Holiday Blog Rush - Winners!

I let random.org pick for the winner from the post here at the site. #5 - Cathy M - email me and let me know which book you'd like.

And THANK YOU to everyone who stopped by! Happy Holidays!!


All the Winners.... And the winners are...

Cat
Trina M. Lee Signed print copy of Once Bitten
Emily Cale An e-copy of Tamed (Breathless Press)
PG Forte Choice of Backlist
Sara Brookes Choice of backlist


Sherry Strode
Gem Sivad A Staged Affair
Lauren Fraser ebook copy of book from my backlist
Virginia Cavanaugh Secrets of Night
Rhonda L. Print Copy of Nightwalker

Amy Smith
Maddy Barone Sleeping With the Wolf
Alanna Coca Choice of backlist
Xakara eCopy of Ghost of Christmas Past
Stacey Kennedy A book from my backlist

Cindy
Lisa Fox Santa's Sleeping Beauty by Lisa Fox - A Christmas Quickie eBook
Danielle D. Smith eCopy of Black Dog and Rebel Rose
Rebecca Royce A copy of my new release Light Me Up
Erika Knudsen print copy of Awakened

Ronda Inman
Tina Donahue Winner's choice of ONE of the following (US residents ONLY): 1. Adored 2. Deep,Dark,Delicious 3. Lush Velvet Nights 4. Close to Perfect 5. Bad Boys with Red Roses 6. Take My Breath Away
Rhonda Leah Choice of backlist
Adele Dubois Trade paperback copy of award-winning erotic romance DESERT NECTAR.
Desiree Holt tote bag and mug

Jayelkaye
J. Hali Steele BACKLIST OF YOUR CHOICE
Monette Michaels One download from my Monette Michaels/Rae Morgan back list.
Christa Paige $10 giftcard to Amazon and choice of backlist.
Paige Tyler Download of Erotic Exposure

Gail Rosenstrom
Sayde Grace Gift Certificate to The Wild Rose Press
Rebecca Zanetti Signed ARC of FATED (Kensington Brava)
Bonnie R. Paulson Dictating Desire e-book!
Olivia Brynn Choice of backlist

Holiday Rush Blog Hop

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays! I hope you are ready! I have to apologize for being late in getting up my post! I hope you enjoy what I pulled together. Life’s been a little crazy lately so I have not other excuse!

Enjoy. If you stumbled upon the blog you can start the tour here.

I’m also giving away a separate prize here – I’ll draw from the comments and you can choose one of by ebooks. So my question is – are you finish shopping?

Finding Your Focus

Originally posted @ http://catauniversity.com/articles/finding-your-focus/
10/6/2010

The best place for focus is internal. I’ve been on a journey of writing self discovery this year, and I’d love you to join me a journey to find your writing focus. I started with something simple: Set a goal. Make a commitment. Decide what you are working on and focus on your project.

I thought about these questions: Where are you in your writing? In your story? Plot worked out? Characters sketched? What kind of goal do you need to set? What kind of commitment are you willing to make? Do you need to finish that story? Do you have a project you need to edit? Do you need to write a synopsis or a query letter? Are you ready to send out a submission? Do you need to update your website? Schedule a blog tour? Research details – or marketing strategies? Set up a blog or remember to blog?

And these things too: If you are ready to submit a new project (or resubmit an older one) have you done your “homework”? Doyou know which publishing houses publish the type of story you are submitting? Do you know which editor or agent to submit to? If you are to this point you might want to consider checking out a few places online that make the process of narrowing down your options a little easier. If nothing else – use a good search engine (I’m a Google girl) and simply type in your genre and “publisher” or “literary agent” to get started. In this day and age there are so many opportunities for information at your finger tips it pays to do your “homework” before submitting.

Don’t you owe yourself and your writing career one or two hours of your time? Within that short timeframe you can find so much information about specific publishing houses, agencies, editors or agents you’ll be amazed. You’ll learn – following their specific guidelines – is starting off on the right foot. Some only want a query letter (with blurb). Some want query and synopsis. Others want a query, synopsis, and a few pages to 3 chapters. Most of the ePublishers want the entire manuscript. By doing your research, you’ll know if they encourage you to attach part of your manuscript. You don’t want to pass up that opportunity if they offer. Send them what their specific guidelines state and you are a step ahead of others who don’t follow those guidelines. Agents and editors complain about people not following their guidelines all the time!

Sometimes when you search the agent or editors name – you’ll find a blog post or an interview – here you have a chance to see what they like and/or dislike in queries and submissions. Most blogs offer a search feature — where you can search the blog/site for specifics (saves time) – just search by “name” or “submission/s”. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn this way. Some agents/editors really want to know in your query letter if – you met this person before? Do you follow their blog? Why are you submitting to them in particular? Let’s make 2010 all about finding our focus and moving forward with our writing. I hope you’ll join me this year in a journey to find your focus and to help others along the way.

