How 'bout a four-pack of HOT HIGHLANDERS?

Strength, Love and Courage

Highland Healer Willa Blair

He needs her for his clan. He wants her for himself. Can he have both?

Toran Lathan never expected to become Laird, and never expected to meet a woman like Aileanna Shaw. Her healing ability is just what his people need, but Toran cannot resist her beauty. Yet will loving him destroy her ability to heal?

Aileanna Shaw has a healing touch--and a special talent she must keep secret. Stolen from her home by a marauding army, she's kidnapped again by the Highland Laird she heals. Is she a prize of war, or the prize of his heart?

While Toran battles the invading lowland army, he also battles his desire for Aileanna. And Aileanna must decide if she can trust her secrets to this fierce warrior who needs her talent, but wants her love.

Beyond a Highland Whisper Maeve Greyson

The last time Latharn MacKay walked among his kinsman was in Scotland of 1410. Sensuous and charismatic, all the women wanted him, but none could capture his heart. Latharn's charm became his curse when a dark sorceress didn't take rejection well. She snared his soul into a crystal globe until the one woman destined to be his love whispered his release. Now all Latharn has to do is find her and guide her to him without speaking a word.

One of the youngest archeologists in St. Louis of 2010, Nessa credits one thing for this achievement: the recurring dream of a heart-stopping Highlander since the summer she turned eighteen years old. Little does she know, he's not some fantasy cooked up by her subconscious. He's a trapped soul determined for Nessa to end his six centuries in hell. Can love prevail over the dark magic of a woman scorned?

Into The Scottish Mist Beth Anne Miller

Abby Sanders returns to her beloved Scotland after a long absence, seeking peace after a terrible tragedy. A chance detour reunites her with Ian Mackenzie, the love she left behind four years ago. Their attempt to rekindle their romance along the shore of Loch Ness is cut short when Abby vanishes.

After a desperate search for the woman he's spent four years trying to forget, Ian is forced to believe the unbelievable: he must travel through the mists of time to find Abby. But finding her is just the beginning. Trapped four hundred years in the past, Abby and Ian must find a way to end a bitter clan feud or sacrifice their return to the present and their future together.

Immortal Justice Faith V. Smith

Over a millennium ago, Highlander Darach MacRath was murdered. Resurrected by the Archangel Michael to fight demons as an Immortal Executioner, Darach now opposes all evil in the mortal world. His life is solitary—but when he rescues a young woman who not only sees demons but battles them herself, he is captivated by her courage and beauty.

Abigail Dupree is not looking for love. But when a tall, dark demon fighter with a sexy brogue intervenes in her hunt, she’s fascinated. She should run away—but then his gentle yet sizzling touch ensnares her heart.

When a demon from Darach’s past sets his sights on Abby, Darach will do anything to protect her—but for Abby, losing him would be worse than death. Together they must fight the demons of past and present, and the possibility that evil could destroy them both, before they find the gift of love.

Rating: Spicy
Page Count: 1362
Word Count: 361988

BUY LINKS:

The Wild Rose Press

Amazon

All Romance Ebooks

Take care what ye wish...

All he wanted was to end his fate…

All she wanted was a new beginning…

They both got just what they asked just not how they planned.

Be careful what ye wish. Ye just might get it.

The Stone Guardian

Science + Data = Fact. At least that’s what pediatrician Emma Maxwell believes. Career-driven and guardian of her sister since their parents’ death, Emma doesn’t waste time on anything as unpredictable as dating. While starting a clinic on the Isle of Lewis, Emma chalks up the eerie pull of the Callanish Stones to jet lag or a shift in altitude.  But when she finds herself nose to nose with an ancient Scot babbling about magic, scientific explanations get pretty scarce. It has to be one of two things: Either Torin’s escaped from a mental institute or the stress of leaving college-age sister alone in the states has finally pushed Emma over the edge.

