Hopelessly Romantic

Happy Tuesday All,

If you're anything like me, you're a hopeless romantic. Although, I suppose because I'm married to my own personal hero, people could  argue I'm not really hopeless, so I guess I could amend the phrase and say I'm hopelessly romantic.

Monday night one of the channels on TV was showing the movie, Only You starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. I've seen it before, but it's been awhile. I missed most of it, but I did get to see the scene where Robert Downey Jr. as Peter, is holding onto the  edge of a yacht declaring his love to Marisa Tomei's character, Faith. Gotta love seeing a guy yelling out "I'm crazy about you! You're going to miss me!"

These type of movies and scenes are part of what inspires me as a writer. I'm a huge fan of fairy tales, and in a way Only You and some of the other romantic movies out there are types of fairy tales. I love stuff like it. I know, I'm so mushy.

What romantic movies leave you feeling like mush?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

James Scott Bell Rocks At Conference

Happy Wednesday All,

Whew! Things have been extremely busy on my end (but mostly GOOD busy). Monday was my birthday, and it was a wonderful birthday--thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday. I truly appreciated the thoughtfulness!

Before I launch into talking about the Lone Star Conference, I want to tell you I did a stupid thing. I forgot my camera! Can you believe it? I was so bummed. So unfortunately, I don't have pictures (color me sad) but others had photos and I have many witnesses to say I was, in fact, there. Hopefully the next time I go to the Lone Star Conference I'll remember a camera.

So here's a run-down of my experience...

Friday was the Meet & Greet party at the 1st V.P. of my chapter's house. As always, Stacey is a wonderful hostess (her husband minion-ed with the best of them) and it had good food, good company, and good fun.

A bunch of us gave James Scott Bell a tutorial on how to talk like a Texan, and he picked up very quickly. In fact, at the end of the evening he even said "I'll see all y'all tomorrow!" He gained much applause and cheers for that.

I rode to and from the hotel with two of my chapter mates, and a lovely lady from another part of Texas and we had a great time. Although, I have to say, there was someone in another car (not a Conference go-er from what we could tell) who scared us so bad. Luckily my chapter mate who was driving had quick reflexes and kept us save (you rock, Patti!)

The next day dawned bright and early for me (I was up at 6 a.m.) and got ready and down to the ballroom to settle in by 8 a.m. NWHRWA President and the 1st V.P. welcomed everybody and Mr. Bell got started.

I was timing pitches first thing in the morning, so I went off to the room to time for editor, Deborah Gilbert of Soul Mate Publishing. She and I had some lovely chats and I think she's such a nice lady. Several of my chapter mates have signed with Soul Mate, and seem to be very happy there.

Later on, I was hanging out with some other chapter mates of mine who were timing and wandered into the ballroom to listen to Mr. Bell.

Let me tell you, fellow writers of mine (and even some of those readers who don't write), Mr. Bell is one heck of a speaker. He is absolutely, hands-down, one of the best. Even if you miss part of his talk, you can pick it right back up again without being too lost. He uses clips from movies to illustrate the points he's making (which helps a lot with applying what he's teaching) and he's funny, fun, and gets the crowd involved. There was a lot of laughter and applause when he threw in Southern-isms like "y'all" and "fixin' to" and such like that.

Mr. Bell is also very approachable and easy to talk to. He's friendly, and interested in what you have to say. Plus, you can ask him questions on what he talks about without fear.

Lunch was a buffet style (which it has been in the past) and I was at a big table with some of my chapter mates, a few other conference goers, and the lovely folks from Boroughs Publishing Group. The people from Boroughs were extremely nice, and readily willing to answer any questions we had. One of them also took practice pitches from Conference goers who weren't sure about doing a real pitch. They were also lovely. Everyone seemed to like them.

In the afternoon I got to talk with Liz Pelletier from Entangled Publishing, and she was a delight. Extremely helpful and very nice.

I also got to talk with Elaine Spencer from the Knight Agency, and I liked her quite a bit, too. I had asked her some questions at the Meet & Greet and she was extremely helpful.

All in all, this year's conference really rocked. Next year we're scheduled to have another awesome speaker...who was revealed at Conference (whom I will reveal at a later date on here). Trust me, you won't want to ever miss an NWHRWA Conference. They are truly awesome.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend this past weekend, and is having a glorious week!

Have A Whimsical Wednesday!

Countdown!

Happy Wednesday All,

(No matter what the date tab says, this post is meant for Wednesday).

I can hardly believe it...not counting today, there are TWO days left until the Lone Star Conference. This is my third year going, and I'll be entering my fourth year as a member of the NWHRWA.

This group is an incredible group of men and women. I'm very lucky and blessed to be a member and to be amid so many talented writers.

I know travel can be a pain (especially if you live out of state, or even out of the country) but folks, these people are so hospitable and kind. If you're a writer, I cannot stress enough how important that is. It's also why I invite my fellow authors to this Conference every year.

Now that I've gotten the sentimentality out and told you how truly awesome the NWHRWA & the Lone Star Conference is, let me move on to what's kept me from the blog...

