Happy New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year's Eve everyone! It's the last day of 2009. Tonight, millions of people will be watching the ball drop as they count down the final seconds of this past year and cheering as 2010 is ushered in. I can remember, just 10 short years ago as we waited for 2000 to come in, everyone fearing Y2K and the collapse of the computer network. Of course there were also the doomsday talks that 2000 was the end of the world. Yet here we all still are, the computers work and the world didn't explode.

Now I find myself thinking about the past decade. It was, for me a very rough ten years. In July of 2000 my ankle was severely injured and thanks to insurance I wasn't permitted to get the reconstructive surgery I needed for a year and a half. By then there was so much damage and scar tissue that the surgery, which took me 7 months to recover from, was an utter failure. Then the grand mal seizures began and they have been a trial.

But, at the end of 2008 things began to turn for the better. I developed relations with family I didn't even know I had but have become so important to me. In August of 2009, Red Rose contracted my first ever book and it's going to be released in early 2010. Plus, they have since contracted a brand new series that I am so proud of. So, while most of the past decade has been difficult, I wouldn't change a thing. Each trial has led to the point I am at now and it's a really good place to be.

So, as we say goodbye to 2009, I wish each and every one of you the best possible new year ever. Happy New Year's Eve everyone. Enjoy the parties, the fireworks, and the ball dropping and stay safe. I'll see you all next year.

I'm Back!

I had a wonderful holiday but I'm back and once again hard at work on a new WIP. I hope all of you had a great holiday weekend and got lots of goodies.:-)

Don't forget, make sure you stop by on Friday. Angela Kay Austin will be kicking off the 2010 author interviews. You don't want to miss it as she'll be having a contest where you can win a really nice prize.

And remember, if you're an author and would like to participate in the interviews, email me and let me know. Everything from the end of April on is still open. Have a wonderful week everyone. It's so nice to be home.

Happy Holidays!

I'm not going to be on again until just before New Year's so I want to wish you all a very happy, joyful, and safe holiday season. I hope you all get what you're wanting and that no one gets a lump of coal in their stockings. Unless of course you actually asked for coal.:-) Happy Holidays everyone and see you soon. And don't forget, on January 1st the very talented Angela Kay Austin will be stopping by with goodies to help you start off the new year right. You don't want to miss it.

Release Date!

I have a release date for my first book. Voice In The Night will be published by Red Rose Publishing on March 18, 2010! I'm so excited. I love this story. It's the tale of an older woman and a younger man. My heroine has a few tricks to teach the hero and she isn't shy about what she wants. I'm putting up the blurb again and closer to the release date I'll post a small excerpt as well as run a contest to celebrate. Check back in the beginning of March for that. Here's the blurb:

Phaia Mykos is a 47 year old librarian. To most she is a quiet, proper woman. But, to put her daughter through college, Phaia creates an alter-ego called Sasha who titillates men at night as a voice on the phone. When women in her line of work start to fall prey to a madman, the police decide to send Derek Hoffman to her home to set up a trap. For Phaia who has long desired after the much younger man, this provides the perfect opportunity to get what she has wanted, hopefully before the one stalking her catches up to her.

I can hardly wait. I must again thank NJ Walters for her encouragement. I never would have tried submitting my writing if not for her. And to Red Rose, thank you so much for taking a chance on me. Wendi and everyone else there, you guys totally rock!

What Is It About The Fantasy?

Now let's be honest, at one time or another every single one of us has either read a fantasy novel or watched a fantasy movie. You know, those books, films and television shows about powerful wizards, evil witches both beautiful and ugly, questing heroes striving to overcome their own uncertainties while facing their darkest hours, and the obligatory beautiful woman in distress.

What is it about these that we find so interesting? Is it because for a few hours we are taken out of our own reality and plopped into a world of magic and wonder where anything is possible? Or is it because we wish to pretend for just a moment that we had the ability to do what they do? Or is it something else?

No matter what, we all seem to love a good fantasy now and then, even guys. If you don't believe me, then how many of you, men and women, went to see all three Lord Of The Rings movies while they were in the theater? Come on now be honest. And how many of us adults have actually enjoyed the Harry Potter films and even the books? Practically all of us.

And of the books, let's face it we all expect a beautiful woman performing magic or something to be on the cover, and the man has to be rugged, handsome and just a little tormented, hence why we all love Aragorn from The Lord Of The Rings. So young or old, male or female, somewhere down the line we've all read or watched a fantasy whether we want to admit it or not. Just what is it about the fantasy? Oh and so you don't feel cheated, I put up the obligatory picture of a beautiful woman casting magic. Enjoy.:-)

Sensational Story!

