Biting the Curse Is a Finalist!!

First off, Happy Veterans Day. If you served, thank you for your service. And if you’re like me, take advantage of a free meal somewhere. There are lots of restaurants treating veterans today. I plan on visiting a couple. Why not, right?

Last week I got some WONDERFUL news! My book, Biting the Curse, was a finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers International Digital Awards contest. I got a badge! Ain’t that cool?

A great review AND a finalist. I’m feeling really good about this book. Don’t know if I’ll enter it in as many contests as I did Ghostly Interlude, but I will definitely enter it in the Ritas (Romance Writers of America’s contest). Not that these contest actually help sell books. At least, not that I’ve been told. I guess I just feel the need to be recognized since I suck at advertising!


I’m hoping now that I’ve sent my next release, Finding the Perfect Mate, off to my beta reader I’ll be able to write more on the next ghost book. Of course, I think I screwed up somewhere. Good thing I meet with my plotting group tonight. I really need the help!!

I plan on revealing the cover to Finding the Perfect Mate in my next newsletter. Also plan on giving away some neat Buffy and Supernatural cards I picked up at Dragon Con last year. If that interests you, then sign up for my newsletter. The link is on the sidebar of this blog and at my website http://stacymckitrick.com.

So … Do you think awards help books? How about movies? I have to admit, I never planned on watching Rocky until it won the Oscar for Best Picture. And then it turned out I loved the movie. Go figure!

Happy Monday! And Happy Veterans Day!

Stacy

My Newsletter and Adding Another Goal

Do you know I have a newsletter? I’d be surprised if you did, even though I have a sign up form over there on the side bar AND on my website AND on Facebook AND on Goodreads. Surprised, because I don’t mention it all that much. But hopefully that will all change soon.

Oh, I’d LOVE to say it’s because I have a new book coming out. And eventually I will (one way or another), but just not soon (at least soon in the publishing way of things). Instead I’ve decided that once I read one of those new-to-me books I got free from conventions, the ones I talked about on a previous post about reading once a month, I will give it away. That should equate to 12 books over the year, right? So 12 chances to win. But the only way you can have a chance to win one of those books is to be a subscriber to my newsletter, because that’s where I’ll tell you how to enter (provided you live in the USA—I have to do some investigating of shipping costs before I include international subscribers. Sucks, I know, but I don’t want to break my bank account!).

Will this get me more subscribers? Will this get them to open my newsletters? We shall see. I currently have 292 subscribers with an average 33% open rate. I’d like to get that number up. Heck, I’d like to get BOTH numbers up. But at any rate, it will help get my name out there more often so people won’t forget little ol’ me, and get me on the road to being consistent sending out my newsletter. Which means I should have added that to the goals I listed on Monday, so I will now:

6) SEND OUT A NEWSLETTER AT THE END OF EACH MONTH.

Guess that means the first one will go out January 31. If you would like to receive my newsletter, sign up HERE. And don’t be surprised if I post reminders from time to time. If I can’t use this blog to sell me, then what good is it, right?

Yesterday I took the Christmas decorations down and had one casualty. L My 1993 Hallmark ornament bit the dust. I only had 4 more ornaments to take down, too. Guess I was getting too careless seeing the end in sight. This isn’t the first time I damaged an ornament, but the first to be rendered unusable (I was able to fix the 2003 Steelers ornament I dropped a few years back). Oh well, not much I can do about it.

In the past this might have bothered me more. Now? **shrug** No one pays much attention to my tree anyway, so I doubt anyone (but me) will miss it.

So… Do you get author newsletters? If so, do you open them? I know that’s a crazy question, because you subscribe, so why wouldn’t you open it? But many people don’t. What causes you to open it? I subscribe to a few author newsletters (some are friends, some I’m a fan) and I do open them and read them. I don’t enter their contests, because I don’t want to compete with their readers. Besides, I don’t need their swag or any more free books. I’m sure I’ll get tons more at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention and Rust City Book Con this year. More giveaway stuff!

