Oookay....so NOT food poisoning...

Now where has that girl been and why don't she write??

Turns out my "food poisoning" was actually a non-functioning gall bladder that had to be removed post-haste.

I've been recovering since September 8. Oh, and during that time, we here on the Gulf Coast (read: 85 miles from Galveston) got to experience Hurricane Ike. Or Hurtycane Ike as I call him.

This has been quite an eventful summer. Not sorry to see it go.

The upside is that after the storm, we've been left with moderate temperatures (for Houston, that is). The downside is that we've also been left with ginormous and voracious salt marsh mosquitoes.

Whoooooooodamnwow! Can those pests bite!

*skritch*scratch*

Ah, well. Life does have its challenges.

Wedded Bliss...

Still grooving to the wedding theme. Weddings are events unto themselves. The drama, the flair, the faux pas, the family. You can't buy entertainment like that.

Still, I'm a sucker for a wedding event. Just please... no singers. They make me laugh every time. Not in a good way.

What Your Ideal Wedding Dress Says About You

Your Personal Style: Young and flashy. You dress like a celebrity, and you love to accessorize. Your Ideal Wedding: A huge party with all your friends, with lots of toasting and dancing Your Philosophy on Marriage: The person you marry should be your best friend. Your Perfect Marriage: Is when you still surprise each other with romantic gestures

The Wedding Dress Test

T'is a bitter poison...

Food poisoning. @#$%!

Pardon my language, but dayam!

I'm to the point that when food buying/consumption becomes a health crapshoot, we have bigger concerns than gas prices. Everyday the news is filled with 'Eat more of this for good health!' and then 'E.coli now suspected in _________(fill in the current blank with the name of the 'healthy' choice you just stocked up on).

Grah!

I'm on my final day of antibiotics for my lovely case of food poisoing. We are headed off for a day at the beach. I'm worried about what I shall feel safe eating. Pack from home? No tomatoes, um... is lettuce safe this week? No beef products due to the current E.coli alert. Fish? No, mercury levels... Eat out then? Might this be where my condition started?

*cry*

Sigh. Think I'll just take the latest By Grace or Moonlit Romance release, sit on the beach and think 'thin' thoughts. Forced dieting could be a good look for me.

Really.

Dum dum dee dum!

It may be due to the fact that I'm still feeling inspired by my new Brides and Bouquets release, or to the fact that DH and I are seriously considering a vow renewal for our upcoming 20th anniversary. I must say that a sunset ceremony in a tropical paradise absolutely has its appeal.

You Will Be a Modern Bride!

While you aren't ready to throw away all wedding traditions, you want a wedding with a twist You're more inspired by celebrity weddings on E! than from bridal magazines Whether this means getting married on the beach barefoot or a mariachi band for the reception... Your wedding will be a blend of old and new - white dress cocktail, personalized vows, whatever suites you!!!

What Kind of Bride Will You Be?

I Thee Wed...

This particular blog post is in honor of two of our friends who should have just become engaged this evening. Aaah, love.

First comes love, then comes marriage and thankfully for them, they are past the age for baby carriages. Heh. Wishing them much love and happiness.

Amd for the record... this is NOT my ideal marriage proposal. Christmas in the snow? Let's try a beach in summer... Hawaii, baby...

Your Ideal Marriage Proposal Is

A Christmas proposal, with lots of snow and city lights.

What's Your Ideal Marriage Proposal?

Bang! Boom! POW!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY TO MY FELLOW AMERICANS! FOR MY INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

What Your These Fireworks Say About You

You are deeply passionate about a few things in your life. Everything else, you couldn't care less about. Your passions tend to hold steady over time. If anything, they intensify. Once you hold on to something (or someone), you don't let go!

The Fireworks Test

*~*~Just Released!~*~*

Brides and Bouquets; an Anthology 2008
by Laura Hamby, Sherry Jones and Judy Jarvie





Meant to Be by Laura Hamby

The Foothills, New York is the perfect place to heal body and soul after a tragic car accident. Bereft of family and fiancé, Libby Kelton isn’t looking for romance. Neither is Clint Murray. But when they meet at an anniversary party, they discover that some things are meant to be.

