Turtle Invasion

Over the weekend I think I discovered that it might not just be raccoons & turtles getting into our trash. Early Sunday morning I saw one of our neighbors huge dogs tugging one of the bags out and begin to rip it to shreds. The locking mechanisms on the lids are apparently worthless because animals without opposable thumbs can still get the top off. Normally it's not so bad but over the weekend there were torrential rains and all the leftover, sitting water (in addition to the garbage) attracts mosquitoes and other bugs. After cleaning everything up...again...I just counted seventeen mosquito bites on my legs, all from a five minute outing. Grr, I'll probably get malaria or the West Nile virus. Even the cutest of my adoptive turtles couldn't take away from my annoyance this morning.


(Pamela, these pictures are for you). It's hard to tell but in the first and second picture, each turtle is trying to cover a rib bone (beef). So, now I know that turtles like strawberries and beef.


At least I got a decent amount of writing done. Over 3K on Saturday and a few hundred on Sunday. Not too bad for the weekend.


What did y'all do over the weekend?

My Neighborhood

Last weekend the man and I were doing a lot of work around the house and in the yard and realized that our next door neighbor is still gone. Back story: about a month ago a limo picked her up eeeeaaaarrrrly one Saturday morning (I wake up before the sun comes up, I can't help it). So, yes, I spied on her while I sipped my coffee. She definitely didn't leave under duress considering she rolled her own suitcases out. A week later I saw some guy come by and pick up her truck. When we first moved in I used to joke to my husband that she was some sort of drug dealer. Why? Every time I worked in the back yard or simply took out the garbage, I could smell marijuana from her side of the fence. And every time I talked to her (which was like twice) she was definitely high. Very nice and mellow but high nonetheless. And don't get me started on the random men who stopped by her place at odd hours. Not dangerous or scary looking, but very out of place for my older neighborhood. Maybe she's just on a long vacation. Either way, a tiny plot bunny has formed.


In writing news I finished the edits for my EC book so I'm coming up for a breather. My editor with Carina is on vacation but she's getting back next week so I know I'll be getting edits for my first book with them. I'm nervous and excited since we've never worked together before. But mainly just excited.


Tomorrow I'm a guest blogger at the Southern Sizzle Romance blog. They're celebrating their year anniversary with month long guest bloggers and asked me to participate. I'm chatting about friends and writing and giving away a book. Stop by if you'd like!


What are your plans for the weekend?

Mini Hibernation

After edits and polishing, my agent has sent my ST paranormal out into the world. I love writing novellas (which I'm sure you can tell) and category length books, but completing a single title is something that makes me feel a real sense of accomplishment. I know a lot of people naturally write longer and when I first started this project I was afraid I couldn't meet the word count. When I ignored the word count and simply focused on the story, everything else just flowed. I've started to work on the second and third book in the series and after plotting everything out I'm worried the second book might be a little too long, lol. So, looks like I can write a ST after all.


Right now it's hard not to think about how my story will be received or if it will be at all, but at the same time, I have so many edits to work on right now, it's a perfect distraction. I'll likely be in hibernation this week while I trudge through them so if I'm quiet for a little while, you know why.


Have a great week!

Contest Wins!

Even this dreary, rainy Monday can't take away my good mood! Over the weekend I found out that one of my manuscripts is a finalist in two contests. And I got the emails on the same day so it was doubly awesome :) The first is The Heart of the West Contest and the other is The Lone Star Writing Competition. I'm still basking in the goodness!


We never made it to the river/party boat this weekend. Way too dreary. But, we did manage to get a lot of stuff done around the house. It's finally starting to look like we live here. (I was slacking on hanging up pictures, etc.)


Now, it's back to the keyboard and time to write!

Edits & the Weekend

Edits! I swear that word has become a dirty one in my house. That's right people, that's what I'm doing this weekend. I actually don't mind edits, it's just that they seem to come in waves. And that wave always comes when I've got an idea for a new story hammering at my brain.


The man and I are also supposed to go out on the boat with my cousins tomorrow. One of my cousins just got one of those 'party' boats and I must say, I've only seen pictures but it's pretty sweet. The pure awesomeness of the boat will hopefully make up for the soul-stealing humidity and the fact that I have to wear a bathing suit in public.


What are your plans for the weekend?

Release Day!

