Updates, Stories, & More...

Happy Monday All,

I finally got Book Three out to my critiquers, so I'm awaiting their notes, however, I'm staying busy!

This week is full of appointments and things, but not just that, I plan to work on critiquing a novel for another author, and work on this other project I have going. Plus be pregnant. But that's a constant for now.

I'm almost ready for Christmas. Got a few more things to take care of, but I knocked out some of it over the weekend, which was good. How about you?

Recently I read Katie McGarry's new YA novel, Breaking The Rules. I really enjoyed it. The way she pulls in emotion is incredible. Her novels are gritty and have an honesty about them that pulls the reader in.

Once Upon A Time had it's winter finale Sunday night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a heart-wrenching episode that leaves me really looking forward to March 1st when it starts back up with with the second half of the season. In my opinion, this season has shaped up nicely. And yes, I had been expecting the "showdown" between Belle and Rumpel for a long time--but it was hard to watch just the same. :-(

One thing I love about this time of year is when authors get festive. And I was happily surprised that author Beth Fantaskey jumped aboard and gave us Jess and Lucius fans a little "stocking stuffer" (as she put it) of a story as a guest post for Star Shadow Blog. It was really sweet and fun to read up on those characters again. I really enjoyed Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side and Jessica Rules The Dark Side. I've read the wedding story, too. I really enjoy those characters.

I'd love to do a short story of Jason and Laney at Christmas time, but I can't do it this year--sorry! But I think it would be fun. I've always loved the idea of doing a Christmas story, I've just never had one that worked.

Anyway, that's what's going on right now. What's up in your world?

Have A Magically Merry Monday!

It's December, Plus Updates...

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

I hope you all enjoyed yesterday's post with the guest authors. It was fun to talk about the TV show Once Upon A Time like that. Maybe I'll do something similar with another subject some other time.

It's now December! Can you believe it? Despite what I said on
Facebook about getting the tree up on Sunday it didn't happen. I was distracted by all the edits I had to do and Husband got wrapped

One of my favorite ornaments
It represents Monroe, from my novel,
ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & LION

up in some activities he and the offspring got into. However, I hope we'll be able to follow through on what Husband said about getting it up this evening. It just doesn't feel Christmassy without the decorations out.


I'm still working on my personal edits of Book Three of the Immortal Dreams Trilogy.

I've finished the initial read-through and am doing some other edits before it goes to critiques. Then I'll go through the editing process with my publisher before it gets released to Amazon Kindle. Currently I'm set for a March 2015 release date. Unfortunately, I'm definitely behind where I wanted to be. But my pregnancy caused a few issues. I didn't feel well and I was very tired. I'm still tired most days, but working hard to not let that get in the way, because I want to get this book done.

Either tomorrow or Friday I'll be doing a cover reveal for Book Three of the Trilogy. I've been sitting on this cover reveal for a very long time and it's been hard not to just show you all the final installment of this series, but I wanted to wait until it was a little closer to the release date. But I can't wait much longer! So you won't have to, either.

Stay tuned and I hope you're enjoying the beginning of December!

What's your favorite getting-ready-for-Christmas tradition? 

Have A Tinsel-Filled Tuesday!

Oh, The Christmas Tree!

Happy Tuesday All,

Yesterday I mentioned I had guest posted on Anna Kathryn Lanier's blog. In the blog post, I talked about ornaments that meant something special to me. I figured it was only fair I show you these ornaments and explain them.

Before I do that, here's our Christmas tree all set up and decorated (yes, this year's version):

The first ornament is in honor of my maternal grandfather. Grandpa died in 2004, 10 days before my birthday. He was a wonderful grandfather. Always full of stories (both true and made up), quick

to give you a $2 bill ("Never spend this and you'll never be broke.") He also was quick with a joke, which was followed by a smile and his deep, comforting chuckle. Growing up, my family had a Thanksgiving tradition called "The Turkey Contest".  After Thanksgiving meal we'd all sit at the table, and there would be jokes told. The person with the best--or sometimes even the worst--joke won and was called "The Turkey".  Grandpa won many of these. After his death, my mother gave me this ornament, and it gets a place of honor every Christmas season near the top of the tree.


