Friday Faves

Wow, did this sneak up on me it seems like just yesterday was Monday!

Getting ready for company most of December. Wrapping the gifts I have already and making a list of what I still need to get.

By the end of today I should have a short story ready to send to CP's. Another new adventure for me.

I've been reading Elisabeth Naughton's third book in the Stolen series Stolen Seduction and I really like it. It's about the two characters I connected with in the first book Stolen Fury.

I taught a mini workshop on how to write a picture book to two fourth grade classes this week. The local writers group, the local library, and rotary work together to hold a 4th Grade Picture Book Contest. 100 copies of the winning book is print. All the participating schools receive copies for their libraries and the winner is given a book signing at the library. They also appear at Rotary and the Central Oregon Writers Guild to read their winning book.It's a fun event and great learning experience.

Not really a fave, but if the weather holds this weekend, I have some plants that need trimmed and readied for winter.

Are your plants ready for winter?

Wednesday Promo

Well the author I had planned for today must be busy or our e-mails aren't connecting.

So I'll take the time to support other author friends. Laurie Robinson is up at Love Western Romances as this month's spotlight author. Head over and learn more about her. She's an amazing western writer.

Elisabeth Naughton's third book, Stolen Seduction, of her Stolen Series came out last week. You can learn more about her and her books at: www.elisabethnaughton.com

Friday Faves

Last night I attended the Central Oregon Writer's Guild December social. Eight people read from their work. I was one of the eight. In fact, I was surprised to see my name first on the list to read, which was good because it didn't give me time to work up butterflies! I read a non-fiction piece I wrote for a contest then sent to a publisher of books of short stories. I won't know if they like it until June. The story was humorous, and thankfully. I received laughs in all the right places.

This month an author friend and RWA chapter mate, Elisabeth Naughton is promoting her next release Stolen Seduction with a 30 day contest. She has a different author a day on her blog. You go to the author's website and find the answer to a question they ask and put the answer in the comments section of her blog. Anyway, I'm on her blog on the 30th. And did I mention there is a winner every day AND every time you comment your name goes in the pot for a $100 Amazon Gift card. Here is her blog.

This week has been much warmer, in the 40's. I like that over zero and minus degrees.

Since I'm in the middle of revisions on a project starting Monday, I'll be posting the steps I learned eons ago to do your own polishing. I cut down some of the steps through the years, but I'll start posting some every Monday until I run out of steps.

I hope everyone is not feeling too crazy this holiday season. I have all my goodies made to distribute next week to friends. I only have two more presents to get, a few more to wrap, and I'm ready for the festivities!

Not bad for a recluse

I have to admit, I LOVE staying home, only rolling into town to nab some groceries and hurry home again.

But I spent the weekend hanging out in Portland,OR. First, Friday afternoon and evening shopping with a friend. I handed her colorful, hip clothes to try on and she came away with one blue shirt that looks like all the other ones in her closet! LOL I couldn't get her to change her style or color habits. We had dinner in a crowded restaurant and wondered about the relationship between the couple at the table next to us and listened in to conversations all around us. Fodder for characters in stories.

Then on Saturday we rode the MAX transit system to downtown Portland to attend the Rose City RWA chapter Reader's Luncheon. ON the trip both there and back we again had some interesting discussions about some of the people we encountered. Especially the brave soul who admitted to the whole car he wasn't an American citizen, yet began preaching about America's salvation amid many people's protests. It was amazing how he kept his cool and kept on talking while others hurled unsavory words at him. Then was the girl who would have been beautiful if not for the piercings in her dimples. And the interesting older man and younger girl who appeared to be having a quarrel. My thoughts were father and daughter. When he got up and moved half a car length from her, she fought to keep the tears from falling.

