A gardening post

Luna Moth in Rula's garden

Hi everyone! I'm over at the Harlequin Heartwarming blog today, blogging about weed-free, dream gardens with author buddy Catherine Lanigan. Do you have faeries in yours? What about a spider web as tall as you are? No kidding. Come see the photo I took of it and many other pics!

A Midsummer Night's Garden...or Not

See you there! :)

P.S. - The Luna moth in this pic is a new visitor :). The one in the photo in the upper right of my blog was from a few years ago. I just love them!

Also...I finally have a newsletter sign up! Check out the left column here or the newsletter page sign up on my website. I won't spam inboxes. I'll only be sending out release news a few times a year, with added tidbits or news from the home front :).

Secrets to Synopsis Writing, Upcoming Interviews and more!

I'm back from RWA Nationals in San Antonio and I have to say that I had a fabulous time. Stay tuned for a post on Nationals complete with pics in the next few days! In the meantime, I have two new writing related posts up:

Secrets to Synopsis Writing - over at Kelly Steel's Chasing Happy Ever After blog and...

Muse-Jogging Tips & Alternatives - over at Romance Book Paradise

Also, I'll be interviewing some fabulous authors over at USA Today's Happy Ever After blog in the next few months, starting with the incredible and lovely Catherine Lanigan, the real author behind the character, 'Joan Wilder', who wrote the famous Romancing the Stone and The Jewel of the Nile. Look for the interview on August 1st (I'll post the link here or check out the right column when it goes live). Check out my 'upcoming interviews' in the right column to see who'll be in the spotlight in September and October!

EDITED TO ADD: READ CATHERINE LANIGAN'S USATODAY HEA INTERVIEW HERE!

And if you can't wait to see at least a few of the upcoming pics, check out the one's I tweeted from Nationals @RulaSinara but I'll post even more here soon :).

I hope everyone is having a fab summer! I'll see you soon :).

Giveaway: Show your 'Sweet and Heartwarming' spirit!

Happy July, everyone! This month is all about celebrating. My friends up North kicked it off with Canada Day and here in the U.S. we're getting ready for an 'Independence Day' Friday full of fun and fireworks. July is also an extra special month for the romance writing community because, on July 23rd, the Romance Writers of America annual National Convention kicks off. So many opportunities this month for friends and family to gather together...and what's more heartwarming than that? ;)

The Harlequin Heartwarming authors want to help spread the 'sweet and heartwarming' spirit, so we're doing a month long giveaway of 50 spirit bracelets like the one shown in the photo above. Details, rules, regulations and all that jazz can be found at the Heartwarming Authors blog HERE. But to give you an idea of how this giveaway will work, here's a copy of the main part of that post:

1. Tell us via social media how much you love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! Post a comment here. Post a comment on our Facebook page under our Sweet and Heartwarming Posts (and like us!). Share our post on Facebook with the#GoHeartwarming hashtag. Tweet about our giveaway: I love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! #GoHeartwarming. Spread the word on Goodreads. Every comment/post/share/like/tweet/hashtag is an entry. We'll track entries each week!  We're giving away 50 bracelets to our social media supporters during the month of July!  
2. To our sweet romance fans and our writing sisters who'll be attending either the RWA Literacy Booksigning July 23rd in San Antonio at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter OR attending the RWA conference July 23-26, if you come across a Harlequin Heartwarming Author wearing a pin like the one shown below (green beads and the distinctive "H"), all you have to do is say: I love Sweet and Heartwarming Romance! And you're an instant winner!

Sharing the love on blogs and forums counts too! All you have to do is leave a comment on the 'Sweet and Heartwarming' post on the Heartwarming Authors blog and/or here...and be sure to include a link back to where you mentioned your love of sweet and heartwarming romance. We just need to be able to keep track for the weekly drawings (again, check the link for details).

And for those of you who read the fine print and are bummed that winners have to live in the U.S., I'm going to add a separate (international) giveaway that includes anyone who leaves a comment and 'link back' here on this blog. If you spread the spirit through social media, as stated above, but aren't a U.S. resident, then leave your 'I love sweet and heartwarming' comment here on this blog with a link back to where you spread the word...plus, state your country (no specifics, just country)...that way we'll know which giveaway it's for (note: if you're a U.S. res. then you'll be entered for the bracelet too). On July 28th, I'll randomly draw one winner. The prize: An autographed copy of my Harlequin Heartwarming, The Promise of Rain, along with a matching bookmark. Be sure to check back here on July 31st so that I can get contact info from the winner!

Now, go spread the spirit of all things sweet and heartwarming! :)

The Promise of Rain: A USA Today HEA Recommended Read!

This has been quite the month! Although I haven't had a fresh post, I was updating the links on my last post to all my release month stops so if you're curious, scroll down or check it out HERE. I'm not sure I've ever revealed so much about myself!

I'm also soooo grateful for all the wonderful reviews folks have taken the time to write! I have links on my website, but the latest one the made my entire year was a USA Today's Happy Ever After 'Recommended Read' on The Promise of Rain just this week. You can read what contributor Kathy Altman had to say HERE (it's the third one down).

