Happy Friday All, While some of you may have already seen Mary Poppins Returns when it was in the theaters, I didn't, but it's now up on Netflix for those who are interested (or, I'm sure, available for purchase or rent in other places). First of all, a little disclaimer: I was never a big fan of the original. I didn't hate it, it just wasn't one I liked watching over and over again. Oh, I liked parts of it really well, but the song Feed The Birds always depressed me with its sort of melancholy music. Now don't get me wrong, Julie Andrews' and Dick Van Dyke, and the rest of the cast's performances were great. It just wasn't my favorite, nor one I wanted to watch over and over again. The end was a bit too bittersweet for me, and I always wondered if Jane and Michael's dad kept being as changed and jolly as he was at the end. Sure, a little cynical for a kid or middle schooler, but I just was never quite sure about it. That said, it's wo...

Happy Thursday Everyone, Wow! BrazCon was amazing! For those of you who made it out, thank you so much. It was fun and there were incredible costumes (check out my author Facebook page for pictures). Important update: I will NOT be going to Romance Writers of America's National Conference in July (New York City). I was going to, but then some stuff came up and it turned out I couldn't. I'm looking at next year, which that one (2020) will be in San Francisco, so maybe I'll make it there. I've never been to San Francisco and I'd like to go. I finished writing my adult shifter novel and it never changes. It always feels surreal and like "Wow!" when I write "The end." The next thing is edits and critique partner crits, and then I'll be shopping it around. But, it's exciting to have another book written. I do plan a sequel, so what happens at the end isn't the end of that story altogether. I already have the next book started an...

Happy Thursday One & All, I won't be posting on Friday because of it being Good Friday. I know I don't post most days, so that's a "whatever", but I am trying to do more with the blog. Honest! I'm working on trying to find more ways to write in spite of the fact that the Averie Household is as hectic as ever. We have conquered the Death Ray Sinus and Respiratory infections--hurrah! We've even managed to get Real Life Hero a brand new suit--(he looks so good in it!) and new dress shirts and ties. I got a new skirt and sparkly new shoes (I got them because I have this other skirt that they'd be perfect for and I have a couple of events coming up that I want to be extra dressed up for. I don't normally get this fancy, but these events are fancy things). My computer or the website is being weird about pictures, so unfortunately this week, I don't have pictures on here. I have been writing--a little at a time (like I said, a lot going on...

Happy Friday Darling Readers, I hope everyone is doing well. I've been running around being wife, mommy, and writer.  I got some material out to an agent who requested some chapters of a WIP (work in progress) of mine. I expect it'll be a while before I hear back. Agents are incredibly busy and they also have their real lives to think of, too. But I'm praying for a contract. I really like this agent and the agency the agent represents. I posted my review of C.C. Hunter's final installment of Della's story, Unspoken . I really enjoyed it. I think her fans will NOT be disappointed. Currently I'm looking forward to a bunch of things that aren't my projects: C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls going to Internet screen show series. Jennifer L. Armentrout's Oblivion release and the Lux Series going to screen. (I think TV?) Kiera Cass's announcement about The Selection going to the big screen. Reading the last book in Lesley Livingst...

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 (the time stamp might read Sunday, but this is actually for Monday), First of all, I got to say, thank you to everyone who commented on the Four Foxes One Hound Blog post and the Soul Mate Publishing Blog Post.  I read some of the kindest, sweetest, comments from you all and I'm truly touched, humbled, flattered, and feeling honored and privileged to have such things said about me. I really am grateful and appreciate it. So, thank you, thank you, thank you! Good news! The Blog Tour is NOT over. On July 10th (also release day!) I will visit Eat Read Rate , as guest blogger for Melissa Ohnoutka. Join me as I go into depth about my writing journey. What books did I read growing up? Why didn't I pursue a writing career when I was younger (beyond not feeling qualified)? What happened when I pitched All's Fair In Love & Lion to my editor from Soul Mate Publishing? What's the deeper story behind how AFIL&L came to be? (more in-depth than the int...

Happy Monday All, Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was pretty good. Relaxing.  What about yours? I don't know how many times I've mentioned I'm a hopeless romantic (probably at least twice every year since I started this blog, right? So, I started in around 2009, so 4 years, times 2, equals 8). So by now everyone knows I am. Although I don't call it "hopelessly romantic",  I call it "helplessly romantic" because I can't help myself. I'm drawn to pretty much anything romantic. Movies, music, books, dates with husband. Yep. There's a movie that the Hallmark Channel put out called How To Fall In Love . In it they talk about whether or not old fashioned romance is dead. I don't think it is. I think if you look hard enough, you find it. Sure, you might have to look harder in some places than other places, but it's there. (It's a sweet movie, and I really enjoyed it...some good dating/personal advice, too). The...