As Stone Guardian chieftain, Torin Grey serves the gods. When he attempts to change his fate, he discovers how fast disobedience is rewarded. His punishment? Stasis in a cursed sleep while all he cherished turns to dust. Torin can’t imagine a worse sentence –until he awakens to a world he no longer knows.

When the gods realize the beast they unleashed should never have been unshackled, they throw together modern-day Emma and ancient Torin to set the world aright. Now the mismatched pair must fully discover their powers, meld them and send the demon back to his hell. But what Emma and Torin don’t realize is there’s a troubling side-effect to melding magic. Hearts tend to get tangled too even when two souls aren’t comfortable in each other’s worlds.

Now available at these retailers:

The Wild Rose Press

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

All Romance

Get STONE GUARDIAN #FREE for a limited time!

Yep. You heard me right! STONE GUARDIAN is currently FREE on Amazon for a limited time. Feed your hungry Kindle and get your free digital copy today! 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO AMAZON AND DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY!

Be careful what you wish for…

All he wanted was to change his fate.

All she wanted was a new beginning.

They both got just what they asked just not what they planned.

Science + Data = Fact. At least that’s what pediatrician Emma Maxwell believes. Career-driven and guardian of her sister since their parents’ death, Emma doesn’t waste time on anything as unpredictable as dating. While starting a clinic on the Isle of Lewis, Emma chalks up the eerie pull of the Callanish Stones to jet lag or a shift in altitude.  But when she finds herself nose to nose with an ancient Scot babbling about magic, scientific explanations get pretty scarce. It has to be one of two things: Either Torin’s escaped from a mental institute or the stress of leaving college-age sister alone in the states has finally pushed Emma over the edge.

As Stone Guardian chieftain, Torin Grey serves the gods. When he attempts to change his fate, he discovers how fast disobedience is rewarded. His punishment? Stasis in a cursed sleep while all he cherished turns to dust. Torin can’t imagine a worse sentence –until he awakens to a world he no longer knows.

When the gods realize the beast they unleashed should never have been unshackled, they throw together modern-day Emma and ancient Torin to set the world aright. Now the mismatched pair must fully discover their powers, meld them and send the demon back to his hell. But what Emma and Torin don’t realize is there’s a troubling side-effect to melding magic. Hearts tend to get tangled too even when the two souls aren’t comfortable in each other’s worlds.

Don't miss this #Goodreads #Giveaway !!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Stone Guardian

by Maeve Greyson

Giveaway ends April 21, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Sneak Peek Sunday - Stone Guardian

Amazon Buy Link

In this sneak peek, Torin “convinces” Emma she’s a very desirable woman:

 “You don’t know squat.” Emma snorted. “That man, Alex, only wants us to get along so the atmosphere at the clinic won’t be so intense. He can’t stand my company any more than I can stand his. He’s doing all this for the sake of the children.”

“Ye truly believe that?” Torin stared at Emma trying to ignore how inviting she looked when righteous indignation colored her skin. How could the woman be so damn blind? Torin didn’t even have to use his mystical senses to pick up on Alex Mackenzie’s  obvious interest in the fuming woman standing before him. Could she be that oblivious to her effect on men? To the temptation she presented as soon as she walked into a room? “Yer a beauty, woman, and when your scent fills the room, it teases a man until his body aches with the pain of needing to take ye.”

Emma grew still and she ran the tip of her tongue in a nervous swipe across her lips. “You’re wrong. You’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just plain old Emma. Ms. Dependable, squared.”

With a frustrated growl, Torin pulled her into his arms and clenched her tight against the hardened length of his body. “Does it feel like I’m wrong, Emma? Listen to me with what your body feels instead of with what your mind tells ye.”

Emma gasped. Against every logical reason blaring in her head, she instinctively melted into his demanding embrace until his heart hammered against her breasts. Torin didn’t feel wrong. He felt very—ready, willing, tempting and all those other adjectives setting her body on fire. A wondrous heat weakened her knees as she molded into the delicious hardness trapped beneath his kilt. She smoothed her fingers down the raised outline of the ebony tattoos circling across his bulging biceps. She’d never been with a man like Torin. Her breath caught as she met his gaze and found excruciating need reflected in his face. Could she do this? Should she?

