Guest Blogger - Elisabeth Naughton

Hi all! For those of you who don't know me, I'm what you would consider a long-distance member. I live in Salem but rarely make it to the meetings simply because I have three kids in sports. (And, wouldn't you know it...Saturdays are "sports" days around here.) But I'm thrilled to be with you all today.

In following with this month's theme and the fact this is the end of 2008, I thought I'd blog about things that made me smile this past year. Obviously, as this is release day for my debut romantic suspense, STOLEN FURY, top of the list for me is...well...release day!


Archaeologist Lisa Maxwell has staked her career on collecting the priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs, the three Furies. She finds the first, Alecto, and while lecturing in Italy, meets Rafe Sullivan, a man who briefly distracts her from her goal. After a passionate seduction, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. But she’s not the kind of woman to get mad, she plans to get even…even if she has to partner up with the sexy scoundrel who swindled her. Together they’re on the run to find the last two Furies. But Lisa soon finds Rafe is the least of her worries. Other treasure hunters are hot on their trail--and they'll kill to get to the prize first.

STOLEN FURY was a joy to write. I remember smiling when I finished it because I knew I had something special. But there have been other writing moments that have made me smile this past year. Including...

1. Getting "the call" in February.
2. Talking to my editor on the phone for the first time and hearing how much she loved the book and my writing.
3. Getting my first cover (which I LOVE).
4. Meeting my editor, face to face, at Nationals in San Francisco.
5. Hanging out with some of the RCRW girls in San Fran. (Super fun times!!)
6. Each good review as it's trickled in. Especially the Publisher's Weeekly one where they called STOLEN FURY "A rock-solid debut."
7. Receiving a copy of my book from my editor, hot off the press.
8. Having my book compared to Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones.
9. Having a reviewer compare my hero to a "Han Solo/Indiana Jones rogue" (how fun is that?)
10. Getting my box of author copies.
11. Every email from friends who are excited about the release.

I know I'm leaving off moments this past year that made me smile, but those are the big ones I can remember off the top of my head. It's been a fun year - this time from unpublished to publshed - a bit stressful, but a year I wouldn't change for the world. Big thanks to all of you who have been so supportive of me on the loop and in person.

How about you? 2008 is winding down. Time to look back at your year and tell us...what happened in your writing life this year that made you smile?

***
And before I forget...I'm running a FUN, interactive contest on my website. Embark on your very own quest, partner up with a sexy treasure hunting guide and enter to win a $100 VISA gift card!

Posted by: Jessa Slade

Currently working on: Book 2 of The Marked Souls

Mood: Hungry

Things that make me go yum:

• Trader Joe's chocolate-dipped peppermint Joe-Joe's
• English Bay double chocolate cookie dough
• Village Inn French Silk pie
• Matthew McConnaughy's character's rippling abs in Reign of Fire...

Oh wait, this month's topic was 'things that make me go hmm'? Too late. I'm stuck on yum. We have days yet before our resolutions kick in, so I'm going to make the most of yum until then.

What was your 2008 pleasure? It needn't be food. More rippling abs are always welcome though.

THINGS THAT MAKE ME GO HMM...

Posted by: Genene Valleau
Currently working on: edits to a novella for Valentine's Day 2010

In recent years, I have become intrigued with quantum physics, defined loosely as the physics of possibilities. Rather than accept "reality" as what exists, quantum physics is asking ourselves deeper questions or playing "what if" as we sometimes do when writing stories.

What if...what is happening within us creates what's outside of us?

What if...we only see what we believe is possible?

What if...we create reality?

Here are some other possibilities to consider:

--Why can we remember the past but not the future?

--In quantum theory, you can go back in time.

--A particle can be in multiple places at once.

--Molecules appear and disappear all the time.

--Thought alone can completely change the body.

--Any information we take in is colored by our experiences we have had and the emotions we felt during those experiences.

--Atoms are not things but tendencies.

--You create the same realities over and over because no one has taught you to dream better.

--If I change my mind, will I also change my reality?