Since I can’t sit with everyone individually to discuss these points, I hope by asking these questions I’ve got you thinking… and maybe making your own check list. The more you put into your writing the more you get out of it. Good luck, and I hope you find your focus and get busy!

Manic Monday!

Life's been a bit crazy. Both of my kids are back in school and we have schedules. I love schedules -- but ours have been insane! The oldest plays school softball, which starts as soon as school does, so that's four days a week. Add in a knee injury and physical therapy two days, plus both kids and ccd, every week for one, every other week for the other -- and some days I drive up to my house, don't kill my car or get out before leaving again! Besides the dh has not been feeling the best, but is hopefully on the road to recovery.

Whew. I'm tired and that's not even close to all I have going on. My day job has been super busy (thankfully!) and I'm working on a follow up story to one of my finished novellas (and have about three other stories I need to be working). And I'm expecting first round edits any day now for Risking Delaney!

Oh...and there's this little RWA chapter I'm currently president of www.heartla.com and we are hosting one hell of fantastic reader's luncheon coming up 11/6/10 - which means that is a big time suck right now too!

How's your day? What have you been reading? I admit lately I've been mostly listening to audio books (thanks to busy day job - I'm on the road bunches).

Reviews - About Last Night

I've gotten notice of several reviews for About Last Night over the past week. Cheers for the wonderful review coordinator at Lyrical Press - she does a great job of getting the books out to review sites!

I'll eventually get these posted on the booklist pages, but if you're curious about - About Last Night - here are a couple of reviews from this week:


http://theblackravensreviews.blogspot.com/2010/09/author-review-about-last-night-by.html

http://goteroticromance.blogspot.com/2010/09/about-last-night-by-rhonda-leah.html?zx=f1627de30edbe035

http://hea-reviews.blogspot.com/2010/09/review-about-last-night-by-rhonda-leah.html

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Terri-reviews-About-Last-Night-by-Rhonda-Leah.aspx

Interview and another contest!

Today I'm over at Sandra Sookoo's blog - Seeing is Beliving. There's an interview and another chance to win - About Last Night!

http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/2010/09/10/about-last-night-by-rhonda-leah/

Labor Day Blog Tour - The Winners!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and commented! I hope you all enjoyed the tour! I let random.org pick the winner for one of by books from the commenters - and #9 was the winner. I'm emailing Carol L to see which book she'd like.

Full list of winners:

Announcing the winners!

K. Close
Choice of backlist from Alanna Coca
Choice of backlist from Tina M. Lee
Choice of backlist from Jolie Cain

Skylar Kade
Driving Miss Devin by Stephanie Adkins
The Virtuous Vampire by Monette Michaels
Wolf's Magic by Rebecca Royce

Sue Brandes
Breed True by Gem Sivad
Choice of backlist from Sandra Sookoo
Choice of backlist from Sara Brooks

Mary McCoy
Touch of a Vanished Hand by PG Forte
Choice of backlist by Tina Holland
Choice of backlist by Christa Paige

Trin Rimes
$5.00 Amazon gift card from Maddy Barone
About Last Night by Rhonda Leah
Choice of select books by Tina Donahue

Drea Becraft
Signed print copy of Where Danger Hides by Desiree Holt
$5.00 Amazon gift card from Virginia Cavanaugh
Choice of backlist by KZ Snow

Brandy Blake
Stone Cold by J. Hali Steele
A Prize Pack from Nina Pierce
Illusion of Night or three songs made with Magix Music Maker for your book trailer by CJ Black

Karen Hillis
Daughters of Odin by Lyn Armstrong
$5.00 gift card to My Bookstores and More from Hailey Edwards
For a Price by Olivia Brynn

Maureen Knight
$10 gift certificate to My Bookstores and More from A. Catherine Noon
Choice of backlist from Paige Tyler
Black Dog and Rebel Rose, by Danielle D. Smith

Labor Day Blog Tour

Welcome to the Labor Day Blog Tour! booknibbles.com/blogtour

Hope you have a Happy Labor Day weekend! I'm looking forward to a weekend of relaxation. I'm running late with my post, but I hope you'll take a minute to look around and say hello. I'll draw a winner from those who post here - the winner can pick from my current releases.

Release Day - ABOUT LAST NIGHT

Available today!

Lyrical Press

Amazon - Kindle

Her life is an endless string of disasters.

When Misty McNeil is arrested for breaking and entering, calling Tanner Theroit to bail her out seems like a good idea…until he asks what’s so important she’d risk going to jail for. Admitting she was trying to retrieve a gift he’d given isn’t something she wants to confess.

Misty’s night in the slammer is only the tip of the iceberg. Her life quickly takes a turn for the worse. With only one week to move out of her apartment, she turns – yet again – to Tanner to bail her out.

Tanner is determined to prove he wants nothing less than all of her. Too bad Misty has a been-there-done-that attitude when it comes to relationships. But…will Tanner be the one man who can offer her a deal she can’t refuse?

Content warning: explicit sex, strong language and a sexy, hard bodied construction worker turned executive.

