Ouch!

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It wasn't the cats plotting revenge yesterday, but Chaos. My beloved Norwegian Elkhound was so excited she pushed into me. Unfortunately a bunch of Legos had been left out. I ended up hitting a table and chair (not sure which due to darkness) with my foot. My fourth toe to be exact.

Ouch.

It is all bruised except the tip and swollen. Real nasty looking.

I'm on my feet Wednesday afternoons and evenings at church. I ended up pairing a pair of socks with my Tevas. I definitely looked like a fashion "Don't!" page, but I had no choice. The kids were so good understanding that I couldn't get around as well, and parents pitched in to help. That was a big relief.

Now I just want it to feel better!

My Day Off Yesterday

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It's rare for me to have a day that I don't write. But yesterday was one of those days. I didn't write, revise or plot. Instead I pulled out my To Do list and checked several items off. I rested. I spent time with the kidlets. I watched Monday's episode of The Event. I had my haircut.

A productive day. I need more of them.

The kidlets reminded me we're hosting Easter. If I do a little each day, we should be decluttered, organized and clean by April 24th! The kids asked if I'd serve salmon in addition to ham. Since hubby smokes the ham and he'd grill the salmon, I told them to talk to him! He'll be home today. I can't wait! I've missed him!

Okay, better get started on the new book and prepare for the classes I teach today. Have a great Wednesday!

MomE done

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Hai! MomE turned in her revisions. She iz tired. I iz Yoda. I blogz for her.

I iz ninjactz. I iz cool. I iz also cute.

I luvz lazer lite. I catch it. Best ninjacatz ever.

I go nap with MomE now!

Random Monday

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My Monday will be spent revising. I need to send off the revised manuscript tonight so it'll be a busy day!

If you're curious about my getting the RITA finalist call, I wrote about it on my Facebook author page. The link to the note is here. Or you can hit the little "f" button which will take you to my author page. The post is on my wall and is titled, "Getting the RITA call."

The Girls' Weekend in Vegas authors (Myrna Mackenzie, Shirley Jump, Jackie Braun and I) donated autographed books and a $10 Amazon gift card to Operation Auction. If you want to bid on the package, go here. The bidding closes on March 30th.

Hubby left last night on a red-eye. Not the best timing for a business trip, but it'll be a quick one. It was something unexpected so I didn't have any time to arrange for help (my parents) which means I have to cancel a few things today and tomorrow since I can't be in two places at once with the various kidlets.

Anything random in your life?

Will Revise for Food

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This pic above is so my kitties! I always know when their food bowl is empty. They won't leave me alone.

The vet thinks I should cut Yoda's food. She wants him to eat this special kind that's good for their teeth, but higher calorie. I just haven't figured how to only feed him this when all the other cats have free fed their entire life. Given their ages almost 14 to 15-17 (not sure Smalls' exact age since she came with our first house), it seems a bit harsh to suddenly make the older cats change their eating habits. I must think on this some more!

As for today, I've already been to church this morning and am back in my jammies. I really want to get all the revisions typed in so I have tomorrow to go over them and make sure the changes work!

What's your Sunday looking like?

Back to reality

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After a day of feeling like a romance writing princess, it's back to reality! But I must admit all that attention for the RITA nod was very fun. I'm still in state of disbelief. I loved Christmas Magic on the Mountain, but I'm totally biased! It's so nice to know five judges enjoyed it!

Today is going to be all about two things: revisions and kidlets.

Revisions are due on Monday. I like how things are taking shape, but I want to do more with it. This book is also a sequel to Christmas Magic on the Mountain so I'm feeling a little pressure there.

The kidlets have a swim-a-thon today to earn money for their Swim Club. They are supposed to swim 200 laps in 2 hours. Finn can do that no problem. I don't know about the girls! They went out and sought donations from neighbors, friends and family. They have pledges for $450.

What will you be doing today?

BIG NEWS!

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No, we haven't found Yoda's missing laser light. But I did receive a call this morning.

Christmas Magic on the Mountain is a RITA finalist in the Series Category!!!!

