Happy Monday All, So school is back in session, the weather hasn't exactly changed--well depending on where you live. On the East Coast they're cleaning up after Hurricane Irene and down here we're still  wallowing in dry, very hot conditions. Over the weekend it hit 109 degrees. If you ever wondered what that feels like...come down to Texas. (Although, God willing, it'll cool down this Fall and Winter--that's the prayers and hopes of pretty much everyone I've talked to). In spite of the heat, I'm managing to plug along. I finished reading Karsten Knight's Wildefire and interesting YA novel. I'm prepping for another official book review (probably posting in October) while working on some edits.  Things are still pretty busy on my end, so I'll probably be in and out, but like I said before...I'm not gone. Something to do while you're waiting on me to be less busy:  pick up a copy of Christie Craig's Don't Mess With Texas ...

Happy Friday All, *EDIT as of 10:50 a.m. (Central Time):  I forgot to mention tomorrow (Saturday, August 27, 2011) is Christie Craig's booksigning for her new release. I wrote a post about this awhile back. Please, if you can make it, go and support her. Whew, what a week! This has been a week of appointments and all kinds of things going on. My body decided I needed to relax so I had to make sure I did that. But the good news is, it looks like I'm finally getting more to where I want to be. Edits are coming along. I finished my round of edits and now have gotten started on the ones from my critique partner. I got my registration mailed out for the Lone Star Conference and reserved my hotel room...yay! So, God willing, I definitely will be there. (For those of you going to the conference and wanting to reserve a hotel room, just click here: http://www.nwhrwa.com/conference.htm ). Anyway, I know I've been away for several days...I have a lot going on but I shoul...

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Congratulations to Jessica, winner of Monday's Christie Craig book review drawing ! Today is release day for Christie Craig's Don't Mess With Texas so everyone make sure you get your copy! This is one that will definitely make you laugh at out loud. She's an awesome person and incredibly witty--both in her books and in person. There's chances to meet her in person-- check this blog post to see when and where. Since we're nearing the end of August the time to submit your registration for the Lone Star Confer ence is getting shorter--that is because the conference is on October 15, 2011. I'm mailing in my registration this week. Writers get out there...it's worth your weight in gold to network, get support, and party with me (conference day just happens to be my birthday!) Okay those of you with rain...care to share with Texas? We're in a drought and while I don't want a hurricane, we could sure use some rain to ...

Happy Monday Everybody, ****CONTEST PORTION OF THIS POST IS NOW OFFICIALLY CLOSED!******* Friday afternoon I finished reading Christie Craig’s new book, Don’t Mess With Texas , which is available on August 23, 2011. This is laugh out loud humorous fun! A heroine who pukes on the hero, a no-nonsense Nana (loved her! Nana needs her own story, she's just that funny), a strong defend-and-protect type hero--mix it all together and you've got a novel jammed pack with Christie’s humor, romance, mystery, suspense and everything else she could think of including an English Bulldog sleeping in a coffin. Ex-cop turned P.I. Dallas O’Connor and his buddies got a bum deal when they were framed for a crime they didn’t do. Now out of jail and setting up their P.I. firm they’re ready to kick some serious butt and make sure those who are falsely accused get a fair shake in this system. They’re gonna make sure a 19 year old boy doesn’t get locked up for a murder he didn’t do and...

Happy Friday All, Wow...it's already Friday? Hard to believe. Edits are coming along pretty well, which I'm very happy about. Next week is an official book review and I'm working hard to get done reading the book (which is really good by the way, just got several things going on as well, so it takes time). Found out recently (because I made it to that side of the Internet) Tess St. John posted an excerpt of Eyes Of Jade . The cover is really awesome, so I recommend taking a cyberspace trip out that direction to check it out. Christie Craig has her book signing coming up (August 27, 2011). I talked about this sometime ago in this post . Don't forget to register for the Lone Star Conference ! God willing I'll be there--3rd year (yeah that's how much I like it). Anyway, what are you up to these days? Have A Fantastical Friday!

Happy Wednesday Everybody, Lucky me, I get to go to the dentist! Actually dentists don't bother me too much, just not my favorite pastime. Lately I have a lot on my mind (edits, reading for a book review, the Lone Star Conference and some family things) so it's harder to come up with a blog post than usual. I hope y'all will forgive me and bear with me. Life is a little crazy right now and hopefully it'll calm down soon. What's going on in your life? Have A Wonderful Wednesday!

