Temptation in a Kilt

Did you hear the scream? Sorry, it was me! Imagine my surprise when I opened an e-mail from my wonderful editor and saw... this! Who wouldn't?

It's official and I'm telling the world.

Coming September 2012 from Sourcebooks Casablanca is my debut novel, Temptation in a Kilt. This is Book 1 of my Bad Boys of the Highlands series.

Please excuse me while I pop open a bottle of champagne and raise my glass to the Highland hotty that graces my first cover...

This is a verra fine day indeed.

Women Read/Women Write

Yes! That's me and New York Times Bestselling Author Madeline Hunter! When this picture was taken, I was hoping her literary expertise would rub off on me--literally. As she strolled through the crowd passing out bookmarks, I was so nervous that I froze like a complete dolt. My heart was beating faster and faster. If not for my friend snagging her attention, introducing us and telling her about my Scottish historical coming out in September, I would have missed my chance to meet her. (Thanks, Karen! I owe you one!) In all honesty, the moment was almost lost, but my daughter kept poking me in the ribs. I don't think she would've let that happen.   

I attended the first Women Read/Women Write event in Pittsburgh celebrating the books women love to read. There were a vast panel of authors ranging from literary novelists, women's fiction, mystery and of course my personal favorite--romance!

Many authors shared their personal journeys about dredging through the publishing world and were very open and honest about how difficult this business can be. Between query letters, submissions, rejection letters, agents, publishers, marketing, no subject was left unturned. It was a meeting of the minds like no other.

The event would not have been complete without New York Times Bestselling Author Gaelen Foley.

Gaelen's new release, My Ruthless Prince, just hit the New York Times Bestseller list after one week! These ladies are indeed an inspiration to all. 

I also had the privilege of meeting RITA® Award winner Gwen Cready.

Needless to say, there was a ton of hometown pride. These ladies, *clearing throat* and one gentleman were indeed awe-inspiring. It was an educational experience I thoroughly enjoyed. I hope to join the panel next year and learn a great deal on the coattails of these wonderful authors. 

Celtic Woman

I watched Celtic Woman perform on television with a back drop of a beautiful Irish castle and was mesmerized by their talent. Granted, the show was in Ireland and I was only dreaming, but when they came so close to home I had to get tickets. I am so glad I did!

It didn't take long to convince my daughter to go with me to Heinz Hall and we had a blast. The women were beautiful, talented, and with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra accompanying them... need I say more? I have to admit, *bowing head* my eyes welled with tears on a couple of occasions. Angelic is probably the best word to describe the show. 

Although this was their Christmas show and they gifted us with songs such as Ave Maria and O Holy Night, they were still kind enough to grace us with Danny Boy and You Raise Me Up. Not to mention Máiréad's Irish jig's which are out of this world!

We were not permitted to take pictures once the show started, but this should tell you how fantastic our seats were. If you have the chance to go, don't miss it!

This was definitely a mother/daughter function that I will cherish forever. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Always My Baby

December 5th, 2000 was the year of my daughter's birth. Her bright blue eyes and shining smile warmed my heart the instant our eyes met. She was beautiful. She was my baby. The moment her tiny little fingers grasped around mine I knew I was destined to be a mother. I would always protect her--always love her.

I watched her grow over the years into the young lady she is today. She's in that wonderful stage of  prepubescent years where eye rolls and embarrassment are a frequent factor. You know exactly what I mean. It was perfectly acceptable to shop at Kohl's, but that was so last year. If it doesn't say Aeropostale, it can no longer grace her body. Christmas lists are no longer dolls and stuffed animals, but DS games, iPod Touch and Lady Gaga CD's.  

Her sense of humor is beyond compare. With some of the things that escape her mouth, she has me rolling on the floor. Good grades, travel basketball, a nice bunch of friends, what more could a mother ask for? I don't mind spoiling my kids when they are doing well. They work and play hard. 

Yesterday was my daughter's 11th birthday. We treated her to dinner at Olive Garden and took her gift to the restaurant. When her father told the waitress it was her birthday, my daughter's features turned to crimson. The waitress brought her a cake with a candle in it and asked if my daughter wanted her to sing to which she cringed and murmured a polite 'no thank you.'  

