Jennifer Apodaca's Blog, page 194

Weekend Roundup

You know how having an assistant is supposed to lighten your workload?

Mwhahahaha!!!

Uh yeah. The Amazing Carla really is a fabulous assistant, and she does lighten my workload, but then, she comes up with these ideas. And gets me excited about them. And then the next thing I’m doing is juggling ever MORE projects. Which is what I did this weekend (with Carla’s help and guidance).

Of course, the project(s) are secret at the moment, but I’ll share soon.

But this week? I’m writing! I was really stuck but Wizard forced me to spill out my problem over dinner and we came up with some ideas to get this second book moving.  Shh, don’t tell him but I owe Wizard big time for his help.

I also got out of the house for awhile–we went to see Wizard’s mom. CPA son and BLB came by there too, it was fun. BLB is looking great.  I miss him,  but it’s great to see him doing well.

Oh and FB locked me out of most of my pages. I’ll try to figure out why today. So frustrating. Something about proving who I am.  Maybe another witch is impersonating me? LOL! I can get on my main fan page, but can’t get on any others. So odd.

So that was my weekend, how was yours?

Happy Friday! And A Question

I can’t believe it’s Friday already! What a week. I’m finally getting back to writing POSSESSION.  It’s very slow going right now, but it’ll pick up. I can feel it, I just need to have time to sink deep into the story. That’s one of the drawbacks of having so many projects going at once, there are constant interruptions.

In good news, my Entangled editor and I believe we’ve finalized the title on that book. It’s now THE BABY BARGAIN.  Writing category is such a new experience for me, both on the creative end and on the “packaging” end.  It’s seldom possible to capture the entire feel of a book in a title, so we have to focus in on the hooks.  I can’t wait to see what they do for a cover! The book should be out the first Monday of March.

My web designer will be redoing this Lyon site sometime in the next month.

My assistant, Carla, is setting up a blog tour and various things for The Plus One Chronicles, and both us are thrilled at the response. I’ll give out all the info once it’s set in stone.

Now I have a question for you all. Do you find the second book in a series often to be weaker than the first? If so, why do you think that is? I’d really like to know!

Have a great weekend! I’ll be working and hanging with Wizard, what about you?

 

Wing Slayer Worthy

Okay, someone needs to buy the Hostess/Wonder Bread Brand and immediately begin producing Home Pride Bread again.  Because Wizard is NOT HAPPY. I have gone through the entire selection of breads at the grocery store, and nothing is up to Wizard’s standards.

Which means *I* have to hear about his displeasure. Every Single Day.  Even his beloved helicopter isn’t distracting him anymore. I’m running out of ideas here

Okay, enough about our Bread Trauma. Lets move on…

I waited until too late last night to look for a candidate, sorry! I worked until eight last night doing one last read of THE PROPOSITION.  But here’s the guy I found on Bigstock, and it’s up to you to decide if he’s worthy!

 

So what do you think?

Weekend Roundup

Pretty good weekend.  Middle son came out, then left Bailey with us while he made the rounds with his friends. This is Bailey waiting for me to finish working:

I got the edits done for the Entangled book by working until my eyes blurred.  And of course, I couldn’t just do the line edits they asked for, I had to tweak and fix as I went along like the nut-job that I am. But I got it done! Then I worked on assigning ISBN numbers to the Plus One Chronicles books, and doing various things like that. I just have to take one more look at a few things on the first one in that series, THE PROPOSITION then send it to the formatter.

Oh and I read THE SECRET OF ELLA AND MICHA by Jessica Sorensen that’s been on the best seller list for quite a while.  I really enjoyed it. I believe that book is self published.  It’s amazing how all the lines are blurring these days. But then I read one of the other self published books on the best seller list and couldn’t even finish it. So as always, it’s a matter of personal taste.

I’m not sure when Bailey and Middle Son are going home. I have the feeling that today is going to be crazy-busy, but I’m going to make a better effort to answer the comments. I feel bad not answering them on Friday!

So how was your weekend?

Happy Friday!

I’m excited! Guess who is coming over this weekend?

Oh look, Bailey is excited too, he’s already in the car!