Happy Tuesday All, Monday was a day off--which I needed because it was sort of a crazy day. I hadn't planned to take the day off, but it turned out to be a good idea. I know Fall is coming and that school starts back soon, but Summer isn't the only time people travel .  I think this was in Frankenmuth, Michigan  I have been all over the U.S.A. (by car and by plane) here's a list of states (off the top of my head, I'm sure I'll miss naming one) that I've been to (and I'm talking about either driven through or actually visited...not changing planes): Texas (San Antonio is fun, and Austin is gorgeous--been out to some of the Hill Country--nice, too) New Jersey  (love Madison and Morristown very pretty areas) Maryland (visited--some really great places there) Washington, D.C.(visited--wear very comfy walking shoes) New Hampshire (visited--very nice) Connecticut  (visited--pretty) Kentucky (visited--a lot of fun) Tennessee (mostly drove...

Happy Friday Everybody, As promised, today is the day I'm posting my August Author Interview. I know every author I'm always excited about (I must sound like a broken record LOL). But I always have a reason for being excited about whoever I interview. This particular interview is with Jennifer Bray-Weber , who, besides being an incredibly talented author, is a really cool person. She also has a great sense of humor and is a lot of fun to hang out with; s o, without further ado, I give you the awesome Jennifer Bray-Weber... Me:  Your novel, Blood And Treasure focuses on pirates. I've read from other interviews you've done, that you got the idea from a dream, but did you always want to write about pirates or was it just after you had that dream that the idea came to you? Jennifer:  Thank you for having me, Bethany. I started out writing dark stories set in various times throughout history. The Roman Empire, Salem Witch Trials, and the Civil War have been the b...

Happy Thursday Everyone, Sorry about the late post. I was trying to come with a post last night, but I'm having a hair-crush on my new hair cut, so I was having trouble thinking of a topic. Then today I went into my email and it was an "Oh, DUH!" moment. Nina Cordoba , author of Not Dreaming Of You has a brand new Romantic Comedy out entitled, Don't Make Me Make You Brownies . Nina has mentioned it to me on and off over the last year and the title is intriguing. She's a chapter mate of mine and actually brought brownies to the last meeting, so it's kind of funny that her new book has that title.  Anyway, you can purchase a copy of Don't Make Me Make You Brownies from Amazon  and also from Barnes & Noble .  Other news :  Tomorrow I'm posting an author interview, so be sure to come by tomorrow! And speaking of brownies, do you like brownies? Do you prefer the "cake" like ones (thicker, not so chewy) or the "chewy" ones?...

Happy Wednesday Everyone, Sitting here listening to Toby Keith 's Rock You Baby takes me back to my wedding day. It was our first dance song. I remember I sang it to my husband as we danced. I thought about using Huckleberry but decided Rock You Baby sounded more like me and my husband. Funny how things bring up different memories. A scent, a photo, a movie, a quote, a song.  If someone starts quoting the opening speech by John Adams from the musical 1776 I'm transported back to when I was about 19 and listening to my brother quote the entire thing. Or if I smell Brute aftershave I wonder if my Dad's around. If I taste Chocolate Drop Cookies (my grandmother apparently used to make those, but I have no memory of her making them--but one of my sister makes them and every time I have one it makes me think of her). I don't know if there's a website that has the recipe written down. I used to have a copy, but I'm not sure where I put it. (They...

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Fun little tidbit just because... One of my sisters got me into this:  If you like to have cream in your coffee, substitute with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. YUM. (I generally have creamer, but if I'm having decaf after dinner I sometimes go ahead and have a scoop of vanilla ice cream). Anyway... Are you as excited about the Fall and Winter months as I am? I know, I know...I keep talking about it. I can't help it. It's been such a hot summer that I can't wait to pull out my sweaters and pants. My cloak (or cape, whatever you choose to call it) is waiting in our hall closet for the weather to get cold. My sweaters and long-sleeved shirts are sitting in the back of my closet just waiting for me. Plus there are so many releases happening in the Fall! C.C. Hunter's Awake At Dawn , Rick Riordan's The Son Of Neptune , Kerrelyn Sparks' Sexiest Vampire Alive ...(and I'm sure several other releases that I'm gonna kick myself la...