SHORT EXCERPT


LONG EXCERPT

EXCERPT - ABOUT LAST NIGHT

“Tell me what happened or I’ll tell Jake his little sister called me in the middle of the night to bail her ass out of jail.”
“That’d go over great.” She turned away, stared out the window.
“I thought you and Josh broke up a long time ago?”
“We did.”
“Care to tell me why you were arrested for breaking into his apartment?”
“I knew he was out of town. He had something of mine. How was I supposed to know he changed the alarm code?” She shrugged.
“What was so important you’d risk getting arrested?”
“Something he took and refused to return.”
“What was so damned important?”
“My locket.” She reached for the door handle.
Tanner grabbed her arm. Tears welled in her eyes. “The locket…”
“Yes, the insignificant locket you gave me for my twenty-first birthday.”
Misty jerked her arm out of his grip and made an ordeal of buckling her seatbelt. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Can we just leave?”
As the miles rolled by, Misty’s head gently rocked against the headrest. He thought about what she’d said. She still had the locket, or at least Josh the loser did. He’d seen her wear it at McNeil family gatherings but never thought it meant anything to her. It had been a peace offering of sorts, not that he’d ever told her. He felt as if he owed her something after one insanely hot night they’d spent together. He wanted to talk to her. But then she showed up at her birthday party with a lanky grad student wrapped around her. He changed his mind about talking. Ancient history.
An hour later he pulled off Frontage Road and rolled to a stop in front of the dreary two-story where she rented an apartment. She was home, and tomorrow he’d see what he could do about the mess she’d landed in.
“Misty, wake up.” Nothing. She didn’t budge.
“Misty,” he said, louder this time. Tanner walked around the car and opened the door. Her legs fell, causing her to stir.
“Misty, you’re home.”
She lifted her head and when her deep blue eyes met his, a longing jolted through him. Whoa. “Tanner?” she whispered. “Where are we?”
“You’re home, my little jailbird.”
She groaned and pushed herself upright and out of the car. “Look, I…”
“I know. Don’t tell Jake. Got it.”
“I, uh. Yeah, don’t tell Jake.” She started up the steps.
“You know I’d do anything I can for you?”
“Of course,” she said, fumbling in the black sack.
“I’ll see about the charges tomorrow.”
“Don’t bother. I didn’t even accomplish what I went there for.”
“So what?” he barked. “You planning another break-in?” Ridiculous. His pants were getting too tight watching Misty fiddle in the damned sack. Her rumpled cat burglar look set him on fire. He needed to put some fear in her and get the hell away. Lack of sleep equaled insane ideas.
“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes upward. Damn, even that turned him on.
“Just checking. You know those are serious charges?”
“Yes. I know. My brother’s a cop.” Her mouth curled in a half-hearted smile.
“I’d better get out of here. You have your keys?”
She nodded, unlocking the door. He started around the car.
“Tanner.”
He stopped, turned. Not a good idea. She looked like something from his fantasies. He needed a date. Hell, he needed a life. Lusting after Misty McNeil was not an option. “Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“Not a problem, sweetheart. You know I’ve always thought of you as a kid sister.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said and slammed the door.

Updates!

Just wanted to update - the link I previously posted thanks to reader mail - for About Last Night is no longer working. About Last Night's official release date is 8/16 so I'm hoping they get it back up at Amazon for that date! Regardless it will be available on that date a several eBook sellers and the publishers site

I haven't given up on the blog, just been buried in family emergencies these last few weeks. Men are the worst patients ever! At least mine is and a stay in the hospital didn't help matters. He's on the mend and let's hope I can return to my regularly scheduled programming soon!

Readers Luncheon

Besides writing... I've been busy working on this:

**** PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED AND ENCOURAGED****

Heart of Louisiana is hosting our 4th annual Fall into Romance, Reader's Luncheon on November 6, 2010, at the Crown Plaza in Baton Rouge.

Best selling novelist to speak on romance and writing at the reader's luncheon. Fans can dine with their favorite authors in this fun and informative environment. We are thrilled to announce Sherrilyn Kenyon, NY Times bestselling author of the Dark Hunter series will be our keynote speaker. Leo Honeycutt, author of the bestselling Edwin Edwards: Governor of Louisiana, An Authorized Biography, will be our emcee. It's sure to be an exciting event.

Seats are limited, so register early! Each attendee will be seated with at least one author and will receive a goody bag. All attending authors will be easily accessible during the pre-luncheon "meet and greet" and post-luncheon book signing. Registration fee is $40.00. To register for the luncheon, please visit our website http://www.heartla.com/luncheon/index.htm. Online payments can be made via PayPal or you mail print and mail your registration with a check or money order.

Questions? Please email - heartla_luncheon@yahoo.com

***The website is not updated with all the attending authors but, I know we have some really great ones attending - including: Dianna Love, Dianna Rowland, Christie Craig, Barbara Colley, Farrah Rochon, Maya Banks and more (I'm still working on invites!)... PLUS all the local HEARTLA authors!

