Romantic Times 2008 Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Erotic Suspense! 

I was so thrilled when I heard.  I loved that book!  I’m so very happy to see it recognized. The awards ceremony was nice and I was able to meet several of RT’s reviewers, and put faces to names.

The convention was, as usual, full of readers, writers and booksellers. The commonality of loving romance brought us all together and it was good to see so many smiles.  I made new friends, hung out with old friends, and just had a flat out good time. I came home exhausted.  But good exhausted. 

I’m heading to the Silicon Valley RWA Chapter conference this weekend.  I’m going to do a workshop titled: It’s Just Business, Don’t Take It Personally.  This conference is the first time I’ll be giving this one, I hope I’m not the only one to show up!

Which brings me to a question:  If you were there, at my workshop, what provocative questions would you ask me?  I’ll take them and incorporate them!  I’ll answer too, but prolly not until next week.  I’m jammin’ on this short story for Pocket.  They’re really excited to get it up onto their web site as a free read.  I’ll be sure to let y’all know when it goes up and have the link handy.  J

So, ask me questions!!!!

Karin*

Let’s give a rousing applause for my good friend and guest blogger today, the uber talented, Bella Andre!

Swooning in the grocery store

A funny thing has been happening to me lately at the grocery story. I’ll see a fireman or policeman and immediately start blushing (while thinking naughty thoughts, of course!). I never used to behave like this, but ever since I started writing about elite firefighters, I immediately find myself visualizing all of the amazing, death-defying things these men do as part of a normal day’s work. How seriously hot is that? And how utterly inappropriate is it for me to be drooling over these guys when my husband and two kids are standing barely five feet away next to our shopping cart.

It only gets worse when my son asks, “Is that a fireman?” and the 6′5″, extremely well built man in uniform turns around and says, “Would you like a sticker?” Of course I would but he isn’t talking to me. He’s completely focused on my cute kids, which only makes him sexier.

Alas, you’ve probably guessed by now how much I’m enjoying writing about hunky firefighters. They’re alpha to the max – and I love me some alpha heroes.

Now that I’ve spilled my guts, it’s your turn now. Have you run into any gorgeous men in uniform recently? I hope so!

In WILD HEAT, the first book in Bella Andre’s HOTSHOTS: Men of Fire series, Logan Cain is a firefighter addicted to risk. Maya Jackson is the sultry beauty he never saw coming, targeting him as her number-one suspect in a string of deadly wildfires. But when Maya’s life is threatened, Logan vows to protect the woman sworn to bring him down. And as desire ignites, nothing-not the killer fire or the killer hot on their trail-can douse the flames….Allison Brennan called it “a breathtaking, terrific, hot, hot, hot romantic suspense.” Brenda Novak said, “WILD HEAT has one sexy firefighter – and a love that burns up the pages.” And according to Catherine Coulter the book is “a roller coaster ride. Don’t miss it.” www.BellaAndre.com

Did ya miss me????  I missed you!

I had a great time.  Flights to and from Orlando were poifect.  I decided to pull my big girl panties up high and tight.  No drugs and no alcohol to ease my flying anxiety.  And I survived!

The convention was great.  I hooked up with old friends, made new friends and just hung out and had fun.  The award ceremony was good. I don’t think I sounded too stupid to live when I got up there to accept it.

The hotel had no internet in the rooms!  And looking back, I’m glad.  I was able to write, and well, not get caught up on emails.  I came home to over 1000.  I’ve weeded them down to 32.

More later, but I wanted to let you all know, my dear friend Bella Andre is guest blogging here Tuesday.  She is a doll with a fabo scorching new release this week, WILD HEAT!  If hot shot fire jumpers get your motor running, this one is right up your alley!   Sizzlin’!

Ciao for now!

Karin*

I can’t wait!  Although it’s RT and it’s gonna be crazy busy, I need to get out of this house.  Away from the daily grind.  And around my peeps!  No sooner do I come home from Orlando then it’s off to Reno to hook up with friends, then at the and of the week I’m heading down to the SVRWA conference.  Then home again for a few weeks, then off to the WisRWA conference in June.  I really can’t wait for National.  I love National, I love love love it! 

So, I’m gonna say ciao for now.  I have sooooooo much I need to do, including some last minute shopping!  I know, I know, I’m a procrastinator.  It’s my middle name.

If any of you are going to be at RT, say hello!

Karin*

Play time is over. The visiting, the hanging out, the being lazy, the weekend escapes with the girls, and day trips with the hubster are over.  I have to write.  I have a book to turn in September 1^st.  No extra time to squeak it in.  Nope, I gotta get it all done, and done well.  My last book was rushed. I had so many things going on around me it was hard to focus.  Not gonna happen this time.  I need to take care of what is in front of me, not what I think might be ahead of me.  I have, after all, been paid for this book.  So, today, I officially begin MASTER OF DECEPTION, book four in the Blood Sword Legacy series. 

