Kaylea Cross's Blog, page 17
January 28, 2011
Guest Blogging
I'm over at Autumn Jordon's blog today, giving away a copy of Absolution to one commenter. Hope to see you there :)
Happy Friday, and I hope all of you have a great weekend.
Kaylea :)
Happy Friday, and I hope all of you have a great weekend.
Kaylea :)
January 17, 2011
Wild Weekend
I don't know about you guys, but I had a crazy week and weekend over the past ten days. My little guy got super wick with the stomach flu--so sick he vomited continually for two days and couldn't keep a single thing down. I wound up taking him to Emergency for treatment two days in, and spent 12 hours getting IV fluids into him just to get him rehydrated. One of my friends was working there as a nurse that night, so it made his stay a bit more comfortable. I took him home next morning, but had to bring him back two days later. Not fun, and the poor little guy didn't eat a thing for six days.
By Friday he was feeling better, so I reluctantly remade plans to go up to Vernon (in the Okanagan Valley) for my uncle's surprise 50th birthday. Uncle Kev's my favorite uncle, and he's in the dedication for Cover of Darkness. He's a battle Captain in the reserves, plays softball and loves history, on top of being a hell of a nice guy. Enough said. But as it turned out, since my hubby was staying home with Little Weasel, I had to take Big Weasel with me and thought I'd catch a ride up with my dad. Only he'd decided at the last minute they weren't going to drive. They were flying up in his new Bell 407 helicopter instead.
Oh dear God.
Big Weasel thought this was an awesome idea, and I kind of had no other choice so I went along with it. Besides, my characters fly in helos all the time, and they manage it without having panic attacks. And Devon (the heroine from Deadly Descent, who you'll meet this summer) even flies them, for crying out loud. I refused to wimp out. Suck it up, princess.
My dad flew us while his instructor played the role of co-pilot. I was crammed in the back with Big Weasel, my stepmom and the co-pilot's wife as we took off and cruised through the Fraser Valley on our way to the mountains. And I pretended to love every second of it, smiling despite my pounding heart and sweaty palms. Wheee!!! Listening to the radio contact with air traffic control was pretty cool, as were the conversations between my dad and the co-pilot discussing various aspects of the flight, controls, avionics, etc. More research for my next book :) I'm still seriously thinking of taking the ground school portion of flight school. It would sure come in handy for my writing, plus I find it fascinating. Here's the Bell 407, my dad's new baby:
What would have been a five hour drive only took us an hour and a quarter by air, so that part was good. But honestly, the turbulence got my heart going pretty good because in a helo you don't just move up and down and sideways. Oh no. You move sideways and in all kinds of funky new directions. Awesome. But we got there in one piece and that's all that counts, and we landed right on the 1st tee box of the hotel's golf course, with a group of our relatives watching. The party was a raving success, and next morning we had a nice brunch with everyone before packing up and getting ready to go home again. The pilot flew the helo from the airport to our hotel and picked us up (I felt like such a jet-setter!), and as I climbed in I shouted to my fave uncle waiting by the helipad, "See how much I love you?"
He grinned and gave me a thumbs-up before walking a safe distance away while dad and the co-pilot started the pre-flight checklist and fired up the engines. We flew home through some pretty choppy turbulence through the mountains. We bounced around pretty good until I actually felt sick to my stomach. By the time Big Weasel and I arrived home I was still queasy and ready for some Gravol, but hubby announced we were having six people over for an early birthday dinner for me. A very sweet thought, despite my angry GI tract.
So there, I felt the fear and did it anyway, and my uncle now knows without a doubt how much he means to me. After all, nothing says love and devotion like facing your worst phobia for someone!
So here's a shot of Big Weasel and I strapped into the backseat. Don't I look calm and happy about being in there?
