What Keeps You Warm?

Staying warm tops the list of concerns in many parts of the USA in recent days. I'm so glad my job as a writer has allowed me to stay indoors during this brutally cold time. I know many people aren't near so fortunate. But the warmth I'm addressing today isn't of the physical kind. I'm talking about those warm, fuzzy inside feelings.

With my newest release, I've reached outside my comfort zone and asked a few friends to mention The Marine's Heiress on their blogs. To some people my reach might seem more like sticking out their pinkie finger but it's a big leap to me. Today I want to thank Cate Masters for mentioning my release on her blog. She so generous to other authors with her time. I'm also going to have the privilege of doing a book signing with Cate in February but more about that next week. Thanks, Cate.

Two friends, Misty and Victoria, of my from our local branch of RWA collude on a wonderful blog called The Whole Shebang Site. They highlight more than books, hosting artists and musicians also. They invited me today to share some of what I've learned about blogging. So many of my regular visitors here are the mentors who have taught me how to make this social media not only work for me but how to keep it going without blogging becoming a burden instead of a benefit. I hope you'll go over to The Whole Shebang Site and leave a comment. If it's a place you might like to guest, feel free to inquire of them.

Having friends who so graciously and willingly step up to help is what keeps me warm inside. Doesn't do much to keep my hands and feet warm though. I hope you all have someone to keep you warm during cold and dreary times.

So have you had to spend time outside and endure these frigid temps? Have you heard of The Whole Shebang Site? How about Cate Masters? Do you or your loved one suffer from cold hands and feet?

The Whole Shebang!!

Isn't that a great name for website. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. If you want to promote your art, literary, music, craft or physical art, please contact these generous ladies.

Today I'm promoting my latest release, The Marine's Queen at The Whole Shebang. Join me if you have a moment but I understand if those of you in A to Z are taking some time off before Monday starts. Enjoy Easter. I'll be enjoying it by sitting down and reading a book.

A to Z Theme and New Release

The days are counting down to April. I hope the month brings some warm weather with it but as long as the rain and cold keep us inside we may as well have fun with A to Z.

This will be my third year. The first one was very difficult for me and became serious work instead of fun. There was still a lot of work the second year but I prepared better and had a lot more fun. I intend to do better this year, continuing on the road to improvement. The first two years I had an unofficial writing theme behind my posts. This year I have a more specific theme, again related to writing. But I'm going to tie the writing into the theme I've been using in a lot of posts this past year. Retirement. I'm going to use each letter to talk about all the things I'm going to start doing or improve how I do them once I become a full time writer. Oh, I have some big plans. I've been taking notes and making lists. I'm looking forward to all the things commenters will add that will help me and others.

I had planned this for tomorrow but my romance publisher, New Concepts Publishing, surprised me by releasing my newest futuristic romance, The Marine's Queen, yesterday. Here's a short blurb:

Queen Callie Adell’s enemies want her for the secret elixir only her bloodline can produce. She flees an abduction attempt and lands in the arms of the most feared military man in the universe. Recon Marine Captain Joe, a genetically enhanced soldier, knows little of civilian life or of women. But his body knows what it wants from Callie even if his mind suffers mostly confusion in her presence.

Joe’s sense of honor and duty demands he protect the queen even if she can never overlook his unnatural origins and love him as a man. But neither of them can ever be safe if Callie doesn’t protect Joe from those who want to destroy him as much as her enemies wish to capture her. Only if she can civilize her marine will the world accept him as more than a living weapon. But can Callie convince Joe that he’s a man first, her man, and a marine second?

You can purchase the ebook at this location.

The paperback version is available at Amazon.

I'll be on The Whole Shebang again tomorrow promoting The Marine's Queen. Hope you'll stop by there.

So are you doing A to Z? Do you have a theme? Is spring coming to your town soon or did it already arrive?

A Skip to the Next

Just a quick Sunday post to let you know I'm talking about writing in series over at The Whole Shebang Site.  I seldom keep a count of my books, but when I actually wrote a post with them all listed and then took a moment to think about the ones I intend to write, I realize I've typed a lot or words since I first started.

The Whole Shebang is a site dedicated to promoting lots of things besides and beyond writing. If you would like to guest on their site, I'm sure they'll be open to it. If you have something to talk about like say photography, music or art in any of its wonderful forms, consider checking out The Whole Shebang.

Quote and The Whole Shebang

Today I have the fortune to be a guest on The Whole Shebang Site. TWS has dedicated itself to promoting not just writers but other fields of creativity like music and art. When you visit, check out their archives and meet some very interesting people. I'll be talking about reading across genres and how it helps my own writing. I would love to hear your apinion on it. See you over there where you can get a first peek at my newest book cover for The Marine's Queen.

Today is make up day Movie Quote. I would laugh at Alex Cavanaugh for forgetting the romantic quote from last week except I totally forgot it also and I had it written down. Searching for this quote made me realize how few romantic flicks we own or even watch. So I had to go back to teh movie that explains everything in life.

From The Princess Bride, Wesley: "As you wish."

Which if you watch the movie, you know those words mean 'I love you.' Is there anything more romantic than a couple that has their own secret communication? Do you have that with your significant other? Do you understand what is beneath his or her words?

Thanks Alex for running this fun quote day. Thanks, Misty, for having me at Shebang.