I'm so excited. I was a two-time Golden Heart finalist before I sold my first manuscript, but I've never been a RITA finalist before. I was so stunned when she told me. I was actually shaking. Still sort of am!

For those who might not know, the RITA recognizes the best in romance novels each year. There are different categories for each of the types of books published. The winner is announced at the RWA national conference. This year it's in New York, and I'd already registered. Perfect since I don't go each year!

Anyway, I'm thrilled and need to make a few phone calls now! Hope you're Friday is as good as mine has started out!

Missing laser light

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Yoda's special laser light has gone missing. It's small and purple, easily misplaced, but the perfect size for his Christmas stocking which is when he got it. We had the pen on Tuesday night, but that's the last anyone has seen of it.

Yoda is not a happy kitty. He usually gets three sessions with the laser a day. He has so much energy we have to exercise him a lot! Last night, he stared around the room looking for it. I gave him a little ball with feather's attached. That's one less cat toy we now have for them to play with.

He's now chasing and attacking the older cats. Well, more so than usual. I may have to buy another one to keep peace in the family!

Today's all about taxes and revisions. I have a meeting with our CPA to hand everything off to her. I finally had time to gather everything together while waiting for revisions, but it took this long to get an appointment. And then I'll be revising.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for my daughter, Mackenna. She had a wonderful day and loves being a teenager. It was so cute how excited she was and how much she loves her phone!

What's on your agenda today?

Mom of a Teenager

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Thirteen years ago, my oldest daughter was born. A big day! That night Titanic won a bunch of Oscars. I was so tired after a labor that wouldn't end I kept dozing off though I remember James Cameron.

It's hard to believe I'm now the mom of a teenager. Where has the time gone?

When she was younger, I told her she could get a cellphone when she turned thirteen. We went to the AT&T store last night. The model she wants is out of stock so the manager is driving down to Portland today to pick one up so she can get it on her birthday!

Hubby is in denial. He was the one who was supposed to get the cellphone a few weeks ago, but hadn't. I think he still sees her as a seven year old when she's about to surpass me in height. He can't imagine why she needs a cellphone, unlimited text messaging or a data plan!

Unfortunately her birthday falls on a Wednesday this year which means I will be teaching all afternoon and evening. She's been lamenting that fact for weeks. But hubby will take her to pick up the phone and out to eat dinner. They'll probably go to Borders so she can buy a few books and Target, too. Her grandparents drove up yesterday and took us all out to lunch yesterday so lots of little birthday celebrations this week!

Happy Birthday, Mackenna! I love you. And no matter how big you get, you'll always be my little goo-goo baby!

Random Tuesday

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Isn't that LOLcat so cute? Total warm and fuzzy picture. We've never had a puppy, but I remember the kitty stage.

I also remember the baby stage. My oldest becomes a teenager tomorrow. It's hard to believe she'll be thirteen. She's so excited! I'm not quite there yet. My parents are driving up today to take her out to an early birthday lunch.

The big buzz in the writing world is about Barry Eisler walking away from a $500K advance to self-pub eBooks. There are tons of articles and blogs about this so just google his name and they'll come up.

I understand why he did it. I'm just surprised he isn't doing both—trad publishing with a big house and eBooks on his own. Yes, he can do print books via Amazon, but can those books get into places like Walmart. Maybe they can. I'll be honest. I don't know that much about eBook publishing, but I do know at the online retailers I seem to sell more ebooks than paperbacks!

Speaking of eBooks, have you seen the Electronic Publishing Bingo Card that John Scalzi made? It's here if you want a look.

On my writing front, I heard back from editor. She liked all four of my book ideas so the choice of which one to right next was mine! I picked one that stems off my eHarlequin on-line read, Snow-Kissed Reunion. Another Hood Hamlet story, but set in the spring not Christmastime. It's going to be so much fun to write!!!

Of course, I need to finish revisions first. I typed in some changes yesterday. I managed to cut four pages. I need to cut a lot more though. Much of my climbing research is going away. It's interesting, but not really adding value to the story so it must go. I keep cutting, then adding more words to different sections as I revise. A vicious cycle!

