And We Have a Cover!

Hey, all!
Well, I hosted a Superbowl party last night! Heard it was a good game. I wouldn't know. I somehow missed everything.

Yep.

Did not see one play, did not see one commerical.
But...I did see Madonna and the halftime show.

All I can say is...

DANG, that woman looks good for her age!!!

And personally, I think it helped that her outfit and makeup were toned down. She could have really looked as if she was trying too hard, but she didn't do that.

But anyhew, I wanted to show you all the cover of my new book coming out in April: SUNNY DAYS FOR SAM.

Cute, huh?

I have a bit of a Cinderella theme going on in the book, since my heroine starts out as an amusement park princess, so I guess the good people at Avalon Books took that and ran with it.

My one "complaint" is that my name is a bit small, but otherwise, I think the cover fits the book. :)

What do you think of it?
Also, did you see any of the Superbowl?
Did I miss any good commericals?

The Third Biggest Unveil

I know. You're probably thinking, "Third biggest unveil? What's she talking about?"

Well, my new pendant lights are up, and... I have pictures! (finally)

My second big unveil will be my backsplash--once it's actually installed.
And then my number one biggest unveil will be the new cover of my book.
All very exciting to me!

Also, I wanted to make an announcement. My emails are disappearing. I thought I was accidentally deleting them, but now I'm not so sure... I feel like I'm losing my mind. Did somebody hack my account and is now messing with me? I'm beginning to think so.
So if you've sent me an email and I haven't responded. I may have lost it.

Just saying...

It's not you, it's me.

Anyway...here are the pics:

They're the Benson pendants from Restoration Hardware. (They were on sale)

Now I just have to get rid of that backsplash, get some new curtains, and paint.
And then my kitchen will be complete. Whew!

In other news, we're hosting a Superbowl party. No, I don't have a favorite team to win. And no, I really don't care for football. Funny that. But I do enjoy my hubby's vegetarian chili, which he will be making, in addition to his taco soup.

Go, food!

What do think of my lights?
Also, do you have plans for Superbowl Sunday?

A Little Library Appreciation

Happy Monday!

(FYI, pendant lights aren't up. Electrician was a no show. *sigh* Hopefully, today...)

Anyhew, as some of you know, I am now a member of our Library Board of Trustees in town.
Why is that so particularly cool?
Because our library is so cool!!

And here are a few reasons why:

**our library is in the middle of town. The community gym, Senior Center, and Historical Museum are are closely attached to it too. Yet, everyone sees the entire unit as the "library". :)

**we have a coffee/juice bar area, where you can also get a light lunch.

**in addition to several meeting rooms, we have a lecture hall room, complete with drop-down screen, that is available for people to use.

**we have cooking classes for kids

**we have Kindle instruction classes for new Kindle owners. (Apparently people have come to that with their Kindles still in the box!) LOL

**we have a newly hired, separate "Young Adult" librarian.

**we have a fantastic DVD (including lots of great TV shows) and CD collection.

**we have free WiFi throughout the entire library.

**there are free computers for adults and there are great child computers too.

**our Story Time program for toddlers is fantastic.There's singing, story, puppet show and sometimes a craft. All free.  And now they added a "Baby" program where 70 people showed up!

I could go on but I don't want to brag. (OK, maybe a little)

That's what the old library board achieved. Nice, huh? But to be honest, I loved our library before all that. The staff is friendly and they always have had a great book selection.
But now we have to look to the future and see where we want to take all this. Just recently we conducted some focus groups in town to get some feedback as to what people like or dislike about the library. Needless to say, there wasn't much to not like.

But, hey, there's always room for improvement. :)

So now I ask you...what do you appreciate about YOUR library?
Is there anything you would improve or change if you could?
Do you see anything MY library could add?

Friday FLASHBACK--and a winner!

Happy Friday, all!

Before I announce the giveaway winner, I want to say a BIG thanks to special guest author Allie Pleiter!!

I also thought it'd be fun to do a little flashback piece for Friday.
For something different, I'm going to flashback all the way to....this past week.

**cough cough**

What can I say? It was a busy week.

**A 60 ft whale washed up on our beach this week. Dead, unfortunately. And very smelly. It was a fin back whale and marine biologists seem to think it was hit by ship.

