Good, Sad, Fun, and Fall

Happy Tuesday All,

I took a weekend trip up North for my Grandfather's memorial. It was a lovely ceremony, stories shared, tears shed, but also some laughter at the funny things my grandfather said or did.

He was a World War II veteran, so we were blessed to have an Honor Guard there that gave a gun salute and presented a flag to my step-grandma. One of my brothers plays the Scottish Bagpipes, so he played TAPS on the bagpipes while in a kilt, with a sporran, and the shoes (called gillybroughs--I'm not sure of the spelling, but that's what it sounds like).

All my siblings were there, so that was wonderful, because we haven't all been in one place in several years (there's a lot of us) and I got to catch up with them and relatives I haven't seen in a number of years.

Sunday I returned, and did some unpacking and settling in. Monday I had a headache and my stomach decided to not be completely happy, so I spent the day in bed reading a book--which I also finished!

I read Jennifer L. Armentrout's YA novel, Obsidian, which was really, really good! I'm not usually a fan of books with aliens in them (don't really read Sci-fi...and if I'm going to have any aliens around I prefer Star Wars, and on occasion, X-Files or Men In Black) but this was more paranormal than Sci-Fi, although it had some Sci-Fi elements--like aliens. But the aliens were cool and had paranormal capacities that I really enjoyed. I'm planning on reading and getting the 2nd novel, Onyx, and the novella, Shadows. The 3rd book comes out in December 2012 and it's called Opal.

Currently I'm working on some stories and ideas. I've put Conjure A Man on hold. I don't know when or if I will return to working on it, but I'm not happy with that novel at all, so I need to distance myself away from it and work on these other stories and ideas I have. But never fear, I have many ideas right now and more percolating.

In any case, we're drawing to the end of September and Fall is attempting to make its way into the weather (although it appears that where I am will stay warm for awhile longer--darn!)

What's the weather like in your neck of the woods and have you read any good books lately?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

September, New & Upcoming Releases...

Happy Tuesday All,

Today we remember and pray for those involved in the tragedy of 9/11, and we also remember all the brave men and women who defend the USA. May God bless them and be with them.

This year September is bringing weather to the South of the promise of Fall. It's not as cool as I'd prefer, yet, but it's cooler. One of the little trees in my backyard has already got some red leaves on it (pretty!) and another one is showing signs of Fall. Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons. What's yours?

Before I forget...

There's releases coming right around the corner:

Sophie Jordan's 3rd book in her YA series, Hidden, is out TODAY!

Kerrelyn Sparks has the re-release of her Historical under the title The Forbidden Lady (out on September 25, 2012). Also, her next Love At Stake book, Wild About You will be out on November 27, 2012.

C.C. Hunter's newest installment in her Shadowfalls series, Whispers At Moonrise will release on October 2nd.

Laura Childs' next Scrapbooking Mystery, entitled: Postcards From The Dead will also be out on October 2nd.

What books are you looking forward to that are coming out this Fall?

Have A Thoughtful Tuesday!

Absent, But Not Gone

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, Texas. James Scott Bell is the keynote speaker. It should be really good! I'm looking forward to it.

In any case, I'm going to try and be around here more often.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Have A Marvelous Monday!

It's All Texas's Fault!

Happy Tuesday Everybody,

I know there's been a lot of silence on here lately. I've had some computer and blog trouble, so I put off posting for awhile so I could maybe determine the reasons for all the problems (I'm still working on that). There's also been a lot happening in my life (both good and not-so-good) so I've been pretty busy. I'm doing okay, though.

Today I have a treat for you--something I haven't done in awhile--an official blog book review! (P.S. I'm hoping to post book cover art on here, soon, there's a couple of things have to confirm before I can do that).

So let's get a move on this:

Christie Craig brings us back to Texas, where ex-cons turned exonerated citizens & P.I.s, Tyler, Dallas, and Austin hang out in their office, Only In Texas, ready and willing to right wrongs. Book 2 of the Hotter In Texas series, Blame It On Texas is what you’d expect from a Christie Craig novel--fun, romance, and laughter.


Zoe Adams is certain she’s not who she grew up thinking she was. But is she a Bradford, or is she completely nuts? Things from her childhood don’t add up…but she may have to hightail it back to Alabama before she finds out the truth; those threatening phone calls are making her nervous…and so is Only In Texas P.I., Tyler Lopez.

Tyler Lopez has had it with giving his heart. He did it once and it was a disaster. Now even though he's been exonerated of a crime he didn’t commit, people are still treating him, and his Only In Texas colleagues, Dallas and Austin, like criminals. In spite of all this, he wouldn’t mind getting involved with the pretty redhead he found rummaging around under his desk, but anything more than just a fling with Zoe is statistically a really bad idea as far as Tyler is concerned.

But when Zoe tells him her wild story about being the missing Bradford granddaughter, and the threatening phone calls, Tyler thinks it might be something worth looking into. He becomes even more convinced when someone tries to shoot Zoe in her apartment. Besides, it's a perfect set up. He can do his job, and maybe even start something casual with Zoe. After all, she won’t be in Texas for long. It’s perfect.