Torin dipped his head and settled Emma’s inner debate with a kiss. He pulled her tighter against his lean hardness and opened her mouth with his. His lips, his hands, that inquisitive tongue all demanded entry—demanded complete submission. Emma’s mind whirled as her body erupted with an age-old need. Hell yes, I can do this.                                                 

---
Looking for more sneak peeks from some awesome authors? Click the link and enjoy! Sneak Peek Sunday Blogspot

Following my Moral Compass

My latest paranormal romance, STONE GUARDIAN was released this week but I haven’t really been shouting it from the rooftops. As a matter of fact, I think I’ve only tweeted it once. No blog tour. No Facebook posts. I’ve just pretty much kept it to myself. Why? Because I’m following my moral compass.

You see, starting on April 22^nd and running through April 26th, STONE GUARDIAN is going to be FREE on Kindle as part of a promotional program. While my writerly heart is thrilled to introduce Torin and Emma to the world, my writerly soul says, “Now wait a minute…”

Look at it this way. Have you ever bought something and then within a day or two or maybe even a week or so later, you discover that very same item is now on SALE at such a reduced price it might as well be free? Yet you paid full price and there’s nothing you can do about it. Doesn’t that just chap your cheeks when that happens? Yeah. Me too. Ticks me off ROYALLY.

So…my moral compass poked my conscience and said, “If stuff like that makes YOU mad, how can you promote the bejeebers out of your new story now when you know it’s going to be free in April? How can you do that to your readers?”

I can’t.

But I can show off my new baby and tell you if you’re interested, it will be free on Kindle starting April 22^nd through April 26^th on Amazon. I can also tell you that I’ll be giving away three print copies in a Goodreads Giveaway at some point next month.

So…I know I may sound crazy. But you might want to wait to buy my book. ;-)

And now I’d like to introduce you to STONE GUARDIAN.

Be careful what you wish for…

All he wanted was to end his fate. All she wanted was a new beginning. They both got just what they asked for just not like they planned.

When the gods realize the beast they unleashed should never have been unshackled, they throw together modern-day Emma and ancient Torin to set the world aright. Now the mismatched pair must fully embrace their powers, meld them and send the demon back to his hell. But what Emma and Torin don't realize is there's a troubling side-effect to melding magic. Hearts tend to get tangled too even when the two souls aren't comfortable in each other's worlds.

Excerpt:

Thunder echoed in the distance. Emma jerked her gaze upward, searching the graying clouds rolling across the horizon. Geez, this place is spooky. Rubbing her arms again, Emma wished Laynie were here. Baby sister would lighten the mood. A pang of loneliness swept through her.

Stumbling over a dried clump of grass sprouting in the middle of the path, Emma bit back a muttered curse and hurried faster up the route. Maybe coming to the Isle of Lewis wasn’t one of her best-thought-out plans. So far, everything about her stay had been less than favorable.

As she stood at the base of the center stone, Emma shielded her eyes and strained back to take in its impressive height. The summer sun battled through the gathering clouds and crowned the looming megalith. Imbedded crystals atop the stone sparked into a blinding beacon radiating sizzling white lasers of pulsating light. The blazing rays dizzied and swayed her, spinning her against the stone. With a dull thwack, her head slammed against a jutting edge of the center rock. Emma squinted against the sting of tears while she rubbed her throbbing temple.

“Dammit! I’ve had just about enough bad luck for one day. How about sending me something good instead of tormenting the living crap out of me? Why don’t you send me the answer to all my problems or some kind of magic wand I can use to fix everything wrong with the world? Geez, you’d think you could grant me sort of good wish instead of whacking me on the head.”

“Answers are always held within. Ye must train yourself to hear them when they speak.”

