Auction for Author Jo Leigh

Please read below and click on the link above to check out all the items up for bid. There's something for everyone, readers or writers.


Permission to forward

Author Jo Leigh lost her husband this year to cancer. Theirs was a story of reunited lovers worthy of a romance novel. The loss of her husband hit her hard, both emotionally and financially. (authors are self-employed, so often have no medical insurance.)

In an effort to raise money to help her pay off those medical debts, the romance community has once again banded together to support one of their own and an auction is being held. This is a wonderful way to purchase gifts for yourself or a loved one AND write it off on your taxes.

Please spread the word to any loops, forums, etc. that you might be on.

I'm putting the link on the sidebar as well in order to keep it up during the auction.

Vicki

Happy Thanksgiving

SG came through his surgery well. He's in some pain, but nothing as bad as yesterday, and tomorrow will be better still. :) Thus the reason I cooked our Thanksgiving this past Sunday.

And for those of us who are brave enough to hit the stores running tomorrow morning...have fun, don't let the crowds get to you, and remember Starbucks. Caffeine will help. :)

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to each and everyone of you who visit the blog, leave comments or just read it. To the wonderful friends I've made and to the ones yet to make, thank you.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Bad Bad Vicki and The Winners

I realized this afternoon (Sunday), I'd forgotten to announce the winners for this week. So sorry about that.

I cooked Thanksgiving today instead of the upcoming actual Thanksgiving day. Science Guy has to have some surgery on Wednesday, so Thursday isn't going to be sit down and eat a huge meal day around our house. He's fine. Thought I should add that since I didn't want to scare any of you who know him. :)

Now for the winners:

For Elyssa Wilds debut book: violetcrush

For the bookmarks: (in no particular order)Bruce, crystalstorm, and Danielle

Please email me your snail mail addy at vickilanewrites@yahoo.com

For the bookmarks please tell me your first and second choice and I'll go by whoever emails first.

One of these bookmark sets isn't available here in the states yet and in the next couple of weeks I have a few more to giveaway which haven't been released in the states yet either.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Elissa Wilds – Between Light and Dark

Debut author, Elissa Wilds book Between Light and Dark has released. Woot!

She is a fellow TARA sister and I’m thrilled to be giving away a copy of it this week on the blog. That, and she is an amazing person.

Here’s the backcover blurb:

The strongest force on Earth can't be controlled. Not even by a powerful god or a talented witch!

THE YEARNING:
He says it was foretold, an inescapable way to bring them together. All Laurell Pittman knows is that ungovernable need surges through her body whenever Axiom is near. Who is this godlike stranger who appears out of nowhere to steal her away from home? She ought to be terrified; instead, his kiss awakens unimaginable feelings, sensations of invisible hands stroking her body, a longing she can't deny. If she believes his claim--and in his arms, how can she not?--she is destined to conceive a very special child...and he is the appointed father. As he fights off demons and patiently teaches her to use her own undiscovered powers, she finds her heart going out to this Balancer who is equally at home with good and evil, teetering on the edge of temptation, eternally caught ...
And click here for an excerpt.

Leave your comments on any of this week’s post to be entered into the contest. Also, don’t forget the bookmarks. I’m giving away three of them this week and in case you missed seeing them, check here.

WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki

Cool Toes, Fire, and Bookmark Giveaway

I had a great b-day week! Yep, it was a week long and fun. On Saturday my friends and I went shopping and then they took me to lunch. Afterwards, Laurie and I went for pedicures. Mine are red and black (think french and the black is where the white would be), with a tiny line of silver under the black. Laurie's? Her signature style.

Its cold in sunny Florida so Science Guy and I had a fire. I love this firepit, although it doesn't look so much like a pit.




Time for the contest of the week. :)

The booksmarks are from my sister's company and I love them. You don't have to ever bend pages, which I don't do anyway. The pics are on both the front and backside.

This is the first group of three with more to come in the next few weeks. Leave your comments all week and I'll choose three winners. Also, check back tomorrow when I'll put the book of the week contest up.





Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Happy Birthday To Me

Yep, I'm celebrating my b-day. Actually in my household we celebrate all week, but still today's the actual day. I did go to the day job for part of the day, but I'm leaving early.

Saturday I'm with the girls, still celebrating, doing girl stuff (pedicures, shopping, lunch, shopping...heehee)

Hope everyone is having a great day!

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

More Hours in My Day, Please

I'm a little behind this week and it's only Tuesday. Not a good thing. Right now, I'm in the process of cutting words from ATB. This is a good thing, but it takes time going through line by line to decide if something is needed or not. Does it really move the story along? Or if it doesn't move the story, is it still needed to give a sense of place, time, and little bits of info on the H/H?