AND today I'm 'Setting the Scene' and giving away a signed copy of The Promise of Rain over at The Pink Heart Society! Come see photos of Africa and find out why I chose Kenya's Serengeti as my setting.

I'm so excited that the incredible J.L.Campbell will be here. She was kind enough to let me interview her so don't forget to stop by on February 3rd!

I'm just catching my breath, so I promise I'll be visiting your blogs soon :).

Latest author Interview and blog post

Happy October (my favorite month along with November)!

I apologize for the short post, but I'm not even sure if this will work. I'm having trouble with new text and updates saving in my side column gadgets, a problem I believe Blogger is working on. I'm not sure if the issue extends to new posts or if it's blog selective. I did manage to post a tribute to Tom Clancy at the Heartwarming Authors Blog today, so we'll see if this post works.

You can check out my post at the Heartwarming blog HERE.

Also, my latest USAToday's HEA interview, with H.Romance author Shirley Jump, posted yesterday and can be found HERE.

I know I wasn't online much last month (I miss you all :), but that'll change soon. I'm working on a website, social media etc...I'll be back with links to all that soon!

Here's hoping this post works... 

Marketing Must Read and More

Huge apologies for missing my Tuesday post (unforeseeable circumstances), but I have a couple of links that will make up for it :).

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY: Check out fellow Heartwarming author Jennifer Snow's blog and excerpt for the first book in her Brookhollow series releasing this November. She's doing a custom t-shirt giveaway and all you have to do to enter the drawing is leave a comment HERE.

MARKETING BOOK RECOMMENDATION: When I was in Atlanta for Nationals, I attended a workshop where author Valerie Bowman was one of five authors on a panel. I could tell from the tips she was giving that she knew her marketing. I just downloaded her book, Painless Marketing for Busy Authors, off Amazon. It's only 99 cents but it's worth a million in marketing advice, links and resources. It's not long, so it's a quick read for busy authors, but it's packed with ideas and I can't recommend it enough. Plus, her style of writing makes it a fun and lively read as well. Buy it HERE. (Note: I don't get anything out of recommending her book. I simply think it's worth it.)

HEARTWARMING POST: It's my day to post over at The Heartwarming Author's blog, so pop by and see what beauty I found on my doorstep...courtesy of organic gardening :).

Happy August!

Shopping

I've been doing a lot of shopping this week. Holiday sales didn't end until today and I wanted to take advantage. I know every now and then shopping for clothes and shoes is a necessity (as in, my favorite, can't live without it, long, black cardigan got eaten by moths recently), but I do not get a thrill out of shopping for clothes. I find it exhausting, though I am overjoyed if I find a piece that fits like it was made for me.

My top ten thoughts on shopping:

1. I could shop for house stuff forever...clothing for me...not.

2. Shoes must be comfortable. Pain free. No stilettos (I'm in awe of those who can wear them).

3. Every single person out there is my size in shoes and clothes, hence my size is never available.

4. Fluorescent lights in dressing rooms are evil. I'm now emotionally scarred.

5. Swimsuit section up ahead...TURN AND RUN! (note: just saw self under fluorescent lights)

6. Online shopping rocks, but I need to leave time for shipping :(

7. One dressing room I used this week (nice store) had no air circulating. The dress I was trying on was a tad small, but it was so hot, I probably could have just stood there awhile and waited for an inch to melt off my thighs.

8. My instinct is to go for black outfits. My son was chanting 'color' behind me in one store lol.

9. Getting locked outside the mall at 9:30pm...on the opposite side of the mall from where you parked....is a sure sign of an inexperienced mall shopper.

10. Ultimate moment: getting stuck in a dress seconds after the store lady knocked on my dressing room door to let me know the store was closing in less than 5 minutes. Sigh. At that point, I started laughing at myself. Out loud.

So are you a clothes/shoe shopper? A comfort gal or a fashionista who'll sacrifice comfort for the look? Or would you rather shop for home goods?

On a quick note, this Thursday I'll be blogging at the Heartwarming Authors blog about library memories, kids and ebooks and on Friday check out my USAToday HEA interview with Harlequin Romance author Jennifer Faye. I'll be back with links :).

Check it out!

Hey everyone!

Just a quick post to let you know I'm two places today.

I was invited to post my call story (not the long arduous one posted here :) over at USAToday's Happy Ever After blog. Check it out HERE.

I also have my very first Heartwarming Authors blog post up today. Check it out HERE...and find out what wild creature I once wore on my head to school.

And...tomorrow is the official first day of summer...so have a great summery Friday and weekend!

See you around! :)

List and Links

Happy Monday everyone!

I'm still in check-list mode, trying to get all the things one has to get done after The Call done. In that spirit, today's post is in list form :).

1) I have an interview with Harlequin Superromance author Amy Knupp posted at USAToday's Happy Ever After blog today. If you have a minute, I'd love for you to check it out HERE.