Happy Tuesday All, Hope everyone had a great weekend! I was a busy little bee this weekend. Offspring had a game, then I had to do some spring/summer wardrobe shopping, and Sunday was Church and relaxation. The answer to the question about if there is any news on the contracted novel is that when there is something I can share I will post it here. If you've been watching my Twitter Feed (whether following me on Twitter or checking the margin of this blog) you might have seen some posts where I recommended books. For all of you who missed them, here's the recommendations I made for Valentine's Day: I started out with Historical Romance... Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer (probably my number 2 favorite Heyer novel) If you're into Fairy Tales, I mentioned this YA: Beastly by Alex Flinn Sassy Fiction... The Secret Ingredient by Jane Heller I even touched on Mid-grade... Betsy's Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace (but I recommend reading the oth...

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 r...

Happy Tuesday All, It's so rainy and gloomy today, which is not cool. The rain is good, but the gloom? Not so much. So we're going to have to find ways to brighten things up in spite of the grayness outside. Yesterday, a writer-buddy of mine (and fellow blogger), Marsha,  posted a fun post with quotes . So I thought today I'd pull some of my favorite quotes from various sources and post them here: "Give me this moment. This precious chance."--Dr. Jekyll from the musical Jekyll & Hyde (song:  This Is The Moment ). "Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?" "If there are, we'll all be dead!" -- Inigo and Fezzik from movie, The Princess Bride . "I'm too sexy for my fangs."-- Gregori, from Kerrelyn Sparks'  book, Sexiest Vampire Alive . "We would call Monroe something else, except we don't want to want to insult donkeys." -- Bastian "Bast" Cantrell from my novel, Surreal . "I hav...

Happy Wednesday All, So sorry I've been so silent lately! Monday offspring came home with a bug bite on the foot. We went to the doc's office and got some advice. Yesterday offspring had to stay home to stay off of the foot, but offspring is doing much better so back to school today! Whew. It wasn't fun, but at least it's better than it was. I'm over-the-moon happy because I have an author interview all set. Just trying to figure out what day to post it (the author gave me free reign for a date). Very good interview and I'm looking forward to posting it. At the end of this month Josephine Angelini's Dreamless (the sequel to Starcrossed ) will be out! Yep, I've pre-ordered it. The first book was so good I read it 3 or 4 times already and I'd read it again! I finished reading Nicholas Sparks' The Lucky One . It's a pretty good story. I still like A Walk To Remember and The Notebook best! I'm looking forward to seeing the...

Happy Tuesday All, Well Blogger has changed its format on me, so I'm learning the new format. Please bear with me while I figure it all out (it doesn't look hard, however, like with all changes you have to get used to them). The other thing you'll have to bear with me on is the fact that I'm behind on new release reports: Two of my chapter mates have recently released new novels, and I wanted to make sure I let you all know about it: Suzan Harden has put out a brand new e-book called Amish, Vamps & Thieves book 4 in her Bloodlines series. You can get it on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook . Also available is Ms. Harden's newest Erotica, Seasons Of Magick: Autumn on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook . Melissa Ohnoutka has also put out a brand new short e-book, entitled, The Wicked Secrets Beneath which you can find on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook . There's a lot going on in my life, mostly good stuff, b...

Happy Monday All, My husband is a great guy. He's also got a sense of adventure and loves great movie lines with equally great delivery. So it's no surprise to me that he's a big fan of Harrison Ford's depictions of Indiana Jones ( Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom , The Last Crusade , Crystal Skull ) and Han Solo ( Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back , Return Of The Jedi ). There's many similarities between Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Not just that they were both played by the same actor, but great lines with equal delivery, and sense of adventure. Either one is handy in a jam. Han's got his blaster and Indiana is ready with his whip to to lay the smack down on the bad guys. So, if were going on a dangerous adventure, which character would you want as your traveling companion, Indiana Jones or Han Solo? Have A Monumental Monday!

