Well, the kids went back to school this week. I remember when I used to be just like Kathleen O’ Reilly (Aug 19th) I’d get the last little rug rat out the door and then go open a bottle of champagne and do the happy dance around the empty, quiet living room while throwing confetti and blowing a party horn.
But this year it’s different. I guess it has to do with my oldest being a senior. I feel the era of having little ones at home slipping away. In the spring my firstborn will graduate, and by this time next year she’ll be gone to college.
My baby girl. How fast the past eighteen years have gone. It seems like only yesterday I was bringing her home from the hospital wrapped in her pretty pink blanket her Mimi crocheted, and rocking her against my shoulder in the middle of the night.
In the blink of an eye she was holding my hand as I walked her into her classroom on the first day of Kindergarten.
Maybe it’s because I had another baby 17 months after she was born, and then another 5 years after that. But I feel like I turned around and my firstborn was suddenly a moody teen. As much as I tried to soak in every moment—and I have the pictures of Disney princess and Barbie Ballerina birthday parties to prove she had one—it feels like her childhood was over practically before it began.
So, even though I still have a fifth grader, and a son whose rock band likes to practice in our garage, I feel the silence in our house this week quite keenly. On the one hand, I have two deadlines and the quiet time while they’re in school enables me to get those 5 pages a day written. But on the other, the lack of noise screams at me: “Only a few more years and they’ll all be gone.”
And I’ll be entering a new era of my life. One where I’m not the center of my kids’ worlds. Where they are adults with their own lives and I’m just an afterthought or somewhere to bring dirty laundry. Hopefully, they’ll still need my advice and want my company every once in a while. But it will be different.
So, this is my last year with my daughter. My firstborn. My baby girl.
Was I ready for school to start? No way. I guess I better soak up every minute with her while I can.

It’s the cover for my second Blaze, SEDUCE AND RESCUE!
This book is a sequel to my first Blaze, LET IT RIDE that was released last May ‘09. Seduce and Rescue also takes place in Vegas and at Nellis Air Force Base, and all the buddies from the first book are back in this one–including Captains McCabe and Hughes, who are up to their usual pranks. There’s only one person who hasn’t paid up from the bet the guys made in the first book, and that’s this book’s hero, Lt Col. Ethan Grady.
I’m so excited about this story, because it was such fun to write. My heroine, Lily, was impulsive and wild, and likely to do anything that popped into her head, which made for some really fun scenes. Here’s the blurb from the back of the cover:
Out of the fire…and
into his bed!
Lieutenant Colonel Ethan Grady is having his very first massage with a rather eccentric but smokin’-hot redhead, Lily Langford. But her touch isn’t so much calming as it is very distracting. When he accidentally sets Lily’s business and home ablaze, Ethan can’t tell if the smoldering is from the fire…or their attraction to each other! But now Ethan’s condo is invaded by the free-spirited Lily, who’s convinced that he’s the one who really needs to be rescued. And Lily’s methods? Well, they’re not so traditional. Still, Ethan can’t remember having his chakras aligned so…er, intensely. But will this be rescue—or retreat?

Isn’t the cover gorgeous? Even though Lily is technically a redhead, this picture just perfectly encapsulates my idea of Lily and Ethan.
SEDUCE AND RESCUE will be on shelves October 1st!
And i just learned my next Blaze will keep my working title PRIMAL CALLING, and will be released in March 2011. PRIMAL CALLING is about a reclusive Alaskan bush pilot and the Travel Channel celebrity who sneaks aboard his plane. Things heat up fast when they get stranded on the frozen tundra!
So, I guess I don’t have a question except…don’t you think the Harlequin Art Department has been doing a fantastic job with the Blaze covers?

