June 2010


Summer, summer!
As some of you may know, I'm a sun worshipper and lover of all things related to summertime.
If I could, I'd spend my life on a beach eating fruit and tropical bbq-ing, while magically remaining curvy-slim and still making an income (ummm, lottery winning anyone? lol).
It's sometimes hard to get around the realities of this recession that don't seem to let up (not to mention the bills and shrinking paychecks, yada yada yada...) but waking up to a lovely, sunny day sure goes a long way for me.
Oh, unless it's waking up to a sunny day like July 6th when my book (Wanting It) will hit the shelves! Yeah, baby! :)
As hard as I work on my books, there's nothing like (a) finishing the manuscript (b) seeing it on the shelves and (c) hearing from complete strangers who've enjoyed it. Very exciting!
So, my fellow freaks, um, I mean, book lovers... take care and happy reading!


February 2010


Happy Valentine's!
Love is in the air... I honestly believe there is nothing in life more powerful than love.
It has its many facets. Lustful love, that gets you in the gut, pulses on your lips and makes you want to get down and dirty in the most unexpected places. There's playful love, when you know your lover gets who you really are, with intimate jokes, intimate touches. It's a kind of tenderness that lasts. Then there's damn-it-all-love, when you are faced with a hard, crippling, painful situation and there's no one you'd rather face it with than your love. Because no matter how bad it gets, he/she makes it bearable.
So, for valentine's day, I wish you any one of the loves above. And if you can't decide, stop listening with your brain, and get in touch with your soul, it will tell your heart what to do.
Much love.



January 2010


Happy New Year 2010!
Yahoo! I hope you had a great start to the new year and didn't make any resolutions that you've already abandoned. I'm looking forward to getting in touch with more of my creative side this year. Of course that means more stories, but also more art, music and things that make me feel either passionate or zen-like. I'm exhausted and stressed from hearing about the recession, thinking about taxes or hearing about the turmoil in the world. I need to give or find a little happiness and I just know that will make a difference in this world.
I also have to do something out of my comfort zone, something that I've been hesitant to do (like sharing my other artwork with someone other than myself).
I discovered this photographer (Zach Arias) online last year, and really found inspiration in this blog entry ( Transform :: A short film for ScottKelby.com) which can be found here (www.Zarias.com)
I know it's not exactly about romance or erotica, but it is about pulling yourself up by the bootstraps and pushing yourself to discover what else you've got deep inside. I hope it inspires you, too. :)
Much love...


August 2009


Heat
It's been forever since I've done this, but last week, I visited a state park. I took a trip to Lake Tahoe and let myself be 'one with nature.' Well, it's hard to become zenlike in that frigid lake, but my toes were happy when I dangled them in the water after all that hiking. :)
Everything about Tahoe is so pristine; wide, blue sky, beautiful, tall emerald pine trees, and the lake itself is like an aquamarine crystal.
It was quiet and peaceful, just sitting on a log by the lake side watching the parasailing go by. By the end of the day, I felt refreshed and revived again! It was wonderful.
So, where have you been lately that made you feel good?



July 2009


Fireworks
I love this time of year (as some of you already know).
I look forward to fireworks and barbeques. Maybe even some swimming pool time. :)
I know the world isn't in the best of places right now, believe me. But we're going to make it, right?
When stress hits, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Then imagine the best kiss you've ever had. Take a moment to play it in slow motion in your mind... Mmm, mmm, gooooooood.
Makes the stress melt away for me. ;)
Take care of yourselves and a cyber hug to all. Much love.



May 2009


Cinco de Mayo
I've been craving some really, honst-to-goodness Mexican food lately.
Something about it makes me feel like on vacation, lounging on a beach because I ate too dang much to actually get into the water. Add to that some mariachi music and a Margarita the size of a fishbowl, and I'm set. :)
So why not take a mental vacation today? I will!



April 2009


Birth and Taxes... and Easter
Birthings : I became an aunt to little Baby JJ!!!!! Very, very cute!
Taxes: I've you've procrastinated, just get on it!
Easter: Candy and bunny outfits, and fun! And I haven't even left the bedroom...




March 2009


March Madness!...
I'm getting a brief interview from Kimberly Kaye at 96KIX.fm (Jackson, TN)! :)
I'm planting seeds and bulbs that I'd like to bloom in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to spring and trying to stay away from bad news so I can stay positive. What do you have going?



