Elvis Contest--WINNER!

I have a contest winner! Congratulations to Anne Law of Anchorage, Alaska. Anne is the winner of my Elvis contest. She will receive an autographed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, Christmas chocolates (yum!), and an Elvis guitar ornament.

My thanks to all who entered. It was a fun contest! My next contest will be in the spring, so keep an eye open.

There's Still Time!

There's still time to enter my Elvis Contest! Check out all of the details on my web site www.sherryjames.com. I'm also still looking for your Elvis sightings. Be sure and let me know where you've seen Elvis, the man himself, a tribute artist, his image, or whatever.

Sherry

Elvis Sightings!

Hey, Readers!

When I posted that I was looking for Elvis sightings, I guess I posted too fast and didn't clarify. Sorry about that. I'm looking for any and all Elvis sightings. Your Elvis sighting can be of the "King" himself, an Elvis tribute artist, a statue or picture of Elvis, or mention of him in a song. Like my picture I've posted here. This is a shot of an Elvis statue gracing the top of a the salad bar at a Ruby Tuesday's resturant. Basically, I'm open to anything/anywhere you've seen/heard the real Elvis or a look alike or his image. Funny. Quirky. Unusual. Specatuclar. Endearing. I'm open. Think hard. Elvis' image is everywhere. We all have to have had some kind of Elvis sighting. Agree?

And don't forget to enter the contest at www.sherryjames.com

Sherry

Elvis Contest--ENTER NOW!

Hey, Readers.

Again, I apologize for the delay in updating my blog. It's been a tough month. My dad passed away on November 12th, and as you can imagine, I have had other things on my mind. But my dad was a writer, too, and he would want me to move ahead and get busy promoting my new Studs for Hire book, Woman in Charge. So to help do that I'm hosting an Elvis contest on my web site . Hop on over to www.sherryjames.com to get entered. You could be the winner of an autographed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, Christmas Chocolates, AND a cool Elvis Guitar ornament! All just in time for Christmas. The Contest runs Nov. 23 - Dec. 23, 2007. Oh, and btw, you can get your name in the hat twice, too! Check out all the details on my web site to find out how.

Have you experienced an Elvis sighting? If so, you can share all the details with me here, or email me at sherryjames@hamilton.net and I'll post all sightings on my web site.

Good Luck with the Contest!
Sherry

Elvis is Coming!

An Elvis contest that is! Keep watching because I'm going to kick off the release of my new book, Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, with an Elvis Contest. You could win an autographed copy of Woman in Charge, and an Elvis Guitar ornament that just happens to be an Elvis Presley signature product. Woo-Hoo!

Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge
Has Elvis really left the building . . . or is his spirit playing matchmaker?Black Velvet Seductions, November 2007

Off to See Stephanie Bond!

Hey, bloggers!

I'm sorry I've been absent for a few days, but my father has been ill and in the hospital. I am just now catching up on a few things and getting back to some normal "writer stuff"! I'm excited that this weekend I'm going to get the chance to attend a two day writer's retreat featuring author Stephanie Bond! I have heard Stephanie speak many times on tape from the RWA conferences, but I've never had the chance to hear her in person. She does some great talks on not only the craft of writing, but the business side as well. This Saturday she'll be talking about the difference between a good book and a great book, self-editing, and minding your writing business. Look out Stephanie! I have a few questions for you.

I'm also looking forward to a girl's night out with two of my writing pals, Margaret and Noelle. I'm sure we'll do a lot of brainstorming and share a ton of laughs. Ah, this means no cooking, and no wrangling the kids! Woo-hoo! But I'm sure very little sleep. ;-)

So, are you a Stephanie Bond fan? If so, tell me which books of hers are your favorites. I personally can't wait to get signed copies of her two Voodoo books---In Deep Voodoo, and Finding Your Mojo. Right now I'm in the process of reading Got Your Number!

And just a quick heads-up. I have a new contest coming to my website, http://www.sherryjames.com, in November. Be sure to check in to see how you can win a signed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge and other goodies!

