Monday, March 31, 2008

It's so quiet

Spring Break is over. We had a pretty good one. Didn't do a whole lot, which was nice.

*blinks* I bought 3 pairs of shoes in the last three days. I'm still wondering how that happened. I never buy shoes. Two of them are girly shoes, too.

Spring Break completely disrupted 70 days of Sweat LOL. Well, that and edits. I was in the middle of a love scene and was hard to get back into it. But I'm back into the groove. The new Blood Lines now has a name, Bitter Love.



May the muses have quiet Mondays
Mechele

Saturday, March 29, 2008

I'm easily amused

I received my copy of Romantic Times magazine this week. I'm thrilled to have a four star review! Gail Pruszkowski said, "Two bounty hunters after the same woman are the catalyst for a rollicking planetary adventure. Vibrant characters, witty dialogue and dangerous situations will have you laughing one minute and biting your nails the next. The passion between the characters provides some very steamy sex scenes, including M/M, M/F/M, oral, anal and double penetration. Armstrong's tale succeeds as an entertaining start to a new series."

Yeah, I'm dancing!

But the thing that made me even happier? My pals Jenna Leigh and Melissa Lopez ALSO have reviews. Melissa is my critique and writing partner, who I've known for many, many years. I've known Jenna since before we were both writing for publication. So it feels special that we're all reviewed in this issue.

Yesterday, I went to pick up Realms of Fantasy magazine. I have an ad in the April issue, which featured Blood Lines 4: Night's Journey. Color me completely geeky. Because there was a huge article on the Spiderwick Chronicles, which was recently made into a movie. They talk to the director, the writer, etc. It's a big write up. And I have an ad in that magazine.

Yep, as the title says I'm easily amused.

May the muses have amusements
Mechele

Friday, March 28, 2008

Blogging over at the Romance Studio today

On skittish muses

May the muses have treats
Mechele

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Spring Break, Edits, and Blogging at Loose Ends

Due to Spring Break and the fact I want to spend some time today with the kidlets, there will be no Thursday Thirteen.

However, I did blog over at Loose Ends on First Lines.

The edits are back to my editor!

May the muses have breaks
Mechele

Monday, March 24, 2008

Gotta love those edits :)

I maybe scarce the next few days.

I'm in edits land for Settler's Mine: The Woman. I need to really focus on those the next couple of days.

The kidlets are on Spring Break. Needless to say when I'm not working, I shall be entertainment.

On a good working note, the new male/male Blood Lines is up to over 15 K. That means more than half way done!

May the muses have patience
Mechele

PS. I will be announcing my contest winner for the Romance Excerpts Only loop tonight. Details are on the loop along with excerpts galore!

Friday, March 21, 2008

Posting Excerpts today and contests

I'm going to be posting excerpts from Mechele and Melany all day long at Romance Excerpts Only Yahoo loop.

I'll be announcing a fun contest there later today. So check out all of my excerpts.

Also, my faboulous writing and critique partner, Melissa Lopez, has contests running on her blog. Check them out.

Mechele

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

13 women from History that intrigue me by Mechele




In honor of Women’s History month


1. Mary Magdalene—in the Bible, she was fascinating. In other Apocryphal books, she may have had a bigger role in Jesus’s life, depending on what you believe. Regardless, she’s fascinated me since reading about her. The youngest’s middle name is Magdalene.

2. Virginia Dare—the first European baby born on American soil, yet we don’t know for sure what happened to her. A big mystery.

3. Madeleine L’Engle—she was an author who I loved to read. A wrinkle in Time is such a great story. And it inspired me.

4. Queen Elizabeth the first—such intrigue. Such power. Such a strong woman. Her life was quite fascinating.

5. Amelia Earhart—a pioneer of women’s piloting. Yet another mystery. What did happen to Earhart?

6. Anne Bonny—A woman pirate from Ireland.

7. Susan B. Anthony—she campaigned for women’s right to vote.

8. Harriet Tubman—what courage do you have to have to go back into slave territory and bring others out? When you are an escaped slave yourself? She made a dozen trips on the Underground Railroad to take other slaves to freedom.

9. Mary Queen of Scots—half sister to Elizabeth, her reign was tumultuous. She’s often called Bloody Mary.

10. Elizabeth Bathory—reportedly believed the blood of young girls could restore her youth. She’s called the Blood Countess

11. Emily Dickinson—a poet whose works are still studied today. Her poetry wasn’t found until after she’d died. Some of it is rather haunting.

