from
Awe-Struck
E-Books...

April 2008

December 2008

early 2009

JUNE 25 , 2008
I'm dancin' again! I just learned the print version of SONGS OF THE HEART is available on Amazon.com. The simplest way to order is to copy and paste this ISBN <978-1-58749-692-9> into Amazon's search field.

Ironically, I'm still waiting for my author copies, so readers could have my book before I do. :)

In celebration, I'll be including a print copy of SONGS OF THE HEART in the basket of goodies for my July 4 contest drawing. Hope you have taken the time to enter!

~~~

JUNE 5 , 2008
Where does the time go? I've had much good news since I last posted here. I finished the edits for FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR, which will be released on December 12, 2008, got the OK on the cover (you'll notice the word "draft" is no longer on the graphic), and sent in the author's information questionnaire, which includes a back cover blurb. I'm already planning contest prizes and surprises for this holiday release.

Speaking of contests: congratulations to Joy I., the winner of my June 4 contest and to Tami, the winner of my May 4 contest. Check out the contest page for a list of winners so far. I have contests planned for every month of 2008 and into 2009. I hope you'll take the time to enter!

I'm very honored to be the featured author this month at Shirley Kiger Connelly's Web site. Hope you'll stop by to check out the interview.

I'll also be blogging on June 5 and June 19 at the Mid-Willamette Valley RWA's blog. The topic on June 5 will be how my spiritual journey has affected my writing. Hope you'll visit this wonderful and supportive group of writers as we talk about a myriad of topics related to writing and the writer's life.

I'm also pleased to be one of the authors on the new blog for Rose City Romance Writers, another chapter of Romance Writers of America. During June, our theme is our writing space. I'll have to clean up my office for a photo before I blog on June 27!

I recently had my hair cut to donate to Locks of Love, an organization that makes wigs for kids who have suffered hair loss. Check out the before and after photos as well as info on my new contest on my contest page.

I've also posted a photo of me at the Readers' Luncheon that was held at the end of April in Portland. (Check out on my appearances page.) This wonderful event sponsored by the Rose City Romance Writers is a fundraiser for literacy, as well as a fun way to meet and talk to chapter authors.

And, drum roll, please: I'm close to having the print version of
SONGS OF THE HEART. More news about that soon!

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APRIL 5 , 2008
I hope you were able to join me for the Cyber Release Party on April 4 to celebrate the official release of SONGS OF THE HEART. If you missed the fun, you can still read the interviews at <http://songsoftheheartromance.blogspot.com>. After being up all night for the party, I went to bed shortly after our GRAND PRIZE drawing last night and slept!

Congratulations to all the contest winners and many thanks to everyone who joined in the fun with comments and questions. I soooo much appreciate you taking the time to drop by.

Also, a reminder that tomorrow, (April 6) I will be the guest author on Regan Taylor's BLOG TALK RADIO at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Please join us at <http://www.myspace.com/reganonair> as we talk romance!

Now I need to spend some time away from the computer and catch up on things that did not get done yesterday during the party. :)

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APRIL 1 , 2008
THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL'S JOKE! I got an e-mail from my publisher, Awe-Struck E-Books, that SONGS OF THE HEART is available now! I was so excited, I immediately went to <http://awe-struck.net/AUTHORS50/sothrt.html> and downloaded a copy. Yep, it's real! If you want to download a sneak preview of SONGS, just click on the link above. Wow!

One of my writer friends asked if that meant the cyber party was starting early. My response was that the cyber champagne was flowing, along with a never-ending supply of cyber chocolate (with no calories, of course!). However, the character guests were delayed in cyber space and wouldn't arrive until midnight, April 4. I hope to see you then!

P.S. I will be the guest author on Regan Taylor's BLOG TALK RADIO on Sunday, April 6 at 2:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Please join us at <http://www.myspace.com/reganonair> as we talk romance!

~~~

MARCH 24, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS TO ANNIE L., the winner of my March 24 contest!

Leading up to the grand prize, please join me on April 4 for a CYBER RELEASE PARTY! Starting at midnight, I'll post interviews with characters from SONGS OF THE HEART and have prize drawings every 4 hours. Drop in any time by going to the home page of this Web site and following the clicks!

~~~

MARCH 14, 2008
Release day is almost here! As the day is getting closer, the contests are getting closer together.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DIANE P., who was the winner of a basket of goodies from my March 14 contest drawing.

To enter the next drawing on March 24, visit the contest page.

Then I have some special surprises planned as I count down the days until the e-book release of SONGS OF THE HEART.

I hope you will join in the celebration!