Emma screeched. Her heart pounded into her throat as she dropped into a crouch and groped for the nearest weapon she could reach. Locating a good-sized rock, she clenched the jagged shard in a trembling fist and backed against the rough-edged obelisk. Emma struggled to control her breathing as she faced the shadowed mountain of a man who’d just appeared from behind the stone. “Who the hell are you and where did you come from?”

With slow, careful movements, the bare-chested man raised both hands level with his shoulders and spread his fingers, displaying empty palms. A crooked smile flashed across what part of his face she could see and his thundering voice lowered to a throaty purr. “Easy now, lass. I mean ye no harm.”

Now you can LISTEN to A Highlander in Her Past!

Yep. You read it correctly. A Highlander in Her Past is now available as an audio book. There's a wee sample for your listening pleasure. 

Follow this link to enjoy it:

 Amazon Audible Audio Edition of A Highlander in Her Past

Go on now. Have a listen. Allison Cope did a lovely job narrating. 

It's OFFICIAL!! (and there's a surprise too)

A Highlander in Her Past is now available in several "ereader friendly" formats at the fine retailers listed below! And be sure and read to the end --there's a lovely giveaway!

Sometimes even soul mates need a push in the right direction, especially when that direction crosses centuries.

How bad could one little spell be?

Trish Sullivan, archeologist and favorite aunt to the MacKay children never thought she'd regret those words until Ramsay, eldest MacKay lad hurls them back to the 1400's with a botched transportation spell. Now she and Ramsay must find a way back before accidently altering the past and unknowingly changing the future. That is, if Trish can survive the first trip across time without losing her life...or her heart.

What harm could come from a little soul-binding?

Proving his Highland honor alive and well, Maxwell Sullivan agrees to bind his soul to Trish's in order to save her life. But Highland honor isn't much help when Maxwell loses his heart to the sassy woman headed back to the future.

Buy Links:

The Wild Rose Press

All Romance

Amazon

And to celebrate my official release date, I think a contest is in order. Don't you? To celebrate this exciting day, I'm giving away a $10 Wild Rose Press Gift Certificate to TWO lucky readers. The Wild Rose Press has lots of wonderful authors to choose from and who knows? Maybe you'll decide to try a few of my other books while you're there. 

The contest runs through Saturday, April 6, 2013. So be sure and tell my little rafflecopter buddy below that you'd like to be in the drawing!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Psst! It's FREE & there's another deal for you too!

A Highlander in Her Past is FREE for a limited time!!

Yep. You heard right. Click on the link below the cover to head on over to Amazon and download your free copy today!

Amazon Download Link

Sometimes even soul mates need a push in the right direction, especially when that direction crosses centuries.

How bad could one little spell be?

Trish Sullivan, archeologist and favorite aunt to the MacKay children never thought she'd regret those words until Ramsay, eldest MacKay lad hurls them back to the 1400's with a botched transportation spell. Now she and Ramsay must find a way back before accidently altering the past and unknowingly changing the future. That is, if Trish can survive the first trip across time without losing her life...or her heart.

What harm could come from a little soul-binding?

Proving his Highland honor alive and well, Maxwell Sullivan agrees to bind his soul to Trish's in order to save her life. But Highland honor isn't much help when Maxwell loses his heart to the sassy woman headed back to the future.

And that's not the only deal I've got for you!

The Highlander's Fury is ON SALE FOR .99 CENTS (Regular Price is $4.99)! Find it at these retailers:

Amazon Link

Barnes & Noble Link

ARe Link

Bookstrand Link

The Highlander's Fury from The Wild Rose Press - A satisfying blend of saucy sensuality and heartrending sincerity. RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars

As the immortal Fury of Vengeance, Ciara thinks herself immune to that strange human weakness known as love.

Chieftain Faolan MacKay thinks life will finally be bearable once he’s banned the practicing of magic from his clan, selected a wife to ignore, and finally silenced his advisors.

Turns out they’re both wrong. The ultimate powers have other plans for this stubborn pair.

