Wednesday, July 30, 2008

My Grandson is in the Air Force...

I'm so proud of my grandson. He's no longer the baby who learned to say stethoscope at two years of age.
He's no longer the little boy who used to go on vacations with me and entertain me with his special way of seeing the world.

He's no longer the teenager who introduced me to his girlfriends.

He's not even the seventeen year old whose graduation gown I ironed the wrinkles from.

He's taken an oath to defend this country, and he's one of a flight squadron who will do whatever it takes to protect one another. He is now a man.


God bless the USA and please protect our military for they are our loved ones.

Thank you for stopping by!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

"How Do You Do It?"

I'm always humbled when my hubby tells someone that I am an author and I see the change that comes over whomever we are speaking to (usually a stranger). I used to be the same way. To me authors were celebrities. I'm not a celebrity. I'm not famous. I'm not someone to be looked up to. I'm only a woman.

I write because that's what I do. God has given me a gift and I share that with the world in my writing. How do I fit that in with my "real" life? The answer: sometimes I don't. I work full-time. That is a necessity, and my job is a gift from God. I have a family who needs me. That is a gift from God. I have a church family and I give of myself when I can. That is a gift from God. Putting them all into perspective as to which comes first...writing has to take a back seat.

Accepting that is the first step in "balancing" my life. There have always been commitments. With eight children, our challenges have always been mixed blessings. But we survived, we continue to survive and meet each day with a prayer for all He had given us.

I hope you find the balance in your life. Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, July 28, 2008

The Buddy System

I have to admit that I've probably tried every weight loss gimmick around over the years. Nothing works, at least not for long. I know the key is to eat better and exercise, but doing that takes will power I don't have. I suppose it's like any addiction, you have to be ready in order to succeed.

One of my writing friends and I have made a commitment together to lose weight. We are going for ten pounds to start. We're tracking everything we eat in a daily journal and reporting in to each other daily. There are two other friends at work who are trying to lose weight, too, so we have started to walk on our breaks. I feel so much better after walking. I go back to my desk energized.

Anyway I lost two pounds this first week. That's incentive for me to continue.

Thanks for stopping in!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Author Interview with Linda Hall

The camera pans over the audience while the band finishes their number. From a microphone off stage, a man's voice announces..."And now Blog Studio audience, please welcome your host...Carol Ann Erhardt!"

The audience applauds as the curtains part and Carol Ann walks to center stage.

"Good morning. I'm so happy to be here with you this morning. Today I am excited to introduce our guest author. Linda Hall is the award-winning author of fifteen mystery and romantic suspense novels and many short stories. Both Sadie’s Song and Steal Away were short listed for the Christy Award.

Her newest novel, Shadows at the Window (July ’08) is a Romantic Times Top Pick for the month, and the first in her shadows trilogy, Shadows in the Mirror is a winner in The Word Guild’s Canadian Christian Writing Awards. It is also a finalist in the Reader’s Choice Awards.

Her 2007 novel, Black Ice is a finalist in the 2008 Book of the Year Award sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

In addition, Steal Away was a Daphne finalist, was the Beacon Award winner for Best Inspirational Novel, the Winter Rose Award Winner for Best Inspirational Novel, and it was given the Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers.

Linda is a member of the Romance Writers of America, the American Christian Fiction Writers, The Word Guild and the Crime Writers of Canada.

Most of her novels have something to do with the sea. Linda grew up in New Jersey and it was there that her love of the ocean was born. In 1971 she married a Canadian and has lived in Canada since then. She has worked as a news reporter and feature writer for a number of years and also has written curriculum for adult literacy programs.

In 1990 she decided to do something she’d always dreamed of doing, she began working on a novel. Since that time she has written fifteen.
Linda and her husband enjoy sailing, are both very involved in CPS (The boating safety group in Canada) and both have achieved the highest level in that organization, namely Senior Navigator.

She and her husband have two grown children and three (soon to be four) wonderful grandchildren.

Please put your hands together and welcome Linda Hall!"

The audience applauds as Linda walks onstage.




CAROL ANN: Linda, I'm so happy you could join me in the Blog Studio today! Please have a seat. I'm anxious to hear more about your newest release. Love the cover!