I have been reading like a mad fool, my dear readers. My cousin got me interested in an author I hadn't heard of named Elizabeth Hunter. Specifically got me engrossed in the Elemental Mysteries. I finished up A Hidden Fire and have gotten my hands on The Same Earth (and started it). I like the way she writes vampires...the idea that they all can control one of the natural elements (earth, wind, fire, water) is really intriguing and different (at least to me).

I also recently received another book for a November official blog review that I need to get a move on...plus some other books from other authors that I should get going on.

Not to mention the fact that I went haywire happy over Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux series and eagerly await Opal's release in December.

I've also been writing. Yep, I truly have. I've got two projects going. One is a story that I think will be a series (we'll see if that's still true at the end of the story) and another is something I started as a challenge to myself (if this story continues to take off, my critique partner is going to make me eat crow, I don't care how nice she is, I will be eating crow LOL).

As you can see, I've been a busy bee of a woman, and I am going to be prepping this week for the Conference on Saturday (so excited!)

So, please pardon the silence on here. I'm pretty regular on Twitter and Facebook, so look me up on there. (Twitter--@WriteByBethany Facebook is under Bethany Averie).

What's everyone got planned for this week and weekend?

Have A Wondrous Wednesday!

Yay It's Friday!

Happy Friday One And All,

I'm having a pretty good day so far. The weather is mild, something I was worried about is getting resolved, I've proven to myself I could do something I was sure I wasn't going to be able to do (although that last one has me eating crow, which isn't my favorite thing, but oh well).

Today's a short post. I asked this question on Twitter (which, by the way, if you don't have an account, get one and you can see all my updates that sometimes don't make it to my blog by following me at @WriteByBethany--also, my Twitter Feed is in the margin of this blog) and all the other awesome authors I follow.

Like I was saying...

I asked this on Twitter, and I'll post it here:

What's your sweet treat weakness? 

Mine is often chocolate or cookies (sometimes candy). What's yours?

Have A Fun-Filled Friday!

FYI:  NEXT weekend is the NWHRWA Lone Star Writers' Conference...all you writers...have YOU registered? Hope so :-) Have a fabulous weekend and day, everyone!

Can You Hear The Whispers?

Happy Tuesday All,

Hope everyone got a chance to read the review I posted yesterday.

Now, here's for the 2nd book review I have this week for you:

Welcome back to Shadowfalls! Things are busy what with the camp being turned into a school...new students, and teachers...and a ghost.

It's the ghost that has Kylie all discombobulated...okay maybe not just the ghost, because let's face it, finding out she was a ---- (I'm leaving that blank for those who haven't read Taken At Dusk, or who haven't finished it).  is really something... and it's all well and good to know what you are, but what is the extent of her powers? Her limitations?

Never mind the fact that the ghost has ---'s face (again, leaving that blank for those who haven't read or finished Taken At Dusk, because it's important!) If it wasn't for that, the ghost would just be another ghost in a long line of ones that keep showing up wanting Kylie's help.

But beyond that, Kylie wants to reconnect with her grandfather and aunt. Not only that, there's voices calling out to Kylie from the woods. But should she obey the voices or Burnett, who has forbidden Kylie from entering the woods?

Plus, there's the little problem that Lucas, who is supposed to be her boyfriend, keeps going MIA on pack business. Then there's Derek, who up and confessed his love for Kylie, which was so not what she needed right now.

What's a girl to do?

Kylie faces some tough decisions. But, who's to say she can't kick butt while doing so? (I can't give away why I'd say "kick butt" because I think the decisions she makes in this book--book 4 of the series--are going to make the 5th book one heck of a read).

And putting all that aside...something else isn't right. One of the new teachers is just this side of creepy, and the other, seems so completely lost that Kylie's heart bleeds for him. Who is a friend and who is an enemy? And who killed the three girls Kylie keeps seeing her visions trapped beneath the earth?

Whispers At Moonrise (book 4 in C.C. Hunter's Shadowfalls series) is out TODAY will whisk you in another Shadowfalls adventure like none other. Hang on and enjoy the ride :-)

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!

The Mail Is A Bit Unusual

Happy Monday All,

This week is special because there are TWO official book reviews.

Here's today's treat:

Mardis Gras season in the Big Easy is a time of fun and revelry. At least, it is until television reporter, Kimber Breeze ends up hanging from the Hotel Tremaine's balcony where she had been interviewing local business owners.

Carmela Bertrand, owner of Memory Mine is the first to find Kimber. Calling her detective boyfriend, Carmela tries to help with crowd control, but with folks tripping over each other to escape the scene, it's near impossible.

Carmela thinks Raleigh, Kimber's camera man might have caught something on tape, however, when she gets the DVD all it reveals is someone dressed as the clown character in an opera.

To make things even more confusing, Carmela begins receiving strange post cards signed by the dead Kimber Breeze.

Who's behind the murder and the post cards? Is it Kimber's boyfriend, the business man? Is it the weird new shop owner who sells creepy oddities? Or could it be Kimber's ambitious assistant who has been waiting for her chance in the limelight? Or could it be, by chance, Kimber's financially strapped brother?

Either way, Carmela wants to know and soon...especially after things turn personal when someone puts on a hit on Carmela's house!

You'll find out who is behind it all and much more on October 2, 2012 when Laura Childs' newest Scrapbooking Mystery, Postcards From The Dead is released.

Happy sleuthing :-)

Have A Marvelous Monday!