On the home front, Smalls' eye is still bothering her. I keep putting in the medicine and praying she'll stop squinting. It's getting better, but we still have a ways to go yet.

Everyone else (furbabies and human) are healthy! Knocking on wood it continues!

Monday already?

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I slept in this morning. The drive, the long day at the pool for sectionals, yesterday's fun time and revising last night all caught up with me! The weekend was so jam-packed with stuff, and it seemed to fly by.

The house is quiet. Not even the cats or dogs are interested in me right now. Time to dive back into revisions. Can't wait!

What's your Monday going to be like?

Playtime?

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I could use some new playtime options, but I'm not willing to go that far!

Busy Sunday here. I do get to play a little. I'm off to lunch then to see Beastly. After that it'll be all about revisions. I want to make it through the rest of the book with my highlighter in hand to see what I can cut and what I want to change/rewrite!

I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend! Any big plans today?

Home from Sectionals

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I'm ready to fall asleep at my keyboard like the lolcat above. Sectionals was fun (very proud of my son), but we were at the pool at 7 am. A long day there followed by the two and a half hour drive home.

If you're a Facebook friend of mine you've seen some of the pics of the facility. It was top notch. Way beyond anywhere he's ever swam before. I'm too tired to bring the pics over here right now.

I managed to get through five chapters there, and I should revise more tonight, but my pillow is calling me louder than the manuscript.

Sweet dreams!

A day of cats

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My cats are not solitary creatures. They follow me wherever I go in the house. If I'm away from one of them too long, she sits at the top of the stairs and meows. Yesterday I walked into hubby's office. Two cats were right behind me.

Thursday was all about them. The vet wanted Smalls to see an ophthalmologist so I headed south. He said the abrasion is actually an ulcer. He worked on it and prescribed additional medicine. We'll go back in a couple of weeks.

I got home, grabbed the other cat carrier with Yoda inside and took off to another vet appointment. He needed vaccines and a check-up. Yoda received a clean bill of health! Though they said I needed to stop feeding him so much. Easier said then done since I've always free fed my cats.

Smalls and her medications have put a wrench into our plans. As of yesterday (when soccer games this weekend were canceled due to bad fields) the entire family was heading north today to take Finn to swim at the Pacific Northwest Age Group Sectionals. It's a regional state level meet with kids as far away as Hawaii and Alaska qualifying. But now hubby will stay home in order to take care of Smalls. This should be interesting since the two don't get along all that well!

Are you doing anything this weekend?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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This is the first year in what feels like forever that the kidlets won't be Irish dancing somewhere on St. Patrick's Day. One of us would always spend this day driving from retirement center to pub to wherever we needed to be next. It was tiring, but fun.

The younger two don't seem to even remember they used to Irish dance. They never mention it. But Mackenna does. She came to me last night about not dancing tomorrow. She said it was weird and admitted she was a little sad. She always loved dancing on St. Patrick's day.

I told her she could dance for us if she wanted to. She enjoys performing, not competing, but there really isn't a place for dancers like that around here. I asked if she wanted to go return to classes. She said no, but if she did she admitted she wouldn't return to the school we'd left this summer, but the one before that. I was surprised, but when she explained why I had to admit she had good reasons.

Needless to say, this will be a different kind of St. Patrick's Day for us. But it won't be a quiet one. Two appointments on my calendar plus we may need to take Smalls back to the vet. I don't like how her eye is looking. Plus both of the younger kidlets have celebrations at school today. A luau and volcano eruption for the youngest and a Latin American festival for our son. Also, my revisions arrived yesterday so I'll be trying to figure out what I need to do with the Christmas book!

Do you have any plans for St. Patrick's Day?

Cone of Shame

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Yesterday we had to make a run to the vet. Smalls did something to her eye. I noticed it tearing on Monday, but it was worse on Tuesday. She has two abrasions on her right cornea. She has to have drops put in her eye every couple of hours and she must wear the cone of shame so she can't irritate her eye more.

Here's a picture of her right after the cone went on.