**CAROL ANN HOLDS THE BOOK UP AND THE CAMERA PANS IN**



LINDA: Thank you. Shadows at the Window is the second in my 'shadows' trilogy. In the first book, Shadows in the Mirror, the main character knows nothing about her past. In Shadows at the Window, main character, Lilly Johnson knows her past all too well and it's one she'd rather forget. In fact, she has taken great pains to hide it from everyone, including her almost-fiance Youth Pastor. But the past has a way of catching up with a person, and when she begins to get threatening notes, she realizes she must do something.

Shadows at the Window is a romantic suspense, with the emphasis on 'suspense.' I love mysteries and romantic suspense, so this one was fun to write.

CAROL ANN: It sounds wonderful. I can't wait to read it. What is the hardest thing about being a writer?

LINDA: Starting a new book. It's incredibly difficult. I keep thinking it's going to get easier and it never does. I never know how to begin, and I hate first drafts. They are like pulling teeth. I'll sit down at my computer, stare at the blank screen and suddenly remember that I need a cup of tea. That requires me to go into the kitchen, plug in the kettle, pick out a tea bag and then brew it. Then it's back to the blank screen. Of course, by this time it's time to check my email. After that's done, I stare at the blank screen for a little while and then write two sentences.

Well, you get the idea. I'm trying to train myself to write first drafts very quickly, because the sooner I have a first draft, the sooner I can revise. And I love revising. That's when the real writing gets done, as far as I'm concerned.

CAROL ANN: You're right about the edits being when the real writing gets done. But I always dread doing the edits because I have so many ideas about changes. I have to hold myself back from rewriting. Linda, how did you realize the God was calling you to write?

LINDA: I was born, I think, with the desire for stories. I read incessantly when I was little, made up stories walking home from school and wrote them down in notebooks. It was only natural for me to go into the 'writing' field. My career goal when I was young was to be a journalist. I studied journalism and was a news reporter for a daily newspaper for a while. I loved it. I've always had jobs that had something to do with writing. Around 15 years ago I felt God calling me to the ministry of fiction. I've been there ever since.

CAROL ANN: What stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?

LINDA: Rejection is a big one. When you're unpublished it's those nasty rejection letters, and believe me I have had a lot of those in my life. And then when you do get published, the rejection comes in another way - in the form of reviews, which are just as awful. How do I overcome them? I'm not sure I have. I just keep plugging along, writing the best I can and praying and trying to follow God's leading as best I can.

CAROL ANN: You must be doing something right! Your books have done great. On a more personal note, do you collect anything?

LINDA: Not really. I'm not a pack rat. I tend to throw out more things than I accumulate. I guess I'm a very odd bird because I can't stand garage sales. I think that comes with moving so often. I even give away books after I've read them. I would love nothing better than to have my entire worldy goods fit into two suitcases on either side of me. Weird, I know.

CAROL ANN: That would make housecleaning a breeze, huh? Do you believe the pen is mightier than the sword?

LINDA: Yes. I guess. Maybe. How's that for a non-commital answer? I used to be a journalist, which was a job I took very seriously. We journalists believe that our pens are mightier than any political power, and I suppose they are. However, down through the centuries, repressive governments have proved that swords are more powerful than words. So - ah - I really don't have a good answer for that one.

CAROL ANN: Linda, it has been fun interviewing you today. How can the audience learn more about you and your books?

LINDA: My website: http://writerhall.com
To sign up for my e-newssheet of happenings and latest releases, send a blank email to: writerhallnewssheet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Just Do It

I've been reading a craft book by Bill O'Hanlon published by Writer's Digest books titled "Write is a Verb" ISBN-13: 078-1-58297-459-0. I highly recommend it to all people who are writing for publication, whether you've been published to date or not.

The front cover says: Sit Down. Start Writing. No Excuses.

Despite all the rules out there, these three two-word sentences say it all. In order to be published, you have to write. This book will help you define what motivates you to write, what makes you unique among the multitude of writers in our world.

It's a motivational book that pulls no punches. It will literally give you a "kick in the pants."

I write something every single day. It might be a blog. It might be a page or more on my current manuscript. It might be a character development sheet. But I write. You MUST write something every single day if you are a writer. Like Mr. O'Hanlon says: write is a verb. It's action, not inaction.

So...what have you written today?