Happy Friday! Go Steelers!

Stacy

There Was This Grand Plan – Part II

Last Friday I posted the first of the two character interviews I created for my newsletter. If you missed it, you can read it HERE. Today I’m posting the other one. This interview, originally shared in last August’s newsletter, features Jack from My Sunny Vampire and takes place before his book, so no spoilers! Now, while Perry has shown up in Bite Me, I’m Yours and Blind Temptation, he is not a character in My Sunny Vampire. However, he is mentioned as that vampire (not by name, though) who could dig into minds. So if you didn’t know that, now you do!
 

Getting to Know Your Committee Members by Perry Davenport.

Perry: Hello, fellow vamps, this is Perry Davenport here to interview Committee Member Jack VanAllen. He has been on the Committee since 1878, making him the second-longest member after our fearless Head, Barnet Groves.

Jack: Shouldn’t that be second-longest serving member? I think Abe is the longest by six inches.

Perry: What are you, the grammar police?

Jack: Just pointing out the obvious.

Perry: Yeah, sure. So tell us, Jack. It’s a known fact you prefer positive blood to negative blood, but what we don’t know is how you can tell the difference. What makes negative blood so distasteful to you?

Jack: I thought you were going to ask me real questions during this interview.

Perry: That is a real question. One I got from a listener, even.

Jack: Fine. I don’t know why, but negative blood makes my stomach upset.

Perry: So, it’s psychosomatic?

Jack: It’s not psychosomatic. And if you wish to continue with this interview, I suggest you ask a different question.

Perry: Okay. Don’t be so touchy. Here’s a fun question for you. Boxers, briefs, or commando?

Jack: What male vampire wears undergarments? You?

Perry: Oh, well, no. Not me. Point taken. Next question. What’s your dream vacation?

Jack: Why would I want to take a vacation? I like my job.

Perry: But wouldn’t you like to just get away for a week?

Jack: And do what?

Perry: Okay, so you’re a workaholic. What do you do during your free time?

Jack: Sometimes I swim. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I work on my car.

Perry: (snapping fingers) Yes, your car. You own a 1965 Mustang, right?

Jack: Actually, it’s a 1964-1/2. First generation. Bought it brand new.

Perry: I bet that thing is worth a pretty penny.

Jack: I wouldn’t know. I don’t plan on selling it.

Perry: No, of course not. What other cars have you owned?

Jack: None. I like that one.

Perry: Not even before the Mustang? Maybe a Model T?

Jack: I walked faster than the Model T.

Perry: Well, yeah, didn’t we all? Okay, here’s a more serious question. The Committee hasn’t set a precedence, but what do you think of a vamp controlling a mortal for personal gain?

Jack: I know some vampires resort to that tactic, but I’d like to think they do it out of need and not fun. Still, while we are forced to control a mortal for feeding, we do not have to resort to that for fun. That is what our allure is for.

Perry: But isn’t that the same as controlling?

Jack: Not at all. It is just an attraction. The mortal can still say no. We vampires can be more persuasive in other ways, just as mortals are to one another. Do you control a mortal when you’re not feeding from them?

Perry: No. I mean, what’s the fun in that? I like a little interaction.

Jack: Exactly.

Perry: Will the Committee ever set a rule to prevent it?

Jack: As long as it’s not an issue, I doubt it. Mainly because there are times when the vampire is in need. And if we start making rules for every little thing, we might end up with another vampire war on our hands. And a war in this technological world would surely out us all. All the more reason to keep the calm.

Perry: Keep Calm and Avoid Publicity!

Jack: What?

Perry: Never mind. Thanks for joining us today, Jack. It was a real pleasure.

****

Tonight Hubby and I might actually be able to attend our first Dragons game of the season (since the other first game was rained out). No rain is in sight tonight. At least, not until after midnight. Our second game is tomorrow and while there isn’t rain forecasted, it’s supposed to be colder. As my husband asked, “Don’t the weather Gods know it’s May?” Apparently not. I foresee going from chilly weather straight into 90 degree temps. There will be no beautiful days in between. I just know it!