By Friday he was feeling better, so I reluctantly remade plans to go up to Vernon (in the Okanagan Valley) for my uncle's surprise 50th birthday. Uncle Kev's my favorite uncle, and he's in the dedication for Cover of Darkness. He's a battle Captain in the reserves, plays softball and loves history, on top of being a hell of a nice guy. Enough said. But as it turned out, since my hubby was staying home with Little Weasel, I had to take Big Weasel with me and thought I'd catch a ride up with my dad. Only he'd decided at the last minute they weren't going to drive. They were flying up in his new Bell 407 helicopter instead.
Oh dear God.
Big Weasel thought this was an awesome idea, and I kind of had no other choice so I went along with it. Besides, my characters fly in helos all the time, and they manage it without having panic attacks. And Devon (the heroine from Deadly Descent, who you'll meet this summer) even flies them, for crying out loud. I refused to wimp out. Suck it up, princess.
My dad flew us while his instructor played the role of co-pilot. I was crammed in the back with Big Weasel, my stepmom and the co-pilot's wife as we took off and cruised through the Fraser Valley on our way to the mountains. And I pretended to love every second of it, smiling despite my pounding heart and sweaty palms. Wheee!!! Listening to the radio contact with air traffic control was pretty cool, as were the conversations between my dad and the co-pilot discussing various aspects of the flight, controls, avionics, etc. More research for my next book :) I'm still seriously thinking of taking the ground school portion of flight school. It would sure come in handy for my writing, plus I find it fascinating. Here's the Bell 407, my dad's new baby:
What would have been a five hour drive only took us an hour and a quarter by air, so that part was good. But honestly, the turbulence got my heart going pretty good because in a helo you don't just move up and down and sideways. Oh no. You move sideways and in all kinds of funky new directions. Awesome. But we got there in one piece and that's all that counts, and we landed right on the 1st tee box of the hotel's golf course, with a group of our relatives watching. The party was a raving success, and next morning we had a nice brunch with everyone before packing up and getting ready to go home again. The pilot flew the helo from the airport to our hotel and picked us up (I felt like such a jet-setter!), and as I climbed in I shouted to my fave uncle waiting by the helipad, "See how much I love you?"He grinned and gave me a thumbs-up before walking a safe distance away while dad and the co-pilot started the pre-flight checklist and fired up the engines. We flew home through some pretty choppy turbulence through the mountains. We bounced around pretty good until I actually felt sick to my stomach. By the time Big Weasel and I arrived home I was still queasy and ready for some Gravol, but hubby announced we were having six people over for an early birthday dinner for me. A very sweet thought, despite my angry GI tract.
So there, I felt the fear and did it anyway, and my uncle now knows without a doubt how much he means to me. After all, nothing says love and devotion like facing your worst phobia for someone!
So here's a shot of Big Weasel and I strapped into the backseat. Don't I look calm and happy about being in there?
January 14, 2011
New Release for Savannah Stuart
It's here! Savannah Stuart's newest release from Ellora's Cave is called
Tempting Target
and I'm so in love with this book. There's a really cool story about it too. Back when I first met Savannah (who also writes as Katie Reus), I fell in love with her book City of Secrets, and that's actually how we ended up pals. Now she's extensively revised my fave book to make it even hotter for EC and as soon as I publish this post I'm off to read it. David is just...yum. Knowing the smexin's going to be even hotter in this one...I just might implode :) And, as an early birthday present, the author even put me in the dedication. *blush*
If you haven't read any of Savannah's books, give this one a try because I promise you'll love it. Here's the blurb:
After being widowed at a young age, Jade Hadley is tired of her celibate existence and is determined to add a little romance and sex into her life again. When her deceased husband's sexy best friend admits a longtime attraction, her entire world is thrown off kilter.
Security expert David McIntyre is in love with Jade and has been from the moment they met. Unfortunately for him, that was the week she married his best friend. For years he's stayed silent, giving her time to mourn. When he discovers she's dating again, all bets are off. Then someone targets her to die and he realizes he has more trouble than he bargained for. Seducing her isn't the problem. Convincing her what they have together isn't purely physical, however, is. It might even prove to be a bigger challenge than trying to keep her alive.
