Well my side bar is getting full. I’m moving old mini-posts here.

1-11-10 : I bought two more ebooks! Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick and a PC Cast vampire book. Details later. But I am liking Hush, Hush.

1-2-10 : Almost finished with The Lightning Thief, and then tearing into The Sea Monsters. I bought Fallen by Lauren Kate, and while it’s intriguing, I find it much darker than I like my YA. I plan to finish it after my Olympian romp!

12-20-09 : I got a Sony eReader!!! I love it!! Right now I have two things on there. I have Inez Kelley’s Jinxed ebook, and Steve Berry’s latest about Napoleon’s treasure. I plan to keep adding titles!

Today, I bought Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. I got it as Christmas present for my 9 year old nephew, but I’m having book envy. I want to read it before the movie comes out.
I became addicted to the CW’s new show Vampire Diaries. So, I had to pick up LJ Smith’s series. I’m in the middle of the third book now. But I also have the Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer to read.

What’s on my iPod : Red Morning Light by The Kings of Leon

Well, I thought this might a good time to blog about my own personal journey to publication. The basics are the same : write a manuscript from start to finish, edit, revise, and repeat. Then write a hook and query/pitch and begin to query agents. Along the way thicken your skin, either with some tough (But great) critique partners, and getready for hte rejections. You’re going get them. Don’t take it personal, becuase it’s not. It’s business. An agent may not like your story, that doesn’t mean it’s bad. What it means is its just not in their particular taste.

So where I’m at right now. I’m in the querying process and the revising and tightening process. It means I’m querying, and not everyone all at once, but a few agents at a time. As I query I’m tightening my manuscript. This is also the time when I read everything I can get my hands on, and not just in my genre (YA paranormal) but everything, including craft books.

This really is a slow process, so I’m also working on my next manuscript, not as diligently as I did my first. And I’m networking - connecting with fellow writers and agents and editors. The internet has really brought the publishing community out of an elite status and into a more homegrown, grassroots movement. Well at least I like to think so.

What’s on my iPod : Everybody by AutoVaughn

That’s right, it’s another contest. The wonderful Chuck Sambuchino is hosting a contest (several actually) over at his website Guide to Literay Agents. It’s a chocked-full-of-info site, so I’m adding it to the blogroll.

For information on the third contest, that runs until March 14th, can be found HERE.

This time they are looking for urban fantasy and paranormal romance, both adult and teen.

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, an agent with Nancy Coffey Literary, is the judge – COOL!

Hey I’m up over on Victoria Janssen’s blog. She devoted this month to asking a few fellow writers about where their love and passion of writing originated. I’m up today. Wow, it’s so much easier to write ficiton than a personal story.

Check out my response on Victoria’s site HERE.

Well with being stuck in revisions right now, February slipped up on me and I don’t have a post for today. But I thought I post the links for everyone to enjoy the other Excerpt Monday reads. Enjoy! And catch you next month.

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published
books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t
have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to
share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday
site! or click on the banner above.

What’s on my iPod : Kings and Queens by 30 Seconds to Mars

QUERY CONTEST ENDS FRIDAY

I just found this out on Twitter, but associate agent Kathleen Ortiz ( @KOrtizzle ) is hosting a query contest to celebrate starting her blog. You can check out the contest rules here – Neverending Page Turner Contest Post

She will be randomly selecting a winner to recieve a critique of your query letter. A word to the wise before you enter, make sure your manuscript is finished and polished. You never know.

What’s on my iPod : Blue Monday by New Order

It’s the third Monday in January, and you know what that means….Excerpt Monday!!

Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

I thought I would continue with last months excerpt…so here’s more of Caleb and Sarah from the second book in the BROKEN series, RENEGADE.

          I just nodded open-mouthed as his shoulders twitched and the two snowy, white wings trembled in the silent forest. He scooped me up with a devilish smile.

          “You’re not saying anything?” he questioned as his blue eyes danced in the light.

          I grimaced. “What do you want me to say? You know I don’t like it when you use your powers? Is that what you’re looking for?”

          His laughter reverberated off the trees, and a patch of snow slipped from the closest pine branch and plopped at his feet. Before I could raise a stronger protest, we lifted off the ground and sailed through the trees. Seconds later, a pond the size of Madison Square Gardens shimmered through the tree branches, and we landed at the edge.

          Az and Rade sat on a fallen log, along the shore, and put on skates. They both looked up at our approach.

          Gaelin perched on the edge, and his sneaker clad foot tapped the ice. “The water’s not completely frozen.”

          Caleb lowered me on the log beside Rade, who elbowed me a little too hard. Then Caleb leaned down, his jet-black hair dangling over his eyes, and placed the duffel bag at my feet.

          “Well do your thing,” he said to Gaelin.

          I focused on Gaelin as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. My mouth naturally dropped as he blew over the water. All across the pond, the water sizzled and cracked, freezing all the way through to the bottom.

