Even though I’m a writer, there are those times when I haven’t read the book, but I’ve seen the movie. That’s what happened last week when I watched Something Borrowed.

Something Borrowed was originally a Chick Lit novel by Emily Giffin. It had a darling cover and I’d browsed it in Target more than once, but the font was so small that I never purchased. Yes, the FONT is what stopped me from buying it. What can I say? Squint lines aren’t my thing.

Luckily, this book was made into a movie and had a fun cast to go with it. How could I say no? After watching this movie, I watched it again. Yes, two times in a row. It’s not like it was a blockbuster hit, but I just loved the dynamics between the various characters. Their relationshiops made me THINK. And, the chemistry between the hero and heroine felt so real. I don’t recall seeing the hero in other movies, but thought it did a fab job in this one.

Did I mention this was a movie/book that involved CHEATING? Touchy topic, but the author pulled it off. If you’re looking for a cute movie to watch, I’d totally recommend it. If you’ve seen it (or read it), I’d love to hear what you think…

If you’ve read, The Boyfriend Bylaws, you’ll probably remember Melanie’s step-sister, Kaitlin. Kaitlin is Melanie’s sweet, but naive, step-sister who thinks she’s found the man of her dreams only to find out he’s not the man he appeared to be.

Kaitlin’s story will be the second book in the Totally Fit Series and is currently titled Working It Out.

While I’ve been writing it, I’ve been listening to the song Chances by Five for Fighting. This is a powerful song about life’s possibilities and what you make of them. This song reminds me of Kaitlin’s life and I find myself listening to it over and over as I type. Watch the video…I’d love to hear what you think of it!

Fabulous author, Lori Foster, sent me this fun Tee Shirt I’m wearing – thx, Lori!

When I received it (er, awhile back) I was supposed to take a pic of myself wearing it and send it to her. Well, it may have taken me awhile (let’s not ask me how long), but this task in now off my To Do List. Yay!

I’m not sure what Lori’s doing with these pics…let me know if you find out!

Happy reading!

 Haven’t posted since New York because I’ve been writing, writing, and writing. Been attached to the pink keyboard, so to speak.

Last weekend, I was in California though and I managed to squeeze in a Sacramento Valley Rose workshop. When I lived in California, I used to attend SVR meetings regularly and it was so great to see all my writing friends “in person” again.

Cate Rowan was the workshop presenter and gave an awesome talk on goal setting. She had a very cool method for setting goals and then breaking them down into small specific tasks. Of course, we all used the method for Writing Goals (I was her guinea pig), but really any goal can be broken down into specific daily tasks that make the overall goal seem less intimidating and out of reach.

For example, writing a book in a year may sound very intimidating. But if the book is 365 pages long then that is only one page per day. Isn’t one page less overwhelming than an entire book? You bet it is. Cate also spoke on self-publishing and gave away copies of her two books at the end of the meeting. Sadly, I wasn’t one of the winners.

All in all, it was a fab workshop. I absolutely love being around other writers. It’s very inspiring and motivating. All that creativity, energy, and drive in one room–wow! So glad I was able to make it.

And now, back to the keyboard…

I’m in New York! On the left, is the fabulous Eileen Rendahl with me at RWA’s “Readers for Life” charity book signing.

On the right is my lovely critique partner, Lea Nolan, and me setting up for the YARWA Reception in the Marriott Marquis’ Skyview Lobby.

On the left, here, I’m hanging in the lounge with my wonderful writing friend, Cyndi Faria.

On the right, I’m out with the extraordinary duo from Edits That Rock, Rochelle French and Kecia Dilday.

In addition to the writing events, I’ve loved hanging with awesome writing friends like Virna DePaul (below!)–especially when brainstorming and bouncing ideas off of each other.  What a fantasic week. I love New York!

Just wanted to let you know that Set Up For Love is now available in paperback. Yay! Not everyone is into e-books, so now you can hold a trade paperback copy of SUFL in your hot little hands, kick your feet up, and flip through the pages at your leisure.

Delilah, Virna (Pssst, click here for a free e-book of Virna’s novella, Wraith’s Awakening!), and I have received a lot of great feedback from readers who enjoyed the three contemporary romance novellas in SUFL and their common links. If you haven’t read SUFL yet, once you do, keep an eye out for the character “Marcia” who makes appearances in all three stories. What is Marcia’s issue? What makes her tick? I’m thinking she may need her own story one day.

Of course, first and foremost, all three stories are about friends stepping in to help their friends find love. After all, “Friends don’t let friends date badly!” All three novellas in SUFL are set in Sacramento and it’s fun to get a peek into the lives of three unique women who live in California’s capitol: Melanie Porter, Shelby Winters, and Bryn Donovon. Hope you enjoy their stories!