Carol Ann Erhardt
"A little boy who knows too much...a mother who will do anything to save him."
Coming August 29...JOSHUA'S HOPE.
The Wild Rose Press: www.thewildrosepress.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Win a FREE Sony e-Reader....

Only 35 days until the e-book release of Joshua's Hope! Why wait until the print release, when you can get the electronic version six month early? With the ebook version, you can read it on your computer or if you are lucky enough to have a portable ebook reader, you can download it and take it with you anywhere you go. If you don't have an ebook reader, you should hop over to my publisher...The Wild Rose Press...and check out the info on how you can win one! Several fellow authors banded together to purchase one of thes e-readers and offer it FREE to one lucky reader. While you're there, be sure to pull up my name under "Authors" to check out all my released with The Wild Rose Press.

Tomorrow I'll be blogging on Sweeter Romantic Notions blog and Thursday I'll have another author interview, so be sure come back. This week's author is Linda Hall who writes for Steeple Hill Love Inspired.

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Monday - Second Day of the Week

I've always considered Monday to be the first day of the week and Sunday as the last. Sunday was the LAST day of my weekend, Monday was the FIRST day I had to return to work. Looking at Sunday in that light, by afternoon and evening, I became a litle depressed knowing it would be over soon. Yesterday our Pastor talked about this, about how we come to church with so many pressing things on our minds and forget to be still and listen to God. He said we should look at Sunday as the first day of our week. Sunday we should listen to God and be refreshed and renewed in our faith and in God's never-ending love.

How do you look at your week?

I'm hoping that I can go through today, the second day of the week, with a happy step knowing that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Happy birthday to my little brother in Texas! I wish I could be with you today, but I'm there in spirit. I love you.

Happy belated birthday to my grandson in Texas, Lackland Air Force base. God bless you for all you are and all you do.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Joshua's Hope - Excerpt - An Unexpected Turn

As promised, here is an excerpt from JOSHUA'S HOPE. The e-book release will be August 29, 2008, by The Wild Rose Press. Print version February 27, 2009.

Hope Courtland will do anything to save Joshua, but will the consequences separate them forever?

JOSHUA'S HOPE - Excerpt

“Run, get out of here now!” the nanny cried.

Anna’s voice gave Hope wings. She held onto
Joshua and fled the house. Her feet slapped against
the ground. Joshua’s body bounced against her, but
he clung tight, making no sound.

She opened the back door and buckled him into
the car seat, and then handed him the treasured
stuffed dog.

Joshua pulled the animal close to his chest, his
eyes wide and frightened.

“It’s all right, peanut. Don’t be afraid.”

The old car started immediately and she quickly
gave thanks for Zack’s mechanical genius. A pang of
regret hit her when she realized she’d never see him
again. But it was too late for regrets.

Without looking for oncoming cars, Hope pulled
away from the curb. A horn honked and she stomped
the brake pedal, jerking the wheel toward the curb.
The car passed and the driver made a lewd gesture.
Hope took a deep breath. Adrenaline pumped
through her veins.

“Mommy?”

Assured the street was clear, Hope pushed the
gas pedal and steered into the street. “Yes, honey.”

“The bad polices yelled at Daddy.”

The man’s security uniform would have looked
like a policeman’s to Joshua. “He can’t hurt us,
okay?”

“Mommy?”

“Hmm?”

“Do I have to go away with Daddy?”

“No, peanut. You’re staying with me.” She would
keep the promise.

“Is it all right to talk now?”

The truth of what she’d done began to sink in.
She’d kidnapped her son. Peter would have every
law enforcement officer in the state looking for them.
She gazed in the rearview mirror expecting to see
flashing lights, but none appeared. “It’s okay to talk
now, honey. Are you all right? I didn’t hurt you, did
I?”

“No, Mommy. Where is your house? How long
will it take us to get there?”

“It’ll be a long ride, but we’ll have fun.” She
quickly maneuvered out of the city, but avoided the
interstate. Her car would be easy to spot. She’d
head for Knoxville on the back roads and purchase
tickets on the first bus out of Tennessee—no matter
where it went. She had no destination in mind. She
only knew she had to get Joshua far, far away.

“Mommy?”

“Yes, Joshua?”

“Do I still haf’ta take a nap?”

