Westwood Freshman Formal

Jessie & Tyler showing off the corsages for their ladies.
The party gets started...
Put the phones away, boys!I think this is their mafia pose...
Line Dancing...
That's Jessie in the middle back. :) And here's a picture of him and his friend Tiffany...

South Beach Diet

So, y'all have listened to me whine over the past year about my weight. I'm still within the uppermost range of normal weight for my height, but that's only because I was blessed with heighth. Thank goodness. I've walked and walked with little to no results. I've given up cokes (my vice, I admit) for a month and watched my caloric intake with little to no results. I've had several good friends to do extremely well on the South Beach diet and they've convince me to try it with them. So 3 of us started it within the last week or so (they actually started a few days ahead of me). My LUCKY husband got to go on the diet with me by virtue of being my husband and my knowing I couldn't stick with the diet unless he and I were on the same page. I admit I've never been on a diet diet. Not one where I had a plan I had to stick with other than no sodas--the horror! ((yes, I very frequently tell patients to avoid these like the plague and I even limit myself and do not have sodas every day, but I'd sure like to. :) )) I'm almost done with day 3 on this diet and so far have stuck with the plan. The first two weeks are not easy. Not by a long stretch of the imagination. No breads, no pastas, no potatoes, no starches at all. Are you getting the picture here? Basically no carbs.

Honestly, the hardest part has been the no soda. I'm not a diet soda drinker and would rather have water than diet soda, so that's what I have. But I crave, crave, crave a Coca-cola. Yes, I really did give them up for an entire month (jan 2007) & gave them up completely with each pregnancy, also. But with giving up all carbs, I'm finding not having soda that much more difficult. Of course, I'm only on day 3 and suspect it'll get a bit easier around day 6 or 7...I hope. :)

I'm walking again. Not 20 miles a day. But I'm walking. So far my knee is holding out well. Yea! However, I'm thinking if someone would hire Matthew McConaughey as my personal trainer that I'd want to work out all the time and these extra pounds would just melt away, ya know? Hey, it's a thought & my motivation factor would certainly go WAY up. ;)

Missed me?

With a week in Washington DC with my oldest 2 boys & then 5 days in Gatlinburg, (8 days of which were with no internet!), & hubby gone to Edwards AFB for a month, I haven't blogged in a while. Bad me. :)

However, I did turn the third medical in on Friday night. :) Yea! I'm really excited to have that one done. And of course, I've started the 4th one already. Also, I'm plotting a YA just because I had so much fun spending the week in DC with 12 teenagers. Was interesting. Made me feel older than the hills, but interesting. :)

Tonight, I'm finishing up taxes. Such a procrastinator. :)

Oh! And this past week there was an article on moi & friends who've donated books & character names for my local Literacy chapter's fundraiser. I'll have more on this soon, plus a list of all the fabulous authors who've donated. :)

Fallen Behind...

I've been a bit swamped writing, working, and getting the kids' ball season started. Lots going on. I'm leaving for Washington DC in the morning thru Thursday and then on to Gatlinburg for four days if all works out.

I've had several ask me about my Laserquest experience--OMG! I love playing Lasertag. Love, love, love, love it! Has nothing at all to do wtih the fact that I WON. Yep, She-Devil got top score for the 27 people in her group. (8 of which was our group and the rest were strangers--a mix of men, women, and teenagers). AND I WON. Not just won, but my score was 793 and more than 300 points higher than the player who got 2nd place. AND, my score was high enough to put me in the TOP FIVE PLAYERS for the day. Oh yeah! I'm totally hooked and plan to go play with the kids this weekend in Gatlinburg. Of course I'll probably get my butt stomped because my teenage sons aren't pleased that Mom gave them a lasertag thrashing. ;) Actually, when we got finished playing I felt more relaxed than I had in weeks, maybe months. Too funny.

On the 3rd Medical. Sigh. The rough draft is done, but I'm still not happy with it. Not nearly good enough to send to my editor yet. It's definitely fixable, but I needed a break from it for a bit so I can look at it with a fresh eye. Plan to jump back in this week while in Washington. We'll see if that works out. :)

My dear pal Kimberly Brookes has not only won Harlequin's American contest, but she finaled in the Golden Heart!! Also my great pals Anna Sugden, Beth Burgoon, Sheila Rae Mohs, Trish Milburn, Mary Fechter, and Carla Hughes!! I'm so pleased! AND, as if that's not enough, Gemma Halliday finaled in the Rita with her fabulous book SPYING IN HIGH HEELS. I'm so psyched for her because she deserves every success and that book is so fabulous!!! Anyway, as you can tell, I'm very pleased with RWA's biggest, most prestigious contest results this year.