Poor Smalls. She hates the cone. It's taking her a long time to figure out the change in her depth perception and new width! Lots of bumping and scraping things. She's hanging her head which only makes it worse.

The other pets, both cats and dog, seem to know how upset she is and have been aggravating her so much. I'm trying to run interference, but I can't be there 24/7. 

Last night she slept in her usual spot on my pillow. Needless to say there wasn't a lot of room for my head, but I wasn't about to move her. She needed something to go her way!

We return to the vet on Friday to see if the abrasions are healing. I hope so. They mentioned something about going in and smoothing them out. I'd rather not have to put Smalls under. She's old. At least 15 years old, probably older. She came with our first house so we're not quite sure of her exact age!

Have a great Wednesday! My day will be crazy, but no complaints!  I look at Japan and am very thankful that life is as usual here.

Favorites

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I'm still dragging from the time change, but the pic above made me smile this morning. I know I feel like the little bird being used as a step-stool sometimes, how about you?

The kidlets accuse me of having favorites all the time. Of course, this favorite changes depending on who's speaking. There's this sense of justice, of fairness, that becomes very important to kids in the 6-9 age range which is right where my youngest is right now. But the older two are the same way.

I wonder if the furbabies feel like I have favorites. Given their levels of jealousy, they probably would!

On the writing front, I emailed a few book ideas to my editor last night. Fingers crossed she finds a favorite or two that she'll want me to flush out!

Have a nice Tuesday!

Hello Monday

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Don't know about you, but I can relate to the kitty above. I'm really feeling Monday. As I posted yesterday, I'm not a fan of the time change. It's going to take me awhile to adjust. But I wish it were still Saturday, pre-daylight savings time!

It didn't help that I was up very late last night. My oldest is turning 13 years old soon. She hasn't been able to decide how she wanted to celebrate so I thought of a few things, including mom-daughter outings, but she decided yesterday she wanted to do something with a few friends. This was really important to her so we said okay.

The only problem is her birthday is a week and a half away. With spring break coming up and friends heading out of town, that means having the celebration next Sunday. I told her we could push it out past spring break, but she didn't want to do that. I hope a week is enough notice for people.

I managed to get invitations made last night so she could hand them out today. I'll get the rest of the plans firmed up today. Not what I expected to add to my To Do list. But the Christmas revisions haven't returned yet so it's the perfect time to get this figured out.

It should be interesting to see how things fall together. I'll be away Friday night and much of Saturday with my son who is swimming in the PNW Sectionals up Seattle way, so it's going to be up to my daughter and hubby to get the final details done. I'll definitely leave them a To Do list!

Are you planning anything right now?

Time

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I hate changing the time. It makes as much sense to me as the LOLcat switching the time above. The one thing I loved about living in Arizona was the time never changed. Almost made the summer heat worth it. Emphasis on almost.

Needless to say, I'm a tired camper today. I was up way too early to get to Mass so my son could be an altar server. Only three of the five or six boys scheduled showed up, too.

Now all I want is a nap. And it's only 10 am. Not a good way to start the day. I much prefer falling backwards than springing forward!

What about you? Do time changes bother you?

Horrific

I've been watching the news coverage of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan with a heavy heart. We were watching on Thursday night when that wave of water, mud and debris swept across the land. To see people in cars driving on the road as destruction barreled toward them was gut-wrenching. I kept wondering how much warning they had and if people had heeded it.

Fortunately, the employees in Japan who work at the same company as my husband and their families are accounted for and safe. Huge relief there. But so many others are missing or gone. The more we learn about what happened, the worse it gets. I have readers in Japan and my thoughts and prayers are with them, too.

I love Japan. I was fortunate to spend time there in 1995. I'd gotten married in April. I quit my engineering job to write full-time in September. And found myself in Japan in December. My husband was assigned there. He'd work several weeks in Japan then fly home for a couple in the Bay Area then return.

What I remember the most of my few weeks were the people and it's those people I can't help but think about as I watch the news coverage.

