Earthquake and Writing

Right after I woke up on Monday morning we had an earthquake in L.A.  It wasn't the worst I've ever felt.  That was the Northridge quake in 1994.  But it still shook me up, literally and figuratively.

Once I got up and dressed, things were pretty much back to normal, if you don't count all the news reports and Facebook and other accounts of what happened.  And things around my house aren't exactly normal anyway since the city is currently repaving our narrow street--long overdue, but still hard to deal with.  Both of our cars fit in the garage, but a lot of neighbors had to find parking spaces on other streets. And I still have to figure out whether I can get out of the garage and use the street if I have someplace to go.

I of course had to use the earthquake in some writing. I also blog on Killer Characters, on the 18th of the month--yesterday--so I made sure that the protagonist of my Pet Rescue Mysteries, Lauren Vancouver, blogged about how the earthquake affected the wonderful pet shelter she runs, HotRescues, in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.  Of course everything there worked out fine.

I did leave the house for a little while and was glad I could get back and pull my car into the garage on my return.  Then I sat down at the computer and began acting as if this was a regular day--answering emails, writing blogs, and, of course, writing.  Because it was, in fact, a regular day--even if it started off a bit too exciting!

How about you--have you been jolted awake recently by quakes or weather or anything else?

Book Launch

TEACUP TURBULENCE's launch date was yesterday.  It was book #35 of my published novels.  You'd think that by now I'd be more blasé about such things--but never!  I love the premiere of a new book, and all the fun of getting out there and promoting it.  And hearing what people think of it.  And I'm always delighted when the reviews are good.

 

This time it seems even more fun than usual, partly because of my blog tour, and also because there've been so many wonderful people letting the world know about the book launch and congratulating me, mostly on Facebook.  Some of them are fellow authors--and a few of them also had their books launch yesterday.  Others are readers.  And they're all very much appreciated!

 

I have to admit that this launch is a bit bittersweet.  TEACUP TURBULENCE is the last book I'm under contract for in the Pet Rescue Mystery series, which was a spinoff from my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mysteries--another series that has ended.  I've loved writing these books but have no definite plans to start on any sequels if the series' publisher Berkley Prime Crime isn't interested in more.

 

Not that I'll be bored or stop writing.  I have two Harlequin Nocturnes being published this year in my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters: UNTAMED WOLF in May, and LOYAL WOLF in August.

Nor will I be finished with mysteries.  My new Superstition Mystery series will begin in September with LOST UNDER A LADDER, from my new publisher Midnight Ink.   

But I'll miss the characters, settings and situations I've set up in the Pet Rescue Mysteries.   

So, in the meantime, I'll keep celebrating the release of TEACUP TURBULENCE.  And basking in the fun stuff that's going on now surrounding its debut.   

But do let me know.  Would you like to see more Pet Rescue Mysteries? 

Happy New Year!

 

I was excited last week to be blogging on Christmas Day, and here I am blogging this week on New Year's Day.  What a kick!

Tracy Weber posted on her Killer Hobbies blog a couple of days ago what her schedule was on her Great Escapes Blog Tour.  I figured I'd do the same thing, although I'm not as tech savvy as Tracy so I'm not sure if I'll be able to add the links.  But I'm highly excited--and I've also scheduled other blogs that aren't part of the tour.  That's because my next Pet Rescue Mystery, TEACUP TURBULENCE, is a January 2014 release.

Here's my Great Escapes list: 

January 2 – StoreyBook Reviews  - Review

January 3 – Chloe Gets A Clue - Interview

January 4 – Books-n-Kisses - Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

January 5 – Melina's Book Blog - Review

January 6 – readalot blog - Review

January 7 – fuonlyknew - Review, Giveaway

January 8 – Brooke Blogs - Review

January 10 – Reviews By Karen - Guest Post, Giveaway

January 12- Cozy Up With Kathy - Review, Interview

January 13 – My Devotional Thoughts - Review, Guest Post

January 14 – StephTheBookworm - Review

January 14 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - Review

January 15 – Queen of All She Reads – Review, Giveaway

January 15 – Mochas, Mysteries and More – Review, Guest Post

January 15 – Dru's Book Musings - Guest Post

 

What's TEACUP TURBULENCE about?  Well, of course it's a Pet Rescue Mystery.  It's based on a very real premise--that there are a lot of really great pet rescuers out there who are willing to fly their own private planes to move homeless pets from areas where they're not likely to be adopted to new locations where families may be eager to adopt them. 

