Finishing a book!

Hey, just a quick note as the the next couple of days will be super busy. I'm getting close to finishing my latest book. It's another novella with the working title of The Cowboy and the Hellcat! This time I ventured back to my first love, historical romance. It's a western set in the Nebraska territory during the winter of 1860. Keep your fingers crossed it gets accepted. I'll keep you posted.

BTW, next weekend the hubby and I are leaving on vaction for Memphis, Nashville, and Lousiville, KY. I can't wait. It's a solo trip for us two. The kids are staying with grandparents! I'm sooo looking forward to having some down time and seeing new places. I hope to blog along the way and post some pix for your enjoyment.

Time to get the kiddies to bed.

Chatting Tonight!

Hey, Readers!
I just wanted to let you all know that I and my fellow Black Velvet Seductions authors will be chatting tonight at the Author Island Yahoo group. You will need to subscribe to the list to participate. The link is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AuthorIslandChat/

But everyone, and I mean EVERYONE who stops by for the chat will receive a free e-book of their choice from my publisher, Black Velvet Seductions! How awesome is that?! It's a great way to add to your summer reading list.

So, stop on by for some fun. We'll be posting excerpts and answering all your burning questions, plus you'll get a FREE book of your choice! I hope to see you there.

Recovered from RT?

Well, I've been home from the RT BOOKreviewers convention for two weeks now, although it seems like months--gee, what's that say about my life?! But I guess I can say I'm pretty much recovered from the trip to Orlando. RT is always a good time with all the happenings going on like meeting readers and booksellers, wild parties, swimming at midnight, and of course, all the hunky cover models running around providing for some great eye candy! And just in case you're wondering, no, I didn't go swimming with any of those hunky models at midnight. Darn.

For me, one of the highlights of this year's convention was just being in the company of my fellow EC authors and enjoying all the great stuff EC did for us. It really was a thrill to walk across stage with a hunky guy and be recognized at the Ellora's Cave Jungle Fantasy party. And I didn't even make a fool of myself by tripping and smacking my face on the floor! Give me a pat on the back!

But it was also fun to see my name in bold letters lining the entrance way into the ballroom. I couldn't resist a picture by my paw for the fun of it. Hey, it's as close as I'll ever get to a Hollywood Walk of Fame! My good friend, Julie Miller, said the picture reminded her of one of the pin-up girls from the 40's, you know, like Betty Grable. Wow! What a nice compliment.

I was more involved in this RT convention then ever before. Besides the EC party, I also presented a workshop, signed at the E-book signing, was a sponsor for the SOS Military Mixer, and made an appearence at Club RT. I gave away T-shirts, a gift basket, and quite a few little goodie bags. It was a great convention, a great trip, and I'm so glad I went. I was in need of a little R & R from the demands of two kids, seven horses, and three dogs. And my hubby was a real sweetheart for picking up the slack in my absence.

One of my favorite workshops this year was the cover model shoot. Wow. You talk about hot! But I'll save that for a post later this week. I'll even post a picture so you have an idea what I'm talking about.

Have you ever been to an RT Convention? If so, what was your favorite thing about it? If not, would you like to go, and why? Free books? Meet your favorite authors? Dance until midnight each night?

Love Cowboys??

Me bad. It's been months since I last posted. Sorry about that. But I have been busy writing, having a new brand created, and attending the RT BOOKreviewers convention in Orlando! I also have a new book coming out later this year. Woo-Hoo! If you love cowboys, get ready to saddle up for a sizzlin' ride with Devlin McCord in Eight Seconds. You'll find this hot, sexy cowboy and his story in the Ellora's Caveman Flavors of Ecstasy Anthology, Vol. III in September.

To celebrate my new brand and new book, I've decided to freshen up my blog a bit. I'll also be redoing my web site in the coming months. So keep an eye out for that. To celebrate I'll be hosting some contests this summer. I'll be giving away Sherry James T-Shirts, Ellora's Cave card decks, and who knows what else! In the mean time, I promise to be a better blogger!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it. 2009 is already here. Wow. In another year we'll almost be through the first decade of the 21st Century. Seems like just yesterday we were all worried about the Y2K stuff.

Since it's a new year, as usual, I have many goals I hope to accomplish in the coming months. Hopefully this year will be less stressful and I can get my writing career back on track---that not only includes seeing a couple of books published this year, but getting my personal writing schedule on a consistent schedule. I've learned over the years that in this business consistency is one the big keys to success. As a writer you have to write consistently, submit consistently, and have books published consistently to develop that coveted readership.

I also just bought a new horse! Yes, I'm so excited. So, I hope to spend a lot more time in the saddle this year. One of these days I'll post some pix of my horse family for you to see.

In the meantime, what are some of your plans/goals for 2009? Have you been writing a book, but have yet to submit? Maybe this is the year to take that plunge. After all, you can't sell a book if you don't submit it to a publisher. Speaking of publishers. I'd better get busy. I have revisions to finish on Eight Seconds!

Nebraska Finishes Strong at the WNFR!

Well, the 2008 WNFR is in the history books. I watched as much as ESPN would allow while nursing a cold from you know where. I’m proud to say the Nebraska cowboys and cowgirls did pretty darn good, too. First off, my congratulations go out to Kristin Schott, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, for finishing in the Top 10 of the Miss Rodeo America pageant. That’s no small feat, let me tell ya. Way to go, Kristin.

Also, a big congratulations goes out to Steven Dent. Steven not only finished second in the Bareback Riding at the WNFR, but it looks like he’s finishing the year in second place for the All-Around title as well. Yee-Haw! Dean Gorsuch also finished second in the Steer Wrestling, and Todd Suhn finished ninth. Wow! Again, no small feet. These cowboys are the best of the best. Long Live Those Nebraska Cowboys! Check out www.prorodeo.com for all the final results and some great pix as well.

As a writer I’m always on the look out for inspiration and I can certainly find it at prorodeo.com. Well, and mix in a few pix of George Strait, Dierks Bentley and Elvis Presley and I’m set. Speaking of inspiration, now that I have it for the morning, I’d better put it to good use writing. I have two manuscripts I need to finish by January 15th. Can I do it? You bet I can! I hope. ;)

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Underway!

I'm in Heaven! The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas, and since I love Cowboys, I'm excited. And hats off to Nebraska Cowboy, Steven Dent! Steven finshed second in the first go-round of the Bareback riding last night. And to further toot Steven's horn, he's currently leading the World in Bareback, and is second in the All-Around! Yee-Haw, Steven!

Also, a big good luck to Kristin Schott, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, during this week's Miss Rodeo America competition. MRA 2009 will be crowned on Saturday, Dec. 6th. I'm pullin' for ya, Kristin!

I just wish I could have made the trip to Vegas to enjoy all the excitment of the 50th Anniversary of the National Finals. Oh, well. Maybe next year. Right now I have books to finish! BTW, my lifelong love of rodeo, the western way of life, and hours spent in the saddle are what helps me write those steamy cowboy books for you all. Keep a sharp eye out for Eight Seconds coming soon from Ellora's Cave. If you love bull riders, you'll love Devlin McCord in Eight Seconds.

And don't worry, if you enjoyed Cowboy Fling, the sequel, Country Fling, is close to being done. I hope to have it into my editor very soon.

So, if you're a lover of cowboy/western romances, contemporary or historical, what is it about this sub-genre that you love so? Yes, there is just something majorly sexy about a man in a cowboy hat, a nice fittin' pair of jeans and chaps, but that's just the surface. What else attracts you to the cowboy? Is he a man of mystery for you? Is he forbidden? Untamable? Is it his code of honor? Let me hear from you!