January 9, 2011
Cleaning House
Well we finally got around to taking down all our Christmas stuff this weekend. I start putting everything up the first weekend in November, because there's so much ot it and I figure I might as well get to enjoy the fruits of my labor for a couple months. I always dread taking it down again because it's such a huge undertaking, but at the same time I love getting my house back to its uncluttered state. Of course now we've got three hundred new toys for the weasels added into the mix, so they've still all got to be sorted and put away before we drown in them.
In writing news, I'm happy to announce I've finished the draft of my paranormal romance. Gotta admit, there were times I thought I'd never finish it. It still needs something, something I can't quite put my finger on, but I'm going to send the last bit off to my awesome crit partner and then put it away for a week or two before going back and seeing what I can do with it. From here on out, each pass will only strengthen the plot. Yippee! Love this part.
Got a road trip coming up next weekend, up in the Okanagan Valley of BC, a place famous for its lakes and wineries. It's my favorite uncle's 50th birthday, so hubby and the weasels are coming with me to celebrate with him. He's the one that served in the military (gee, I wonder why I love him so much?) and plays softball. Oh, and he's also a history buff. I lived with him and his wife for seven months while I finished massage therapy school up in Vernon, and got super close to them.
Anyway, before I forget I wanted to post some pics of our place at Christmas. Might as well show off all our hard work, right?
Front of the house, viewed from the street.
Family room. Trust me, there are decorations everywhere in this house, so I'm only showing you the highlights. You're welcome :)
Mantle in family room.
Here are some things I've painted over the years. What, you didn't know I paint? Well, not so much anymore, but that's how I burned up my free time before I started writing.
The Santa gourds are still some of my fave decorations.
Front hall entryway. My little snowman family and my favorite Santa, who stays out all year in our living room because he's too big an precious to be put in the garage. Everything on him is antique.
Hands down my favorite holiday decoration is this massive arbor in the entryway, framing the entrance to our living room (parlor, since it's a Victorian house). Isn't it something? Because I have to move all the furniture around upstairs to make room for everything, I have to give up my writing spot for a couple months and work out of the parlor. I love sitting there with the fire going while I write when it's Christmastime at our house.
Inside the living room. That trunk I painted is just one of the many hiding spots for our decorations when they get put away.
The tree in our master bedroom, done in blue because it matches my toile duvet cover :)
And, finally, the pile of loot we woke up to on Christmas morning. Santa even left another trail of footprints this year! The weasels were beside themselves, and seeing their excited little faces adds a magic that makes Christmas even more special.
All put away and tidy now, but hey, it'll be coming back out in a little under ten months!
In writing news, I'm happy to announce I've finished the draft of my paranormal romance. Gotta admit, there were times I thought I'd never finish it. It still needs something, something I can't quite put my finger on, but I'm going to send the last bit off to my awesome crit partner and then put it away for a week or two before going back and seeing what I can do with it. From here on out, each pass will only strengthen the plot. Yippee! Love this part.
Got a road trip coming up next weekend, up in the Okanagan Valley of BC, a place famous for its lakes and wineries. It's my favorite uncle's 50th birthday, so hubby and the weasels are coming with me to celebrate with him. He's the one that served in the military (gee, I wonder why I love him so much?) and plays softball. Oh, and he's also a history buff. I lived with him and his wife for seven months while I finished massage therapy school up in Vernon, and got super close to them.
Anyway, before I forget I wanted to post some pics of our place at Christmas. Might as well show off all our hard work, right?
Front of the house, viewed from the street.
Family room. Trust me, there are decorations everywhere in this house, so I'm only showing you the highlights. You're welcome :)
Mantle in family room.
Here are some things I've painted over the years. What, you didn't know I paint? Well, not so much anymore, but that's how I burned up my free time before I started writing.
The Santa gourds are still some of my fave decorations.
Front hall entryway. My little snowman family and my favorite Santa, who stays out all year in our living room because he's too big an precious to be put in the garage. Everything on him is antique.