So… It’s Friday the thirteenth today (my daughter’s favorite day). Are you superstitious? Sometimes I think superstition is just another form of OCD. What do you think?

Have a great weekend (and don’t walk under that ladder!).

Stacy

There Was This Grand Plan – Part I

In an effort to get newsletter subscribers to actually OPEN my newsletters, I wrote a couple of character interviews (based on my Bitten by Love series). They turned out pretty good, too. But alas, not many people actually read them and my plan to have five interviews for the newsletter was cut to only two.

I want to share these interviews now (and yes, this post is kind of long—for me). A Vampire Wedding is due out this month (that pesky copy editor, who happens to be my daughter, is finally working on my piece—yay!), and the “interviewer,” Perry, returns in that novella, so what better time to share these with everyone else?

For those who haven’t read this series, Perry first showed up in Bite Me, I’m Yours and then later in Blind Temptation. He’s one of my favorite characters (probably why he keeps popping up in my books) and I had a lot of fun writing the scenes between him and Victoria in Blind Temptation (and no, he’s not the hero in that book). And that’s when I came up with the idea of him interviewing the Committee Members for their vampire website. The second interview is with Jack (My Sunny Vampire) and I’ll post that next Friday.

If you subscribe to my newsletter and have already read this, sorry for the repeat. Unless you really, really liked it, then you can enjoy it again!

 

Getting to Know Your Committee Members by Perry Davenport.

First up: Victoria Braeden

Victoria: This interview is stupid. Why does everyone need to know more about me? Are you recording this? Don’t record this! Damn it, Perry.

Perry: [snickers] Lighten up, Vicky.

Victoria: How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that?

Perry: Maybe when you start liking it.

Victoria: [mumbles]

Perry: What was that? I didn’t hear you.

Victoria: [rattles off some German words]*

Perry: Just so you readers know, Victoria doesn’t like to be called Vicky, so if you’d like to see her all riled up, that’d be a way to do it.

Victoria: That better be stricken before this is published. And I get final look at the material.**

Perry: Whatever you say, Victoria. Why don’t we get started? My name is Perry Davenport, as if you didn’t already guess, and I’ve been summoned to interview each Committee Member so all you vampires out there might understand them a little better.

Victoria: Summoned? Really? This was your idea!

Perry: And a good one at that, too. Don’t you think? Our first guest, as if you couldn’t tell, is the not-so-lovely Victoria Braeden.

Victoria: What? That wasn’t very nice. You plan on insulting all your guests?

Perry: Only the difficult ones.

[sound of Perry’s arm getting punched]

Perry: Feel better?

Victoria: For someone who wants my cooperation, you sure are going about it all wrong.

Perry: You’re right, and I apologize. So let’s get on with this, shall we? As many of you know, she became a member in 1932. But let’s find out stuff you don’t know. Victoria, do you have a favorite blood type?

Victoria: All the blood types taste the same to me.

Perry: Even diabetics? I love that nice sweet taste as it rolls over my tongue. Real rush!

Victoria: Good for you.

Perry: How about sex? Prefer one over the other?

Victoria: I’m not going to talk about my sex life, you pervert.

Perry: I meant the sex of your donor.

Victoria: Oh. I prefer women over men.

Perry:  Oooh… Tell us more.

Victoria: Oh, don’t be disgusting. I don’t feed for sex, unlike you. It’s just I’m used to women and my late husband didn’t necessarily like me feeding from men.

Perry: Controlling, was he?

Victoria: No. We both agreed not to feed from the opposite sex. That’s called compromise. Something you’ll never understand.

Perry: Whatever. What type of music do you enjoy?

Victoria: I absolutely love Beethoven. I got to see him perform in person. And then met him afterward. Such a gentleman. It was so exciting.

Perry: Anything more…modern?

Victoria: Henrik took me to see Benny Goodman once. He was very entertaining.