Dream Wedding by Sherry Jones

Las Vegas wedding planner Lara Reynolds’ broken child- hood shattered her belief in fairy tale endings. Can she find her happily-ever-after with mysterious and tightlipped Javier Villa?

Determined to protect the woman he loves, will his secretive life destroy her fragile bond of trust, or will he pull off the perfect Dream Wedding?

The Confetti Countdown by Judy Jarvie

Felicity Truro’s diary is fast filling up with problems. First there’s the ugliest bridesmaid’s dress in the world, then there’s her sick aunt’s serious secret. But it’s Rod McAllister, the handsome firefighter best man with attitude, who’s melting her willpower and frazzling her nerves the most.

Can Flick survive being a bridesmaid for the eleventh time whilst falling for the groom’s aide for real? And how will she cope when Rod needs a stand-in and she’s promoted to top of the candidate list?

Imprint: Special Release
Price: $4.75 Download | $13.83 Trade Paperback

ORDER BRIDES AND BOUQUETS 2008

New Release! Coming Soon....

Romance is in the Air with short novellas by Sherry Jones, Susan Atwood and Robin Bayne will be available at By Grace SOON!
*Romance is in the Air* Blurbs and Excerpts

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whispers in the Wind by Sherry Jones

Overworked Grace Belden hears whispers in the wind. Could Braden Colter be her voice of destiny?


Grace Belden looked her sister’s desperate face before her gaze dropped to Claire’s nine-month’s worth of swollen belly.

“I need a physical presence at that location, Grace. I wouldn’t ask but…” Claire’s voice trailed off, but Grace knew the words she’d left unspoken as well as the wording in the vendor contract.

“Only for you, Claire, because you are my baby sister who looks like she’s ready to pop.” Grace gave a sigh over her designer outfit she’d not had time to change, however, she turned to reload the cart with the afternoon’s required supplies. “And because after today my life will never be the same.”

“Oh, pray tell me the reason, Older Sister O’ Mine.” Claire settled deeper into her chair to prop her feet up on a stool.

“Your sarcasm pains me, but I’ll tell you anyway. I whispered my heart’s desire into the wind, which, according to Madame Zelda, means that my wish will come true. She’s a nice lady. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“Very poetic. I hope you wished for a date.”

“A romantic stranger would have to drop from the heavens. There is no suitable date material in Maydale, Texas. That means for today, you are my only date. On that note, I’m off feed the world.”

She guided the snack cart from the vendor’s supply area to the main circuit of the park. Lord, it had been years since she’d done this job. Her parents had owned the concession contract then. She lifted her face to the afternoon sun and breathed deeply, though her tired feet protested the long walk.

I’m waiting for you, Grace.

“What?” Irritation knitted her brows into a frown. She’d go put in a vacation request Monday morning. A person who heard voices in the wind clearly needed a break.

The Spotlight is on....

ME!

My book, Tall, Dark and Daddy is being Spotlighted on the Unique Enterprises Blog! My Backlist Spotlight!

This was my very first published book and I still love the storyline between two damaged characters who only looked upwards and onwards through all of life's challenges. They deserved their chance at happiness.




Purchase Tall, Dark, and Daddy from the 2005 By Grace Publishing Catalog and follow their journey to love. Beware of Cory, though... he'll have you addicted to his favorite food before you know it. Mmmmmmm........

Spooking Myself While I Wait......

What I'm working on: ATS (target: Harlequin Romance) and GMG2 (Moonlit Romance)
What I'm listening to: Medley of alternative rock
What I'm reading: Marriage at Circle M - Donna Alward
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

While I'm waiting to see if I'm going to get good news on a recent short story submission, I started a new wip.

Care to guess the subject matter? heheheh...





***You Could Be a Vampire... If You Had To***

Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind. But you're not sure if you'd do it, even if you could.
Living forever doesn't sound half bad, if you could live forever with the people you love the most.
But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you?
It's all too much to contemplate. Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low.

What you would like best about being a vampire: Living forever

What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth


Could You Be a Vampire?

WIP Juggling........