 

Of course, the story is also based on things that aren't necessarily true, such as a lack of teacup sized dogs in Los Angeles, where my fictional shelter HotRescues is located.  There's usually an overabundance of tiny dogs here.  But in TEACUP TURBULENCE, Dante DeFrancisco, the also fictional benefactor of HotRescues, has undertaken a huge local advertising campaign for HotPets Bling, a special, cute and ornate type of doggy collar, that stars little dogs.  They're suddenly in great demand in the area, and when my protagonist Lauren Vancouver hears of a teacup dog rescue in another part of the country, she helps to get a relay going where pilots wind up bringing those rescued dogs to L.A.

 

And of course, since TEACUP TURBULENCE is a cozy mystery, someone gets murdered--and Lauren has to solve whodunit.

 

I hope you'll pick up a copy and read it.  And of course you can check in at one of the blogs where I'm guesting and see if you can win a giveaway there--or at other giveaways to come.

 

How many blogs do you usually read in a week?  Do you follow any blog tours? 

Book Store Closing

I posted earlier this week on Facebook about my Monday visit to the Pasadena, California, Barnes and Noble.

 

I'd been to a couple of bookstores the week before, after December began, but my December Harlequin Romantic Suspense COVERT ATTRACTION wasn't yet on the shelves.  It was there, though, at the Pasadena B&N, three copies that I got to sign.  Also on the shelves were several copies of my Pet Rescue Mysteries.  I was thrilled. 

 

 

I was also sad.  This Barnes and Noble is closing as of December 31. 

I enjoy going to Pasadena for different reasons, including its bookstores.  Vroman's is always fun.  So is Book 'Em Mysteries, which I visit before each of the Sisters in Crime Los Angeles meetings since the South Pasadena library--venue for the SinCLA meetings--and Book 'Em are within close walking distance of one another.  As far as I know, both of those stores are doing okay. 

But not that B&N.   

I admit that, although I have a Kindle and enjoy using it, I'm still hooked on physical books.  That means I'm also hooked on brick-and-mortar bookstores, although I have been known to order books online, too.   

It's sad to realize that my next book, TEACUP TURBULENCE, the fifth Pet Rescue Mystery, won't ever see the inside of that particular B&N since it's a January 2014 release.  I won't get to sign copies there.  I won't get to buy other books there unless I hurry back before the end of this year.

 

Sigh.

 

There are other B&Ns around, and some are closer to me.  I won't have to totally wean myself from Barnes and Nobles, just that one.  But that still makes me sad. 

So how about you--how are bookstores in your area doing?  And what's your opinion of them?

Everybody Write!

I used to be an in-house attorney for Union Oil Company of California, aka Unocal.  Unfortunately, Unocal no longer exists.  Its assets were sold to other companies quite a few years ago, ending with a merger with one of them.  But some former employees still meet almost monthly for lunch, and I try to join them as often as possible. 

One of their meetings is today.  Guess who the speaker is.  Me!  And what will I be talking about?  What else--writing!

Sure, I’ll update them on my writing career.  But I’ll also be telling this group of how each of them, too, can write, for fun and maybe for some profit.   

Writing is a vocation or avocation that can be started at any time and can continue throughout a person’s life.  I’ll be encouraging people who haven’t yet started to give it a try, in whatever genre or venue they prefer--fiction or nonfiction, traditional publishing to any kind of online or other type, book-length or just short articles or blogs... anything!   

They can write about whatever they wish, preferably something they’re passionate about, as Chrystle encouraged earlier this week--as passionate as I am about pets, especially dogs.  They can write about themselves--who they are, what they’re doing, what they want to accomplish.   

Will they enjoy the talk?  That remains to be seen.  But I’ll definitely have fun--and I hope I inspire at least one of them to give it a try!

