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