Lazy Sunday

Everyone around here has been on a chocolate binge the past couple of days and we even ran out of chocolate syrup! I was trying to physic myself up to make good-old fashion fudge, but I've recently misplaced my "my recipes" book, which I've had since before I got married. My favorite fudge recipe is in it!

Well my kids always complain I have ingredients, not food in the pantry - so I was able to scrounge up the stuff to make the easy - fantasy fudge and before long we'll see if it hits the spot. My bet is they devour it. And to all my twitter friends - I'd glady send you some, oh you know... you're always welcome here =)

About Last Night

The official release date for About Last Night is 8/16/2010 - it was originally set for early September, but there were some changes in the publisher's schedule and it got bumped up... But - if you really want to read it now - it's selling @ Amazon here.

I found out by accident. I saw it was up for pre-order and I tweeted that it was up. Then a friend told me she thought she missed the release and that she'd downloaded it to her Kindle app, so I checked and yup... Amazon has the release date as 7/19!

I guess I need to move it from the Coming Soon page to Booklist page - but I think I'll wait until it's official.

Good old days...

Last Friday a local radio station hosted a reunion of a morning radio show that was popular in this area when I was a teen. From the moment I heard the announcement I worked my schedule around being able to listen to the three hour broadcast. I loved the 80s (no I do not want to revisit the 80s), and I still love 80s music, but I'm not one to look for special stations that devotes play time to one type of music. I like to listen the local staple channel...I love the morning show, like the mid-day run of music and can deal with the evening drive show - I don't change the channel unless I am forced too!

I loved every second of the reunion broadcast. I can't explain it, but it made me happy. I started a manuscript about a year go featuring two morning show hosts, it's still on the back burner, but I do work on it along with the others. I've been in *thinking* mode on it for awhile, but I'm looking forward to diving back in soon.

WRITING 411: What I learned about writing from day job

This originally appeared in the Heartbeat Newsletter in the spring of 2009.

I am a Real Estate Appraiser by day, and a romance writer all the time. I never considered the fact that the two had anything in common until recently. Someone recently made a comment about having a light bulb moment while judging a contest.

About that time I was doing what is known as a “Review Appraisal”. They are not my favorite things in the world, just like I know judging writing contest isn’t a favorite for many of us. But sometimes it’s doing things that take us a little out of our comfort zone that we need to do most. Let me say that again ~ sometimes it is what takes us out of our comfort zone that we need the most.

Why? Am I into self-torture? No! Let me try to explain. What I have discovered both by judging contest and by doing review appraisals is ~ sometimes it is so much easier to see a flaw in someone’s work. It’s easy to pick out things we might be guilty of in our own work.

I truly believe it is next to impossible to see and recognize certain things in our own writing… at times. I’ll be the first to raise my hand and say ~ I know what it’s supposed to say. I know what it’s supposed to accomplish. I know why the scene is here and what it is supposed to do for the plot or pace. Do I see what I actually wrote? What it failed to accomplish? That I used the word ‘said’ or ‘that’ twenty times? In a word ~ No. Not easily, anyway.

But give me a contest entry that tells and fails to show? Wham, I’m all over it. Used ‘that’ twelve times in two pages? Got that too. Sharp change of pace/or scene? I’m giving them hell (well in my head I am). And the list could go on.
But let me read the same three pages I wrote twenty times - can I ‘see’ or ‘hear’ (if I am reading out loud) where I’m telling and not showing? No! I can’t. It’s hard for me to catch. But at times I can see flaws in my writing much more clearly after judging a contest or doing a critique.

As most are aware I recently signed a contract on a novella. What you might not know is… it’s something I wrote in 2002 (2nd manuscript I ever finished). I pulled it out last year, cut a few things, generally did a quick polish and entered it in a contest, where it was a finalist. After ten months, they passed. Not because of the writing, because the hero wasn’t Alpha enough. I wasn’t surprised – I knew he wasn’t ‘all alpha’. I’d made up my mind on which ePublisher I wanted to target with several novellas I have completed. So when I got confirmation the publisher was passing, I attached the file to an email and submitted. I didn’t read the manuscript I figured it must be in okay shape if it had been one of four to final out of hundreds.

Once I got offer, the editor asked me to send in the latest version before it goes to the first round of copy edits. Well um, what they had was the only version. So I asked if I could have two weeks.

In the meantime the publisher sent me the house style guide and getting started instructions. As I went over the novella, I did the formatting, etc. But what shocked me the most - the over-used words & general need to tighten. I’m a little shocked at the contest final and the contract. But am thankful for both.
Which brings me to… What hat am I wearing?

This where Appraising and Writing turn similar for me. Doing a Review Appraisal is a whole like editing my writing. A few things they have in common…Watch what you say and how you say it ~ In appraising there are words we don’t use and there are words we do use. Appear is a word we like. The storage shed can appear to be approximately 12x12. NOT, The storage shed is 12x12. In writing there are certain words considered to be ‘junk’ words (and boy do I love them!). So I keep a list and look out for my junk words.