Sherry

EPONA Horse Rescue

Ever since I was a little girl I've been a horse lover. I was born around horses, grew up on horses, and I still own horses. They truly are one of the most magnificent animals to gallop across our planet. But unfortunately, horses are not immune to the abuse and neglect some people choose to inflict upon them. However, there is hope. Earlier this year I became acquainted with Lin Beaune of EPONA Horse Rescue. Lin is truly making a difference to save the lives of many, many horses. Like many rescue organizations, Lin's survives mainly on adoptions, and of course, donations. I'm proud my publisher, Black Velvet Seductions, has been helping with the cause.

Right now Epona is holding a raffle as another means to raise funds. If you are a horse lover and are in the market for a nice saddle, please consider buying a ticket! First prize is your choice of a 15" Circle Y Western saddle or an Australian Snowy River Outback saddle. These saddles were donated by a generous woman from North Carolina and are in excellent condition. Saddles can be seen at www.eponahorserescue.com. Tickets are $5 each and can be ordered on line by emailing Epona Horse Rescue at eponahorserescue@msn.com and paying through Pay Pal. Or you can write to Epona and mail your order to :

Epona Horse Rescue
PO Box 2618
Kearney Ne 68848

They are also holding a Open House Buffet on Saturday, November 3, 6-10 PM at the Brewers Coffee House in Minden, NE. Tickets for the buffet are $10.00 per person. The raffle drawing for the saddles will be held that evening. You need not be present to win. Thanks for listening!

"The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse."---Lord Palmerston

Author Sponsored Contests Poll WINNER!

Hey! First of all, a great big thanks to all of you who took the time to stop by and vote in my poll, and to post comments. I got some terrific feedback. Thank you, thank you. This will help make planning my November contest so much easier.

And now. For the moment you've all been waiting for! The winner of the fun Halloween Goodie bag is---(imagine drum roll here)

GIN!!!

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations, Gin! Please email me at sherryjames@hamilton.net with your snail mail address so I know where to send your Tricks & Treats!

Again, thanks, everyone! This was fun. Keep your eyes open from more fun stuff to come in the near future!

Sherry

Author Sponsored Contests Poll

The upcoming release of my third book, Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, means that I'm gearing up for a new contest! Yes, that's right, you could be the winner of some great prizes this coming November. But first, I wanted to find out exactly just how much work readers are willing to go to win a prize. Please take the poll on the right. And if you feel compelled to give me more input by posting comments here, that would be fantastic. I'd love to hear what you all think. Are you willing to go the extra mile to enter? If yes, what prompts you to do so? The fun of it? The chance to win something marvelous? And if not, let me know that too. Is your computer time limited? No patience for that kind of stuff? Be honest. Where do you typically hear about contests? Author's web site, friends, review sites, author's e-newsletter? For all of you who post a comment here on my blog, I'll put your name in the hat for a fun Halloween Goodie Bag full of tricks & treats! Don't dally though. The poll closes on October 8, 2007. I can't wait to hear from you!

Love them Cowboys!

I make no secret of it. I love Cowboys! To me there is just something about a nice fittin' pair of Wrangler jeans on a man, a sexy smile on his face shadowed by the brim of his hat, and a teasing glint in his eye. Add in the fact he can handle animals weighing in at over 1,000 lbs, ride a horse at breakneck speed, and still be gentle and caring with his woman, oh boy, the true American cowboy is number one in my book! So, it's only natural I write books about cowboys. My first published book featuring a cowboy hero is Cowboy Fling. I'm thrilled I've gotten such great reviews on this book. But I was even more thrilled that many of the reviewers found my hero, Lane Hart, so sexy. Nicole of www.mybookcravings.com said,

"Oh, God. Lane, what can I say, he is a "piece" of man that any woman would want."

Thanks, Nicole. It's nice to know I did all right in creating Lane Hart. Of course, I had a little help from George Strait. George was my primary inspiration for Lane. And what great inspiration. One of the things I love about George is that he is a true cowboy. He's not just a country singer putting on a hat to create a look. George is truly all that the hat stands for and more.

Now, that I'm working on Country Fling, the sequal to Cowboy Fling, I'm looking for a second cowboy to give me my inspiration in creating another sexy, wonderful hero to match wits with Dorie Holister, my heroine. I'm sure Vin Sheridan, my hero, will still have a little George Strait in him, but he's going to be more of the brooding/lost soul type of guy. Do you have a favorite cowboy who fits that mold? It can be a real cowboy, or a TV/movie cowboy. I loved Kevin Coster in Wyatt Earp, and in Open Range. Be still my heart! And I loved both Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer in Tombstone. And of course, I'm a huge fan of The Magnificent Seven TV series. In fact, my hero takes his first name from one of the cowboys on that show. Oh, and I love all the men on Bonanza! Someday I'm going to write a series of historicals with my own Cartwright/Magnificent Seven type of men populating a massive ranch. But that's another post.