It was a little weird not being entered this year and not having to stress 'call day'. I imagine I won't be able to resist entering THE DOCTOR'S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL this year. Not that I expect to ever final in the RITA--that would be like too unbelievable--but I won't throw away the opportunity without ever trying, ya know?

Oh, I watched The Holiday the other night and just fell in love with Jude Law's character. What a perfect hero, flawed yet totally lovable. Totally. You might recall I had a brief Jude fling while writing a book a year or so ago and posted Jude pics rather than Matthew pics. I do find the man fabulously gorgeous in a completely different way from Matthew. What can I say? They both inspire me. :)

Off to pack and do all those last minute things before going out of town, but here's something yummy to keep you occupied while I'm away. :)

OOPS! Wrong Hottie. ;) Here's another. Yes, he's starring as a surfer dude and has the look, doesn't he?

LaserQuest

Looks like I'm off to play lasertag this weekend with a bunch of cool teenagers. Yes, I know, I'll totally kick their butt because that's what us older, creakier boned folks do--what??? You're not buying this? Alas, you're probably right. I'll likely get my patootie tagged quite often. My son #2 asked for a LaserQuest adventure as his birthday party, so that's why we're headed that direction. Actually, I think it'll be lots of fun.

I worked on Medical #3 again today. This book is giving me fits. I wrote both of the first two medicals in right at a month. A month has come and gone and this books isn't 1.) finished 2.) right as far as characterization and GMC and such. It's driving me batty. I have 208 pages written, which should be done, right???? But I'll end up cutting about 40 pages from this book which is huge cuts for me. :( Still, I know it needs it so I'd rather make the revisions and feel like I have it right prior to sending it to my editor and having her know what a crappy first draft I wrote this time around. Actually, the problem with this book is that I made my heroine too agressive. BIG SURPRISE, huh? For the Medical line I just don't get the impression this would work and because a lot of the plot seemed to hinge around her personality, when I change that, a lot of the scenes have to be rewritten. But finally after working on it today I have a clear picture in my head on where I need to go with it and how to keep the emotional punch high. These books are very emotional. Whereas JANE MILLIONAIRE was fun and light and sassy, my medicals are boohoo books. Okay, so that's what my first agent called the books I write that make people cry. They're supposed to be deeply emotional so that they touch your heart. I feel like I accomplished that with the first two, and after today, the foundation is in place for doing that with medical #3. If I don't injure myself playing lasertag on Saturday, I should finish this one within the next week. Yea!!!!

I plan to jump into some single title ideas I have once I get medical #3 off to my editor. So, basically, I had a good writing day although admittedly not enough time to write as much as I'd like. ((Breakfast with the parents, grocery shopping, running errands, lunch with parents & sister, taxi service for kids, dinner with hubby & kids, movie with hubby, gee, it's a wonder I got any writing done at all come to think of it. ;) ))

Uhm...wonder if Matthew likes Lasertag??? I'm thinking my aim might drastically improve if he was my target. I mean, that would be an excuse to keep him in my sights, right?

More Westwood Play Pictures

I sat in the back of the auditorium last night so that my tripod wouldn't bother anyone & I could keep an eye on it. Tonight I sat in the front row so I could get some good still pictures. They're definitely much, much better! The play was awesome and the kids did great.


Baker Pierre explains to the King that the cream puff cookbook sprouted legs and walked away (the cookbook was cursed by the Witch of All Witches).

Baker Pierre tells the King the secret ingredients of the cream puffs--cream & puffs.


After being ordered to take the cream puffs apart crumb by crumb with the help of the Herald, Baker Pierre is "pooped" & so is the Herald. They reportedly examined each and every crumb and deduced that the cream puffs are made up of "millions and millions of crumbs".


After the King's daughter rescues the cream puff recipe for the Witch of All Witches, Baker Pierre makes a new batch of cream puffs. They are superb. The lightest, most wonderful he's ever made (0f note, Baker Pierre & the King really did bake the cream puffs--yes, I am impressed by this and feel it deserves a second mention. ;) )


After the Witch of All Witches succumbs to the cursed cream puff, Baker Pierre hauls her off to the dungeon.