So far I've cut 6000 words and I'm only in chapter 9. My plans are to cut around 6 - 8K more, but we'll see. :)

For me the process means printing out the manuscript and red lining the pages and then going to the computer to input (or cut), the words. I know it would be quicker to just do it online the screen once and for all.

Doesn't work for me. I get cut happy. Really, I do. I start out with little to nothing cut off the page and before you know, I'm marking huge sections. So I do it on paper to keep the logical person within me happy. When I'm sitting in front of the computer, I can then say, nope need to keep this part.

Many of the editors who used to ask for higher word counts are now lowering them, due to paper cost and the economy in general. Cutting is in order. For those who’ve read ATB, I’m not losing any of its story, but tightening the pacing. I love it.

The day job is crazy. One of my bosses is moving to NY (big sigh, cause he's great to work for), and Science Guy and I are trying to find a house. And I need to have the cutting process done, the manuscript re-read (get ready cp's), and ready to mail out to the GH hopefully next Monday. The deadline approaches.

How about you? What's your process for cutting down your manuscript? Are you on a deadline now?

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Romeo Romeo Winner, Irish Fun, But First....

The winner of Robin Kaye's debut book, Romeo Romeo...



...is Liza!!! Email me at vickilanewrites @yahoo.com with your snail mail addy and I"ll get the book out to you. I'd love to know your thoughts once you've finished it. :)

Now for a little Irish Fun

You Are A Lime Tree

You are intelligent, hard working, and innately successful. You try to change what you can in life - and you accept what you can't change. Tough on the outside, you are actually soft and relenting. Jealous at times, you are extremely loyal and giving to those you love. You have many talents, but you don't have enough time to use them.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

So, did you check yours? Tells us, we want to know.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

American History and The People Spoke

As you know, I don't post much in the political thoughts on this blog. But this morning I have to say, America ROCKS!

We have a new president, history has been made, and we've shown we believe in our country and the right to vote. That is why I say we rock.

Now this IMHO, but regardless of who you voted for, we now come together as Americans to stand behind our new president and to support him. No longer are red or blue, but we're now purple. At least for the next four years.

The amount of young voters impressed me beyond measure. They realized they have a voice and it meant something to them. I think that in itself speaks volumes.

We're back to the contest at hand this week. Robin Kaye's debut book, Romeo Romeo, is a book you don't want to miss reading.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Don't Vote??? by 5 More Friends uncensored

You may have seen this already, but it's worth the repeat. I don't normally put political things on my blog, not that I don't have my own opinions, because I do. But this is not the place I usually speak them.

However, this was too cool and important to me not to share. Regardless of who you're voting for, the important thing is that you VOTE. This is a major election all the way around and we have the right to include our vote, to say who we believe should be in office. IMVHO, no one should ever not exercise that right.





Don't forget to leave your comments for the Romeo Romeo giveaway.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki

Romeo Romeo Debut Book By Robin Kaye

Don't you love the cover!!

I first met Robin Kaye in July at the RWA National conference. After a couple of minutes I knew she was not only an amazing person. On her badge was the very coveted ‘First Sale’ ribbon and so I asked her about her book.

When she said, “Every woman wants a man who’s as good in the kitchen as he is in the bedroom,” I was hooked.

I am so excited to be giving away a copy of her debut book titled, Romeo Romeo this week. The reviews she’s received are outstanding.

Here’s the backcover blurb:

Rosalie Ronaldi doesn't have a domestic bone in her body...
All she cares about is her career, so she survives on take-out and dirty martinis, keeps her shoes under the dining room table, her bras on the shower curtain rod, and her clothes on the couch...

Nick Romeo is every woman's fantasy - tall, dark, handsome, rich, really good in bed, AND he loves to cook and clean...

He says he wants an independent woman, but when he meets Rosalie, all he wants to do is take care of her. Before too long, he's cleaned up her apartment, stocked her refrigerator, and adopted her dog...

So what's the problem? Just a little matter of mistaken identity, corporate theft, a hidden past in juvenile detention and one big nosy Italia
Doesn’t that sound fun and sexy???

And you can read the excerpt here

Leave you’re comments this week to be entered.

Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki

Jessica Andersen's Knight Keepers - We have a Winner

The winner of Jessica Andersen's Knight Keepers is minna. WhooHoo!! Please email me your snail mail addy at vickilanewrites @yahoo.com and I'll get the book out to you.
I know you're going to love it. :)

Hope everyone had a great Halloween and saved some chocolate for writing.

Check back on Monday. I've got an awesome debut author's book coming.

WW's and PD's,
Vicki