Say What?

Today, I noticed my website email address wasn't set up in my MicroSoft Outlook. That's twice it disappeared off there. What the heck is going on?  If you sent me an email through my website, I'm sorry I haven't answer.  Last time it happened, I had an agent ask for material because she liked my website.  Yes. It does happen. 

If you're wondering, no, she didn't offer representation. That's okay as I wasn't really interested in having her as an agent though I wouldn't have turned down the opportunity at the time. But she was only eighteen. Yep. That's right. I prefer an experienced one with contacts. I do wish her well. I'm sure she'll be great one day with the ambition she's already shown.

[added: OH MY GOODNESS! I had 131 emails. I had forgotten that one of the loops I'm on, I had set up that account to receive the emails.]

I'm A Tease...

Here's a little teaser for Book 2.

After four local women are found dead from a new designer drug, Arthur Ryker orders his mercenary organization, The Circle, to find the source, a mysterious figure called the Wizard.

When Marie Beltane was a child, she had been sold for drugs by her parents to a mad man. Now he’s dead and she’s determined to prove she’s worthy of more and goes on a fact finding mission to stop the killings. Things go wrong. She’s injected with the same drug.

Ryker struggles with his failure to protect Marie from the world as well as himself. He becomes reckless during his search for the antidote and is captured by a new evil. Now he must become the monster he always feared to save the woman he always loved.

That All Important Beginning

I received good news today. My editor loves the action in the first chapter of my second book. I'm thrilled. Was I worried?  Oh, yeah. You betcha!

Hooking a reader in the first few paragraphs is so important. Sure I could start off with action in the first paragraph. Probably will do that in the third book. I already have a scene in mind. 

I enjoy showing a character's...well...character. Showing a little of what they're about. Like Olivia in CIRCLE OF DESIRE, my first book coming out 10/18. She's cold, calculating but you see small glimpses of her vulnerability, her realization of what she'd become. She ignores the warning signs and moves forward and comes to regret her reckless behavior. While Collin appears cold and calculating as she is, he has a hard time maintaining that persona with her, and he sees the abused little girl inside.

In my second book, Ryker is shown to be a man with a painful past. The visible scars are matched by the ones inside. He struggles to protect the woman he loves from the world as well from himself. Oh, yeah. Tortured heroes make the best stories.

Keep on the look out for more tidbits to come.

Miss Me?

I've been busy as you can imagine. Finished my revisions and sent it in. Then revised the ending again on my editor's recommendation. Everything she pointed out and I changed made it so much better. Sent in the first chapter of the second book, so it can be placed in the back of the first book. Sent in my dedication and acknowledgements.

Now I'm waiting to see what my cover looks like and I know it's going to be awesome.

I do have a new title. CIRCLE OF DESIRE!

And a release date.  October 18!

Keep your fingers crossed for me that the editor will like my second book's storyline.

RT BOOK REVIEWS

I just came across an article on RT Book Reviews with my name and talking about my book.  They say, "With our column, Forewords, we let readers know the latest book news about some of the web team's most-anticipated upcoming releases across the genres - just as the projects are announced!"

They mention me and the book under PIQUING OUR CURIOSITY, Romantic Suspense.  So awesome!

To read the whole thing, go here...http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/forewords-books-buzz-16.

And I found out here http://dearauthor.com/features/interviews/interview-with-carrie-feron-executive-editor-at-avon/ that my release date is 10/25/11.  I'll get that confirmed soon.

Yes. I've been Googling myself.  My Goggle Alert isn't working for some reason.

You'll Be Surprised

I can't tell you how many times I've sat next to someone at a table during a conference or workshop and a person on one side or both will turn their backs to me. They want to talk to their friend and no one else. They'll glance at you and quickly decide you're no one important.

Well, all I can say is be careful if you do that. A few years ago, a woman sat next to me at a conference who looked like any regular overweight, middle age writer a person can find (like me). Nothing special looking (like me). At first, she was a little quiet, but a new friend (made at that conference) and I started talking to her. Turned out she was the late Kate Duffy. Yes. The famous Kensington editor who helped romance novels to become what they are today. Click on her name to find out about her if you don't already know. 

She was wonderful, friendly and oh, so kind. I had so wanted to work with her. (Though I have to say I love working with my Avon Impulse editor. She's wonderful, kind and smart. Yes. I'm a little bias. She did pick me out of the slush pile.)

So next time you sit next to someone at a writers' function, be nice, friendly. It may pay off. They may even be someone important or someone you will later be happy to say you know personally.

Girl Authors Just Want To Have Fun

Avon Talks To Their Rita Nominees

Popping In For a Minute

Still in the middle of revisions, but wanted to say, I have found if you want something bad enough it will happen. But you have to be open for it to happen. You have to understand you will get what you want but maybe not how you thought it would happen. Like I said you just have to want it bad enough.

Avon's Party At This Year's RWA Conference