The Bandwagon

Official Kissing Day Blogfest

Sherrinda had a great idea to salute mistletoe this time of year, so I've joined in the Great Kissing Day Blogfest with a scene from Beneath the Surface, my September 2009 Samhain release.

Blurb: In retrospect, perhaps archaeologist Mallory Reeves shouldn’t have delivered the divorce papers to her estranged husband mere weeks before her marriage to another man. She knew seeing Adrian again would stir up memories, but she didn’t expect so many of them to be good, not after the mess they both made three years ago.

She also didn’t expect to want to stay at the dig site on the Yucatan Peninsula. But the lure of the ancient ship and, yes, her sexy ex provide more of a draw than the white picket fence she thought she wanted.

Marine archaeologist Adrian Reeves has good reason to trust no one. His former partner—and former best friend—made off with his last archaeological find. And his wife left him, frustrated by his obsession for professional revenge.

Now both Mallory and his nemesis have returned, and it can’t be an accident that they’ve turned up in the middle of the most important excavation of his career. Seeing her again unearths old pain—and rekindles never-forgotten desire. Now he has to decide if he can trust Mallory again. More importantly, if he can trust himself with her.

SET UP: Adrian has just unearthed a medallion that will prove his shipwreck is not from the Caribbean, when he spots Mallory on the dock. She'd left weeks ago with her former fiancee, looking for another job in archaeology, to see if she missed the job or she missed Adrian. She tells herself his discovery has drawn her back, but she knows it's a lie.

EXCERPT:

Adrian didn’t wait for Toney and Jacob to tie the boat off before he leaped to the dock. He barely registered the vibration of the dock beneath his feet as he strode toward her.

“Adrian, I—”

He didn’t let her finish. Damn, she was so pretty, even windblown, even with the flash of uncertainty he saw in her eyes. He took her face in his hands, stroked his thumb over her cheek and kissed her. Surprise had her tensing for a second, and he feared she might pull away. Instead, she relaxed, just a bit, and he came home.

She was as soft, as sexy as he remembered. Her taste hadn’t changed, her mouth moved beneath his the same way, as if those three years had never passed.

He rubbed her hair, regretting the calluses on his fingers that snagged on her hair, her skin. Her fingers closed on his bare shoulders, her nails digging in briefly before sliding under the straps of his shirt, and he was lost. Dropping his hands to her hips, he drew her against him.

Slowly, it came to him where they were, why they were standing here, and he lifted his head to smile. “You came back.”

She looked a little dazed, her mouth swollen, her eyes dark. She blinked, lowering her hands from his shoulders. “Adrian, I—”

“Come see what we found.” He slid his hand down her arm to take her hand and guide her to the Miss M. She resisted at first, then followed him, trying to ignore how everyone else was watching them with interest.

What the hell had she done, coming here? Mallory swayed on the dock and watched Adrian beckon her. Once she’d reached home, she’d put her feelers out. The offers had come in fast and furious, but all she could think of was getting here to help Adrian. She waffled for a long time about how much help she’d give him. The cashier’s check in her bag was the least she could do. Staying to help excavate was the most.

After that greeting, she didn’t know how wise it was to stay, even as everything female inside her proclaimed they were ready to set up camp. Had he been so glad to see her? No, something in his eyes told her there was more. Something out there had gotten his juices flowing.

Something out there always did.

I want to READ

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I met my writing goal last night at almost 11 PM. My eyes were crossing. Yet I had two books calling to me. I'm reading Silent Night on my iPhone and Ice by Stephanie Rowe in paperback. Both are awesome suspenses, and I'm juggling which to read when.

Then I have Meg Benjamin's first book to read (and her third just came out! I'm so far behind.)

And Elisabeth's new book is coming out next week and I've not read her second.

And then there's Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler, which I'm dying to read. I just...need...more...time!

What are you reading? What are you itching to read? Mostly, I'm in the mood to read something I've not written!

Don't forget about the Kindle 2 you can win with the Samhellion contest!

Goals for Christmas Vacation

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Boy, yesterday was lonnnnnngggg. But I have 16 days of freedom, some overlapping with the dh. These two weeks will be as busy as my last vacation, but with more sleep.

1) Finish bodyguard book

2) Finish short story

3) Promote, promote, promote. I have several guest blogs these next 3 weeks, since Breaking Daylight is coming out the 5^th. Also, a new newsletter.