Hands down my favorite holiday decoration is this massive arbor in the entryway, framing the entrance to our living room (parlor, since it's a Victorian house). Isn't it something? Because I have to move all the furniture around upstairs to make room for everything, I have to give up my writing spot for a couple months and work out of the parlor. I love sitting there with the fire going while I write when it's Christmastime at our house.
Inside the living room. That trunk I painted is just one of the many hiding spots for our decorations when they get put away.
The tree in our master bedroom, done in blue because it matches my toile duvet cover :)And, finally, the pile of loot we woke up to on Christmas morning. Santa even left another trail of footprints this year! The weasels were beside themselves, and seeing their excited little faces adds a magic that makes Christmas even more special.
All put away and tidy now, but hey, it'll be coming back out in a little under ten months!
December 31, 2010
Bye Bye 2010
Just got back from Whistler yesterday (where many of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games events were held), and the drive was beautiful. This time of year it's kind of rare to have a perfectly clear sunny day up in the mountains, but that's what we had. We left the snow-capped peaks of Whistler-Blackcomb behind us and drove down the gorgeous Sea To Sky Highway back into Vancouver, passing breathtaking scenery like this:
And this:
Unfortunately my hubby didn't make the trip with us, because he threw out his lower back two hours before we were supposed to leave, so I took the weasels by myself. We had a small, stupid accident on the way home, shattering my rear window which I then had to bang out of the frame and cover with plastic wrap before I could drive the rest of the way home. After a long ordeal with my insurance company and the body shop/glass people, I learned I won't have my vehicle back until sometime next week. But, no one was hurt, and that's the important thing. 2010 was a busy year for me in terms of releases, and I'll have two more in 2011. In fact, my Carina Press editor just e-mailed this morning to say I can expect edits for Deadly Descent shortly, and I'm both excited and a little nervous. [image error]
It's been a year since I wrote the story, and I'm sure there will be lots of thing that jump out at me when I look at it this time. It'll be interesting to see what changes my editor has in mind, and I hope I can make the book even stronger. I'll inform you about the release date when I hear anything.
I'm also 75% finished with the draft of my paranormal romantic suspense that I'm tentatively calling The Coven Leader, and hope to get that wrapped up in the next month or so. Once that's done, I'll need to plot out the second one and dive back into book 2 of the Bagram Special Ops series, Crash and Burn. I've got lots to do, and this year I've got to make sure I'm more disciplined at the keyboard. Hello, New Year's resolution! *cough*
Here's hoping all of you have a happy and healthy New Year, and that 2011 has all sorts of wonderful surprises in store for us all.
Kaylea :)
December 23, 2010
Happy Holidays!
I want to wish all of you a very happy and healthy Christmas season and a joyous New Year. Things have been mighty hectic around our house lately, and I've been super sick the past three weeks with a very tenacious strain of bronchitis so it's been tough going. I think I'm on the mend now, but I've torn some abdominal/intercostal muscle attachments on the right side of my ribcage and that's slowing me down a lot. Whee!!!On the plus side, I got word from my Carina Press editor that my manuscript with them will officially be titled Deadly Descent, and I'm pretty pleased since that was my favorite of the suggestions I sent them. I've also received my first few reviews for Absolution, and thus far people seem to be liking the story so that tickles me.
In other writing news, I'll admit I've been a very bad, bad girl recently. I think I've written only a couple thousand words in my latest WIP over the past two months. That's inexcusable and I know it. *hangs head* I'm having serious trouble getting my words flowing, and I hope I figure out what the problem is sooner rather than later! My New Year's resolution is to finish this story and get to work on the second of my Bagram Special Ops series for Carina.
We've got an action packed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ahead of us, then on the 27th we're heading up to Whistler to stay with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (one of my best friends that I used to play ball with, and she married my hubby's brother) for a few days. Then my dad has rented us a place right in Whistler so after we visit with the hubby's side up there we'll spend a day or two with my dad, step mom, sister, step siblings and their kids. Should be fun!