Happy Monday All, Golly! That is one mid-week through weekend I do not hope to repeat. My family came down with a stomach bug (seemed like some kind of stomach flu) and I don't wish it on anyone. We're doing much better, and I'm  working on getting back to 100 percent feeling like my well self instead of my sick self, but I'm much better than I was. I hope the rest of you have been staying well. Sunday was my weekly watching of Once Upon A Time and the theme was Red Riding Hood , which was pretty interesting in and of itself, but the night before my husband and I had watched the movie of Red Riding Hood that came out awhile back, so it feels like I had a very Red Riding Hood weekend. So in the spirit of that, I thought I'd also mention another retelling, in the form of a YA novel, called Scarlet Moon by  Debbie Viguié  which I have read more than once. It's a great retelling. Very inspiring and creative. In the TV show it played with the id...

Happy Tuesday All, In the movie, Night At The Museum historical figures, as well as natural ones come alive at night through a magical Ancient Egyptian stone and gold tablet. So, if you had a hold of such magic, what history would you want to see come alive? What questions would you ask? Would you have to know a different language? It also begs the question, what would historical figures think of today's countries and societies? How about technology? If we're talking about ancient civilizations would what we have now scare them or impress them? What do you think? Have A Treat-Filled Tuesday!

Happy Friday All, Has everyone had a good week? Mine seems to have flown by, but then again, I was pretty busy. If you've seen the musical, Fiddler On The Roof , you might remember a song called Tradition . It talks about all the different traditions that hold the community together. In my family we had traditions that brought us together. For Christmas we tied together all kinds traditions from around the world. There's a Scandinavian tradition called the Yule Goat. Much like Santa Claus, this goat brings gifts to good little boys and girls. We would talk about the Yule Goat bringing this or that. It was great fun. My Dad started making a German Christmas bread/coffee cake baked good called stollen (pronounced "schol-en"). Wikipedia called it a "fruit cake", but this isn't quite as dense. It has nuts, candied fruit, cinnamon, and raisins (well at least the way my Dad makes it). For some of the weddings in my family, the night before, at the rehe...

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, What do you look for in a hero? Someone larger than life? Super-Man, maybe? *EDIT as of 9:37 a.m.:  (I'm talking about FICTIONAL heroes. As Tess points out in the comments there are real life heroes that make this world a better place, and they have my respect, admiration and gratitude for what they do, but for this post I'm talking about heroes in novels, I apologize for being unclear).     Or perhaps you're for someone a bit more "untouchable"--a little more "forbidding", like Mr. Darcy. Maybe you go for swashbuckling pirates like Captain Jack Sparrow. One thing I was told about heroes is that they should be "larger than life".   Heroes do have to be believable but they aren't likely to necessarily be someone you'd meet walking down the street. I don't know about you, but I've never run into Edward Cullen (or any other vampire) as I walked out of my house (maybe I wasn't looking hard enoug...

Happy Wednesday All, All right, before I get on topic, I got a quick question (and of course the question at the end of the post, too):  anyone keeping up with the show Castle on CBS? I used to, then I got interested in other things on TV. So now I don't know what's going on with Castle . Now that I got that out of the way... Okay, maybe I'm just being a little ahead of myself, but I'm already gearing up for the NWHRWA's annual Lone Star Conference  (October 15, 2011). Three agents, and an editor are coming, not to mention the keynote speaker sounds very interesting. I am hoping to finish my edits for Surreal so I can pitch. I have a draft of a pitch written up to help me get started, but I'll have to go over it. You do not, and I repeat, you do not have to write romance to come to our conference. I had a rhyming sales pitch for the Lone Star Conference written up here, but it got out of hand and very cheesy, so I deleted it...you understand. Ahhhh! I ...

Happy Tuesday Everyone, Instead of my usual The Nanny watching while I write this, I'm watching reruns of What I Like About You . Yes, I'm very delighted reruns are a part of cable networking.   Congratulations goes out to yesterday's winners of the Plum Crazy Janet Evanovich Giveaway--Kerrelyn, Tess, Barbie, Jeff and Stacey. Congratulations you all! Exciting stuff is coming up here. Friday is an author interview! No, I'm not telling you who the author is, you're just going to have show up on Friday. I finally finished reading Lady Of Quality by Georgette Heyer and it's fun, funny, and a good read. I recommend it! Over the weekend I saw  Gnomeo & Juliet . (It's brand new release on DVD & Blu Ray).  Very cute! It's basically a retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, but it's adorable and has a happy ending. Anyway, I recommend it if you're trying to choose a movie. So what new movie have you seen? Have A Tip-Top Tues...