Next up on the TBR pile...

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Like the LOLcat above, I'll be reading Catching Fire next. It's Hunger Games 24/7 at my house or in the minivan or wherever my oldest will be so I figure I'd better get caught up with the entire series.

Not much to report here. The RITA calls went out yesterday. I entered, but wasn't expecting a call and didn't get one. I've entered every year since 2000 and only been a finalist once (last year). I know the odds! But I'm so psyched for my friends who are finalists. It's a special time and there's nothing like being treated like a princess at the national RWA conference! I hope every romance writer gets to experience that. Here is the list of the finalists from the Contemporary Series Romance category:

A Bravo Homecoming by Christine Rimmer (Harlequin Special Edition; Gail Chasan, editor)

Donovan's Child by Christine Rimmer (Harlequin Special Edition; Gail Chasan, editor)

Doukakis's Apprentice by Sarah Morgan (Harlequin Presents; Lucy Gilmour, editor)

How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart by Donna Alward (Harlequin Romance; Sally Williamson, editor)

I'll Catch You by Farrah Rochon (Harlequin Kimani Romance; Glenda Howard, editor)

A Mother's Homecoming by Tanya Michaels (Harlequin American Romance; Kathleen Scheibling, editor)

Rancher's Twins: Mom Needed by Barbara Hannay (Harlequin Romance; Meg Lewis, editor)

The Texan's Bride by Linda Warren (Harlequin Superromance; Kathleen Scheibling, editor)

I'll be in Anaheim at the RWA conference in July. I can't wait to see who wins!

Hope you have a nice Tuesday!

Moooom!

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This pic cracked me up! Whether one of my two-legged kids or a four-legged one, they each have their own way of calling for me. Depending on the sound of that call/cry/meow/bark, I know whether I can take my time or I need to get there fast!

Not much going on around here and that is a very good thing! Still crossing items off my To Do list, working on my new proposal and reading RITA entries. I have two of the eight books left.

What are you reading? Any new-to-you authors you recommend me checking out?

Reading

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I love this LOLcat! My house if full of cat traps in a variety of sizes. It never fails that the smallest of the cats loves the biggest box while Yoda who is neck-and-neck with Rocket for biggest-boy status always chooses the smallest, giving a new definition to muffin top!

Slowly life is returning to normal after my working to reach my deadline. It's always crazy the week before. I haven't written at all the past two days after my writing marathon to get the manuscript in time. I wanted to take a short break and catch up on my sleep and some other things I've neglected.

I have been reading RITA books instead. If you're not familiar with Romance Writers of America aka RWA, they put on a contest (the RITA which is considered the romance genre's "Oscar") each year to select the best romance novels published the past year. The books are judged by published members (i.e. author's peers.)

I have eight books to read with some new-to-me authors. I can't say what books, but I'm hoping there is a finalist or two in the bunch. We'll see. One down... seven to go!

What are you doing?

Quick update

I'm so sorry I haven't been regularly blogging. I usually hang out in my hotel room to get away from the conference happenings, but this year I've been so scheduled there's little time to do that. I've also been out so late each night when I get back to my room I want to crash!

I'm heading to my mother-in-law's place and hope to have a little more free time. If not then, when I'm home.

I did want to tell you I didn't win the RITA® last night. I am so okay with that. Being a finalist in such a tough category was winning enough for me. I'm also thrilled that Karen Templeton won. I've known her for years, before I sold and before Mackenna was born! So yay!

This week at conference has been magical. Wearing the green finalist ribbon is equivalent to wearing a tiara. I really did feel like a princess!  Anyway I'll make sure I get all the pics posted and tell you about everything including the elegant Harlequin soiree at the Waldorf Astoria!

Don't forget I'm running a contest that ends on the 4th of July. Just post a comment. 

Talk to you soon!

The Dress Saga Continues

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Yesterday afternoon, my daughter and I headed to NW Portland to go dress shopping. I'd googled some dress shops and one in particular caught my eye. I phoned them to make sure they were open. We set off eager to enjoy the nice weather and see if we could finally find "the dress."

NW 23rd is a great street with lots of shops, boutiques and restaurants. It reminds me of when I lived in San Francisco.

The shop I wanted to visit was Lena Medoyeff. Check out the website if you have a minute. It's a gorgeous boutique full of beautiful dresses made out of stunning fabrics.

When I walked into the store, I was asked what I needed the dress for. I explained about the RITA® Awards Ceremony in NY. The designer got up, headed to a rack and picked out this gorgeous black lace dress. She said the dress would be perfect.

