. . . Because I would not want you to miss a single one of the announcements I’m going to make. I’m getting so excited for Confessions of a Little Black Gown and Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress to come out, that I just have to tell you all the news about the upcoming things you are going to find here on the blog and on the rest of the website in the coming weeks. Plus, I’ve lined up a a great guest blogger for next week, who is not only really cool, but she also brings great swag, … Read more »

Last week I spoke on a panel at a meeting of the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association, and was astounded at the number of people who showed up.  Lots of folks interested in being writers and looking for those tips and hints that pushed each of us toward publication. Of course, I forgot my camera, so I can’t prove that there was a crowd, so you’ll just have to take my word.

What was great about the panel is that we were a divergent crowd. Authors of suspense, urban fantasy, mystery, YA  and romance wouldn’t seem a likely mix, but it … Read more »

Going along with all my goal talk and organizing speeches, you are probably starting to wonder if I’ve been snatched by aliens and replaced by a goal striving, neaten up freak. Believe me, I’ll be better by February. But in the meantime, and since I have to speak tonight, I wanted to share something I read on Tuesday in an email and have been thinking about ever since. It all sort of rolled into listening to President Obama’s inauguration speech and his call to all of us to do more and a conversation I overhead.

(See it is me. The … Read more »

But my usual Monday morning ramblings, (I prefer witticisms and thoughtful reflections) are preempted. I was going to write a blog last night so it would post bright and early this foggy, lovely morning. But last night I made the mistake and walked through Borders. And there in the romance section was Lara Adrian’s new book, Veil of Midnight.

Therefore, this blog is preempted while I read this next installment in the Midnight Breed series. I would encourage you to do the same.

BTW, what have you read lately that has preempted your daily routine?… Read more »

So I suppose we have to talk about them. Yes, them. Goals. Everyone gets all goal-this and goal-that the first few weeks of January, sort of like a mini-flu season where you get in this fevered rush for improvement. Of course, being humans we all dive in with this big resolve and enormous vigor, and then by about the middle of the month (which happens to be about now) those wonderful ideals that we so carved out in a frenzy of champagne and good intentions suddenly get in the way of old, comfortable habits.

Now I am a huge proponent … Read more »

If you are my editor or husband, do us all a favor and skip ahead. The next paragraph probably isn’t meant to be read by you.

After lolly-gagging around a good part of December, (I told you you’d want skip ahead) I had to get back to work last week and dive back into my book with a renewed vigor.  It wasn’t entirely my fault that I didn’t get very many pages produced during the Christmas Season. I was struck with this sort of bake cookies, concoct fudge, knit presents sort of frenzy and Regency England held no thrall over … Read more »

First off, thank you everyone who has posted a comment, emailed me privately, or spread the word about the sneak peek inside Confessions of a Little Black Gown via the links in the comment section that will take you to Facebook, MySpace or your favorite social site, because your excitement is my excitement. And yes, that cover is to die for gorgeous.

But also coming up is fan-fueled conference, Celebrate Romance (“CR2009” to those in the know) February 27th – March 1st in Portland, Oregon. Now let me say, I have never had a chance to go to CR, but … Read more »

Here it is, the first peek inside Confessions of a Little Black Gown. I thought with the holidays being over and all of us having to get back to work, I’d extend the season just one more day and give everyone a little treat. Hope you enjoy it!

I’ll set the stage by saying this is a fun scene from Chapter 4. Our hero, Lord Larken is posing as the Duke of Hollindrake’s cousin, Mr. Ryder, in hopes of finding Captain Dashwell who has mysteriously escaped prison. Gee, I wonder who helped Dash escape??? Our heroine, Tally Langley suspects  … Read more »

I’m announcing the first of my five winners in my current contest.  And the winners are:

• Betsy B. of Taylorsville, NC
• Kari C. of Northfield, MN

Congratulations! And watch for your autographed hardback edition of Love Letters from a Duke in your mailbox.
Make sure you read all the details and then enter, because there are still three prizes left to win.

Have you seen the new feature in comments where you can share this blog on Facebook and alike? Just go to comments, click on your fav social networking icon and you can share this contest and blog … Read more »