Happy Monday All, So...did y'all notice the new addition on the top of the margin on the right hand side? Yes...it's that time again... registration time for the Lone Star Conference ! The Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America is inviting writings near and far to come join us for fun, pitching appointments, a keynote speaker ( Alexandra Sokoloff ), and a great group of writers who are waiting to welcome you to the Lone Star State. Whether you write Romance or something else, I urge you to think about coming down. I attended the last 2 Lone Star Conferences and it was and awesome experience both times. I plan (God willing) to be at the conference for a third year. To me, it's a great way to celebrate my birthday!  (Yep, you read that right. The Lone Star Conference falls on my birthday this year...October 15th). Anyway...I hope writers all over will come and visit the Lone Star State and hang out with us NWHRWA members. We'd love to have you. What ...

Happy Friday Everyone, This won't be my regular type of post, but these things sound like so much fun and well, w hen author  Christie Craig  asked me to let you all know about these events, I couldn't say no. After all, I'm a big fan of hers and I'm looking forward to reading the new release, Don't Mess With Texas .   Are you going to be in Houston, Texas on August 27, 2011 or November 12, 2011? If so, you will want to put these two events in your plans. If you live in Houston, add these to your calender: Saturday, August 27, 2011  Christie Craig book Signing at Katy Budget Books at 2450 Fry Road, Houston, Texas 77084. The book signing will start at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. (Central Time). Saturday, November 12, 2011 Christie Craig will be teaming up with Romantic Mystery author, Diane Kelly  (Diane will be signing her new release: Death, Taxes, And A French Manicure --release date November 2011--this book looks like a lot of ...

Happy Thursday Everyone, Please forgive the lack of a real blog post today. Wednesday turned into an edit/writing day (mixed with the usual day-to-day responsbilities/activities).  So, hopefully Friday I'll have a post, but for today, I'm letting my brain wander through the edits/writing, reading, and all the other daily things that go on. Have a Thrilling Thursday :-)

Happy Wednesday Everybody, Wow, it's Wednesday already? Time flies when you're having fun. Or dealing with surprises... That's me. Dealing with surprises. In writing, that is. Some of my writing (and a current project) has taken me in a direction I didn't see myself going. But there are times writing will do that. And for now, it's helping me create and figure out what I'm doing with this project and the others I have going. Some authors start out writing one thing and branch out to two or three other areas. Like the Adult-novel writer who ends up writing YA or Mid-Grade...or all 3--adult, YA and Mid-grade. Or the person who starts out in Romance and finds themselves with a Thriller on their hands. Perhaps you began your writing with Contemporary and got lost in the fields of Fantasy. Maybe while you were shaking hands with a vampire then a cyborg jumped into your living room. Writing isn't always predictable, which if it was, would probably bor...

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Wow. Monday felt like it was later in the week for some reason. Not sure why, just did. I finished up Addicted To Love by Lori Wilde (adult Contemporary Romance). It was cute and fun. Interesting take on Romance and true love. I'm reading Tera Lynn Childs' Goddess Boot Camp (YA) and so far so good (I just barely started but it probably won't take me too long). Call me nostalgic but Monday afternoon I was listening to Patrick Swayze's She's Like The Wind . It's a good song that was featured in the movie, Dirty Dancing . He actually had a pretty good singing voice and I remember him singing Herman's Hermits'   I'm Henry The VIIIth I Am  in Ghost . Generally I don't listen to She's Like The Wind when I'm feeling nostalgic, but this time it made me feel that way a little. Generally I listen to songs that are associated with family members or past relationships or some other memory when I feel nostalgic. So...

Happy Monday All, Also, HAPPY AUGUST! We're now getting closer to the Fall and students going back to school and (hopefully soon) cooler weather. Texas has been hot, but it generally is in the Summer. Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons because I love cooler weather and I'm a huge fan of Christmas. I can't wait to put up Christmas lights. Okay, so I'm a little early on the anticipation, but all these  commercials  for back-to-school items have brought out thoughts of the latter (and cooler) months as well as the holidays that go with them. This past weekend I was doing some house cleaning (believe me, my house needs it). My dust allergies are acting up, but so far I've managed to avoid being laid up in bed with them, which is good. There's some book reporting I need to do, so, without further ado... Author A.S. Fenichel has an erotic Romance out through publisher Ellora's Cave called Mayan Afterglow . Good news! You can pre-order C.C. Hunte...