Finally a Finalist

So awhile back I entered Redemption For Liars into a contest held by the First Coast Romance Writers chapter of RWA.

Part of marketing and promoting your book, includes getting reviews and entering contests. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much. I'd already entered one contest this year with disappointing results. But I figured, what the heck, I'd give it one last shot. All I had to lose was a whopping $25. I'd made at least that much on my first royalty check!

I sent in my money, emailed my book, and then added an event to my calendar to remind me when finalists were to be contacted. If I hadn't heard by the end of the appointed weekend, I knew I wasn't in the running and I could move on with my life.

When the phone rang last Wednesday I almost didn't answer it. Who in the world would be calling me from Florida? My sister's friend, Lori, and her family moved there last summer, but she wouldn't call me up out of the  blue unless there was a problem. Fearing the worst, I answered the phone.

And got a welcome surprise.

I'M A FINALIST! 

Not only did Redemption For Liars final in the Romantic Suspense category, but also in the the Best First Book category! That means . . .

I'M A DOUBLE FINALIST!  

It's an honor I share with fellow Soul Mate, Kathy Bryson, author of the paranormal novel, Feeling Lucky. You can check out her book by clicking on the image below or clicking on the following link: http://amzn.com/B00DH6HQ9M

Now our books will be turned over to either a bookseller or librarian who will determine our fate. Winners won't be announced until mid-July. So I'm back to playing the waiting game. 

Good luck, Kathy! May the odds be ever in our favor.

Romance Weekly: #LoveWriteChat

I can't believe it's already Tuesday again. You know what that means? Yep! Yours truly will answer three more delicious questions about life as a writer. If you found yourself here by way of J.J. Devine's website, welcome. I hope you'll kick off your shoes and stay awhile. This week's questions come from Amy Jarecki. 

1. When did you start writing, and why?
I can't even recall a time when I didn't love to write. There were tons of angsty teenage love poems, and a slew of feminist college psych papers, and weird plays, but I supposed I began writing in earnest when I was bored at work in my mid 20's. For a time, I was a secretary for the Probation Department. My boss retired in October.  When the powers that be finally appointed a new boss for me, it turned out he didn't need me anymore. He had his own secretary! With nothing to do from October to June, I did an awful lot of writing. It was good, clean fun, and wouldn't get me arrested. 

Once I began teaching, my writing slowed down as I turned my writing skills to writing lesson plans. Those of you who are teachers know what I mean. Six years later, as I prepared to switch school districts, I began writing again. The school year was coming to an end, and I couldn't begin planning for the next year yet, so writing became my creative outlet. My co-workers just didn't have the good sense to refrain from egging me on. They kept begging for more chapters. Before I knew it, my debut novel was done. Rough, but done. 

2. What do you like best about writing?
I love being able to lose myself in a fantasy world of my making. I get wrapped up in the emotions of each scene. Unfortunately for my hubby, that means I get really cranky when my characters are in danger, and I get clingy when my heroine is trying to win the hero's love. It drives him nuts. And somehow he always seems to know when I'm writing a sex scene. He calls it his fringe benefit for putting up with me. Whatever keeps him happy. 

3. If you could go on a writing retreat, where would you go and for how long?
Somewhere by the ocean for a few weeks.

Or wait. Somewhere in Vermont in the fall months. 

Ooh! Or better yet, Montana in a cabin by a lake for the winter or spring. 

Honestly I'd love to write an entire manuscript while on location anywhere but SoCal. I could truly experience the sights and sounds and smells of the setting. I'm sure my editor would thank me for my valiant efforts at world-building. I could write the trip off on my taxes, right?


Likes what you read? Come back next week to visit and I'll be right here with my answers to three more exciting questions. Next up on the blog tour is Katherine Givens. 

Happy Mother's Day

To all those supermoms out there . . . 

Enjoy your day! 

May it be filled with love, laughter, 

and lots of appreciation for all that you do.