How about you--if you write, what was your inspiration to start?  If you don’t, what would be the best inspiration to get you started?

 

By the way, I’m having fun with my latest release, an e-novella in my Pet Rescue Mystery series: NONSTOP SPANIELS.  Like the cover?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just One Day Recap

Yesterday was Just One Day.

What’s that?  It was a day publicized for months on which pet shelters everywhere were to pledge that they would not kill any animals, even if it was just for that one day.

I had a good time popping back and forth to the event’s Facebook page and seeing the mentions of lots of shelters that had taken the pledge. 

I only wish I knew how many shelters took the pledge--and how many animals were actually saved that day, which I of course hope were all of them.  In fact I’d love it if no animals were killed on any day, except those that truly had to be euthanized for health reasons, to end their suffering.

I hadn’t planned on having my e-novella Nonstop Spaniels published around the same time as Just One Day but it worked out that way.   As I mentioned last week, the theme behind Nonstop Spaniels is NKLA--No Kill Los Angeles, which is an initiative of Best Friends Animal Society.  The idea behind NKLA is to get all shelters around L.A., even public ones, to stop killing healthy pets--at any time. 

When I started writing the Pet Rescue Mysteries, I knew what pet rescue was, of course.  I had some awareness that lots of animals were taken into shelters, and many were killed for lack of space.  I had less awareness of the numbers of wonderful people who started private shelters or fostered or did so many other things to at least lessen the numbers of animals that were killed for no reason except lack of space.

 Now I know a lot more--except what actually causes the problem in the first place.  A lot of people love pets.  So why can’t all people be responsible pet owners?  I won’t go on a tirade here but I don’t understand why people don’t spay or neuter their pets at appropriate times to avoid unwanted puppies or kittens from being born.  Or why people decide to give up pets for reasons that ultimately just mean they’re tired of their four-legged family members.

So--I’ll just continue to do my small part to help by writing my Pet Rescue Mysteries--which, BTW, I always intend to be fun and not hit people over the head with a message--and by volunteering at a shelter and trying to remind as many people as possible about the problems.  And by celebrating such wonderful events as Just One Day.

How about you--had you heard about Just One Day?  Did shelters in your area take the pledge?

Nonstop Spaniels

I have a new book out as of yesterday.  Actually, it’s a novella.  And it’s the first of my mysteries to be e-published! 

It’s called Nonstop Spaniels, and its theme is NKLA--No Kill Los Angeles, which is an initiative of Best Friends Animal Society.  The idea behind NKLA is to get all shelters, even public ones, to stop killing healthy pets.  I enjoyed the research a lot, especially when I learned the amount of success they’ve achieved already--although they still have a long way to go.

The idea behind Nonstop Spaniels is that my protagonist Lauren Vancouver has to figure out why a veterinarian who also owns a pet shelter won’t join NKLA--and to prove that her good friend Dr. Carly Stellan isn’t the one who ultimately murders that vet. 

I sometimes wonder what my own dogs Lexie and Mystie would think if they understood the kinds of things I write about.  Pet rescue?  What’s that, mom?  I got both of my Cavaliers from reputable breeders.  That was before I started researching, and volunteering in, pet rescue.  My pups are also fur-kids of empty nesters, so they don’t even know what it’s like to have human children taking priority in our household.  I’m just as glad they don’t know.  I’d rather just spoil them and never have them know how hard it is for some other pets to find loving homes. 

I was delighted that two different people mentioned the release of Nonstop Spaniels on Facebook.  One of them also mentioned that my next full-length Pet Rescue Mystery Teacup Turbulence is now up on Amazon and will be a January 2014 release.  I wasn’t aware that Amazon had a page for it already, so I learned something fun!

I did, by the way, have a couple of novellas published in e-format by Harlequin as Nocturne Bites, part of my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military force of shapeshifters.  One of them was subsequently included in a print anthology called Awakening the Beast.  These shifters weren’t canine, unlike most of my Alpha Force stories. 