“Not today. We’re going on an adventure.”

“Is Daddy going on a venshure, too?”

“Not this time.” She prayed her words would
prove true. She’d acted out of desperation, thinking
only of saving Joshua. Where would Peter expect her
to go?

In a short time, Joshua’s head bobbed and then
came to rest against the cushioned seat. Her heart
swelled with love. She had her son back and she’d
never let anyone take him away again.

Hope twisted the knob on the radio until music
drifted softly from the speakers. Troubled by
thoughts of Peter’s retribution, and the threat
against Joshua, she kept a careful eye on the
rearview mirror.

Doubt crept in. Had she acted too rashly?
Should she have contacted the authorities? Would
anyone have taken her side against Peter’s? In her
heart, she knew the answer. No one dared to cross
Peter Courtland.

The newscaster announced the two o’clock news.
Hope half-listened while she fretted about their
future. Then she heard Peter’s name mentioned and
turned up the volume. “—murdered in his home. Ms.
Anna Walters, a nanny to Mr. Courtland’s son, is
listed in critical condition. Mr. Courtland’s son is
believed to be with his estranged wife, Hope
Courtland. Police are urging anyone with
information on Mrs. Courtland’s whereabouts, to
contact them immediately.”

Her entire body began to shake. She pulled to
the side of the road. Peter was dead? Murdered? And
Anna was in critical condition? The man who’d been
arguing with Peter must have killed him. But the
police were looking for her. Did they think she was a
murderer? Shock nearly paralyzed her.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Author Interview with Michelle Cox and John Perrodin

ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for another episode of The Blog Studio! And now, heeeeeeere's our hostess, Carol Ann Erhardt!

THE CURTAIN PARTS, AND CAROL ANN WALKS ONSTAGE, SMILING AT THE AUDIENCE'S APPLAUSE.

CAROL ANN: Wow, thanks everyone! It's great to be back here in the studio again. And today, I'm especially honored to be interviewing two fabulous people who collaborated and released this book.

CAROL ANN HOLDS UP A BOOK AND THE CAMERA PANS IN:



CAROL ANN: Isnt' that a great cover?

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS

CAROL ANN: Let me tell you a little about the authors. Michelle Cox is the author of Honor Books' Mothers Who Made a Difference and is a frequent contributor to several Focus on the Family magazines. She is a popular speaker, and has been interviewed for Family News in Focus. A member of the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Group, Michelle is also active in local politics. Married over thirty-three years, Michelle and her husband Paul live near Asheville, North Carolina, where they have spent almost thirty years working with teens and singles. They have three grown sons.

John Perrodin is a novelist, researcher, speaker, and attorney. Currently the Craftsman mentor and senior editor for the Christian Writers Guild (and the orientation speaker for the Guild's writers conference each year), Perrodin works full time for best-selling author, Jerry B. Jenkins; he was formerly Special Assistant to Dr. James C. Dobson. He is the co-author of three novels with Jenkins. Perrodin and his wife Sue live in Colorado with their family.

Please put your hands together and welcome to the studio, Michelle Cox and John Perrodin!

AUDIENCE APPLAUDS AS THE TWO AUTHORS WALK ONSTAGE.



















CAROL ANN SHAKES HANDS WITH MICHELLE AND JOHN.

CAROL ANN: Thank you for agreeing to appear with me in the studio today.

JOHN: It's our pleasure.

CAROL ANN SITS IN A CHAIR, WHILE JOHN AND MICHELLE SEAT ON THE SOFA FACING HER.

CAROL ANN: How did the two of you team up to write this book?

MICHELLE: I know God put our writing team together. During the days when I was a new writer, I attended a conference where John was one of the mentors. I finally worked up the nerve to ask him to look at my writing. He was so nice and we stayed in touch over the course of the next few months. When I was in Colorado the next summer I visited him and the staff at the Christian Writers Guild. John and I talked that day and by the time I left, we had decided we ought to try writing a book together. The rest is history.

CAROL ANN: How did you gather the stories together to compile into the book?

MICHELLE: The stories came to us in a variety of ways. A few were stories that we already knew about. We contacted friends asking for their experiences and many of them forwarded the requests for us. Some of the stories came from casual conversations or from something we heard in a church service or at a conference. Without a doubt, John and I know God sent us these amazing stories.

