You want fries with that?

I don't ask for much in life. Healthy children; a happy husband; enough income to make ends meet. You know -- the basics of clothing and shelter.

But I would really like at least six more hours in my day. For writing.

I have all these stories floating around -- some in the process of being written, others simple ghosts of ideas -- and I can't seem to find the time to get them down on 'paper'. The ones in process elude me when I do have a spare moment in the computer chair.

So, along with my nice, comfortable life, I want a little more. Don't we all? Oh, there are other things I'd like as well, but the writing issue is uppermost in my mind today. Because when I don't write, I'm not 100% happy. It's like I'm being cut off from my inspiration -- being kept from one of my main purposes -- my battery in need of a good charge and the power is off.

Let me tell you, an unhappy mama makes for an unhappy family. Just ask my kids.

Of course, if you can't get me those extra six hours, how about a babysitter and another computer?

No?

Figures. Guess it's time .... shudder... prioritize. :-(

Working out... food for thought.

I learned how to use the gym equipment today at my local YMCA. Yes, I am somewhat behind the times -- one of the last to jump into the fitness frenzy and actually start 'working out' at the gym.

Uh, we'll see how long it lasts. I am not an athletic person but I am determined to age as ungracefully as possible. Meaning: I'm going out kicking and screaming, gray hair colored, weight under control and abs, glutes and what-have-yous as firm as I can get them before gravity takes over and it all starts to sag.

However, as I wandered around the fitness center today and tried out the machines, my imagination kicked into overdrive. Oh, great. Not again!

I have a love/hate relationship with this thought process. Yes, I can always use good material for new stories. No, I do NOT need a new story right now. But muses being fickel, difficult little sprites who rather enjoy making writers/painters/artists pull their hair out by the roots -- a new story is exactly what began to simmer in my brain.

Maybe not completely new. But I think I have a new twist to one I've already begun. A new dimension to both plot and characters. Yes, it just might work.

And if I keep working on my form, maybe the rest of the story will fall into place as easily. I guess this means I'm stuck working out for while. Oy.

My cover!

Here's my baby! Isn't it gorgeous? (GGG)

Pats on the back

I like reviews. Okay, so I haven't gotten a *bad* one yet, but I love those little pats on the back. I revel in those comments that tell me -- YES, this story made sense; NO, I didn't figure out the secrets by page fifty; YES, your hero is as yummy as you think he is AND your heroine is not too stupid to live. ;)

Logic dictates that someday I will get a bad review: one full of snark and criticism -- or one that is just a little luke warm in response. I'm sure I'll mope about it a bit, but I'll pick myself up and put that one aside. Then on to the next story. Because I realize everyone will not adore my stories, and that's really okay. How boring would the world be if we all liked the same things? And how much more difficult would it be to get published, if that were true?

Let's not even think about that.

***By the way, check out my new Fallen Angels reviews for Secrets and Shadows & Romancing Jenny.... HERE.***

First Pops' Girls review

Learning to Live received its first review -- earning the Top Pick Award at Romance Reader at Heart! Read the entire review HERE.

Dancing on the ceiling!

I finally get to announce this:

"The Historical that Wouldn't Die".... LIVES! And has found a home at Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Set in 1870 on the Western Coast of Ireland, Alaina's Promise was my first completed novel. It's undergone serious revisions since that time...a time when I had no idea what 'point of view' or 'headhopping' meant. My plotting left much to be desired, as well.

But the story has been streamlined, made more coherent and a little more exciting. Apparently my editor approved. :)

With a tentative release date of January 30th, this coming year is shaping up to be another good one.

New release -- it's a comedy!

Learning to Live is now available as a download and trade paperback! I'm excited to see my newest 'baby' make its way into the world. ;)

If you like romantic comedy with a little bit of sex appeal, then you'll love Learning to Live & the other installments of our Blue Plate Special: Pops' Girls series.

Quirks R Us

I have a quirk.

"Oh, really?" Go ahead and laugh. You know you want to.

I write, therefore I have to be a bit 'off', don't you think? Maybe. At least I have to be a bit different from most people. Most people do NOT make up stories in their heads. Took me years to realize this and the phenomenon still fascinates me.

My particular quirk -- at least the one I'm willing to divulge in a public forum -- is this:
I cannot write an unnamed story.

Nope. Can't do it. I've tried and failed.

I have to have a title or the words don't come. Nothing. It's as if the title cements the story; sets the tone; directs or defines the plot. The title seems to bring it to life like the lightning bolt that jolted Dr. Frankenstein's monster off the table and into our nightmares.

If I have a title, the rest can be as vague as a character's name and a general premise. Sometimes the title leads me to the rest as if it were a guidepost. Strange, huh? I don't know if anyone else writes this way and I'm honestly afraid to ask. But it works for me. I suppose nothing else really matters.

Current titles in the works or on my to-do list:

Table for Two (rom com)

Chameleon (paranormal rom suspense)

Autumn of the Armada (historical)

Small Town Junk (contemp suspense)

Phone Tag (rom com w/paranormal elements)

A Perfect Fit (rom com)

I love titles that do double duty -- ones with hidden or multiple meanings. But I won't tell you which ones fit that billing. You'll just have to read the stories to find out for yourself. ;)

Join our Reader Loops!

If you like to talk about good romance and want to keep up-to-date on two up-and-coming e-publishers, then join our reader loops:

Moonlit Romance publishes romance with a little steam from PG to soft R; except for the upcoming imprint, Moonlit Madness which will present the hotter side of love. Click on the logo to join in the fun and learn more.


