buy it myself.

If I have to buy it myself I want the solid cooktop so I don't have to clean those darn burner plates. It's such a pain when food gets underneath and you have to take everything apart & clean it. With the solid cooktop that won't happen. I hope.

Maybe we'll indulge & go ahead and get the dishwasher to match everything else. Then I can concentrate on the granite countertops & new cabinets later in the year. Then I'll finally have a really nice kitchen. If only I could make it bigger!

New Release

NEW RELEASE: The Summoning by Tatiana Caldwell, from Liquid Silver Books.

Everything comes with a price …

Gailyn Bridges is a psychic who is ready to end her troublesome career as a private investigator. For the last time, she summons a powerful spirit to help her close a final case.

However, the mysterious entity who answers, Malak, is no ordinary spirit. He’s more than willing to help Gailyn save the would-be victim of a violent crime.

But who’s going to save Gailyn when Malak returns to collect payment for lending her his power?

Read a free excerpt and buy the book here.

I Am A Romance Writer

It’s not uncommon for me to climb into bed at night with my husband while thoughts of another man still linger in my head. But it’s not an issue between us. He understands that my heart sometimes belongs to someone else. He has even been known to ask me “Who was it today?” to which I smile and whisper “Talon” as I drift off to sleep.

I am a writer of Historical Romance. I fill my life with Medieval Knights, Scottish Highlanders, English Lords, and Civil War Soldiers. I see myself in every lady fair and I fall in love with every handsome prince. I sigh at every first kiss. My heart beats faster at every gentle touch and breaks each time it looks as if all is lost. And each time happiness reigns I know love conquers all, in life as in fiction.

When someone asks me what I do I tell them, “I am a Romance Writer.” And they often smile and give me that look that says, “Oh, you’re not a real writer.”

But the way I see it, I use the same words as Faulkner, Shakespeare or any winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. I simply string them together so that my characters fall in love and live happily ever after.

I don’t consider myself any different than any other writer in any other genre, whether Romance, Mystery, Women’s Fiction or any on Oprah’s Book List. I sit myself down, work on character and plot, agonize over each word and pray that what I wanted to say shows in each sentence.

And when someone tells me that what I wrote gave them pleasure I know without a doubt that I am proud to be a Romance Writer.

Plans Change

I've been feeling a little down lately. It's 2011 and I had such high hopes for this year. So far everything has changed.

I had planned our family reunion to be in May, but had to change it to September because HNM is having her baby in June and & she can't travel that far at that stage.

I had planned to go to RWA Nationals in New York City, but again HNM is having her baby in June and I can't leave her that soon after she had it. Besides, the money would be way too much for me to come up with at this late date.

I had planned to go to my local RWA Writer's Group yearly Retreat in March, but KAM and the kids are coming home that weekend so I can't leave them alone at home when they first get back. I haven't seen them since November so I want to be there when they get home.

It just seems like everything I've planned for this year is being put on hold and that's not a good thing since 2010 was such a crappy year. I was so hoping this year would be better. But then again. The things that I'm putting everything on hold for will be great. So, guess I should just buck up and enjoy myself. I'm gonna have babies in the house again!

Progress

The new WIP is going really well. I'm already up to chapter 4 & it's only been a little over a week. I was only up to chapter 7 in the one I just dropped and I'd been working on it for almost 2 years. Of course, this one could stall at any second, but so far so good.

I was sick yesterday so I didn't write much, but I'll make up for it today. Progress is a good thing & I definitely want to keep it moving forward.

WIPs

Here it is the middle of January and I haven't posted anything in a while. I have been a little busy, but not so busy I couldn't write a simple blog post. I really need to get back in the swing of things.

I've been trying to work on Rebel Union, but it's just not flowing. I think maybe I've plotted the darn thing to within an inch of it's life and now I can't make myself veer away from where I wanted to go, even though where I want to go isn't going anywhere.

So, I've put that WIP aside for the time being and now I'm working on something new. Actually I had started this once before and had no idea where to take it. Now I'm just gonna see where it goes and follow along.

Who, knows? Maybe I'll even discover that I'm a pantser and not a plotter. That would at least be something. The way things have been looking I'm neither.

2011

Well, 2010 is finally behind us. It's been a trying year for everyone. We started off the year with snow and ended the year with snow. And in between there were floods & storms & enough chaos to cause many people many problems. 2011 has got to be better.

I'm not going to make resolutions this year because I didn't accomplish any of the things I set out to do last year, so why set myself up for failure again. This year I'm just going to do what I can when I can. I can't ask any more from myself than that.

Here's to 2011. May you bring us joy and love and keep our hearts and heads where they need to be.