4) Proofs of DLB.

5) Christmas baking—sugar and molasses cookies, and sugar plums, if I can find the recipe.

6) Last last minute prezzies

7) Breakfast with Mom and BB

8) Get hair cut and eyebrows done

9) Paint bedroom

10) Find someone to take down two Chinese tallow trees in our backyard

11) Do some serious culling

12) Get MIL’s house cleaned out

13) Enjoy family time

14) Celebrate 23^rd anniversary

15) Get email down to one page

16) Go see Sherlock Holmes and maybe Up in the Air

17) READ!

Don't forget the Samhellion contest! You could win a Kindle 2!

Only Hours Away

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I can't believe I almost forgot! Today is the first day of the Samhain Author Scavenger Hunt! You could win a Kindle 2 by playing! Go here for more details! If you've come here to play, scroll down on the left for your clue!

The dh is actually on vacation starting today. His first chore is to take YaYa to the vet. Something's wrong with her mouth.

I made a call yesterday I wish I hadn't and fear it will ruin everything for the rest of the school year. I think I ruined the progress I'd made the last 2 weeks, just before the holidays.

The teacher next door was watching Ice Age on an HD screen and WOW. Wow. That picture sure popped. The dh and I were looking at them over Thanksgiving, but I'd have to give up my TV cabinet (gorgeous pine) because the new TV aspect ratio won't fit. And if we put it on the wall, as we're told we're supposed to do, where do you hook up the DVD and Tivo?

I hate story transitions, just so you know. I've been up since 4 working on this one, thinking I had it figured out. Also last night I noticed another running theme in my books, but it's near the climax, so I won't give that away ;)

Hours now...hours....some of the teachers were talking that we won't hear little kid voices for 2 weeks.

3 More Days

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I made gingerbread cookies and banana nut muffins yesterday, then bought pizza ;)

I cut 3000 words from my bodyguard book, but it's all new writing from here, not trying to rearrange scenes and fit things in, so should go smoother.

Did I mention I've seen last week's Dollhouse 3 times? Glee, too. Love!

We're testing today, then tomorrow is the teacher breakfast and the dance, then Friday is the party. I know I'm ready to be out!

4 More Days

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And tomorrow we test. Thursday is insane and Friday will be worse. Today is the last normal day of 2009.

The ds had me do his online shopping for him yesterday. Today he's selling his textbooks to pay me back.

I keep slicing away scenes from my bodyguard book, so I'm 3500 words behind my goal. Now, if this computer would charge up, I could get to work! I watched Dollhouse twice yesterday--lots of yummy Paul scenes. Very inspirational.

Trish's new cover is on Amazon! Go drool!

Goals for the Last Week of School Before Christmas Break!!!!

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My neighborhood is pretty quiet, but last night around 4 AM I heard talking outside. Apparently my neighbors had a party and their guests were leaving in the wee hours. I went back to sleep and just got up at 7:30! Late for me.

Yesterday I finished the last of my galleys, so I can focus on WRITING this week!

1) Finish bodyguard book

2) Bake gingerbread cookies

3) update website

4) send out newsletter

5) send home progress reports

6) survive the increasingly hectic days with the kids. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough that they can have recess--they haven't had it since before Thanksgiving!

Real Life Isn't a Romance Novel

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We use it as a trope, a source of conflict for our heroes usually. I've used it twice--a young wife dying suddenly, once in my historical and once in STTA. I read a book with the conflict this week, and it was the basis of the conflict in Mrs. Miracle, the Christmas movie I watched this week.

The thing is, in those books, the event has some distance. Time has passed, the hero is thinking of moving forward, or not, until he meets the heroine.

We don't see, but can imagine those first days, those first weeks, the struggle to find a balance. We don't see the bone-deep grief and terror and loneliness, the blurring days.

Right now I feel guilty for ever using this device, because my brother's best friend is dealing with all this right now. His 43-year-old wife died suddenly, leaving him and his three-year-old son alone. Worse, he was in California and she was in Texas when it happened. He has to be strong for his son, for his family, and he's so intensely private, I don't know how he's going to accept help. It breaks my heart.

Off Kilter

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Last night we watched Public Enemies. I liked it, but it left me with an ugly feeling. I mean, not really uplifting at all, was it?