What I'm working on: ATS (target: Harlequin Romance) and GMG2 (Moonlit Romance)
What I'm listening to: Medley of alternative rock
What I'm reading: Marriage at Circle M - Donna Alward
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After a long writing dry spell, my Muse has developed either a)a split personality, or b) overachiever's syndrome.

I'm hoping for the latter, actually.

Her methodology of late, has been a scatter-shot. Super short stories for Unique Enterprises monthly E-Mag blog entries (I have three coming out this year, with the first being Easter Parade on March 5, 2008), author information for By Grace Publishing's Backlist Spotlight (I'm being featured on Monday, February 11, 2008 with my book, Tall, Dark, and Daddy~ squeeeeeee!), and bouncing back and forth between current wips (see progress meters on the right).

Phew. But I'm not complaining. Nosirree, Bob!

New Days and New Ways...

What I'm working on: AFTS (target: Harlequin Romance) and GMG2 (Moonlit Romance)
What I'm listening to: Medley of alternative rock
What I'm reading: Marriage at Circle M - Donna Alward

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today I'm juggling two different wips so the poor lone little braincell can decide which one the Muse needs to glom onto. I have two wips to finish this year. One to sub to Harlequin Rom, and the other which is due for an August release with Moonlit Romance. We won't even talk about the short emagazine stories for Unique Enterprises, or a novella possibility for By Grace Publishing.

The brain cell (and the Muse) can only deal with so much. Heh.

Laura Hamby, Meg Allison and I (writing as Shara Jones) are excited to be revisiting Glen Meadow, Iowa, which is the setting of our original Pops' Girl - Blue Plate Special continuity series and the Pops' Diner Anthology.

Due to the GREAT reception these books received, we're decided to let Pops', Momma and the wonderful Sissies Peters and Hobart give their special brand of help and wisdom to three new sets of Heroes and Heroines. More details will be coming over the next few months but to re-whet your appetites, you can go visit and see for yourself.

For now, I'd best get cracking.

Me and Miss Hermione Granger....

Beating down the Wednesday middle of the week blues....


Find out your Harry Potter personality at LiquidGeneration!

Hmmm.... I do believe I resemble these remarks.

Dare ya. Go 'head. You know you want to...

Happy Hump Day!

Back to the drawing board....

Yep. You'll note that the Redo word meter is now zeroed out.

*grabs throat in dramatic stage fashion* I scrapped the entire wip with the exception of the H/h and the location and only one or two pertinent conflict issues.

Why would I do that??

It just wasn't working. Not at all.

I think the reason why had to do with the initial concept. It wasn't mine. Well, the wip was in absolute, but the starting kernel for the wip was inspired by a writing prompt.

The problem, as I see it, happened to be that the writing prompt took more of a high road to comedy, rather my usual writing comfort zone. That meant that my characters seemed to be acting out of line. Couldn't get a handle on the H's motivation because he would have NEVER allowed himself to be in such an absurd situation to begin with.

Sometimes, I think our characters can see the big picture better than we writers. Sometimes, I also I feel that the H/h only invite me along for the ride to take dictation.

Kind of them, eh?

Ah, well. At least they let me have that. And chocolate. Massive quantities of chocolate.

They love me! They really, really love me!

*whispers* I think they might also be a teensy bit sadistic, but let's keep that on the down-low and not encourage that sorta behavior.

A fine need for chocolate....

I mean, when isn't there a fine need for chocolate? But for several reasons, I feeling that need more keenly.

I'm stumped on my wip. Stumped I tell ya. I had to write a mini synopsis to see where I am with the conflict and growth arc in the story. Hmmmmm.... still not clear to me.

I sent the syn to my CP and writing friend, Laura Hamby. She's going to rip and tear it up for me and hopefully, tell me if I've gone wrong and where I need to fix things.

Isn't it odd that we can read each other's work and almost immediately spot the problem, but can't have that same eye for our own? Just doesn't seem to work that way. Sadly.

The other reason I have a fine need for chocolate is that I'm on a new eating plan. Under a doctor's care. I've search all the notes, requirements, recommendations, etc. provided on his eating plan and nowhere in all of that do I see chocolate mentioned. Nowhere.