The only bummer is that I have edits on the Entangled book  and they are due on Monday so I’ll be working. But it doesn’t matter, I can always make time for Bailey!

Bailey is bringing with him G-Man (middle son, also knows as G-Force).  It’ll be fun. G-Man is always up for a party or a nap…kind of like Bailey

In other news, Wizard and I had an argument tonight. We were trying to bet on something in the news, but we couldn’t agree on the terms of the bet. He wants the winner to buy the other a chili dog from Weinersnitchel (yuck!) and I want to winner to buy the other a chocolate dipped ice cream cone from McDonald’s (yum!) Which would you pick?

Have a great weekend!

 

Wizard and Wing Slayer Worthy

Have you guys seen the commercials with the T-Cell Phone Girl? Okay I made up that name, but I bet you know who I mean.   Well Wizard has, and he likes her.  So much so that I was working the other day–my “office” is open to the rest of the first floor–and Wizard says, “Witch I don’t want you to be upset, but I’m giving the T-Cell Phone girl a ride in my helicopter.”

I look away from the computer. “Your toy helicopter that’s about four inches tall at the highest point?”

Wizard says, “Yep. Don’t be jealous.”

Me, “Uh, yeah, I’ll do my best.”

So Wizard flies his helicopter, snickering to himself about the imaginary T-Cell Phone girl in there. Telling me how much she loves flying…

“UH OH.”

I look up again. “What?”

“My helicopter is sinking!’

“What?” I look over, and sure enough, his little helicopter is sinking. “What’s going on?”

Wizard looks so sad. “The T-Cell Phone girl is too fat.”

I cracked up. I swear to you I was crying. “She’s not even in there! She’s not real! It’s just a commercial.”

“Nope.” He shakes his head sadly. “She’s too fat. She sank my helicopter.”

Okay the truth is that he hadn’t charged his battery enough, but he insists on blaming the the imaginary (and very tiny!) T-Cell Phone girl.

Wizard gets an A+ for imagination   (And P.S. to the T-Cell Phone girl–I’m sorry! You’re NOT fat! Seriously. And Wizard still things you’re hot!)

And now, here is today’s  Candidate

What do you think, Wing Slayer Worthy?

More Covers!

I had a great time with my son and his fiance on Saturday. Cake tasting went well and they found the perfect bakery, I think. Lunch was awesome. CPA Boy is one lucky guy

Oh yeah, while we were at lunch, Wizard texted Fiance and asked her,  “Is Witch turning into Monster-In-Law yet?” Naturally she answered  “Yes.”

By the way Wizard, good luck finding your toy helicopter that you love so much. Just saying…

I know you’ve seen the first cover, but I’ll post all three covers so you can see them together. They were designed by super talented Patricia Schmitt aka Pickyme. She is not only amazing at creating covers, but professional in every way and so easy to work with. I’ve also included the book blurbs and probable release dates. But first, here is the tag line for The Plus One Chronicles:

A wicked proposition…

A sensual possession…

A dark obsession…

The Plus One Chronicles: Searing passion and fiery vengeance collide in three explosive books.

Feb 26 2013 Expected Release Date

Rich, sexy and volatile, Sloane Michaels has a dark agenda that keeps his heart on ice. His extreme wealth gives him the control he craves and his skills as an ex UFC fighter the tools he’ll need to extract his ultimate revenge. But when the woman he never believed he’d see again crosses his path, Sloane is caught between the vengeance he needs and a sexual conquest he craves.

Kat Thayne has been in survival mode for six years, hiding behind the sweet creations for her bakery. But when a random carjacking brings her face-to-face with her darkest fears and hottest fantasy, Kat is forced out of hiding and offered a dangerously passionate proposition. One she knows she isn’t strong enough to refuse.

 

 

May 28 2013 Expected Release Date

Savagely sexy billionaire Sloane Michaels ruthlessly controls his life and everything in it. Even his sex partners are carefully negotiated plus-one arrangements, including his latest, the fiery bakery owner, Kat Thayne. But Sloane’s control is challenged when his mentor becomes seriously ill, and his need for Kat, his need to possess her at all costs, rivals only his single-minded goal of vengeance for the murder of his sister.

