Hi Everyone! End of August is coming up, and thus, it's time for a monthly update from yours truly. Currently, I'm waiting on some responses on queries for Sugar & Frost . There's been a bit more interest since #UnhingedPit and #questpit, so that's great. I love this story so much, that I'm happy with other people get interested. As far as I'm concerned, it's a fun read. I call it the "book of my heart" because it's just exactly something I'd pick up as a reader and cuddle up with a comfy blanket in a chair, couch, or in bed, with something hot to drink and just enjoy. I also dedicated it to my siblings, so there is a personal aspect to it, too. Other manuscripts:  Moonrise Pack: Shifter Secrets (YA Fantasy, wolf shifters, sweet romance) is in edits--I finally sat down and started working on it. I'm not very far along in the editing, yet, but hopeful about polishing it. I had made a poster for it for #PosterPit since they allow W...

Happy Friday All, Lately I've been doing 5 Things About... type posts, and I like this format. Eventually I'll do other kinds of posts again, but for now, this seems to work. And yes, I don't have a consistent day, yet. Still trying to figure that out, but I am trying to post at least once a week. So what's the 5 things topic today?  5 Things I Didn't Know About Publishing Years ago, before I really got serious about writing, I didn't know much about the publishing world. In fact, I'd say I knew next to nothing. I don't think I know everything now, or even half of what someone can know, but I know more than I did then, and so I thought I'd share some of that. 1.  I didn't know an author didn't HAVE to pay to publish his or her work. This is a big one because it's a common misconception. Unless you are self-publishing, you do not pay up front to have your work published. Typically agents and publishers will take a perce...

Happy Monday All, I know I haven't been good about keeping up with the blog. Currently I have a full plate. I'm working on a project my publisher has requested, plus something I did on my own, and a couple of stories I'm hoping to finish writing. On top of that, I've got the mommy/wife gigs going on, and the audiobook. However, I do want to make all writers aware that the time has come to get your registration for the Northwest Houston chapter of Romance Writers of America Lone Star Writer's Conference in! The deadline to register is September 15 , and we're about halfway through August already. Me with editor, Debby Gilbert at the 2014 Lone Star Writer's Conference I have been attending this conference since 2009. Every year is different, but consistently it's been fun, informative, and worth every penny. I'm excited that this year Kerrelyn Sparks is speaking. Me, author Kerrelyn Sparks, and author Christie Craig Kerrelyn is a fel...

Happy Wednesday All, Whew. I'm tired, are you? For one thing, Texas is back to yucky weather. Luckily it's not supposed to be as bad as a week ago, but it certainly wasn't fun to be woken at 4:30 a.m. with a Tornado Warning. Now, I appreciate the National Weather Service (NWS) doing its best to keep people safe. In fact, I'm grateful, and I respect what they're doing. Honestly, I do. What I don't like is the fact that after being woken at 4:30 a.m. (when I finally was able to sleep after dealing with Youngest waking up every 1-2 hours because Youngest is going through a rough patch right now--something all people go through and it's not dangerous, just hard) is that I couldn't go back to sleep for the longest time! I finally conked out around 6ish, I think. Only to wake up again around 6:30 or so. Then I went back to sleep until Youngest decided that at 7:27 a.m. sleep was a rotten idea, and it was time to get up (this was after Youngest had been ...

Happy Monday All, Death Ray Sinus Infection gave way to Death Ray respiratory infections in my Offspring unfortunately. Fevers, coughing, congestion, and antibiotics is our life at the moment. We'll be glad when the Death Ray Infections get out of our house. And illness please, please, please stay out! On the writing front, I'm working on two Botanical Gardens in Springdale, Arkansas completely new ideas and discerning what direction to take with an established story. For now, I'm not entirely sure what direction I'll take, but I expect I'll be clued into what to do some time. I've discovered that one-size fits all doesn't exist (at least, not every time something says "one size fits all" or "one size fits most"). My mom ordered me this gorgeous skirt. It said one-size fits all, but the reviews were pretty good, so I waited for it. It arrived over the weekend and it was as gorgeous as the picture. I put it on, and it was extreme...

Happy Thursday All, I'm late posting this because I wasn't able to schedule it ahead of time to post automatically for me. Real life keeps creeping into my writing/blogging time, but that's just the way things are right now. The good news is, I am getting writing in. Not as much or as often as I'm used to, but it's happening. That in itself is a really good thing. The other day I talked about word-of-mouth and how important that is to authors . Yes, I can't emphasize this enough. You have no idea how incredibly powerful it is. You readers make or break our careers. I love writing and publishing and sharing my imagination with you all. It brings me a lot of joy and satisfaction. It's a dream come true. On another note, the Immortal Dreams Trilogy is completed and all 3 books are available, yet I still have Jason and Laney playing around in my head. I guess I'm not completely ready to say goodbye to that world. Where it will lead...well, I...

Happy Wednesday Everybody, Tomorrow the post I mentioned yesterday I'd be guest posting on Erin Bevan 's blog will go "live".  I'm looking forward to sharing about my Grandfather's storytelling. There's a lot going on in my life. As some of my readers know, I'm pregnant with the newest character which will be joining the Averie   Household sometime in 2015. So, there's been a bunch of pregnancy stuff. Luckily so far (please God, let it stay this way) I haven't vomited. I've been extremely grateful for that, especially how bad I felt in the beginning, and how I've had indigestion/acid reflux issues (yes, I do take something for it, no, it hasn't gone all the way away). Sleeping has been up and down--some nights okay, some nights not okay. (And people wonder why I stay up so dang late, well...now I have a good reason, other than the fact I write, and do blogging, and watch TV movies LOL). I'm still trying to finis...