Perry: How about something in the 21st century? Like 50 cent. Coldplay. Maroon 5. Neon Trees.

Victoria: Now you’re just making names up.

Perry: I’ll take that as a no, then. What’s your favorite vacation spot?

Victoria: Germany.

Perry: Can you be a little more specific?

Victoria: Anywhere in Germany.

Perry: You know, you’re allowed to elaborate. Maybe you’d be better at a quick round. Which do you prefer? House on the beach or cabin in the woods?

Victoria: As long as it’s in Germany, I don’t care.

Perry: That’s not what I… [groans]. Between those two, and it doesn’t matter where in the world, which would you prefer?

Victoria: Are they light tight?

Perry: Yes!

Victoria: Don’t get huffy with me. You’re the one asking the stupid questions.

Perry: They’re not stupid. They’re supposed to make you think. How about, granny panties, silky thong, or commando?

Victoria: What does that have to do with a house on the beach or a cabin in the woods?

Perry: They don’t. What do you like? Which are you wearing?

Victoria: You’re sick, you know that?

Perry: I don’t see a panty line so I’m thinking commando. Or maybe a thong.

Victoria: That does it. This interview is over.

[sound of chair sliding across the floor followed by the slam of a door]***

Perry: Well, that was fun, wasn’t it? Come back next month when I interview Jack VanAllen. Someone who will probably be more cooperative than Victoria

Notes from Perry:

* If I knew German, I’d put down what she said. But I don’t so I won’t even try. However, I’m pretty sure she was cussing. She likes to cuss in German.

** Victoria got final look at the material. It just wasn’t the material I published.

*** Victoria has a glare that could melt ice. I’m just saying…

 

Will Perry ever have his own book? If I continue with the series, he most likely will. He’s a fun character to write, that’s for sure.

So… Got plans for the weekend? I’m going to see “Captain America: Civil War” on Sunday. Already have my tickets. Can’t wait!

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!

Stacy

What Does a Cover Say to You?

Remember when I told you I entered Blind Temptation in the Judge a Book By Its Cover contest? Well… the reader vote section is up HERE and my cover is in the SF/F/P category. I hope you’ll give it 5 stars. **grin** But only if you like it. Really. I don’t want false ratings. My ego isn’t THAT fragile.

I rated all the covers up for vote. There are some pretty awesome covers listed and some…not so awesome. Do you judge a book’s readability based on how well the cover is designed? Nowadays anyone can publish a book. I think if the cover doesn’t look professional, then maybe the inside isn’t professional, either (meaning, not edited or not edited well). Is that a wrong assumption on my part? Maybe. But my time is valuable and if a cover doesn’t grab me, I’m not wasting my time on the book. Of course that makes me wonder about my own covers.

That’s why in my next newsletter (which I’m sending out TOMORROW), I’ve included surveys on my own book covers. I’m curious to know if people like them, plus I figured out HOW to do a survey on the newsletter. That was cool! I’ll have to come up with more stuff to survey.

The newsletter will also include the cover reveal of A Vampire Wedding. Sometime next week (probably Friday) I’ll post the cover here. So if you can’t wait, if you’re itching to see that cover (and why wouldn’t you? It’s awesome!), subscribe to my newsletter NOW so you don’t miss out. Sign up form is on the side bar.

So… Did you watch the Super Bowl? Which commercial was your favorite? I liked the Doritos one with the baby ultrasound. I just wish I was able to HEAR it. I think next year maybe I’ll stay home to watch the Super Bowl (we went to Buffalo Wild Wings), then I’ll be able to catch all the funny commercials. Plus, I ate WAY too much.

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Reading Update and Other Things

I have a feeling Wednesday Reads will return next week. If not, the week after for sure. I’ve only got two books remaining to judge and then I’ll be free to talk about my reading! Yay!

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I worked on my newsletter yesterday and plan on sending it out on Feb 9th. So, if you want to see the cover to A Vampire Wedding a week before everyone else and you aren’t a subscriber to my newsletter, better hurry up and subscribe.