The Witch of All Witches little sister (who saved the princess from a poisonous concotion the WoAW tried to destroy her with) is dubbed the new Witch of All Witches.


The Page who wants to marry the princess is really a prince who wandered off in the forest at 2 yrs old. The new WoAW recognizes him.


The WoAW asks for the princess's former fiance so he can feed her bats. The king gives him to her. :)

Baker Pierre & the King enjoy a cream puff (that they baked themselves--yes, this impresses me. I've never made a cream puff before, but now that my son knows how... ;) ) And this is the end of the play. :) (And for all you writers out there, I basically just wrote a short synopsis of the play).


"Baker Pierre" presents Mrs. Robbins & Mrs. Wainwright with bouquets of roses.


The King presents Mr. Matthews with a cream puff.


Baker Pierre with 'his girls'.

Westwood Play

My son played the role of a baker in the school play tonight, The King's Creampuffs. They have a 2nd performance tomorrow night. He was awesome. Actually all the kids did a great, great job. Here's some pictures. :)

So very proud of them all, but particularly my Jessie! And for the record, he and the King really did bake the cream puffs prior to the play. :)

Romantic Weekend Get-away

Superman took me to the Opryland Hotel again this weekend. What an experience! I don't know exactly what he did but we got the royal treatment. The service was impeccable. From the time we checked in and they asked us if we'd like something to drink! to when we left our room that evening to go to dinner and came back to find they'd re-straightened the room while we were out, right down to opening the soaps and placing them in the dishes. We ate at the Old Hickory Steakhouse. Way too expensive for me to ever choose to eat there again, but again, the service was flawless. Superman's steak was really good and my smoked salmon was, too, but honestly when I get served a salad I just want a good old fashioned salad. Superman's came out as a 6th of a wedge of lettuce with some dressing and bacon sprinkled on the side. Mine was sun-dried tomatoes mixed with feta cheese & something else that I don't recall, with lettuce & potatoe sprigs on top with dressing to the side. Not that it was bad (although I don't particularly like sun-dried tomatoes--give me a juicy, home-grown one any day!), but it just wasn't my ideal salad. Country girl, I know.

The next day we went to the Guitar Center and bought my youngest son an acoustic Fender guitar. He was totally ecstatic when we gave it to him. It was a belated birthday gift that he knew was coming, just didn't know what. So cute to watch him play.

Superman and I also went to REI to check out the backpacking stuff, then on to the bookstore. That particular Borders had one copy of JANE MILLIONAIRE in stock. Still gives me a thrill to see a book I wrote on a bookstore shelf. I doubt that joy will ever cease because it just seems such a miracle.

My pal Tawny sent this photo to me--such a good friend!!! I'm not to sure she was impressed with his sense of fashion, but I, of course, think he's adorable. Oh, the tatoo on the arm is a fake for his up-coming surfer movie. Thank goodness because I'd hate the thought of him marring that bod!

I signed my Harlequin Contract!!!!

I'd meant to post more pics from the writers retreat, or even some of the fabulous photos my pal Tawny sent me of Matthew McConaughey surfing, but my Harlequin contract came today. So, what you see above is me signing the piece of paper that represents a 20+ years dream. I had to sign in triplicate so the below picture is also of me signing!!! How freaking cool is that?????
I pinch myself and just can't believe it's really happened. If you've ever wondered if dreams really can come true if you work hard and never give up---THEY CAN. THEY REALLY REALLY REALLY CAN. :)
And if signing my contract wasn't enough--I got the title & release date of my second book today! THE HEART SURGEON'S SECRET SON, February 2008. Yea!!!

MCRW Writer Retreat

Wow! This weekend was fabulous. I didn't make it down to the retreat until Saturday morning because of sick children, but it was well worth making the effort. Elaine Spencer and Candace Haven were the guests and WOW! Wow! WOW!
Candy is an absolute riot and so, so generous in her sharing of knowledge. Such a pleasure to meet. I can't wait to read her book Charmed and Dangerous. She describes it as Buffy meets James Bond. Way cool!!

