I Rehearsed Those Words Just Late Last Night

The final edits have been made to my novella, White Out, and the release date of August 15th is getting tantalizingly close. I'm so excited to see it live online, I can't even begin to tell you. This whole process has been made remarkably easy by the wonderful folks at Amber Quill and I'd like to give them all a massive hug at this very moment. Every one rocks and my editor was completely wonderful. I can't wait for this novella to be here. The anticipation is better than any Christmas, even the one where I got my bike!!

I'm in need of a break, so it's off to the mothership I go for some swimming and grey hair coverage. I'm blessed to have supportive people in my life, and I'm stoked to go spend some time with them. Enjoy your weekends, everyone!

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Just The Smell Of The Summer Can Make Me Fall in Love

My lord, it was so damn hot this weekend. I barely made it outside at all, but that gave me a lot of time to get work done. And, work I did. When I did venture out, it was certainly weather unfit for man and beast. But, Sunday brought a few cooling storms and after my power nap, I was able to finish up what I needed to do, and enjoy some of the evening with my man.

The good news front has been busy as well. I got the good word that my story, A Stolen Moment, will be appearing in the upcoming Coming Together: By Hand, which benefits the Coalition for Positive Sexuality. Also, the wonderful Oysters and Chocolate are putting together another anthology called Nice Girls, Naughty Sex, and it will include my story, At a Stand Still. I also got the word that Jeremy Edwards and Kristina Wright are included as well, so it looks to be a wonderful book. I'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

The man candy this week is all about cooling down. He looks cool, doesn't he?

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I Will Be There, To Brighten Up Even Your Darkest Nights

I have great friends, I really do. I was reminded of that fact recently, when I found out my friend Deb submitted my name to the wonderful m/m review site, Reviews by Jessewave, for their New Author Recommendation series. I didn't know she did this, but I really appreciate her doing something so nice for me, and helping me get my name out there, since I'm still pretty new to the whole m/m erotic romance game. Deb thought it would be a great way to get the word out about my upcoming novella, White Out. Check out the post here, and see who else has great friends and fans. Thanks again Deb.

I got my contributor copy of Alison's Wonderland yesterday, and I'm already blown away by it. I can't wait to finish reading the rest of the great stories. Also, Orgasmic and Skater Boys are now available for purchase. Check them out, they are all available through my Amazon store!!

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Maybe it is Life Itself That Feeds Wisdom to its Youth

We interrupt this regular broadcast to report some wonderful news. The lovely Shanna Germain and her wonderful imprint, Mind Fuck Fiction, have seen fit to include my story, Happy Birthday to Me, in her newest collection, Eat Me: Seven Stories of Gluttony. It is available now and also includes such fabulous writers like Dorla Moorehouse, Gina Marie, Erobintica, Daisy James, Connor Wright and Kaysee Renee Robichaud. Great company, no? So check it out and let me hear what you think. Now, back to regular programming, already in progress.

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What If I Never Lost You, I Wouldn't Have to Find You All Over

I started out my life as a pretty big slob. As my older sister can attest, I didn't much care where my stuff ended up or how our room looked, which drove her neat-nick brain insane. But, once I was on my own, I started to change, mostly by necessity. If I couldn't find something, there was no longer anyone there to find it for me. For that reason, my neatness and organization has improved dramatically. I can find damn near anything, or at least have a reasonable idea of where it might be hiding.

That is why I was so perplexed when my mother told me she found a box of my things in a closet at her place. It was a room I lived in for only a few months, mostly during breaks from college, after my brother packed up his giant water bed and left home. The box contained many treasures that I thought were lost forever. Things that I have searched high and low for, thing I assumed had gone to the great cosmic never-never land where odd socks and lost car keys live. But, they were tucked neatly away, with my name scrawled on the top of the box. Of course, the top of the box was covered with years of junk. It's the circle of life, I suppose.

I was delighted to rediscover old concert ticket stubs, pictures, pins, my first drivers license and my most favorite, a list of reasons I loved my then-boyfriend-now-husband. It is an adorable list, and one I am so glad didn't go the way of the dodo. I'm still sifting through the detritus of my past, and loving every minute of it. I also revisited my prom dress. Size 6, and I thought I was a cow. Hell, I would kill to be that fat today. I did look fucking fierce in that dress.

There is a light at the end of the work tunnel, and I'm running towards it. Maybe some Man Candy motivation would help. Ah, yes. . . that did the trick.
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It's About Time For My Arrival

It hasn't been the most productive of weeks. Extenuating circumstances have prevented the creative process a little bit, but I think I'm back on track. There is some good news on the horizon that I can't wait to share, but I need to wait just a little while longer.

In the meantime, check out my chat with Lux Zakari about the wonderful Dirtyville/Kinkyville collection and my story, Today's Special. Find the interview here and take a moment to check out the rest of the wonderful interviews with some of the other fine contributors. I have had such a great response to my story and to the whole collection, I'm so excited that the love has continued.