Then I woke up at about 1:30 worrying because it was supposed to freeze last night and I wasn't sure the dh had dripped the pipes. Of course I couldn't go back to sleep, so I finished reading this allegedly Christmas-themed Harlequin that people have been raving about on Twitter. For one, the only Christmas in it was a shopping scene leading up to the black moment, which was WAY out of the blue. I knew something bad had to happen, because a) the hero's wife had died, so I knew the heroine had to have something happen to her and b) everybody was slappy-happy with 60 pages to go. Still, the BBM? Didn't see it coming. Felt jerked around by it, and that did NOT make me happy. Yes, I cried, okay, I'm not heartless, but it also made me mad.

So I didn't get enough sleep and my last two attempts at entertainment are bugging me. I'm going to finish watching Mrs. Miracle, and put on some GLEE.

Coming from Behind

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I finished the galleys on Surface today, not too terrible since they've already been through beaucoup revisions. Still need about 70 pages to go on DLB galleys. Hope to finish those this weekend.

Caught up on grading--woot!

I've been using the dh's computer and it is NOT energy efficient. For example, I've been on 28 minutes and have used 18% of the energy. By the time I get to writing, I'll have to charge it. I can't sit in my chair with the handy plug nearby because it's COLD back there. Can you believe it's going to freeze again tonight and we're not even in winter yet? And not just a little freeze--down in the 20s!

Okay, off to type in galley changes....just wanted to catch up!

Goals for the 2nd Week of December

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1) Christmas party Friday—what to wear? What to take for white elephant gift?
2) Math district assessment Tuesday—do math like wild tomorrow
3) Tutoring one day
4) Blog at WNP and SPN Sisters
5) Grocery store
6) Finish galleys on Surface
7) Work on galleys for DLB
8) Work on bodyguard book—want to be done by Christmas vacation
9) House (didn’t touch it last week, sadly)

Just In Case

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The weather forecasts are predicting a 70% chance of snow tomorrow. Snow. In San Antonio. In December. It's not even winter yet and my cozy pjs are already in regular rotation.

Now I know you Yankees are laughing, but seriously, the city will shut down if it snows. It never snows here. We had 2 ice days 3 years ago, but in my whole career I only remember being off for bad weather 5 times.

In 20 years. The last time it snowed I was in college.

So, just in case I'm home on Friday, I've made a snow day checklist.

fuzzy socks

soft sweatshirt

cozy pj pants

hot cocoa AND hot tea

makings for grilled cheese

cookie dough

new JDM DVD (Live! Not really uplifting, but hey, JDM)

more books than I can possibly read

kittehs

But alas, not enough Diet Coke. Must remedy that!

Anything I've forgotten? Am I jinxing it?

Recurring Themes

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Even though I'm a morning person, this picture cracked me up.

I've been proofreading galleys on two stories and writing on the bodyguard story. I've noticed I have some recurring situations.

I have a lot of hospital scenes, and it's always my hero.

I have a couple of scenes where the heroine is stitching up the hero.

I have a lot of elevator scenes--you'd think I wrote for Grey's Anatomy.

I have a few confined-in-cars scenes.

Do you notice that in your writing?

Goals for the First Week of December

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Yesterday I: finished my NaNo book, put up my Christmas tree, finished my Christmas cards (just need stamps), baked cookies, bought a present, cleaned my front and back patio, proofread 20 pages and finished up judging the Emily entries.

And yes, napped! The only thing I didn’t do on my goals list from last week was get Cindi’s baby a present, but I plan to remedy that at Borders after breakfast. Then go to the library and maybe go get some poinsettias for the front porch. It's going to get cold this week, too, so maybe a coat for the boy. Or a sweater at least.

1) Update website

2) Galleys on DLB and Surface

3) Work on bodyguard book

4) Outline revisions on road trip book

5) Blog at Supernatural Sisters and Wet Noodle Posse

6) Plan my Christmas around the world unit (wish I kept what I did last year!)

7) Get Cindi’s daughter a bday gift

8) Start tutoring

9) Finish Christmas shopping (or get darned close)

10) House

Hm, not sure whose picture to post. I’m deconstructing the NaNo book, proofreading Surface and DLB (Gerry was the model for both heroes) and getting back into the bodyguard. So it’s a three-fer!

YEAH, BABY

Needs major revisions, which I will outline LATER. For now, I need to get my tree up and work on galleys and clean up my back yard--tons of leaves.

