WHEW!!

Yup, I think the avatar up there says it all.  I need a drink…

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Just so you know…

I’ve not given up on NaNoWriMo…yet. I’m at just over 40,000 words with two full days to write. Can I pull 10k out of my muse’s butt in that amount of time? Maria thinks so. Bless her heart, she has pushed, nudged, cheered and celebrated every single word with me! If this book ever sees the light of day, it will be dedicated to her!! Well, I’ve downed two NoDoze and a half a bottle of Dr. Pepper. If I don’t die from a heart attack, I’ll be whipping my muse today. Wish me luck!

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Does it pay to be different?

As a writer, we are told conflicting things about what to write.  I’ve heard that you should write for yourself and then others say to write what’s hot.  Some people will tell you to pick a line and write for them, and others tell you to be different.  While looking for an agent, I got two totally different messages with none of them even asking to see so much as a sentence of my writing.  I was told that a finished manuscript I was pushing was too hard to place because it was different from what is out there now.  Then, when pushing another, I was told that there were too many like it already out.  So, for those of you keeping score, they want something new and fresh, but like what is out there…  I’m confused too.  I guess as a relatively ‘unknown’ author, I just have to keep rolling the dice, so to speak, and hope I catch someone’s eye.  I have never been able to force my muse in ANY direction, so I can’t just pick a line and write for it.  He has to come out when he pleases (hence, the reason my muse is referred to as MALE!) and has absolutely no rhyme or reasoning behind his appearances or what is produced by these trysts.  So, while you may hear a loud thunking noise in the distance, pay no mind.  It is just me, beating my head against the wall in frustration.  Mark my words though, one day I will break into one of the big publishing houses…even if it means doing time afterward.  So, do you have an idea on how to break into the big time…without serving jail time?

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Click! is OUT NOW!!

Yup, if you go HERE you can order my brand spankin’ new e-book!  This is a very special book to me.  I’ve dedicated it to the Romance Divas and all proceeds that I made from the sale of this e-book will go to them.  They have been the most wonderful, supportive group of women and men that I’ve ever known.  If you are a writer or reader of romance, this forum is for you.  Writers of romance can find support, tips, links and even a shoulder when you need it.  Readers will find wonderful books, some that the mainstream hasn’t picked up yet and the authors who brought them all to life.  Thank you to Jax, Kristen and Lisa for bringing the Romance Divas about, and to each and every diva and dude, past and present, who have helped me along the way.

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Another Time, Another Place has found a home!

 

Yup, The Wild Rose Press offered me a contract for e/print rights and it went out in the mail today!  I even have an author page already 🙂 CLICK HERE  I’m not sure of any details, such as official release date, but when I find out, you’ll be the first to know 😉  I’m so relieved to know that it will be in circulation again.  This is my baby, my first book written, and I hated that it had no home.  Anyhow, I’m excited now!

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It’s business time!

Okay, so it is time for a funny.  This one goes out to my daughter.  No, we aren’t THAT kind of family (you’ll understand after you watch the video), she found this and turned me onto these guys.

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Mark Your Calendars!

Baby, it’s gettin’ cold outside!

Join us for a great chat with me and two of my favorite authors. November 30th, Ebook Love will host “Cold Nights And Hot Sex: A Chat with Eliza Gayle, T.Sue Versteeg and Jennifer Leeland”.

I totally ripped that off from Jen’s blog!  She loves me though, so I know she’ll get over it eventually. 😉  But still, be sure to be there and show us some love from 1pm to 7pm central time.  We will be posting excerpts, giving away free e-books and I even have a really cool photo album with a silver heart frame and free floating crystals to give away in a contest (granted Jen will be kind enough to help me with it!).  I’ll have to see if  I can get my digital camera to work (Leese, you feelin’ my pain with this!?!) and post some pics.  So, be there or be square…can I get any cheezier here??

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My new release!

