It's February...and Eighty Degrees!

Wow, what weather! After a couple of cold spells early this year, it is now 80 degrees outside!

We are in desperate need of rain. Didn't get much of it last year and so far, this year is looking bleak. Please pray for rain!

Though I love this weather, it's also hard, because it's hot in the daytime and chilly in the morning. Too chilly to open your windows and chilly enough you need the heater running, at least in the morning.

I'll be in AORRAG Saturday at 9AM CST chatting about my books. I'd love to see you there!

Coffee Time Romance gave ONE WRONG MOVE 4 cups!

"One Wrong Move is non-stop action from beginning to end. Rayma’s distrust of men creates many a tangle for Camden to unravel, which makes this story that much more compelling. Reading as Camden tries to come to grips with the fact that this woman is the one he wants, when all he has ever wanted before was to catch the bad guys, is humorous. I savored reading about their coming to trust and love each other. The characters are well drawn, and the world building believable. A truly enjoyable read, and romantic suspense at its best."

Regina
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

"Appearances"

Hi all! Just wanted to give you an update of what's going on in my life and where I'm going to be in the near future:

Today, I'm blogging at Romance Reader at Heart. I was thrilled when Julie invited me. If you remember, HOLDING FAST was a top pick with them.

Monday, I'll be at The Wild Rose Press group. If you haven't joined, now is the time to do so! I have a feeling Wesley and Camden are going to show up (hopefully shirtless, LOL) and I'll have some prizes to give away.

This evening, my husband and I are going out on a date...for the first time in what seems like forever. With our busy schedules, and just being dog tired, we haven't really gone out since, well I guess we did in January for my birthday. But it seems like forever. Dinner and a movie...and hopefully some shopping.

How often do you have a "date night". What is your favorite thing to do?

What do you do?

What do you do after the most fabulous night of your life, especially when you know it was also your biggest mistake because the man you spent it with is a womanizing jerk?

Do you play cool? Hard to get? This is what Rayma does:

“Are you going to be the kind of woman who acts like last night didn’t happen?” She didn’t reply, and Camden sighed. Rayma had nothing to say. She was strung out, stressed, depressed, and falling in love.

There was nothing she could say.

“Last night was the most incredible night of my life,” Camden said, his lips next to hers.

She couldn’t pull away because there was no place she could go. The desk sat right at the edge of her lower back and his arms were wrapped around her with his hands hitting the desk.

Imprisoning her.

“Let me go,” she finally said, though it sounded like a choke to her ears.

“Not until you kiss me.”

“Absolutely not,” she said as she pushed on his chest.

“Then lie to me. Tell me last night wasn’t the best night of your life.”

She shook her head but inside she was furious. He was pushing her buttons and for some reason, her heart hurt. Is that what he said to all women? Is that what he said to the women he met tonight?

And why did she care? She never had before.

“You know, you’re not the only man in the world I’ve been with,” Rayma said. “It was great, as are many of my sexual exploits. It probably wasn’t the greatest in the world. You’re not God’s gift to women, no matter how much you’d like to think so.”

Why is she acting this way? Why is she pushing Camden away? Find out, in ONE WRONG MOVE. If you prefer print books, you don’t have long to wait. It’ll be released in print on March 2, and you can pre-order now on Amazon.com!

Where Have I Been?

In la-la land, mostly. I've been so busy with work and trying to write that I haven't had a lot of time to do anything else. With a full-time job, my writing time and energy seriously suffers. One of these days, I dream that "the job" won't be a problem nor will it get in the way anymore.

I used to have a schedule, and it worked well, but things changed and it's hard to get back into a routine. I think exercise is important and I haven't exercised in 3 weeks! Yikes!

So when a job drains you and it's all you can do to keep a smile on your face, what do you do? Besides quit that is, LOL.

Camden Neal Alexander

Camden Alexander may be construed as a womanizer in most women's terms, but he doesn’t think so. He just doesn’t plan on settling down anytime soon. As a DEA agent, he has his reasons for keeping romance at bay, until Rayma comes along.