I’ve been meaning to follow up on a blog I wrote in May of 09 about Bad Boys. In researching for that blog, I found this article How To Be A Bad Boy By Matthew Fitzgerald- Relationship Correspondent.
When I first read it, I thought it must have been written as tongue in cheek. SURELY this guy wasn’t for real. I mean, come on. I couldn’t believe some of his advice to men. “Act as if you couldn’t possibly care less about getting women.” And “Be indifferent and don’t show you care.” And how about this bit of wisdom: “Get her off the pedestal. Run the relationship by your rules, not hers.” And here’s my personal favorite, “For women, guys who are too available are boring. Bad Boys are selfishly independent. Women always want what they can’t have, so make yourself busy and scarce. –Let her do some work to get you.”
Okay, this guy is just BEGGING to be made into a Blaze hero. I can just picture his backstory: BURNED by a woman in his past, he has become the consummate “player”. The serial dater who never lets his heart get involved and thinks relationships with women are all about playing a game. But in my Blaze story, this “player” would finally get what was coming to him. That is a woman who loves him with all her heart and won’t put up with his game-playing. My Blaze Bad Boy would finally come to realize not all women “want what they can’t have” and are ready for a real, grown-up relationship where there is mutual respect and a love so deep and true he would be a fool to let it slip through his callused, bad-boy hands.
Actually, I’m writing a book just like that right now. It’s the third in my Vegas fighter pilot series and features Captain Mitch McCabe, Bad Boy extraordinaire. McCabe is the ultimate player. But he wasn’t always. In his early twenties he wanted nothing more than to fall in love, settle down, and have the kind of happy home life he never had as a child growing up on the bad side of Memphis.
Hmm, makes me wonder about this “relationship correspondent”, Matthew. Did he have his heart broken by a woman in his past? Has he actually used his own advice? If he has, how often did it work for him? And if it worked, did it make him happy? Is he in a successful relationship now?
I guess a lot of writers wonder about other people’s lives; their past experiences and motives, their loves and losses. And then we start playing “what if…” I would love to talk to this Matthew Fitzgerald. To be fair, if you read the entire article, he does have a few bits of advice with which I agree. He just might be tamable. Hmm, a romance novelist who sets out to teach a Bad Boy “relationship correspondent” a lesson in what a woman really wants. Oh, the story I could write…

What about you? Are you curious about other people’s lives?

I’m down to the last few days of a deadline, so I beg Blaze readers tolerance if I recycle an old blog from The Sizzling Pens Blog a couple of years ago (with a few updates) and save my brain power for the book.
This time of year it’s always sad saying goodbye to our favorite TV shows for the summer. But there is a positive side to the TV show hiatus. Think of all that free time I’ll have in the evenings. Maybe I’ll…

1. Write. Since there’ll be nothing to watch on TV, this is a good time to work. Especially since, beginning June 5th, my kids will be home all day, every day, for an entire three months (Ack!) and I certainly won’t get any writing done during the day.
2. Catch up on my reading. My To Be Read pile—ok, PILES–are getting so ridiculously high I’m afraid they might topple over and give me a concussion while I sleep. If I don’t start reading some of them, I might be forced to cull through the stacks and pare them down. And how could I do that?
3. Have meaningful conversations with my kids. Without new episodes of Medium or House to watch, I might talk with my kids. That is, about something other than homework, school projects, upcoming band concerts, volleyball schedules, PTA meetings, or their bad grades. Instead, we can talk about boyfriends, girlfriends, clothes, makeup, skateboarding, video games, movies, malls, and the money they need for all of the above. Um, when does the New Fall Season start again?
4. Ditto for my husband. Hmm, a conversation that is NOT about the kids. What does that leave? I’m not sure I remember how to talk about anything else with the man I’ve been living with for over twenty years. This may require a date night and alcohol. Who knows? Maybe he’ll get lucky.
5. Take a long soak in a Bubble Bath. Which leads to…
6. Paint my nails. I haven’t painted my nails since before I was pregnant with the last kid. How sad is that?
7. Go out to dinner with my girlfriends. Ahhh, more alcohol
8. Have long phone conversation with a friend who lives far away
9. Cook a magnificent gourmet meal. I’ve been dying to try one of Isabel’s yummy recipes.
10. Clean out my office closet. Okay, I’ve gone too far. I’ll NEVER be that desperate!

So, what will YOU do with your lazy, hazy summer evenings?

CONGRATS TAMMY!
Please email me here and let me know which book you want along with your snail mail address and get it mailed to you!
I’m showing my age, but that song, Celebration by Kool & The Gang always pops into my head when I’m in the mood to celebrate.
My first blog here was April 27th 2009. Wow. I can’t believe it’s been a year already. I think that deserves a celebration. Plus, I had some good news over the weekend. My first Harlequin Blaze, LET IT RIDE, released last May, is a finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards Short Contemporary category!
The winners will be announced at the RWA National conference at a ceremony in Nashville in July. I don’t expect to win; I’m up against some pretty stiff competition. Awesome books like Rhonda Nelson’s LETTERS FROM HOME. Loved that sexy Army Ranger, Levi. Rhonda’s Blazes, (HINT) always feature sexy, hunky guys.
And Cara Summers is a double finalist with her Twin series, TWIN TEMPTATION and TWIN SEDUCTION. Don’t you just love it when twins switch places?
I’m totally honored just to be a finalist in the same category with these outstanding authors.
Also, it’s hard not to want to go running through a meadow of flowers this time of year.
Around here (North Texas) the Bluebonnets are everywhere! All along the highways, for miles and miles, the stunning indigo blooms cover the grass and coat the air with their sweet scent. Last week we drove out to a gorgeous spot and I got a few pictures. The Bluebonnet is, of course, our state flower and therefore it’s illegal to pick one. And when we make our way into a field of them for pics, we must be careful not to tread on them, which makes for some awkwardly cautious tip-toeing around. But it’s worth it. I wish I could bottle up their fragrance and ship it to you, but maybe I can send one commenter today the next best thing: a packet of Bluebonnet seeds. Plus, I’ll send along a copy of my first Blaze, LET IT RIDE, or if you already have that, a promise to send the sequel when it comes out in October, SEDUCE AND RESCUE! I can’t wait to see the cover art on that! You can bet when I get it, I’ll post it here.
Happy Spring, everyone! Go out and celebrate!

