Friday, July 27, 2012

Barnes and Noble has it now

Happy days :) I've been invited to participate in another anthology, and this one really has me thrilled :) Okay, I admit, they all have me thrilled. I can't wait until the Splintered Lands anthology is out. :D Also, Barnes and Noble FINALLY have The Ulfric's Mate for sale!! About freaking time LOLOL I don't want to know how many impulse buys I've lost cuz they're so dang slow.

In other news, my 13th anniversary is coming up on Tuesday. It'll either be the best year ever or the worst. We tend to do things bass ackwards so if 13 is unlucky well, we have a chance at awesomeness :D My 3yo (With Down Syndrome) talks more and more every day :D Love watching his discovery of words and hearing the phrases (appropriately used) coming out of his mouth.

I think my favorite is "love you too" to his grandma :D It's so awesome! My 8yo has a mouth on him, wooo. LOL but he's also developed a very quirky sense of humor and it's not quite the same as the quirkiness of his brother and I love it when they're telling me stuff :)

Been prepping fruit for freezing and drying when not writing and editing and cleaning. Still have lots of crocheting to do but in this heat, I can't do it without making the blanket stink of my sweat or dirty from my sweaty hands and I REFUSE to do that. The customer shall get a new product. Not stinky nasty. Anyways, How's everyone week been?

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Must.Write.This.

I made a remark to an author/editor friend via DM. We were discussing the various projects I need to get finished yesterday. She mentioned hers, then I said,
"yep. And I need to write the one for you as well. Had a dream. may do something different than I'd originally intended."

Her response was to laugh and say that was a such a writerly thing to say :) Then I explained how I'd had a dream three nights in a row set in this very cool, very interesting world and I think I'd better write it and her response was a very enthusiastic yes. She knows.

Sometimes, you have to write things because you have to. I may not actually be able to use this story for any of the regular projects I have going on at the moment. I "may" be able to use the world as a basis for the short for the aforementioned editor's project, but, then again, maybe not.

I love when I "have" to write about a character, or world. Those stories end up being the best and most vivid. In this kind of case, it's more than a new shiny, or some idea, it's a I better write this or shrivel up and die. That's how it feels.

Now, I must toddle off, and write. Oh, nearly forgot to tell you, sent off line items for my full out erotica (this is NOT a HEA, just a lot of hot, hot, hottest sex going on between some sexy people who want each other) and am nearly finished with the short for The War of the Weres Series :) And I think I worked out the next step in Search for Sorren. Yes, it's going to take me a bit to go through each step on this. I can't just poof it out. Sigh. Too bad cuz I'd like to get it off my plate and out to a beta so I could get it to whom I need to get it to.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

What a Week

Crazy crazy week :) My first blog tour (shared with the other Breathless Press new releases) and it's crazy crazy :) I also had an interview, a review, and lots of people who bought my book. I'm obsessed over numbers :P Trying to write, even had this awesome dream last night which I'd better write down. Okay, I wrote down a bit, but can't remember it all. Damn it.

We made our last payment on an OLD motorhome. It died when we turned into Safeway less than block away. Probably needs new battery. Then as I followed him home AFTER picking up all the groceries for camping, I saw that the tail light was out. So, instead of camping this weekend, I'm going to be doing laundry and pouting.

I did get line item edits last night for the book due out in November (yeah, we're on this one!) last night, and I had to write new scene (which I did) which then means I have to subtely alter the next scene (which I haven't) and then do all the other suggested changes. Sigh. LOL good thing I love editing. (well, I love the results of editing...)

I did managed to get over 1k words last night. It used to not be such a chore. I think the heat is really getting to me this year. But I'm plugging along :) Also, the marketing/networking takes up a lot of time that I'm not used to. I thought I was spending loads of time before...with a new release it's crazy.

