Yay and Busy, Busy, Busy

First of all, apologies to those who read my blog and have been wondering when I was going to post again. It's been slightly crazy around here, but I see some breathing room in a couple of days and I'm excited about that. Meaning, I can get back to work on my new book, which I am loving!

I did want to pop in and share some exciting news. The foreign rights to RESCUE ME and RETURN TO ME sold to Britta Hansen at Heyne Verlag in Germany! Don't know release dates yet but I'm absolutely thrilled!

I've been busily working on copy edits for RUN TO ME, my June 23 release, which is the third book in the Last Chance Rescue trilogy. They're due back on Thursday, so once again this blog is short and sweet. I'll come back a little later...possibly this weekend and give you an update on my new trilogy. I'm so excited about it! Two of the books include characters from my first trilogy and the third book...well, let's just say I'm getting to know the characters and so far, they're very mysterious and intriguing. My favorite kind!

Now, back to copy edits. Until next time, stay warm and keep reading!

Congrats to Kerri

Just a quick post to announce that Kerri won the autographed advanced reading copy of my debut book, RESCUE ME. Congratulations Kerri!

And she had some even better news this week. Jump on and tell us about your big news when you can, Kerri.

Thanks everyone for your great recommendations and your comments. Be sure to check back often. I'll be giving away more ARCs and other items as I get closer to the release date...APRIL 28...of RESCUE ME.

An Opportunity to Share and Win

Yesterday I was sitting in my office working on page proofs for RETURN TO ME, the second book in my trilogy. I love this book, even if I did write it. The hero, Noah McCall, is the founder and head of Last Chance Rescue Enterprises. He's heroic, sexy and incredibly stubborn...my favorite kind of hero. Samara Lyons, the heroine, is gutsy and spirited...a perfect match for Noah. Admittedly, the book has several dark moments, but justice prevails and there's a happy ever after. My favorite kind of read.

But I digress... So yesterday, I was sitting in my office and the Fed Ex truck rumbles by my house. I'm thinking, hmm...my publisher often uses them...am I expecting anything? My line and copy edits for RUN TO ME (Ethan Bishop and Shea Malone's intensely emotional love story) are coming soon, but probably not for a week or two. So I turn away and get back to work, sure that the Fed Ex truck is delivering to one of my neighbors.

And then...he came back and stopped in front of my house!

I rushed down the stairs...admittedly after he'd pulled away since I was in my pjs...and opened the door to find a package. Oh wow, wrong size for a manuscript. What could it be? My fur kids are going crazy behind me, because of course, the door bell rang and that means excitement. The noise only adds to the anticipation as I rip into the package and...Oh My!!! Advanced reading copies of RESCUE ME!!! They're beautiful! All shiny and pretty and everything. Woohoo!

After gazing at them for at least an hour, I suddenly realized I needed to get them into the hands of readers. Oh boy! My agent suggested taking them to booksellers. So this weekend, despite the extreme shyness that often strikes me at inconvenient times, I'm heading to a few stores to give them away.

RESCUE ME, the first book in my trilogy, is truly the book of my heart. The heroine, Eden St. Claire, overcomes enormous tragedy and heartache. The hero, Jordan Montgomery, is tough and sexy, but has an underlying tenderness that makes me sigh every time I think about him. This is a story of triumph and redemption and everlasting love. What can I say? I love these characters and their story. And now, I can't wait to get it into the hands of readers.

Here's where you come in. I've been pretty preoccupied the last couple of years with writing and haven't had the opportunity to read as much as I would like. I've read a few of my favorite authors and of course, bought as many debut author's books as I could since I think we should all support each other, but my reading time has been seriously diminished. I'm writing three books this year, but once I'm through, I'm going to want to read. A lot!

So, if you would like an opportunity to win an autographed advanced reading copy of RESCUE ME, please give me a recommendation of one of your favorite books. It doesn't have to be romantic suspense or even romance. Though that is my favorite, I enjoy reading other genres too.

Making the recommendation will give all who read this blog some great book suggestions and you an opportunity to win.

Drawing will be one week from today at 5:00 PM CST. I'll announce the winner on the blog. Since I'm only giving away one copy, each person will only have their name put in once. Even if you comment several times or leave multiple book recommendations. And please, no just leaving your name. Only those who give a recommendation will have an opportunity to win. Let's get the word out about one of your favorite books!