February 2009


Happy Valentine's Day!...
It's amore! Love is in the air, and with Valentine's day around the corner, what could be better? I hope you will share a special moment with someone you love or care deeply about, and open up your heart to the wonderful possibiities that just may exist. Consider me your cupid, and I've got my arrows loaded! :)
As always,



January 2009


Happy New Year!...
It's a spanking new year, full of possibilities, wonder and fun. :)
In fact, this month has a lot of significant events that also make it a perfect way to start out the year for me. Sure, there will always be the hard work, worry and stress, but you gotta make time for fun, right? I'm excited that the second book of the Orchid Soul Trilogy, Better on Top, will be available on January 20th! I hope you'll enjoy it, as well as let me know about it. Best of wishes to you all!
As always,



December 1 , 2008


Merry Christmas!...
The state of the world is breaking my heart! I'm holding on tight to the hope that if there's little love to be found in the world, then at least let there be peace. Just peace. I pray that it lasts long enough for us to remember what it feels like to stop stuggling with frustration, anger or fear. To remember that there are more loving aspects to our humanity.
I believe in peace, hope and love, each such a short distance from the other and yet seemingly so far away as I read the daily news.
I hope that in the coming weeks, the world can take a healing breath, and do more than just yearn for peace, but that we actually grasp it, and in the process, find some happiness.
I suppose that's my holiday message this year. If you can't sing a song, then hum it. If you can't laugh, then chuckle, and if you can't dance, then just spin around for a second or so. Who knows? It just might make your heart glad!
So, happy holidays to all, and may you find peace and happiness (and be safe with the ones you love)!!!! :)
As always,



November 13 , 2008


Thanksgiving!...
Life is good! Take a minute to celebrate your blessings.
As always, much love,



October 13 , 2008


Spooky spooky!...
It's ghosts and goblin season! I'll just forget to comb my hair and head to work (that ought to scare them!) for Halloween. :) It's also almost "Bakestravaganza!" at my house, where I invite my sisters over and we go on a crazy, all-out baking spree. I know, I know. I'm trying to watch what I eat, so it makes no sense, right? It's tradition (a tasty one!), so we do it.
I hope you have a wonderful October.
Later!



August 3, 2008


Up All Night...
Well, today was the last day of the Romance Writers of America conference, in San Francisco which started on Wednesday. Whew, it was crazy fun! Let's see... on the first day, me and some close friends had a Girl's Nite Out at the spa to treat ourselves, and for the first time in ages, I got a pedicure .... while listening to soft music, snuggling up to the warm towels they put on my shoulders, sipping some melon water and feeling like a princess. Lord, that was tooooooo good for words! I should post a picture of my toes, it was that good!

Next, we picked up our registration materials and had a look around. There were workshops on everything from how to write, to spotlights on the publishers, so the business of writing. It was amazing to see so many familiar faces again. The last time I attended a conference was in Atlanta (or should I say Hotlanta) and that was absolutely fabulous. I only wish I would've been able to see more of the city and linger more with my fans. But I digress, San Francisco had some beautiful weather that I got to enjoy a bit, but I was mostly indoors. I did get to briefly visit with Brenda Jackson, Francis Ray and Kayla Perrin at the St. Martin's book signing, (where I was also signing). Mrs. Jackson was busy talking with someone else, so I tried not to interrupt. Kayla is quick to flash a grin and wink, and she's a very funny person! Francis Ray was such a darling! She came over to talk to me for about ten minutes, bringing Monica Monkou with her. I know! I was temporarily speechless, too.

And the book signing was fantastic. I had fans that had come all the way from Australia and New Zealand and even Japan! I swear, at moments like that I seriously pinch myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming! Oh, as luck would have it, I sat next to Rochelle Alers during one of the luncheons. What a lovely lady! I mean, there were authors left and right, and I know what you're thinking, it's a writer's conference, duh! But, no! It's totally different to see and talk with them in real life. Some were quirky, and funny, and others serious and all generous and kind. Can you tell I still feel like there is pixie dust on me? I did so much walking (and of course, just had to take shoes that were not completely broken in ) that my feet hurt like hell. And the parties, you ask? Well, there were certainly lots of them, but I only went to a few. I attended one for my agent (the Knight Agency) at a swanky little restaurant called First Crush. It was wonderful (although the floors were a bit slippery - no, it wasn't the wine I was drinking!), and it gave me a chance to mingle and meet with other familiar faces as well. The next part I attended was the St. Martin's Press cocktail party, at the E & O Trading Company. That was also a very swank joint, and their food was out of this world! Especially their corn fritters. And egg rolls. And mushroom kabobs. Yes, I spent time at the food table, but I also got the chance to mingle and meet (among other authors) Lisa Kleypas and Joan Johnston. They were all so very nice!