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Revisions to Ghostly Interlude are going slooooow. Man, when I write thin first drafts, I write REALLY thin first drafts. I guess that’s what I get when I try to write them fast. Still, it’s a good thing it was thin. While I have a lot of work to do to add meat, I find it easier to delete stuff when I know I didn’t spend so much time on it. And yes, I’m deleting stuff. I know my characters’ motivations so much better now. Maybe once I get past all this beginning stuff my speed will pick up. I can only hope!

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The weather here was so nice on Monday and Tuesday (until the storms came last night, that is). Mid 50s on both days. I even walked outside a bit on Monday to wake myself up! I tend to crash in the afternoon and I don’t really want to drink coffee (caffeine in the afternoon makes me shaky for some reason). But today will be back to seasonal temps (meaning below freezing, I’m sure), so I doubt I’ll do any walking. Unless I really need a slap in the face!

Ahh… But JeffO was right about Groundhog Day. Groundhog predicted an early spring. How he failed to see his shadow on a clear day is beyond me, though. Sheesh!

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So… How goes your reading? How many did you read in January? I read 10. Man, at that rate, I won’t have any trouble reading 93 by December 31st. Only problem is, I doubt I stay at that pace. I do have to write!

Happy Reading!

 

Stacy

Watching Me Some Footy This Weekend

My daughter is playing in some footy games (that would be Australian Rules Football for you people not in the “know”) up in Wisconsin, so of course we’re going to drive up there and watch them. We’ll take any excuse to visit a city we’ve never been to before.

Well, that, and we like to watch her play.

I was kind of surprised to see that Racine wasn’t really all that far. Closer than Atlanta! For some reason I hear Wisconsin and think a day’s drive away. Of course, with driving THROUGH Chicago it could end up being that long—haha!

I hope the weather is nice up there and the bakeries are open. I plan on coming home with a Kringle (or two)!

My newsletter should have gone out this morning. If you got one and actually read it (some people don’t, I get that, because I tend to do that), would you please tell me how I did on my little interview? Cute? Stupid? I really want to know (FYI – I was going for cute/funny).

Writing sucked this week. I know what it is, too. I have to write this argument scene between the hero and heroine (something that will lead to the black moment—see I am almost finished). The WRITER in me knows it has to happen. The READER in me doesn’t want it to. Talk about conflict within! I think the writer-me is just going to have to stick a sock in the reader-me’s mouth and get on with it.

So…have you ever had a Kringle? Is it worth $20 (because that’s how much I see them for on-line)? In a way I hope it is. I want my money’s worth. On the other hand, if it is, I may end up ordering more (like I need to eat more sweets). Argh! More conflict! I’m cursed.

Have a great weekend. J

Stacy

Bragging Rights a Movie and an Idea!

No, this isn’t about USA winning the Women’s World Cup Soccer Final. Although, it was a great game and I’m very happy!

Remember when I was featured on Romance Lives Forever Blog (back on June 26)? Well, I was listed as one of their top bloggers! My post was the 4th popular for the month (out of 29 features). That means I get bragging rights and this neat emblem/award. Yay!!

Who knew I was so popular? Certainly not me. I have you all to thank for visiting and making it possible!

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I didn’t get to watch “Magic Mike XXL” on Friday, but did get to see it on Sunday. While it’s not as good as the first one, I still enjoyed it. And yes, I really enjoyed seeing Joe Manganiello’s ass. If you go in not expecting much more than seeing the guys perform, you’ll have a good time.

Our local theatre (Cinemark/Rave) is being remodeled to feature these vinyl/leather-like recliners. I got to try them out yesterday. Can’t say I’m that impressed. I can only imagine what shape they’ll be in after a month after kids have had a chance to spill stuff all over them. Cleaning crew doesn’t really do all that great a job in cleaning between shows as it is, can I really expect them to wash down the seats?

Yeah, I don’t think so.