Oh, and I received a complaint from a fan who only likes to read print books.  She was concerned she would miss something important in the series by not reading Nonstop Spaniels.  I assured her that each of my stories is a stand-alone and that anything a new reader needs to know is in whatever book in the series he or she starts with.

 

And that includes e-novellas. 

How about you--do you like to read novellas in a series?  Do you prefer print or e-format, or both?  And what’s your opinion of no-kill pet shelters?

Busily Blogging

Those of you who read Killer Hobbies regularly know that I’ve got two books coming out in about a week.  I’m also under some writing deadlines, but right now a lot of my focus is on letting people know about OODLES OF POODLES, my fourth Pet Rescue Mystery, and UNDERCOVER WOLF, my fourth Alpha Force paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne.

I readily admit to not being completely savvy about all social networking.  I really just participate in two kinds--Facebook and blogging.

And right now, boy, am I blogging!

I love writing weekly for Killer Hobbies.  I’m also participating in a blog tour that the very kind owner of the Cozy Mystery Book Review site put together on my behalf--a week’s worth of posts about my Pet Rescue Mysteries and reviews of OODLES OF POODLES.

I started doing some guest blogs that I set up myself earlier this month, and right now they’re ramping up to several a week.  These include sites where I talk about both of my books and their genres, or just one or the other.  I also blog monthly at the website of one of my local Romance Writers of America chapters and will also soon be blogging monthly on Killer Characters.  In addition, I’ll soon be blogging on writing on Writers in the Storm as well as to describe my upcoming online class on Blending Romance and Suspense at Savvy Authors.

 

I’ve written an article about the American Humane Association and its “No Animals Were Harmed”® film certification.  I’ll attend the online Valentine Soiree at Writerspace to talk about OODLES OF POODLES.  I’ll participate for a week on the importance of setting at the International Thriller Writers roundtable.

I’m appearing on a panel at a library.  I’m doing at least two book signings--both on the same weekend but in different areas.

But don’t worry.  As always, I’m at my dogs’ bark and call.  Most of what I’m doing involved being at the computer, so when they tell me they need to go out or get a treat, I generally obey, although not always as fast as they’d like.

Being busy is enjoyable, if hectic.  But... say... did I forget anything?  If you have any additional suggestions for blogging or informing people about my two releases, please let me know!

Changes

Killer Hobbies is changing again.  Not surprising.  As time goes on, we all change. 

I’ve been a member of Killer Hobbies since 2007.   I remember wondering whether it was a good idea for me to join when I was invited, since the themes of the other bloggers’ cozy mysteries involved... well, hobbies. 

My mysteries involve pets.  And although some people might think of pets as hobbies, I don’t.  To me, they’re family.

I joined anyway, and here I still am.  But one of our wonderful founders, Joanna Campbell Slan, is now leaving us.  We’ll miss her, and I hope she does stop by now and then for guest blogs.

There are three of us remaining now--Monica Ferris, Betty Hechtman, and me.  We’re a fun group, and we will soon be adding another blogger, too. 

The new year is in full swing now.  Hard to believe we’re well into January already.  We’re all twelve months older than we were at this time last year--of course!  I became a grandma in 2012 and I’m thrilled about it!  I also lost my dad, so there were bad times, too.  More changes.

This year, I’m going nuts already with my tight deadlines along with all the things I’m planning so I can introduce people to my two new books being published next month.  I wish they’d been spread out in time a bit, but I’ll have fun with both of them.  In case you’ve forgotten, they’re OODLES OF POODLES, my next Pet Rescue Mystery for Berkley Prime Crime, and UNDERCOVER WOLF, my next Alpha Force paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne.   I’m also working on a Pet Rescue Mystery novella for Berkley... and I may publish another novella myself.  Yes... more changes.

Unchanging, of course:  my love of animals, especially dogs.  And, yes, growing older.  But I keep thinking that the more I age, the more I learn.  It’s not so bad at all!

Have you come across any changes in your life recently?

Out and About Online

Last week I blogged about how wonderful it was to be distracted from my work--by family.  And most especially by my baby grandson.