Please remember to count your blessings this Christmas, and don't forget to send out some love to our troops stationed overseas, in harm's way and far from their families this holiday season. Let's hope 2011 is good to us all!
Merry Christmas,
Kaylea :)
December 15, 2010
Come Meet Anna Leigh Keaton
Today I'm at Writers Gone Wild hosting a rare appearance by award-winning erotic romance author Anna Leigh Keaton. Come on by and meet her, say hello, and read all about her upcoming release with Carina Press.Hope to see you there!
December 8, 2010
Absolution Release Day Giveaway
Absolution, the 5th and final book in my military romantic suspense series with The Wild Rose Press releases this Friday, and I'm giving you a chance to win a copy. This is Luke's story, and in my opinion, I've saved the best for last :)It's an emotional ride and even a tear jerker, but I hope the book makes you fall in love with my favorite hero too. He's just so tortured and brave, despite all the sins he's committed in his life. He and Em have both been through hell, so if anyone deserves a shot at a happy ending, it's them.
Stop by Writers Gone Wild anytime between now and Friday night to enter the contest. Just leave me a comment and I'll choose a winner this Saturday, December 11th. Good luck!
December 5, 2010
He's Ba-ack!
As an early Christmas present to me, the Boston Red Sox are this close to resigning their hunky captain for another season. Yep, Jason Varitek is all healed up and staying put for at least one more year. I couldn't be happier about it! Maybe hubby will take me down to Seattle to watch Tek when the BoSox come to town and I'll actually get to see him behind the plate this time. Not that I'm complaining about last time. I won't forget that wink anytime soon ;)We've been super busy here getting the place ready for Christmas. Had our annual holiday bash last night, and even Santa came and made a special guest appearance for the throng of kids here. Though we've got our standard 5 trees and the humongous arbor decorated inside, hubby went crazy this year out in the yard. We've got all kinds of figures out on the front lawn and garden, and he almost bought one of those annoying computerized things that synchronizes music and lights. I'm sure our neighbors are very grateful he decided to pass on that. I know I am.
In terms of writing, I'm pretty sure I'm on the naughty list, and not just because I sold that erotic romance novella a couple weeks ago! Nope, I've been procrastinating like crazy with my WIP and I'm not sure why. Have to push through that and get my mojo back, because I've got a lot of projects to finish in the next year if I want to keep up any kind of momentum. I'm seeing a writing friend tonight for some girl talk over tea with a side of plotting, so I'm hoping that will jump start my muse again. And next weekend I'm hosting the Greater Vancouver RWA chapter for our Christmas shindig, so that's always awesome. But...you should see my calendar for December. It's nuts. Way more so than usual. Everyone in our house is designated with a different color highlighter, and the entire month is so packed full with color it almost gives me a headache. I try not to look at it too often because it just makes me tired thinking about all I have to do this month. Wish me luck!
November 28, 2010
New Orleans, Day 3
Bet you thought I'd forgotten to post about the rest of my trip, right? Nope! Day 3 was a hubby and me day, since Katie had left us. *sob* But it was all good, because I knew we were heading there in a couple days to spend the night at her place.
Here's a shot of me standing in the courtyard garden of our B&B just outside the French Quarter, ready to start our day. Very private and romantic, huh? I think hubby picked a fabulous spot.