I recently read this ebook from Red Rose Publishing and it was awesome. Merry Christmas To Me by Aline de Chevigny is sensational. Here's a brief blurb about it:

Jennifer was having the worst Christmas ever. She'd just quit her job, her ex had happily married some blonde Barbie doll and the man of her dreams didn't even know she was alive.
Franko was through with women, or so he thought until the hottest little spitfire he'd ever met walked into him and set him straight. He now had five days until she left the mine for good to convince her that he was the Christmas gift of her dreams.

I loved this. There are no words to describe how much I enjoyed it. Both Jennifer and Franko were great characters and you really want to see them have their HEA. Merry Christmas To Me is available now from Red Rose Publishing. Just click on the link I have for them. And if you want to know more about Aline de Chevigny, click on the link I have for her website.

Author Guest Interviews!

As you can see, I have posted a schedule for author interviews for next year up on my blog. There is an open space in February. The second half of April is still open. All of May through December is currently available. If you'd like to participate email me and let me know when you'd like to be plugged in. The dates are filling fast so let me know ASAP.

Thank you to all who are participating and to all who may participate. I'm looking forward to it as much as you are. Make sure you all tune in on January 1st for our very first guest, the fabulous Angela Kay Austin. You don't want to miss it!

Help Animals!

Do you love animals? I have two kitties and they are my world and so this site has become near and dear to me. If you'd like to help animals for free, then you need to click on the following link for The Animal Rescue Site. It's great. And again, it's free. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Happy Birthday!

Today's my mom's birthday and I want to wish her the best day ever. I'm so sorry you're sick. I love you so much Mom. Thanks for being my best friend in the whole world. I hope you feel better soon. And, even though you're not feeling well, try and do something enjoyable on your special day. Pet the cats. They love you too.

Sniffle Sniffle Cough Cough!

I am so sick of feeling sick. I swear all week I've been a total slug. I finally felt well enough last night to do some writing. Now understand, I'm the kind of person who likes to write a whole chapter before stopping. Well, not last night. Yes I was feeling up to writing. Yes I wrote and finally worked on my WIP. But I didn't do a whole chapter. HALF of chapter 3 is now written.

I want to be well again. I'd like to be able to breathe with ease and not feel like I have a lead anvil on my chest. Can you tell I'm frustrated? What really bugs me is I so love this story I'm writing. I'm having so much fun with it and I really want to work on it. The mind is willing but the body is saying 'Don't even think about it.' Darn it!

You Never Know!

When you are writing humor, you always are asking yourself two questions. Is it really funny? And will other people get your humor? You just can't tell yourself. So, I'm sick and not up to working on my WIP. I still haven't been able to write chapter 3. Luckily, my deadline for turning this in since it's a Halloween story is not until May. Plenty of time though most likely I'll have it done before the New Year.

But, so I didn't feel like a total slug, I sent the two chapters I have to my mom to check out for me. She helps me edit my writing. And I was on cloud nine when I heard her laughing away. So, since she laughed I guess I accomplished making my story so far funny. Humor is by far the hardest thing to write because what one person finds funny, another person won't. I think, in the end, every one of us fears doing humor for that reason. But at some point, every single one of us attempts it and it's nice to know we succeeded.:-)

My last WIP was a much darker story. I won't go into it because I'm waiting on news about it, but though it's a work of fiction I used it as a sounding board for my own past, a kind of theraputic release. I knew when I started this current one that I needed something lighter and I'm really relieved that the fun and humor came through.

Days Like This!

I hate days like today. I've mentioned it before on my blog, but I suffer from seizures. I have done so since I was four, although the grand mal only began back in 2002. The grand mal suck big time. I'm working on a new WIP. I did chapter 2 yesterday. I love this story and I am having a lot of fun with it. I was all set to do chapter 3 today. I always edit the previous day's chapter before going into the new one. I find it helps me get into the mindset for the next chapter of the story.

Well, I finished editing and whammo, I get hit with a grand mal. Now my head is killing me and I feel like I've been hit by a freight train. I'm no longer up to working on chapter 3. I hate days like this and unfortunately they happen all too frequently. I'm one of those lucky people who can't take anti-seizure medications. The few meds I can take don't stop the seizures. The other 99% of the meds out there make me violently ill. So I'm stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

Oh well, I guess I'm going to go take a nap. I don't really have a choice. Today is just one of those days.

I Took The Plunge!

It wasn't easy but I finally took the plunge and created a website for my writing stuff. It's very simple so I don't wanna hear any snickers. I'm not as computer savvy as I was when I was younger. But, it fits what I need for now anyways. If you'd like to check it out, I have put it up in my links as Kat's Corner. Again, no laughs please. LOL. Ok you can laugh since I am.

Sensational!

I just finished the ebook I won, Wild Wyoming Nights by Sandy Sullivan. All I can say is WOW! It's a great book and I loved it. It's also heartwrenching. I cried from start to finish. The characters are really great and your heart breaks for them.