Hurry and take advantage of this sale while it lasts and don't forget to share this opportunity with anyone who might enjoy these reads!!

His last request...

Don't bury me 'neath

The cold dark ground

Imprisoned in a box.

Release me with

A roaring blaze.

Burn through my earthly locks.

Then climb atop

The highest cliff.

Turn and face the sea.

Close your eyes.

Feel the kiss of the wind.

Know that it is me. 

Stories come to me in bits of dialogue. My hero sensed his fate and scribbled this last request to the one he held dear. But if my hero dies, the story ends. Or does it? Maybe death is just the beginning…

My Dragon Army

Allow me to introduce my Dragon Army or as I affectionately call them, The Mystical Seven. ;-)

The newest recruit to join the ranks is Fury Infernicus Brimstone, a wishing dragon. Inside his chest beats a golden star that grants his chosen one all their dreams. Luckily for me, he's sworn his loyalty to me forever.

This relaxed fellow is Blazerous Coaldun-Mistrach. An amiable soul who rarely rouses from his dreams but when provoked, reduces any irritant to a pile of cinders. Blazerous is also known as guardian of the writerly cave.

 Smaller in scale but no less lethal, this feisty beast is Charconus Smee. A bit sensitive about his diminutive size, Charconus tends to sizzle first and ask questions later. His duties include guarding the sacred ink cartridges and ensuring all printer cables are not sabotaged by marauders.

 Wee Poof makes up the junior ranks while he excitedly awaits the grand day when he's able to produce his first flame. He's unable to assume any major assignments at this time but serves the purpose of tattling to command whenever the other dragons shirk their duties. Yes. Poof is not favored among the senior ranks.

 Raucous Firestrom is the founder of the army. As shown here, Raucous represents the core belief of the Mystical Seven: Never allow anyone to tell you you'll never make it. If you believe you can, you will.

 Seamus Puck is an agreeable soul able to see across the web of time and either nod or shake his head to predict the outcome of any venture.

And last but far from least is Virgilious Amoratio, better known as Virgil the Preener. He adores the ladies and never misses an opportunity to flaunt his colorful scales and belch sparkling flames.

By the way, the troops asked me to pass along that they're always looking to increase the ranks. Gifted dragons are always welcome but snakes and lizards need not apply. 

Lucky 7 Meme challenge!

The super talented Sabrina Garie gifted me with The Lucky 7 Meme. Be sure and visit her blog. I know you'll be glad you did. 

The challenge, should I so choose to accept, is to share some of my work in progress in RAW UNEDITED form *shudder*. I have the choice of sharing 7 lines down from the first 7 lines of the page from page 7 or 77. Then I send the Meme on to 7 other writers who I think you'll enjoy. 

Challenge accepted. These 7 lines come from page 7 of my current WIP that I haven't quite named just yet. It's a paranormal romance filled with passion, betrayal, sacrifice and hope. I hope you enjoy this taste:

What a glorious feeling it would be to touch the steady pulse of Egrin’s inner draecon-kha –his dormant dragon form –waiting to be unleashed. Strength pulsed in her lord’s scarred lean form. Pure predatory grace shone in every fluid move. What she wouldn’t give to feel that force pounding into her during the throes of a mating embrace. Lilith wet her lips, suddenly breathless at the enticing prospect. Smoldering heat flooded her core, ready to burst with blazing passion at the slightest provocation. Damn Egrin’s refusal to name her consort of Fhearann-Saar until his precious spawn had been recovered. 

Now. The 7 LUCKY authors I select are:

Victoria Roberts

J. Michael Radcliffe

Marsha A. Moore

Tami Dee

Beth Trissel

Vonnie Davis

AJ Nuest

Check these authors out. They're all fantastic. By the way, the Meme is an understanding soul for those unable to join in. Life's too short to sweat the little stuff. ;-)

I confess...