So, tell me what cowboys you think are sexy and why? I can't wait to hear from you!
Happy Trails,
Sherry

Office View

I think it's always kind of fun to discover where fellow writers create their amazing stories. Many love coffee shops, but since I'm not a coffee drinker that holds no appeal for me. I prefer the solitfude of my own home. These days I mainly write my books on my lap top so I can be portable. With small kids, being portable is very important! I need to be near where the action is. But when I can, I go to the quiet of my office, carting the lap top with me. This is where my desk top computer sits waiting for me, too. I handle the majority of the business side of writing on my desk top. I like keeping that precious lap top as clutter free as possible! Plus there's something mental about keeping the lap top for writing only. I try not to play there. That's reserved for my main computer. My desk top computer also handles all of the email I receive, is the holding cell for all the web sites I maintain, and dutifully stores all the photos I take, plus is the home of my book covers, pub photos and all that good stuff.

One of the things I love about my office is the view I have. Especially this time of the year. It might not be a mountain top dusted with snow, or a lake dotted with sparkling gems courtesy of the sun, but to me, it's just as beautiful. It's a corn field. Yes, that's right. A corn field. I get to look over a vast field of corn and watch its progress throughout the growing season. I get to witness the first sprouts of spring, the first touches of yellow as the tassels emerge, and watch the deep, rich green of the leaves transform to a sea of gold that puts me in the mood for scarecrows and pumpkins. I love to watch the late afternoon/evening sun highlight the west side of the trees and throw shadows to the east and across the road. On days the weather cooperates, I love to open the window and be serenaded by a chorus of crickets chirping. They are usually accompanied by a little wind rustling through those drying corn stalks, making a beautiful autumn song. An extra bonus is the feel of the cooler breezes sneaking in and wrapping around me. Add a little music, a favorite candle, and I'm ready to write my fingers to the bone!

Do you have a favorite view that inspires you?

The Fun of Book Trailers

Okay, I'm finally getting back to actually posting on my blog. I've spent the last week tweaking, searching for just the right look that reflects me. I think I've found it. Anyway, today I'm excited to talk about book trailers. They are the newest, hottest trend in promoting books. They are basically like a movie trailer and are designed to give you a brief, but exciting synopsis of the book that it will, hopefully, intrigue you so much you can't live unless you read that story!

Being the creative soul that I am, I couldn't resist the temptation to do my own book trailers. I've done one so far for my first Ellora's Cave release, Cowboy Fling. After a lot of trial and error, I (for the most part) figured out the software and managed to create a trailer that reflects the book really well. It's short, snappy and fun. The biggest challenge was figuring out how to convert the trailer to the proper file formats for the various sights like Google video, Yahoo video, and You Tube, which I still haven't mastered. I think my choice of software has something to do with my troubles with You Tube. But I'll keep hunting and pecking in my software and hopefully will find a way.

Now that I have a cover for my new Studs for Hire book, Woman in Charge, I'm going to be creating a trailer for the Stud series. Keep your eyes open! My challenge so far with that trailer is finding just the right music. I did find one, but sorry, I have a hard time paying sixty bucks for 30 seconds worth of music. Guess I didn't like the tune THAT much! So, it's back to searching.

So, tell me what you like about book trailers? Live action? Still photos? Dramatic or upbeat music? Do you have a favorite book trailer? If so, tell me about it. Inquiring minds want to know! And enjoy Cowboy Fling!

Sherry

Getting my feet wet!

Well, I've finally taken the plunge! I've jumped into the blogger world. It's taken me a while to get here, but then, good things come to those who wait! Actually, I had to finish my last book, Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, before I could take the time to explore all this fun stuff. Duty calls. I do web site work as a sideline, to help support my ficiton habit, but this is my first foray into the blogger world. Hang in there with me as I find my way around this territory.

And since the purpose of my blog is to connect with you, the readers, I want you to let me know what you'd like to see here. And please feel free to ask me about my books, characters, writing process, life in general, and what brand of beer I drink!

Sherry