Monday, June 26, 2006

Novella

One of my pals read my novella & loved it. As this was my first novella I wasn't sure how it would go, but I loved writing it & had lots of fun. My pal said my hero was yummy & I have to agree. I think I fell a little bit in love with him. Which is a good thing because if I can't fall for my heroes how can I expect anyone else to, right? Anyway this guy is fab and totally in tune with a woman's needs and is a total man's man, too. Honestly, I think I like him better than any hero I've ever written..and that's saying a lot as I usually fall for them all...take Jude for example. (That book is still out with the publishers. I'm hoping it's a good sign that it's been there for a few months. Keep your fingers crossed!) And of course Rob was scrumptious. And Noah--Noah is from a book my editor rejected because it wasn't a big enough plot, but I adore that story. Anyway, you get the drift--my novella hero is HOT STUFF.

I used Goran Visnjic as my hero in my novella. Not his ER look, but his Spartacus look. He was on the cover of TV Week & I LOVE that picture and from the moment I saw it I knew that man was going to be between my covers...I mean that I was going to write a story with him as my hero. ;)

I couldn't find the photo online & my scanner doesn't work, but here's the closest to the photo that I can find. :) Enjoy. & shhhhhhh, no one tell Matthew that I once again wrote a story without him as the hero...I'm saving him until I write my breakout novel that hits the Times list. ;)

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Bell Buckle Cafe



The 2 youngest kids & I went with my Mom & Dad & Grandparents to Bell Buckle today. It's a small historic town mostly filled with antique shops. There's a restaurant there called the Bell Buckle Cafe that's infamous for their yummy food. It was fabulous!

Here's a few of the rest of that strip...which is pretty much the entire town. :)


And what small town Tennessee restaurant is complete without a Moon Pie display????



Here's my favorite gift shop there, just because I love the name. :)


If you're ever in Middle Tennessee, be sure to stop in at the Bell Buckle Cafe for some down home cooking & to check out all the antique shops. :)

Monday, June 19, 2006

Taps

First off, I have no eartly idea if this is true or not, but it fascinated me & I wanted to share it. If any of Iyou know if it's true or not, please share that info with me. :)

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.


Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:



We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.



But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.



Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.



During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.



When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.



The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.



The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted.



The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.



The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.



But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.



The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform.



This wish was granted.



The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born.



The words are :



Day is done..

Gone the sun.

From the lakes.

From the hills.

From the sky.

All is well.

Safely rest.

God is nigh.



Fading light.

Dims the sight.

And a star.

Gems the sky.

Gleaming bright.

From afar.

Drawing nigh.

Falls the night.



Thanks and praise.

For ourdays.

Neath the sun.

Neath the stars.

Neath the sky.

As we go.

This we know.

God is nigh.



I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.



I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.



Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Happy Father's day!


I wasn't sure if I'd make it online today or not, but here I am. :)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!! to all the fatherss out there that are more than biological contributers, but are truly dads. :)

In the spirit of the day, I'm going to post a pic of Jude Law rather than my darling Matthew as Jude has a reputation of being a great dad. :)

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Without A Paddle

My oldest two, hubby & I just watched this movie tonight & I laughed my butt off. Too funny. Actually, I really enjoyed the friendship that the creators set up. Made me smile with memories of childhood friendships and where we are now.

Hubby & the two oldest leave for a week of camping tomorrow--which adds to the humor of watching Without A Paddle. Hopefully, their week will go a bit smoother. :)

The younger two & I are roughing it at home with the air conditioning, take-out, & remote control....what? you're not feeling my pain? Okay, so mostly I'll be at work, the kids will be with Grandma, & our evenings will be spent at the ballpark, Boy Scouts, Gymnastics, Cheerleading, and so forth. Yeah, NOW you feel my pain. ;)

Have a great rest of the weekend & Happy Father's Day to my Dad & all the other dads out there!!!!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Bonnaroo!

Well, there are an extra 80,000+ people in the town where I live. That's over triple the population for the entire county. Why would that many people travel from all over to visit a small middle Tennessee town? For the 5th year of a Woodstock like concert that lasts for several days called Bonnaroo. I've never been although I love some of the bands that are there. In the past, some of my 80's favorites like Joan Jett & the Blackhearts and Rick Springfield have been there. Lots & lots of other big name bands old & new. This year, the name that caught my eye that I'd like to see was Nickel Creek. I saw them play at an Amy Grant Christmas concert and their pure love of what they were doing hooked me. When I hear a song by them, I remember the joy and enthusiasm with which they played. It was magic just to watch them. Someday when they're playing at a smaller event I'm going to go watch them again. I hope they never lose that special high just from doing what they love because it's amazing just to watch them. My hubby & I both were impressed by the way they put themselves into the music they played. If you ever get a chance to go see them, definitely do.