If not for my trusty calendar today would have flown right past me. My alter ego has a release today! Normally Ellora's Cave releases new books on Wednesdays and Fridays but somehow I got a random Thursday!


Tempting Alibi is a cute contemporary story I had a lot of fun writing.


What's this story about?

Scott got into a fair amount of trouble as a teenager, but now he’s grown and runs a respectable auto body shop. Unfortunately, the sheriff of his town has it out for him, no matter how much he’s cleaned up his act. When he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, no one is more surprised than he is when straitlaced Michaela Miller provides him with an alibi.

An alibi that’s a complete lie.

Determined to find out why his sexy next-door neighbor helped him out, he puts himself in danger of losing something he’d never considered. His heart.

For more info, click here.

Never Ending TBR List

Yesterday I finished edits for my current paranormal manuscript. Does this sound familiar? It should b/c I've already 'finished' this story once before. After my agent reviewed it she wanted me to tweak it so...8,000 additional words later, I'm once again 'done'. For now. I'm really excited about the additions but we'll see what the final verdict is.


If you read this blog then you know I normally celebrate stuff by cleaning my house. Yes, it's freakish, but by the time I'm finished with a project I'm usually buried in unfolded laundry and dirty dishes. Not so this time! (okay, maybe there are a few mismatched socks waiting to be put up) I finally have time to dig into my TBR pile and I can't wait. Here's my list:


No Turning Back by Kaylea Cross (I've been wanting to read for quite a while!)
Shadows at Midnight by Elizabeth Jennings
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden (which is signed, thank you very much!)
Angel Slayer by Michele Hauf
The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter (I started this but got a little confused by the 'double speak'...am giving it another chance b/c I love her writing)
Willing Victim by Cara McKenna


What's in your TBR pile?

Launching a Star Contest

The Space CoasT Authors of Romance (Florida STARs) are very excited to announce The 2010 Launching A Star Contest! With both great editors and super agents signed up as final judges, we expect to have another successful run. Last year, 28 full manuscripts and 4 partials were requested!! To date, we know of 4 manuscripts sold!!!.


This year all entries will be submitted electronically. Each entry is a max of 25 pages (no synopsis) and is judged by both an unpublished and a published writer!! Deadline is Midnight Eastern Time September 8th!
Go to www.authorsofromance.com for more information. Don't miss out on the chance to get great feedback on your manuscript and the opportunity to get your manuscript before great editors and agents!!


We are very pleased to announce our FANTASTIC FINAL JUDGES:*


Single Title: Editor -Selina McLenmore/Grand Central Publishing/Agent-Becca
Stumpf Prospect Agency


General Paranormal: Editor-Meredith Giordan/Berkley Jove/Agent-Laurie
McLean/Larsen-Pomada Agency


Futuristic/Fantasy: Editor-Devi Pillai/Orbit-The Hachette
Group/Agent-Suzie Townsend/FinePrint Literary


Historical: Editor-Talia Platz, New American Library (NAL)
Agent-Michelle Grajkowski/3 Seas Agency


Series Contemporary: Editor-Susan Litman/Harlequin Special
Edition/Agent-Roberta Brown/Brown Literary Agency


Romantic Suspense: Editor-Katherine Pelz/Berkley/Agent-Laura Bradford/The
Bradford Literary Agency


Inspirational: Editor-Natalie Hanemann/Thomas
Nelson/Agent-Rachelle Gardner/WordServe Literary


Young Adult: Editor-Kristin Daly/Harper Collins/Agent-Elaine Spencer/The Knight
Agency


Looks like they've got some awesome final judges! From personal experience I can say this is a great contest!

Edits and Subjectivity

Right now I'm getting hammered with rain which isn't such a bad thing. Normally I work out in the mornings (outside) but this is forcing me to stay in and keep my butt in the chair. Good for the edits I'm working on. My agent got back to me about the paranormal ST I sent to her and wants me to add depth to it so .... got 2K worth of new stuff yesterday and hope to double that today. For the first time in a while I'm really enjoying edits.


Earlier this week I got an email from a friend of mine who informed me I've been holding out on her. Say what? She saw in the RWR that I placed third in the WISRWA Fab Five contest and I hadn't told her. Oops! I looked back through the past couple of months on my blog and couldn't find a post about it so I think she's right. I believe that was around the time I was moving so it's a late announcement, but I placed 3rd in the romantic suspense category with a story that holds a very special place in my heart. If I sell that baby, I'll tell the story about it. The funny thing about this contest is that I had two entries and got the same judge for both (the judge number was the same so I'm assuming it was the same judge). She liked the one that placed but absolutely hated the other one. Like, shudder-inducing did not like my heroine and wasn't afraid to tell me. Ah, reading really is subjective.


