2011 - What a year!

This is my time of year to look back and see how I did with my goals I set at the beginning of the year. Sometimes I surprise myself and sometimes I fall a little short.

When I signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for Tempting Adam in 2010 I knew 2011 would be an exciting year. It has more than lived up to my expectations.

Tempting Adam came out in February. My first Indie book came out in October and I will have another Indie book out before the new year kicks off with champagne and fireworks. I started a newsletter and actually have real people who signed up for it. LOL

Just this week I had two sales in the UK. The UK!! In my wildest dreams I could not have imagined how I would feel to see people all the way on the other side of the world buying my book. I thought that happened when you hit bestsellers lists, when you did great for your publishing house.

I'm paraphrasing here, but I believe the saying goes something like this. When you shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you still land among the stars. That is the thought I'm taking into 2012. I might not have hit the moon but I am definitely floating among the stars.

Wish upon a star. Shoot for the moon. May all your dreams come true in 2012.

Changed My Life

In my opinion, books have more power than people in this modern age give its credit. Books can still change your life in a way, I think movies and other forms of entertainment can't quiet accomplish. As with you, I have read tons of books. Some I hated, most I liked and a few I loved.  And it's those few that changed my life.

The first book to do that was Little Women. Much like every other girl. I know most girls swear they are Jo. Me, I'm Beth.  I wanted to be Jo. Strong and sure and fearless even if I burn the back of my dress. I have an older brother and no sisters and as an Air Force Brat, I never stayed in one place for very long.  All I had was my family and a father who did and could go off to war at a moments notice.   That wasn't the only lesson, Alcott taught me.  I learned about the difference of women, of the differences in one female. Me at different parts of my life, I think I've been an Amy, Meg or Jo. As I've grow older, I realized that in different parts I'm all those girls but still mostly, Beth.

The second book that changed my life was The End of the Affair. Growing up, church was attended on Sunday then Sunday school and when we moved to New York City, it was Catholic school. For me being religious was just a part of me. I believed in God even when I didn't bother with Him much. When I picked up that book, I discovered that my faith has never faltered though I'm not the greatest of followers. I guess that's why my faith hasn't faltered, it never had to be tested.

Another book to change my life too was See Jane Score (SJS) by Rachel Gibson. When I was younger, I always wrote but in college, I choose a major I could find employment after graduation and writing wasn't going to be it. Well, since I'm a PRO member of RWA you know how that turned out. Well, anyway, I was reading SJS and having so much fun that I never wanted the book to end. When I closed it, I knew I had to write. I wanted to give that fun, magical whirling sensation I had to others and to experience every sensation of writing such an exciting jaunt.  Now here I am. Plugging away even when I'm ready to stab myself in the eye with my pen. (would never do that but I'm sure you understand the feeling)

That's the power of books, to influence your life's path, make you discover who you are, or a trait about yourself you might have lost or never even questioned. Don't think for a minute that only these books changed me. No each word I've ever read whether an Edith Wharton, a Sandra Brown, or Christina Dodd or Terry Spear and everyone in between have each changed my life.  So, thank you. 

Now tell me which book changed your life?

True Wedding Story

“Dearly beloved...”

The radiant bride and nervous groom stand before the altar. The minister intones the marriage service. A congregation of family and friends witness the solemn, lifelong vows.

“If anyone shall have any reason why this man and this woman should not join in holy wedlock, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”

The expected silence to the mere formality reverberates to the rafters of the old church.

A small hesitant voice rises from the hushed congregation.

“Dada?”

I wonder if the baby in the third row will be a comedian when he grows up. Because he sure brought the house down at the wedding my son attended.

Do you have a funny wedding story to share? I’d love to hear it.

x-posted at joanleacott.ca

My favorite time of year!

One of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving, is over.  I love getting together with friends and family, cooking too much, eating too much, and just simply being surrounded by people that I love and that love me.  And now everyone is moving on…preparing for the Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

In the past we’ve discussed Fairy Tales, and the fascination with re-telling them.  Now, we even have Grimm and Once Upon a Time to add to that list.  But, what about the holiday season, and the stories told at this time of year?