And, my eleven year old, who's been gone to grandma's most of the week is being crappy about helping out with chores. Making me crazy. He hates doing dishes...well don't we all LOL And he's hardly done any this week! Like one sinkful. Sigh. I have to do the laundry the next few days because I have to sort out towels, sheets, etc that need to go in our camper and I'm putting away the dishes because I'm doing the same thing with them. Some things will be going in the camper. Then I have to make a list of things we need to buy.

These days, folks, were suppposed to be my get away to the cooler mountains and write while the kids play in the creek. I'm not in a good mood. It's a very good thing there is caffeine in the house. *searches for it* Ahhhh. Now, maybe, I'll get things done.

What are you doing this weekend?

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Blog tour day two

Hi everyone!! I'm so excited!! Lots happening this week! First off, I had made it up to #22 in M/F category as of last night at one all romance book provider site :) Don't forget to check yesterday's post for Day one on the blog tour. Today's is here and you want to comment! All commenters are entered in for a chance at a $20 gift card :)

And don't forget my guest blog post. Today's the last day to enter the contest! Even if you've already bought my book, please comment anywhere you see them doing these interviews/hostings. If you win my book, I will send it to whomever you wish. What a neat gift! I love books. My standard gift is a book--or two. LOL

In fact, I have two book on their way already for Christmas presents :) See? I love books LOL I've had a nutso morning, and not yet had caffeine. Can't there be some universal law which says no bad can happen before morning caffeine? It's absolutely driving me batty.

OY and I've just been reminded we're leaving for the day. But I might not go. I have too much to do. WOW. What a day. When I tried to comment on today's blog tour, I was told my javascript was disabled...WTH??? So I did an update, installed it, (which meant had to shut all internet windows) then rebooted. Sigh. I'd already had all my stuff set up for work for the day. What a headache!

Okay, it's been decided that I'm going. I can run down to hot spot with my tablet if my phone doesn't get working. Sigh. Time to go :) Have a great day!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Blog tours and running

Hello again :) I know, this week it's all The Ulfric's Mate (* keep hearing the brady bunch -- "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! *) And here's some more :) There's a blog tour of the new releases from Breathless Press this week and this is first one :) Each day there'll be another. Comment on any and all of them!! All commenters gets a chance to win a $20 gift card from Breathless Press!! You can buy The Ulfric's Mate, Ravaged (the anthology I'm in which is up for pre-order!) and still have money left over! *grins* :D Make sure and go to all the blogs (I'll try to be good and post them all here!!)

Also, I'm running 25 minutes straight now!! er, sort of. Had to stop and force my air to breath cuz I started my run way too fast for my asthma (can't wait until my lungs are lots stronger!) and my asthma, just, grrr. Anyways, took my inhaler, paced myself, and did loads better. Just had the issue with the dog. Next time, I'm going to take a picture then call the sheriff. It keeps trying to bite my son. If it actually succeeds...well, there will be no more dog worries from that front! I hate that the owners don't keep their dog on a leash. I know a lot of people have problems with it, but I have problems with big dogs biting my kids! Or me! The dog can jump the fence, then you have to chain it up when outside, damn it. Or buy one of those electrical collars and the corresponding fence.

This blog tour is making me feel a bit like my running.  A little breathless, a little panicked but exhilerated :) So, be my inhaler and be sure and comment on one or more of the blogs this week so I can breath easier.

I was whining a bit to my CP before the run about all I've had to do, mostly marketing stuff, some other side issues, and all I still had to do when all I wanted to do was write. I'm afraid her sympathy level was low. As in, "that's the price you pay for success" low. LOL I WILL write today. Hear that universe? Kids? Husband? I'M WRITING. PBBBTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Dark Dealings by Karen Victoria Smith

I have said many times in many ways, Merry Christmas... OH wait, wrong. Sorry, started singing :D For, getting new books, really is like Christmas! Not only did I win a new book from Diana Paz in her contest but I got a new one from Karen Victoria Smith.

I have had back problems for ages. It's been way better of late, which I credit my yardwork and running too. In fact, it happens so rarely anymore that I've lost my pain tolerance for it. However, this past week, I must have slept wrong or something cuz it's been giving me fits.