Back to work, if the fates will allow it.

**Newsflash!!**

My interview with Alison Tyler about After the Happily Ever After, my contribution to Alison's Wonderland is also up today!! Yea!! Check it out right here and comment for a chance to win a fabulous prize.
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We Just Want to Go On Walking Around, And Feel What It's Like to Fall Down

My weekend was a study in ups and downs. There just seem to be far too many issues swirling around these days. I thought I'd finally come to a break in some of the nuisances that have been filling up my mind, but it seems as one is cleared off the giant conveyor belt in my brain, another one gets set down. I just want to pull the switch and turn the whole damn thing off, but I can't.

So, instead I spent my weekend trying to relax and watching international sports. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, it was my Cats beating the hated Hawthorn by just 2 points. Plus, one of my favorite sporting events in the world, the Tour de France, went into its second weekend. Most people with two older brothers are forced to watch baseball and football growing up. I, on the other hand, had two bike-loving brothers and grew up watching guys climb mountains on two wheels. And, I still love it to this day. Hence the Man Candy this week. He's my favorite rider, sprinter Mark Cavendish. His nickname is the Manx Missile and he's one cocky son of a bitch. Which I love!

Now, that it's Monday, it's back to that conveyor belt, back to work. Maybe I can turn the speed down for just a few days. Oh, I almost forgot some breaking news. . . . my first novella, White Out, is going to be released a week early. It will now be available on August 15th. So, stay tuned for more details.

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This Life Could Be The Last, And You're Too Young To See

This heat is killing me. Last night, the power was out for four hours and it was so toasty we had to head for the hills in search of ice cream and air conditioning. Luckily, we found both and it was delicious. But, once the power returned, we were able to blow out all the candles and finally get to sleep without sweating.

I brought my laptop back to life after the blackout and found out some good news. My novella, White Out, is now scheduled for release on August 15th, a whole week earlier than expected. And, a day after my 11th anniversary. I'm so excited about this project and there will be more information and excerpts coming soon.

In other good news, the reviews for Alison's Wonderland have been great, and I found this one online a few days ago, and wanted to share it. Go right here to read the review and buy the book by visiting my store. You won't be sorry.

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If You Ever Looked Up, You'd See The Sun, In The Morning

I trust everyone had a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. I'm sorry to have been remiss in my Man Candy duties yesterday, but it couldn't be helped. There was just way too much going on this weekend. But, I think I've made it up to you with today's offering.

I'm onto my next project, which has me knee deep in research, character development and trying to piece together a coherent story line. While I was taking a break from all that, I stumbled across this nice mention of my story in the Dirtyville collection, Today's Special, on Dorla Moorehouse's blog. Check out the whole review here. The collection(s) are edited by the fabulous Sommer Marsden, and available at a number of e-locations.

Also, the cover art for my upcoming novella can be seen right HERE!! I'm super-excited about this project and I'll keep you posted on all the details as I get them.

Right, back to work. . . . Where did I put that inspiration?
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I Was Told I Was Beautiful, But What Does That Mean To You

In 2006, I turned 30 and upon seeing pictures of myself during the celebrations and pictures of myself at my sister's wedding, I immediately decided I had to lose weight. I didn't realize how big I looked because in my head, I was heavy but not that heavy. It made me really unhappy to admit how much weight I had put on in the preceding years. But, I had to be honest with myself and step onto the dreaded scale. The number was bad, really bad. So, with a lot of hard work, I managed to drop 6o pounds and by the time September rolled around in 2007, I was pretty happy with how I looked. Then, I broke my leg and everything fell apart. I told myself as soon as the cast came off, I'd be back on the right track and back to losing weight.

But, getting started again when the plaster came off was more difficult that I imagined. I limped for damn near a month, my ankle swelled and ached for even longer. My energy was completely gone and the thought of exercise was the last thing I could bear. So, the weight began to creep back on, little by little. Recently, when I stepped on the scale and saw that the number was way too close to my 2006 starting point. I panicked, but didn't really start doing anything about it until a few days ago, when I began to reassess my eating habits and strapped on the walking shoes again.

Hating my body isn't a new thing for me, far from it. And, even though I know I'm not alone in feeling bad/indifferent/unhappy about my body, reading this article by Rachel Kramer Bussel really hammered home the idea that my negative feelings about how I look are all too common. I take great pleasure in my body; sometimes. I think I need to remember those moments a little more often and stop focusing on my every flaw. Hating myself has never gotten me anything, except more depressed.I know it is going to be difficult to get healthy again, but cutting myself some slack might be a great place to start.

Now . . . for the good news I had mentioned yesterday. My last project, my first novella attempt, was accepted by Amber Allure and is going to be published in August!!! *dances in circles* The 22nd, to be exact. I'll keep you posted on all the details as I get them, but I'm so excited about this project, I just had to share. I need to sit down, all that dancing has made me dizzy.

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