I have to admit, by now, I’m sure all of you know, I am a holiday junkie, and love all things Santa related!  But, what makes a great holiday movie.  I’ve written my first holiday short story, which will be available as part of a special holiday promotion with Red Rose Publishing.  In developing the story idea the elements I wanted included were:  Christmas magic, giving/charity, HFN/HEA, a little holiday love, and of course there had to be a little snow J

But, as I sit watching this season’s run of holiday shows, the same questions came to mind as when we’d discussed fairy tales.  Are there fresh ideas?  Every movie I’ve watched this season seemed to have an It’s a Wonderful Life meets A Christmas Carol meets “Here Comes Santa Claus” theme.  Nothing is wrong with that, but are we afraid of new ideas?  Do we stick with traditions so fiercely that if someone has a different view of the holidays, they can’t break through?  Is this why someone produced Jason X?

The creators of the stories of my childhood and my parents’ childhood were great, but isn’t it our time to begin to create those same wonderfully written imagined places for the next generation?

What are the must have items for a great holiday story?  How many remakes of an old classic have you seen this holiday season?

Blog Tour for Dreaming of the Wolf--free copies of the book!

This is what I'm working on now, in edition to everything else. Blogs. Guest blogs. Interviews. And writing. And editing! Somewhere in there I've got to do some Christmas shopping!

Thanks to everyone for hosting me! And ahem, Jake Silver of course, because he's really the star of the show. And thanks to Sourcebooks and Danielle for setting these up and providing the free books for the contests, and to reviewers who had the opportunity to review the book. It's going to be a very busy month...before December!

So here's the schedule!

12-1 Preternatura
12-2 Over the Edge
12-5 Night Owl Reviews
Casablanca
12-6 Rom Fan Reviews
12-7 SOS Aloha
12-8 Fresh Fiction
12-9 Literary Escapism
12-10
12-11
12-12 Cindy’s Love of Books
Bitten by Paranormal Romance
USA TODAY'S Review and Interview: Happy Ever After
12-13 Love Romance Passion
12-14 The Long and Short of It
12-15
12-16 Debbie’s Book Bag
Paranormal Haven
12-17
12-18
12-19 Sia McKye's Thoughts over Coffee
12-20 Thoughts in Progress
12-21 Star-Crossed Romance
12-22
12-23
12-24
12-25
12-26
12-27
12-28 Fang-tastic Books
12-29 Book Lover and Procrastinator
12-30

I'm off to update my website, and even get a guest blog done before it's time to run to work. So have a super great Thursday!!

A SEAL in Wolf's Clothing edits are done!!! Finn's just too sexy for his own good. :)

Terry
"Giving new meaning to the term alpha male where fantasy IS reality."
www.terryspear.com

Yum!

Why are you reading this? Why aren't you eating more pie, more turkey, more ... whatever! If you're in the States, I'll bet you're either full of food or getting ready to be full of food.

Let's just take one small moment and truly give thanks. I blogged about this elsewhere so I won't repeat myself TOO much, but let's just say "thanks" that we live in this country. That we have food on our tables. That we are literate and have a chance to learn. That we are safe. It's not that way for so many people, so pause and thank Whoever for that.

Then heck, go ahead and have that second piece of pie. Everybody knows there are no calories on Thanksgiving day! And any that sneak on your thighs will be worked off on Black Friday when you tussle with the crowds.

So enjoy!

Giving Thanks

I can pinpoint the moment I started my writing journey - my real writing journey. I'd been writing for years but until I joined RWA I had no idea what putting words to a page to create a story really meant.

I ran a fan club for country singing artist, Kevin Sharp. One of his fans wrote him a letter thanking him for helping her through the painful times with his beautiful voice and songs. I answered her letter and told her I was a writer and asked for advice. BOY oh boy did I get it - she told me to join RWA and get into a local chapter, attend national conferences and take all the classes I could. That was twelve years ago and we are now best of friends. I consider her my mentor and am so thankful for that letter she wrote to Kevin. He loves that I am writing, too, and when he wrote a story of his remarkable life surviving cancer, he asked me to write the introduction.

This proves to me that we can find gifts everywhere. I consider Karen Rose Smith to be one of my gifts and thank her for bringing me here to this place where I've found the greatest friendships, support, learned to write and become part of a great network. As far as I am concerned, writers are the best kind of friends to have. I am thankful for each of you!

Discovered characters

Writers are always on the lookout for new material, whether a new premise or an unusual type of career. Here are two examples which piqued this romance writer’s imagination. One is remarkable line of work, the other one is what most of us would consider a fairly ordinary job.

I took my extended family to the Ojai Raptor Center. Working with birds of prey is definitely an extraordinary occupation. The staff rehabilitates rescued birds so they can be released back into the wild. However, some of these magnificent creatures cannot be set free.