The next ornament is one I didn't mention in the blog post. I put up my Christmas tree after the blog post. But this ornament is special to me. It's in honor of my mother's brother, my Uncle Jim, who died a few years ago (2 or 3 years ago).  Uncle Jim was also quick with jokes and laughter--he sometimes won the Turkey Contest, as well. Uncle Jim played guitar (as does my own father) and I remember especially him playing the Beach Boys' Sloop John B.  Uncle Jim was a wonderful man, whose memory lives on in the hearts of my aunt, and my cousins, me, my family, and other relatives. His eldest daughter was my maid of honor. So, because he loved to play the guitar, the guitar ornament represents him.


Last, but definitely not least among those special to me, is the ornament that represents my best friend, Sarah, who died earlier this year. Sarah was like a sister to me, and having her gone and facing this first Christmas without her has been rough. This ornament is the first ornament she ever gave me. It used to have a

heart that hung from the bottom and played music, but I lost that part (it could unhook).  She gave this ornament to me long before I got married and moved out of my parents' house, so it enjoyed several years on my parents' Christmas tree before coming along to my house and hanging from my tree. This year, these two fun-loving girls have a place of honor near the top for Sarah. I like to think in a sense this ornament also represents Sarah and I (although, neither of us ever was blonde LOL) and all the fun we had together.



Of course, the tree is never complete without the ornament one of my sisters gave me about 2-3 years ago that represents my character, Monroe from All's Fair In Love & Lion. As you can see, Monroe is in his lion form and gets to watch all the festivities and fun from his perch somewhat near the top of the tree. Not a bad place to get to view all the action of the season. (P.S. That heart ornament by Monroe? It's a mother ornament someone gave me a while back in honor of me being a mom, pretty cool, huh?)

And yes, the tree is covered in tinsel. To me, a Christmas tree needs tinsel to be complete. It just doesn't look the same without it.

There's no presents under the tree, just yet. I still have to wrap them and keep them hidden so that Offspring doesn't try to get a head-start on opening presents. LOL Offspring would probably hold off, but I'm a Mama who knows better than to press her luck! However, the presents will get under the tree in time to entice, at least a day or so before we actually unwrap them.

What ornaments are important to you and where do they go on your tree?

Have A Terrifically Treat-filled Tuesday!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

Happy Monday All,

Hey everybody! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Advent. During this second week of preparations for Christmas, I'm looking at my shopping list going "Aaahhh, what do I do for so-and-so?" But I have a few ideas, so I don't have to completely freak out. At least, not yet. I hope.

Last week gave me a horrible surprise. I had an awful sinus infection. I'm doing much better, thank goodness, but I don't recommend getting one. It's not fun. 

The first book in the Immortal Dreams series has been sent to my editor. Already need to change the title (apparently someone else in the publisher's community has the same title of Dream Weaver, so now I'm working on that). I'll let you know what I come up with. (Please NO suggestions. I've got some people already working on it, and too many suggestions make it hard for me to make a decision--I do appreciate your desire to help, but this is something I gotta do on my own).  Hopefully editor likes the story. I really had a blast writing it. I'm working on book 2, which is coming slowly (unfortunately).

The post about my favorite Christmassy things is up, and Anna Kathryn Lanier is running a giveaway (there's still time to enter) details are found on the post. Click here to see what I said.

I've got several other novel ideas that are going (can't talk about them right now). 

In any case, it's a busy time of year for everyone, but I hope you take some time to stop and enjoy the season. Yes, it can be hectic, but don't forget to have some joy, too.

What are you doing for Christmas this year?

Have A Marvelously Merry Monday!