New Socks and a New Contract - It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

I stole this picture from my daughter's blog. She is a very skilled knitter. Last year she made me a pair of socks and I loved them so much I wore a hole in the toe. I didn't want to tell her, but finally I broke down and let her know. Would you believe she was able to reknit that toe back together in the same pattern and you can't even tell! She uses like four needles to make these socks (I think it's an addiction). Please check out her blog to see all the other beautiful things she's made or is in progress. Anyway yesterday she called and asked me to meet her for lunch. She gave me this pair of socks. Aren't they gorgeous! And these socks are so warm. They are really soft wool of some kind.

And, woo hoo, I received a contract from The Wild Rose Press for my Halloween Story, "Twisted Spell". It's a Sweetheart Rosette (aka short story) and will only be available as an e-book download. I had so much fun with this one. I love Halloween. It's my birthday! So naturally I had to step up to the plate and pen this little fun sweet romance. Here's a little teaser:

Blurb:

Dora is a preschool teacher who has a nasty neighbor she wishes she could cast an evil spell over. On Halloween she points a finger at him and mutters a meaningless string of words. When he runs away, frightened by her witch's costume and supposed spell, she figures it serves him right for being so grouchy.

But when she returns home to find him injured, she is amazed to find how handsome he is when he's not yelling at her. Will she be able to resist the spell he seems to be casting on her?

Excerpt:

Dora was half-way through her sewing project when a terrible ruckus erupted outdoors. First came Boo’s loud screech, followed by a yelping dog. She ran out the back door at the same time her neighbor exited his. He began screaming at Boo. Boo jumped the fence and scurried through the kitty door to safety.

Then Mr. Grinch glared at her. “Keep that blasted cat out of my yard!” He pointed a finger at her. “Or else!”

She placed her hands on her hips. “Or else, what?” She stuck out her chin.

His face turned the color of her late blooming red roses. “Lady, what kind of nut case are you?”

“I’m a witch.” She narrowed her eyes and pointed back at him. “And you’d better not hurt my cat. Or else.” She left him sputtering a string of obscenities and went inside to check on Boo, who was calmly grooming himself in his favorite spot on the sofa.

The next morning Dora hurried out the door in full witch attire, complete with a pointed hat. Heading for her carport, she watched Boo leap onto the fence separating her yard from her grouchy neighbor’s. Then she saw that horrid man pointing a super-soaker water gun at her cat. “Hey!” Dora yelled, marching toward the fence.

Mr. Grinch stopped. His eyes widened and something akin to fear darkened his gaze.
Unable to resist, she pointed a finger and muttered, “Eye of newt, and spider legs…”

Her neighbor ran inside the house, slamming the door behind him.