CAROL ANN: I always ask authors if they believe the pen is mightier than the sword. I'm pretty sure of your answer just from the title of this book. Who would like to elaborate on how words can change a life for both the better and the worst?

JOHN: I wish that more people realized how much their words impact others. Too often we think they’re “not listening” or “they don’t care what I think.” But that’s not true. Whether we mean a spouse, co-worker, neighbor, or child, they hear us. And if we blurt out unkind words they can stick like a shard in the soul for decades.

CAROL ANN: That's so true. Hopefully, your book will help bring that to light to more people. The two of you seem to make a great team. Will you coauthor another book?

JOHN: I certainly hope so. Michelle is the most encouraging co-author I could hope to work with. Beyond being an outstanding author, she gets the work done on time. She always strives to create the most trouble-free manuscript an editor could want.

MICHELLE: John is a dear friend and the world’s best writing partner. He is an amazing writer and we have tons of fun working together. I have been blessed to work with him and look forward to future projects.

CAROL ANN: What do you find the hardest thing about coauthoring versus writing solitary?

MICHELLE: I think the distance is probably our biggest challenge. I live in North Carolina and John is in Colorado so we can’t sit down and work together. Other than that, our writing partnership has been nothing but positive.

JOHN: I love the fact that Michelle is always there with a phone call or email of encouragement. And that makes it possible to get through the rough writing spots and looming deadlines.

CAROL ANN: Can you share something amusing that happened while writing or editing this book?

JOHN: My favorite Dreadful Incident was having to call Michelle and confess that I’d obliterated her personal website (www.michellecoxinspirations.com) while trying to update our joint Simple Little Words site (www.simplelittlewords.com). I accidentally pushed the wrong button and we ended up with two sites for our new book. Everything Michelle had created disappeared. She was a good sport and overlooked my mortification once we got her site back to its former pristine state!

MICHELLE: That was quite an interesting moment and I still laugh when I imagine what John’s face must have looked like when he realized he had deleted my site.

CAROL ANN: Since I do my own website, I can appreciate this. You both are such amazing authors. How did you realize that God was calling you to write?

JOHN: I don’t believe this calling is constant. I think there are certain projects that I must be a part of. And those are the ones that I want to get involved with. God sometimes touches my mind and heart with an idea. And the more bizarre it is the more I trust that it’s directly from Him. That’s not to say that Simple Little Words is bizarre, but the circumstances that led to Michelle and I co-authoring, getting our contract, and ultimately promoting our books, have God’s fingerprints all over them.

CAROL ANN: What stumbling blocks have you encountered and how have you overcome them?

JOHN: New authors have high hopes. That means (and meant) that Michelle and I have worked to help promote this book with great passion and intensity. No matter what the publisher was doing, we tried to push even harder to do even more. Between us, we’ve set up multiple book signings, radio and TV interviews, speaking events, and paid for our own advertising. Being an author is not for people who want to be pampered. You’ve got to get out there and do the hard work – or watch your book’s ranking drop like an anchor!

CAROL ANN: How do you balance your "real" lives with your "writing" lives?

JOHN: I work for the few brief hours when I have the time to write. But my family always comes first. I’ve seen too many authors who care more about book sales than interpersonal relationships. All the success in the world won’t replace precious time lost with a spouse or child. That’s why I try to write when everyone else is busy – and do things together whenever we can.

MICHELLE: The “real” life comes first. I enjoy spending time with my family and consider them my top priority. I can look back and regret not writing another book or article but I don’t ever want to look back and regret missing important family times. I believe God honors that and somehow the rest seems to fall into place.

CAROL ANN: Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy lives to share your insights with the studio audience. The director is telling me our time is up. Quick, before they drop the curtain, where can readers learn more about you and your books? Website address, blog, email???

MICHELLE: Please visit us at www.simplelittlewords.com. Our site includes information about us, a sample chapter from Simple Little Words, a free discussion guide for each chapter in the book, simple little tips, and content from some of our media interviews. Your readers can reach us through our contact page on the website. We love hearing from everyone.

