Sixteen Hours and Counting...

until Snowdance is released.

Think J.K. Rowling is wondering how I'm feeling right now? ;-)

Release week Monday

Umm...it's Monday. Not just any Monday, either. It's release week Monday! I couldn't be more thrilled!

Snowdance goes on sale this Wednesday! Can you believe it?!

Through thick and thin

Writing friends. Two words that bring warmth to my heart and a smile to my face.

On a sticky, steamy Sunday morning, I'd like to give you a glimpse at a group of women I hold dear. I won't identify them so you'd be able to track them down and find them; I'd just like to give you all an idea how important is is for a writer, or this writer, at least, to have supportive writing friends.

I'll begin at the beginning...

A few years ago I enrolled in an online writing course. I'd been writing forever, had had a few things published and had even completed some long works. But I'd not summoned up the courage to send anything of any length off to a publisher. I had, however, enough curiousity about this online course to sign up.

The class consisted of a whole slew of folks from across the globe. All had one thing in common: they wanted to write. Some already wrote, others aspired to write. Some would find out, by the end of the class, that writing wasn't their forte. Others would leave inspired, having sought and found their muse. The point is, everyone enrolled in that course was looking for something. Me? I was looking for courage.

Yep, courage. Those of you that know me personally are probably shaking your heads and laughing now. Courage? Me? You know I'm the kind to bite the devil's backside and giggle when he roars, so how could I be looking for courage? All I can say is, everyone needs a boost now and again. Me? I needed that shot of courage regarding my writing.

Why? Well, I haven't mentioned that by the time I'd signed on for the course, I had two completed manuscripts written. Yes, two full-length novels, locked away in our safe. No one had read them and the way I was going, no one ever would. Heck, novels don't get read in dark, lonely safes, do they?

I was lucky. In that course I found not only the courage to unlock the safe, pull the manuscripts out of hiding and send them off to a publisher, but I found a great group of friends. They've been my constant companions through rejection, submission, publication. They've shared their lives, writing, families, friendship and love for the past few years, and I've treasured every minute of it. Without their encouragement and support it may have taken years before I swallowed hard, took a deep breath and sent out my books. They commiserated with me when I received my first rejection letter. They screeched joyfully when I got my first contract offer.

How could I not think of them this week, when it's just hours from now that one of the books I pulled from the safe is going to be released? Yes, Snowdance was hidden in the safe, and it'll be available this Wednesday. The other book was Vineyard Mambo, available in March 2008.

As I sit here on this hot, hot morning and contemplate what is happening to me, and what will happen to me this coming week, my thoughts naturally go back to that first writing class. I smile and consider the joys of friendship found between the lines of weekly writing assignments. I am so thankful for having met these women.

So dear Manda in Indiana, Nashville Vickie, Karen in Virginia, Aussie Judy and California Robyn, thank you. You're incredible women, and I am forever grateful for the way you've been behind me through this writing adventure. I hold each of you in a special place in my heart, and am eternally glad we met in Eva's writing course.

When I signed on for the course, I hoped for courage. I found it, but I found something else just as important as courage. I found friends who understand my dream of being a published author, friends who have such big hearts and unflagging faith they never let me lose sight of that dream. I found friends I hope will be friends for a lifetime. Or two. :)

Release day

Finally, This Season releases today from The Wild Rose Press. It is my eighth story with them but I've got to admit, the thrill of releasing a new title never diminishes! I'm as thrilled today as I was the day they released For The Love of Grace, my first short story with them.

Today's release can be found here.

To give you an idea of what Finally, This Season is about...

Alexandra can’t think of anything more annoying than being told she must choose a husband, and soon, but that’s exactly what’s happened. Her father has decided she’s of an age where marriage is appropriate—necessary, even—and has decreed she will choose her own husband this Season or he will do the choosing for her. What is a proper young woman to do in circumstances such as these? That is precisely what Alexandra is contemplating as she takes a walk in the park, and accidentally kicks a stone at a handsome stranger.

And finally, a taste of the story itself...

