I've Turned...

...a year older since the last time I posted. How the heck did that happen??

Anyway -- just a quick wave. Things ARE slowing down for me...but just when they do, wouldn't you know it, I'm sick AGAIN. Blurgh. It's a miserable, disgusting kinda sick, too. I'm not fit for human consumption.

Too tired to do anything but wallow in my own moroseness.

Hopefully I'll be better soon because I really miss chattin' with y'all.

Dipping A Pinkie Toe In...

Well, I'll admit my writing has been.....nonexistent. My schedule is hectic as all get out and what little time I have, I'm usually exhausted, a bit cranky, and in the mood to do nothing much other than laze around. Watch TV. Read a book. Sleep. :)

I'm trying to get back into the swing of things and took one small step towards that goal tonight. I had a writing date with my friend Jenna. :) We promised each other that we would both hop online and write tonight. On IM so we could poke each other into action if need be.

I didn't want to write tonight. Oh no, Jen did not want to write. First of all, I ran around town doing a bunch of errands, taking so long doing them that I was late for our date! Then I wanted to giggle like a schoolgirl about some girly gossip things...then I wanted to give myself a pedicure and go to bed. Uh, but wait...I promised I would write. Well shit.

I made a load of excuses to myself, but Jenna--bless her--was there to remind me that we were going to write tonight. That said,I vowed I would get at least 200 words before calling it a night.

I still put it off...checking this blog...watching this video... giggling some more about our girly gossip stuff. Eventually I ran out of excuses and dang it...I had promised at least 200 words.

So, I started. And it hurt. It hurt bad, and I stretched muscles I haven't used in a very long time. But dang it...I did it. 217 words.

It ain't much. But it's a start.

Annnnnnd...

We have a date tomorrow night, too. ;)

P.S. For the curious among you, I worked on FAKING IT tonight. 217 brand spankin' new words for one of the scenes I've avoided all this time. The words fall somewhere in the middle (of course) and honestly...even if I'm feeling a little rusty, there was a glimmer of that old feeling. Hmmm. :)

Hey All!

My apologies and all that. I know I've been super quiet. The truth is that life has just about steam-rolled me for the past couple of months. I'm seeing a pinprick of a light at the end of the tunnel (i.e. someday I hope to take some vacation! lol. I know I will be this summer, and boy am I looking forward to it!), but alas things are busier than ever and it won't be letting up for a while.

I hope everyone is doing well..I wish I had something concrete to blog about today, but I really don't. My big plan for the night is sleep. (g) That said, I'm reading when I can...trying to write...and doing a whole lotta thinkin' about writing in general. And what my next step is. I can't say I have a concrete plan at this point, but I'm thinkin' on it...and I hope you'll send some seriously positive energy my way as I struggle through this rough patch. If only I had another 10 hours in every day, yanno? That said, I'm considering a little vaca...one during which I'll plan to do nothing but write. And I mean nothing. :) It's just a matter of figuring out when...and how to spring it on the boss people. Oh, they'll just love this. (not.) But, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. And trust me, I'm ready for something drastic. :)

What about you guys? Is anyone out there still listening? :)

I Am Alive.

Yes, yes I am. Tho very busy. More soon. :)

Get Thee To ATWOP!

Very exciting stuff going on over at All The World's Our Page today! Deanna Raybourn, author of the Lady Julia Grey novels, has graciously allowed us to interview her. Even better, she's taking follow up and random questions. EVEN better...we're giving away some of her books!

GO THEE HERE!!

I was recently introduced to her books by Kristen Callihan and Rachel Walsh -- both fans for quite some time now. I DEVOURED the first in the Julia series -- SILENT IN THE GRAVE. It was soooooooooooooo good. You should definitely check out her books (SILENT IN THE GRAVE, SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, and SILENT ON THE MOOR) -- both at our contest and your local churches. :) I know I will be.

AND be sure to check out her current release, THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST.



A husband, a family, a comfortable life: Theodora Lestrange lives in terror of it all.

With a modest inheritance and the three gowns that comprise her entire wardrobe, Theodora leaves Edinburgh—and a disappointed suitor—far behind. She is bound for Rumania, where tales of vampires are still whispered, to visit an old friend and write the book that will bring her true independence.

She arrives at a magnificent, decaying castle in the Carpathians, replete with eccentric inhabitants: the ailing dowager; the troubled steward; her own fearful friend, Cosmina. But all are outstripped in dark glamour by the castle's master, Count Andrei Dragulescu.

Bewildering and bewitching in equal measure, the brooding nobleman ignites Theodora's imagination and awakens passions in her that she can neither deny nor conceal. His allure is superlative, his dominion over the superstitious town, absolute—Theodora may simply be one more person under his sway.

Before her sojourn is ended—or her novel completed—Theodora will have encountered things as strange and terrible as they are seductive. For obsession can prove fatal…and she is in danger of falling prey to more than desire.


Ohhh...sounds good to me! LOL. Go forth and buy, people. Her interview was such a blast, and believe you me, I was taking notes. :)

Isn't It Kinda Sad...

When the only way you can force yourself to take a day off is by getting sick? Yup. SICK as a dog right now. Plus, I got the added bonus of completely losing my voice. LOL. Those of you who know me in person know I'm a TALKER... not being able to speak to people is a punishment of the worst kind. Couldn't even CALL anyone to tell them not to expect to see me today. Thank God for email!

Anyway -- I'm going to take full advantage. I'm about half-way through SILENT IN THE GRAVE and plan to finish that up... and did I mention that my awesome friend, Amanda (who I met at the Rocky Mtn Gold Conference and who LET me read her most awesome book!), sent me GRACELING by Kristin Cashore?? It's totally awesome, too. I'm a ways into it so hopefully I can finish both up today.

Ahhhhh reading. Such a balm to these ick sick germs.

Dishes? They can't wait. Laundry? There's still room to stack the pile a little higher. Work? NOPE, NOPE, NOPE.

Happy reading.

Killer Opening Lines!

Picked up SILENT IN THE GRAVE by Deanna Raybourn tonight. The opening had me at hello:

To say that I met Nicholas Brisbane over my husband's dead body is not entirely accurate. Edward, it should be noted, was still twitching on the floor.

*envy pangs* *envy pangs* *envy pangs*

MAN, I wish I wrote that! LOL.