The luncheon was held in the Governor Hotel in downtown Portland. The ballroom is the perfect spot to hold a romance event. The tall ceiling with ornate architecture is beautiful. The speaker this year was Lucy Monroe. She was fun and witty as well thought provoking. A book signing was held with a portion of the proceeds going to the Portland literacy fund. There were several of the Mid-Willamette Valley members there: Lisa Catto, Sarah McDermd, Donna Kiehle, and authors Christine Young, Genene Valleau, and Elisabeth Naughton. It was great to see an old chapter member Rosemary Indra who is published now. And visit with the many Portland chapter members I've met through the years. As always, being around other authors no matter what the occasion I feel like I get rejuvenated.

And was happy I left my reclusive life for a weekend.

Don't forget to hop over to Romantic Ramblings to see what the Author Question is this week and leave a comment to get in the drawings.

My usual third Tuesday of the month blog at the Cactus Rose blog will be on Thursday. I changed with another blogger. And I'll be blogging at Seduced by History on Friday.

Wednesday Promo - Misc.

I haven't scrounged up too much info for today. I still have company and am finding it hard just to squeeze in some time to work on my writing let alone dig around and find authors to promote.

I do know Elisabeth Naughton has a book release party tonight at the Blue Pepper internet cafe in downtown Salem, OR from 6-9 pm. I wish I could be there but I have to cross the mountain pass and we've had some weird weather here the last few days.

I'll be at a couple chats this month and will start e-mailing authors to see who wants to blog here on Wednesdays to promote themselves and their books.

If you still want to vote for Outlaw in Petticoats at Love Western Romances for 2008 Best Western Romance I won't stop you.

Anyone who reads this blog and would like to blog on a Wednesday, contact me.

Wednesday Promo- Elisabeth Naughton contest

Hi all! Happy Christmas Eve!

Today I'm promoting a fellow RWA chapter member's new website contest and her debut release for Stolen Fury on December 30th from Dorchester.

Friday Five- Good News

This has been a good week for news for not only myself but members of my Romance Writers of America chapter. So my Friday Five are good news items.

1) Karen Duvall, a chapter mate, placed 3rd in the PASIC Book of Your Heart contest. Her entry is also the manuscript she snagged an agent with.

2) Elisabeth Naughton, another chapter mate not only captured an agent and a three book deal this past year, but today announced her publisher, Dorchester offered her another contract on a two book deal. Her first book, Stolen Fury, an action adventure romance will be out December 30th.

3)I received a release date for the third Halsey brother book, Miner in Petticoats. It will be available in e-book and print June 12, 2009.

4)Outlaw in Petticoats is a contender for Best Western Romance at Love Western Romances. Beginning December 1st, if you've read the book and liked it, you need to go to here and vote for the book. If you haven't read it yet, you can purchase it from any bookstore or at The Wild Rose Press in e-book. If you purchase it in e-book form by December 14th, you are eligible to enter the contest at TWRP for the SONY eReader. You can find all the details at The Wild Rose Press home page.

5) I am blogging at Alisha Paige's blog today. She asked me some interesting question. I'd be honored if you hopped over there and checked it out.

The photo: Tink and I cruising on the John Deere. Yep, I think his tractor's sexy! LOL

Wednesday Promo

Today I'm promoting two authors who have very different styles, voices, and genres, but both write great characters and fun reads.

Lauri Robinson's fifth book, Shotgun Bride; Book one of the Quinter Brides will be out November 14th in ebook through The Wild Rose Press. If you haven't read any of Lauri's books you're in for a treat. Her historical western romances are fun, with quirky secondary characters, main chracters you want to cheer for, and a touch of intrigue. She writes sweet stories that capture your heart.

Elisabeth Naughton's debut novel will be out December 30th. Stolen Fury is the first book of a Romantic Suspense trilogy being published by Dorchester. Elisabeth's characters are snarky and the stories are edgy. Her stories make you hold on to the edge of your seat to not only find out the who did what, but to see if the hero and heroine really will have a happy ever after.




And lest you forgot. ;) The second book in my Halsey brother series, Outlaw in Petticoats will be out in print November 7th. This historical western romance has humor, unconditional love, and conniving outlaws.