Fan Girl Friday

December 31, 2010 | Fan Girl Friday

Sunday Awakening released last month and after Christmas I finally had a chance to read the finished version. The story of an abused woman fighting to find her identity is a long ways from the kind of romances that make me smile. Sunday Awakening is a literary account of a psychological nightmare. While the writing is clear and vivid, the story is hard and painful. I will never forget this book or Cheryl or Taylor. When you’re in the mood for beautifully written,serious book that is going to haunt you long after you put it down, buy Sunday Awakening and savor the experience.

Real life

December 30, 2010 | Real life

New Years resolutions aren’t me. I’m more into year round self-improvement. Though, I do give some thought to where I can do better each year.

I’d like to write faster, but not as much as I’d like to write better. With this in mind, I’m aiming for four releases in 2011. Two are already contracted and scheduled, A Taste of Scarlet, releasing from Loose Id January 4 and Camille’s Capture out in March. Another Demons and Dragon book should be available early next year too with a little luck. A second Treeland pack tale is sketched out in my head, but it’s a ways off from submission.

Beyond those mentioned, the field is open. Sometimes a new story comes out of nowhere and hijacks my carefully planned writing schedule.

Share the love, new years resolutions–pro or con?

WIP Wednesday

December 29, 2010 | WIP Wednesday

As the new year approaches I’m working on the second Treeland Pack tale. The story will keep me out of trouble and clicking away at the keyboard well into February. After that the manuscript goes through a few more passes before it’s ready for an editor’s eyes.

When the story rises to the top of the virtual in-box, it’s finally read and evaluated. This results in a no thanks–not right for us, yes–we’d love to contract this novel, or maybe–if you revised this, this, and this we’ll take another look at it.

All this evaluation takes time. Even with a hearty yes, there’s paperwork, edits, and more edits before the book is scheduled for release. The time between acceptance and publication varies widely. As a rough rule of thumb, I estimate six months.

So the story I submit in February might be out next summer or next fall–if all goes well. Meanwhile, I’ll be writing. Lucky for me writing is my favorite part of the whole process.

Teaser Tuesday

December 28, 2010 | Teaser Tuesday

A Taste of Scarlet releases next Tuesday and it feels like the first time

Here’s the unedited and unofficial short blurb:

Desire burns away every boundary separating an Alpha werewolf from his Omega mate, but they are still the couple least likely to bond. Daniel is the only one who can heal Scarlet’s broken werewolf connection. If he succeeds then the pack’s needs eclipse his claim on her heart. If he fails they both die.

Music Monday

December 27, 2010 | Music Monday

Sunday funnies

December 26, 2010 | Sunday funnies

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Six-pack Saturday

December 25, 2010 | Six-Pack Saturday

Merry Christmas wherever you are!

1) Joyeux Noël (French)

2) Feliz Navidad (Spanish)

3) God Jul (Swedish)

4) Buon Natale (Italian)

5) Frohe Weihnachten (German)

6) Gajan Kristnaskon (Esperanto)

Fan Girl Friday

December 24, 2010 | Fan Girl Friday

For Christmas eve, there’s The Night Before Christmas, a worthy tradition and a must for young children, but Dickens’ A ChristmasCarol (free for your Kindle) embodies the spirit of the season for me.

Share the love, do you have a favorite Christmas story?

Real life

December 23, 2010 | Real life

In other parts of the world gardening is a seasonal activity. Not in this corner of the globe. Most years there’s only a few weeks here and there where it is simply too miserable outside to do anything. Blessed with a mild climate, the rest of the time gardening continues.

Right now, in addition to the perennial weeding, clean up of branches, leaves, and dead foliage is the main job. January and February more clean up, and pruning. Every outing includes time to appreciate winter beauties, admire fresh green snouts pushing through the dirt and fret about any bare patches.

Share the love and tell me about your favorite winter outings.

WIP Wednesday

December 22, 2010 | WIP Wednesday

When I’m locked in one of my imaginary futures, I miss the wolfies. And when I’m writing pack tales, I miss the distant future crowd. Lucky for me, I get to visit both story worlds.

Now and then I think about other settings and genres, but my head can only deal with so many different fictional realities. So I need to finish with the series in progress before I take up with pirates, wicked men, or run off to explore new territories. Although, this time of year I yearn to revise Christmas Kisses.

Tell me about your secret holiday wishes….