As I looked around, another woman who works at the shop picked out a few more dresses for me to try on. I liked them all, but narrowed it down to three, two black and one green & gold. But when I tried on the black lace dress again I knew it was perfect. And I hadn't even wanted a black dress. But it's an amazing dress. It's cut on the bias so flattering for all figure types. The neckline and sleeves are elegant and can be tied up to give the dress different looks. You can also wear a black or colored sash with it to change the look. The lace is from France and simply divine. Best yet, it's comfortable to wear.

I sent hubby a pic, who was on his way home from a swim meet in Pasco, WA. He thought the dress was very nice. His problem was the price. A bit over the budget. I understand his point. We really are trying to take the Dave Ramsey method of budgeting to heart. Cash only. No credit cards, only debit. He did ask when my royalties would arrive (very soon!) so I was hopeful I could splurge and get the dress. It's the kind of style that I could wear for a very long time! So dollar cost averaging per wear made it more reasonably priced.

I was so excited I asked a friend in SF, who's really into fashion, what kind of accessories to buy. She sent me a list this morning: black stockings with seam up the back and strappy black heels.

And then this afternoon a little after one o'clock, I got an email from Harlequin, my publisher. Their big party, something Harlequin authors look forward to at conference, is black and white dress.

An elegant dress code for sure. Except I already had a dress to wear to it. A pretty purple dress that my friend Kelly was loaning me. Sigh...

The last thing I need is two fancy black dresses hanging in my closest, especially when the one really would be a total splurge. I couldn't even justify it to myself for thirty seconds given I'm so not a dressy, formal type person and only wear nice clothes at conferences or a rare writing event. There is the lovely green and gold dress at the boutique I could get, but I'm not in love with it as much as the black lace one.

But the idea of now going back out to look for dresses, black ones or otherwise, just slays me. The shopping gene just isn't part of my DNA.

Wish me luck! I have a feeling I'm going to need it.

Mission Impossible

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I saw this LOLcat and had to laugh. It describes my day so far. Oh, it started out great. Breakfast with my daughter, Mackenna, and my good friend, Elizabeth Boyle, at Mother's Bistro in Downtown Portland. We had a delicious breakfast and chatted the time away.

After that we headed to the shopping area to see if I could find a dress to wear to the RITA® award ceremony in NY. We made a quick stop into the Goodwill store which is more like a designer boutique. I didn't luck out in finding a dress, buy my daughter ended up with a jacket, a blazer and a skirt!

We bid Elizabeth goodbye and kept shopping. The sun is finally shining in the Pacific Northwest and it's gorgeous out. We kept looking and looking. I tried on a few things, but no luck.

This really is feeling like a mission impossible to me. I'm not a formal type dresser. I don't like buying something I'll never wear again. I just don't look good in sleeveless cocktail type dressers that fill the racks at stores these days. I did find one dress, by Oscar de La Renta, that caught my eye at Nordstrom. It was a beautiful blue color with a vintage style skirt. Plain, but stylish. It was even on the sale rack. I checked the size. It wouldn't fit. A good thing considering the price tag $1795. That sure isn't in my budget!

Hope you are having a good day!



I still have a couple of weeks, but I was happy to have to head home so I could let Chaos out to go potty. Yes, that made me smile more than shopping for a dress.

Random Spring Break Friday

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If you're a category romance reader or even if you just stumbled across my blog looking for info on Crossfit, Ben Barnes smoking or Norwegian Elkhound puppies, please read this great article about Harlequin Romance. The writer gets what the line is all about. She also uses one of my book covers and recommends the title so she's my new BFF!

I'm making progress with my new story. I've been tinkering with the opening scene. I started in the hero's POV, but after seeing Source Code started over in the heroine's POV. I think I've finally nailed it with my third attempt. I need the foundation to be solid before moving forward. Without the right opening scene I flounder. The same thing happened with my last manuscript. I must have written that opening five different ways before coming across the one I used.

This is my RITA publicity shot. Hubby and the kidlets picked it from the ones my friend Jennifer Short from Camas Photography took it on Monday. I hate having photographs taken (and hadn't done it since the Reno RWA conference in 2005.) But Jennifer made it painless and fun. I was finished in just a few minutes. I told her I wanted to look like me. As I type those words, it sounds weird, but she knew what I meant.

I want to tell you about the shirt I'm wearing in the pic if only because hubby still can't believe it. I bought it at the dog show on Sunday. I'd looked at stores, but couldn't find anything. Jennifer, my photographer friend, was with me at the dog show (her daughter is friends with my oldest and also shows dogs) so she helped pick out what color and style would work best. Don't tell hubby, but I actually bought two shirts!

Off to see what the kidlets want to do on this final day of Spring Break! Hope you have a great Friday!