Right now, I’ve got more time to dig in and work on the books I’m writing.  But that’s not all.  I have two--that’s right, two!--new books being published in February.  That’s only about two months away now, and I want to do everything I can to get the word out so people will know about them.  Which books?  My next Alpha Force Harlequin Nocturne UNDERCOVER WOLF, and my next Pet Rescue Mystery OODLES OF POODLES for Berkley Prime Crime.

Since there’s a little bit of time till then, I want to plan on letting people know about both books as much as possible using social media.  I’ve been invited to participate in some online blogs and magazines, and will be delighted to do that.

I’ll also be working on a blog tour.  I’m on Facebook, but have been avoiding Twitter since I’m already too distracted by the things I actually do online. 

I’m additionally looking for ideas.  So--what can you suggest?  Are there any blogs besides Killer Hobbies that you read and think I should try to guest on?  Any groups or magazines or anything else you can suggest that I do?

And, okay, hit me with it.  Do you think I should join Twitter?

Whether you’re a reader, writer or both, what are your favorite online methods for authors to let readers know about new releases?

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

The Next Big Thing…will it be vampires, bondage or wizardry? Probably not, as lightning seems to choose somewhere different and unpredictable to strike. Like a marriage, every author goes into writing to be wildly successful in creating love and inspiration for her readers, but reality often has something else in mind.

Hop onto this blog adventure through some new reads. For those who are not familiar with a blog hop – it’s like a treasure hunt–once you find something special on one blog you hop over to the next blog to add to that treasure. In this case, the treasure is new and exciting books. Some are still in progress, some just released. Either way, if you are a fiction lover, it’s full of potential treasure. I’d like to thank Christine London (www.christinelondon.com) for tagging me to participate.

On this particular hop each author answers ten questions about our work in progress/new release and why we chose to spend our lifeblood and time in cobbling an entire novel about these particular characters and situations. When all is said and done, questions and comments are always welcome. Who knows–maybe your thoughts will contribute to the Next Big Thing.

HERE ARE THE QUESTIONS

What is the working title of your book?
It’s more than a working title.  My next Pet Rescue Mystery, OODLES OF POODLES, will be a February 2013 release.  I’m focusing on it here rather than my next Harlequin Nocturne, UNDERCOVER WOLF, which I also love, and which will also be a February 2013 release--the fourth in my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters!

Where did the idea come from for the book?
I got the idea for OODLES OF POODLES when I saw that the American Humane Association had opened a new office on Ventura Boulevard near where I live in L.A.  They’re the group that checks out scripted movies and TV shows for how the animals in them, from ants to elephants, are treated, and they’re the only ones who can provide the certification that “No Animals Were Harmed,” which is their registered trademark.

What genre does your book fall under?
OODLES OF POODLES is a cozy mystery, part of my Pet Rescue Mystery series which is a spinoff from my Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter Mystery series, also a cozy mystery series.  Both are from Berkley Prime Crime.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
This story takes place in the film industry, but I hadn’t really considered this question before!  I think Sandra Bullock would make a great Lauren Vancouver, my protagonist, who is the chief administrator of a really great no-kill animal shelter, HotRescues.  Her love interest is an officer with Los Angeles Animal Services.  George Clooney might be a good candidate for Matt.  There’s a role in it for Betty White, too--and she’s highly appropriate to be part of a Pet Rescue Mystery, since she’s so involved with saving animals.  One of the volunteers at HotRescues is an older lady who used to be Lauren’s mentor and also a hoarder, but she’s now a great help at the shelter.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

When the director of a new movie called Sheba’s Story, about rescued poodles, is murdered, pet shelter administrator Lauren Vancouver must step in to save the dogs--and her best friend, veterinarian Carlie Stellan, who’s the chief murder suspect.

 

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

OODLES OF POODLES will be published in print and e-format by Berkley Prime Crime.

 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Because, as I mentioned before, I also write for Harlequin, both in their Nocturne and Romantic Suspense series, I have to keep on writing!  It usually doesn’t take me more than a month to write a first draft.  But then I edit a lot.

 

 

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I’d say that anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries featuring dogs, or even cats, would enjoy this story and my series.  How about Leann Sweeney’s stories, or Rebecca M. Hale’s, or Sparkle Abbey’s, or Dean James’?