2) Forgive me if I don't respond to comments left there (but feel free to post them ;). It's done through Facebook, and crazy me doesn't have an account yet. I'm looking to change that soon.

3) I also want to point out that I added a feed on the left sidebar, and a link on the right, to my new, second home, the 'Heartwarming Authors' blog. I'll be posting there every third Thursday, starting with my first post this week (June 20th). The authors and editors there write wonderful posts. Check them out!

4) I'm going to switch my regular post day here from Mondays to Tuesdays (not that I haven't missed a post here and there, but you get the idea). I can't seem to recover from weekends fast enough to get posts up. I'm hoping Tuesdays will work out better, with the occasional Thursday here and at the Heartwarming blog.

5) And finally, since I don't think I mentioned it here, the first book in my series for Harlequin Heartwarming is titled The Promise of Rain (which just so happens to be my working title, yay!) and it's due to release this coming January 2014. Book 2 is set for Jan 2015 and book 3 is set for Dec 2015.

Whew! I can't wait to see my first cover!

I hope you all have an awesome week. I'll see you around your blogs!

Happy Birthday HEA!

I haven't done a Therapeutic Thursday post in awhile, but I think birthdays fall into the happy, feel-good category so here it is...Happy 1 year birthday to Joyce Lamb and her extraordinarily successful USAToday Happy Ever After blog!

USAToday online just underwent a face lift, so you'll have to check out the HEA blog's new look. In fact, my latest HEA interview with Harlequin author Rebecca Winter's posted this past Tuesday, October 2nd. You can check it out here, then click on the Happy Ever After header, or here, to see today's interviews and reviews (I'll bait you with one I saw with a really hot cover model and an interview that's up with Hank Phillippi Ryan).

Also, I'm juggling a few things on the home front, including patio construction  (I'm sure the foreman loves how OCD I am :P), a long weekend (Happy Thanksgiving Day to my Canadian friends on Monday...and Columbus Day here), a kid birthday (we have 3 b-days in the house this month if you include my puppy turning 1) and out-of-town guests, so you may not see a Monday post from me next week (and possibly the week after).

Once again, Happy Birthday HEA! Hope you enjoy the interviews.

Have you heard?

You know that handy dandy 'replace all' feature in Word? Well, here's a story that'll take replace all to a whole new level...and put a grin on your face. I found the link at The Passive Voice, a blog that keeps everyone up to date on what's going on in the publishing world. Check the story out here. Let's just say it involves a little Nook-y. LOL. What'll they do next?

Also, if you're interested in reading through pitches, then seeing which ones ended up catching the interest of editors (and getting full requests), check out this link to the Entangled Publishing pitch fest that was held a few days ago at Romance University. The pitch is over, but being able to compare pitches and see which ones stand out is a worthwhile exercise.

Lastly, I turned off my word verification today (thanks to a post at Seeing Creative). I had no idea it was on, but I think my settings defaulted to it when Blogger's format changed. If it's still popping up, please let me know! And if you'd prefer not to have yours on, check out your settings. Word verification could be on without you realizing it.

It's the last week of school for my kids, so I have to run a pick up class party snack substitutes (the whole food allergy thing). I'll be sure to make time for blog visits though! See you around :)

First Blog Tag

I've never been blog tagged before (blush). The lovely Carol Kilgore over at Under The Tiki Hut tagged me a few days ago. If you haven't been over there, check it out!

I'm embarrassed to say that, as simple as the tag questions are, I've been at a loss for words. Choices, choices. Aren't tough calls supposed to be for our heroes and heroines? Don't writers get some sort Free Pass on tough decisions? LOL. Well...I cheated.

Yep. And I never cheat. I'm a terrible liar too. But I did it. I shrank the questions by a few. In my twisted way of thinking, the bloggers I don't mention have more company for moral support ;). No, really. All my blogger friends are awesome, so I picked a mix of old and new. What? Not allowed to cheat? Hey, it's my first tag and a first time offense. Send out the tag police...just make sure they're hunky ;)

Here it goes:

Do you think you're hot? Ha! NO!!!!!!

Upload a picture or wallpaper you're using at the moment.

When was the last time you ate chicken? I made organic, tarragon roasted chickens with potato and carrots two nights ago.

What were you thinking as you were doing this? That I need to be polishing my manuscript.

Tag five blogger friends.

1. Nas Dean

2. Christy Olesen

3. Maria Zannini

4. Kaily Hart

5. Stina Lindenblatt

Who is listed as #1? Nas Dean over at www.nas-dean.blogspot.com. She does wonderful author interviews.

Say something about #5. Stina has a fantastic craft/writing blog called Seeing Creative. Check it out!

How did you get to know #2? I checked out Christy's blog after she started following me. I really liked it and followed her back :)

Do #3 and #4 have any similarities? Maria and Kaily write yummy, hot heroes ;)

Okay. You tagees are supposed to tag others, but no obligation. Did I just break a rule again by saying that? Really, I just hope all of you check out their blogs. Enjoy!