Last night it was monstrously cold here. My husband and I ate a late dinner, then settled in before a roaring fire with huge mugs of hot chocolate. Neither of us was inclined to play chess, or cards or read. Then, what better way to pass a frosty Thursday night than by watching a movie? My husband graciously allowed me to choose the movie for the night. I know he figured I'd choose something like The Remains of the Day or Pride and Prejudice or even While You Were Sleeping. All favorites of mine, but I didn't choose any of them.
So, what did I pick from the movie library? Raiders of the Lost Ark. Why an adventure rather than a love story? Well, that Harrison Ford is one hot hunk. And I've got a mind to write a story about an archaelogist. Recently I saw a documentary on the treasures of Egypt and it's got me thinking. Tonight, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Still going after watching the handsome hero, all in the name of research, mind you.
What's your idea of a hunky hero? Adventurer? Or someone tamer?
By the way, tomorrow's the day Vineyard Mambo releases! I can barely keep myself from laughing out loud. :)
Happy Leap Day! And have a great weekend!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
When the earth moved
The earth moved for me last night. Ah, I hear your salacious little giggle. You are thinking I mean metaphorically but actually I mean, well, actually. There was an earthquake in England and I was wakened by my bed trembling beneath me. A really strange experience. It was quite frightening and had me wondering how terrible it must be to be in those really big earthquakes. When the earth moved beneath your feet and you have no balance, it must be horrendous.
The last time I was anywhere near an earthquake was in New Zealand. I was leaving for the station in a taxi from the YHA where I had spent the night. The driver asked me if I had felt the 'quake. Well no I hadn't. I had slept through it. It gave me a bit of a quiver though, for I had been on about the twentieth floor!
Thank goodness we have not had violent earthquakes in England. I remember the last one. I was teaching then, a group of really naughty boys. If you did not watch them they would escape through the window! We were reading, then the storage cupboard started to rattle. Nonchalantly I said. "Come out of there Gavin!" Imagining that straw headed Gavin had crept in while I was engaged elsewhere. You can feel how shocked I was when Gavin piped up, in a, for him, timid voice. "But I'm here Miss!"
I said it must be the wind and that calmed the kids, only when I heard the news did I realise it was an earthquake. The kids were to excited the next day and could not wait to rush up and tell me that we had shared this nique experience.
So here I am, unharmed, musing on what had happened to disturb my sleep and thinking about those times, long ago, when the earth really did move!
TTFN
Margaret
The last time I was anywhere near an earthquake was in New Zealand. I was leaving for the station in a taxi from the YHA where I had spent the night. The driver asked me if I had felt the 'quake. Well no I hadn't. I had slept through it. It gave me a bit of a quiver though, for I had been on about the twentieth floor!
Thank goodness we have not had violent earthquakes in England. I remember the last one. I was teaching then, a group of really naughty boys. If you did not watch them they would escape through the window! We were reading, then the storage cupboard started to rattle. Nonchalantly I said. "Come out of there Gavin!" Imagining that straw headed Gavin had crept in while I was engaged elsewhere. You can feel how shocked I was when Gavin piped up, in a, for him, timid voice. "But I'm here Miss!"
I said it must be the wind and that calmed the kids, only when I heard the news did I realise it was an earthquake. The kids were to excited the next day and could not wait to rush up and tell me that we had shared this nique experience.
So here I am, unharmed, musing on what had happened to disturb my sleep and thinking about those times, long ago, when the earth really did move!
TTFN
Margaret
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Word From Our Publisher
The Larks have had a lot of good news lately -- Debbie's new book, Margaret's contract and Sarita's new book. Also our publisher has had some good news and where would be without Whiskey Creek Press. So I'm sharing a portion of a WCP press release that mentions awards, nominations for awards and an anniversary next month. Bravo WCP!
March is Eppie Award Month at Whiskey Creek Press. WCP has a total of seven 2008 Eppie Finalists books this month for the ebook industries most prestigious award. The Eppie Awards will be presented at the annual EPICon, held this year in Portland, Oregon Saturday March 8, 2008. Winners will be announced at the gala awards ceremony sponsored by EPIC and attended by publishers and authors throughout the ebook industry.
Whiskey Creek Press published its first two titles in March 2003, including The Sweetest Gift by award-winning author Janet Mills, and has since published nearly 700 titles by over 250 authors. Whiskey Creek Press has been named the Publisher of the Year by Fallen Angel Reviews and has also been named “Favorite Publisher Top Five” for three consecutive years in the annual Preditors and Editors Readers Poll. Whiskey Creek Press is also celebrating its fifth anniversary during March, and will be giving away free ebooks and sponsoring a huge scavenger hunt.
Whiskey Creek Press can be found at either company website:
The all-genre General Line at www.whiskeycreekpress.com
The erotic sensual Torrid Romance Line at http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/
Whiskey Creek Press LLC is a Wyoming company and its Publisher and Executive Editor is Debra Womack. Senior Staff members include Torrid Romance Line Executive Editor Jan Janssen, General Line Senior Editor Marsha Briscoe, Torrid Romance Line Senior Editor Chere Gruver, and Review Coordinator Kate Scott.