Yes. I confess. I want to be Ciara. Who? My heroine of The Highlander’s Fury. Angela Blount of RT Book Reviews described her as a kick-butt, time-traversing, mind-reading embodiment of righteous indignation. Yep. That sums Ciara up perfectly. She’s the immortal daughter of Cerridwen and Brid, gathered from the mists of creation when the two goddesses not only longed for a child of their own but also needed an unstoppable weapon to purge evil from the worlds.

Wouldn’t it be great to heap some eye-for-an-eye justice on the bad guys? And Ciara metes out punishment in a way that’s near and dear to my heart. She searches the villains’ minds and locates their deepest, darkest fears –and then serves it up to them on a silver platter. I must say that visiting with my friend Ciara was quite liberating…even if it did leave me a bit envious of her powers.  ;-)

The Highlander's Fury – March 2, 2012 from The Wild Rose Press

An average day in the life of an immortal Fury?

Flex powers. Locate evil. Administer justice.

Until Ciara’s goddess mothers convince her to seduce a brooding mortal and bear the man a gifted child. All she has to do is swap places with his betrothed. A simple task−become the seductive wife, bear the man a child and train the young one in the Ways. Once the boy reaches seven years of age, they’ll swap her back with the wife Faolan thinks he selected and Ciara can resume her job of rousting wickedness from the world.

Faolan MacKay’s advisors plague him daily about his matrimonial duties as laird, dragging prospects from across the Highlands: plump dowries attached to each one.

Faolan’s lost everyone he’s ever loved. He’d rather go straight to the fiery pits of Hell than down the wedding aisle. Out of desperation, a plan takes seed. He’ll select a wife he can ignore. There’s just one problem with this foolproof theory. Nobody ignores Ciara.

Against his better judgment, he’s enthralled with the woman and to Ciara’s surprise, this strange thing called love burns hotter than her hunger for vengeance.

At the end of the seven years the ruse is up, all will return to as it was. Can the bond of love overcome the mandate of the ultimate powers?

Excerpt:

Ciara recoiled from the CEO’s mind as though she’d just touched a piece of rotted flesh. This mortal sickened her. He was just as evil as a serial killer. He’d made his execution even easier. It was time she made her presence known.

She materialized in the doorway, still leaning against the frame, drumming her fingertips atop her folded arms. “The levels of greed to which you humans rise never cease to amaze me.”

Startled, the man jerked, his eyes squeezing closed as though she’d struck him. Choking on the mouthful of coffee he’d just gulped, he spewed a shower of the amber liquid as he threw the cup across the room. “Who the hell are you?” he sputtered and coughed. “How did you get in here?”

Ciara slipped out of the doorway and sauntered into the room. She adored the sound of fear in her victim’s voice. It played sweeter than the softest aria to her ears. Shrugging her long braid over one shoulder, she smoothed a hand down her hip as she purred, “I am known by many names. But for the purpose of our little meeting, why don’t you just call me ‘Vengeance’?”

With a shaking hand, he fumbled at the receiver of the phone. The man’s face whitened when he held it to his ear.

“What’s wrong, baby? No dial tone?” Ciara stretched across the desk, plucked the receiver out of his hand, and swung it like a pendulum in front of his face. Oh, she loved it when their eyes rolled back in their heads and their faces paled to that lovely shade of pasty gray.

He ripped his cell phone out of his pocket; his eyes widened as the words No Service lit up across the readout on the cover.

Yanking open the side drawer on his desk, he glanced first at Ciara then looked down. He withdrew a pistol with a shaking hand and pointed it at Ciara’s chest. “You take one more step and they’ll write any name you want on a toe tag for the morgue.”

Oh, this one played the cat-and-mouse game better than the time she tortured the serial rapist. Ciara smiled her most wicked smile. She loved it when they got cocky! Tossing her head back, she spread her arms wide. She released her best chilling laughter to echo off the wall to wall windows as she gave a teasing wiggle of her hips. “Take your best shot, baby. Do you think you can hit me from here or do you need me to take a few steps closer?”