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?

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!

Sunday Schedule

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My RITA books arrived. Eight of them. I was hoping to get three different categories. I only got two and of those seven books were from one category and one from another. Oh, well...

I finished one yesterday. Today I hope to get another read. I'll also be cleaning, sorting socks and preparing crafts for our next girls' club meeting. Oh, and I'll be watching the Jets play. They are hubby's fave team. I sure hope they win!

What are you doing today?

Random Thursday

I've finished four of my eight RITA books as my reading binge continues. It's a mixed bag of genres with a couple of authors I've been meaning to read so am happy to finally do so. Thanks for letting me know what you're reading in the comment section. I will be looking into a couple of those books once I finish the rest of my RITA pile!

On the writing front, we (the four continuity authors) should hear something about the new continuity soon. Maybe as soon as tomorrow! And when that happens, my JaNoWriMo book will go on the backburner completely. But not working on it this past couple of weeks has actually given me a lot of insight into the 10K words I have on it. I now know how I want to open it and how to make those beginning chapters so much stronger!

My burn is feeling better. Thanks for the well-wishes! I was putting something into the oven (not my oven) and burned the top of my hand. I've been putting stuff on it and, fingers crossed, hope it's looking better this morning.

Sad news from Mount Hood again. A thirty-one year old woman, who was climbing with her husband, got hit with a chunk of ice, fell four hundred feet and died yesterday. According to news reports, the accident happened near the spot where the same thing happened to my friend on Saturday. Ice fall was one of the things the PMR guys who helped me with research told me could have taken out the two climbers in the prologue of Rescued by the Magic of Christmas.

Any random things from your corner of the world you want to share?

Reading Time

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That picture just cracked me up! Last night I burned the top of my left hand. It's pretty nasty looking with a nickel sized blister. A good thing I'm on a reading binge right now rather than a writing one!

My RITA books arrived. Every year the Romance Writers of America put on a contest for published authors called the RITA. The judges are published authors. I like to get them done right away, especially when I know I'll be working toward a deadline very, very soon.

So far I've read two books, both new to me authors. I'm on my third and enjoying my reading time so much! Usually reading turns into a low priority when I'm really into working on a book.

I can't say what books I've read, but what about you? What are you reading right now?

Friday Fun

Here's an entertaining video that I got from a post by Maggie Shayne on one of my loops. It's from a few trash-talking RITA finalist romance writers. Enjoy if you haven't already seen this!



I went to the library with the kidlets. Found a book called Me and Mr. Darcy. The Amazon reviews on it are mixed, but the concept is cute so I'll give it try. But I was too tired to even read today. Scary.

I paid another visit to...urgent care again. Finn fell on his bike to avoid hitting his little sister and really hurt himself, but luckily his wrist isn't broken just sprained. That's two Thursdays in a row he's paid a visit there. Not fun! Seriously though, enough is enough of these injuries and illnesses. It's got to stop.

I've got Crossfit this morning. We're off to family camp later today. It'll be fun to get away for a couple of days. In between I need to check more off my To Do list.

Be back on Sunday and hopefully not be so brain-dead writing/blogging-wise. I still don't feel as if I'm all here. I was on google reader yesterday, thought about commenting for about a nanosecond then the words blurred. I will be visiting my fave blogs and getting into the routine again when I get back from our trip. I think I'm just tapped out creatively right now and don't feel like typing or thinking up one extra word! Sorry to my wonderful friends who blog. But this deadline really did me in! And if you've emailed me, please be patient. I am way, way behind there, too!

RITAs

Today the finalists in the Romance Writers of America's RITA awards will be announced. Like other contests that recognize the best in the field (Oscars, Edgars, etc), the books were judged by peers (published authors) and came out in 2007. The winners are announced at a glitzy ceremony at the RWA National conference. This year's conference will be held in San Francisco.

I was a two-time Golden Heart finalist with my first two books I sold. That was so much fun! The Golden Heart is for unpublished writers. Those calls are going out, too. So good luck to all those who entered.

I've seen my RITA scores and last year finally stopped asking for them to be sent to me. Let's just say, I've never come close to making the finals. That coupled with all category/series (Harlequin/Silhouette/Avalon/etc) books, no matter what the length or sensuality level, being combined into one category, I'm not expecting a call. But it's still one of those contests I enter every year. Why? Because it's the RITA! You just never know. What can I say? I still buy lotto tickets when the jackpot gets above $100 million or so.

This is still one of my favorite days of the year. I love to hear from those writers who do get the call and share in their excitement. Plus I like to see if any of the books I judged and loved make it!

If you could pick your favorite romance (only one!) of 2007, what would it be?