But things go south when Tyler’s heart betrays him. And as the mystery gets more and more convoluted, Tyler realizes he may not have a choice as to whether or not Zoe runs back to Alabama with his heart or if he keeps it.

Mystery, romance, bad guys, good guys, a battered cat named Lucky, and our old friend, Bud--the English Bulldog who sleeps in a coffin--are all here…and they’re all blaming the heat, romance, and mystery on Texas!

Blame It On Texas is available for purchase starting TODAY!  
**PLEASE NOTE:  As always, ALL comments are approved by me before they are published in the comment section. I apologize for the confusion, but this has cut down on comment-posting problems I've had with the blog in the past**

Have A Terrific Tuesday!

Thrills, Chills, & Mermaids

Happy Tuesday All,

I'm re-reading Beth Fantasky's Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Dark Side and gearing up to work on Conjure A Man (my WIP--Work In Progress).

The other night I finished reading Tracy Deebs' Tempest Rising. I ended up really liking it. I realize since it was published last year, it's not exactly a new YA novel, but it was new to me because I hadn't known about it or read it. It's chalk full of sea mythical creatures. There's a big battle with a blood-sucking octopus type creature, a power-hungry sea witch, and a mermaid who wants to stick to her human side. I found it a fun read and plan to read the sequel, Tempest Unleashed, which is out.

I'm doing all this while I wait for August 15th to arrive. Why August 15th? Well, aside from some real-life things going on, that's the day Shanna Swendson's Much Ado About Magic will be released. I've been waiting at least 2 years or more for this book! It's book 5 in her Enchanted Inc. series. I can't wait to read it. In fact, the moment I found out book 5 was coming out I was totally thrilled! I just went completely bonkers I was so happy.

Speaking of thrills, a chapter mate of mine, and a talented writer, Will Simon is being interviewed on Kiss And Thrill Blog. It's a cool interview; so even if Thrillers aren't your cup of tea, please go check it out. Also, be sure to read the comment section to see other tidbits Will shares about his writing.

What's up on your end?

Have A Thrilling Tuesday!

Books, Writing, Reading, & Life

Happy Friday All,

It's the end of another week and my allergies have decided to act up. So, I'm waiting on a call back from my doc's office to see what they'll recommend I take (I had a question about an over-the-counter med). Hopefully it won't get any worse; I just got over having one thing or another not that long ago.

Yesterday I read most of the day. I finished up Joy Preble's YA novel, Haunted (book 2 in her series) and then I went ahead and worked on Katie McGarry's YA novel, Pushing The Limits.

Joy Preble's books use some of the Romanov story and Russian folklore. It's set in contemporary times, full of magic, mysteries, and a little bit of something for everyone. The first in the series is Dreaming Anastasia, which I really enjoyed. Haunted is book 2 and Anastasia Forever should be available, soon. (Joy told me it comes out, I think on August 7th). I'm hoping Anne stays with Ethan!

Katie McGarry's Pushing The Limits is one heck of a read. It's poignant, heart wrenching, and full of mystery. It's a contemporary YA, and I don't normally read things that aren't paranormal or fantasy too often, but because of what I said in my congratulatory post a couple of days ago, I went ahead and purchased and read it. This book is for OLDER teens (17 or 18) and adults. There's a lot that happens in it and things that are mentioned that I wouldn't recommend it for younger readers. Also, this is more than a love story. This is also about self-love, and family type love. It's a journey into the awareness that while you might be one thing, you can become something more--something better--than that one thing. It's about forgiveness and growth. It's about discovery of self and of what is the truth.  So many things are packed within those pages. I found myself laughing, crying, and having to know what was going to happen. It truly turned into an incredible story.

I'm now started a novel by an author I haven't read before (yet another YA) called Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs. I just barely started, so I have no idea what I'll think of it, but I think I'll like it.

I'm counting down the days until Shanna Swendson's novel, Much Ado About Magic is out. For Kindle users, it's available for preorder. For Nook users, you can purchase it on the release date, which is August 15th. And, here's a peek of the story.

Other than that, I hope to do some writing today. Conjure A Man is about half done (short blurb is in the margin of this blog), and I've got several other stories waiting in the wings.

Have A Fantastic Friday!

Need Books, Need A Writer's Conference? I Got You Covered!

Happy Wednesday All,

Today Katie McGarry's Pushing The Limits is available on e-reader! I got mine. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Shanna Swendson's book 5, Much Ado About Magic, is available for preorder from Amazon. Right now I don't have any information about it being available for preorder for Nook anytime soon. When I find that out, I'll let you know. It's due to release in e-book form on August 15, 2012.

RWA Nationals just ended and several of my chaptermates have gone. They seem to have come back energized and excited. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend Nationals. However, there is my chapter's October Conference! All writers welcome. For more information, click here. It should be a lot of fun!

Anyway, that's all I have off the top of my head (for now) :-)

Have A Wonderful Wenesday!