They fit well together. She was tall enough not to make him feel like a giant, but even with her heels he was able to put his chin on the top of her head. He whipped her around the living room and she laughed, but kept up.

“You’re a good dancer,” she said when the song ended.

“So are you.”

They stopped. He looked at her and was just about to kiss her when she interrupted. “I don’t do one night stands.”

“Then let’s go out again tomorrow.”

Rayma entrances him. Well, most women do, but there is something about her. He’s undercover, working as a chef, and Rayma, a reporter, is investigating the restaurant he works for. Camden’s boss asks him to watch her, see what she knows, and at the same time Rayma is using him to see what he knows, unaware of his true identity.

Wooing was something Camden could definitely do. He enjoyed women and most of them enjoyed him. He’d be the first to admit he was a player, and most women didn’t care. There was no way he was going to settle down before a ripe old age, and thirty-three was still too young in his opinion. He figured seven more years would find him someone he could spend the rest of his life with. It was easier, as an undercover DEA agent, to swear off marriage. There was no reason to have a long-term relationship when he couldn’t commit.

Camden took off his hat and his apron, tossed the fish onto a plate, and handed it to Darrell. “This goes to table seventeen. Don’t forget the rice.”

This was part of the job he liked. Though he didn’t get much time to meet the patrons, every now and again he was afforded spare time to socialize, especially during slow times. And women seemed to flock to chefs, as if they held some secret in their genetic code. Chefs could cook, so they must know how to take care of a woman. Chefs weren’t hardhearted DEA agents who couldn’t know the first thing about romance.

And chefs looked damn good in tuxes.

Camden winked at Web, straightened his tie, and sauntered in search of…what was her name? The news reporter. He’d know her when he saw her.

And he couldn’t have missed her. Not enshrouded in that group of women. Woman was good. Women were even better.

Camden: tall, chocolate brown eyes, chocolate brown hair, a damningly handsome smile that pisses Rayma off because it lowers her defenses when she needs those defenses the most.

“Don’t I get a greeting?” he asked, keeping himself in between her and the phone. That fascinating, devilish, but irritating smile played at the corner of his lips.

“Hello,” she said. “Excuse me, I need the phone.”

“That’s it? No ten-second kiss?”

“With that cigarette smoke clinging to you? No way.” Okay, the cigarette smoke wasn’t that bad, not like it would have been a year ago when smoking was still allowed inside establishments.

“I’d rather have your body clinging to me,” he said.


Camden is infuriating. Rayma hates him for no other reason than he looks so damn good. He is exactly the kind of man she accuses men of being...an egotistical, sex-driven maniac who thinks every girl wants to be with him. And she hates that it is true for her.

“Last night was the most incredible night of my life,” Camden said, his lips next to hers.

She couldn’t pull away because there was no place she could go. The desk sat right at the edge of her lower back and his arms were wrapped around her with his hands hitting the desk.

Imprisoning her.

“Let me go,” she finally said, though it sounded like a choke to her ears.

“Not until you kiss me.”

“Absolutely not,” she said as she pushed on his chest.

“Then lie to me. Tell me last night wasn’t the most glorious night of your life.”

She shook her head but inside she was furious. He was pushing her buttons and for some reason, her heart hurt. Is that what he said to all women? Is that what he said to the women he met tonight?

And why the hell did she care? She never had before.

“You know, you’re not the only man in the world I’ve been with,” Rayma said. “It was great, as are many of my sexual exploits. It probably won’t be the greatest in the world. You’re not God’s gift to women, no matter how much you’d like to think so.”


So what should Camden do when his boss, the man he is investigating, puts a contract on Rayma’s head?

“There’s a price on that woman’s head. You find her, you determine that price. Leave it to someone else and they get the deal. Either way, she’s a dead woman.”