If you find these things make you also go hmm...you might want to watch the movie, "What the Bleep Do We Know?" or visit the Web site **www.whatthebleep.com**. If this doesn't give you ideas for your life, perhaps it will give you ideas for stories. :)

May you all have a New Year filled with possibilities!

www.genenevalleau.com

Things that make me go Jingle-Jingle

Posted by: Lisa Hendrix

Currently working on: A Bailey's and Coffee

It's Christmas Day when this goes up, but 10 days earlier when I'm writing it. Despite the fact that I'm having my annual pre-Christmas Scrooge attack, there's no way I'm going to have my Christmas Day post be a list of things that make me go hmmm. So instead, I'm giving you my list of things that make me smile broadly, with an emphasis on the holidays.

Sleighbells.

Stockings on the mantle.

Snow flakes, real or paper.

Paper chains.

Popcorn chains, especially with cranberries.

Laughter.

Branches covered with ice and snow.

Bacon frying
Family ornaments from WWII.

Krusteaz Orange-Cranberry Muffins (our traditional Christmas morning feast)

Piles of wrapping paper with cats in them.

Lines of kids waiting to see Santa.

Family all around.

ZuZu's flower.

"We'll follow the Old Man wherever he wants to go..."

Ribbons.  Loads and loads of ribbons.

Driving around to see the lights.

Hanukkah gelt.

Stars.

Giant full moons (last Friday)

Lazy mornings (my kids are teens now)

New PJs.

Instruction manuals for new toys.

Dawns that happen late enough that I'm awake to see them.

Chocolate oranges.

Icicles.

Children who, for one glorious day, don't fight.

Snow ice-cream.

Singing Muppets.

Warm blankets.

A black President-elect.

Merry Christmas to everyone.  I'll see you after the New Year...and the Inauguration. May they both fulfill all the best expectations we have for them.

Why do I do stupid things? Hmm...

Mood: hopeful
Current WIP: coming of age paranormal

In contemplating this blog, after reading both the serious and funny previous blogs, I thought everything that makes me go hmm are either rules I learned as a child or the truly stupid things I do almost every day of my life. All I can do is say hmmm, laugh, and move on. So here they are.

I hate that saying "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." Oh, I understand about turning your life around and starting over, but please. If that's true, what the hell was yesterday?

I'm perpetually on and off a diet. What I've never figured out is how does eating one pound of something not on the list make me gain 5 lbs? I know it has to do with calories and all that, but really...it's just not fair!

I'm forever trying to organize my life. I know I should just give up and accept that it can't be organized. One of the things I do is go through important papers, or heirloom items and put them in a secure place. The problem is then I can't find it again. Recently, we signed up for a security box in our bank. Of course, we haven't put anything in their yet because I've already forgotten the special pin and I don't want to admit it to them yet.

What does "I was scared half to death" mean? That's one of those phrases I hear a lot from younger people. If it happens again are you then completely dead?

Why is it on the inside I feel 28 years old (and have for a long time) but the outside never agrees? I remember when I was a teenager my grandmother said she was stuck at 26. I thought she was crazy. Now I've joined her. (In the picture on the left do you see a young woman or an old woman?)

Why are the teeth most people get pulled called wisdom teeth? I lost mine at age 19, does that mean the only wisdom I have is whatever was gathered by 19? Sometimes I think it's really true.

To round out the last two I reminisced about what my mother and grandmother passed down to me as daily rules. They all revolved around the liklihood of being hurt and then being embarrassed. Here are my two favorites.

Mother: Be sure to always wear clean underwear in case you have to go to the hospital and the doctor needs to remove it.

Grandmother: Never shave your legs in case you step off the curb and hurt yourself. I cute guy may need to massage your leg to make it better and he doesn't want to feel all that prickliness when the hair starts to grow back.

I'm looking forward to 2009 and a whole new year of doing stupid things. In fact I'm going to bask in stupidity. Truly, it's the only way to remain sane. :)

Happy Holidays everyone. From my house to yours, I wish you many blessings in the coming year. Our wonderful cat, Belle, is in the pic below. She has taken up permanent residence in front of the fireplace this winter.

Things that make me go Hmmm...

Current Mood: Deliriously happy. It's snowing!!!! (I'm from Chicago, people)

Currently Working On: The Nightingale Series, Book 1: Unlaced.

My dearest Readers,

I have to say that I couldn't even begin to list all the things that make me go Hmm.... Because I come across Hmmm... moments every single day. Almost every single hour. It's a curse. And I think it has something to do with me being a writer. I see a story behind everything and want an explanation for EVERYTHING. So when it makes me go Hmmm...either good or bad, I find myself needing to write. But I will try to pull together a list of my 5 most recent Hmmmms.