My husband was working so I spent my days on my own sightseeing. But I always found people with friendly smiles, others who wanted to practice their English and many who didn't mind helping an American find her way after getting lost. Something that happened almost daily there!

My first day in Yokohama, I took a bus tour. You could get on and off at various spots around town. I didn't understand that I'd have to get off somewhere different to reach my hotel. I ended up back at the transit center. The bus driver didn't just point to where I needed to go. He escorted me to another bus and explained to the driver what had happened. That driver made sure I got off and knew exactly where my hotel was.

When I was trying to get to the Tokyo Stock Exchange a few days later, I ended up totally turned around. A well-dressed Japanese man in a suit carrying a leather briefcase saw me. I must have looked distraught because he hurried across the street. I told him where I wanted to go. Again he didn't just point me in the right direction. He went so far as to escort me inside where I needed to check in.

Once I'd explored the cities, I headed out a little wise to the countryside. Riding the local trains was a total adventure. But again, so many helpful people, especially students, to make sure this American could find her way back.

I continue to pray for all of those impacted by this horrific disaster. Many countries are sending urban search and rescue teams, military support, supplies. If you want to help the people of Japan, this is from the American Red Cross website page about the earthquake and tsunami:

Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

It's not going to take a village to get through this, but the entire world.

Get Lost!

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I'm all smiles looking at the LOLcat above. Typical kitty humor, and I love it.

It also makes me think about the Christmas book I just turned in and am waiting to hear back on for revisions. It's book 3 (story 4 if you count Snow-Kissed Reunion, the eHarlequin online read I did last year) and features a fictional SAR unit on Mount Hood, OMSAR, Oregon Mountain Search and Rescue.

I've been brainstorming another book set in Hood Hamlet, Oregon, but not a Christmas one. Spring and summer are beautiful on the mountain. I love spending time up there then. I was thinking it might be nice to show a different season up on Mount Hood. Still not sure, but I'm having fun playing with the new idea and characters.

Do you have any big plans for today?

Of all the kittens...

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This LOLcat cracked me up. I have no doubt this is how my older cats feel about Yoda. Just when I think Yoda is settling down a little and growing up, he proves me wrong. Not that I would change his personality for anything! I love him just the way he is!

Yesterday he tore across my bedroom. Around and around. Running, jumping, annoying the old cats with each lap. I watched and laughed.

In the afternoon as I was finishing up my RITA reading, he jumped onto my bed and fell asleep against me. No attacking my arm. No pouncing on my manuscript pages. No chewing on my power cord. No karate chopping the older cats. Nothing is sweeter than a napping Yoda!

Then Chaos jumped up to join in the love fest and well, chaos ensued.

No chaos today though! I'm brainstorming new book ideas. I have a few days before revisions on the Christmas book will be back so it's a great time to play with some possible characters and stories.

Anything you'd like to see me write next?

Random Wednesday

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Thinking hasn't been on my To Do list. Sleeping has. And reading. I have one more book to go today and then I can cross judging RITA books of my list. Today's the last day to turn in scores so must get it done!

Today is also the start of my March contest. It only runs for a limited time, too. The prizes are four Barnes & Noble eGift Cards ($20, $15, $10, $5). The contest is not being run here at the blog so comments will not get you entered. (Though I hope you'll still comment here!) Check the contest tab on the Nav Bar above for more details and what you'll need to do if you want to enter.

It's also Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and a day of fast. I'm still trying to decide what I'll be giving up and doing until Easter. Because of the day, the classes I usually teach are canceled. A day off! I really need it. Still dragging a bit.

Last night, my brother-in-law (he decided to stay an extra week!) and my oldest daughter made dinner. It was so nice and tasty, too! They made S'mores for dessert! Yum! On Monday, when I was in panic writing mode, he went to my fave deadline meal place, Burgerville, and bought me dinner! I've gotten so spoiled.

I managed to get to a few blogs, too! It was nice to catch up. I really feel as if I've been living in a cave for nearly a week! What's going on with you today?

Finished!