 

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
As mentioned previously, seeing the American Humane Association in my neighborhood inspired me to write this story.  I’ve been inspired to write the series because I love animals, especially dogs.  I currently volunteer as a dog adoption counselor at Pet Orphans of Southern California, a wonderful shelter in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Saving animals, of course--even fictitiously!  HotRescues is a no-kill animal shelter, and in the Pet Rescue Mysteries, “no-kill” means pets, not people... since they are murder mysteries! 

 

To continue the adventure and uncover more treasure, these authors’  “Next Best Thing” will be posted Wed Nov 14th. In the meantime, they have an active wonderful blog to check out --and two of them are my Killer Hobbies blog sisters!

 

Janie Emaus               http://www.theboomerrants.com/
Connie Archer             http://www.conniearchermysteries.com/blog/
Monica Ferris              http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/
Betty Hechtman          http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com/

Flexibility

I was having a hard time figuring out what to write about today.  Usually, topics come to me fairly easily.  I eventually realized what my problem is this week: I’ve had to change gears in my writing, so that’s put me off my pace, at least a bit.

I have two books coming out in February 2013: UNDERCOVER WOLF, part of my Alpha Force mini-series for Harlequin Nocturne, and OODLES OF POODLES, my fourth Pet Rescue Mystery for Berkley Prime Crime.  I knew the copyedits were due soon for both--where I’d get to see changes, or suggestions for modifying the manuscripts, from  my editors and get to do some revisions accordingly. 

I’d intended to finish an extremely rough draft this week of the next Alpha Force story after UNDERCOVER WOLF, tentatively titled UNTAMED WOLF.  However, I received my copyedits on UNDERCOVER WOLF--which usually wouldn’t present a problem, but my editor requested my response by the end of this week.

I always try to comply with that kind of request, whenever possible.  First, I’m really fortunate to have wonderful editors.  Also, in the instances that I’ve requested deadline extensions, they’ve been very accommodating to me.   So... I’d better stop writing this and go back to my copyedits!

Fortunately, I shouldn’t receive the edits for OODLES OF POODLES for a couple of weeks.  And the other thing I was writing at the same time as UNTAMED WOLF, a potential novella, will just have to wait for now.

Do you ever start racing toward a particular goal and find yourself swerving a bit because something else has intervened?

New Ideas

Sometimes I think I’m nuts. 
At the moment, I’m in the middle of writing my next Harlequin Nocturne book, the fifth in my Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters.  As I mentioned last week, I was offered a contract for three more Harlequin novels, and this is the first of them.

I’ll also be writing at least one more Pet Rescue Mystery, and I hope there will be more in that series, too.

I’ve also turned in a proposal for another mystery series.  Nothing may come of it... but I sure hope I also get to write that one.

So what am I complaining about?  Well, my mind has dashed off in a new direction and I’m starting to work on a story that’s quite different from any of those.  Not that I’ll slack off on the stuff I’m already obligated--and definitely want--to write.  But this idea keeps gnawing at me, giving me a sentence here, a plot point there, and I’ve of course started to write them all down.

The only thing I’ll admit about it, for the moment, is that it involves dogs.  But since a good proportion of my stories do have dogs in them, that’s not giving anything away.

I may never finish writing this story.  Even if I get through an entire proposal--a synopsis and chapters--I may be completely unable to sell it.  But it’s there and nagging and potentially a lot of fun.

What do you do when your mind keeps prodding you to try new things?  I’m surely not alone in that! 

Oh, and by the way, my latest Harlequin, a Romantic Suspense titled UNDERCOVER SOLDIER, is available now.  It surprised me by showing up in a Kmart near me when I visited there last week!  Since then, I’ve visited it elsewhere, too.

Surrounded by Romance

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!  It’s so great to be celebrating the birth of our wonderful country.  I’m looking forward to seeing a myriad of fireworks displays in the San Fernando Valley tonight from my upstairs balcony. 