1.)Why do some people get that "look" when I tell them I write historical romance? Meaning the "oh...you-write-THAT" look. I want to whip out a copy of my book and start reading all the sex scenes OUT LOUD just to smack the look off their face.

2.)Why do all the schools close here in Oregon when it snows, even when it's just a measly inch? I'm from Chicago people. I remember walking to school when snow was up to my chest and guess what? School was STILL open. Of course people in Oregon don't know how to drive in the rain, either...

3.)Whatever happened to a kid asking for ONE thing from Santa? Sheesh. My kids asked for at least 25 things EACH from Santa this year. Commercialism sucks and Santa is going to have to explain to the kids that there was an elf strike.

4.)Why do I get my best ideas for writing when there's no time to write? I love snow but...

5.)Why do people allow their 11 year old daughters to get their noses pierced? Seriously. My daughter's best friend JUST had it done and well....I don't get it. At all. It's like letting a kid get a tattoo. On their nose.

Fortunately for you, I only limited myself to 5 Hmmms. And sadly, it appears they are more like rants than anything else...

Until next Time. Cheers and much love,

Delilah Marvelle

Aaaaaahhhh......Snow!!!

Since we're talking about things we love- or maybe don't love- this month, it seems like a good time to reminisce about my life-long love od snow. This is my older brother, the winter I was born. Too bad no one photographed the time about two years later when he dragged me through the snow in a cardboard box, oblivious of my screams. The cardboard had worn through and so had my snowsuit.

But I soon forgot it. I was always the one who wouldn't come in even when my nose looked like Rudolph. In my early teens, I learned to ice skate, and in winter, my brother and I spent many a night in the moonlight skating on the town reservoir.

I really missed ice skating when we moved to Oklahoma. Not that winters aren't cold or snowy there. But the weather is, well, less predictable. This is April Fools Day, 1969. A foot of snow.

In Colorado, we saw a winter with snow on the ground all but 15 days. We loved to go into the mountains for even more of the stuff. Left to right, the kids are Lori, 7, Jeannie, 4 and Andy, 9. The dogs are Lily, mutt Muttsy, and Jack.

Here's a grown-up Jeannie, Andy and me (not sure I grew up) in the Ape Caves on Mt St Helens in winter. We had to slide down those stairs behind us to get in, and getting out was interesting.



One of my favorite homes was on Horseshoe Lake in Woodland, WA. The view over the lake made both winter and summer special.












Our dogs may have loved the snow, but our cats didn't necessarily agree. Alright, none of them did. Jinx's first winter, New Years Day 2001. She thought her world had died.

















Camellias blooming in the snow, March 28, 2008.



















Jinx had no interest in blooming camellias.












Nope, still doesn't. Today, same window.











The tree outside is more than twice as tall, but that's about all that's changed. In fact I couldn't even get her into the window until I bribed her with kitty treats. But once she saw the value of posing, I couldn't get her out of the window.

A Snowy Evening

A Snowy Evening Indeed, by Suzanne Macpherson
Mood~ poetic


Guess what- I got so caught up in my writing today I forgot it was the 17th. That makes me go HMMMM!!! But in that good way- the Swiftly Moving Inspiration way.
Things that fascinate me today ( I have a sort of kaleidoscope of fascinations) are my daughter’s new interest in poetry. I used to write poetry from third grade to about age 25 when children and life knocked the stuffings out of me—mostly in a good way.

I met the most famous poets alive at the time- Richard Hugo, David Wagoner, Robert Bly, Gary Snyder, even William Stafford. I was completely blessed to be in the midst of greatness during my early twenties. It had a profound effect on me.

Poetry is a gateway drug that leads to fiction. It also leads to the love of language and tight imagery if you really sink your teeth into it.

Then fiction will lead you back to poetry because as we all know Fiction eats you alive and spits you out like a hairball and then you crawl back to poetry to make you broth and tea and cinnamon toast and soothe your soul.

So here is an old poem about winter many of us read in school. It has always been one of my favorites.


Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there's some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! Suzanne

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm . . .

Currently working on: What seems like the 10th or 15th version of a proposal
Mood: Baffled

Well, there's "Mmmmmm" and "hmmmm." In the rich options of our language, the two can mean several things. In my mind, “Mmmmm” refers to things like warm chocolate chip cookies and the smell of beeswax candles. I'm going for "hmmmm," as in "huh?" which ties in with my mood.

