{June 17, 2011}
Guest Blogging…
{October 1, 2009}
Happy Birthday, Vicki!
I have a very dear friend. Her name’s Vicki, and today’s her birthday. We met almost a decade ago when she sent me an email with a writing question. At first, I just thought I’d give her some writing advice and that would be that. However, she struck up a conversation and before either of us knew it, we were writing regularly. It didn’t take long to cross the miles between us and get to know each other. I learned about her husband and she learned about mine. I went through the very sudden, unexpected loss of my dad, and she told me about hers walking out on her and her mom and sister when she was little. We both wanted a family, neither of us has been blessed in that way. We both wanted to be writers. We went through the writing firsts together. She to write her first, and I to publish my first. We have so many things in common that it just seemed the perfect fit for friendship. It’s a give and take. It’s uncanny how we always know when something is bothering the other. Then we do what we can to help the other one through whatever troubles us.
Vicki’s a lovely person both inside and out. She has the shade of brown hair that reminds me of burnt umber on a painter’s palette. She has a smile that makes her eyes crinkle at the edges because it truly reaches her eyes and lights up her face. She’s got these long legs that go on and on. And she has these long lines and smooth curves. She’s a head-turner! And yet as pretty as she is on the outside, she’s even more beautiful on the inside. It’s difficult not to like Vicki…or to be drawn to her because she’s the type of person who’s gentle and sweet and encouraging and warm and funny and a little zany. She’s also the type of person who’s loyal and steadfast and always has my back when I need someone to be there!
Everyone needs someone like Vicki, and everyone needs to be like Vicki to at least one person. I try to be as good to Vicki as she is to me. I think I come up short.
Happy Birthday, Vicki!
I hope it’s one you’ll never forget. One that’s so very special it puts a smile on your face just recalling it!
Love you!
{September 20, 2009}
Ladies and Gents, I give you…
my sister, Janis.
Isn’t she a cutie? Now, this photo’s just a couple years old…well, okay, so maybe a couple decades old, but she’s not changed all that much. I mean, she’s taller now. 
This post is in response to a comment she made right here on my blog. Plus, Janis is about to have a birthday, which is September 30th. My sister has one of the most beautiful smiles I’ve ever come across, but more importantly, she has a truly beautiful spirit. Whenever I’m feeling down or just out of sorts, she seems to know and she either calls or e-mails me and everything just seems to fall right back into place.
Recently, she returned to college to get a degree in criminal justice. During the course of her studies, she had to write an essay about a living person. She chose me. Her words touched my heart in a deep, meaningful way. While I’ve not got a professor to assign this essay to me, I felt compelled to write something about her.
In my family, my dad was a humongous supporter of my dreams. I say was because he passed away unexpectedly in November 2001 at the way-too-young age of 63. When I got my first publishing contract after his death, I thought, “I wish Dad was here to share this.” I was certain no one would share it with me on that type of level like my dad would share it with me. I was wrong. Very wrong. Of course, Steve, my husband, shares in my joys on his own very special level, which is different. However, Janis stood out from the pack.
She reads my work and offers me all her feedback. On the college campus, she’s like a walking, talking billboard for my books. She tells everyone about her sister the writer. Just like Dad would have done!
When friends of mine planned my first ever book signing combined with a reception, Janis and her eldest daughter, Rebekah, traveled 130 miles to attend. They arrived early, helped me prepare, and then spent the whole day at the reception cheering me on, standing behind me or beside me, laughing, chatting, hugging, and smiling. She spoke of my father that day and how he would have rejoiced in my accomplishment. Her words meant more to me than she’ll ever know. Her support, her encouragement, her belief in me, and her constant flow of love toward me remind me so very much of my dad. In his absence, I surely have been blessed with her–my sister, Janis! I love you! 
{August 20, 2009}
Delaware…land of history and fine sand!
Well, my husband surprised me with a lovely trip to Delaware. We were all over that state! I loved every minute of it. The beaches are simply wonderful. We spent the most time at Rehoboth Beach, which is huge. We also went to Lewes Beach and Slaughter Beach (yes, that’s the real–and scary–name of the beach). We found out AFTER we were there that a swimmer at Slaughter Beach was bitten by a shark on July 3, 2009. And, so, that explained why we were the only people on the beach the day we visited! I really enjoyed my time in Delaware. So much to see and do! Such warm and friendly people, too. We took a coastal highway route home and crossed the massive Bay Bridge. Lovely scenery across that bridge. As awesome as the Bay Bridge is, my absolute favorite bridge is the Mighty Mack, which goes to Saint Ignace.
So, I brought home a bottle of sand from the beaches as is my custom when visiting the beach. I also accumulated a variety of sea shells to put in/on the sand when I display it on the buffet in my home. I have sand from all over: Nova Scotia, Saint Ignace, Mackinac Island, and Africa just to name a few.
Aside from the beaches, we visited Wilmington, Dover, Harrington, Lewes, Rehoboth, Milford, and a few more cities/towns. Spent lots of time at the Dover Air Force Base’s museum, too. Wow! Those planes are humongous!
It was a lovely trip and we built some great memories and have some fantastic photos to fondly look back on.
In other news, I finished my edit for Honor Thy Neighbor, which is a huge load off my plate and my shoulders. I went through the edit several times to make sure it was as I wanted it, and that I’d made all the necessary changes/revisions/deletions. I’m so excited about the release. I love these characters and I can’t wait to gain some reader feedback on them!
Her Last continues to hold it’s own in sales, which I pray just continues deep into September so that when Honor Thy Neighbor is released in September, it can gain some momentum from readers of Her Last. Every little boost helps!
My sister called today to tell me she’s been reading my other new release from 2009–GeeWhiz Meets SHAFT. Nothing but rave reviews! She said she was sitting on a bench on campus today laughing out loud, which just had me beaming and grinning ear-to-ear.
I got the first round of edits for my November release–That Taste of Orange–my holiday short fiction. I’m so excited about that release, too. This will be the final release of 2009 for me, which closes out the year with 4–two full-length novels and two short fiction pieces. While the joy never seems to end, neither does the work involved in 4 releases in 1 year. I told Steve last night, I didn’t think I wanted to do that again! But who knows, eh? If the opportunity presents itself…
Okay, there’s a storm loudly making its presence known outside, so I better end this and get it posted. Thank you for reading my blog, and especially for visiting the days when I showcase a new author on Cover Corner.
{July 9, 2009}
The Reviews are in!
Her Last was reviewed by SeriouslyReviewed! and it scored excellently! 9 of 10 for presentation and 8 of 10 for story. Check out the review and leave a comment!
In other news, I’m a new aunt today! Brendan Charles was born at 11:12 PM 7/8/09. He was 7 lbs 12.8 ounces, and 21 1/2 inches long. All reports are that he’s absolutely gorgeous! Since I live 130 miles away, I have not had the joy and pleasure of seeing his beautiful little face yet! Mommy and baby are great and sure to come home soon!
In still other news, a fellow author disclosed her newly diagnosed cancer. She has such a strong, positive attitude. I admire that. My thoughts and prayers are with her as she mounts a battle against the cancer in her body.
Lives are short. Our time here is never guaranteed. I hope you all live it accordingly!