Alexandra Parkington kicked random stones into the greenery beside the red-cobbled walk with the toe of a shiny black side-button shoe. The mildly violent action gave her some measure of relief from the vexing issues in her mind—although not enough.

Not nearly enough. There was no way to avoid the inevitable. Perhaps she’d have to give in and…

Accept it? Never, not while a breath remained in her, not so long as she possessed the wits to run, not even if all the powers of Heaven and—

“I say, have you some valid reason for this assault, or are you simply using me for target practice?” The words caught Alexandra unawares, and she stopped short, her sapphire blue skirts rustling as they swirled around her ankles.

The gentleman who stood before her bent to rub his shin, giving her a satisfying, albeit brief, look at his thick black curls and wide shoulders. When he straightened, she saw that his features matched his voice. Boyish good looks, dazzling smile and a sturdy physique comprised the man whom she’d had the unfortunate bad taste to mark with a stone. The offending rock lay on the ground between them, equal distance between Alexandra’s skirt and his polished shoes.

“A poor choice of weaponry on your part, if your intention was to kill me. But if it were merely to maim, then this was an excellent selection.” He pushed the stone forward a scant inch with his toe before bending to retrieve it. Tossing it into the air, and then catching it, he smiled. “So, which was it? Death or disarming? Because I assure you, Miss, I am completely disarmed by your charm, if not your projectile.”

I hope you'll go check it out. I love seeing the beautiful cover on the "New Releases" page!

First review for Finally, This Season

This morning I got word the first review for Finally, This Season is out! Dee at Night Owl Romance had this to say:

"Finally, This Season is a sweet little charmer expressing a little of the Tons affairs and new romance.

There are many long drawn out stories written about the Ton with each having just a slight variation of draft, but Sarita Leone’s twelve short pages - the condensed version - pretty much says it all.

The story is easy to follow and has a happy ending. What more could you want?"

Thanks, Dee! Finally, This Season releases on Wednesday, July 25th.

Sixteen Hours and Counting...

until the last Harry Potter book is released.

I wonder how J. K. Rowling feels right now?

Happenings

There is so much going on this summer!

I'm so excited! Finally, This Season releases next week at The Wild Rose Press! That's right, one week from yesterday! This is my first English Tea Rose title and I had such fun writing it.

Doesn't it have the most gorgeous cover?

A peek into what to expect from this story...

Alexandra can’t think of anything more annoying than being told she must choose a husband, and soon, but that’s exactly what’s happened. Her father has decided she’s of an age where marriage is appropriate—necessary, even—and has decreed she will choose her own husband this Season or he will do the choosing for her. What is a proper young woman to do in circumstances such as these? That is precisely what Alexandra is contemplating as she takes a walk in the park, and accidentally kicks a stone at a handsome stranger.

Just wanted to invite you to countdown with me to Finally, This Season.

Small Pleasures

Isn't this a pretty picture?

This morning I woke to the whisper of rain. I know, rain is a pretty dull topic for a blog post but honestly, it's all I can think of. The sound outside my window is soothing and fills my mind. Minutes pass swiftly as I sit here in the darkness, staring at the computer screen, battling with my mind. I should be working, but I'm listening to the music of the rain.

Focus, I say to myself. Concentrate on the tasks before you.

My conscious mind-whipping works for short intervals, moments when I work on promo or edits or taking notes on the next book. But then...the patter of raindrops works its magic, drawing me back in to the sultry sound of liquid meeting warm, parched earth.

Focus.

I can't, my mind answers. The rain. It calls me.

The rain. It calls me.

What calls you?

Nail Biter

Two weeks, right? That's all that's left to July. Now don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not wishing the days away. I'm just counting the time between now and when my first book will be released.

Of course I'm excited about Snowdance's release, but that's not the reason I'm counting days.

I wish it was. I'm counting days because I'm still waiting for the test print copy of the book. Yes, the one that I have to proofread and send any last-minute corrections back to the publisher so the printer can make them so you, dear reader, will get a pristine, corrected copy of Snowdance on August 1st.

I'm so glad I'm not a nail biter...

