Happy Fall!

It's now fall and Halloween is just around the corner. Once again it's been a while since I last posted. I apologize for being absent so much, but my dear mom passed away on Sept. 3rd, so I've had a major life change. It hasn't been easy, and I miss her more than I can say. In a case like this, there are simply no words to describe what I feel. But, I'm plugging along and managing to get some writing done. I completed a novella, More Than Eight Seconds, and it's with my publisher now. I hope to have more news to share with you soon about this story. I loved writing it, and I love my hero Devlin McCord. He's a hot, sexy professional bull rider, so hold onto your chaps!

Right now I'm working on finishing up the sequel to Cowboy Fling. Hopefully you'll see Country Fling in print soon. It's taken me longer than I anticipated to get this story done, but if you've read any of my previous posts, you can understand why. Life really can be a bowl of pits sometimes.

At any rate, I hope to get back to a regular blogging schedule starting November 1. And, I'm thinking I might host some kind of contest to kick things off again. I'm not sure what, but I'll do something. Keep watching.

Life

Okay. I admit it! I've been a very bad blogger for the last few months. I apologize for not updating since June. Bad me! But, in my defense, I have to say I've had a lot going on in my personal life this past year. After my dad passed away last November, I was so in hopes that life would settle down and every one in my family would be happy and healthy. Unfortunately that wasn't meant to be. Two of my oldest brothers both ended up in the hospital at different times, (one with a broken bone, the other with Rocky Mountain Spotted fever) we had major water issues in our basement this past spring, my third brother is still struggling through a divorce, and and if all of that isn't enough, my mom was diagnosed with cancer at the end of July. That, let me tell you, was a major blow to all of us. She's hardly been sick a day in her life. At the moment she is doing realtively well and I say my prayers for her every day. After a couple of stays in the hospital we had to move her from the farm to a nursing home so she could get the proper care she needs. I now oversee all her financial needs, and we are in the process of getting the farm cleaned up and ready to be sold next spring. Major life changes for all of us. And not one I ever, ever looked forward to. That was always some day in the distant future. But unfortunately someday is here. The years fly by so fast. Heck, seems like I was in second grade just yesterday. Where did the time go?

Around all of life's chaos I am managing to still write, although at a slower pace than I like. I hope to have news of a new book soon. I'll keep you posted the best I can. But if I'm absent from this blog again for a while, please understand.

On a positive note, it's time to start thinking about fall and all the great books coming out we'll be able to snuggle up with soon. Now, that is something to look forward to!

A Triple Crown Winner in 2008?

Secretariat, circa 1973


Okay, I have to admit it. My heart is lodged in my throat and it will stay there until the Belmont Stakes, the final race in the Triple Crown, is in the history books. Those who know me know that I’m a big horse racing fan, and in honor of Big Brown’s run for the Crown I just had to blog about it.

It’s been thirty years since Affirmed and Alydar battled each other in all three legs of the Triple Crown, and I watched every second with my nose pretty much pressed against the TV screen. You couldn’t drag me away. I had to watch it down to the wire and see Affirmed become only the 11th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. And ok, I had a huge crush on Affirmed’s jockey, Steve Cauthen, but that’s not what this is about. Those races were thrilling, exciting, and fantastic to watch. They still make my heart race today when I go back and watch them. To me there is just something about these magnificent animals stretching all out, hooves thundering, battling each other for the lead and ultimately the win.
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But have you ever had the privilege of watching the great horse Secretariat run the 1973 Triple Crown races? I watched them again this morning on YouTube, mainly to see how Big Brown’s first two wins stack up in comparison to Secretariat’s wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and thought, hmm… Maybe?

But I also found myself, once again, watching in utter amazement and cheering on a horse who’d raced his heart out 35 years ago. By the time Secretariat had made racing history and winning the Belmont by an astounding, unheard of 31 lengths, I had tears streaming down my face. I know it sounds crazy to get so emotional about a horse race, but well, those races were incredible. Secretariat was incredible.

I’ve watched Big Brown run the first two legs, and win handily both times, and I just haven’t been able to stop wondering if we’re watching a horse here that is reminiscent of Secretariat. Granted, there will only be one Secretariat. No horse will ever fill his horseshoes. But it looks like to me that Big Brown does have the potential to place his own pair of shoes into the annuals of racing history. He is big, he’s bold, you can see he has heart, and he loves to run. And he loves to come from behind, take the lead, and then command it down to the wire. Looks very familiar.