Elaine Spencer is an agent at The Knight Agency, which is the fabulous agency I'm with. I've always liked Elaine and thought her a wonderful person, but OMG! she's also a talented speaker and her comments on pitching to editors & agents--if you ever get the chance to hear her speak, GO!!!! I was mega-impressed and so were quite a few of my chapter mates. :)

Although Candy's workshop was on the Fastdraft & to do so you write 20 pages a day no matter what, I haven't started it yet. I've got about 35 pages to go to finish medical #3 and plan to do this, polish it, and then plot my next single title. When I start writing on the single title, I hope to incorporate Candy's plan. :) Another workshop that if you ever get the opportunity to take, I highly recommend doing so.

Taking a weekend off...

It's rare a weekend goes by that I don't write at least something. Next weekend I'm going to a writer's retreat with the Music City Romance Writers and will be out of town so I pretty much took this past weekend off and spent the time with my family. It was a nice change of pace and I feel refreshed and ready to dig back into medical number 3. I'm over half finished with it and feel good about the characters and plot. I did work on some FTHRW board stuff & my monthly column I do for the newsletter. :)

Although I've been to numerous writing conferences, I've never gone to a retreat. Elaine Spencer from The Knight Agency is going to be there. I'm with TKA and look forward to spending time with Elaine. I'm hoping there will be lots of down time for actual writing. I'd love to finish this book. It's possible, although not likely unless there really is a lot of free time.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. Mine was fabulous. Got several Matthew things from pals--imagine! ;) And hubby came home for lunch and took me out to eat that evening. Plus, he's made reservations to take me back to the Opryland Hotel. Yea! You might recall he took me there for my birthday. I posted pictures here of some of the features. Lovely, lovely hotel and where the 2010 RWA conference will be held.

Harlequin American Contest!

I am about to bust because I had fabulous news earlier today and I can't wait to share it! My pal Lindsey Brookes WON the Harlequin American contest and got a call today from a Harlequin editor letting her know!! It's not a guaranteed sale, but ohmigosh is it close! You might recall that the fabulous Tawny Weber (no, I am not biased!) won the BLAZE contest and went on to sell to them. Actually she's sold 3 to them. :) And they are ALL awesome. :) It'll be the same from Lindsey because I've read what's written of this story & it is absolutely fabulous! I am so so so proud of her. :)

I have such talented friends. :)

I think even Matthew is excited about Lindsey's good news! ;)

Copy Edits

On Friday I got my second ever set of copy edits. I wasn't really expecting them so it was a nice surprise and makes the sale to Harlequin feel all the more real. Copy edits are a print out of the book with numbered pages and lines. A copy goes to me and to my editor and we get to proof it and I can request any necessary changes at this time. With Dorchester my copy edits were minimal. Very little of the book was changed from what I originally wrote. Very, very little. As in so little that I didn't catch changes if there were some made. I'd done a revision for my Dorchester editor and changed my hero's likeness from Ricky Martin to Benjamin Bratt (good change, I know!) but other than that, Jane is pretty much like I wrote her. The book to Harlequin is different. The HAD monster has taken over and although technically correct I cringe at 3, 4, and 5 HADs showing up in a single sentence. There are also changes with my phrasing of things where perhaps it'll translate into foreign languages easier? And some specific references have been changed to more general things. I found it very interesting to see the differences in the process from one publishing house to another. I only found a couple of typos, but I plan to go through the copy edits another time just to make sure I didn't miss anything. As a writer I cringe at the thought of picking up a book I wrote and seeing typos. Some happen later in the game, where the author has no chance to find them and correct them, but I don't want any overlooked that I have the power to correct.

Will keep you posted as I go! on this wonderful process of publication.

Dr. Matthew

I belong to this wonderful group called the Writers Playground and mostly it's a group of twenty of my nearest and dearest writing friends. We're supportive and fun and playful and the group is overflowing with talent--Terri Garey, Kathleen Long, Tawny Weber, Stacey Kayne, Sheila Raye, Anna Sugden, Tammy Johnson, Lindsey Brookes, Cheryl Wilson, Beth Burgoon, the list goes on, but you get my drift! I sold to Harlequin Medicals in December and my pals sent me this really awesome Build a Bear named Dr. Matthew--bet you can't guess why they named him that? ;) And Dr. Matthew has this adorable medical kit with a stethoscope & blood pressure kit and syringe and thermometer. The kit id darling. AND they sent me a Cross pen engraved with my sale date and the book title. Have I ever mentioned that I have super, duper friends???? I do. They are totally amazing and never cease to fill my heart with love at their thoughtfulness. Isn't Dr. Matthew just huggable??? And surely if they couldn't send the real deal, this cuddly bear is the next best thing? Actually, my pal Tawny did sorta send me the real thing today, too. I posted below. SURF'S UP!