Was the best _______ used? In appraising it has to do with data/comparables/etc. In writing it has to do with everything. If you’ve judged a contest think of the things you look for while reading the entries and keep it in mind as you go over your own writing. Try to look at your work from a distance, try to become detached. This is what I do when I do “review appraisals” and no w I can see it is what I need to do when “editing”.

Disclosure? In appraising it’s a big deal. In writing think of things like– did I get my point across? Did I show enough emotion? Did this move the plot forward?
Know your market! In Appraising it’s a must. I could not pick and go to New Orleans and do the same job I do in the six or seven surrounding Parishes I work in daily. I don’t know the Greater New Orleans market. I do know the market for the Greater Baton Rouge area. In writing we have all heard KNOW YOUR MARKET! It’s imperative to know where your writing fits. You must know what genre(s) you are writing and what publishers accept those genres and/or what agents to query.

And the list could go on, but I’m wrapping it up.

Keeping this in mind, I plan to read my work wearing a different hat from now on. And in a way it’s a lot like what I do in my day job. I step away from each appraisal and go back over it before it goes out. Distance is the key. In our rushed society we sometimes don’t have the time to give ourselves the distance we might need.

In closing, I say put when you sit down to work on your manuscript, know which hat you need to pull out. Wear your creative writing hat when you open your file to write. Wear your editor/judge hat when you edit. And I wish you the best no matter which hat you choose.

Side Projects...and such

I've been a little distracted with life lately, so I've not completed my current WIP. However, I'm working on a short story for the fun of it... this is my favorite snippet from today:

“I’ve asked the pastry chef to join us for dessert,” he announced as the waiter cleared the table.
“I guess you can do that since you own the place.”
His mouth curved in a cocky grin. “Figured me out?”
“Your picture and a write up from the Times-Picayune hold center stage on the way to the ladies room.”
A sexy rumble of laughter filled the air. “Nice to know I hold a position of importance.”

Excerpt - About Last Night & Contest

About Last Night releases in less than a month. If you'd like to enter to win a copy, just leave a comment below and I'll draw for a winner tomorrow.Here's an excerpt:


“Tell me what happened or I’ll tell Jake his little sister called me in the middle of the night to bail her ass out of jail.”
“That’d go over great.” She turned away, stared out the window.
“I thought you and Josh broke up a long time ago?”
“We did.”
“Care to tell me why you were arrested for breaking into his apartment?”
“I knew he was out of town. He had something of mine. How was I supposed to know he changed the alarm code?” She shrugged.
“What was so important you’d risk getting arrested?”
“Something he took and refused to return.”
“What was so damned important?”
“My locket.” She reached for the door handle.
Tanner grabbed her arm. Tears welled in her eyes. “The locket…”
“Yes, the insignificant locket you gave me for my twenty-first birthday.”
Misty jerked her arm out of his grip and made an ordeal of buckling her seatbelt. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “Can we just leave?”
As the miles rolled by, Misty’s head gently rocked against the headrest. He thought about what she’d said. She still had the locket, or at least Josh the loser did. He’d seen her wear it at McNeil family gatherings but never thought it meant anything to her. It had been a peace offering of sorts, not that he’d ever told her. He felt as if he owed her something after one insanely hot night they’d spent together. He wanted to talk to her. But then she showed up at her birthday party with a lanky grad student wrapped around her. He changed his mind about talking. Ancient history.
An hour later he pulled off Frontage Road and rolled to a stop in front of the dreary two-story where she rented an apartment. She was home, and tomorrow he’d see what he could do about the mess she’d landed in.
“Misty, wake up.” Nothing. She didn’t budge.
“Misty,” he said, louder this time. Tanner walked around the car and opened the door. Her legs fell, causing her to stir.
“Misty, you’re home.”
She lifted her head and when her deep blue eyes met his, a longing jolted through him. Whoa. “Tanner?” she whispered. “Where are we?”
“You’re home, my little jailbird.”
She groaned and pushed herself upright and out of the car. “Look, I…”
“I know. Don’t tell Jake. Got it.”
“I, uh. Yeah, don’t tell Jake.” She started up the steps.
“You know I’d do anything I can for you?”
“Of course,” she said, fumbling in the black sack.
“I’ll see about the charges tomorrow.”
“Don’t bother. I didn’t even accomplish what I went there for.”
“So what?” he barked. “You planning another break-in?” Ridiculous. His pants were getting too tight watching Misty fiddle in the damned sack. Her rumpled cat burglar look set him on fire. He needed to put some fear in her and get the hell away. Lack of sleep equaled insane ideas.
“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes upward. Damn, even that turned him on.
“Just checking. You know those are serious charges?”
“Yes. I know. My brother’s a cop.” Her mouth curled in a half-hearted smile.
“I’d better get out of here. You have your keys?”
She nodded, unlocking the door. He started around the car.
“Tanner.”
He stopped, turned. Not a good idea. She looked like something from his fantasies. He needed a date. Hell, he needed a life. Lusting after Misty McNeil was not an option. “Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“Not a problem, sweetheart. You know I’ve always thought of you as a kid sister.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said and slammed the door.