          Caleb’s head snapped up. “Can you skate?”

          My eyes floated back to his. “Yes, but I’ve never played hockey before.”

          He chuckled, pulling out a smaller pair of skates. “If you can stand up in ice skates, then you can play hockey.”

          “Doesn’t it require pushing a little black thing across the ice?”

          At the age of ten, my mother enrolled me in ice skating lessons. I took them for two years before dropping that for art classes. I could do a mean pirouette on the ice, but as for shooting a puck into a goal, that was a different story.

          “Since when do angels play hockey?” I narrowed my eyes at Caleb.

          As Rade skated across the ice, he called out over his shoulder, “Since Wayne Gretzky!”

          I laughed. “Hmm, I see. I think you guys have too much time on your hands.”

          “We have to do something to keep out of trouble,” Az said pulling on the long laces.

          “Trouble?”  I slipped my foot into the skate, twisting the laces around my fist and yanking hard.

           “We’re fallen, Sarah,” Gaelin replied as he stood and wobbled for the ice. “We have the tendency to make mischief. Caleb keeps our souls out of trouble.”

          I glanced at Caleb. “Your idea?”

          He bobbed his head with a half cocked grin. “Somebody’s got to keep their noses clean.”

          “And angel hockey’s how you do it? That and the band, I take it?”

          “Yep.”  He finished tying his skates and jumped for the ice.

          I shook my head, hiding a smile. I pulled on the other skate and began the tightening ritual over again. When I stood, I immediately stumbled because of the soft ground. Caleb skated back to the edge of the pond and extended his hand. I took it and stepped onto the ice. Gliding across the frozen pond happened to be the most wonderful sensation - like flying with frigid air blowing across your face and between your fingers, legs and arms. It’d been a long time since I skated, but after a few unsteady bobbles, I got my confidence and swirled around and whipped backwards a few times.

***

This month’s links:

Don’t forget to come back on the first Monday of February for New Release Monday.  See what’s coming out and enter to win a free basket of New Releases.

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

and

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

Joining us this week:

Stephanie Draven, Fantasy with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Danie Ford, Contemporary YA (PG 13)
Babette James, Contemporary Romance (PG 13)
Cynthia Justlin, Thriller with Romantic Elements (PG 13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG 13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary Romantic Elements (PG 13)
R. F. Long, Fantasy Romance (PG13)
Shawntelle Madsion, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Science Fiction/ Fantasy (PG13)

Kendal Corbitt, Erotica Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Jeanne St. James, Interracial Menage Erotic Romance (R)
Cherrie Lynn, Contemporary Erotic Romance (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal/Fantasy (R)
Mary Quast, Contemporary Romance (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Contemporary, Interracial, Erotic Romance (NC 17)
Elise Logan, Contemporary Romance (NC17)

Check it out! It’s a contest for YA and MG writers to enter their first 500 words of their COMPLETED manuscript.

Here’s the link : Kidlit Contest
 

or you can go here to read the official rules to enter.

What’s on my iPod – Curse of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean Soundtrack

 
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just an writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.

Today is my favorite day of the month! It’s Excerpt Monday again. I can’t believe that is number 8 for me. For this month’s excerpt, I thought I might put up part of a scene from the second book in the BROKEN series called RENEGADE. This is still a work in progress.

          “Where are we going?” I asked as bubbles of giddiness popped in my stomach.

           He paused on the other line, but I could hear the smile. “Surprise, but dress warm.”

           “Okay.” I didn’t press him further because I knew he wouldn’t give in anyway.

          I rummaged through my closet, having even less warm clothes than I did summer outfits. What I did have was layers, and that’s the best I could do to dress warmly.

          The SLK whipped into Pembry’s fire lane promptly at nine am Saturday morning. The dorm and surrounding campus still slumbered in alcohol induced hangovers, study crazed lethargy and just plain too friggin’ early laziness. I pushed on the double doors when the Mercedes glided to a stop. He stepped out dressed in a black Under Armor long sleeve shirt and a thick Northface jacket. Unzipped and hanging open despite the freezing temperature, it wasn’t like he needed any of it anyway. The sun crested on the horizon, and though it would be bright, it would provide little warmth. When he noticed my multi-layers of long sleeve shirts under the pea-coat, he laughed at my bundled state of immobility as he opened the door for me.

           “So, where are we going?” I asked again.

            The ignition purred to life, emitting a wave of white smoke behind, and he put the car in drive.

           He looked over with a sparkle to his sapphire blue eyes. “One of my favorite places to go when it gets cold.”

          “That doesn’t help,” I said. He was definitely tight lipped about this surprise.