Find out in ONE WRONG MOVE, available now in ebook format from The Wild Rose Press, print version available soon.

RJ Interview!

My internet has been down since Tuesday and it's been horrible for me! Who knew not being able to get online would be such a catastrophe! But I did get some writing done, so that's the positive side.

Yay, my internet is working again! And just in time, too, because ONE WRONG MOVE is now available!

I will be posting excerpts soon, but since the darn computer hasn't been online, I have a lot to do.

More updates! I've been interviewed by Romance Junkies. Click here for the link if you want to know more about me!


AND...Wesley Webb, my character in HOLDING FAST has a myspace page! If you're interested in being his friends, he plans on posting excerpts and news about him. He's busy right now, touring and stuff, so he doesn't have a lot on his page yet and his time is limited, but soon he plans for lots of fun stuff, including giveaways to his "fans"! Friend him here!

One Wrong Move

BLURB: Camden is a DEA agent who is deep undercover on a dangerous drug operation. One agent has already been murdered and, with one wrong move, Camden could be next. Romance doesn’t fit into his line of work, making him a love ’em and leave ’em type of guy. Rayma is an investigative reporter who, because of her past, doesn’t allow relationships to last long enough to become serious. She meets Camden and the attraction between them is immediate and powerful. When Rayma releases a story on the man Camden has been investigating, the drug dealer puts a contract out on her and Camden has to risk exposing himself to save her. As danger draws closer, Camden realizes if they survive, Rayma is the one woman he will love too much to leave.

For some reason, I'm more excited about this one. When HOLDING FAST released, I was too scared something would be wrong with it. I had no idea what I was doing. I was too new to know what to do. I was so afraid no one would like it.

If you've read HOLDING FAST, this is Rayma's story. If you haven't read HOLDING FAST, you will still enjoy this story. Or, better yet, pick up both!

I've been interviewed!

If you want to know more about me, about all my secrets, LOL, check out my interview by Madison Chase here.

Also, for a limited time, I am giving away the first 3 chapters of HOLDING FAST, so YOU can determine whether you want to read more. Editors usually require at least the first 3, don't readers deserve the same?

Send me an email: chapters@emmasanders.com, and I'll send you a PDF file of the first three chapters so you can decide if you want more.

Name My Victim

I'm almost through looking over my galley for my upcoming Wild Rose Press Release, One Wrong Move. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to see the cover, which is still being worked on. My editor said she loves the story, that it's very intense and even better than the first! Yay!

I've had a brainstorming session with my hubby because I was stuck on my current work-in-progress, and with his help I've pretty much figured out every subplot that I was having problems with. I've been writing a lot lately, yay for his help! Now if only he'd do my research for me, LOL.

So now I have a victim. I know how he dies, but I'm holding a contest to let YOU be the one to name and describe him. You can email me or visit my website and fill out the form. If your name is drawn on March 12, you can decide who my victim is!

That's all I'm going to say about my work-in-progress. I'm tight-lipped about it until it's done, and I have a few more months, at least, of writing to go.

My Condiments...

To kick my butt in gear, I'm using THE WRITE-BRAIN WORKBOOK, and it's been fun and challenging. I've never been good at creative writing exercises, but these are small challenges to "liberate your writing".

Day 8 (I've skipped a few days) is that you have to use all of these words: MAYONNAISE, MUSTARD, SOY SAUCE, PICKLE, HOT PEPPERS, KETCHUP, in a piece that starts like this: HIS TASTE IN WOMEN WAS...

This was hard for me, but at least it's challenging me. What would you come up with?

His taste in women was like mayonnaise. He liked them smooth and tangy, with a little bit of relish. Hair as red as ketchup, lips like hot peppers catching him afire as soon as they touched. Eyes the color of pickles with a hint of soy sauce. When they touched, he liked to taste a tinge of honey mustard on his lips.