AUDIENCE GIVES A STANDING OVATION AS THE CURTAIN DROPS ON ANOTHER EPISODE OF THE BLOG STUDIO.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Early Morning Allergies

Ugh. Woke this morning feeling like my eyeballs are full of pellets. Allergies have been really bad this year. Usually I have problems in late August and September, but I've been plagued since May with allergy symptoms this year. So...I'm having a bit of trouble staying at the computer this morning.

Just wanted my loyal readers to know that I'll be posting an interview on Thursday with Michelle Cox and John Perrodin, the co-authors of SIMPLE LITTLE WORDS. The book shows how the words we say have an effect on other people--both positive and negative.

Tomorrow I will share an excerpt from JOSHUA'S HOPE. Only 44 more days until it is released in e-book.

Hope you all have a wonderful, allergy-free day. Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

The Good and Bad Middles

I always have trouble writing the middle of my stories. The reason is I want to wrap everything up too soon. I've been thinking about this and came to the conclusion this is true of many things. For instance:

My mid section. I have trouble slimming it down. I embark on many different paths to make progress, but I'm impatient and want instant results. Then there's the middle of a long drive. I'm always excited about heading out on an adventure, but about midway I look at how much farther I have to drive and the excitement wanes. Then there's the middle of a book I'm reading. I'm so into the book by then that I want to know how it's going to end, but I'm dreading having it be over. **sigh** Middles are always a problem for me.

Or...wait! There's the middle of an Oreo. Yum! That's not a problem. Or the middle of a Toosie Pop! The middle of a chocolate candy! Uh-oh. Um, these are all food related. So I guess that leads back to why I have a problem with my mid-section.

Hope you have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Confessions of a Pantster

I, Carol Ann Erhardt, do hereby swear that I am a pantster. I've tried to overcome this and become a plotter, but pantster roots are deeply imbedded in my creative genes. My latest foray into the plotting world was a storyboarding class. Why not? I thought. I liked the concept because it didn't take writing down a full synopsis prior to embarking on a new project. Instead I would have a nice neat foam board filled with pretty colored post-its and it would give me a picture of my novel in progress, keep me on track, and it would be easy to change as I went moved forward with the project. Great concept!

I actually created a beautiful storyboard. It sits in my office, looking impressive, but it intimidates me. Instead I started a totally different project with no outline, not storyboard, no synopsis. All I have is an idea of what the novel is to accomplish. I'm having a great time writing the project, and I'm not "curbed" by any outline or storyboard.

Maybe someday I'll write the novel I've outlined on my board, but for now, it sits...an idea...fully outlined...

I'm a pantster.

Carol Ann Erhardt
Coming August 29, JOSHUA'S HOPE
"A little boy who knows too much...a mother who will do anything to save him."
www.carolannerhardt.com

Friday, July 11, 2008

Exercise and Writing

What do the two have to do with each other? A lot. Before I started writing seriously, I remember reading articles about authors who went for walks in the morning and dictated into a microrecorder. Walking, they said, cleared their heads and opened them for bursts of creativity.

Too many times I sit at my computer and read emails, study course material and "think" about what I should be writing. However, if I take time to do a little exercise before I sit down to write, I find my brain energized and ready to work.

My day job requires me to spend eight hours a day on the computer. I try to remember to get up and walk around at least once an hour. However, I forget to do that when I'm in my home office at night. So, starting today, I'm going to make some changes about exercise. No longer will I think of it as an unwanted task, but as a part of my writing success.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, July 10, 2008

What Are You Reading?

My favorite way to relax and "get away from it all" is to read. I love losing myself in a great story. I'll read anything, but I'm especially fond of suspense. I love a happily ever after ending, too. For me, it doesn't get better than a good romantic suspense novel.

The latest book I finished is called ABOMINATION by Colleen Coble, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. ISBN: 978-1-59554-141-3 (hardcover) or ISBN: 978-1-59554-478-0 (trade paper).

The story unfolds with a woman, battered, bruised, and barefoot, driving a car with a little two-year-old girl in a car seat in the back. The woman is confused and frightened, and though she doesn't have a clue who she is or who she's running from, she knows someone wants to kill her.

She finds safe harbor in a small community in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Finding the name "Elena" engraved on the back of a golden ballerina shoe hanging on a necklace around her neck, she believes her name is Elena Cox. The little girl's name is Terri. As Elena struggles to regain her memory, events unfold that lead a serial killer, known as Gideon, close enough to strike again.