I'm laughing at myself by now, because I realized that I've been name-dropping, but seriously, it's only because I was in awe of them, and I'll bet only a few of those women would remember who I am. Maybe. :) Anyway, I'm going to soak my feet in some nice hot water, and then sort through the boxes of books that I brought back with me. You know what? Despite the aching feet, I could get used to this kind of life... :)


July, 2008


Up All Night...
Go get it! The book is out, so whatcha waiting for? (LOL!)
I feel like I've been holding my breath, waiting for this book to come out. And here it is, so I can now breathe ... whew ...
I hope you all enjoy it.

I've had several emails asking about my writing life, so here's my shpiel for all aspriring authors that seek my advice.
There are several milestones in a writer's life. First comes the story, sprouting in your head from some unexpected seed, growing roots and leaves and then the amazing bud of crumpled petals that unfolds into this amazing flower that's ALL yours.
It's wonderful when you realize you and your muse can enjoy that private story, but then comes the critical part of actually writing it. This part is what makes or breaks a writer. You start by stealing an hour here or there to write your story, and pretty soon, the characters won't shut up and you have to dedicate more time to them. If you can. Sometimes you feel guilty, because, heck, you're also a mom, or a sister, lover, co-worker ... whatever ... and people need your time, too.
But if you don't get the story down fast enough, your characters mutiny on you (ungrateful, leeching @#$@!!) so you really have no choice but to try to coax them into revealing the story at their miserly pace (okay, maybe that's just my process). Next, comes the precious milestone when an editor reads your work and enjoys it enough to champion it, pushing for it to be published. Halleluah! Validation of the highest kind! Because thus far, your friends (lovely, beautiful souls that they are) may have liked your book, but it's not the same as hearing the approval from your editor.
And then, the golden day arrives, when you've revised, re-edited, and reviewed per your editor's request until the book is (gasp) ready. Suddenly your book gets a real, honest-to-goodness cover, and you cry with joy like you've just set eyes on your brank-spanking newborn (okay, again, maybe that's just me). ... So, you can see how this moment, knowing "Up All Night" is the first of a trilogy, is like having triplets (without the labor pains, yay!).
But believe me, folks, the road here was not easy. It took me YEARS! I've had my share of rejections that I have kept to remind myself not to quit. I also discovered I had some amazing friends that encouraged me (I can't stress how important they are to me). Join Romance Writers of America (www.rwanationa.org) and find a local chapter that will keep encouraging you to succeed. It's been a priceless resource for me.
Seriously, if you have a story in your heart, and a muse that keeps bothering you to write it do, do so! I have a friend who wrote a book just for herself (just to see if she could) and doesn't want to get it published. Remember that it's *your* story, so if you decide to publish it, you may get some rejections. Now, listen closely, because this is not only important, but true. A rejection from a publisher does not mean there is necessarily anything wrong with your story. It could be that there is no market for it (example: if the editor/agent wants a pirate story, not even the finest western will suffice) or it could be that the market is oversaturated with similar types of stories and yours would suffer if they tried to publish it now (as well as not make you much money.) There could be a number of inexplicable reasons that your books gets rejected, and, yes, sometimes, the kindest thing they can do is send you a generic, Xerox-copied excuse because they can't explain why, but by no means should you take your manuscript to the shredder or set it in the grill, douse it with lighter fluid and flambe. No, no. Take a deep breath, tap into your supply of woe-is-me goodies that we all have stashed somewhere (wine, chocolate truffles, BBQ ribs and, hell, throw in some deviled potato salad, and end it with some good pistacho ice cream ... all in moderation, of course. sigh) then call or email your friend who will console you and convince you that you're the greatest.
The next day, after working off the excessive calories your overdid with your moping, get back on track. Sit down, promise yourself you're going to send the manuscript out again, and research until you are sure your story will be a fit, both for the editor as well as the writing house. If that thought makes you crave more chocolate or half a rack of pork ribs with a good slathering of Louisiana hickory sauce, simply push those evil thoughts aside and start on a new book.
See? Easy! Piece of cake. (yes, I'm laughing my butt off, hee hee)
But in all seriousness, in the end, all you can do is write the best book you possibly can, then send it out. The rest is part of this mysterious serendipity of fate, in which you can never predict how your book will end up being chosen. Most dreams don't come true with wishful thinking. There's room enough on the book shelves for all of us, so come on, join us. :)
And on that note, I still have a chunk of writing to do, so, I'd better get cracking.
Good luck, my friend. :)