Writing

I recently turned in book 2 and have started a 3rd Medical. I have to be honest, book 2 was a bit of a struggle for me. I'm not sure if it was getting past the 2nd book hump or what, but I really stressed that book. Perhaps with good reason as I've not heard back from my editor yet. I do think it's a good story, but what really matters is what she thinks, eh? Anyway, I'm having fun with book 3 and hit page 50 last night and thought, "Oh crap! I don't have any internal conflict." So I was chatting with a writing pal and she asked me what the book was about and I told her and she pointed out that I had a lot of IC. Not only that, but I'd set it up to where it was easy to add more external conflict, also. BUT I DIDN'T SEE ANY OF IT. LOL. Just goes to show that we writers really can be too close to our work. After our chat last night, I'm itching to dig in and get lots written. Unfortunately life has a way of interfering, though. Work (darn bills that have to be paid!), kids (okay, so they are cute and cuddly, but still!), and exercise (yes, I'm still trying to get back to walking routinely despite the bum knee that's slowly, slowly healing). Off to try to find a quiet corner to get lost in my make-believe world of Montgomery Medical. :)

Bowling & Movies

Friday night I took 6 men to the movies...young men...as in my teenage sons & 4 of their friends. ;) We went to The Epic Movie. There were several snicker moments and a few belly rolls, too. I cracked up at Captain Jack Swallows. That was probably my favorite stuff from the film. Although the guy didn't even begin to compare to Johnny Depp (particularly in the looks and sex appeal department), he did a good job imitating the character.

Saturday I went with my oldest to one of his acting classes. Usually his classes are on Thursday night but this one was a make-up class from where he missed due to homecoming. :)

Today my daughter and I went bowling. So, I don't bowl. Not well at any rate. Are you supposed to break double digits in this game? The lower the score, the better, right? No? Are you sure? Because I'm pretty sure I won if that's the case. ;) Okay, so bowling isn't my thing but we had fun.

My hubby went backpacking last weekend with the oldest two and camped the night then backpacked out. Interesting what we end up doing with our children.

Any interesting things you've done with your children lately?

Oh, I also sent book 2 to my editor this past week. :) I know it still needs polishing, but I'm overall pleased with it. Will calmly (yeah right!) wait to see what she thinks. Wish me luck.

I also finished judging my Golden Heart entries and turned my scores in. I've still got to read my RITA entries and look forward to doing that this coming week.

Marketing Finally Explained

Several of my pals and I have been talking a lot about marketing and promotion recently. Trying to understand marketing can be tough. So when my mother-in-law sent me this, I thought I'd share an explanation that sorta made sense--okay, so really I found it humorous and hoped it would give you a smile, too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The buzzword in today's business world is MARKETING. However, people often ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing." Well, here it is: You're a woman and you see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and say, "I'm fantastic in bed." That's DIRECT MARKETING. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy. One of your friends goes up to him and pointing at you says, "She's fnatastic in bed." That's ADVERTISING. ~~~ You see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and get his telephone number. The next day you call and say, "Hi, I'm fantastic in bed." That's TELEMARKETING. ~~~ You see a guy at a party, you straighten your dress. You walk up to him and pour him a drink. You say, "May I?" and reach up to straighten his tie, brushing lightly against his arm, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed. That's PUBLIC RELATIONS. ~~~ You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He walks up to you and says, "Hear you're fantastic in bed." That's BRAND RECOGNITION. ~~~ You're at a party and see a handsome guy. He fancies you, but you talk him into going home with your friend. That's a SALES REP. ~~~ Your friend cant' satisfy him so he calls you. That's tech support. ~~~ You're on your way to a party when you realize there could be handsome men in all these houses you're passing. You climb onto the roof of one situated towards the center and shout at the top of your lungs, "I'm fantastic in bed." That's JUNK MAIL

Book 2

I've been much quieter on the blogger end of things due to working on book 2. It's tentatively titled THE DOCTOR'S SECRET SON, but that's subject to change. I think it'll be out early 2008---if I can finish it up. I hit page 165 tonight, but there's a section that I'm not pleased with and plan to do some major chopping and rewriting before sending it to my editor.