I have received really nice feedback from readers on The Boyfriend Bylaws. Readers really seemed to take to Melanie’s stepsister, Kaitlin and I’ve been asked (many times!) if Kaitlin will be getting her own story and the answer is YES.  Kaitlin’s story will be #2 in the Totally Fit Series and is already in the works. 

I’m just finishing up my contemporary young adult novel, Dear Aubrey, to send off to my agent (who has been waiting patiently!) and then Kaitlin will get my full attention. Thank you all who’ve responded so kindly to Set Up For Love and to The Boyfriend Bylaws. As an author, it absolutely makes my day to hear from a reader. You guys rock!

Here’s a pic of me with my fabulous critique partner, Virna DePaul, at Borders in Davis, California. The first book in Virna’s Para-Ops series, Chosen By Blood, is finally out, which is very exciting. I joined Virna for an author “meet and greet”. Halfway through, she sold out of books!

As you can see, I had some copies of The Boyfriend Bylaws on hand, which we gave away as fun freebies to a handful of romance readers who also purchased Virna’s book.

Talking with readers at Borders was a lot of fun and I’m so glad I was able to make it to this event. Tomorrow I’ll be attending Virna’s book launch party from 2-5pm at John Natsoulas Art Gallery (521 First Street Davis, CA). With the release of Chosen By Blood, it’s just one cool book event after another.

Just wanted to let you know that The Boyfriend Bylaws is now available in paperback – yay! If you’re interested in an autographed copy, please shoot me an email.

Happy reading!!

The Boyfriend Bylaws has a beautifully redesigned front cover thanks to the fabulous Tricia Burry at Inspire Communications. Tricia is super professional, works fast, and gave me exactly what I asked for and more. She not only redesigned the front cover, but designed the spine and back cover as well. 

Which reminds me, I’ve had a lot of people ask me when the trade paperback copy of The Boyfriend Bylaws will be available and I’m happy to say it will be out later this month – yay! If you’re looking to have a cover designed (or anything designed), I highly recommend Inspire Communications. I’ll be using Inspire for bookmark designs very soon!

So, it’s hard to believe that this time last weekend, I was having a fabulous writers retreat in Mt. Shasta with eight author amazing authors photographed below (Grace Chow, Tina Folsom, Rochelle French, Virna DePaul, Me, Cathy Perkins, Cynthia Cooke, Nina Bruhns, and Cyndi Faria (not pictured).

It was a relaxing, amazing, and productive weekend. Being around such a talented group of writers was creatively inspiring and my words were flowing freely–so fast that when Cynthia, Rochelle, and I went out to spend our last night in style (not to mention with internet access), I managed to write at the table between laughing hysterically with the girls and hobnobbing with the locals.  I flew back home on Tuesday, and have been happily writing my little heart out. Dear Aubrey should be completed shortly and I can’t wait to see out it ends!    

In case you were wondering, my trial adoption didn’t go through. As adorable as the HP Mini was, we just weren’t well matched. Even in death, my heart still belonged to my pink laptop. Well, guess what? Pinky’s back!

How is that possible, you ask? The flicker of hope began when a friend offered her hubby’s services to look over my laptop (thanks, Poppy!) to make sure there was no chance of recovery. Guess what? All it needed was a new hard drive. Fifty bucks and my hubby had resurrected my laptop. Wahoo!!

I’ve had it back for forty-eight hours now and I can’t remember a time when it was gone. And the bonus? When I hold the keyboard up to my nose, I breathe in the delicious scent of Starbucks Breakfast Blend…yum. Definitely something I can live with.

I’m currently at a writing retreat in Mt. Shasta. Nine fantastic writers shacking up in a vacation house for a long weekend with our laptops, oodles of food (one of the gals likes to cook–not me, of course), and plenty of coffee (to be kept away from laptops at all times). This is definitely my idea of a fabulous extended weekend.

After my release of Set Up For Love and The Boyfriend Bylaws, I’m now back in teen mode typing away the rest of Poppy Pinkleton’s story in Dear Aubrey. I’ve missed these characters and am enjoying discovering the rest of their story as it unfolds.

I’ve also had a lot of readers ask me if Kaitlin, a side character in The Boyfriend Bylaws, will get her own story. In a one word answer: YES. I’m excited to write more in the Totally Fit series and Kaitlin’s story is definitely on my list. Especially now that I have my lovely pink laptop back under my fingertips. Writing just wasn’t the same without it.

Helpful hint to those who love their laptops:  Don’t spill hot coffee across your keyboard. It can be a traumatic experience that is best avoided.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And, of course, happy reading!!

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