Beads of sweat popped across the man’s face then rolled down his heavy jowls as he shook the muzzle of the gun in her face. “Don’t think I won’t kill you. I own the mayor of this city and every cop in the surrounding precincts. With my money, I don’t have to worry about prison. I can do anything I want.”

With a bored roll of her eyes, Ciara leaned forward, resting her hands on his desk. Wriggling her nose, she brought her face so close she almost touched the tip of her nose to his and crooned, “Go ahead, sweetheart. Do whatever you like. After all, you should get the most out of your last few moments on earth. Consider it your last wish before your execution. Kind of like having your last meal before you fry.”

The man jerked as though trapped in an uncontrollable seizure. He emptied the chamber of the gun. As he fired the last round, his jaw fell to his chest and he let the pistol crash to the floor.

Ciara waited, tapping her red, manicured nails atop the computer monitor. With a bored yawn, she stretched and smoothed the dents from the bullets out of her shirt then bestowed a wicked smile upon him. “Okay. My turn! Now let’s figure out the best way to punish you for all your naughty little deeds. Where shall we start this evening? There’s so many fun things to choose from.”

Wouldn’t it be great to be Ciara? What super power do you think YOU’D like best?

A laugh, a smile, and a hearty THANK YOU in the form of a free book...

It's been an awesome year. When I was a kid, I never understood when the "old folks" said that as you get older, time slips away before you know it. I understand fully now because I can't figure out how I happened to land on December 31, 2011 so quickly. I blinked and the year was gone. For this end of year post, I thought I'd leave you with a few pictures of how we laughed our year to a close. I hope they give you a smile too.

Oh! And the "thank you" I mentioned in the title. This year I took part in the Long and Short Reviews: Stuff Your Stocking Blogfest. Commenters were entered to win an advanced reading copy of ETERNITY'S MARK. http://lasrguest.blogspot.com/2011/12/stuff-your-stocking-blogfest-maeve.html If you happen to leave a comment on this post - I'll add your name to the pot. I'll draw the winner's name tonight right before 2012 makes its grand appearance.

Happy New Year, my friends. May 2012 be filled with good things for us all and the strength to defeat anything bad that might decide to nip at our heels.

Blessings to all,
Maeve

The cookie chefs. Cornflake cookies are sticky - but good!

Just squeeze it. Really. It'll be funny.

Of all the gifts the child received, the whoopie cushion was her favorite.

Oldest daughter & her new fiance. She's grown quite sassy since receiving that ring!

Youngest daughter LOVED her Thundercat's sword.

I'm proud to say I have my own personal elf. Life just doesn't get any better!

He's at it again...

Allow me to introduce you to "The Maeve-mobile". Yep. You guessed it. My greatest fan, supporter, and push-wife-out-into-the-crowd person is at it again. Namely: My Darling Husband - DH for short.

We bought our RV this summer. It's an integral link in our "five year plan". You see, DH and I are at the point where we're actually beginning to see the light at the end of the day job tunnel. That shining beacon known as retirement.

When we came across a good deal on an RV, we decided it was time to purchase our retirement home on wheels. Of course, DH said he'd drive it to all of my book signings when I became a rich and famous author. I joked by saying we could call it the "Maeve-mobile" and have my website and tagline painted on the sides.

Well. It's not paint. It's professionally done graphics by Satis-factions. (If you're interested in all sorts of promo, here's their link: http://www.satis-factions.com/graphics/graphics.htm They're uber-affordable.)

Anyway...I guess this will teach me to be careful what I joke about around the DH.

 It puts ideas in his head!

My list of writerly pleasures...

We’ve all seen lists of a writer’s woes:

1.      Rejections.

2.      Writer’s Block.

3.      Grammar Godzilla’s.

4.      Rejections. (Yes. I realize I listed that one twice. It’s a biggie.)

5.      Writing Software FUBAR’s. (In case you’re not familiar with the  acronym – it means: *Effed* Up Beyond All Recognition).