Also, we got to pick our assigned seats. I don’t know what I think about that. Makes it nice for the people who want to spend a fortune at the concession stand and not wonder if they’ll find a decent seat. But my daughter wondered how that would work if you were meeting friends at the theatre and you didn’t all buy your tickets together. You can’t save the seat next to you; someone else might have picked it. I think it’s kind of stupid, but hey, it’s not my theatre and I can always refuse to go. Frankly, for the $7.90 matinee price, I’ll probably just stick to going on Tuesdays, when it’s $5.50 all day. It’s bad when matinee prices seem too high.

****

I have to laugh at myself. I had written this whole paragraph asking for help and then ended up helping myself.

You see… I planned on including a character interview of one of my vampires in my next newsletter, but I had no idea what kind of questions to ask. So I thought you all could help. Then I went and started writing notes about who was being interviewed (Perry seemed like a fun choice) and who would be doing the interviewing (Victoria came to mind, only because she and Perry don’t get along so well). Then I realized I had it all backward. Perry would be the one asking questions and not just to Victoria. Instead, there will be five segments (in the next five newsletters) entitled: Getting to Know Your Committee Member (since there are five Committee Members in my vampire world). I’ll start with Victoria and work my way down the list. I think I can have a lot of fun with that. What do you think?

If you want to read these fun interviews, you’ll have to sign up for the newsletter. There’s a signup form on the sidebar, one on my website (www.stacymckitrick.com), or you can just sign up HERE. Am I sneaky or what?

So... What’s the most you’ll spend going to the theatre to watch a movie? What’s the most you’ll spend on a book? I find it interesting that most people won’t think twice about the movie price, but will balk at a $4.99 e-book. Doesn’t seem right.

Have a great Monday!!

Stacy

I Sold Some Books!

Lori Foster’s Reader Author Get Together this year was probably my best year EVER! I certainly sold more books here than I have anywhere else. Now, maybe 8 books doesn’t seem like a lot to you, but hey, I was flabbergasted! I’m a NOBODY (at least when it comes to the author world). And I didn’t know the people who bought my books. That they decided to take a chance on me is a humbling feeling. I sure hope I don’t let them down!

Also, between the three conferences, I managed to add 29 more subscribers to my newsletter. Not too shabby, huh?

But you want to know what maybe the best part of the whole thing was? I got to pick up Darynda Jones from the airport and drive her 45 miles to the hotel! She’s one of my most favorite authors. Sometimes volunteering turns out awesome (because I had volunteered before knowing who I was driving).

So… I had a great weekend (couldn’t you tell?). I hope you did, too. But just trying to get caught up and work on the submissions I’m judging and then realizing I had to put out my newsletter and announce a winner of the autographed book, and then realizing I still haven’t written anything for the blog, well, it just about did me in. So glad it’s all done with. Now maybe I can get back to finishing Ghostly Interlude. Is there something in your life you’ve been putting off and can’t wait to get back to?

Have a great Monday!

Stacy

Goodreads, Newsletters, and Last Day to Vote

Due to a promotion I’m involved in, I’ve gotten lots of new followers on Goodreads (which I link this blog to), so hopefully if any you new followers are reading this and would like to sign up for my newsletter, click HERE. Next newsletter out will have news of my next release, Blind Temptation. I’ll even share a snippet (since I don’t do that on this blog).

And if anyone here would like to follow me on Goodreads, you can do that HERE. Or you can just friend me. I accept those, too!

By the way, do you like snippets? I try not to bombard you with that, but if it is something you’re interested in (or curious), let me know in the comments. I certainly don’t mind sharing! And if you think I should keep them to my newsletter, let me know that, too. I will NOT feel insulted. Honest.