The only good thing about it is that I READ. I LOVE to read :) And last night, I read Dark Dealings and was delighted! I'm a sucker for anything Irish or Scottish, basically Celtic in any way. I mean, true sucker. Speak to me in Gaelic and I drool on myself.

Hang on to that hanky cuz I'm going to need it when I re-read Dark Dealings. Karen's book had intrigue and we got to go on a discovery with the main character who has tried to deny who she is since she was a teenager. A good strong character who built a good life for herself despite losing her parents at a young age. (This is not a review. I'm not a reviewer. But I did say I'd read hers and this is what I have to say about it :D This is a recommendation! OOOH or we can call her my featured writer for July :D) I hope to see more in this world she's created. There's so much more, but I'm not sure how much is spoilers, so you'll have to discover it for yourself by getting and reading her book.

There was so much in her world, I feel it'll take massive numbers of books for me to satisfy my curiousity :D Hear that Karen? You must also write more. lol It's a paranormal romance with intrigue and a lot of Celtic "feel" lore. I loved it enough I finished it in one night. I'm a fast reader, but as my journey as a writer grows, I'm also easily bored. This book did not bore me. In fact, I want more, as I've said. Good job, Karen!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

My First Review and how my kids lost their hearing

:D This has been an exciting week. One week ago my book was released out into the world. Excitement, relief, nervousness, wanting the best, expecting...? That's part of the problem. I really didn't know what to expect. My poor stomach!

But what has happened has been even more than I could have imagined. People, some publicly, some privately have spoken such words of my writing, that I'm in awe. The comments are, well, I told you that yesterday!!

Today, I got my first review. And I screamed in relief, joy, wonderment, and because it seemed so unreal! I made my husband read it as soon as he got home from work. Had to explain to my kids why I was screaming like a banshee. They alternately laughed and held their ears. And yes, in case you're wondering, I scream at baseball games or football games, or basketball games, or-you get the idea.

I think I've mentioned this, but it's surreal to me, still. I sometimes wake up and try to count the days until the release is here. Or, keep thinking of myself as unpublished. I've been contracted for many months. You'd think I'd have had time to prepare myself. Well, I don't know that you can :) Especially when lovely things like that review come in :D I couldn't have imagined a better one.

Please, go read the review and follow her blog. She gave a fair assessment (the good and the not so good) and I completely agree with it :) Thank you for all your support.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Now, I'm Crying

I can hold back tears of pain, sadness, and betrayal. I wait until the crisis is over. I cried and cried and cried after my daughter got out of the hospital, so thankful she lived. But shed very little, if any, during the process. I cried when I initially heard my brother died, then spent the time until after the funeral doing my grieving. I'm the eldest child, in birth and adopted family. I am a mother. I canNOT have a breakdown when everyone else is. So I wait. Wait until I'm safe to have one. This has many pitfalls. One, there area plenty of people (especially men, in my experience) who don't understand WHY you're crying NOW. Isn't it over? Although, the death of my brother didn't get the disbelief that I was having trouble later. Seems they understood a little better that grief takes a while.

But today, I am crying happy tears. Those are harder for me to fight. I'm so loved and blessed, and sometimes, in the middle of the heartache, it's easy to forget how much. Already, I have been asked for links, or told they are going to buy my book ASAP. But ASAP is next month. I understand money issues and am HONORED that people on a budget are buying my book. Honored. And that makes me tear up.

But, reading the comments that have started to roll in, and the response (ALREADY!) to my guest blog post, well, my cup runneth over! Thank you to all who have made and continue to make this book release awesome!!

Now, go comment and share the love on edittorrent and on the interview blog, loveromanceandmore, (sorry the link didn't work so well yesterday :( but it's fixed on yesterday's blog and here's another go) even if you're buying or have bought it. If you win, you can share it with a friend :) I'll send it where you tell me!