Are you intrigued by the title of my blog post today?  Well, let me explain.  I’m talking about romance novels.  I love ‘em, and write them along with my also beloved mysteries.

 I just turned in a manuscript revision for my next Harlequin Nocturne, UNDERCOVER WOLF--a paranormal romance in my mini-series about Alpha Force, a covert military unit of shapeshifters.  The stories are getting longer, so I expanded my manuscript accordingly. 

 This month is also the debut of my first Harlequin Romantic Suspense: UNDERCOVER SOLDIER.  As I’ve said before, I’m undercover a lot lately!

 And some good news?  I’ve been offered contracts on two more Nocturnes, plus one more Romantic Suspense! 

 So, yes, I’m surrounded by romance.  So are my Pet Rescue Mysteries.  In between all those Harlequins, I’ll also be writing another of Lauren Vancouver’s adventures, plus her next story, OODLES OF POODLES, will be a February 2013 release. 

I anticipate being nice and busy.  In fact... time for me to stop writing this blog entry and get back to the Nocturne that’s due next!

Oh, and BTW, on the romance theme?  My DH has been helping me with some technical issues in that Nocturne.  Isn’t that romantic?

Do you like reading and/or writing in multiple genres?  Which are your favorite, and why?

Where Is This Year Going?

Can you believe it? September starts tomorrow!

I’ve been thinking about all I accomplished this year--and all I’ve yet to do in its final three months. Maybe that’s because I have three stories still coming out before next year begins: THE MORE THE TERRIER, my second Pet Rescue Mystery, which will be an October release, plus my last two Nocturne Bites: HAWK’S CHALLENGE, out in October, followed, in November, by COUGAR’S CHALLENGE.

As I’ve said before, I always thought that a writer just wrote, but some of the additional things I still need to accomplish involve promoting all of the above. I’m in the process of scheduling signings for THE MORE THE TERRIER. Since the Bites are novellas that are only available, initially at least, in e-format, I won’t be signing them. My first Bites, CLAWS OF THE LYNX, was also published in a print anthology, so that’s always a possibility with these two as well.

I’ve been scheduling a blog tour in addition to the fun I have posting here at Killer Hobbies. So far, I have eight lined up and more possibilities to come. If anyone reading this would like me to guest on their blog, too, just let me know. I’m ready!

I met a quick deadline yesterday, in one day--copyedits on COUGAR’S CHALLENGE.

Then there’s my next deadline--my first Harlequin Romantic Suspense story, called at least for now UNDYING LOVE.

And, yes, there’s more, too--my life outside writing also contains some obligations and deadlines that I need to factor in and get done.

What do you still need to accomplish by the end of 2011?

More Genres!

Okay, I’ve done it again. In addition to my existing genres, I’m now writing for a new line--new to me, at least. Sort of.

I just sold a book to Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Almost. The contract hasn’t been signed yet, but I’ve been writing for Harlequin long enough to know that it will be signed soon.

That means I’ll soon have more Pet Rescue Mysteries published, a Harlequin Nocturne plus a couple of Nocturne Bites, and an HRS.

How many genres have I written in--and sold? Well, I started out in time travel romance for Dorchester, and also wrote a romantic fairy tale for them. I additionally wrote a time travel romance for my current mystery publisher, Berkley. I’ve also written Harlequin Intrigues. And I of course write mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime.

Years ago, I wrote a Silhouette Intimate Moments for Harlequin--a paranormal romance for that line in between when they had the Shadows line and now the Nocturnes for which I currently write. Over time, the line and its name have changed--from Silhouette Intimate Moments to Silhouette Romantic Suspense to Harlequin Romantic Suspense. Hence, my “sort of”, above. I’ve sort of written for the line before, but before it morphed to what it is now.

And what is it now? Romantic suspense, with the emphasis on the romantic.

My story’s working title is UNDYING LOVE, although that’s subject to change. So is the currently anticipated publication date of September 2012.

Now all I have to do is write it--with the longer word length the series now requires. That’ll be fun--especially since its background is very loosely based on a mystery in my own life.

Do you like to write in, or read, multiple genres?

Two Genres At Once!