~~~

If you have ever been owned by a Border Collie, you know how smart they are. Though my Border Collie didn't start coffee for me, I could look into his eyes and swear he was as smart as most humans. SONGS is dedicated in part to his memory, and 10 percent of my profits will go to animal welfare.

March will offer two more contest drawings: on March 14 and March 24, as well as some special surprises leading up to the release of SONGS OF THE HEARTS on April 4. I hope you will join me for a month of fun!
~~~

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FEBRUARY 4, 2008
Congratulations to Rebecca M, the winner of my first contest to celebrate the release of SONGS OF THE HEART on April 4, 2008! A basket of goodies will soon be on the way to Rebecca, as well as a special thank you gift to everyone else who entered.

If you want to a chance to win goodies, check out the contest page of this site for details of the next drawing on March 4. I'm planning contests leading up to a special surprise on release date: April 4!

~~~
JANUARY 2008
The third manuscript in my After the Applause series (which is now titled, STARS IN YOUR EYES) is completed and has been accepted by Awe-Struck E-Books! It is slated for release in early 2009.

After completing the manuscript this fall, I moved into planning promotion for this series. Part of that promotion is this updated Web site, adding contests and appearances as well as news about my upcoming releases.

Using a photo taken by Cahill Photojournalism (thanks, Danita!) I had the pleasure of designing the cover for SONGS OF THE HEART (at right) and have done draft covers for both FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR and STARS IN YOUR EYES (also at right).

I'll be running contests to promote the release of these three books, starting with SONGS OF THE HEART, which has been moved up a month. Watch for the e-book version on April 4, 2008, with mini-contests leading up to a grand prize drawing on this date!

~~~

late NOVEMBER 2006
More good news! Awe-Struck E-Books has contracted for a second manuscript, FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR! I have a publication date of May 2008 for SONGS OF THE HEART, and FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR will be a holiday 2008 release. Woo-hoo! This definitely adds to the urgency to finish SECRETS OF A CLOWN. Write, write, write! In between writing sessions, I'm gathering promotional ideas for these books and looking forward to the entire publishing process!

~~~

OCTOBER 2006
Well, I did say this wasn't actually a blog--and I know better than to commit to posting every day or two! But I had to share my good news: Awe-Struck E-Books made an offer to buy my manuscript, Songs of the Heart. I'm thrilled!

It feels completely natural to step into the process of being published. I'm delighted that I will be able to design my own cover. I'm looking forward to having a specific publication date in 2008 so I can write the steps leading up to being published on my calendar.

I also feel the urge to finish the third book of the connected stories that I'm marketing as "After the Applause." What has happened to the world's hottest rock band fifteen years after they hit the top of the music charts? The love stories of Geoff and Shannon (Songs of the Heart), Mitch and Julia (Feathers on the Floor), Zach and Lauren (Secrets of a Clown) will explore that question.

Now, back to work!

~~~

JUNE 2006
Writing, and especially wanting to be published, did not come easily to me.

While my friends eagerly sought their names on the covers of books, I waffled between knowing my stories were as good as many out there and thinking I should quit this entire nonsense.

I wondered why I couldn’t make up my mind, but I didn’t really listen for the answer. I wasn’t ready to hear it.

Now I have the answer: Each story I write contains a part of me. And I wasn’t ready to expose myself to the reading world and risk rejection. I wasn’t strong enough to accept that not everyone is going to like me or my stories. Now I know that’s OK. (How many times have I heard other authors say that?)

My message will resonate with some, and perhaps bring hope or courage or the recognition that we are not alone in this journey called life. Others have gone before, willing to reach out their hands to help us. We are asked only for a willingness to be open to possibilities. To see, to feel, to trust, and to reach out in turn for those who follow.

My stories often explore traumatic events, such as child molestation or domestic violence. But you will also find characters discovering their strength, humor, optimism, and love. Always love – in beloved children, adored pets and happily-ever-after relationships.

I reach out my hand to you. You are free to reject it or join me for a time on one of life’s wonderful adventures!