(And in response to last month's topic about procrastination, well, you can see I'm just getting around to that.)

1. If we’re in deflation or a depression or whatever, why did McDonalds raise the price of my life blood, Diet Coke? Aren’t prices supposed to go down?

2. Why do the pets see me as part of the furniture until I try to sit down at the computer to work? Then they’re hungry or choose the moment to cough up a hairball or need to roll around behind my chair.

3. I’ve noticed that I’m not alone in my pen fetish. A lot of writers are pretty picky about their writing instruments, regardless of value (maybe it’s an old Bic), and the one you like the best is the one someone else in the house will, um, borrow. To get around the question I’ve heard about this—“What, does it have your name on it?”, with my label machine I can now answer, “Yes, see?”

4. During the holidays, I often eat as though I’m storing up the calories I’ll need while hibernating like a bear come January 1. Or as if every meal is my last. I don’t think I’m alone in this one either; after Christmas every diet plan and gym fill the TV airwaves with commercials. After all my years on this planet, why haven’t I learned that stuff about behavior modification? (My thanks to Lisa Jackson for introducing me to that artichoke-jalapeno dip I never would have tried otherwise. Now I think it should have its own starring role on the food pyramid.)

5. Is there a community college course to explain the assorted mysteries printed on royalty statements?

As I write this, my wind-burned, leaf-filled, chicken-pooped backyard is being washed clean with a layer of snow. Take a moment this season to slow down, draw a quiet breath and let the peace and beauty of all the good things in your life soothe you. Richard Carlson’s advice is spot-on: Don’t sweat the small stuff because it’s ALL small stuff.

Things That Make Me Go Hmmm...

Heather Hiestand/Anh Leod
Currently: Working on Chapter 2 of the third book in a series. Pray that this one sells!
Mood: I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

1. Reality shows - why can I get more addicted to them than any regular TV show? Once I get suckered into watching one, I can't stop. What is wrong with me?

2. Weather warnings - nothing can throw me into a panic faster than a snow threat. Forget being professional at work. Forget that today isn't grocery shopping day. I'm terrified! Yesterday I spent my afternoon at American Tire with all the other idiots buying new tires for my busband because I was worried about him driving in the snow. But, the (very nice) salespeople were so busy they were helping people in the store and taking calls at the same time. So I left with the WRONG, and yes, MORE EXPENSIVE tires because they took down the order wrong over the phone. I'd have been better off to be at home sipping hot chocolate and thinking about hot Greek guys.

3. Why is it that every day lasts forever when you have a submission out to someone new. If I'm submitting to a previous editor time flows normally. New publisher/editor/agent, one day feels like a month. Nothing strikes more horror in my heart that a form letter saying it will take 60 days or whatever for them to respond to a query.

4. How many books do you need to read from a given publisher/line before you submit to them? If it's category, the answer is obvious - 10 or more. But what about small presses that publish quirkier stuff? Will reading their books help at all? Major Hmmmm question. Anyone have thoughts on this?

By the way, I finally have a novel in print! It's Cards Never Lie, my first Heather Hiestand novel - a romantic comedy. Check it out at http://www.jasminejade.com/p-6817-cards-never-lie.aspx?skinid=13. Sorry that isn't a link but my laptop is being wonky and I can't get the link button to work.

Christmas Concert with The Trail Band

Last night we attended a Christmas concert at the Aladdin Theatre.
This is the third year we've attended and it is so enjoyable every year. The Trail Band is a 8-piece all-star group of musicians from Oregon that present musical theatre performances dramatizing the history and music of the West.(from their website)
www.trailband.com

This description doesn't do them justice. The musicians are superb, each able to play various different instrusments with amazing ability. Cornet, tenor horn, tuba, fiddles, hammer dulcimer, guitars, penny whistle, mandolin, piano, saxophone, spoons, bones, drums, bass, and recorders combine with their rich vocal harmonies. And several of the members are wonderful story tellers. They kept my children's attention throughout the performance, which is saying alot for an eleven year old and a fifteen year old.
There are special guests each year. One of the 'regular' special guests is Linda Hornbuckle. If you've never heard her sing, you are missing out! She is amazing and a local talent. www.lindahornbuckle.com

A neat tidbit is that Rindy and Marv Ross, two of the bands members, were the founders of Quarterflash, whose award-winning debut album on Geffen Records went platinum in 1982. (from their website)
Does anyone remember them? I graduated high school in 1982 and I LOVED Quarterflash. The first year we attended the concert my husband reconized Rindy. We were blown away.

