C.J. Carmichael's Blog, page 5
March 29, 2013
First Week of Spring
Hello Spring! Never mind that Calgary is still brown–no green grass, no flowers, no leaves on the trees. At least the air is getting warmer. And the days longer. I wish I had been able to spend more time outside, but this was one of those weeks where we seemed to be busy every night. We took in two new plays from ATP, a ballet, and a hockey game between the Calgary Flames and Colorado Avalanche. Tonight, finally we’re staying in to watch a movie.
I felt like I was hardly home, but even so I managed to write 70 pages on my second Twisted Cedars Mystery (which will be coming out this June). Plus, I’m gearing up for an exciting new contest to celebrate my next Coffee Creek Romance which is launching on April 2. Expect more news next week. Until then, wishing you the joy of spring and a Happy Easter!
I wish these were growing in my front yard!
Original article: First Week of Spring
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
March 1, 2013
An Oldie But A Goodie
Are you on Goodreads? If you enjoy books (and you must, or you wouldn’t be reading this) it’s a great place to discuss books you’re already read and to find recommendations for your next good read. Lately I’ve been experimenting with some of the fun features for authors. For instance, their giveaway program, where authors give free copies of their books to readers with the polite request to rate or review the book if they enjoy it. Right now I have a giveaway for a book I published with Harlequin Superromance in 2008: The Dad Next Door.
If you missed out on my Three Good Men trilogy, this might be your chance to try out the first book and see if you like it!
Good Luck!
CJ
Original article: An Oldie But A Goodie
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
February 18, 2013
Starting a new project = Pinterest Time!
Lately, when I’m about to start a new project, I begin by creating a board on Pinterest and gathering images that I hope will inspire and guide me. Committing to a new story is serious business. Months of precious time, spanning several years, will be required for the project, so I want to make sure I’m choosing a story that will worth this big investment. Right now I’m working on a Pinterest board called Twisted Cedars. A few months ago I released the first of several mysteries I hope to write set in this fictional, coastal town in Oregon.
A lot happens in A Buried Tale, and while my readers discover the “whodunit” at the end of the story, there are also a lot of loose threads. Because murder is a messy business. And it leaves damage and mayhem in its wake.
Damage and mayhem that I will need to deal with in this new book, while, at the same time, introducing a new mystery.
So, as I mull over ideas for the next Twisted Cedars story, I find myself thinking about my characters and how they’ve been coping in the months since I wrote about them last. I feel myself about to sink back into the vortex of their world. But, as if afraid of the commitment, I hesitate. And pin another image to my Pinterest Board…
Road to Twisted Cedars
Original article: Starting a new project = Pinterest Time!
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
February 12, 2013
The Good Daughter Surprise Contest
What are you reading these days? I have 5 books lined up to judge for a contest, but after that I plan to dive into Jane Porter‘s new book, The Good Daughter. To celebrate Jane’s February release–which is getting amazing accolades from reviews and readers alike–I am having another Surprise Contest. All you have to do is name one of Jane’s books that you have read and enjoyed, or one that appeals to you, and you’ll be entered for a chance to receive free books and swag from both Jane and me.
This summer I read the first of Jane’s Brennan Sisters books, The Good Woman. The characters seemed so real and their problems so gripping, I gulped the book down in just a few days and I’m looking forward to the same compelling read with The Good Daughter.
Jane and I met in our pre-published days and continue to get together for annual writing retreats, usually in beautiful settings. In the past we’ve gone to Banff several times, as well as Saltspring Island and the Okanagan Valley. Here we are a few years ago at Whistler, B.C. (Where Jane had a literal ‘run-in’ with a bear!)
Jane and CJ in Whistler
Original article: The Good Daughter Surprise Contest
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
February 5, 2013
My January 2013 Contest Winner
I’m happy to announce that Debra from Cleveland Texas has won the six-book, Harts of the Rodeo, Harlequin American books in my latest contest. I want to thank everyone who entered. I love it when you visit here. And please note, a new contest is going up today.
Original article: My January 2013 Contest Winner
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
January 21, 2013
6 Cowboys, 6 Books, 6 Reasons to Stay Up All Night Reading
Maybe you missed out on the Harts of The Rodeo 6 book series that was released in 2012. Or maybe you’ve read them all, but would like an additional set to gift to someone else. Whatever your reasons for wanting these 6 books, you have a chance to win the entire set if you enter my contest this month. So don’t delay! Do it now! 
Original article: 6 Cowboys, 6 Books, 6 Reasons to Stay Up All Night Reading
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
January 2, 2013
December Contest Winners!
This month we had five winners for my regular website contest. I’ll be sending e-book copies of The Gift to: Jackie in La Mesa California, Claritta in Little Rock Arkansas, Gladys in Houston Texas, Marcy in Hartford MI, and Sarah in Lynchburg Virginia. Thanks to everyone who entered. A new contest is being posted soon, so make sure you enter!
Original article: December Contest Winners!
©2013 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
December 26, 2012
Best wishes to all my readers as we near 2013
I love this part of the holiday season…when the festivities are over and there is time to go skiing, or for a long walk, then cuddle up with a good book afterward. Wishing you lots of great reads…and the time to enjoy them…in 2013!
Original article: Best wishes to all my readers as we near 2013
©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
December 21, 2012
Don’t Miss! Today only A Buried Tale is 99 cents–along with 98 other great books!
These prices are available on Amazon only.
For a listing of books offered and to enter to win, go here
Original article: Don’t Miss! Today only A Buried Tale is 99 cents–along with 98 other great books!
©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
December 20, 2012
Announcing Colleen as my latest contest winner.
I’ll be sending Colleen the first five books from the Harts of the Rodeo series. And don’t forget to pick up the last in the series, Linda Warren’s Tomas: Cowboy Homecoming.
I’ll be hosting another contest on my blog soon, but in the meanwhile, enter my regular website contest here.
Original article: Announcing Colleen as my latest contest winner.
©2012 CJ's Desk Diary. All Rights Reserved.