I sold an article to the RWR this week, too. :) It'll run in the September issue.

My agent is in NY right now, so that's super cool. Really hoping that someone sees the potential in my single title proposal REVENGE FOR HIRE. It's such a fun, fun story...okay, a bit devious, too, but in a fun way. ;) I'd love to promote that book and believe with all my heart it could be BIG.

Lots of board stuff going on with From The Heart. I'm no longer secretary, but am serving on the board as PAN liaison. I really hope to kick-start some good programs for the published authors in the chapter.

Colleen Gleason's The Rest Falls Away

Check out this interview with Colleen on how she came up with the idea for her fabulous new serious--and then check out the book! It's available NOW!!

From Colleen:

About three years ago, I discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

I've never been a big fan of vampires or horror movies, and I've never (still to this day!) read Dracula, but on the eve of Thanksgiving 2003, when I was cooking my fanny off in my kitchen in prep for the next day's dinner, I brought my laptop in to keep me company. I'd borrowed my friend Brian's first season of Buffy and I popped a DVD in just for something to watch while I was cooking.

I got hooked. I watched the whole first season that weekend, in between cooking and visiting and all the other stuff we do over the holidays. But in the back of my mind, I kept thinking about that show.

In the mean time, I'd been writing novels for years, trying to get published. I'd written contemporary stories, but my real delight was in writing in historical settings. Plus, I loved authors like Jane Austen, Liz Carlyle, Julia Quinn, and others who set their stories in Regency England.

As the months went by and I was trying to figure out what my next writing project should be, I noticed that there were a lot of books being published-and sold-with vampires in them. Many of them didn't appeal to me, because I don't find the undead romantic. To me, vampires were the bloodsuckers I'd seen on Buffy, and in the movies; but to me they weren't romantic heroes or heroines. My concept and opinion of the undead was not a sympathetic one.

So I didn't consider writing about vampires, even though I knew the market was hot for stories about them.

Until I happened to watch a Buffy episode in which Angel/Angelus (a male vampire) has a flashback to a scene that takes place in 19th century Paris.

And then the following night, I was watching the Disney version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella with my daughters.

And I started thinking what if Angelus was at the ball with Cinderella?

Then I thought well, what if Buffy was there too?

Or, better yet what if Cinderella was a vampire slayer herself?

Whoa.

That was the germ of the idea that blossomed into the Gardella Vampire Chronicles.

I ultimately decided to set the first books of the series in Regency-era England, which is arguably the most popular setting for historical romance novels. I realized I was taking two very hot ideas: vampires and Regency England and putting them together.

The thing that makes The Rest Falls Away different from a lot of the vampire books is that the vampires are the villains, through and through. There aren't any tortured vampires without a soul. There aren't any predestined soulmates. The main characters of the series are mortals, not vampires.

The story isn't about a vampire culture or society in Regency England. It's about a woman who learns that she's a superheroine during a time when women are supposed to do little but stand around and look pretty until they find a husband--then to wed, bed, and breed.

She learns that she has a task to do, one that is a family tradition (which makes her different from Buffy), but like Buffy, she has to learn how to balance the two sides of her life.

Tawny Weber's Double Dare!!!!

My pal Tawny got her cover for her first fabulous Blaze due out in May. Is that dress not just a dream & super sexy????? Wish I had one...of course, then I'd want the heroine's body, too, so I could actually wear the dress. ;)

I'm not sure if the image will be large enough for you to read the back cover copy or not, but let me tell ya, this is one HOT book that you don't want to miss!!!!!

Gerri Russell's The Warrior Trainer!!

I just have to post that Gerri Russell's book is out this week!!! As you may recall Gerri won the American Title Two contest with her fabulous historical!

Gerri is a two time winner of the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award and she's just a delight to meet. If you ever get the chance be sure to say hello & get her to autograph your copy of The Warrior Trainer.

If you haven't already gotten your copy, be sure to visit Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Signed Copy
to order!!!

Plus, Gerri is giving away a spa package. Go to www.gerrirussell.net to find out how to enter!