One week from tomorrow, my new release from Freya’s Bower is set to go on sale!  I’ve been nudged (stop pushin’ so hard Jen and Maria!) 😀 to blog and get the word out about it.  So, here’s the blurb and even an excerpt since you’ve all been such good patrons 😉

Blurb: Almost every woman has them; those two very distinct voices in their mind that always offer advice. One voice can usually be chalked up to common sense, the other to mischief, mayhem or sometimes just plain morbid curiosity. Both are always present and accounted for, ready to offer their two cents worth. 

Jemma Keith is no exception to this rule. Her inner voices only agree that she should accept the offer to photograph her snake of an ex-boyfriend’s wedding.  They do not, however, agree on what to do once she gets there. Her common sense side feels like taking the high road would be appropriate, that she can handle being the better person. Her mischievous side feels more like slithering in and crashing the whole affair down around his ankles for cheating on her.   

What is a woman to do when she can’t make up her mind?   

At least both sides know how she feels about the bride’s cousin, Anthony Giovanni: hot, delirious, and oh, so tempted. 

Join Jemma on the ride of her life through lust, temptation, revenge, and love as she fights her inner selves for peace of mind and a chance at happiness.  

Excerpt: They pulled into the outdoor movie park, and Jemma scanned the area, immediately disheartened. People filled all of the benches, cleared ground, and level patches in front of the old building the movie would be projected upon. She’d forgotten to grab a blanket or chairs for just such an emergency.

Tony stood beside her door and helped her from the car. “Too busy for your liking?”

“No, I just forgot to grab a blanket before we left.”

“Huh.” He walked away from her, disappearing behind his car. The trunk lid popped up, and she heard rustling before he closed the trunk. “You mean one of these?” He held out a thick quilt, a picnic basket, and an old radio. “The radio is so we can put the blanket wherever we want. There’s an AM station that plays the movie audio. Am I clever, or what?”

“You are clever.” She smiled and placed her hand on his proffered bicep.

Tony led her toward a small, cleared hilltop away from the crowd of people. With no need to be within hearing distance now, the viewing aspect was their only concern. They reached the clearing, and Jemma turned to survey their remote, hidden treasure that offered them everything they needed: privacy, a great view, stars, and moonlight.

“Talk about prime real estate. This is perfect.” Jemma took the blanket from Tony’s arm and spread it on the level, grassy spot. He unloaded the basket of goodies, and she noted that he had everything she would have brought: a bottle of wine, two glasses, strawberries, cheese and, of course, chocolate. Tony placed them on the blanket and flipped on the radio, tuning it into the right station just as the movie started. Patting the ground next to him, he raised the wine and an eyebrow.

“Sure, why not.” Jemma lowered herself to the ground in the most lady-like manner she could manage in her close-fitting dress, trying to retain all of her “secrets” in the process. He filled both glasses and handed her one as she settled herself on her side. The familiarity of the movie and the wine relaxed her and, before she knew it, the movie completely engrossed her as though she’d never seen it.The tinkling of piano music filled the air, and the raspy voice of Sam broke into the song As Time Goes By.

Tony reached his hand out to Jemma. “Care to dance?”

Jemma looked around as though he’d asked someone else behind her and blushed when she snapped out of her movie-induced coma, realizing where she was. “Sure.” She slipped her hand into his, and sensual energy flowed into her. She struggled to make her jellied legs work and come to a standing position. This could be dangerous.

“You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss…”

Tony slid his right hand over her shoulder and brushed her loose curls free; trailed his fingers lightly under them until his palm came to rest in the small of her back. Fire branded her skin where his hand touched, but paled in comparison when he pressed his body against hers. Heat sizzled through her, and she became far too aware of every inch of her that touched him.

“A sigh is just a sigh; the fundamental things apply, as time goes by…”

Tony took her right hand within his left; the fingers of her free hand led a languid trail over his strong bicep and broad shoulder before coming to a rest at the nape of his neck. The satin feel of his hair between her fingers and the intoxicating smell of cologne on his shirt added to the overload on her senses.