They are playing tongiht, Saturday and Sunday at the Aladdin Theatre. If you want to get in the Christmas spirit a fun and upbeat way, get yourself to their concert. It will be well worth your time and effort.

Thursday 13 :: Things That Make Me Go Hmmm...

JENNA BAYLEY-BURKE
Currently: I'm trying to work while the baby does the Jumperoo...and hoping the boys don't notice Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is on...and STILL reworking the partial of the lawyers book...
Mood: Hopeful the new year will bring good things
--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~

1. Celebutants. Why?


2. The economy. We need to get 30 mom's who saved all year to get the kids a Wii for the holidays in a room with these CEO's and explain budgeting to them.


3. Tanning beds. Just spray tan, people. It's not worth the risk to 'earn' your tan. Buy it like the celbrities do


4. Annoying phrases. "I personally..." think you should stop being redundant. "With all due respect" means you're about to be rude.


5. Why people sign up for reality television. They know they have to eat bugs. It's on every freaking show. Why feign surprise?


6. What happened to the B Drive on our computers? Don't you wonder what's in it? Probably cookies.


7. Has anyone ever seen the alphabet song and twinkle twinkle little star in a room at the same time? I think not!


8. Pirates. Only sexy in fiction.


9. Slept like a baby. Let me tell you folks...babies don't sleep much!


10. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube...I have social networking exhaustion. I can't do it anymore.


11. Hugh Grant. Benicio del Torro. There are some 'sexy' men that have the opposite effect on me.


12. Commando. I'd bet good money every commando is wearing underpants right now.


13. The End. When you read, it's the end. When you write, it means it's time to edit. And revise. And rework. Then flesh out.....yeah....

Jenna is celebrating the holidays with a sweet holiday story, free to her readers! It's all about what happens when love comes knocking at your door. Check out Jenna’s website, or blog.

The Power of Touch

Post by TERRI REED
Currently working toward my next deadline
Mood: low


I read somewhere that in order for a child to survive, he or she needs 4 loving touches per day, for that child to grow, he or she needs 8 loving touches per day, and for the child to flourish, he or she needs 12 loving touches per day.

My goal is to meet the need for 12 loving touches per day for both of my children as well as the many other children in my care. A touch to the hand or the shoulder. A quick hug. Ruffling my son's hair or rubbing my daughters back as she does her homework. Simple and easy yet sometimes I get so busy doing everything else that I forget to just be. Be a mom. Be a wife. Be a friend.

Things that make me go hmmm...and awe....

My grandbabys' laughter...

My husband's kiss...

A call from the kids on some special day...or not...

Snuggling with a warm book on a cold night...

Snuggling with a warm husband on a cold night...

First snowflakes...

Seconds on dessert...

Third trip to the book store...

A fourth in bridge...

Great friends who know before you tell them...

A good surprise on a bad day...

Just to name a few.

Have a wonderful holiday season!!!

Minnette Meador
http://www.minnettemeador.com/
Starsight I
Starsight II
The Centurion & The Queen
The Edge of Honor

Christmas is coming fast!

Posted by: Terri Reed
Currently working on: My December 2009 release titled (for now) Chasing Shadows
Mood: fair, I have a sore throat compliments of my son who had a sore throat earlier in the week.

By now you should have your travel plans made and confirmed for the Holiday. We were going to head to Seattle but alas, I'll be having surgery on the 23rd with atleast one overnight stay possibly two.
So because I have to be completely ready for Christmas by the 22nd, I've started making lists. Lists of presents bought and yet to be bought, lists of food items for the big day as well as the weeks (yes, weeks) after and lists of who to call when I'm out of surgery (or atleast for my husband to call).
Thankfully, though I do alot of my gift shopping throughout the year as I find something that I think would be liked and appreciated. My kids are the hardest to find things for. They're at the ages where everything they want is very expensive or they just want gift cards so they can pick out their own items. Not much fun in that. But I have a few ideas up my sleeve. If I can find them. My huband's also difficult to buy for except this year the kids and I found the perfect thing.
So really I'm feeling pretty prepared but I know the time will go by fast and I will need to power through as much of this current book as possible before the 23rd. But thankfully the book isn't due until March.
Lists are good things. They keep me focused and on track when I can so easily be distracted by, say a sale rack and oh, if I see a clearance rack, I'm done for.
Anyone else make lists and find them helpful?

DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS INTERVIEW

Hi, this is Terri. I'm so excited to see my book feature on the RCRW website. Since I've belonged to the chapter since its inception, I have to say this chapter rocks!!!

I belong to a blogspot with several other Inspirational Romantic Suspense authors at http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com/. Every Tuesday I post an interview with one of the characters from one of the four Love Inspired Suspense Romances that are out each month. Below you will see the interview I posted with Megan McClain. I had a great time writing this book. I tried to give it a Law and Order feel and since the book was set in New York city where I once lived it was a hoot to revisit places I'd been while living there.
I hope you enjoy this interview

Today we're welcoming MEGAN MCCLAIN from DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS, released December 2008 by TERRI REED. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

I grew up smothered by love and affection from my three brothers, my mother and the majority of the Boston Police Department. My fahter was a BPD officer killed in the line of duty when I was a child. The trauma from his death affected all of us in different ways. I’m slowly learning to cope with how it affected me but it’s been a long struggle.
So when I found two dead men in the gallery one snowy night, I thought for sure I wouldn’t have the strength to cope any longer.

2. So, during the book you met PAUL WALLACE. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

Paul was the homicide detective assigned to investigate the double murders in the gallery. Tall, blond and handsome. Certainly every girls dream, at least he made my heart flutter, but when he looked at me with suspicion in his eyes, I knew he thought I was capable of the crime. As hard as I knew it would be I wanted to prove my innocence to him. Though why I cared what he thought was a mystery until I thought I was going to die and then I realized that I loved him. Knowing I wouldn’t get a chance to tell him how I felt was nearly as horrific as facing death.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
Well, I’m observant and orderly to the point of obsession. Sometimes my need for control pushes people away.

4. What scares you?
People finding out my secret. If people knew the real me, they wouldn’t want to be around me.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d be braver. Though Paul tells me all the time I’m brave, but I don’t feel brave.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

I believe but question God and His love for me.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Through Paul I’ve come to understand that God made me the way I am and of course He loves me. Knowing that has given me a peace I didn’t realize I lacked.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadows. James 1:17

This verse is such a good reminder that everything good in life comes from God and He is faithful and trustworthy.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Oh, my. Anything chocolate. But if I had to choose, I’d say Mississippi Mud Pie because it’s layered with chocolate brownie and marshmallow and more creamy chocolate on top. Gooey and yummy.

DOUBLE THREAT CHRISTMAS IS ON SALE NOW IN A STORE NEAR YOU
OR YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE AT www.eharlequin.com click on the Steeple Hill tab then click on Love Inspired Suspense

What Floats My Skirts

Posted by: Susan Lute
Currently working on: Revising a beloved contemporary romance and brand new writing on a single title romance.
Mood: optimistic

This month our topic is...What makes us go hmmm... Here's my list.

* a brand new baby still wearing birth

* the first flower that arrives even before winter is over

* discovering something new...and nice about myself

* when I'm at the hardest part of writing a novel and I look at my notebook to see all these
colored tabs sticking out.

* when I write The End

* When I send the finished novel to an editor and hope abounds

* When I take a picture and it tells a story.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, December 11th

7pm-9pm

Powells Beaverton

3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR

(800)878-7323

Please join Minnette Meador for a wonderful night of romance, fantasy, and fun to help celebrate the release of STARSIGHT, VOL. II (epic fantasy) and THE EDGE OF HONOR(historical romance)! I am joined by my very good friend Rebecca Goings, author of CURSED HEARTS and the LEGEND OF MYOS series along with many other wonderful books. We will be autographing books and giving away prizes, goodies, and lots of loot. Pick up some great deals for that perfect stocking stuffer, shop Powells for those last minute gifts, or just come in for some fun. I will be giving away a grand prize to one lucky person at the end of the evening; a basket full of fantasy goodies. So make sure to sign up when you get there. Happy shopping!

Saturday, December 13th

Holiday Party

Watch the RCRW members loop for details on location and directions. We hope to see lots of members attending