The characters in this book are well-developed, the plot tight and suspenseful. You won't know who the serial killer is until the very end. Ms. Coble does a fabulous job of pulling everthing together into a tight, suspense-filled climax.

I learned about "geocaching" something I'd never heard of until this book. I fell in love with a search and rescue dog named Samson, and a police Captain, Nikos Andreakos (Nick).

The romance? Oh, believe me this one will tug at your heartstrings. I don't want to give away too much. You'll just have to buy it for yourself. It's a page turner that you won't want to put down. Here's the back page blurb:

"A beautiful woman stands by the side of hte road, barefoot and bleeding, a child in her arms. Someone just tried to kill her, but she wouldn't recognize him if she saw his face. She doesn't even remember her own name.

A suburban cop surveys a kitchen in disarray--a woman and child missing, a chilling note. This crime scene is unlike any he has ever seen.

The man who calls himself Gideon waits and plans. He sees himself as a destroyer of evil, one who rids the world of abominations. He already killed five. He will kill again.

And somewhere inthe wilderness, in a secret geocache near where the wild swans gather, lies the unspeakable clue that links them all together.

Michigan's rugged and beautiful Upper Peninsula is the setting for this absorbing tale of love and loss, beauty and terror, grievous sins and second chances. A deftly woven thriller from the popular author of the Rock Harbor novels."

Buy it, you won't be disappointed.

Now it's your turn. Tell me what you are reading.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Oh, Poor Jason!

I admit it. I watched the Bachelorette. I had picked out Jason for Diyanna from the very beginning. It warmed my heart to see him falling for her and I thought I saw the same thing from her. Last night after she took them to meet her family, I felt certain she'd pick Jason over Jessie. Jason has his life in order. He's a loving father, a romantic, and stable. Jessie, a free spirit, doesn't even know what he wants to be when he grows up. The suspense ratcheted up when the first limo pulled up. When Jason stepped out, I felt devastated. I knew he was going to be hurt...hurt bad.

After watching the "After the Rose" segment, I know Jessie and Diyanna are in love with each other...or in love with the idea of being in love. I wish them well.

But Jason is broken hearted. I could feel his pain as he talked to Diyanna and tried to get answers to his questions. I got a little sick of hearing her say "The last thing I wanted to do was make you feel like I felt with Brad." Okay, I think he got that. But she kept saying that over and over again. All as if she were trying to remove the guilt she felt. Hey, it's a show. They go on there knowing the chances they take. No need to feel guilty for falling in love. But at least have the decency to tell the other person what happened.

I keep thinking this would make a wonderful romance book. I just have to figure out how to structure it. Hmmm....the wheels are turning.

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, July 07, 2008

All is Calm...

Looking out my window this morning as I write this blog, the view is uncannily eerie. The sun isn't shining yet, though it doesn't look like rain. Not a single thing is stirring. Not one single leaf on the huge tree dominating the picture. No birds. No animals. No vehicles. What a strange feeling. If not for the sound of the radio, I'd think I entered into another realm.

In the distance, I hear trucks on the freeway, and I know when I walk through my front door, the world will be waiting to suck me in. **sigh** It's back to work after a nice three-day weekend. While I'd envisioned it being a wonderful time of rest, fun, and productivity...the reality was nothing like this. Instead, I helped hubby carry tile he'd removed from the kitchen floor out to the trash. We moved a refrigerator and a stove. He fixed the leaking toilet...finally...on Saturday afternoon. I watched a lot of TV--mostly Animal Planet. Read three quarters of a book. Listened to the sound of screws being driven into the sub floor. Not quite what I'd anticipated. Now it's back to work. If only the calm I'm seeing now will prevail...

Have a great day. Thanks for stopping by.

What I'm reading now: Abomination, by Colleen Coble

Friday, July 04, 2008

Unexpected Gifts...

The toilet is still leaking. Now, how impossible is this? Nothing is impossible around our house. But, after all those wax rings hubby has determined the real reason for the leak. The gasket on the flush tank is bad. Yep, so he wrestled that toilet off three times for nothing. Today, he'll replace the gasket...in between laying the subfloor in our kitchen.

