Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Comet

I would like to leave this piece for any friends who stop by.  Later this year or early next, I'll be announcing a release date for my historical romance, "The Comet," through DCL Publications.  It is set around the advent of Halley's Comet in the year 1066, the same year William of Normandy launched his invasion of England, with far-reaching consequences for history.  In the course of my research I became very interested in what I read about comets and, just for fun, went looking for pictures.  I think this is one of the prettiest I saw.  Enjoy!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

This One's For You

Here is a little something for first-time visitors.  Mwuuaah!

Starting Over

This is a time of starting over.  I thought I had already done that, at age 41, when my husband died and I was unexpectedly thrust into a whole new world of...being alone.

Well, now I'm 61 and no longer alone.  Now I have eight published books and a ninth on the way and a whole new and treasured group of friends.  Where can I even begin to acknowledge them and how much they mean to me?  First and foremost, Valley Forge Romance Writers.  From a poor frazzled creature dripping her way in out of the rain, they have turned me into a courageous lioness (slight exaggeration) capable of tackling computers, Map Quest and limping around conventions with toes broken by dropping Mag Lites on them.  Kudos, ladies!

Minnette Meador of Rome-antics who introduced me to editor Elaine Breault, who in turn introduced me to DCL Publications, known in those days as The Dark Castle Lords.  To publisher Pam Seres, who took a chance on my first book "Confessions of the Cleaning Lady"--and now many more books as well.  And Jean Watkins, fearless editor.  She has to be fearless, to deal with me.  Annie Marshall, one great cover artist.  All my author friends at DCL.  I love you, guys.

Denysse Alicea, dear friend from The Pen and Muse Blog, where I'll also be a contributor as soon as I figure out how to work Wordpress.  Ah...well...I didn't say I had totally mastered the world of the computer.

Mary Donohue of MHD Communications, who got suckered into helping with my first book signing (see below).  But we did have fun, Mary, right?

Those are just some key players.  There are many more.  I'm sure you'll be hearing about them in days to come.  The blog should be looking a little brighter by then.  Anybody know how I can get a blue rose on here?  (Smile.)

And now for the starting over part.  It's time to retire.  Oh, I'll probably never go fully into retirement; I'm just too much of a workaholic.  But things are starting to slow down; I can see the future, staring me right in the face.  Well, guess what, future?  I'm making a new one, starting here and now.  I'm going to write my brains out.

So, to anybody brave enough to read this blog:  WELCOME.  I'll be back.  Soon.  I hope to see you here.