But will it happen? Can Big Brown really do it? Ten horses in the past 30 years have won both of the first two legs of the Triple Crown only to lose the glory in the Belmont. At a mile-and-a-half, the Belmont is a long, grueling race. Sure, Big Brown has it all, but does he have enough of it all to make the trip and be first across the wire? If he does, not only will his stud fee take a huge increase, but he will firmly lock those special shoes of his in the records of not only horse racing history, but American history. Wow. It really makes me want to get cracking on the series of horse racing romances I’ve been wanting to write.

What do you think? Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown? Or will 2008 be one more year of almost, but not quite?

SOS Mixer Contest Winner--Is it You?

I'm proud to be one of the sponsoring authors of the Romantic Times SOS Military Mixer held each year at the RT Convention. I wasn't able to attend this year in Pittsburg, so fellow SOS sponsor, Julie Miller, joined forces with me to do a little something extra. We hosted a special SOS Mixer Military Contest that all attendees could enter.

And we have our winner! Woo-Hoo! We would like to congratulate SGT John Cashenfs of the U.S. Army! John will be receiving a care package of goodies from us. "Keep on rolling," John!

If you look closely at the picture, you'll see that handsome man is none other than the King of romance novel covers, and "I can't Believe It's Not Butter" fame, Fabio! Fabio made it a speical point to attend the Mixer this year, and now I'm really bummed I couldn't go!

But I have to say it truly is an honor and a privilage for me to give back what I can to our troops. After all, they give and sacrifice so much for us and our Country. God Bless them all!

Romantic Times SOS Military Mixer Contest, April 19- May 3rd

For the second year in a row I'm one of the sponsoring authors of the Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention SOS Military Mixer held April 19th in Pittsburg, PA. I feel it's very important to support and thank our men and women who have worked hard, and sacrificed so much, to keep the good ol' USA safe for all of us. So if you are in the Military, have served in the past, or have a loved one who has served, you were welcome to join the event! Saturday, April, 19th, 4 -5 PM, Hilton Pittsburgh, 600 Commonwealth Place.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to attend in person this year, so I've teamed up with good pal and critique partner, Julie Miller, to bring you a special little SOS contest. If you attended, I hope you were amongst the lucky ones to receive a red, white or blue goody bag from me, or one of Julie's books, in your BIG goody bag. In that bag/book you will find a card with information about the SOS contest and the code you need to enter. Email me with that code, and Julie and I will put your name into the hat for a very special Military Care Package. Deadline to enter is April 30th.

Thank You for your service to our Country. God Bless You!

Sherry

Looking for help from Readers

Readers, I need your help! I am doing research for an article I am writing about the promotional value of authors hosting their own contests for the September issue of the Romance Writers Report. If you’ve ever read a book, entered a readers’ contest or thought about entering one, I’d love to have some feedback from you. You may answer any or all of the questions, or just share what you think.

1. Have you ever entered an author-sponsored contest?

2. If so, why? The prize? Getting to know a new author? Keeping tabs on a favorite author? Contest junkie? etc.?

3. What prizes draw you to a contest? Free book(s)? New releases? Backlist titles? Pampering gifts like chocolate or lotions? A unique gift? etc.?

4. If/when you enter the contest, do you take some time to explore the author’s website?

5. Has entering or winning a contest ever led you to discovering a new author whose books you will read, check out and/or purchase in the future?

6. Does a repeat regularity of an author’s contest (monthly/seasonally/with each book/etc.) get you into the habit of coming back to check his/her website on a regular basis? Or does the frequency of a contest make it lose its luster for you?

7. Any particular perks or peeves about author-sponsored contests you’d like to share?

Thanks for your help!

Sherry James

Pot O' Gold Contest & More!

My Pot O' Gold contest is offically over. My thanks to all of you who entered. I have drawn two winners this time, and they will each get to choose between Studs for Hire: Woman on Top, or Studs for Hire: Woman in Charge, in e-format.

Drum Roll!!!!

Congratulations to Sue Ahn, and Cynthya Petzen! Woo-Hoo! Contact me and tell me your book preference.

I'll be hosting another contest sometime this summer, so keep a look out for that. But in the meantime, I'm interested in what you'd like to see for my next contest. This is going to be a readers's choice contest. You tell me what you'd like to see for a prize, (within reason, sorry no cars, money or diamonds etc., hey, I'm a starving author!) I'm looking more for prize ideas like book choice, chocolates, coffee, etc. I'd also like you'd to tell me how you want to play the contest. Do you want to read an excerpt and answer a question? Go on another scavenger hunt? Simply enter your name in the drawing? Or do you have another fun, fabulous idea? I'm all ears. Please share. I want to hear from you, the readers!

Sherry