March is Eppie Award Month at Whiskey Creek Press. WCP has a total of seven 2008 Eppie Finalists books this month for the ebook industries most prestigious award. The Eppie Awards will be presented at the annual EPICon, held this year in Portland, Oregon Saturday March 8, 2008. Winners will be announced at the gala awards ceremony sponsored by EPIC and attended by publishers and authors throughout the ebook industry.
Whiskey Creek Press published its first two titles in March 2003, including The Sweetest Gift by award-winning author Janet Mills, and has since published nearly 700 titles by over 250 authors. Whiskey Creek Press has been named the Publisher of the Year by Fallen Angel Reviews and has also been named “Favorite Publisher Top Five” for three consecutive years in the annual Preditors and Editors Readers Poll. Whiskey Creek Press is also celebrating its fifth anniversary during March, and will be giving away free ebooks and sponsoring a huge scavenger hunt.
Whiskey Creek Press can be found at either company website:
The all-genre General Line at www.whiskeycreekpress.com
The erotic sensual Torrid Romance Line at http://www.whiskeycreekpresstorrid.com/
Whiskey Creek Press LLC is a Wyoming company and its Publisher and Executive Editor is Debra Womack. Senior Staff members include Torrid Romance Line Executive Editor Jan Janssen, General Line Senior Editor Marsha Briscoe, Torrid Romance Line Senior Editor Chere Gruver, and Review Coordinator Kate Scott.
Monday, February 25, 2008
They say a picture's worth a thousand words...
Sigh...strong jaw, bulging biceps, wash board abs, firm mouth that I bet would turn soft and coaxing under the right circumstances. The mystery beneath that good ole boy white cowboy hat. What a contradiction! I bet there's nothing good about him. But he does inspire, doesn't he? He just reeks of the strong, silent type. Maybe a little moody. Definitely sexy. And let's face it, ladies of all ages can enjoy looking at a handsome man in his prime.
I'm in the process of finishing up revisions of a cowboy book when a friend sent me this picture. I'd like to think he's exactly what I envision my cowboy hero to be. Okay, maybe my hero's hat is a little dirty and sweat stained from all those days working the range. His jeans are old and faded, but fit just as snugly. And those muscles? Well, of course he'd have those muscles from riding a horse all day and wrestling with cows!
They say a picture's worth a thousand words. I bet I could come up with a thousand if I was forced to. I'd rather look, in stead:)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Since you asked...
I'm posting the blurb for Vineyard Mambo, my first mystery novel. It releases on March 1st from Whiskey Creek Press and I am absolutely over the moon about it. Have a great weekend!:)
Mambo. Merlot. Murder.
Who killed Milton Falls’ nastiest neighbor? And why? Anna Romeo, vineyard owner and librarian, wants to know.
Used to be doors went unlocked, neighbors visited on porches and gossip centered around who had the biggest zucchini. Now that murder’s come calling all bets are off. Arson, burglary and cryptic tea leaf messages fill Anna’s days—and nights—with love, mystery and adventure.
Can Anna unlock the key to the murder that’s got everyone on edge? And, more importantly, can she do it quickly enough for the annual Zucchini Festival to go on as planned?
Only time—and a bit of luck—will tell.
Mambo. Merlot. Murder.
Who killed Milton Falls’ nastiest neighbor? And why? Anna Romeo, vineyard owner and librarian, wants to know.
Used to be doors went unlocked, neighbors visited on porches and gossip centered around who had the biggest zucchini. Now that murder’s come calling all bets are off. Arson, burglary and cryptic tea leaf messages fill Anna’s days—and nights—with love, mystery and adventure.
Can Anna unlock the key to the murder that’s got everyone on edge? And, more importantly, can she do it quickly enough for the annual Zucchini Festival to go on as planned?
Only time—and a bit of luck—will tell.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Secrets, Grins and Dreams
I've got a secret. Well, maybe it's not a huge secret. But the way I feel about it? Now that's a secret. Really. I'm sure it's ...um, or not. No, now that I think about it, it's probably no secret how I feel about my not-so-secret secret.
Sigh.
And I'd thought I was keeping mum.
For anyone who hasn't seen me bouncing around like a child who's waiting for Santa, I'll let you in on what's apparently the least well-kept secret around. I've got a book coming out next week and I'm over the moon about it. Really, really, jumping up and down excited. Almost sleepless over the news, to tell the truth.
Why? Well, there's some measure of excitement with every publication, at least for me. I'm thrilled by the idea that I get to share my thoughts and ideas with readers. It just makes me happy. So whether I've got a story coming out in a magazine or journal or anywhere else, I'm tickled during the countdown to publication days. Just one of those grinning fools, I suppose.