I often think about watching them play when I hit a particular high with my writing. Not that I dance around and sing (well, okay, sometimes I do, but we should so not talk about that!), but that I literally feel like I'm floating when I get a scene just right or when I've finished a book that I love. Every person should have something in their life that brings them such pleasure. :)

Speaking of pleasure, I've started a new book. :)

Off to watch my daughter's softball game. :) Go A Winning Attitude. Isn't that just the coolest name for a team?

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Ack! A whole week...


Wow. I've been negligent on posting lately. Baseball is winding down..okay, my youngest lost tonight & was put out of the tournament, so it is over. Softball, we still have a few games, were tied for first, but lost to that team & as of the moment are in 2nd. Hopefully, we'll end the season without slipping into third. Either way my daughter has had a great first year of playing & I'm very proud of her. Of all my kids, for doing their best.

I turned in a completed super sexy novella to my agent on Monday, plus another proposal. Hoping to hear good things on that soon. :) I'd never written a futuristic before & discovered world building was fun. Okay, so the sexy hero was what I found so fun, but y'all already knew that, right? ;) I've started another Blaze proposal & hope to finish that up soon & get it to her as well.

Have gotten some fun emails where JANE MILLIONAIRE won Best First Book in the 2006 Golden Quill. Yes, I am still dancing on the ceiling over that. :)

Oh! I am still exercising at least 5 days a week & guess what???? When I got on the scales last week & this week, I'd lost weight both times!!! I started exercising at the end of February & my weight had stayed the same for so long that I was ready to pull my hair out (however my cholesterol did drop over 70 points). Finally, the weight is starting to decrease. So, for those of you who are like me & it takes over 3 months of faithful exercise (hey, I spent an hour & twenty minutes in the gym this morning on my day off) before the weight goes down, don't give up hope. It will eventually happen. :)

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

His Royal Love Child by Lucy Monroe

His Royal Love Child by Lucy Monroe is in Bookstores Now


The Scorsolini Princes: proud rulers and passionate lovers, they need convenient wives!
Danette Michaels knew the rules when she became Principe Marcello Scorsolini’s secret mistress. There would be no marriage, no future, no public acknowledgement. All she’'d have was his hard Sicilian body and his undivided passion. At the time, it was enough.
But Danette can’t be a dirty little secret any longer. She wants all or nothing – and that means their affair is over.
Until a pregnancy test changes everything…


For those of you who don't recall, Lucy very generously donated copies of Ready and Willing to the Lymphomia Society Auction. I really appreciate Lucy's generosity & hope you'll check out this awesome book.

Oh, & I just have to say that I had one of those giddy moments inWal-mart tonight. I was standing in the book section & saw Learning Curves by Terry McLaughlin, The Heart's Homecoming by Merrillee Wren, Rhonda Nelson's latest (an Out of Uniform Blaze!), Rita Herron's latest, & several others by authors I personally knew. My 8 yr old daughter just stared at her silly mom cause I really did giggle. How cool that I work in a profession that allows me to meet & know these wonderful ladies & writers??!!!



Sunday, June 04, 2006

2006 Golden Quill Awards! Jane Millionaire wins Best First Book!!

OMG! I'm happy dancing in Tennessee!! I just got notified that JANE MILLIONAIRE won the Best First Book category of the 2006 Golden Quill Awards! I can't believe it!!! I ended up entering Jane in four published contests, finaled in two, and unbelievably WON one! OMG!!!!

This calls for a Matthew celebration!!!

Friday, June 02, 2006

Murfreesboro, TN Booksigning at the Linebaugh Library on June 3rd

Hey! If you're in or around Murfreesboro tomorrow be sure to stop by the Linebaugh Library. I'll be signing copies of JANE MILLIONAIRE there from 12:30 till 2 PM. The booksigning is being hosted by Books-A-Million and is going to be lots of fun.

I've never done a booksigning at a library before so this signing is special to me. I've always loved libraries and just can't believe I'm really going to be signing books there tomorrow. Another really cool thing about the signing is that a drug rep mentioned to me that he'd seen my photo up in the library advertising the signing. Totally surreal!!

Anyway, if you're in Murfreesboro, please say hello! Oh, and don't forget to get a copy of Jane. ;)