I haven't gotten to the contest winners section of the RWR yet but I have read Shiloh Walker's article Myths About Digital Publishing. If you get the RWR then please, read this. She has an interesting, informative, and balanced perspective on epublishing. Definitely worth your time!


That's it for me! I've got to get back to my edits. Just a note, my alter ego is blogging about Research in Fiction today. When do you think it's okay to bend reality? Stop by and offer an opinion.


Have a great weekend!

Google is Awesome

I love Google for a multitude of reasons but I love it when there's something cool that happened 'today' in history and they let the world know with a picture. Like today is the 71st anniversary of The Wizard of Oz! I absolutely adore that movie almost as much as The Sound of Music. I wanted a pair of red shoes just like Dorothy! Who am I kidding? I actually have a pair similar. Not with a heel but I've got red ballet slippers that seriously channel her. I've also got a 'star wand' like Glinda the good witch that I carried around at our last May Day festival. :) Yes, I'm a freak sometimes and I don't mind letting my flag fly.


What childhood movies hold special memories for you?

Books! Books! Books!

Yeah, exactly what I need more of! On Saturday I went to my local chapter meeting (love my Gulf Coast ladies!!) and some of the women who went to Nationals brought back extra books. My tbr pile is wildly overflowing and I even brought a book to have Cynthia Eden sign at the meeting and still left with a couple more, lol. When I saw a J.D. Robb book I knew it was coming home in my purse! My husband just shook his head when I pulled out more books than I'd left with. He doesn't even question me anymore. The meeting was so amazing and I'm glad I made it. Four women gave recaps of different presentations from Nationals and all of them were very informative. Thankfully I brought my notebook to take notes!


While the weekend was great I'm glad it's over and I can get back into writing this week. I've started on a new story and so far I'm loving it. My hero is a little temperamental and stubborn but I'm finally coaxing him into telling me his story :)


What did y'all do this weekend?

Gearing up for the Weekend!

This weekend promises to be busy! Saturday morning/afternoon is my local chapter meeting. I think we're going to get the recap from Nationals so I'm definitely going. Plus I get to see a lot of fabulous ladies! Then we've got a wedding Saturday night (still haven't figured out if they have an open bar or bar at all...cross your fingers they do). On Sunday we've got family stuff and the man has to finish up one of his final papers for this semester (which means I get to help proof read it). I have a feeling very little writing will be accomplished.


I'm looking forward to seeing some people on Saturday but I'm not a huge fan of weddings. (Is that weird??) The invitation for this one was a little odd too. There was no RSVP card or letter to send a response and no directions or even address to the event. Just the name of the place. When I tried Googling the name of the place, I could only find an address to a place w/ (apparently) the same name in another state! Oh well, I'm sure we'll figure it out.


Don't forget, Berkley Sensation author Elizabeth Jennings is still at Desert Island Keepers for the next couple days. Stop by if you get a chance!


Have a great weekend and if you head over to the DIK blog, good luck in entering her contest!

Guest Blogger Elizabeth Jennings

For the next three days I'm hosting Berkley Sensation author Elizabeth Jennings at Desert Island Keepers! She's chatting about being a writer, the romantic suspense genre, and her recent release Shadows at Midnight. She's also giving away a copy of a book from her back list! Stop by if you get a chance!

Tired Tuesday

Well, the man's reunion over the weekend was fun. I know he loved seeing all his old friends and I met a lot of nice people so overall, a great experience. Unfortunately I've been feeling under the weather since then so I'm laying low until I get over whatever 'this' is.


Just an fyi, I'm interviewing Elizabeth Jennings (AKA Lisa Marie Rice) at Desert Island Keepers on August 5-7. Shadows at Midnight, her release with Berkeley Sensation is out this month so she's chatting about that, romantic suspense, and she was kind enough to let me interview her! If you know me then you know what a huge fan I am of hers so I'm super excited to be hosting her! She's also giving away a copy of Pursuit which is a fab book on my keeper shelf.


Be sure to check out Desert Island Keepers later this week for a chance to check her out and for a chance to win a copy of her book.