Today’s the last day for readers to vote for the Judge a Book by Its Cover contest, where Bite Me, I’m Yours is included in the paranormal category. If you haven’t voted and want to, click HERE. I appreciate those of you who have already voted for my cover. Keeping my fingers crossed it finals in either the readers voting or the judges voting (except when I’m typing, because, well, then I couldn’t type!). Bite Me, I’m Yours hasn’t really found its audience yet and I’d like to think if it won, the audience will find it! Plus, I really, REALLY love that cover. It is perfect for that book. That is John and Sarah! J

Last week I set a goal to write 5000 words. I actually made it a day early. I think pushing myself to do that has really helped get my story to gel in my head. At least I’m getting the words on the page. I have no idea where it’s all going, but I’m starting to enjoy the ride. I remember how much Ghostly Liaison really kicked my butt when I was writing the first draft (and it turned out pretty good), so I guess it’s no surprise GHOSTLY INTERLUDE would do the same. Here’s hoping for the same outcome!

Tonight I'll be at the Wilmington-Stroop Branch of the Dayton Metro Library for "Romance and Chocolate." Several authors and will I discuss romance books (and eat chocolate, of course!). This will be the third year I've been involved in this. It's starting to be fun, too. Wow. Never thought I'd think that. But if you happen to be in the area, come say hi!

So… Have you noticed it’s staying lighter later? It’s not much, but at least it’s heading in the right direction—Spring! Now, if it would only stop snowing! J

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Newsletter and Other News

My next newsletter is scheduled to go out on December 22nd. If you want to be one of the first to see the cover to Blind Temptation, sign up using the form in the side bar or here: http://eepurl.com/-Auwz. The cover is awesome, I swear! Plus, I included a Christmas-themed short story (non-paranormal, even). The very one I included in my Christmas letter this year!

Now, I only said all that first because my blog is shared with my Amazon & Goodreads pages, and since it'll be awhile before I post anything, I'd like that to be noticed first and seen the longest. And why will it be awhile before I post again? Because I'll be someplace I won't be able to post.

Yep. I’m headed for another cruise. This one is going places I’ve never been before: St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Grand Turk, and San Juan, PR (Okay, I’ve been to San Juan before—toured the Bacardi factory—but it was at night and I couldn’t see anything!). I’m really looking forward to this trip. We even have excursions booked for 3 of the 4 islands. Fun, fun, fun!

Got a LONG drive ahead of us today, though (because we’re cheap and don’t really like to fly), and a bit more tomorrow before we board our ship, so I doubt I get on line tonight to comment. Oh, I do have my smart phone, but I haven’t figured out how to comment on a blog on that thing yet (haven’t needed to).

You all have fun shopping and wrapping and I’ll see you again on the 24th, which I’m sure will be a lengthy post of what I read. Or maybe not. I DO want to write. Just don’t expect pictures on that day. I’m sure I’ll take some, but I probably won’t post them until after Christmas.

Don't miss me too much! Okay, you can miss me. Please miss me! J

Oh, and you have my permission to share this post so I can get some more subscribers for my newsletter. You can tell them how awesome I am. J

Tootles!!

Stacy

I’m Baaaaaack! And Yes, I Have Pictures

Cruise was great. Short, but great. I’ve decided five days just isn’t enough. Good thing our next cruise is EIGHT days long. Still, I managed to get lots of reading in (so be prepared for a LONG post on Wednesday!) and relaxed plenty. And the weather? PERFECT! Seas were basically calm (roughest was on the last day coming home) and it was warm (actually, HOT). I got sunburned and wasn’t even outside all that long.

Too bad that sunburn isn’t warming me up here at home. Woke up to snow on Saturday. SNOW!!! Yeah, I’m so not ready for that crap.

But back to the cruise. I actually saw a “school” of jelly fish. And to be able to see them at the top of the ship must have meant these jelly fish were HUGE! Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera (figures). I wouldn’t have been able to capture them singly, but I could have probably filmed it. Well, maybe. They might have been too small to see! Anyway, this was a first for me. As were the dolphins wishing us a bon voyage at the beginning of our cruise. Several of them were swimming beside the boat before we left. I managed to get some pics of them, though.

The main purpose of this trip, for us, was the LeAnn Rimes concert. I’m not a fan of country music, but I enjoyed the concert. Didn’t mind seeing Eddie Cipriani, either (yep, he was there!). It was a nice, intimate concert. Just wish my pictures had turned out, but stupid me only took the iPhone and not my actual camera. I would have been able to adjust stuff on my camera.