WRITING 411: Why I love edits

Since I write artilces about writing for my local chapter (because I'm currently President and they make me =) and occassionally do the same for other blogs, I thought I'd made WRITING 411 post regular here too. This one was originally posted Friday, May 7, 2010, on the LPI blog.

I’ll freely admit I stalk my inbox for edits. If my wonderful, lovely, talented editor Mary teases me and says she is working on edits for me – I will literally check my inbox every hour until they show up. It may seem odd, but I’m going to try and explain.

As a pantser I’m a great first draft-er. I write about 50-60 pages, to get to know my characters, then I’ll do what I call “Stop and Plot”. Then I’ll finish the first draft. I have a great critique partner who’ll read the entire thing at this point (warts and all). Then I’ll go back and work out any plotting issues. It works for me.

Except I’m ready to move on at that point. I have zero desire to edit. I’ll let it sit and sit and sit. I’ve got a couple of manuscripts at this point right now.
In the past three months I’ve taken two self-editing / polishing classes. Both offered great information. A few things were explained in ways that really clicked for me. Still, I’ve not been in the mood to dig into edits for any of the stories I have that need editing desperately.

Until… edits landed in my inbox for my next release with Lyrical. Once I started the round of edits, my brain started firing on all its editing cylinders. Now I want to edit anything and everything thing. I have no idea why this works, but after writing for this long, I’ve learned to go with what works right now. And when I get edits – it sets me into to full blown edit mode.

I read the notes and comments and suggestions and do what needs to be done in the manuscript I’m working on, and then I’ll immediately jump into the next one and do the same. It’s like my brain shifts to edit mode as soon as I open a fresh “edits” file. It’ whacky and wonderful all at the same time! I guess my point is -- learn what works for you. If you’re like me and have a hard time digging into edit, try this next time you get edits in – or if you’re not to the point of getting edits – try next time you get a critique (because I know you’ve found that wonderful critique partner – or I hope you have!). I’m crawling back into the editing cave while it lasts!

Independence Day Blog Hop - Winners

My contest winner via http://www.random.org/ was #9, which is "s7anna". I've emailed for your choice.

The full list is below or you can see it here

Announcing the WINNERS!

Susan Romito
Choice of backlist by Olivia Brynn
Intimate Strangers by Gem Sivad
Midnight's Ghost by Sara Brooks

Loretta Canton
$5 MBaM gift certificate from Hailey Edwards
Winner's choice of backlist by Trina M. Lee
Star Spangled Kiss, (Kissin Cops 2) by Christa Page

Carolyn Overholser
Scent of the Roses by PG Forte
The Virtuous Vampire by Monette Michaels
Winner's choice of backlist by Juniper Bell

Maria Durst
Winner's choice of backlist by Tina Holland
Copy of First Heat by Jocelyn Modo
An autographed copy of The Cowboy Way from Tori Richards

Anna Shah Hoque
Ex Appeal by Cari Quinn
Witch Hunter by Lyn Armstrong
Felicia's Fling by Jolie Cain

Yadira Alonzo
Winner's choice of backlist by Dee Carney
Winner's choice by Tina Donahue
Rhythm of Love by J. Hali Steele

Valerie
Sacred Secrets by Roxy Harte
Winner's choice of backlist by Elise Logan
One Wilde Night by Rhonda Leah

Joder
The Omegas by Annie Nicholas
The Bargain by Desiree Holt
A package of goodies from Nina's Prize Closet.

Independence Day Blog Hop

Just one stop along the way... you can start the tour by clicking here . Once you start, the link will take you to each stop. If you get distracted you can pick up where you left off by clicking the link again. Remember to go all the way to the end. Lots of prizes up for grabs.

Leave a comment - say hi or tell me what your plans are for the 4th for a chance to win one of my currently available novellas or if you don't mind waiting - you could choose an ARC of my August release. (All are novellas in digital format).

How it happens some days...

The day job is pretty busy right now, which is a good thing. I get to work mostly from home and spend some time with the kids while they are on summer break. Today I finished the dj work at the office and came home with no work for this evening... which since dh and little one garden for a bit, and the oldest is with a friend... my mind shouted "Writing time, writing time, writing time!"

This is how it went. I opened my document and I'm cooking supper - so I set a timer so the food wouldn't burn. The read the last couple of sentences to place myself and I start. I write a sentence, delete half...

Little one enters, wants something to eat NOW, I know it's not going to be "an everyone eat at the same time night" so I get up, fix her food, then sit back at laptop. She needs a drink NOW. I get up fix the drink...not quite back to my chair...drink is spilled. I look for a dirty towel - and oh gosh, oldest actually washed a load today, so I pull out the handy Shark and steam the floor clean, make a new drink (in an un-spill-able cup). Dh walks in, messes with food on the stove, asks for a few cut veggies. I cut veggies, move him away from the stove and what I am cooking... he goes back outside. I sit... timer goes off. I blog instead.