**My backsplash is ordered.

**Went through ANOTHER case of Strep with the kiddo. Poor thing (and poor me) :(

**Appointed (by the mayor) to the Library Board of Trustees in our town. (Go, me--er, library!)

**Got my RITA judging books in the mail. (That'll keep me busy reading until March)

**went out to lunch with the hubby (I love lunch dates)

**pendant lights are being hung today in my kitchen (Will post pics Monday)

**Got the green light from the hubby to plan a tropical spring break vacation (Go, Caribbean!)

**had two really sweet reader comments about my book of The Role of a Lifetime. (Thank you!!)

See? Busy week.

So now let's get to the giveaway...

The winner of Allie Pleiter's book FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN is...

Lucky number 25--I mean, RULA SINARA!

Thank you to everyone who commented and entered! I will be hosting another Love Inspired author giveaway in March, so stay tuned!

Have a great weekend!!!

Love Inspired author Allie Pleiter--and a giveaway!

Happy Monday!!
I'm so pleased to have Love Inspired author, Allie Pleiter on my blog today!!

About Allie:
An avid knitter, coffee junkie, and devoted chocoholic, Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction. The enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, Allie spends her days writing books, buying yarn, and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie hails from Connecticut, moved to the midwest to attend Northwestern University, and currently lives outside Chicago, Illinois. The “dare from a friend” to begin writing has produced two parenting books, fourteen novels, and various national speaking engagements on faith, women’s issues, and writing.
Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com
or her knitting blog at www.DestiKNITions.blogspot.com

Please welcome Allie, and read about her writing for the Harlequin Love Inspired line!

“So you write one of those books?”

I get it all the time.  People are startled that a six-foot, knitting-obsessed, extroverted, coffee-loving, loud-mouthed, Dr. Who and spy-movie fan writes those books.  I have a relative who refers to me as “the one who writes the little God books.”  Such comments are usually accompanied with a puzzled look.

I’m never insulted...I love busting the stereotype.  Folks who can’t reconcile me with category romance--especially Love Inspired--probably haven’t read one lately.  I always take that as my cue to thrust one into their hands (me, pushy? never!).  Sure my stories might be labeled as “clean and wholesome,” but they sure aren’t “meek and mild.” Faith belongs in our real world. 

I’m delighted that Love Inspired has always encouraged the “edge” in my voice.  They almost always let me get my “quirk” on.  My heroines are as clever and strong as women I’d want for friends.  If you’re looking for a strapping bare-chested pirate on your cover, you won’t find one in my books.  What you will find is women of depth and strength, learning to love men of courage and character.  And, if I’ve done it right, you will laugh a lot along the way.

So no, in answer to the question, I don’t write one of “those books.”  I write great books that just happen to come in small packages.  Or slip right on your Nook/Kindle/ipad/whatever...because I’m also a gadget-freak.

Oh, by the way, my current WIP has a red-headed hero (for those of you who were pining for one earlier!)

Thanks, Allie! I realy enjoy the Love Inspired line.
And I LOVE that you're writing a red-headed hero in your next book!

Here's a bit about Allie's new release:

Falling for the Fireman
Harlequin Love Inspired
February 2012
ISBN #978-0-373-87725-6
Back Cover Copy:

There's something achingly familiar about the look in fire marshal Chad Owens's eyes. Widowed mom Jeannie Nelworth knows firsthand what it is: loss, hurt and yes—bitterness. Ever since the fire that changed their lives, Jeannie's young son has borne that same look, pushing everyone away. So she's grateful when Chad tries to get through to the boy with the help of his trusty fire station dog.

But the man who's all about safety and prevention keeps himself protected—from loving and losing again. Seems as if Jeannie will have to add his kind, guarded heart to her rebuilding efforts.

Allie has graciously offered to give away a copy of her book FALLING FOR THE FIREMAN to some lucky commenter!
Contest will run from now until Thursday, Jan. 26th 11:59pm EST.
Winner will be announced this Friday!

Good luck!

A Fallen Soda

Mr. Pibb (1972-2001)

 Hey, all!

My hubby and I are bit sad after we learned this week that Mr. Pibb is no longer available.

Yes, it's true!!  (I'd pass you a tissue if I could)

I'm not really a soda drinker. It's more of a treat. But you see, I have found memories of Mr. Pibb. When the hubby and I lived in MA, we used to go to Panera Bread a lot for lunch and that's where we first had Mr. Pibb. The hubby and I used to talk about it all the time. If you've never had it, it kind of has a Dr. Pepper flavor--only better IMHO.