Classic

Ahh... to write a novel considered a "classic"... just imagine how wonderful it must feel...

Oh, that's right! The authors of the classics are all...well, you know. None of them is around to enjoy the infamy of having written a novel of such grand stature that it's considered a classic.

Right. So...um, well... Okay, so I'll scratch that off my to-do list. :)

You know I'm just joking, don't you? Classic? I don't believe anyone ever sets out to write something like that. I think it just happens.

The reason I'm thinking of this is really very un-classic, if you must know. Tonight Treasure Island is going to be on the movie channel. I have never seen it, nor have I read the book. I checked, and it's not on our bookshelves so I'll have to buy a copy and settle in and read it. Because really, although I'm certain I'm going to enjoy the movie, the book is bound to be much better. I googled Treasure Island and found some info here. Just in case you want to take a peek. But I imagine you've read the book, haven't you?

Oh. Right.

So I'll see you at the bookstore, then?

Oh, and if you want to bone up on some of the other classics, try peeking in here. I could happily get lost on a site like this...

Teahouse Dreams

Ahh...it's been a week since I turned in the final edits on Snowdance. The first few days passed in a flurry of catching-up-on-life activity, but the past few days have been more relaxed. In fact, the past couple of days we've been working on making another dream come true at our house.

Those of you that know me well know I love gardening. I love being outdoors, planting and watching things grow and just being surrounded by nature. I love flowers, birds, butterflies--I love it all. I'm big on snow and rain as well as sunshine. Yep, I'm one of those tree lovers. :)

For years I've perused gardening books, taking special note of the small, sometimes quirky, little buildings people build in their gardens. Sheds. Cottages. Gazebos.

Tea houses.

Oh, how I've wanted a tea house of my own! And now, my husband and I are building a tea house on our property. Nestled between apple trees and overlooking the small vineyard we've planted, it will be the perfect hideaway. I'm so excited about this I can hardly think straight!

For now, we've just broken ground but, oh!, we've got such plans...

Yes, dreams really do come true.

Stage left? Or right?

You know how there are supposedly "stages" to nearly everything? Stages of grief, happiness, childhood? Stages of recovery, addiction, toilet training? What about the dreaded "plateau" feared and cursed by dieters everywhere? That's a stage, albeit a frustrating one. How many times have you heard, or said, "Oh, (s)he's just going through a stage."?

See? Stages. Everywhere.

Having recently completed the final edits for Snowdance, I am in a new stage, one some writers would surely find a clever, inventive title for. Me? I can only think of it as the lull stage. That's right, I'm in a lull. The sweet feeling of successfully editing a novel without (I hope) losing my mind has been followed by a few blessed hours of down time. Ah, yes...down time. Time to kick back...relax...do absolutely nothing, right?

*Snort*

Right. So far I've cleaned my closet, scrubbed the bathrooms, dusted the bookshelves, caught up on some correspondence, planted a flower bed, bought groceries (yes, we were slowly starving here!), hung pictures, purged the coat closet...need I go on? For me, the lull is filled with all the things I neglect when I'm working.

And now that I've caught up a bit on life, I'm ready to get back to work. After all, the lull has lasted oh...two, or is it three?, days.

Certainly enough time between projects.

So...um, how the heck do I get off this stage, anyway?

Snowdance cover!!

The cover for Snowdance is done!


I just couldn't wait to share this cover with everyone! I am completely over the moon about it, just out-of-my-mind thrilled by the whole thing. Jinger Heaston created it and I've got to say I think she did an amazing job. She matched what I asked for with what the story is about and gave it her own special flair and this is what she's come up with. I am beyond pleased--I love this cover! Thank you Jinger!

Snowdance releases on August 1st, just oh...twenty-nine days from now. Not like I'm counting or anything... *G*

Bay Leaves & Bundles review

Bay Leaves & Bundles got a five-angel review from Fallen Angel Reviews! YAY!!

The whole review can be read here.

Love it that Missy enjoyed the story! Not a bad way to start the week, not at all. :-)

One more month...

That's it, just one more month until Snowdance is released!

Yeah, I'm happy. :-)