But this particular book has me grinning so broadly my face hurts. I kid you not, that's the honest truth. Last night I grinned myself to sleep. :)
Oh, right -- you're still waiting for the why to be answered, aren't you? Oops! Sorry! I'm thrilled over this release because it's my first mystery. That's right! A mystery! I love mysteries, and to think that one of mine is coming out is enought to -- there, it's happening again. The uncontrollable, unstoppable grin is back in place.
When I was a child I loved mysteries, loved figuring things out and solving puzzles. Now that I'm an adult I still love them. Maybe more so, even. I've always been intrigued by the idea that someone, somewhere, is behind every mystery or puzzle. Someone dreamed up the mystery for us to solve, and I've always marveled at the making of the mystery.
My upcoming release is the realization of a dream in that I've finally become part of the group I've always admired, those who provide the puzzles that need solving.
Realizing a dream is a good reason to grin, I guess. Thanks for being here to share this moment with me. But beware. Next Friday is the day before my book comes out...I could be singing by then and that, I assure you, could get scary. Maybe you'd best bring earmuffs!
Have a great weekend!
Sigh.
And I'd thought I was keeping mum.
For anyone who hasn't seen me bouncing around like a child who's waiting for Santa, I'll let you in on what's apparently the least well-kept secret around. I've got a book coming out next week and I'm over the moon about it. Really, really, jumping up and down excited. Almost sleepless over the news, to tell the truth.
Why? Well, there's some measure of excitement with every publication, at least for me. I'm thrilled by the idea that I get to share my thoughts and ideas with readers. It just makes me happy. So whether I've got a story coming out in a magazine or journal or anywhere else, I'm tickled during the countdown to publication days. Just one of those grinning fools, I suppose.
But this particular book has me grinning so broadly my face hurts. I kid you not, that's the honest truth. Last night I grinned myself to sleep. :)
Oh, right -- you're still waiting for the why to be answered, aren't you? Oops! Sorry! I'm thrilled over this release because it's my first mystery. That's right! A mystery! I love mysteries, and to think that one of mine is coming out is enought to -- there, it's happening again. The uncontrollable, unstoppable grin is back in place.
When I was a child I loved mysteries, loved figuring things out and solving puzzles. Now that I'm an adult I still love them. Maybe more so, even. I've always been intrigued by the idea that someone, somewhere, is behind every mystery or puzzle. Someone dreamed up the mystery for us to solve, and I've always marveled at the making of the mystery.
My upcoming release is the realization of a dream in that I've finally become part of the group I've always admired, those who provide the puzzles that need solving.
Realizing a dream is a good reason to grin, I guess. Thanks for being here to share this moment with me. But beware. Next Friday is the day before my book comes out...I could be singing by then and that, I assure you, could get scary. Maybe you'd best bring earmuffs!
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The Waiting Game
What do you do while you are waiting for THE letter? What letter, you ask, puzzled by the ambiguity of the question? Well where writers are concerned there is only one letter. The one from the publisher to whom you have submitted your opus.
Will it be yes or no? Will it be a positive no. A positive no, do I hear you scream? Well yes, there is a positive no. There is the kind of no that explains why this time around they won't be buying, however they think you have potential. You can submit more to them, they would be really interested in seeing other stories. That is a positive no.
Of course the most horrid no is the one that just has a printed slip. "The Editor regrets..." This is a miserable thing to receive, I guess I could paper a small bedroom with those - did I say small bedroom? I am just trying to save my blushes, I could probably paper the Taj Mahal if I had a mind to.
The sweetest of all is the YES letter. Oh, the thrill of it, the beat of your heart, the joy that sings through you when you receive that approval. There is nothing sweeter apart from falling in love! Yes, folks, I would put it up there with that.
Here I intend to indulge myself with some good news. Last week I received a yes from my British publisher. It was a record for me - they had the novel on their desk for just three days before letting me know they were going to publish. I have in the past waited anything from six weeks to eighteen months, so that takes some beating. It was as sweet as the champagne that John and I quaffed later that day!
Cheerio,
Margaret
Will it be yes or no? Will it be a positive no. A positive no, do I hear you scream? Well yes, there is a positive no. There is the kind of no that explains why this time around they won't be buying, however they think you have potential. You can submit more to them, they would be really interested in seeing other stories. That is a positive no.
Of course the most horrid no is the one that just has a printed slip. "The Editor regrets..." This is a miserable thing to receive, I guess I could paper a small bedroom with those - did I say small bedroom? I am just trying to save my blushes, I could probably paper the Taj Mahal if I had a mind to.
The sweetest of all is the YES letter. Oh, the thrill of it, the beat of your heart, the joy that sings through you when you receive that approval. There is nothing sweeter apart from falling in love! Yes, folks, I would put it up there with that.
Here I intend to indulge myself with some good news. Last week I received a yes from my British publisher. It was a record for me - they had the novel on their desk for just three days before letting me know they were going to publish. I have in the past waited anything from six weeks to eighteen months, so that takes some beating. It was as sweet as the champagne that John and I quaffed later that day!
Cheerio,
Margaret
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