After writing this one, I came up with something similar, but I think a little better:

His taste in women was like mustard, with a hint of relish. Sweet and spicy. Hair as red as ketchup, lips like hot peppers, setting him afire. Skin as smooth and creamy as mayonnaise and eyes the color of pickles with a tinge of soy sauce.

Okay, dumb really, but challenging. Who wants to go next?

Happy New Year!

Who knows what this year might bring but I, for one, am ready for it. Even though it doesn't really feel like 2007 yet. It has passed so fast, but I've had a pretty decent year. Lost some people close to me, but gained some blessings, too.

I haven't been blogging lately. I'm working on scheduling and organizing myself but with so many things going on in my life, I don't know when I'll blog next. I keep telling myself I'm going to pick a subject once a week...blah blah blah. But I never do. Anyone else have a blogging schedule, or do you just do it when the mood strikes?

Besides writing and finishing my next novel (hopefully to become a bestseller), I hope to teach myself classical guitar, or at least the basics. I have a lot of guitar players (not professional but still good) in my family. My uncle teaches classical guitar on the side. Unfortunately, he lives about 4 hours away from me, but he's still around to offer me tips. So I have my guitar, I have a book, and I hope to start actually mastering it. Though every time I pick it up I remember why I never started before...it's hard!

Of course, my other "resolutions", as it is every year, is to budget my finances. Save some, spend some, pay off bills. And of course, to make this a healthy year...my healthiest yet!

Where has the time gone?

The past couple of weeks have been a blur. I've been busy, tired, falling into bed at night when I can't hold my eyes open anymore. I love this time of year because I usually take the last week off from work (which I really need) and with the New Year, I have new goals, or at least a new lease on my old goals. LOL.

My writing goals (I hate to call them resolutions, they seem easier to break) are to finish my next romantic suspense (the one I've been stuck on) and start another, visit bookstores and get them to sell my book, and set up some book signings.

It's crazy how fast things change. This time last year, I was afraid I'd never be published. Now I have another book coming out, I have 2 short stories. I'd like to say this time next year, I am devoting my career to writing, full-time. That's my ultimate goal. I wouldn't mind working part time, but I'd like to quit my full-time job. It is so stressful...and getting more so. It seems the longer you've been somewhere, the more stressful it is, though it should be the opposite.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Happy Friday!

TGIF! That's all I can say about this week. Work + stress doesn't equal productive writing, but I have gotten a lot of edits done on my second novel, ONE WRONG MOVE, and I should have my 1st round complete and sent in to my editor by tomorrow.

The Wild Rose Press has a lot of fantastic Christmas reads available! I've already read several, and have more in my must read list. If you're in the mood for a holiday story, check out all the selections at The Wild Rose Press. I'm very impressed with the stories I've seen so far.

Of course, I have to take this time to promo my own story, CHRISTMAS BELLS. One thing I love about The Wild Rose Press is that out all the Christmas stories I've read from them, they were all good and heart-warming, but all so different. A nice change. Buy all 26 stories, and get 26 wonderful and unique stories.

Have a great weekend!

The Day After

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I did. I stuffed myself, as usual. Gorged on pecan pie and wine afterwards. My favorite Thanksgiving dish is pea salad and green bean casserole. What's yours?

I have to rave about my sister for a moment. My sister and I have never done the major Thanksgiving cooking. We pitch in when necessary (pea salad and green bean casserole, LOL), but other family members do the major turkey and dressing.

Two years ago, Cheryl, her mother-in-law, taught her to cook her famous dressing and a few other recipes. (I say famous, because it should be, it’s delicious!). Cheryl told her “one of these days, you’re gonna have to know how to do this.”

Who knew it’d be this year. As some of you may remember from an earlier post, Cheryl passed away unexpectedly a month ago. My sister decided to cook what her mother-in-law taught her, and she did it all by herself, starting Wednesday evening. She cooked stuffing, this awesome sweet potato casserole, squash casserole, smoked ham and turkey (those were already cooked, but she still had to bake them for a little while). She did a fabulous job. I know she was proud of herself, and I'm proud of her. It’s a poignant reminder of what to be thankful for.