Shardai Cousino

I've been meaning to post this for over a week now. Ack. Time goes by quickly!!! Below is an article written by a local newspaper, specifically by Yvonne Moon, who I had the pleasure of meeting when she interviewed me for the same paper. Yvonne wrote this article and sent out a plea for help for this young girl. Information on how you can make a difference in this girl's life is below. Again, I personally know the lady who wrote this article after interviewing this family, so it's not a hoax of any kind. Goodness knows, I get enough of those in my inbox to feel the need to say that. Please take the time to shoot an email to feedback@emhe.tv with “Please Build a House for the Cousino Family in Smyrna, TN” in the subject line. In the email, please ask ABC to build a house for the Cousino family in Smyrna, TN. Feel free to add your own message about why you think this family is deserving.

Here's Yvonne's article:

All God's angels come to us disguised.

~ James Russell Lowell

In the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, the angel Clarence was a ruddy-faced, befuddled character, very unlike the image we fathom when we think of angels. Upon meeting my Fascinating Folks person for this week, I couldn’t help but think of the saying that “angels come in all shapes and sizes, often at the times we least expect.”

Thirteen-year-old Shardai Cousino, with her impish grin, wire-rimmed glasses, and shock of black hair has no telltale halo or wings protruding.

Instead she has multiple medical challenges including a very painful skin disorder that causes blister-like sores over her entire body. Each day is an ordeal that begins with wrapping various areas of her body with medicated wraps and gauze to help protect the delicate skin. Baths can be excruciating, often taking anywhere from three to eight hours. Valium is necessary to help ease the pain. Shardai is often confined to a wheelchair but her spirit soars with a boundless enthusiasm for life.

As we began our interview, we talked about the other things important in her life --- her family, her school, her teachers and all the things she loves. How she loves hip-hop, Logan’s Teriyaki Chicken, Sour Straws candy, scary movies and amusement parks with thrill rides. How math was her favorite subject but now she likes science best. She told of how her class was reading the book, The Diary of Anne Frank. Shardai spoke about the Holocaust and of how a special teacher’s lessons were teaching her and other young students how people can triumph over tragedy.

The “hows” of life are often much easier than the “whys?”

We talked for a while about the medical conditions she lives with daily.

Shardai laughed at how trying to maneuver her wheelchair down the narrow hallway of her home is like “trying to drive a semi-truck on a crowded McDonald’s parking lot.” She told of the limitations of not being able to enter through the front or back door of the home in her wheelchair. And of her dream of someday having a bathroom with plenty of storage for her bandages and medications and a bathtub/shower that is easily accessible and heated with consistently warm water.

Shardai told of her love for horseback riding, an activity she just recently started after much prodding from her mother. “I didn’t really think I would enjoy it,” Shardai exclaimed, “but my mother insisted I try it just once. And I just love it!” Shardai rides at Angel Heart Farm in Nolensville, a program offering equine therapy for children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

When I asked Shardai about a wish list, her answer spilled out quickly.

“My wish list is one of thanks. To my friends, family, teachers, doctors, and people that know me a big THANK YOU! You have done a lot for me.”

As I was preparing to leave, Shardai’s mother Carol invited me to see her daughter’s recently decorated bedroom. With purple walls and bright blue furniture with touches of bright colors mixed with pastels, it’s a fitting room for one so full of life. As Shardai opened a small music box I had brought as a gift, she hurriedly scurried into the bedroom. I was attempting to show her how the trinket box played the tune “You are My Sunshine.”

“But, we can’t let my grandmother hear that music,” was Shardai’s earnest plea. She sings that song to me ALL the time and if she hears that music, I’ll never be able to stop her singing!”

Apparently, angels do come in all sizes, sometimes with a spunky wit and
a wisdom and strength that surpasses all understanding. The one I met last week has a golden glow, wears dangly earrings and has a loving grandmother who sometimes sings just a bit off-key.

For more information about Shardai, her medical condition and how you can join in the community’s efforts to have ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition remodel Shardai’s home, please read the following excerpt written by Jennifer Hood, School Counselor at Smyrna Middle School.

Shardai is an eighth grader at Smyrna Middle School. She is an Honor Roll student who also plays percussion in the band, volunteers as an office worker, and helps to manage the cheerleading squad. She has been seen volunteering in several activities in her school and her community; she is eager to do anything she can to help others. But, Shardai’s excellent academic performance, impressive extracurricular involvement, and servant heart are not the only characteristics that make her noticeable.