So, come on...Leave a recommendation. We'll all benefit and one person will get my book!

Let's get started!

Happy New Year!

It's New Year's Eve and I'm excited. I'm really looking forward to 2009 for a lot of different reasons. Here are a few:

1)My debut book RESCUE ME will be released April 28. WooHoo! Then, RETURN TO ME will be released on May 19 and RUN TO ME on June 23. Triple yay!!!

2)I sold another trilogy in my Last Chance Rescue series, which means I'll be writing three books in 2009. Another triple yay!!!

3)I'm hopeful that the economy will turn around in 2009. This has been a tough year for so many people. Fingers crossed that the new year will bring stability and renewed optimism.

4)I love new beginnings. That's probably one of the reasons I so enjoy starting a new book. New beginnings are uncluttered by the past. That's what a new year is to me. Like a fresh fallen snow, it's pristine and sparkling bright, full of wonderful promise and hope for a better everything.

There are many more reasons I'm looking forward to the new year...too many to list. How about you? What are you looking forward to in 2009?

I wish everyone a peaceful, prosperous and happy new year. May all your dreams come true!

Happy Holidays!

It's almost Christmas! Don't you just love seeing the happiness and excitement on everyone's face this time of year? People of every age turn into children. Ripping into presents, laughing at silly jokes and eating way too much. It's my favorite holiday.

Okay, yes, there are a few Grinchs out there, but even they can be softened up with a bright smile or a kind word. Things that don't cost a thing and can often make a big difference.

Even though these are tough economic times and many people are stressed and worried about the future, this is a wonderful time to sit back and count your blessings. I hope you're able to take some time and do that.

Also, in between the hustle and bustle of the busy season, I hope you have time to sit down and read a good book. There are lots of wonderful ones out there and this is the perfect weather to stay inside, drink a cup of hot tea or cocoa, curl up with your honey or your pets and enjoy a great read.

As for me...I received the galleys for RETURN TO ME. Yay! So red pen in hand, I'm going to curl up for a bit of revising and reading of my own.

Until next time, stay safe, keep warm and enjoy the beauty of the season!

WooHoo! Exciting News!

I'm doing back flips and cartwheels. Yesterday I sold another back to back romantic suspense trilogy to Ballantine! Tentative release dates are July, August and September 2010.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to continue my Last Chance Rescue series with three more books. Two LCR operatives introduced in the first trilogy will have their own stories. The third operative is just now introducing herself to me. That's one of the things I love most about writing. I get to meet these amazing people in my mind and they let me get acquainted with them a little at a time.

Galleys for RETURN TO ME will be arriving around December 22 and line and copy edits of RUN TO ME in early 2009. And in between that, I'm continuing to work on my new series.

I'm a little behind but I'm finally getting into the holiday spirit. Shopping is almost done, which I can barely believe since I'm the worst procrastinator on Christmas shopping. I think one of the reasons I'm so far ahead is because I made the decision that most of the gifts I'll give this year will be books. My small contribution to support the publishing industry. And since I love hanging out in bookstores, shopping has been a true pleasure.

There is one gift I didn't buy at a bookstore that I'm very excited about. I can't tell you what it is because my husband reads my blog and I don't want him to know what I got him. I usually have at least one gift like that each year. One that I'm so excited and anxious to give, I can barely wait for Christmas.

How about you? Do you have a gift you're excited about giving away this year? Go ahead and share. I won't tell!

A Busy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving and you were able to take some time out, count your blessings and give thanks.

My Thanksgiving was a busy one. I finished the galleys for RESCUE ME and mailed them out today. Yay! Next up are line and copy edits for RUN TO ME and galleys for RETURN TO ME. In between, I'm still working toward finishing another manuscript before the end of the year. I'm busy girl and I'm loving it!

My website has a few new items. My covers have been added! Aren't they pretty? I think they're still be tweaked a bit, but I just couldn't wait to put them up. Cover flats were sent to me a couple of weeks ago and I have to tell you, that as pretty as they look on the screen, they're even prettier on paper. I can't wait to see them in bookstores!

Soon I hope to add an excerpt from RESCUE ME. Something that'll tickle your curiosity and hopefully have you looking forward to reading the book. Release date is April 28, 2009, but you can pre-order if you like. The entire trilogy can now be pre-ordered!

Until next time, stay warm and read a romance. It'll put a glow in your heart and a smile on your face!