The hubby went looking to order it recently online and, well... then he had to break the news to me:

Mr. Pibb, or Mr. PiBB as it’s often spelled, isn’t exactly gone, it was replaced by Pibb Xtra in 2001 with a slightly tweaked formula. That hasn’t stopped the Internet petitions or an entire episode of American Dad constructed around the soda’s disappearance. When Pibb Xtra came out, bottlers were allowed to use up their remaining stocks of real-deal Mr. Pibb. By 2003, all Mr. Pibb was gone and replaced with Xtra. Anything sold as “Pibb” to this day is “Pibb Xtra”. That’s how Mr. Pibb quietly ended.

**sniff sniff**

Unfortunately it's not the first time, this has happened to me. You may or may not know this, but I was one of the few people in America who actually ENJOYED Crystal Pepsi, also wiped from the market before its prime.

Is it me?

I'm not sure. But it could be you too. Here's a Tribute to Fallen Sodas you may have enjoyed as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In other news, I picked out a backsplash for my kitchen. FINALLY.  

I ordered pendant lights for my island. FINALLY.

And I'm anxiously awaiting them all to come in now. (Will post pics when all completed)

That's all for me.

I have a library meeting and then I'm off to work on the last chapter of my work in progress. (Yay!!)

How about you? Have you tried Mr. Pibb?

Have any soda or food item you liked that was discontinued on you?

Harlequin Author Terri Reed--and a Giveaway!

Hi, all!   Happy Friday! I'm so please to have Love Inspired author Terri Reed with me today!

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Steeple Hill. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

 

Describe a little of your writing routine for us. Do you have a set amount of time that you spend on writing per week?  

My routine varies depending on where in the process I am.  When I’m in the beginning stages, I do a lot of ‘pre-writing’ on a note pad and forms that I’ve gathered from various different writing instructors.  Then when I’m writing raw, I spend anywhere from four to seven hours at the computer during the weekday. Sometimes this is all day, sometime the hours are broken up with errands or appointments or volunteering at the kids school.  I’ll make up hours on the weekend if I fall behind and the deadline is nearing.  Sometimes I’ll make up hours lost during the day in the evening/after everyone goes to bed or early in the morning before anyone gets up.

Is there a different genre you would like to try and write someday?  I have some ideas for a few grittier thrillers and a few ideas for a couple of women’s fiction books.  But they are sitting on the back burner for now.  Love Inspired keeps me busy.   

How do you reward yourself for finishing or selling a book? 
I buy a latte after I’ve mailed the book and then I get a massage. 

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten and/or advice you’d like to give to other writers?

There are several bits of advice I’ve taken to heart from some big name authors.  
1)Nora Roberts said, I can fix a bad page but I can’t fix a blank page.  I remind myself that all the time when I’m writing and find myself stuck or spending too much time trying to come up with the words. 
2) Susan Elizabeth Philips said Protect the work, whatever that mean for you. Protect the work.  For me protecting the work has been saying no to things I’d like to do when I have writing to be done.  It means ordering pizza instead of going to the grocery store when I’m on deadline.  It means preserving my voice when critique partners or editors want to me to make changes that aren’t true to my voice and style.
3) Jo Beverly said—Just tell the story.  I know we’re taught to show don’t tell when we’re writing and that is very true and valid, however, when I get stuck I remember Nora’s words and I remember Jo’s words and I just tell the story.  I can go back later and show the story but I have to have something to work.
4)My advice is never stop learning, believe in yourself and your writing because if you don’t who will? and don’t get so attached to the work that you’re unwilling to make it better.

Wonderful advice!!

Now for some fun questions!

Favorite Christmas gift you just received?  Pilates Reformer classes from my husband.

What are you reading right now?  Miracle Cure by Harlan Coben. 

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?  Pilates, Zumba and hang out with my family.

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Links where readers can find you:

http://www.loveinspiredauthors.com/

http://www.craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com/

http://www.harlequin.com/

Here is a little bit about Terri's new book out now: The Secret Heiress:

A Shocking Revelation

Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core.  And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s.  Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted.  When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her.  Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again.  Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer.  But will his protection-and his love-be enough to keep her safe?

Protection Specialists: Guarding the innocent.

GIVEAWAY:

Terri will be giving away a $10 Visa GC for both blog host with most comments and one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

Please comment on today's blog for your chance to win!

To increase your chances of winning, be sure to visit Terri's other blog tour stops here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/11/virtual-book-tour-secret-heiress-by.html

Thanks so much, Terri!