Happy Thanksgiving

Yesterday I went to a funeral for the husband of a friend. I got lost and ended up coming in just before services. The parking lot was mostly empty, and when I walked in I didn't see a lot of people, though there was already a row and a half of teachers.

By the end of the service, there were four rows of teachers, dozens, including her principal, VP and counselor, the secretary and teaching assistants. I was so impressed to see the support that her friends and colleagues offered her. Yes, we were off school, but people are busy the day before Thanksgiving, and not only did they come to the service, but also back to the house. We left after 6:30.

And while we were there for a very sad reason, we talked and laughed and reconnected. We've all moved away from Norma's school, some are in different districts and different towns, even, but coming back together was so easy.

I have to say I'm grateful to Cindi, because she--I don't want to say "forces," but "encourages" isn't strong enough--me to stay connected to these people. She's the one who pulls people together and keeps people in contact.

In other news, my books were listed on Astatalk, a piracy site. ARGLE.

I worked on promo yesterday. Today I'm working on Christmas stuff. Trying to remember what it is I usually bake at Christmas...

The Trouble with Reading on my iPhone

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I have about 40 books on my iPhone right now. All of the ones on my Kindle app were free, and a number of the ones on my eReader app were, as well as Stanza. I got quite a few classics, the Harlequin freebies, and all the Samhain titles Kindle is offering free.

The problem I'm having is that I'm reading three different books, one on each application. Then I'm reading a paperback. I've become ADD reader!

I don't know how to take them off once I've read them, though. Anyone know?

I have, however, read 4 novellas this week.

I made 3 loaves of banana bread last night. Also 4 containers of cranberry chutney. Today, pasta and salad.

I have a funeral to go to today. Very sad, a friend's husband died Sunday night. I worry about her. She has her sis, but other than that, she's alone.

Lovely Evening

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My folks went out of town for my step-grandmother's funeral but Baby Brother had school so he stayed in town. I invited him to dinner last night

, and he came bearing Bubble Tea. Yum.

I made chicken a la king and more cupcakes in ice cream cones (you make them the regular way, only instead of paper cups you use ice cream cones. You set them in a 13x9 dish and cook them slightly longer than the recipe calls for. Last night I didn't cook them long enough.)

The son's girlfriend called. She was off, so I told her to come for dinner, too. We ended up eating dinner with three college kids, who talk about philosophy and physics and history.

Then we rearranged the living room so we could all watch Star Trek. Baby Brother, dh and I had seen it, but the ds and his girlfriend hadn't. We ate cupcakes and drank Sprite with cherries and oranges in it and had a really lovely time. I was able to relax and enjoy because I'd gotten everything done on my list. Yay!

Today I need to get to the bank, pick up a bottle of wine and trash bags, maybe go back to McD's because they're giving a Coke glass with value meal purchases and they're really nice. Then there are the galleys, the Emily entries and, oh, yes, the NaNo novel. I may know what the black moment is after all.

Anyone see Big Bang Theory last night? Has Katee Sackhoff had her lips done?

Monday

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I spent my mad money--plus some--the first day of vacation. I bought prezzies for the teachers and a super-secret project and a pair of fuzzy socks and an ornament and lunch and POOF! Also bought a couple of books because Fictionwise is having a good sale with 45% microrebates, so bought two Harlequin Historicals. And I have my eye on some earrings here. However, I got an unexpected refund check for $77 in the mail, so I'm ahead again!

I'm where I want to be in NaNo, word count wise, but I used Write or Die and wrote some nonsense and now realize I have to break up my hero and heroine (technically, have her break up with him) only I don't know how because she was all willing to move to Seattle with him the last time I checked. But one of the things I wrote using Write or Die was that she didn't want to go to his mom for help because she'd broken his heart. So yay for having an idea for what to write tomorrow, but what made everything change???

Finally, I may be the last person to mention the Harlequin Horizons thing. While I don't like the idea at all, and I feel awful for the Harlequin authors this affects, I'm wondering two things:

1) Who will pay these amounts? Are there going to be that many potential customers for Harlequin to really make money here?

2) Why do people think readers will be confused if these books will have no distribution?

Don't get me wrong, I hate the idea, and I feel like some of the explanations we've gotten are pretty condescending, but I'm wondering if those two concerns are really valid.