Here's the little one... she's too cute to complain about too much...

Field Trip

My local RWA chapter - HeartLA had a field trip planned to a plantation about an hour away from where we hold out meetings. This is something we've talked about on and off for a couple of years. Finally, we were able to pull it off this past Saturday. The plantation was picked since it offers setting details for both contemporary and historical romance. There is a bed and breakfst operated there now. And the house and grounds still remain in the hands of the original family who acquired the land in a Spanish land grant.

Of course we had lunch on the way in the small town of St. Francisville. Overall it was a pleasant day - um, HOT day! I hate to admit I've lived 30 minutes from the place we visited my entire life and had never been before. Though there are several other plantations in the area I've been to more than once. Here are a few pictures.

Good News

The release date for about last night has been changed. It will release on August 16, 2010, instead of Sept 2010!

This is the book that propelled me back into writing... so it holds a speical place in my heart. I can't wait for it to release!

Check back soon, because as soon as I get my author copies, I'll have a contest!

19 years & counting... plus a contest

It’s the 21st day of June. It’s the Summer Solstice. The first day of summer – but don’t say that to anyone down south – we moved from winter straight to summer heat.

On this day in 1991, I married my friend – it was the ‘theme’ of our party favors and very true – then and now. Happy Anniversary, baby. I love you loads. My favorite picture from our day – the ceremony was done and we were headed to the reception.

I locked the keys in my dad’s fancy caddy midday when I ran the reception hall to drop a few items off… it wasn’t as easy as calling pop-a-lock, back then. My mom’s street was being re-paved and when I got home late due to the key / locksmith issue. I drove with rollers in my hair for the only time in my life and the a/c in the church broke mid-way through the ceremony (um, summer heat). But it was the start of our life as a married couple and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

As a way of celebration, I’m giving away a copy of my current release One Wilde Night to one poster. You can tell me about your wedding day disasters if you have any…or make fun of mine! I’ll draw a winner tomorrow.

Father's Day

Naturally I miss my dad today, he's been gone almost three years now and most of the time it seems like it's only been a few months. Since he never lived close, I was pretty used to not seeing frequently. But we talked on the phone regularlly and I often stop myself from dialing his number to talk.

This is a picture of my parents just before I was born.

My girls are lucky... they have a great father and I wish him a wonderful father's day! We went to the zoo yesterday.

Book Review:Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

Buy Here

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.
Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town—and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

I admit I waited - not so patiently - for this book to release. I've read nearly all of Shannon's books and I was thrilled when I found out about her new straight contemporary romance. It's my favorite genre and I love, love, love Shannon's wicked sense of humor - and from reading excerpts I knew this one would be right up my alley. It's a privilege to say I've known Shannon virtually for almost 10 years and it's been joy to watch her success! I'd pre-ordered EY and was thrilled when it downloaded automatically to my iPhone. I read it almost immediately and plan to do re-read soon!

The things I enjoyed most about the book and are still with me as I write this a week and half later - (besides the main romance, I'll get to that in a minute). Joe's family. I've read romances where the families can almost take over, Joe's twin sister and Keri's ex-best friend Terry and her husband had a subplot/side troubled romance. But it fit in well with the overall story and I enjoyed seeing Terry and Keri being honest and working out some of their previous friendship issues, while Terry worked toward making amends with her husband. Then there was his brother Mike and his wife with their martial problems, which were resolved in a rather heart melting way. But my favorite secondary character of all was little... "Say cheese," Bobby!

What can I say - I love reunion romances and this one was nearly twenty years later. It had all the elements I enjoy. Shannon's love of ATVing rang clear - I loved the way she pulls you into the scenes with such fun intensity. I really like that Joe was the one who suffered when Keri left and that he didn't hold back admitting it - to her or his family (it had been very obvious to them when it happened). The only thing I would have liked to see on the page that I sort of missed was Keri's realization of what it was she really wanted. The story is fulfilling and has all the right elements - call me warped I would have liked to see Keri work through her reasons on the page.

Overall I'd say on a scale of 1-5, Exclusively Yours hits a 5 with me!

Release Day - ABOUT LAST NIGHT

Available today!

Lyrical Press

Amazon - Kindle

Her life is an endless string of disasters.

When Misty McNeil is arrested for breaking and entering, calling Tanner Theroit to bail her out seems like a good idea…until he asks what’s so important she’d risk going to jail for. Admitting she was trying to retrieve a gift he’d given isn’t something she wants to confess.

Misty’s night in the slammer is only the tip of the iceberg. Her life quickly takes a turn for the worse. With only one week to move out of her apartment, she turns – yet again – to Tanner to bail her out.

Tanner is determined to prove he wants nothing less than all of her. Too bad Misty has a been-there-done-that attitude when it comes to relationships. But…will Tanner be the one man who can offer her a deal she can’t refuse?

Content warning: explicit sex, strong language and a sexy, hard bodied construction worker turned executive.