Anyway, you get the idea and if you happen to be a writer, I’m sure you can relate. But due to a very WONDERMOUS email I received a few days ago, I decided to make a list of a few writerly pleasures and the responses they evoke.

1. Typing “The End”.  Immediate exhale, stretch numbed arms over head while flexing stiff and aching back.

2. Completing the wicked synopsis, pitch, and query letter for your polished manuscript. Relieved sigh, shut computer down and ransack kitchen in search of chocolate and coffee to replenish dangerously low levels of brain steam. 

3. Email from targeted editor that just received evil synopsis, pitch and query. Email doesn’t begin with “Although the premise of your story sounds interesting…”  Instead, it contains a short, crisp paragraph requesting a partial. Emit quiet writerly sob of joy. Save several copies of email to folders on hard drive, secondary email address, secondary server and iPhone so there is no danger of losing it and wondering if it was only a dream. 

4. Email from same editor requesting a full. Same response as Writerly Pleasure #3. However, quiet writerly sob of joy is replaced with blood curdling whoop of HOT DAMN! that launches unsuspecting, napping dog into immediate attack mode and sets him searching for the intruder that caused the scream. 

5. EMAIL/PHONE CALL OFFERING A CONTRACT. Dry mouth. Rapid heartbeat. Dizziness. If Writerly Pleasure #5 is in fact a phone call, I strongly recommend allowing the recognized number to go to voice mail so that you’re able to speak coherently when talking to your soon-to-be editor. 

6. Completing edits. Happy, satisfied sigh. Gratitude for an editor who just helped “tweak” your book into an even better story. 

7. Receiving email with the jpeg file of the proposed cover for your book. Another whoop of joy. Same napping dog reaction as in Writerly Pleasure #4 and same saving of this email as in Writerly Pleasure #3. 

8. ARC’s (advanced reading copies) Have you ever hugged a book as though it were made of solid gold? 

9. Holding your just released “baby” in your hands.  Pet the shiny cover. Excitedly lick your lips. Smell the pages. Channel Gollum from Lord of the Rings. “M’prescioussss is sssooo pretty”. 

In reference to Writerly Pleasure #7, look at my lovely cover for ETERNITY’S MARK (scheduled to release in April). Isn’t m’presciousss…I mean…*ahem*…isn’t it gorgeous? 

And I'm sure you couldn't help but notice the gorgeous cover of my upcoming release from The Wild Rose Press, THE HIGHLANDER'S FURY at the beginning of this post. *happy sigh* *deep throaty writer's purr at the sight of both beautiful covers*

If you’re a writer, do you have any writerly pleasures you’d like to share? If you’re a reader, how does a shiny new book affect you? Hmm?

Warm Weather Wars

The exploding blossoms of the crabapple trees lace the warm spring breeze with a soft floral sweetness. Butterflies can't resist the delicious temptation waiting at the center of the flowers.

But don't let this soothing, birdsong-filled scenery fool you.  Don't let the tinkling sound of the wind-chimes lull you into a relaxed complacency. With Spring, with the first greening of the leaves, the warm weather wars begin.

Jasper knows it's time to track those irritating varmints.  He's watched them from his perch on the back of the couch through the winter-frosted window.  They're the ones who've hidden in the shed all winter long, teasing him when they skittered into unreachable corners behind the barrels and tools. The wood flooring reaks of their furry little bodies. He snuffled their tracks until he shook with the cold, grumbling with frustration when finally forced to abandon the chase and return to the warmth of the house.  He knew the enemy lurked in the shadows, snickering as he stomped out the door.

They've moved to the woodpile, tempted by the birdseed and corn scattered for all to enjoy.  He's forced one to dart into a rotted log of the wood.

The evil beast took refuge atop the woodpile and chittered victory from his safe perch among the logs. But Jasper is a seasoned warrior and didn't give up without scoring a final hit in this battle.  While keeping his gaze fixed on the squirrel, he sauntered over to the low-slung watering trough, hiked his leg and "spiked" the enemies drinking water. Let the warm weather games begin!