I love research. It's an education, an entertainment, and a procrastination that I can justify. Even when I don't get my pages done for the day, I can lie in bed at night thinking but I did get a great insight into downtown Sioux Falls and now I can picture that scene where Max comes to the gallery etc, etc, and so I fall asleep knowing the day hasn't been a complete washout.

To be honest, my book's not been happening as fast as it should or could be this last week, but I have done some great research and now I do have a better insight into the settings I'm using, winter in the American midwest, my heroine's wardrobe AND I've given her a new/different job.

Something wasn't right with my opening chapters, you see. They lacked punch. Part of the reason, I decided, was my heroine. She came across as colorless, boring, directionless. I didn't like her much, so how could I expect my readers to? So. I've given her a passion for the photography classes she's taking, a part-time job at a studio/gallery and a boss on the make, all of which create further complications when our hero waltzes (literally, seeeing as it's on the dance floor at a wedding!) back into her life.

And research rocks because my brilliant research aide found a photographer who has provided EXACTLY the information I needed for a new opening scene!

The good news: both braceletes arrived last week and I'm loving them. :-)
The bad news: which means I won't be giving them away as prizes. :-(













In ongoing party news: balloons. Who knew there were so many colors??? My present choice of color pallette is midnight blue, teal and silver (inspired by my ebay purchases, do you suppose?) That may change tomorrow, as it's done at least 6 times this weekend. If they look as great as I'm imagining them, I will take photos.

1. No matter how meticulously I plan and outline a story, I will always find a better angle once I'm writing it.
2. That new angle will always involve much rewriting.
3. For every one item I cross off the party planning list, I will find two to add.
4. I never want to organise a wedding.
5. Men like to fix things.
6. But if they can't see what the problem is, it's not a problem. What's to fix?
7. The Romantic Times BookReview ratings for July are up on the website.
8. I didn't win either of the RT awards I was up for...but seeing as fabu writers Kristi Gold and Patricia McLinn did, I'm not bummed.
9. On the London trip, I'm doing a two-day wander through Paris.
10. It is impossible to lick your elbow.

...the Desire authors' blog where I'm currently in the spotlight, talking about how I plan and pre-write my books.

SOME WOMEN WOULD DO ALMOST ANYTHING FOR WEALTH...

The last person Vanessa Thorpe expected on her doorstep was Tristan Thorpe--her deceased husband's estranged son. Tristan stood between her and the inheritance she desperately needed. Despite the attraction simmering between them, she could not let him win.

As far as Tristan was concerned, Vanessa was a trophy wife--young, stunning and cunning--who married his father for money. He was determined to reveal every dirty little secret she had. That is, until a rage-filled argument suddenly turned into a soul-burning kiss...

SECRET LIVES of SOCIETY WIVES:
Some scandals even money can't hide.

Read an excerpt from The Bought-and-Paid-for Wife.

Have I mentioned I'm a demon for auctions? Mostly I keep myself away from eBay because that would spell doom for my budget, but once or twice a year I allow the bidding fiend out to play and last weekend was one such time. I am now the proud owner of not one, but two, charm bracelets. I didn't expect to win either with my one bid but lo and behold, two bracelets and each a steal. Yay.

Why was I so inspired last weekend? Research. I was on the net looking for a specific bracelet and got sidetracked. I did find the Vivienne Westwood "Woo Me" charm bracelet and my heroine is going to be a very lucky girl. (This wasn't one of the ones I bought, I hasten to add -- this one I cannot afford!)

Speaking of auctions... I've also been doing my share of bidding at Brenda Novak's fundraiser for juvenile diabetes research. Brenda has put together a brilliant list of goodies for readers (autographed books, lunch with an author, bring an author to your readers group, bookstore vouchers), for writers (buy a guaranteed read of your manuscript by an agent or editor, lunch with an editor, critiques by authors, promo packages) and for everyone (jewelry, craft work, memory books, restaurant vouchers.)

I'm not telling just how many items I've bid on. I can tell you that I'm not leading the race for the most bids placed (so I can't be TOO out of hand, can I?) for which there is an awesome prize:

*A 2.5" Pocket Dish, which enables you to download movies from DVD's, your TV or your satellite receiver (Retail Value $350)
*A silver and diamond tennis bracelet (Retail Value $450)
*A silver bracelet from Tiffany's (Retail Value $300)
*A set of three elegant candlesticks to make any dinner more romantic (Retail Value $100)
*Two pounds of See's Chocolates (Retail Value $28)
*An autographed ARC of my next romantic suspense novel, DEAD SILENCE (out in August)
*A few undisclosed surprises!