Short Excerpt

Long Excerpt

About Last Night, short excerpt

My wonderful editor Mary is gracious and decided to help me pick a highlight and/or mini-blurb. LPI is good about putting backcover copy and a "highlight" at the front of it's eBooks - I wish all publishers did this with eBooks - it's a nice feature. I would have never picked this - for the 200 word highlight, but as always Mary came through for me...

An interior office door swung open and Tanner strolled out wearing a white towel low on his hips. His light brown hair looked darker when wet.

She gasped. Tanner stopped mid-stride. “Hi.”

How could one simple word be so seductive? She managed to squeak out a return greeting. Heat raced up her neck and spread across her face. A vivid memory flashed. An image of Tanner shirtless…wearing wet swimming trunks that hugged his lean hips as he strolled to her across her parents’ backyard. Her twenty-first birthday party, and the heat and desire in his eyes had been obvious. They’d shared one hot, passionate night a couple of months before. She’d sampled his body, knew what was under those shorts, how he could make her feel. But she’d arrived late with one of her best guy friends in tow. She’d asked Tim to come home with her as a safety net, in case things were awkward with Tanner. It had been the first time they’d seen each other after... The heat that sparked, extinguished as soon as Tim played his part. Things were never awkward, just left unsaid.

Hopefully by next week - all the changes will be done on the website and the blog will be back where it belongs www.rhondaleah.com

Also... I will be writing a review of the first Carina Press book I read!

Garden Update

We are gardening for the first time in ages - and the DH is growing some huge veggies. I'm happy to report - they are very tastey too! I made a huge veggie casserole over the weekend, fresh veggies make a big difference in taste to me and because we grew them - we know what was used on them, etc. Quick post today, as it's a busy day -- and I'm trying to get back into the swing of daily posting!

Movie Monday

Movie Monday will be a recurring feature. It might not be every Monday, but I enjoy movies and when I take time on the weekends to watch TV – it’s usually movies. We discovered Redbox sometime over the past year and I love it dearly. There are many movies that I’m the only one in my house who is interested in seeing… and ditto for the kids. Then there is the teen and the friends who have continuous slumber parties and need entertainment. Movie binges are common occurrences in our world. This weekend was no exception. I watched..

It’s Complicted (2009) – Redbox – I completely enjoyed it. I love Meryl Streep in almost anything and this seemed like the perfect roll for her, add in Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin – it was all around good movie, good story and well worth my time. I’d watch it again.

Dear John (2010) – Redbox – I’m weird that way – let me explain - I won’t read Nicholas Sparks, but I will watch the movies. Reading is too personal – I’d be too emotionally involved and my moods would flow with the characters for days –but I can watch the movies and remain uninvolved. It was okay, I’d read several book reviews so I knew a good deal about the story. Not the ending I like and I don’t know if it was true to the book or not.

Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove (2010) – Redbox – Picked up for the little one – it was okay. Not as good as the first – and I’ve not seen any between.

Death Sentence – (2007) Cable – Watched with the dh – Kevin Bacon, Kelley Preston – um, no. I think we both gave up on about an hour in – but well – the sickness is to watch til the end – what there was for an end. Ick.

Taligadia Nights (2006) Cable – Gag, I watched it against my will – I was out voted. Waste of time, except I cooked and caught up on email.

Incredibles (2004) Cable - Viewing number seven hundred with little one.

Toy Story 2 (1991) Cable – Ditto!

What's happening now...

Due to complications beyond my control, I’m switching the website and blog back here. This is a format I understand and can work with. Hopefully the blogging adventure will kick back into high gear. I look forward to reconnecting with you here.

News and Updates

I tweeted yesterday, that I'm dazed and confused. Well, I am a little. Actually I think I'm more tired that anything. We have a BIG WEEKEND coming up. The oldest and her bff and I will be going to the Bayou Country Superfest, you can see the details here (and understand the level of excitement maybe just a little!) http://www.bayoucountrysuperfest.com/artists/2010-music-schedule.php


When it was first announced she begged for tickets, I knew I'd love to go (but the heat - ick - and I'll give the marketing guys this - tickets went on sale in Oct!). So I bit the bullet and we all have two passes with the best seats I could get as soon as they went on sale.


Besides mentally preparing for the weekend, I finished writing a novella, editing it, writing a synopsis and query letter. It was a bubble of an idea that wouldn't go away, and I enjoyed writing it even though it was something a little different. Now the...wait.is.on!


Edits are done for my September release, About Last Night - the cover is up on the book page - the blurb and excerpt will be up as soon as I have the okay to post them. Also, I also received a contract from Lyrical Press for the first book in a Contemporary Romance series set in the "swamps" of southern Louisiana. I'll post more details when I have them. Here's the series pitch line: Series set around Chandler Bayou Resort featuring a group of friends formerly known as the Rowdy Rushers. These men spent the spare time of their youth trying a variety of extreme sporting events. Each has a favorite extreme sport, which carried over into adulthood. Now as they enter their 30s, can each find a woman who makes him think twice?

New Plan

Seeing how this works