Thank you all my peeps and twitterai!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Another Milestone with an Interview

And another milestone for me :D This first book will be full of first firsts :) Not just first for this release, but first ever :D

What's up? Well, I sent off my first interview in the last milestone post, and it's up for reading!! Now everyone can read all about me... LOL or rather, about the questions she asked :) I'm giving away a copy of The Ulfric's Mate, so hop on and comment over here .  I'm so excited... You just can't believe it!! I can't wait to share this with all of you!! And I can't wait to see more of my friends as this happens for them!

I've been running despite the heat. Although, did go back to running in morning. That last run Saturday afternoon about did me in. I also did some weeding. But I am behind on other work. It's just been too hot and wall AC units can't keep up with the heat like this. But, I've done a bit of editing and filled out ANOTHER REVIEW :D:D I'm so excited. Tomorrow, I'm guest blogging so I'll have to blog here for that as well LOL

A blog two days in a row... too bad hell isn't freezing over. Might cool things down on this plane of existence. LOL I was thinking of a few good blogs. Will have to mull them over during a time when my brain isn't slow roasting. Sigh. Maybe I'll go sit in the kiddies pool with them LOL

How is everyone else handling the heat? Got a pool? I want a big one. A real big one. I would do many things for a big one... and that sounds like... um, yeah. LOL I am a romance writer. I may have to start doing the "over 18" thingy of googles. hmmm something to ponder as I sit in my big, oh wait, the little pool.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Another milestone

This blog is, and always has been, about the journey of becoming a writer, and the steps/phases we go through all while wearing other  hats (in my case, a full time mom that sometimes has to work outside the home) and trying to achieve the dream.

I've been accepted (you have to have not seen my blog at all in the last 7 months to know this!) by Breathless Press and yesterday, my book was released. Huge milestone!! It's out in ebook only formats, at this time, but I'm hoping to make it to print :D That would be aweome.

But, today, the milestone I cross, is this: I sent off my first interview!! My stomach is fluttering and I can't believe it's happening. I have others who have said they would interview, I have reviews on the way, and I still CAN'T BELIEVE IT. LOL not sure how many books it'll take for me to actually believe this is happening to me!!

I've worked and dreamed of this happening. But it's only the beginning of the dream. Eventually, I want to make a living wage with my writing, so no resting on the laurels!!

But one question was asked, which reminded me it couldn't hurt to say it again. Question was something about what one piece of advice would I give to aspiring authors. My answer: well, I'm not telling you here! LOL I'll link the interview when they get it online :) Should be within a week. :D

How's your day? Did you pass a milestone today? Wrote your first short? Finished your first novel? Figured out what in the Hell a query letter is? What have you done today towards your goal of being a writer?

Friday, July 6, 2012

Today Is A Magical Day For Werewolves

*cue Mr Rogers music* No wait, cue Underworld music. Time to go kick some ass and read my story, The Ulfirc's Mate. There's werewolves. Oh, you want more? Fine. There's fighting, sex, romance, intrigue, and the start of a series of tough weres who don't give up. A nasty female for the bad guy. What more could you want?

Seriously, I'm so stoked about this!! I'll keep you all posted on guest posts and reviews as they happen :) They are happening! Things are just moving a little slow on that end. :D

The next one out in the series, which is actually a bit of prequel in time, is in the Ravaged anthology, due out August 3rd :) I'm nearly finished with another novella in the series and about halfway done with the next full novel in the series. Finally getting some writing done. Even 500-1000 a day helps move things forward!!

:D *dances* come party with me :) Lots of virtual chocolate everything and lemon bars :) Also, I'm willing to guest post/do interviews for anyone who doesn't bite, or only bites a little. :D

I hope this excitement of having a new book never ends :) I love writing and it's great fun to see it for sale through such an awesome company to work for!! Seriously, love my fellow authors and my editors. They've really come through for me with my crazy schedule, the memory issues, and making my book look GOOD. :D Love you guys!!