The hero, Chase Wilder, is a hunky Wyoming cowboy. Two years ago, he lost his wife in a freak car accident and is now afraid to love again. When Abby Carter moves in next door though, she is too much to resist.

But Abby has her own scars. She lost her beloved husband, Josh, a firefighter on 9/11. She's moved to Wyoming from New York to get away from the haunting memories of the man she loved. She is no more ready to step into the romance market than Chase.

But fate has a way of shoving you in the direction you are meant to go whether you want to go there or not. Now, two wounded souls must learn to bury the past so they can have a future.

This story is a real tear jerker. Anyone who was alive 8 years ago knows the pain and heartache of that awful day. I still remember seeing on the news people jumping from the tower because falling to their death was preferable to burning alive. I was at work when it happened and we didn't find out about it right away. Our computer network was through NYC and it crashed when the first tower came down.

We all found out when our boss's husband called her at work and told her to turn on the news. We kept getting sporadic updates. We heard a plane went down in Pennsylvania, but we didn't know where. I live with my mom literally ten minutes ouside Philly across the bridge in NJ and I spent the entire day until 3 p.m. trying to reach my mom to make sure she was ok. She was thank heavens, but I will never EVER forget that day.

Wild Wyoming Nights by Sandy Sullivan captures the pain of loss from that day very well. I can definately recommend this story, but I caution you to keep a box of tissues next to you as you read it. Wild Wyoming Nights is available now from Sirens Publishing. This is a great book.

Wow!

I can't believe it. Honoria Raven interviewed the lovely Sandy Sullivan on her blog yesterday. Sandy was giving away a free copy of her latest story, Wild Wyoming Nights and I won it. I'm amazed. I have never had the best of luck when it comes to winning things. Thank you so much Sandy. I can't wait to read your story. And thank you Honoria for having the contest on your blog.:-)

Voice In The Night Blurb

I have had a few people ask me for a blurb about what my first book is about so I am posting it now. I can hardly wait until my book comes out.:-)

Phaia Mykos is a 47 year old librarian. To most she is a quiet, proper woman. But, to put her daughter through college, Phaia creates an alter-ego called Sasha who titillates men at night as a voice on the phone. When women in her line of work start to fall prey to a madman, the police decide to send Derek Hoffman to her home to set up a trap. For Phaia who has long desired after the much younger man, this provides the perfect opportunity to get what she has wanted, hopefully before the one stalking her catches up to her.

I had so much fun writing this story. My heroine is a spitfire of a woman who has lived her life and lived it well. And she has a few tricks to teach her much younger neighbor and object of her desire in this Autumn Rose story. I totally love NJ Walters for encouraging me to try submitting. Thank you so much I can't express just how grateful I am. Also, my editor for this one, Ansley Blackstock was amazing to work with. And the artist, Emmy did a sensational job on the cover.

I love Red Rose Publishing and all the wonderful authors and staff I have met. As soon as I have a release date for my story I'll post that as well. By the way, scroll down and you will see the fantastic blog banner that Emme did for me. She also made me an email banner too.:-) Cheers!

Ta Da!

Here it is, my very first cover ever! Isn't it gorgeous? Click on the picture to see it full sized. There is so much detail I am totally amazed. The wonderful Emmy of RRP did the artwork. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. I'm having this cover framed. Thank you Emmy!

Great Story: Great Cause!

I'd like to talk about a great book called Stormy Weather by Nancy O'Berry. It's a new release from Red Rose Publishing and it's a fantastic story about a woman's struggle to recover from breast cancer and the rebuilding of her life. I absolutely loved it.

Lauren Phelps has had to endure the loss of her breast to breast cancer and the loss of her marriage. When she is finally recovered enough to return to work, Cole McGuire, a coworker and friend has to battle her personal issues to win the woman he loves.

I highly recommend this book and proceeds from the sale of this story also goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Stormy Weather by Nancy O'Berry is out now and it's a fantastic book. You'll love it.

Season 3!

First up, I will announce the final Goddess of the Written Word for 2009 tomorrow so be sure to check back then. Also, as soon as I can tell you I will, but I have some fantastic news. And I have added a new feature to my blog. Just scroll down to the bottom and you'll see a button to follow this blog. I already have two followers so thanks a lot.

Now on to what I want to talk about. Season 3 of True Blood starts filming this month! Alan Ball has also given us Team Eric fans a sneak peak at the first episode. For those of us who have been eager to see a naked Alexander Skarsgard, well we are about to get really lucky. In the first episode of season 3 Alan Ball has confirmed that we will get to see all of his glory. Go Eric!

Season 3 itself starts airing on HBO in June. Season 2, if it follows what they did last year, should release on DVD the month before the new season starts. I'm getting cable next year just for HBO so I can watch True Blood. Eric, Eric, Eric! Alexander Skarsgard is sooooooooo HOT!