Do you do most of the holiday cooking, or does someone else?

Busyness

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. Where has the time gone? I've been so busy. I'm working on edits now and still trying to write while working full time. It's been a crazy week and now the holidays are coming. I still need to shop!

What are your plans for Thanksgiving? I'm going to my grandmothers to stuff myself. I may not be online the next few days, so I wanted to leave you with something...



By the way, Christmas Bells is available November 22, right before Thanksgiving! Instead of watching after dinner football with the boys, cuddle up with a good story. Find it at the Wild Rose Press!

I Googled my name...

and found another review on Holding Fast. Woo-Hoo! I'm dancing on air right now.

http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/reviews/

Mark Your Calendars!

I'm going to be busy the next couple of weeks. This weekend is my niece's 5th birthday party. I found the "bestest" present! It's T.J.'s Bearytales. He holds a book as reads to your child while your child reads along. He moves and blinks. Each book has a cartridge and some have a flashlight that he turns on and a camera. He's very cool, and he reads! As a lover of books, I believe instilling that love in children is important, and this seems like a really great toy. I had my cart full and ready to check out when I noticed him, and stood there a while contemplating whether or not to buy him. I'd already spent too much money, but I couldn't resist. He's so cute!

It's hard buying Christmas and birthday so close together, and since I'm not a mother and she's my only niece, I probably go a little overboard. :)

What's coming up for me:

On Saturday, November 18, I will be at Ebook Love from 11AM-1PM CST. December 2, I'll be at Sweeter Romantic Notions from 5-7 PM CST, other Wild Rose Press authors will be there throughout the day.

Seems like there's other stuff going on, but I can't remember right now. I need another cup of coffee.

Christmas Bells

I'm very excited to announce that my short Christmas story, CHRISTMAS BELLS has been contracated with The Wild Rose Press. I don't have the release date or the cover, but it shouldn't be much longer. This was a challenge to write because it's my first western historical and I'm proud of myself for seeing it through. And definitely thankful for my editor, LOL.

TGIF! It's cold and dreary here. Perfect time to curl up with a good book and take a small break. We don't get a lot of snow here. :(( What's the weather like where you're at? What's your favorite winter activity?

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hope, Love, and Treats

Happy Halloween! Since it's Halloween, I thought I'd advertise my story, HOPE, LOVE, AND TREATS again. And what a delight this morning to check my email and see that it has been reviewed on Ciar Cullen's BLOG.

My mother died (of cancer) 15 years ago 5 days before Halloween. I was 15 years old, and everything changed for me. It was eerie. What once was a fun holiday now seemed spooky. Skeletons, monsters, ghosts...you name it, it freaked me out. I coudn't watch scary movies anymore. What was worse is that the funeral home is on the most popular street for trick-or-treating. Of course, at 15 years of age, I didn't trick-or-treat anymore, but there are other fun things for teenagers to do that I didn't want to.

I'm over that now. ghosts don't bother me anymore (unless they're real, LOL), but I used those memories in this story. If you read it, I hope you'll enjoy it. And if you're looking for something sweet tonight after a SCARY adventure, download a copy.

Have a treatful, spooktacular and delightful Halloween!

Favorite References

Do you tend to overuse words? I do, but I try to tune my editor’s radar to pick up on them. Glance, glimpse, grip. Pull, push. Look, long, make, got, grew. My favorite reference book is Bartlett’s Roget’s Thesaurus. It’s the best! If you don’t have it, it’s worth every penny. If you have a work in your head but don’t want to use it, look it up in the “index” and it takes you to a zillion places with other similar words. I have other thesauruses and dictionaries, but this is my favorite.

The Internet, of course, is a good reference tool, but I like the feel of flipping the pages. And I think or at least hope that seeing all the other words will make me smarter. LOL.

If you’re a writer, do you have a favorite reference tool? What words do you generally overuse?