By Grace Publications is a publisher of both Inspirational and Sweet romance. Click on the logo to join with our authors, editors and publisher in discussing romance presented the old-fashioned way.

The reviews roll in...

My first Samhain book, Secrets and Shadows, is due out August 22nd, but the reviews are coming in already. So far, they're really great! :)

You can read the one at Euro Reviews here: http://euroreviews.eu.funpic.de/bookdetails.php?book_id=278

(Their reviewer, Chantay, gave the story 4.5 flags and had some very nice comments to add.)


The other review from Coffee Time Romance wont' be posted in full until August. But here's a little peek at what their reviewer, Charissa, had to say:

"Fraught with lushly written twists and turns, this story is a fantastic read. The author has created two characters with strength and vulnerabilities that endear, and the danger that lurks around every corner leaves you guessing right up to the very end. The smoldering sexual tensions that grow page by page are the crowning touch." (Rating: 4 cups)

Am I psyched? Oh, yeah! These reviews and the comments made show me that I've done my job very well. What more can a writer ask for?

Chat tonight!

I'll be chatting tonight from 9-10 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, in the chatroom at Moonlit Romance. Pop on in and *meet* me and other Moonlit authors, editors and our wonderful publisher -- you may even win a prize! :)

We'll be discussing my upcoming release: Learning to Live, the third installment in the Blue Plate Special: Pops' Girls series.

Done!

Yes! Another one is done and out the cyber-door!

Oh, yes, I was about an hour late on my deadline--but hopefully no one will notice. If they do, well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Am I satisfied with the story? Yes and no. It didn't exactly take the turns I thought it might. It didn't wind up the sexy read I might have expected...although there are moments of major tension.

I have a hard time judging here, because this one was so hard to write! And I'm not 100% sure why. Maybe me heart wasn't in it? Maybe it was circumstances in real life? I have no idea. But I did it -- and it's cute, a little romantic, hopefully a little funny now and then. If not, there's always editing. ;)

Irony, anyone?

I've been playing around with promotional items and came up with a great idea -- why not print out my very pretty banner (made by fellow Samhellion, Rene Lyons) as a bookmark?

It looks good! Perfect size. Simple; to the point; pretty.

And then it hit me. A writer whose mainly pubished in e-books...making bookmarks? Huh. Slightly ironic, don't you think?

Then again, all my titles thus far are or will be available in Print on Demand form. AND if someone should use my little bookmark in some other book...they'll have my name and website addy right there with them. As a gentle reminder, perhaps. So, yeah, this could work.

If not, hey, it gives me something to do while I'm waiting for the decision on that never-ending-but-it-did (Thank God) historical.

The Romance Studio

Check it out! I'm in the spotlight--along with my book and my dd's cat ;) -- at The Romance Studio. They have it up a little early, but I'm not complaining. :)

Go back tot he main page and you'll see three other Moonlit Romance authors are being featured as well: Nell Dixon and the writing team of Joann Baker and Patricia Mason.

It's a Moonlit kind of month this June. (GGG)

Bit by bit

I'm getting there. If you'll notice the word count meters to the side of my blog, I'm about 70% done with my short story, Accidentally in Love. Which is great, except that I'm racing a June 1st deadline. :(

Oh, I'll make it--thank goodness tomorrow is a clear and 'easy' day as far as errands and such go. I'll be commandeering the computer ASAP and my butt will likely be sore from sitting in this chair all day. But it will get finished ON TIME! I love meeting deadlines--it's one of the few moments in my life where I'm actually early or on schedule. Just ask my dh--I tend to be late for everything else.

Well, hey, I was born early and have been making up for it ever since. ;)

Where's the funny?

I have a deadline -- June 1st. The project is a short story to be published in a Blue Plate Special Anthology this August.

My problem? My story is supposed to be funny and my funny bone seems to be a bit fractured at the moment. Life has -- once again -- gotten in the way. Nothing really serious has happened. Nothing that can't be fixed or work itself out eventually. But when I need to put two people together and make the reader laugh... oy! The writing has been like pulling teeth these past two weeks. Meaning: I've had to fight for every word, every sentence, every laugh.

But I haven't given up. I'm almost there and I've started seeing the humor in the fictional situation -- well, okay, the humor that will be there once I start editing.

So I've discovered the main thing a writer needs is perseverance...and the willingness to fall flat on your butt now and then. If you can do that and still 'find the funny', you've got writing (and life) in the bag.

COMING SOON!

Secrets and Shadows is now on the COMING SOON page at Samhain! I know it's still three months away, but I'm excited. :)

Check it out!

Photo posted

Finally took the plunge and posted my photo on my website. Wished I could put up a super model or at least one of my high school pics, but I figured too many people would call me on it. ;)

And another one...

Wow! Moonlit Romance has another best seller at Fictionwise -- currently at #20, The Cinderella Substitute by Nell Dixon. I'm so excited for her and for the company as a whole. Can't wait to see how the Blue Plate Special series does...keeping my fingers crossed that we hold the trend. ;)

Quick Review -- The Reluctant Rancher

I bought and read The Reluctant Rancher yesterday. I'm very impressed! If you've been looking for a sweet romance with a big and beautiful heroine, this is the book for you!

The characters are wonderful; their insecurities so believable; and the sexual tension is just right. :) Patricia Mason and Joann Baker are a great writing team! Can't wait to read their next novel.