This is one of those times that people who know I write in two genres often ask me about. Yes, I’m in the middle of writing in both of them at once. And, yes, it can be a challenge!

Right now, I’m under a deadline for my next Harlequin Nocturne, a dark and sexy paranormal romance about shapeshifters, and I’m working on the first draft. I’ve also received the copyedits for THE MORE THE TERRIER, the next Pet Rescue Mystery, and need to respond to questions and resolve some concerns which sometimes involve writing revisions.

What’s my transition from one to the other? Lunch! Most often, I’ve been writing in the morning, then I switch to editing in the afternoon. That seems to work fine, as long as whatever other obligations or outings I have each day don’t interfere too much.

Fortunately, the copy edits aren’t likely to take too long. Even so, while I’m ensconced in both, it really is an interesting change of mind-set to move from one genre to the other on the same day.

It’s easier to move from drafting or reviewing contracts to writing in an appropriate fiction genre when I’m wearing my lawyer hat.

On the other hand, I enjoy challenges.

Do you have any writing or other activities that require you to move from one direction to another that’s quite different?

My New Year -- It’ll Get Better!

This is my first Killer Hobbies post for 2011. Yesterday suggested to me that the year isn’t off to as great a start as I’d hoped. On the other hand, that was yesterday, and now it’s today. Things are improving already.

What went wrong? Well, it mostly stemmed from my husband’s coming down with a tummy illness. I felt awful for him and couldn’t do much to help. Not that the timing is ever right, but it was on the day we’d chosen to change satellite TV providers. I count on him for technical things, since I’m so non-techie. Fortunately, our younger son is even more tech-oriented than my husband, and since he now lives in LA he was able to help by supervising the installation.

Then, I’d twisted something in my back. It isn’t horrible but it’s sore enough that I had to cancel my zumba lesson. One of these days, I’m going combine zumba with my Curves workout, but not this week. I did do some exercise but had to be careful not to do anything as strenuous as I usually like to do.

Okay, enough complaining. My husband is feeling better. Plus, my writing is progressing well. I’m working on the third Pet Rescue Mystery as well as some other story ideas. Plus, I’m contacting people about the upcoming release of BEAGLEMANIA, the first in the series, which premiers in March. I’m sending out galleys for review in addition to what my publisher is doing. That’s not going too badly. In fact, it’s rather fun!

What’s next? Well, as in any year, I have ideas and prospective plans, plus things I know I have to get done. Somehow, it all seems to work out.

How has your 2011 been going so far? Any surprises yet?

Year End Nostalgia

This is my last Killer Hobbies post for 2010. It’s been a good year, but as I write this I’m filled with nostalgia. We celebrated our Christmas holiday late, and today is the day that many members of my family leave to go home. I’ll miss them! But it is time for me to buckle down and concentrate more on my writing again.

I had two books published in 2010: FELINE FATALE, the ninth Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery, and ALASKAN WOLF, the second in my Alpha Force miniseries for Harlequin Nocturne. There are currently no more books scheduled in my Kendra series, and some of my nostalgia arises from that since it’s not clear whether Kendra will star in more stories of her own. On the other hand, I’m excited to be writing a spinoff series for Berkley Prime Crime, the Pet Rescue Mysteries, in which Kendra will appear. The first Pet Rescue Mystery is BEAGLEMANIA, and it will be published in March 2011. Definitely something to look forward to.

There will also be at least two more Alpha Force stories for Harlequin Nocturne, plus two Nocturne Bites, which are e-novellas. Alpha Force is a covert military unit of shapeshifters--fun to write, too, so I’m delighted that there are more of these stories to come.

As my blog sisters so far this week have already said, this is a good time to reflect on the past year, the good and bad things about it. There were definitely more good things than bad for me. But as I look back there are things that I think I would have done differently. I’ve started reforming with respect to them already. Maybe they won’t take the form of New Year’s resolutions, but I hope to figure out a way to make them better next year.

How about you--what are you thinking about at the end of 2010? Are you planning to change anything next year? Do you consider your plans a New Year’s resolution--or do you find that too confining?

Have a Happy New Year--celebrate the onset of 2011 well!