“And when two lovers woo, they still say ‘I love you’, on that you can rely…”

Her legs did not give out, like she feared, when he led them on their makeshift, quilted dance floor. Everything disappeared except for them, the music, and the moonlight. Jemma released a deep sigh, closed her eyes, and placed her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat a heady staccato. For a moment she felt safe, secure, and right with the world. Even the nervous jelly feeling disappeared. All that remained was the sensual humming of attraction between them. Jemma had never felt a more perfect peace, and a sudden epiphany hit her. My internal voices aren’t arguing.She raised her head and grinned up at him.

“What’s that sweet smile all about?” he asked.

“Oh, I just have a gut feeling that my parents would probably like you.”

“Okay.” Tony raised a skeptical eyebrow and stopped dancing. “Do I want to know why holding you close and dancing brought about that particular gut feeling?”

“I can assure you that it’s not your worst fear, if that’s any comfort. It’s just a weird woman thing, as my brother would so eloquently phrase it.”

“Ah, that’s good to know.” 

“Woman needs man, and man must have his mate, that no one can deny…”

Tony pulled her close again, and they swayed to the music. Did his lips just brush my ear? Did he kiss me? A small sigh of disappointment escaped before she could stop it. If only he’d kissed my lips…

Still swaying to the music, Tony placed two fingers under her chin and lifted her face. “Something wrong?”

“I just remembered that this song almost got cut from the movie. It would’ve been such a shame. It’s one of my favorites of all time.”

“Yep, if Ingrid Bergman hadn’t already cut her hair for her next film, they would’ve pulled that scene and shot a new one. It’s funny how one little detail can change the course of history like that.”

Jemma cocked her head to one side, impressed that he knew that bit of information. “We are so gonna play Trivial Pursuit sometime.”

“It’s still the same old story, a fight for love and glory…”

Tony spun her away from him by one arm and quickly twirled her back into the safety of his embrace, returning her to the flash of heat as their bodies pressed together again.

“A case of do or die, the world will always welcome lovers…”

Their swaying resumed, only this time it seemed primal, rhythmic. Their gazes locked, and the flames inside Jemma licked higher as their lips inched closer.

“As time goes by.”

Tony eased her back into a dip, cradling her upper back with one hand and raising her knee to his hip with the other. His lips grazed hers, a gentle touch at first, but the kiss increased in intensity. His tongue slid along the seam of her lips, begging for her to open to him. Without any thought, she answered and allowed him access. Their tongues mingled, and Jemma enjoyed the mix of strawberries and wine she tasted from him. Tony stood her upright without breaking their bond. His arms reached around behind her waist, and he bunched the material of her dress in his hands, pressing her lithe form firmly against him. Jemma’s arms snaked up around his neck, and she wound her fingers in his silky hair. She released a small moan into his mouth, her body coming close to overload from his kiss alone.

Tony pulled away and stared down at Jemma with a hooded gaze. “Well, that song is incorrect.”

Jemma frowned in confusion.

“A kiss is not just a kiss, at least when it comes to yours. All I can say is: wow!”

Okay, input?  Anyone?  Bueller??

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NaNo Update

I’m still hanging in there!  Yes, I know that I’m only five days in, but I have to count my victories in life when I can.  I did miss my word count on Saturday due to lounging without electricity on our new land, but made up for it on Sunday.  Maria will be whipping my butt later on timed writings, so I should be able to knock out today’s words with no problem! 🙂  (She says as she counts her chickens before they’ve hatched!)  My working title is Sweet Nothings and the premise is a Romantic Comedy.  A woman’s boyfriend disappears after saying he will only be gone for a few weeks and she instinctively blames herself and thinks she is too fat.  A letter arrives a few weeks later from a woman saying that she is now dating her boyfriend and to leave them alone.  Well, her best friend convinces (bribes) her to take a road trip to confront the evil woman and get some answers.  Stay tuned, this is gettin’ good 😉

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