Me? I'm off to do some shopping to "get away from it all."

The unexpected gift? I opened my emails last night and found that Enchanted Reviews had given my book, FOXFIRE, a rating of 5 out of 5. How cool is that?

I'll be posting the link in my blog on Monday.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

Thanks of stopping by.

Thursday, July 03, 2008

"Honey, Don't Flush the Toilet"

I've been looking forward to the nice long weekend since I have July 4th off. Woo hoo! Monday dawned and all I could think of was only four days to work this week. I envisioned cleaning house and getting all my weekend work finished on Friday so I'd have two whole days to read, write and relax. I was fixing dinner when my hubby rushed into the kitchen and said, "Honey, don't flush the toilet. It's leaking!"

Our half-bath downstairs was being flooded. He removed the ceiling panels and found the leak at the floor under the upstairs toilet. Not too bad, since hubby is a handy man. I just felt bad that he would have to spend his Tuesday wrestling with the toilet by himself.

I came home Tuesday night and he was happy. He'd replaced the wax rings and we now had two flushable toilets again. We had planned to go to Home Depot and look at floor tile because I had finally agreed to replace the twelve year old tile which had seen better days. We found the perfect flooring. Looks like old wood like you'd see in an old school house. You can see the knot holes and grain. Hickory in color. It had a 25 year guarantee. The new tile doesn't stick to the subfloor, but instead sticks to each separate piece and makes a beautiful pattern. We ate and came home and I retired to the sofa to rest. Then I heard these dreaded words: "Honey, don't flush the toilet!"

I thought he was kidding, but nope. That porcelain throne was leaking again. Yesterday, hubby spent another day "fixing" the toilet. I came home to a living room full of kitchen. The microwave stand, the butcher block serving cart, the table and chairs, the wine rack...everything dominated my living room. Hubby had stripped about half the tile from the kitchen floor in preparation for adding another layer of subfloor before putting down the new flooring. **sigh** I hate this. My nice long weekend would be interrupted with nail hammering and sawing. No need to even think about cleaning and dusting until this whole fiasco is finished. At least a week. But at least the toilet was fixed.

We ate and I retired to my office to write.

"Honey! Don't flush the toilet!"

Nooooooo. So once again...hubby will spend today "fixing" the toilet. He says he knows the right combination of wax rings to use this time. We'll see.

Thanks for stopping by.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Serial Killers and Psychologically Disturbed Villains

What can I say? I love getting into the heads of fictional villains! Last Saturday I attended a local Sisters in Crime meeting. When they asked each of us to introduce ourselves and what we write and a fun thing about us, I meekly introduced myself, said that I write romantic suspense, and that I love reading and writing suspense novels. "I love getting into the heads of serial killers and vicious villains...and then kiling them off." The place erupted in laughter. (My friend said it was my expression that was so funny.) So, to tell them something fun about myself, I finished off with..."I'm the mother of eight children, and I'm just a sweet little old grandmother."

More laughter! Hmmm. Maybe I should work these together into a tag line.

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Carpal Tunnel or ... ?

At the booksigning on Sunday afternoon, a weird thing happened. It felt as if the tips of my fingers on the right hand were going to sleep. Kind of scary, but since I didn't feel bad I figured it would go away. It hasn't. In fact it's gotten worse. My index finger is the worst, but I can also feel it on the outside of my pinky finger to some extent. An aching pain started that runs across the back on my hand across the wrist and in the evening affects my whole arm and even my shoulder. I have a strange raised bump on the index finger joint farthest away from the nail.

I read symptoms last night on the internet to try and self-diagnose. The pain in the entire arm seems to mimic carpal tunnel, but supposedly it doesn't affect the pinky finger. And a ganglion cyst on the finger joint appears on the first joint closest to the nail bed.

So...what is wrong with me? As usual, I'm a unique case.

It's the first day of July and we are now on the downhill side of the year and closing in on Christmas! I can't believe how fast this year is passing. Here in Columbus it is supposed to be a near perfect day. Clear blue skies, lots of sunshine, low humidity and in the high 70's. But, I'll be in a totally windowless building all day, in my little office, wishing I could sit on my deck and write. Someday...

Thanks for stopping by and if you have any idea what might be plaguing me, please leave me a comment!

See you tomorrow.