Happy Thursday! I didn't know I'd do another blog post for July. I wasn't sure I had anything to say, but you know, things happen and suddenly I've got some fun stuff for a blog post! Okay, since I list it first, let me talk discoveries:  I have discovered the existence of UK Actress, singer, author, vlogger, Carrie Hope Fletcher. So, this was completely by accident. She's got a new book release dropping in August (I don't know when it's supposed to be available in the States) that looks interesting. Rather prolific given in a short period of time she has published around 5 books (maybe 6?) and has a new one coming out. Anyway, she has an amazing voice, which gives me chills--hence the reason I wanted to tell you, darling readers, about her voice. I haven't read her work, since I only just learned of her existence, but her upcoming release sounds interesting. In terms of writing, I continue to edit my current WIP (Work In Progress). In any case, I...

 The Author Encounter is doing a Blog Hop / Scavenger Hunt! The information is all available right here:  Military appreciation month officially recognized by Congress in May 1999, incorporates many holidays celebrating our women and men in the Armed Forces. Join us for a literary approach to celebrating the soldiers and families that proudly serve and protect our country. Crafting military fiction whether it’s romance, fantasy, mystery, or any other genre mix isn’t easy. Each story has unique challenges. However, creating believable, relatable characters, scenes and plot lines is a goal all authors aspire to no matter how they write. That is why so many authors use tropes to get their creative juices flowing in familiar ways to encourage their readers to fall in love with their stories. What is a trope? Or more specifically what is a military trope? A military trope is a commonplace, recognizable plot element, theme, or visual cue that conveys something about the military...

  Happy Wednesday All, I can't believe it's already May! April got away from me and I didn't get to post any other blog posts besides the initial April one. Yikes, I'm sorry! Life continues to be crazy on my end. Our house is much closer to being ready (we have a great contractor!) and we have hopes of being back in our home not next week, but the week after. We'll see. Our contractor is industrious and efficient. He keeps us in the loop and gets things moving. We've been grateful to have someone reliable after the water remission people weren't the most communicative (which is a big reason why it's taking us so long to get back into our house). This weekend is my and my husband's anniversary (I don't give out details on how long we've been married--my husband likes a lot of privacy, so other than a few pictures on here and Facebook, you won't hear a whole lot about him). We've been together for over 10 years, though, and I feel a sen...

  Happy New Year Everybody! I hope you're having a wonderful 2021 thus far and that it's full of blessings, health, and happy moments to make it a special year. On New Year's Eve at 2:26 a.m. Central Time, I finished the WIP (Work In Progress) I'd been working on most of the year. I had wanted to finish it a month or so BEFORE December 31st, but life happens. So now it's written! The next step is to edit and then I'll query it out to agents. The Author Encounter has many events planned for 2021 and starting off great with D.C. Gomez's "New Year, New Mindset". While this workshop is mostly professional development for authors, you do not have to be an author to attend it. We're going to get into the harder parts of being an author: Imposter Syndrome, Rejection, Professional Jealousy, and More. It'll be about working through these feelings to a positive end. I've been impressed with what I've learned about D.C. in the time I've go...

Happy Wednesday Everyone, Renovations to the blog and my website are still in line to be done but have been put on hold for a short bit because the consultant and I have joined forces to start a company geared toward authors and readers. The Author Encounter's mission statement is "Bringing authors and fans together" and that's just what we're working toward. We have an event scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2020 called Books & Beauty. I'll be there with my amazingly talented audiobook narrator, Chris Hudson. Headlining the event is author Kerrelyn Sparks who not only did an amazing job with Paranormal Romance with her Love At Stake series, but she's got her Embraced beings in her Fantasy Romance series and a brand new one that will be showcased at Books & Beauty called How To Love Your Elf . It's going to be for people ages 21 and up because it's at a Wine bar. All the information is on The Author Encounter's website. Other tha...

Happy Tuesday All, The Averie Household is dealing with allergies and sinus infections. The good news:  so far the allergies are staying allergies and relatively not too bad. Antibiotics have been gotten for sinus infection (managed to get in with doc's office on a MONDAY morning!) And offspring who has the sinus infection isn't doing too badly.  The bad news: That we even have to deal with this when offspring suffered bad congestion for over a month not THAT long ago. Luckily, mostly cheerful and no fever. So count the blessings, right? I'm waiting on first round edits from publisher on I mmortal Dreams Book Three: Immortal Love . We're shooting for an April 8, 2015 release date and hoping to have it ready for pre-order some time before that. April and May are most likely "hiatus" months for me (depending on how things are during those months either cut it short or lengthen it in regards to whatever the needs are at the time) from writing for va...

Happy Monday All, Mark your calendars those of you who will be in Houston on Saturday June 21, 2014, because I will be joining fellow author, Dana Wright , and some others for an event at a Barnes & Noble. You can read about the details here . I plan to bring All's Fair In Love & Lion  bookmarks, so if you want a signed bookmark, and to meet me and some other authors--ask questions and such, come on out. (I don't know about Immortal Dreams Trilogy bookmarks, that's something I'm working on some details, so I can't be sure if I will or not). Saturday I went to my chapter's monthly meeting. Author Will Graham talked about Jack the Ripper. He really did a great job. For anyone who doesn't know, Will is a very talented author, and I've been lucky enough to be able to chat with him about writing, publishing, and different things like that. He's been supportive of my career over the years. I'm very grateful for it. My critique pa...

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 ...