12. Marie Curie—a chemist and scientist. She died because of her discoveries with radiation.

13. Rosa Parks—an elegant lady who didn’t want to get up and launched a firestorm over Civil Rights.




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



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Chat tonight

I'll be chatting tonight at M-spot at 9 EST with buds, Melissa Lopez and Mari from Marissa Alwin. Melissa and I both had new releases yesterday so lots to talk about! Hope to see you there.

To go to chat.

May the muses have chats
Mechele

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Sixth Curse of Spring has released

I’m so excited.

Wondering if she'll ever find the right guy, Mckenzie goes to see her "let it be" tree. There, she finds more than she bargained for with sexy Jake Bremmer. Jake's moved back home, and he's not much like Mckenzie remembers him, even when they share one wild lip-lock. She finds his sensual dominance more appealing than she'd ever thought possible.

Jake's come home to figure out himself, and he when he sees Mckenzie, he realizes she's something that he's missed. He doesn't understand why she doesn't remember the previous kisses they've shared, but he's determined to make this one stick. Even if he has to order her around a bit to do it.

Cursed into Mckenzie's silver maple, Deidre plots to take care of Jake for good this time. She'll make him stick out in Mckenzie's mind as the worst guy of them all with a curse leveled to bring them both into passion, before she strips it all away.


To read an excerpt.

May the muses have excitement
Mechele

Monday, March 17, 2008

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!


May the luck of the Irish find you today. I certainly hope it finds Mari, and she knows why *Grins*.
I'm off to write. I'm up to 10 K!!
May the muses have the luck of the Irish
Mechele

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

13 reasons I forgot it was Thursday or why my Thursday Thirteen is late by Mechele







1. The time change. Uggh My body is refusing to adjust. And I hate dealing with kids and critters

2. The youngest was home sick yesterday and she almost stayed home today. Couldn’t decide if she felt well enough or not.

3. Because she was sick, we didn’t have our typical Wednesday activities so I feel like I’m a day behind.

4. I had to go to the library and pick up books for the kidlets. The oldest is reading multiple serieses and the youngest just discovered Amelia Bedelia

5. I had to go to the grocery store. The kids, hubby and critters expect to eat this weekend.

6. The new story. Amaretto is a pushy hero as is Leif.

7. Got two pieces of good news/things over the last two days. I’m still celebrating! Will share soon as I can.

8. Diva kitty sat on the laptop so I couldn’t see to type. And she really is a diva. Took two vet assistants to trim her nails at the vet and they now want to tranquilize her. I can’t trim her nails because she bites.

9. The neurotic dog wanted to play with her stuffed squirrel. Thank goodness she tore out the squeaker.

10. I was reading Duma Key by Stephen King. I’m rather enjoying it. Reminds me of vintage King.

11. Reading Broken by Megan Hart in the car and almost got honked at to move up at the bank. LOL it gets me into trouble.

12. The oldest had a field trip and danced around so much this morning, she made me dizzy.

13. The pile of stuff to do on my desk caved in *sigh*. I’m so behind.




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The little writer who could

Today at 70 days of Sweat, Diana Peterfreund blogged about bravery, quoting from Jim Van Pelt's New Year's Writer's Resolutions.

Both articles are just wonderful.

Resolution Number 4: Be brave. Take risks on the page. These can be risks with language, risks with plot, risks with theme. No matter what, don't write stuff that feels "safe" because I want to avoid criticism or because I've been praised for telling that kind of story before. Remember Neil Young. He's never done the same album twice.

Which was just the kick in the pants I needed today.

I will be brave. I will take more risks in my writing.

*G* I'm saying it like I mean it because I do.

A previous story I took a big risk with, Blood Lines Prequel: Currents is featured on Behind the story on Mandy Roth's blog today. Thanks to Mandy for having me.

EPIC recently had EPICON and awarded their New Voices Awards. Someone passed around a link to a TV station's featuring of several entrants. These kids took risks with their writing, then even took even more by entering. They were brave. The feature is awesome. Click on watch video.

May the muses be brave
Mechele

Monday, March 10, 2008

Monday Monday

I hate when the time changes. Bad enough my body is out of whack but I have to deal with critter and kids who just really don't understand this whole thing. 6:30 came waaaaaay too early.
The bridal shower went very well. The hubby took some pictures of the decorations when he showed to help clean up. I may have to post a few.

I blogged at Ladies of the Club today about heroes. Go weigh in.

The new story is going very well. *G*. I'm not sure on the name yet. It's a Blood Lines vampire story. And male/male with lots of funness. I decided I had two more and not one more Blood Lines tale to tell.