Since birth, Shardai has suffered from a rare skin disorder called Epidermolysis Bullosa that creates very painful, blister-like sores over her entire body. At the age of five, Shardai was also diagnosed with Polymosytis, a muscle deterioration disorder, which aggravates her ability to manage the skin disorder. In addition, Shardai has a gum disorder that causes her gums to swell considerably and requires that she undergo gum reduction surgery on a yearly basis. Shardai’s skin disorder is to blame for the excruciating pain she must face each and every day of her life. She also must spend quite a bit of time each morning wrapping her skin in medicated wraps and gauze to protect from infection and try to allow her sores to heal. She must also undergo very painful, lengthy medical procedures on a regular basis to treat her skin.

There is no cure for Shardai’s skin disorder and pain management has become very difficult. Shardai spends several days at a time confined to a wheelchair because she is unable to walk. Shardai is unable to participate in many activities that normally developing teenagers take for granted. But, her physical condition has not quenched her spirit; she has a very optimistic outlook on life and is often found helping and encouraging her fellow students. Despite her intense pain, Shardai is very dedicated to attending school and performing to the best possible academic potential. Those who know Shardai call her an “inspiration,” and her warm smile can be “contagious.”

Shardai lives with her mother Carol and her grandmother Linda. Although both of these women have faced challenges of their own, they are wholeheartedly committed to providing the daily care that Shardai needs.

Last year, after getting to know Shardai and her family and learning more about the extensive demands of caring for her on a daily basis, two Smyrna Middle School faculty members decided to nominate Shardai and her family for Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Shardai and her family could benefit greatly from having the extra space and medical facilities that are necessary to meet Shardai’s physical needs. We need your help to make this dream a reality.

Here’s how you can help:

1) EMAIL EMHE - The application and video have been submitted to Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but we need you to help us email the show and ask them to build a house for this very deserving family. Send an email to feedback@emhe.tv with “Please Build a House for the Cousino Family in Smyrna, TN” in the subject line. In the email, please ask ABC to build a house for the Cousino family in Smyrna, TN. Feel free to add your own message about why you think this family is deserving. Also, if you would be willing to help build the house or to donate materials/supplies, please include that in your email as well.

2) SPREAD THE WORD - You can also help by asking your friends and family members to email the show and request the home build. Send emails to your entire family, friends, coworkers – everyone you know – and ask them to help. The more emails that are sent to the show, the greater the chance that ABC will choose the Cousino family. Please keep in mind that the show only allows one email per email address.

Thank you for taking the time to help this very deserving family!

If you would like more information or have additional questions

– please contact:

Jennifer Hood

School Counselor

Smyrna Middle School

615-904-3845 ext. 24707

hoodj@rcs.k12.tn.us

Happy New Year!

Wow. It's so hard to believe it's 2007. 2006 flew by.

Quick recap (doing this by memory so I may be off a tad, but this is close):

January~Jane Millionaire booksigning at Curves

February~ I gave away ROSES for a YEAR to Heidi Hogan of Louisiana. Saw Jane Millionaire in Walmart for the first time. My local town got in a hundred copies. Here's a picture. And the town over gave it an endcap with a local author sign. I never got tMarch~booksigning at the Women's Expo in KnoxvilleApril~went to the Grand Canyon & had my first booksigning at a writing conference in Pheonix. The family& I went to the Grand Canyon. Participated in a Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction for Leukemia/Lymphoma that was hosted by Dr. Travis Stork from ABC's The Bachelor. Was very cool to meet him & have my photo taken with him & Charmaine Hunt (The Apprentice), who I also got to meet, as she was also auctioned off.May~RT in Daytona & Readers Luncheon in HuntsvilleJune~booksigning at Linebaugh LibraryJuly~Atlanta RWA conference & booksigningAugust~submitted 2 contest entries & to Harlequin Mills & Boon.

September~turned another year older. ;) finaled in the Spicy category of the SSSS contest

October~NJ conference & booksigning & the 3 Day breast cancer walk
November ~ Birmingham Readers Luncheon
December ~ won the Spicy category! &....SOLD to Harlequin in a 2 book deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, it was a very, very good year. :)