After dinner we sat around the table and handed her the gift. She opened the box which had a padded envelope inside. She opened it and reached in. When she pulled out the box and saw the iPod Touch, her eyes widened and she reached over and gave me a hug. My eyes welled with tears as I tried to blink them back. Seeing the expression of pure joy and happiness on her face was truly all the thanks I needed. She sprang from the booth and embraced her father. I gave a quick glance at my husband as his eyes reddened. That suit of armor is not so tough! 

At that moment, I became cognizant of one thing. No matter how old my daughter is, she will always be my baby.

Christmas Presents: On-line Shopping or Facing the Masses

This has to be the first time in my history of Christmas shopping I am 99% complete--not wrapped, but the gifts are bought.

Between running both kids to basketball, meeting editing deadlines and the day job, I have discovered the wonderful world of internet shopping. As my beautiful niece would say, "You punch on the keyboard what you want and they deliver it to your door the next day. Oh, and you don't have to pay." Wishful thinking, Maisy.

Now I don't normally do this. Every year the dh and I dredge through the mall, store to store, window to window and immerse with a ton of bags. It's hot, crowded, and by the end of the day we've had it. Of course we always encounter the slap to the head moments like, "Do you know what we forgot?" At times, it's downright frustrating.

I have to admit, it is rather satisfying to have the UPS guy ring the doorbell and my package is delivered. No fighting for parking, no crowds and no misery. There is a little thread of guilt I'm plagued with by not shopping the traditional way, but it quickly fades after meeting the first rude holiday shopper.

What about you? Internet or do you bravely face the masses?

Halloween Adventures

Halloween rocks. No really, it does. Not only is it fun for kids of all ages, but it's my birthday. Hey! Before you even think about it! I've heard all of the jokes before! You're not funny! Yep. I'm the super cool mom who shares her birthday on the day when the veil between the living and the dead are meshed. What can I say? 

Being on the lower side of 40-ish, I've had a lot of Halloween adventures over the years. You remember--the times when getting into innocent mischief was not risking a lawsuit or someone wasn't running out of their house with a gun in hand.  

Toilet paper, soaping, I've done it all. I have to say my favorite was corning. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure... You take a handful of popcorn kernels and whip it at an aluminum sided house (no windows, please!) The sound was unbelievable, especially when you strike at the same time from front to back. Yep, our neighbors would thunder out of the house cursing up a storm while we hid behind a bush. Good times and clean fun.

One of my fondest memories was when I'd hang with my neighbor, Jimmy. He had this amazing talent of always finding us different 'activities' to get into. It was around Halloween and he had a hideous monster mask. He stole one of his mother's sheets and borrowed his little cousin, placing him on his shoulders. When he covered them both with the sheet, they looked like a 7-foot hunchback. Directly in front of Jimmy's house was a stop sign. He'd wait for the cars to stop and then dash out from the side of his house and scare the--well, you know what he scared. Those were the days when we could stay out until midnight and play in the street with not a care in the world. *sigh* 

What were some of your best Halloween adventures?

This Bad Boy is Done!

There is nothing sweeter than finishing a manuscript. All of the blood, sweat and tears, fist pounding, hair pulling, more gray hair (which in turn leads to coloring), swearing at the CP for yet another redo and a year of your life buried in your writer's cave... You better believe it was worth it! What a ride!

I am pleased to announce that Bewitching a Highland Rogue, Book 2 of the Bad Boys of the Highlands series is complete! Declan MacGregor. I think everyone will love his arrogant alpha arse. Think of him as the Gannicus of the Highlands--a Highland rock star. Of course the beautiful Lady Liadain Campbell sees right through his roguish act. In fact, she's been known to put him in his place a time or two. ;-)

Highland Savior, Book 1 of the Bad Boys of the Highlands series is scheduled for release in Fall 2012. Sourcebooks is deciding on the launch date this week. Woo-hoo!

That pretty much leaves me plotting Book 3. Mmm... Heroes and heroines are named, plot(s) are forming, I might need a few names for villains. Anyone tick you off as of late? Let me know and I'll slip them in or behead them. Frankly, I'll leave it up to you.