May the muses have heroes
Mechele

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Friday, March 07, 2008

Odds and Ends

Reading Megan Hart's Broken can get you in trouble in the car rider's loop when picking kidlets up from school. Three days now I've been so entrenched in reading that the car in front of me has moved, and I didn't notice.


Has anyone watched the trailer for Iron Man? Wow. The hubby showed it to me a while ago. I like Robert Downy, Jr and it looks like he's done an awesome job. I think the hubster and I might have to find a sitter!

I wouldn't mind seeing 10000BC but not sure if we will make it. LOL and if I have to choose, I think I'd rather see Iron Man.

Two blog appearances for me. The lovely Sheila Goss did an interview with me. You can read that here. And the wonderful Tracey Kitts featured me on her blog. You can read that here.

I recently read Sarah Reinke's Dark Thirst. I rather enjoyed it. The hero, Brandon, is just an awesome character. He has a lot of challenges and he comes through each one wonderfully. I jotted her a note letting her know much I'd enjoyed it (as my real self, no author ego, just a squeeing fan). I got the nicest note back! I'm really looking forward to the sequel that releases in September, Dark Hunger.

Seek and you shall find is....DONE! Whoo hooo. I left a little growing room for edits. I know the last section is probably still a bit jagged so will have to tweak it. But the story is done!




May the muses have challenges
Mechele

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Thursday Thirteen

13 songs that make me cry by Mechele





I was feeling sort of maudlin when I started this last week.

1. Go Rest High on that Mountain by Vince Gill. It’s been 10 years last month since my brother passed away. That song, which is about Gill’s brother, puts a big old lump in my throat every time.

2. One wing in the Fire by Trent Tomlinson. It’s my Daddy to a tee. Been 10 years in June and very few days go by that I don’t think about him.

3. Christmas Shoes by Newsong. A story about a little boy and his dying mother at the holidays. They’d usually play it while I’d be in the car riders line. I’d either turn it or have tears streaming.

4. 18 Video Tapes by Jason Meadows. Dying father who makes a video legacy for his son.

5. The Old Rugged Cross My grandmother and mother loved that song.

6. The 23rd Psalm. My father could recite it from memory.

7. Daddy’s hands by Holly Dunn. Hmm I’m seeing a trend in these songs.

8. Friends by Michael W. Smith. Makes me think of friends who I haven’t kept up with and high school.

9. Love Me by Collin Raye. What a love story.

10. She’s in Love with the Boy by Trisha Yearwood. I dunno know why. But the last verse always makes me teary.

11. Kiki Kangaroo by Steve Weeks. Kiki reminds me so much of my youngest kidlet

12. Get Ready Get Set Don’t Go by Billy Ray and Miley Cyrus. Because I’m going to be there one day.

13. I will be here by Stephen Curtis Chapman. The hubby knows why :)




Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, March 04, 2008

What a day

I'm not operating with a full deck today. Probably because my mind is caught with everything I have to do *whimpers*.

Worst thing that happened today: I accidentally deleted all the mail in my Mechele mail box. I really hope I'd replied to everything, but I doubt it. *sigh*

Best thing that happened today: Bold Bride by Melany Logen released!

Most productive things: I turned in a blog for Friday where I'm guest blogging, sent interview questions to my guest author for my newsletter, am buying some promo stuff, am sending out gobs of promo stuff (*note to cat* get off my desk so I can finish this), bought several things for the bridal shower I'm cohosting on Saturday, and promoed Melany's release.

Things that are on my mind: finishing the mailing stuff, the shower and getting ready, and RT, which is in almost a month!

Things I still need to do: Reply to email. I'm about oohhhhh two days behind. *sigh* or in Mechele's case, I'm on time only by default.

Most fun thing: Playing with puppies at the pet store.

May the muses have busy days
Mechele

Monday, March 03, 2008

Discussions

Is it just my imagination or are there a lot of good blog discussions posts posted over the past couple of days?

Food and sex? Yum or blech?

Would you like some kink with that? How much is too much? Or is there such a thing?

Are authors revealing too much about their personal lives?

Why labeling can be important, especially for parents of kidlets.

I'm loving the topics. Even as I write like a fiend. I'm in the "I know where I'm going and I gotta get there stage." Lol the end is sight...

Seek and you shall find


May the muses have good debates
Mechele

Sunday, March 02, 2008

A quickie

I'm about to fun to a games night at church with the kidlets. Pizza and board games, should be fun *G*.

I'm working furiously on Seek and you Shall Find.


Hope to finish it this week.

Especially as I'm sweating with Sven. Whoo hoooo.

Mechele