So, what is YOUR state flower?

I don’t know about other writers, but a lot of what I do all day is sitting around looking as if I’m not doing anything. What. Just because I’m playing Spider Solitaire, you think I’m not writing? And why is it that when I’m madly typing away, no one ever comes in to my home office, but when I have to stop and think about the next scene, and play some Jawbreaker while my mind is toiling in deep thoughts, my husband and or kids always walk in to tell me something. I used to explain myself. “Honey, I realize to the untrained eye it might seem as if I’m just sitting around playing FreeCell all afternoon, but what I’m really doing is thinking about what my characters are going to do next. Honest!
And it never fails hubby walks in the MINUTE I go to sit in my thinking chair away from the keyboard. Or the moment I pull out a Hershey’s bar to sustain me through intricate mental mechanizations. I can’t understand why they think I do nothing all day.
And yet, it IS a dream job. I sit in a comfortable chair and imagine hunky heroes in sexy love scenes and poignantly romantic happy ever afters. I get to see my name on a printed book that actually is sold in bookstores, and sometimes have booksignings where I meet people who actually read my books and liked them. They actually liked my books!
I once saw a True Crime show where a wife faked selling her manuscript and stole the money she pretended was her six figure advance. Unfortunately, most people don’t know enough about the publishing world to know a six figure advance is extremely rare. But I digress. My point was, every once in a while I worry that my husband will think I’m faking it. As crazy as that sounds, whenever someone walks in when I’m working—and believe me, it IS work–if I’m not actually typing on the keyboard, I feel as if I need to justify myself.
Thank goodness I actually do, eventually, have a real, honest to goodness book to show for all my hours sitting in my office and yelling at the kids to leave me alone unless they’re bleeding or the house if on fire. And—what my DH really cares about–the royalty checks.
So, what about you? Any guilt associated with your day job? Do you have a boss you feel you have to justify your hours to?

I’m not one of those people who says “Oh, I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore.” Maybe I should be, but… Are you kidding?? I want presents! And cake! And cards from loved ones and friends! I’m still alive and kickin’ and I’m celebrating that!
Sure, I sometimes think about my age (48 today) and think, Ack! I can’t believe I’m so old! Where did the last 20 years go? My kids are about to enter college, my younger sister is a grandmother, and this year I will celebrate 22 years of marriage to the same man. I’m not young anymore. I’m way overweight. I have to take blood pressure medicine every day. I can’t do a cartwheel or climb a tree anymore. But hey, I’m Alive and I’m HERE! So, today I celebrate that fact.
And speaking of facts, here are some famous things that happened on my birthday (not the same year) and some famous people born on Feb 27th.
1594 – Henry IV is crowned King of France.
1797 – The Bank of England issues the first one-pound and two-pound notes.
1801 – Pursuant to the District of Columbia Organic Act of 1801, Washington, D.C. is placed under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress.
1812 – Poet Lord Byron gives his first address as a member of the House of Lords, in defense of Luddite violence against Industrialism in his home county of Nottinghamshire.
1860 – Abraham Lincoln makes a speech at Cooper Union in the city of New York that is largely responsible for his election to the Presidency.
1922 – A challenge to the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, allowing women the right to vote, is rebuffed by the Supreme Court of the United States in Leser v. Garnett.
1964 – The government of Italy asks for help to keep the Leaning Tower of Pisa from toppling over.
1974 – People magazine is published for the first time.
1991 – Gulf War: U.S. President George H. W. Bush announces that “Kuwait is liberated”.

Other famous People born on my birthday:
272 – Constantine I, Roman emperor
1807 – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet
1902 – John Steinbeck, American writer, Nobel laureate
1930 – Joanne Woodward, American actress
1932 – Elizabeth Taylor, British-American actress
1962 – Adam Baldwin, American actor
1980 – Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Bill and Hillary Clinton

So what about you? Do you still like to celebrate your birthday? If so, how?
(I’m on a writing retreat this weekend to plot some new Blazes and won’t be able to reply to comments,very often but I’ll get here at least once to read them!)

I heard about this song from my dear friend and mentor, Silhouette Desire author, Emilie Rose. I know some of you may not enjoy Country music, but give this a chance. It’ll be worth your 4 minutes.