Happy Monday All, Sorry for posting this blog post so late in the day. I had a very hectic weekend--had to finish up my 2nd round edits of Immortal Dreams Book Two, Astral Love , and Sunday was booked solid. Today I took some time to recuperate a little bit from all the busyness. (I'm actually still recuperating, but I've had things to do today, so I'm doing those things as well--which also means I need to get going on finishing writing Immortal Dreams Book Three!) The winner of my birthday giveaway and recipient of a copy of Immortal Dreams Book One, Divine Love , is ROBIN ! So congratulations to Robin and your entry about the original movie of Clash of The Titans . I've sent Robin an email with information on how to claim the prize. Thank you to everyone who participated--I truly appreciate it. Thank you also for the lovely birthday wishes, that was sweet of everyone. I had a good birthday week and so far being the new number (age) I am has been a good expe...

Happy Wednesday All, I hope everyone is doing well this March and enjoyed/enjoying their Spring Break. We've had some sun and some rain, some cold and some warm weather. Basically, I think our weather has some kind of indecision problem. Either that, or it got into someone's liquor cabinet and is completely drunk. I'll let you decide which scenario best fits. There's a couple of blog-related things coming up that should be fun, I've got 2 official blog book reviews in the works. One I'm planning to post next week, and one I'm going to post as soon as I can (I'm currently reading the novel). On the writing front, I got the critiques back on one of my WIPs and I'll be working on that. I'm awaiting first round edits for book 1 in my Immortal Dreams Trilogy. I'm also waiting on cover art (I've already turned in the forms for all 3 books--each book will be released separately, though). By the way, Immortal Dreams Book 1: Divin...

Happy Friday All, Almost a year ago, Girls' Night Out was born for me and 3 of my friends, Sarah, Lesley, and Prescilla. Once a month, we got together, went out for dinner, and coffee. It was our chance to hang out with each other, catch up, and have a good time. As a wife, mother, and writer, it was a chance for me to be with my friends, and just kick back and relax.  A few months ago, Prescilla had moved out of town. With Sarah's death in February, Prescilla had been a bit "off the grid" to receive the comforting presence of having Lesley and I around. We both kept in touch with her through phone, but she hadn't been to a Girls' Night Out in a while. Wednesday I got a call, and I knew one of two things. Either Prescilla was in tears missing Sarah (who was like another big sister to her) or she was on her way into town. Turns out, the latter was correct. She said, "I'll be in town in about two hours."  I've gotten used to her spur-of-t...

Happy Thursday All, I'm a little late posting this...so please forgive me. First of all, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who has already purchased All's Fair In Love & Lion . I do hope you enjoy it.  If you haven't gotten a chance, and want to, it's available on Amazon Kindle . Today I'm on Stop #4 of the Bethany Averie AFIL&L Blog Tour, and I'm guest posting on Dana Wright's Bookgirl Knitting . What's my writing process? Am I a pantster or a plotter? Which did I use to write AFIL&L? Come find out! Have A Tip-Top Thursday!

Happy Thursday Everybody, Hope you're having a great week! Mine has been all right. Been working on blog posts for my guest blog appearances.  I've been asked to appear on 4 different blogs! I'm very flattered and excited. I've never been on a blog tour before (then again, I've never been a published novelist, either...well, that part is coming in July, but still).  My current scheduled appearances are as followed (and can be found in the margin of this blog, as well): June 28th --- I'll be the guest of Tonette Inspired on Four Foxes One Hound . This one is a personal interview--a chance to learn more about me, and more about All's Fair In Love & Lion . July 10th-- Melissa Ohnoutka has graciously invited me to appear on Eat Read Rate , talking about my journey of becoming a writer (we're going way back on this one!) July 12th--My illustrious and fabulous Critique Partner, Tess St. John, will have me on her Tess St. John blog--and guess w...

Happy Friday All, The preliminary author edits for Dream Weaver are slowly coming along. I'm hoping to finish up this weekend, or at least early next week. I really want to get this out to critiques so I can be all ready for whatever edits my publisher has for Surreal . Need to be able to concentrate on that without too many distractions (deadlines, as you know, are a part of an author's life, and I intend to do my best fulfill my part in that). On a completely unrelated topic (but something I thought was funny) I was waiting for my hot tea to finish steeping and as I opened up this post to write it, I totally forgot the tea was there. Then suddenly I was like, "Oh no! My tea! It's going to be too strong." Well, good news, folks...it isn't. Yay...total win. A good cup of tea on a cold day with honey is a cozy thing indeed. (Local honey is supposed to help with allergies, how many of you all knew that? Too cool). So to help with some of the allergy i...

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 a...

Happy Monday All, I am very sorry for my long absence. There's been so much going on: In late August my grandfather died. It's hard to say goodbye to him, but he lead a long and wonderful life. I'll be attending his graveside memorial service later this month--so there's been some prep work surrounding that. I've been gearing up for a couple of blog book reviews that are coming around October. I'm looking forward to posting them, too! I've also been writing. I sent the pages I've written of Conjure A Man to my critique partner because I wanted her input. While she's been reading the pages, I've been working on another story of mine. It's coming okay and I'm thinking about some of my other stories that are waiting on the sidelines for me to get to them. Also, I'm gearing up for my RWA chapter's annual conference--the Lone Star Conference  (the Northwest Houston RWA), which is being held on October 13, 2012 in Houston, Te...