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After walking through the Quarter we hopped on the bus to get to the Civil War Museum. So exciting! I was like a kid in a candy store there. They had all kinds of Confederate weapons and artifacts, and a great selection of books. I bought one about a Union medical officer.[image error]
[image error]
After I spent way too much time in there we were starving, so we walked back and took the St. Charles Ave. streetcar to the garden district. There we hunted down two places we'd seen featured on our favorite Food Network show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The first place was Guy's Po Boys, and let me tell you the food was fantastic. We each ordered a small, but the sandwiches were at least six to eight inches long and almost as tall. Mine was filled with delicately fried shrimp, Creole mustard, lettuce and tomato. Amazing, and a huge amount of food considering how cheap it was. After that we walked for a while and hunted down The Creole Creamery, an ice cream place where they make homemade and unique flavors. Mine was Mexican Hot Chocolate (you know how much I love hot chocolate), a dark chocolate base with cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ancho chilies. Delicious and creamy on the way down, but then you get a bite of heat on your tongue. Really neat! It's the only ice cream I've ever eaten that made my nose run :)
On the way back to the Quarter on the streetcar, I have to mention my husband was the only man to get up and offer his seat to a woman holding a toddler and stroller. I started to get up too, but he stopped me and guided the woman into his spot. He's just like that, but I was very proud of him. Seems to me there are very few men like that left out there, and I wish everyone had manners like his.
We got spiffed up for our romantic dinner we'd made reservations for at the Cafe Amelie and strolled over. Not an easy feat in three inch heels when there are cobblestones everywhere, and sure enough I twisted my ankle. But the romantic setting and awesome food more than made up for it. We ate outside in a cozy 300 year old courtyard while a fountain bubbled nearby and lanterns flickered from the boughs of a huge live oak. The stars winked to life overhead while we ate dessert, and it was hands down the most romantic dinner of my life.
[image error]
The Quarter's night life was just starting up when we made the short walk over to St. Peter's Street to Preservation Hall. We stood in line for the better part of an hour to get into the tiny hole-in-the-wall jazz club, but the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's performance made it well worth while. A visit to New Orleans wouldn't be complete without seeing that!
Here's a shot of me standing in the courtyard garden of our B&B just outside the French Quarter, ready to start our day. Very private and romantic, huh? I think hubby picked a fabulous spot.
[image error]
[image error]
After walking through the Quarter we hopped on the bus to get to the Civil War Museum. So exciting! I was like a kid in a candy store there. They had all kinds of Confederate weapons and artifacts, and a great selection of books. I bought one about a Union medical officer.[image error]
[image error]
After I spent way too much time in there we were starving, so we walked back and took the St. Charles Ave. streetcar to the garden district. There we hunted down two places we'd seen featured on our favorite Food Network show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. The first place was Guy's Po Boys, and let me tell you the food was fantastic. We each ordered a small, but the sandwiches were at least six to eight inches long and almost as tall. Mine was filled with delicately fried shrimp, Creole mustard, lettuce and tomato. Amazing, and a huge amount of food considering how cheap it was. After that we walked for a while and hunted down The Creole Creamery, an ice cream place where they make homemade and unique flavors. Mine was Mexican Hot Chocolate (you know how much I love hot chocolate), a dark chocolate base with cinnamon, cayenne pepper and ancho chilies. Delicious and creamy on the way down, but then you get a bite of heat on your tongue. Really neat! It's the only ice cream I've ever eaten that made my nose run :)
On the way back to the Quarter on the streetcar, I have to mention my husband was the only man to get up and offer his seat to a woman holding a toddler and stroller. I started to get up too, but he stopped me and guided the woman into his spot. He's just like that, but I was very proud of him. Seems to me there are very few men like that left out there, and I wish everyone had manners like his.
We got spiffed up for our romantic dinner we'd made reservations for at the Cafe Amelie and strolled over. Not an easy feat in three inch heels when there are cobblestones everywhere, and sure enough I twisted my ankle. But the romantic setting and awesome food more than made up for it. We ate outside in a cozy 300 year old courtyard while a fountain bubbled nearby and lanterns flickered from the boughs of a huge live oak. The stars winked to life overhead while we ate dessert, and it was hands down the most romantic dinner of my life.
[image error]
The Quarter's night life was just starting up when we made the short walk over to St. Peter's Street to Preservation Hall. We stood in line for the better part of an hour to get into the tiny hole-in-the-wall jazz club, but the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's performance made it well worth while. A visit to New Orleans wouldn't be complete without seeing that!