Watch the video

I\'d Love to be Your Last

If I had it my way.
This would be the first time that you made love.
I’d be the first man that your hands touched.
But we’ve both done our share of living.
Takin chances we were given.
I’ve never been big on looking back.
I don’t care if I’m your first love.
But I’d love to be your last.
If I could do it over.
I’d have waited for this moment to give my heart to you unbroken.
But if our mistakes brought us together.
Doesn’t really matter whether, we were saints or sinners in the past
I don’t care if I’m your first love.
I’d just love to be your last.
All I know is what I see when I look at you.
And all I see is what I’m feeling down inside.
And all I’m feeling is the feeling that I finally got it right.
When I wake up tomorrow.
I’m going to throw my arms around you.
Thank my lucky stars I found you.
Cause I know your heart has so much more than any man has touched before and
Nothing matters more to me than that.
I don’t care if I’m your first love, but I’d love to be your last.

Sung by Clay Walker
composed by Sam Tate, Annie Tate, Rivers Rutherford

Do you have a favorite romantic song?

December 27th. It’s kind of a limbo day between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Nothing really special about this day. The excitement of the holiday, the parties, the gift giving is over, and on top of that, some of us may even have to go back to work tomorrow. Or worse, some of us may be working retail today and patiently helping all the people who are out returning everything they received and didn’t like. Ugh. A job I used to have and respect greatly. If I know my critique partner–and I do–she’s already got her Christmas decorations down.
When I was a child the days between Christmas and New Years were magical. No school. All the new toys to play with. Baked goodies my mom only made at that time of year, and the best thing: playing the new board game with my mom, dad, and sisters.
Every year we’d get a new game, and we’d play it for the next week. Anyone else remember a game called Masterpiece?
Or how about Mille Bornes?
And who didn’t play Life?
Ahhh, my childhood. Those were the days…

Now days when asked my favorite holiday, I half-jokingly answer; Labor Day. It’s the only holiday I don’t have buy, wrap, bake, cook, or cater to someone else. I still love Christmastime, but as an adult, I have a lot more work and a lot less time to play during the Christmas break.
And yet, there’s still something special about Christmas. I still believe in Santa Claus, and in the magic of this season. Every year I feel the ghosts of Christmases Past—my grandmother, my grandfather, and my father–surrounding me with their love, living in my heart.
I feel the excitement of Christmas Present, the anticipation of all my loved ones opening their gifts, eating a wonderful meal, and sharing the day.
And I can envision Christmases to come, when I might be dangling a beloved grandchild on my knee and watching with unspeakable joy as she experiences her very first Christmas.
Oh yes, I still believe in Magic.
After all, there’s nothing more magical than love.

I’m under a tight deadline right now and beg everyone’s patience if I repeat a blog I wrote in the summer of 08 on my Sizzling Pens Blog. It has a “thankful” theme and was one of my favorites:
July 12th, 2008
After virtually ignoring my kids, husband, and house for weeks while I lived in a deadline cave, I vowed to spend time with them once I turned in my manuscript. So, finally free at last, for the past couple of weeks I’ve devoted my days to taking my kids to movies and water parks, making nice dinners for hubby, and getting the house organized. One project was getting years worth of photos put into albums.
As I looked back on pictures from the past 20 years, I started feeling, well…old. Wow, I looked so much thinner and younger back then! I was newly wed, my kids were babies, my house was CLEAN. Ahhh, those golden years.
It’s easy to think of them that way. Now days my kids are sneering teens, I’m fat and menopausal, and my house needs new floors, new counter tops in the kitchen, new paint, er…dusting.
I find myself craving the day my kids move out and I have the house to myself and hubby again. I yearn for the day when my day IS my own again, when I’m not a 24 hour on-call chauffeur with the never-ending loads of dirty laundry and a perpetually full sink of dirty dishes.
But then I spend a day with my mom, who lives alone since my father’s death, and who is finding it harder to get around lately, and I realize I am never again going to be as young as I am right now. And maybe someday I’ll wish for these days back. When my day was full of people who needed me, and my kids’ safety and decisions for their future were still somewhat under my control. Once they go out into the world, maybe I’ll wish them back home, where I’m still a big part of their lives, and can kiss them goodnight in their beds every night, and know they’re safe when I go to bed.
I’m a country music fan and Trace Atkins has a song out called, You’re Gonna Miss This. The lyrics talk about how fast the days go by, and they’re so true. Sometimes, it seems like only yesterday I was holding my first newborn in my arms.
I don’t want to look back on my life and realize I missed the good stuff by always yearning for tomorrow. So, I’ll try not to wish these “golden days” away and enjoy the moment I’m living in now. Dirty laundry, sneering teens, and all.