Coming to India!
I've always wanted to go to India — and now it looks like I will. But it's only my book going, not me. Darn! I have a different cover for India as well, which doesn't surprise me. I rather like it! 
Some news
I posted this in my News section, but I'm so tickled I want to repost here. First, I am the featured author in the Inside Scoop interview at eHarlequin for the month of July! This is quite an honor for me.
Secondly, I've been reviewed at Barbara Vey's Publisher's Weekly Beyond Her Book blog! The part that will keep me smiling for days? “Delightful, sexy read in one sitting (you just try putting this down).”
Want to read the entire first chapter of SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE? Click on Browse this Book. 🙂
Quick update
The revisions have arrived, so I'll be in the writing cave again! They aren't too bad, fortunately, but this next month is SO busy for me that I'll probably be away more than I'm here. Boo hoo. 🙁 I like talking to y'all!
I do have good news, though! CAVELLI'S LOST HEIR has a January 2010 release date in North America! Yay! It's not available for pre-order yet, except in hardback from the UK. And one more piece of good news, if you like to read ebooks, you can order SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE now from the eHarlequin website!
If you've won a book from me in the past week or two, they're going in the mail today!
Escape
Sometimes you just have to escape the office. Or, in my case, the house since my office is here. Yesterday, I was invited to join friends for a conference shopping trip. I met Marilyn, Danniele, and Kim of the Writing Playground at Ross early in the morning. The madness started at the dress rack, then continued through the store. We piled up clothes on shopping carts and then headed for the dressing rooms. I think I had to go through 3 rounds of trying stuff on (the Ross limit is 8 at one time in the dressing room).
Now tell me why it is that stores don't understand women better? They have the most unflattering light in the dressing rooms. Harsh, stark, florescent. Heidi Klum would look bad under that light. And since I'm no Heidi, I definitely looked bad. All my flaws seemed amplified. I felt like a whale. A pale whale with limp hair.
Ahem. Anyway, I ended up putting back *most* of what I tried on, though I did find a few gems in the pile. Especially my dress for my publisher's party. OMG, it's gorgeous! And it looked awesome in spite of the lights. When that happens, it's a keeper.
After Ross, we moved on to lunch. Eagle-eyed Marilyn spotted a woman reading a Harlequin Presents and, after psyching myself up, I went over and introduced myself and gave her a bookmark. She seemed pleased to get the bookmark, and I was very happy to meet someone who loves reading HP.
When we finished lunch, the mall and shoe shopping was next. I was pretty good considering how I feel about shoes. I only bought one pair of flip flops.
By the end of the day, I was tired but happy. I had a lot of fun shopping with friends (though Kimberly Lang and I have a problem — we have the same taste. We kept picking up the same dresses, shoes, and jewelry. Perhaps it's no accident we both write for Harlequin Presents!) and I didn't spend too much. I picked up four nice dresses, one super fabulous, and a pair of pants that I've already decided to return (see, Marilyn, told you it'd happen quick!).
Next week, I'll head to the mall again. And probably DSW, just to see what sort of lovely shoes they may have. It's time to start making my list of what outfit to wear to which event. If there are any holes to be filled, then one more shopping trip ought to do it. I hope.
What was the last big shopping trip you went on? Do you have any favorite stores? I love stores like Chico's and White House – Black Market, but Ross is more budget friendly. I think my hubby appreciates that…. 😉
Yesterday's winner: Aimee C! Aimee, email me your contact info and I'll get a signed book into the mail…..
Summer fun
Hey, where are my winners? Click on the contact button to send me your info so I can get these books in the mail to you! 🙂
What kind of summer fun have you been up to lately? I've been swimming a gazillion times — which, really, is a lie. Because I can't swim very well, so to call what I do swimming is inaccurate. Fortunately, I've finally decided that I can take instruction from the hubby. He used to be a competition swimmer, so he looks beautiful in the water. I want to learn to do that too.
We've also been to picnics, barbeques, and out to dinner and movies with friends and family several times. It always seems as if the summer social calendar is much fuller than the fall and winter. I do love summer, but man is it hot in Alabama. Most activities need to take place indoors unless it involves the pool. And even the pool has felt like bathwater lately.
Now, who can tell me how many novels I wrote before I sold one? (Hint: the answer is on the Media page.) One lucky winner gets a book! And tell me what you love about summer where you live!