How can that be? This man is a highly respected physician and there isn't any medicinal chocolate in the plan?

I hesitate to cast aspersions on his character or abilities but it might be possible that a certain web-footed creature's signature vocalization might describe this man more completely

No chocolate, indeed.




QUACK!

There. I've said it.

Is it right brained? Or write brained?

I'm too confoozled to know anymore. I'm at that turning point in the wip where I need to throw a really big "bear" into my characters proverbial "canoe". I need to introduce a new turning point.

I just don't happen to know what this would be right now. Sure wish my brain hadn't decided to take a walk at just this point.

Never fails though. This wip has just been trotting along, the characters have marched to the correct tune and everything has been rosy. I knew the time was looming.

Desperate times call for desperate measures....

So, what shall it be? What shall I distract my brain with until the Muse gets her scattered brain back into the game? Games and games of Bedazzled 2? Chatting and IMing endlessly with my writing pals? Wait. I do that anyway. *shrug*

I know. I'll google attractive men. I don't know that it will help, but it certainly won't hurt.

Unless I bump my nose while licking the computer screen. Would that qualify as workman's comp?

Breaking all the rules... of course

I've been tagged by Laura Hamby.

Here are the rules: Each blogger should list 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to then report this on their own blog with their 7 random facts as well as these rules. They then need to tag 7 others and list their names on their blog. They are also asked to leave a comment for each of the tagged, letting them know they have been tagged and to read the blog.

So, here goes... (And here is where it gets sticky). I'm a rule-breaker. Can't seems to go with the flow. The tag stops here. Yep, I'm breaking the cycle. Those of you who would naturally be on my tagging radar, stop quivering and breathe. You may also send my Thank You chocolates to my home address. Heh.

1. I love socks. I wear them as house slippers year round.

2. My favorite flower is tulips.

3. I have a lap quilt that I'm making that is called Two Lips. The pattern looks like a pair of lips with a hint of tongue showing. Quirky. Heh.

4. I think pajamas should be official daytime wardrobe.

5. I hate flavored coffee, but love flavored coffee creamer.

6. I love to read long, regency historicals, but I love to write contemporary romance the best.

7. My best friend lives in Maryland.

That about sizes me up, personally.

We had a great time in the Texas Hill Country. Luckenbach was great as usual. The two roosters and single hen were quite entertaining. I think the hen had a hook-up going in the outdoor ladies room. Some funny to watch unsuspecting ladies prance into the facilities only to dart out shrieking seconds later with irate barnyard livestock hot on their heels.

Good time, good times.

Goin' to Luckenbach Texas to see Willie, Waylon and the boys...

It might not look like much, but some of the best and finest music and musicians in the country find the way to this little post office, off the beaten track. Some of the coldest beer and friendliest people can be found here. It's a popular ride destination to travel to by motorcycle (which we have many times)or by family vehicle (which we will this time). Taking our teen daughter to see the sight. You never know who might pop in for some cold beer and to pick a few tunes.



Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys Hey! Is that George Strait??? Heh. Gotta love it..

Quiz time again....

As a writer, I often find myself searching for more vibrant and less used verbiage to create more interesting reading.

Since I'm procrastinating... mmmm... I mean mulling over my next scene... I thought I'd take a quiz to see how I'd score on a vocabulary quiz.

Not bad. Heh. Now to search my current wip to see if my writing bears that out.

Huh. Maybe I'd better find a quiz dealing with grammar.

Your Vocabulary Score: A

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

Monday. Again....

So here we are at the start of a new week. Time to gather up the brain cells and get life's little chores out of the way to get to the good stuff.

I know that I should get moving. And I will. Aaaany minute. Yep, I'm going to start making those phone calls, paying those bills, starting the laundry.....

Who am I kidding? I just Don Wanna today.

Instead, I'll mentally sort through those MUST DO's and manage to hit the high spots and I'll recoup and recharge my batteries and get a better start on the week tomorrow.

Or not. Heh.

How do YOU get moving when you just Don Wanna?

Oh, and in a little bit of a horn toot, please notice that the word count meter on Redo has increased. I'm officially 25% through the first draft. Go me!