After surviving an attack six years ago, Kat Thayne escaped her fears in the protective world of her beloved bakery. Then Sloane Michaels storms into her life, making her feel beautiful, strong and sexy. Yet as Kat pushes her boundaries and uncovers a dangerous secret in her past, Sloane’s controlling side emerges. Worried that Sloane will possess her mind, body and soul, Kat fights to keep her hard won independence. But just as Sloane demands her complete surrender, she discovers he has a dark side that could destroy them both.

 

September 24 2013 Expected Release Date

Sloane Michaels is obscenely rich, jaggedly handsome and obsessed with love and vengeance. But he can only have one, and it’s tearing him apart. The fiery baker who resurrected his heart or retribution for the twin sister who was his best friend his only family. But when Kat’s life is threatened, Sloane is forced to make a choice. Will he kill the one who murdered his sister or die to protect the woman he loves?

Kat Thayne can’t bear to watch the obsession for revenge destroy the man she adores. She knows she should run from him and never look back. But when she becomes a target for a stone cold killer, Kat has nowhere else to turn. She goes to Sloane for help, and in an instant she’s swept back into his world…and his bed. But as the fiery passion consumes them once again, and Sloane’s addiction to vengeance resurfaces, Kat is forced into the decision of a lifetime.

 

And there they are! I’m going to do my absolute best to say on my release schedule.

So how was your weekend?

Happy Friday!

Sorry I’m late! I’ve been having major Internet issues.  It looks like I’m back online  now, at least for awhile, but I have to run out to an early morning appointment so this is a short post.

I wasted so much of yesterday, THREE HOURS with Verizon, and after three hours of going through all the tests and cyber-gumnastics, and them telling me there is nothing wrong with the line/DSL/speed/connection etc,  someone finally got on the phone and told me there was a problem in my area.  **Deep Breathe** I’m letting it go. Really….

Moving on, I do have two new covers for The Plus One Chronicles that I want to show you, so I’ll do that on Monday. I’m really excited about them! Now if only I could get this second book going.

Tomorrow, I’m going cake tasting with my oldest son, CPA boy, and his awesome finace. I’m so looking forward to that. We’re going to two different bakeries and then lunch. I have to miss my RWA meeting, but it’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for cake, umm, I mean my son and his fiance

So what are your weekend plans?

5 Things about Wizard and WSW!

5 Random Things about Wizard:

1) He was flying his small remote control helicopter in the living room (high ceilings there) and I was reading. In my peripheral vision, I see him diving for the ground. The helicopter he was flying suddenly  dive-bombed him. I laughed so hard…I think the battery ran out and he lost control of it, but I’m not really sure. I was laughing too hard to hear his excuse explanation.

2) He makes up songs and sings them to me.  He’s done this since we were first married. Sometimes I laugh and sometimes it drives me crazy.  One song is Jenny Champagne With Her Beer Income Man.

3) When the kids were little and I would try to kiss or hug Wizard, he would yell out, “Zebras! Help!” And all three boys would run to rescue him from me. We usually all ended up rolling around the ground and laughing.

4) Wizard doesn’t really like the limelight.  But he does like to tease.

5)  Last night, he mercilessly temped me until I shared his cupcake with him. Insisting I eat it off his fork.  He’s wicked like that.

And there you have 5 Things about Wizard

Now for Wing Slayer Worthy:

Is he Wing Slayer Worthy?

Weekend Roundup!

Pretty good weekend. Still struggling to write the first chapter of POSSESSION (book 2 in The Plus One Chronicles) but that’s not unusual for me.  I’ll get it, but it’s frustrating right now.

I broke down and made lemon cupcakes. But in my defense they are Research! Seriously! I even took a picture this time   And I’m done baking for awhile. Really. I am!

Also, I found out that my book from Entangled, A HERO’S TOUCH (first book in  Once A Marine series) will come out in March.  The next round of edits are coming soon.

I’m going to be so busy, I won’t have time to bake much anyway. I want to write at least three more books, maybe four this year.

 

In hot off the presses news, Laura Wright and Alexander Ivy have teamed up to self  publish a new series titled BAYOU HEAT. They just released the first book! Raphael Parish is only 99Cents at Amazon and Barnes and Noble! I read it and loved it.

 

Okay so how was your weekend?