           We drove through Wenham and hit the highway north toward the forest and state park. Snowfall still covered the park’s one lane road, and Caleb was forced to slow his speed to a crawl. He twisted his hands on the steering wheel, agitated. Despite his excellent driving, the German performance sports car slid every now and then. He turned off the main drive, and we continued a few more yards until Az’s Range Rover appeared through the snow laced pines. He pulled the Mercedes into the shadow of the bulky SUV and killed the motor. He raced around to open my door before my hand even brushed the handle. Sometimes, I loved that he did that, and sometimes, I felt more independent and wanted to open my own door. He just smirked, and I covered my face with my hands. Did he always have to know what I was feeling?

              From the trunk, Caleb yanked out a large black canvas duffel bag and slung it over his shoulder. His hand reached in and pulled out two sticks – hockey stick – then handed them to me.

             “You carry these. We walk from here.”

            I shrugged and followed him to the tree line and inch thick snow covered trail. Footprints already stamped out a path, and I attempted to stay in the packed snow so my feet didn’t get wet and freeze.

           Disappearing into the cover of pines and maples, we walked a good mile before the tracks in the snow stopped. He dropped the bag and proceeded to remove his jacket and shirt. My breath caught in my throat at the sudden exposure of that lean taught chest. I’d seen it before, but glistening in the filtered sunlight, the sight sent ripples of electricity through me. With a wicked grin, he draped the coat over my shoulders and placed the shirt in my hand.

           “We fly from here.”

~~~

So, to kick it off, your hosts:

Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)

and

Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)

Joining us this week:

Danie Ford, Womens Fiction (PG13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary (PG13)
RF Long, Fantasy Sword and Sorcery (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Christa McHugh, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Fantasy (PG13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)

Kendal Ashby, Erotic Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (R)
Inez Kelley, Contemporary Romance (R)
Jeannete Murray, RomCom (R)
Christa Page, Regency Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal (R)
Jeanne St James, Erotic Rom M/M (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)

Sara Brookes, Fantasy (NC17)
Emily Ryan Davis, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Ella Drake, Erotic SciFi Romance (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Jamal W Hankins, Dark Fiction/Fantasy (NC17)
Bryl R Tyne, Transgender M/M (NC17)

What’s on my iPod : Breakin’ Me by Jonny Lang

Well, it’s officially two weeks till Christmas! I thought I would run down my list of must-watch-on-some-random-cable-channel holiday films. The first three are my UTMOST favorite Christmas movies because I can quote atleast half the film from memory. So, leave a comment if you agree with them or if you have a different order of faves, or if I left one off worth mentioning.

1.) All time fave, hands down and never miss it….National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I mean what holiday would be complete without watching the affable Clark Griswold a.) staple himself to the roof, b.) get stuck in the attic only to find presents of Christmas past, c.) have his brother-in-law show up in a Winnebego with toxic dump leakage…CLASSIC. I laugh just thinking about it.

2.) ELF – This is my new all time favorite, and really, it’s a tie with Christmas Vacation because Will Ferrell is the NEW Chevy Chase. Favorite line : “Hello, Buddy the Elf. What’s your favorite color?” Oh, and of course : “Santa’s coming! Santa’s coming! I know him.”

3.) A Christmas Story. This is one that I always catch in bits and peices throughout the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year was the best, though, because TNT (I think) had a marathon that ran all day Christmas Eve. After I put the kids to bed, I sat my mom down on the couch and told her she had to watch this movie because she grew up in the 50’s. We laughed so hard.

4.) Miracle on 34th Street. I prefer the remake because the little girl, from Matilda, is just so precious. I cry just thinking about it.

5.) It’s A Wonderful Life. I will only watch this one in black and white – remember about a decade ago they decided it would be cool to colorize old b&w films. I didn’t think it was cool, and there’s just something about watching this one in black and white. Favorite line : “Teacher says, everytime a bell rings an angel gets its wings.” <grin>

6.) The Preacher’s Wife. Sorry to say but I love the remake. I mean hello, Whitney Houston singing and Denzil.

7.) Bad Santa. Snicker- enough said.

8.) While You Were Sleeping. It’s probably not really considered a holiday film. I threw it in because it does take place at Christmas, and I love a great Sandra Bullock romantic comedy.

9.) The Santa Clause. I love Tim Allen. What can I say?

10.) Home Alone. Classic. It’s toward the bottom becasue it was more of a great 90’s movie that I loved when I was in high school. The kids love it now, especially my 7 year old son.

11.) The Polar Express. My kids love, I love it, the grandparents love it. And Tom Hanks, gotta love it!

12.) The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. The Jim Carrey version is ah-ight. I love watching the cartoon because it carries the cadence and rhythm of the original Dr. Seuss book.

13.) I decided to lump together all those wonderful claymation and cartoon classics like the Rudolph stories (my favorite of those is the one where Rudolph goes to the island of misfit toys to save baby New Year – that’s my birthday!), and the ones about how Santa became Santa, and I love the old cartoon (I can’t remember the name) about the mice that live in the clock tower that chimes to bring Santa but the one little mouse doesn’t believe and breaks the clock.

So, I know there are others out there. What’s you favorite holiday film, classic or new?