Do check out the auction. You'll be supporting a great cause.

...to all mothers, everywhere. Personally I think we deserve to be feted and spoiled and waited upon every day of the year, but since that is never going to happen let's just make the most of this one day. I'm cooking lunch for my Mum and then we will probably go for a drive to visit with two of my sisters this evening. I don't see them nearly enough, but when we do get together there is much talking and much laughter. Their company is the perfect antidote to the male-dominated household in which I live!

This morning I was up early to get a bit of writing done before I need to clean the house, which I would rather not do on Mothers Day but I mentioned my Mum is coming for lunch, didn't I? So I need to at least pick up and wave a vaccuum cleaner around. At least. But I digress. I was up early this morning and when I looked out my office window, here is what I saw nibbling on the lawn...


This is not a common occurrence, I might add, and I was completely tickled to have such an unexpected early-morning visitor. My very own Mothers' Day surprise. Priceless!

Have I mentioned that I'm embroiled (love that word; it so evokes how I feel at the moment!) in organizing eldest son's 21st? If I haven't that could only be because I've had so little time for blogging lately. What with organizing this party which, I might add, I fought tooth and nail to avoid. Wouldn't you rather the money, honey? Can I tempt you with a round-the-world airline ticket instead? How about a car?

I knew I would get lumbered with all the work, as mothers do, because the menfolk just think to order the kegs and invite the friends (a LOT of friends) and the rest will just, you know, take care of itself. Who cares what colour the napkins are? Who needs tablecloths? Wine--just order some random bottles of red and white. Well, I care. And I will NOT order random anything for any party, let alone a 21st.

Sigh. I knew this would be a lot of work but I didn't know how time-consuming or distracting the details would be. And I have a book deadline, of course, because someone has to pay for this out-of-control horrendously expensive party!

So. Are 21st parties a big deal in America, too? Did you have one and if so, was it worth all the trouble? (All tips, advice, and offers of hard liquor to help me cope, welcome.)

After 14 nights trapped in a cage a kilometer underground, Tasmanian miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell have been rescued. It's an amazing story that has held us gripped ever since they were discovered alive five days after the quake that trapped them and killed fellow miner Larry Knight. His funeral will be held this afternoon, delayed by his family in the hope that his mates underground and those involved in the rescue could attend. Now they can. What a day of gladness and sadness for the small and close-knit community of Beaconsfield. I am smiling through my tears.

...I await the arrival of cover art for my August release, The Bought-And-Paid-For Wife. I have ordered it from production and it could land in my inbox tomorrow or next week or next month. When, exactly, depends on the fabulous lady who handles the mailouts.

Covers, I believe, make a big impression. Readers may not buy the book based purely on a snazzy cover, but eye-catching art draws attention, which leads to picking up the book and taking a closer look at the blurb and/or the extract and/or the first page(s). So, I am anxiously awaiting my next cover art and hoping it matches up to the first three titles in the Secret Lives of Society Wives mini-series.

















What do you think of them? And has anyone read any of the first 3 books??

I heard a little while back that my Princes of the Outback were scheduled for release in Germany later this year but no covers/dates as yet. But while scanning the foreign Harlequin websites I did find that The Rugged Loner is scheduled for UK release in June, which is a surprise because the UK seems to have lagged behind many other countries in releasing Desires. Or maybe it only seems to be a tad quicker. *shrug* Whatever the case, I am tickled to show off the sexy UK cover. Do we like it?

A quick report on my trip to Sydney:

1. the radio spot wasn't so much an interview as, in the words of the producer, a lazy chat.
2. the talkback section got bumped because of other news that had/has our nation gripped (two miners trapped underground for 6 days were miraculously found alive, although their extraction will take days and be dangerous task--please pray for them.)
3. the presenter's agenda for talking to me: a famer/ag science graduate writing romance seemed bizarre (his word.) My word: hmm.
4. otherwise it went well, if quickly, allowing me unexpected time for retail therapy at a city bookstore.
5. the scholarship dinner and awards = priceless.
6. I arrived home last night to discover the built-in closets had been installed.

And now I have a book-in-progress to concentrate all my energy on.