So…here are some pictures I took (I notated those photos that were taken on my iPhone; otherwise, they came from my better camera).

 

Here's one of the dolphins swimming around
in Port Charleston (this was taken on
my iPhone).

 

This is about as far as we ventured off the boat in Freeport,
Bahamas. We've seen just about everything we wanted before.
Oh, and that's our ship in the distance. Not a bad shot
from my iPhone.

 

Taken on my iPhone.
I was adventurous on this cruise. I actually
sampled a conch fritter from Fat Tuesday in
Freeport (last one in the basket is pictured here).
It resembled a hush puppy (in taste), but
had chewy bits. I ate two and figured that
was enough.

Nassau, Bahamas
Have you ever seen such clear water? Beautiful!

Nassau, Bahamas
Have no idea how warm the water was, but it sure
was pretty!

Nassau, Bahamas
Our ship is on the far left. There were three
ships in port, making for lots of tourists!

Nassau, Bahamas
One of the many food huts along the beach.
This is the backside of the hut.

Nassau, Bahamas

 

Taken on my iPhone, plus I'd been drinking, so not so
clear! This is only the beginning of our free booze.
You see...gold, platinum, and diamond members get a
party all to themselves and the drinks are on Carnival.
By the way, me and hubby are gold members.

 

Pre-order links available!! Ghostly Liaison has pre-order links on Amazon, Google Play, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble (of course, the cover on B&N isn’t mine—hope that gets fixed soon). I’ll make sure they’re listed on the sidebar, once I add the cover over there (yeah, I’ve been slacking!!).

My newsletter will be going out soon. I hope. Just waiting on my husband to do one little thing (regarding my short story, which I’m giving away free), and then I can send it out. If you want to read an unedited outtake from Bite Me, I’m Yours—which I’m only sharing with my newsletter subscribers—then sign up. You can do it over there on the sidebar or on my website.

So…anything interesting happen to you while I was away?

Stacy

I’ve Set a Goal. Can I Succeed?

I certainly HOPE I succeed. My goal is to finish the first draft of Ghostly Interlude by Thanksgiving. That means writing about 2000 words a day, M-F (weekends and my cruise week off).

Can I do it? I should. My first book was written that quickly and I had a day job back then. I just have to “vomit” the words out and not worry about it being perfect. I also have to stay away from blogging and Facebook until I’ve reached my daily goal. THAT will be the challenge. I was doing that stuff BEFORE I write. My reasoning was to get it out of the way. But I’m realizing now that that’s garbage. So I gotta stay away until AFTER. It’s the only way I’ll get the job done. And I sooooo want to get the job done.

My reward for accomplishing this goal? Getting to watch “American Horror Story.” I’ve got the first two seasons on DVD. Never seen the show, but it sure looks interesting.

In other news… I’m finally getting ready to send out a newsletter. If you want to be on the mailing list, you can sign up for it on the side bar. I have no idea how well I’ll do (or what I’ll put on it), but I DO know that I’ll only work on it either AFTER I’ve reached my writing goal or on the weekend. Because, man, getting that stuff ready is really time consuming! Mainly because I’m learning as I go.

Update on my exercise routine: I’ve done really well the last couple of weeks going to the gym. Made it four days each week. Haven’t lost any weight, but I’m hoping I’m gaining muscle. Muscle eats more calories and takes up less space than fat. Plus, there’s this whole wanting-to-get-in-shape thing. The gym is killing me, but breaking up the exercise routine (legs on one day, arms on another), is really working out well. I’m walking at least 30 minutes before the weights (and getting my reading done during that time), which means I’m working out for about an hour a day. Keeping my fingers crossed that I can stick with it. I am motivated, though. Got a cruise in October (and again in December) and I’d like to be able to not look as fat. I know… I’m asking a lot! J

So…what did you do this weekend? Or did it go by in a blur?

Stacy