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I feel a lot like the LOLcat above. I emailed my manuscript in the wee hours of the morning and I'm very tired. But it's off. Revisions will be back to me by Monday at the latest. Now I get to sleep, brainstorm new ideas (out of contract now) and finish reading my RITA entries by tomorrow!

I'll blog hop later. Right now I need a shower. Didn't have time for one yesterday!

Have a great Tuesday!

D-day

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This LOLcat is so perfect for this Monday, which also happens to be the due date for my latest Christmas Magic/Hood Hamlet manuscript. I'd be more than willing to contribute a few dollars to get rid of Monday this week. How about you?

So that book is finished. Of course, it's too long. Again. I even left out an entire scene and rewrote two others last night trying to shorten them.

Today is finishing the read-thru I started yesterday. Then I'll go back and do it once more before typing it all in. That's what I'll be doing.

What are you up to today?

Will Write for Chocolate

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Forget cheezburgers! Chocolate's where it's at today.

My Christmas manuscript is due tomorrow. I have enough words so I'm going to be spending the day polishing the last three chapters. Tomorrow I'll give the entire thing a read through on paper.

Until this is off I'm going to be scarce. Sorry for not blog hopping and what not, but I just want to get this done. I am taking a couple breaks, but on-line isn't where I'm spending it. Napping is!

Hope you're having a good day! I have nothing to do, but write today!

Better get to it.

Do

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Here's what I'm doing today:

Writing
Swim Meet/Reading
Writing
Mass
Writing

What's your day look like?

Ninja Kitty

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Hai! Iz Yoda again! MomE on deadline. No time to blog. So I do it for her.

She sez picture above like me. I not evil so must be a Ninja.

But...what iz Ninja?

I jump, fly through air and karate chop old catz with pawz. Iz that a Ninja?

I iz expert lazer beam chaser and stuffed toy destroyer. Iz that a Ninja?

I ruin window coveringz and rollz of toilet paper. Iz that a Ninja?

I eat noms and purr. Iz that a Ninja?

I iz also cute and adorable. Iz that a Ninja?

I don't wantz to be evil. Am I a Ninja?

Contest Winners!

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Amazingly, the random numbers (29, 7, 73) did not pick a duplicate winner. Surprising given a couple of you had many entries!

Here are our three winners:
1) Jane with a comment on my post Happy Valentine's Day
2) Brandy with a comment on A great commercial and guest blog
3) Margie with a comment on Contest Reminder

I thought I only had one box and thought each winner would get at least five titles. Since I found more boxes, I'm going to give each winner 25 books. I'm going to start with our first winner. Jane would you please send me the titles of 25 books you would like. Use the contact button.

Brandy and Margie, please use my contact button so I'll have your emails. Once Jane has made her picks it'll be Brandy's turn. Then Margie's.

Thanks to everyone who entered. I plan on running monthly contests, but not all will be on this blog. Some will be here, my Facebook author page or, as in March, elsewhere. For March's contest's info, check the link on the navbar.

Wednesday and counting...

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I'm a bit stressed with the book due on Monday (unfinished), my arm/hand not cooperating (as usual) and a car that won't start (unexpected). Fortunately it's not my minivan. But when hubby returns we really need two working vehicles. I just have zero time to deal with it.

Thanks to everyone who followed me to one or more of the various stops on the virtual book tours. It was so nice to see a familiar name commenting. And special thanks for coming here, too!

Today's my busy teaching day at church so I won't get any writing done this afternoon or evening so I'm going to keep this short to make the most of the time I have.

The contest is now closed. I'll pick three winners and post them tomorrow. Just too crazy a day to manage it this morning. Sorry.

Have a great Wednesday!

Melissa

Virtual Book Tour's Final Stop!

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Today is the last stop in the Virtual Book Tour, I'm at Ryshia Kennie's - Once Upon a Time. For a change of pace, I'm not blogging about my book! But a backpacking trip through Europe I took after I graduated college. Remember to comment to be entered in the tour giveaway, a $20 amazon gift card. Thanks so much to those of you who followed along in the tour. It's much appreciated!

It's also the last day to enter the book giveaway here. So remember to comment in both places!