I’ll have five straight hours on the plane to write Wednesday as I jet off to Orlando for the Romantic Times convention.  I’ll have another five straight hours coming home on Sunday.  I’m going to write until my fingers fall off.  My writing goal for today is 2 K words.  I’m going to check in at every 500 words.  Public accountability works for me.

How about you?  When you set a goal do you do it publicly and feel the pressure or do it privately and still fee the self-imposed pressure?

Karin*

C’mon over!  www.murdershewrites.com

And Happy Friday!!!

Karin*

I fell asleep during Idol, woke up to see Steve-O get the boot on DWTS, then watched Rescue Me, which cracked me the hell up!  I LOVE DENNIS LEARY!  The assemble cast is perfect!  I caught a glimpse of Deadliest Catch.  I need to watch it in its entirety today. I also need to write.  But I don’t wanna.  But I will.  Maybe… 

So, deets, ladies.  Who hit it out of the park on Idol last night? 

Karin*

O.M.God!  Too much food yesterday!  How’s this for desserts alone:  Rice krispies treats (see pic as promised) bread pudding, canoli, almond raspberry torte, cheesecake and chocolate cake!  No wonder I’m overweight!  To be honest though, I only ate one slice of the torte and some cheesecake.  But it was the tri tip, deviled eggs, cheesy potatoes and manicotti before dessert that did me in!  I didn’t touch the sweet rolls though!  Mmm, but I did have some garlic peppers.  Slurp.  Oh, and some good merlot.  Oh, then there was the roasted garlic brie before dinner, and the baked apricot and brie stuffed pastries, and the guacamole, and the-the-the, ugh!  Too much food!

So of course, I’m dieting today. I really want to toss everything left over away, but I can’t bring myself to do it.  Besides, the rest of the family will scream bloody murder.  I’m just going to have to exhibit some self restraint. 

Pregnant daughter has her first doctor appointment today, and her hubby took the day off to go with her.  They are very excited.  I had planned to go with my daughter, but I think I need to butt out on this one.  It’s her and her hubby’s baby.  They should enjoy this appointment together without mom butting in. L  I really wanted to go too, but told hubby last night I was going to let them know just before they were ready to leave that I was going to stay home.  They can show me the little sonogram blob when they get home.  Pout. I can go next time.

So my eldest son who will be 23 next month and who lives the bachelor life with two other bachelors took the plunge yesterday:  He became a father. Yep, it’s a girl, all one pound of her.  She is the sweetest little kitten you will ever see!  She’s white with caramel undertones, and has the biggest bluest eyes I have ever seen on a cat, dog or human!  Gorgeous.  So what is this six-foot-two, two-hundred-thirty pound bad ass alpha male gonna call his little bundle of joy?  Snerk, he suggested Snowflake and I about fell off my chair.  You gotta understand, my son is the ultimate guy.  All male, a charmer who the girls totally want to tame.  For him to look at me as he cuddled the fur ball and aks, “How about snowball, mom?”  I lost it.  We all did.  He was serious.  I figured he’d want to name her something stupid like Beevis, or Butthead, or Cocaine.  But no, he likes Snowball, or Snowflake.  I suggested Sapphire because of her eyes, and my youngest son informed me that was ‘gay.’  Whatev.  So, she remains nameless for the moment. We’ll see how this plays out.  Oh, and you should see what a worrywart my big bad boy has become.  I’ve talked to him three times this morning!  And, get this, since he had to work today, his oldest sister is babysitting because he couldn’t bare to leave his baby alone!  Hah  hah hah!  Ah, pay back is good.

So, what’s everyone up to this week?  I have lunch dates tomorrow, Wed and Thurs.  Fri hair and some last minute shopping before I leave for Orlando next week.  Anyone going to the RT convention?

Karin*

Today is Good Friday, tomorrow holy Saturday and Sunday as you all know is Easter.

Passover began last Tuesday.  I really love this time of year.  I true time for reflection, and rebirth.

Of course, the family and a few friends will be over here on Sunday to eat drink and make merry.  My youngest son who is 19 wants to make rice crispy treat Easter eggs.  Some with M&Ms, some chocolate dipped, some with confetti.  Not quite sure how we’re going to pull it off, but I will give it my best effort.

So, I’m off to mass in a few, then my SFA-RWA chapter meeting

Saturday morning, Easter Vigil Saturday night, my eldest daughter is getting confirmed and her bf is getting the triple dip:  Baptized, communion and confirmed, then celebrating Easter on Sunday.

What are y’all doing?

Karin*