I was enthralled watching a bald eagle perch on a skilled handler’s gloved arm. The man said it took a year to get this particular bird’s trust. Found on an Arkansas road, he ended up in California. Hitch’s injuries prevent him from surviving in the wild.



Other birds have been humanly imprinted. All raptors have sharp talons, not something you want to experience firsthand. A pair of young kestrels who fell from a nest were later released by some foolish people. One landed on a shocked shopper’s shoulder. I learned that even a few days in captivity, fed by humans, can disrupt a bird of prey’s ability to hunt for itself––or to fear humans.

As you see I’m fascinated with this line of work. Who wouldn’t be? The wheels are probably turning inside your head. Raptor handler as a protagonist? Definitely a strong character. One who would capture the reader’s empathy. Everyone admires those who lend a hand to the creatures in our world.

A few days later work trucks invaded our street. We’d received notification of a planned electrical shutdown. That morning three power poles were replaced along with extensive rewiring. Men at work. Gotta love them!



Women admire physically competent men, and one who works in a dangerous field—high up in a cherry picker or attached by his belt to a forty-foot pole¬––grabs your imagination. I developed a few scenarios around a team, multiple stories of their lives and the women who ultimately fall in love with each of them.

Story ideas and imaginary characters pummel us everywhere we look. I have a difficult time keeping them inside a folder once I jot down the initial idea. They resurface again and again. Staying focused on the hard work of completing my current story is a true challenge. It’s always easier to start a new one, isn’t it?

Happy Thanksgiving to our FTH members in the USA!

Entering a Contest

I just submitted the first chapter of my WIP to a contest, something I haven't felt brave enough to do in five years. Back then, the most helpful comments came from a judge who was encouraging. She said she could hear my voice, said my many technical flaws could be corrected.

Since then I've studied the craft of writing. I've presented my WIP to a critique loop and to a solo CP. I've judged contests, and read entries that run the gamut of storytelling skill.

I know contests are not the be-all and end-all of life. My entry may not resonate with one or more of the judges. But I'm hoping I'll score better than five years ago.

My New Contemporary Romance

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Right Name, Wrong Man
What’s a future bride to do when she utters another man’s name in her fiancé’s arms–– a name she thought she had erased from her heart after one blissful night, years ago? Before setting a wedding date, Mary-Beth Drake must reassure herself she has outgrown her youthful infatuation for handsome surgeon Yves Malroux.

A trip to France and training with Yves would convince her she’s in control of her emotions. Except that sparks fly between them.

Will Mary-Beth ever realize who’s her right man?


Excerpt:
“Love you, Yves.” Marie-Beth Drake purred and cuddled deeper against her lover’s broad chest.

Already half-asleep, Steve squeezed her to his side, with a faint “Hmm”. Soon, his light snores filled the air. Sated and relaxed, she stroked his silvery hair. “Love you—”

She froze.

What had she called him?

Oh God, oh God. Had she said Steve or… Yves?

Her fiancé grumbled in his sleep. She immediately yanked her hand away from his head. Her fingers flew to her lips and her stomach somersaulted. She couldn’t have whispered the loathsome name? She’d buried it long ago and forgotten the sexy French doctor and his charismatic smile.

Had Steve noticed the slip of her tongue?

Heart pounding, she studied his closed eyes and slightly gaping mouth. Not to worry. Her fiancé slept as peacefully as a man content with life—as he did every night.

Shivering with mortification, she slid out of his arms. Her throat ached with sudden dryness as she covered herself with a robe and rushed downstairs.

In the living room, she grabbed a bottle of Merlot from the bar, filled a glass and swallowed it, and poured a second one. Her mind in shambles, she settled on the sofa to organize her thoughts.

Hanging over the fireplace, her fiancé’s portrait focused a serious look at her. She blinked. “I don’t know how it happened. Honestly,” she groaned with an apologetic grimace.

Sultry images of the French surgeon obscured her vision. Yves smiling, his knuckles caressing her cheeks, his face reaching closer to hers. She snatched her head back and touched her lips, swollen from Steve’s kisses. And remembered Yves’s passionate embrace. “No, please.” Her world tilted on its axis.

Weary and confused, she emptied her glass. “You’re history. Gone, Dr. Malroux.” To think he’d left Boston the next day after the blissful night she’d spent in his arms, and never came back, never called the chubby medical student she’d been then. “No more crazy dreams or heartaches,” she scolded in a strangled groan.

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