Moira Keith's Blog, page 316

2013 In Review

Yes, it is that time again to look back on the year and see how I did against my goals and plan for the new year. This has been a year full of challenges and some serious soul searching with my work and the direction I wanted to take with my writing career. I’ve allowed other things keep me from doing what I love in the past and this year I really struggled to find that work/writing/life balance. Have I figured out the magical potion to make that all happen? Unfortunately, I must answer no. However, I do know that I managed to accomplish a few things that are nothing short of wonderful in my writing career.

Published Frost as a holiday novella after expanding it from a short 1500 word story.
Finished the first book of the McGregors series and have a contract with Astraea Press.
Just finished (literally) the first book in my Saints and Sinners series, A Soul to Keep. This will be heading out to the publisher this evening.
Have request for submission for Bewitching Ways which was pitched to Astraea Press during a pitch contest. Very thrilled to potentially have a home for it.

When I look at my short list, I can’t help but feel pleased at what I’ve accomplished this year. It feels like I’m on track. Heading somewhere with this dream. To keep it moving forward, I have to set new goals. Plan for the new year. So what am I looking at for 2014?

Finish Bewitching Ways
Write the second Moonlight Series book (yes, I realize it is long overdue).
Write the second McGregor book. Ian’s story is up next!
Write second holiday novella for the Holly Chronicles for release by end of year.

Yes, there are only writing goals on this list. I have specific stories I would like to see completed by end of 2014. If I can achieve more…fantastic. However, as a writer, if I’m not writing then who am I? These are the goals that will help push me forward (well the goals along with the readers and critique partners). What do you have planned to accomplish in the new year?

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

This time of year (from about October through January 1st) is my favorite time of year. Some years are better than others. Easier to cope with. In my personal life there have been a lot of struggles that I’m working to overcome. In my writing life it has been a good year. Christmas has always been a favorite time of year for my family. I have many favorite things that I like to indulge in to help me get into the spirit of the season. 
Love making baked goodies and treats for friends and family. Seasonal candied popcorn has become a new favorite. Snuggling up with my little men, with cups of hot cocoa, and watching Christmas movies (which we did again last night and watched Arthur Christmas). Decorating the tree which is insanely full of ornaments, including some from my childhood. And Christmas music! There is just something about music that can help lift your spirits (or mimic your mood if that is what is needed). I saw this video on Facebook a week or two ago and loved it so much, that I wanted to share it here on my blog so not only could you all enjoy it, but I could come back to it when I needed a pick me up.
Hope you enjoy Angels We Have Heard on High, by the Piano Guys. The video is not only fun, but amazing and makes me wish I’d learned to play a musical instrument and stuck with it.
 
May your hearts be filled with love, joy, and laughter as we close in on the holiday. Create new memories, remember old, and indulge in traditions that have been passed down through the years and maybe entertain the idea of starting a few new ones. Enjoy the time with your loved ones and do whatever makes you feel fabulous this time of year. For me, it is spending time with my friends and family. Creating wonderful things to give to those I care about. And remembering that this time of year is about living, loving, and giving of yourself to others. 

Frost is Here!

So pleased to announce that Frost is out and available exclusively at Amazon in Kindle format! This story was a lot of fun to write and I hope you all enjoy it this little holiday story!

~*~

Two things Detective Holly Monroe has never been able to handle—Christmas and matters of the heart.

Living the job has helped keep Holly sane, but as the holidays approach, she struggles to keep the past at bay. Then Jack Frost—the man she walked out on a year ago—goes missing and Holly is handpicked by Chief Claus to work the case…alone. Feelings she’s denied for the past year resurface and fear soon follow tempting her to run once more. But elves that leave the North Pole don’t survive long and regardless of her feelings for Jack, she can’t allow him to be suffer that fate.

Bringing Jack back is going to take more than just showing up. Holly’s going to have to decide if she is willing to risk everything—including her heart.

‘Tis the Season for…

The World Series, Birthdays, Halloween, edits, NaNo preparation (aka plotting), writing, reading, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and dare I say it… one must fit sleeping into the schedule somewhere!

This time of year is always a bit hectic in my world. For some reason, fate had my sister and I having all the kids from the end of August on. Apparently, we like a busy fall and winter. Along with the birthday bashes that will be occurring, we have the World Series coming up and this girl loves some baseball!

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A Red Sox vs Cardinals Smackdown. Love it! I have some friends in St. Louis who’ve made the playoffs real fun to watch as I swear I’m rooting for the team opposing them (though between us, I’m not. I’m a Rangers fan and they lost the fight so I just watch for the love of the game now).

There are two more weeks and National Novel Writing Month kicks into full gear. The countdown is on for prepping one’s self for this month long marathon. I need to clear my desk. Focus my mind. Harness my writing chi. Plotting must occur, which is a huge undertaking for a writer who typically flies by the seat of her pants when she puts her fingers to the keys. Still, to survive Nano, which I’ll admit I’ve yet to do, one must be prepared.

So far, in preparing for this upcoming whirlwind of writing, I’ve managed to decide what book I will be working on (kind of huge piece of the puzzle), started to loosely plot (and I do mean loosely), worked on finalizing Frost for release, and I’ve worked on getting some pre-edits done on Anything but Safe so I can send that back to the publisher. What will I be focusing my NaNo efforts on? The second book in the McGregor series of course. Yes, I’m fully aware that several readers were hoping for the second Moonlight book and their hearts sank a little. No worries. The second installment of the Moonlight trilogy will be coming, it just takes longer for me to work through than the McGregor books.

Now I’m off to get some work done before I must leave for the day job. There is lot’s happening behind the scenes over here in Moira’s world. ‘Tis the season for a lot of different things. What is on your plate as we stat to kick of the season of food, family, and fun?

Need a New Read?

I love when new books come out. It is so exciting! Pretty new covers to oooh and aaah over. Blurbs to read. New authors to discover or favorites to fall in reconnect with through their latest creations. There is always something out there for everyone. Go on…take a look. You know you want to get something exciting that you just can’t put down. Here are some of the newest additions to my reading list:

      

This is just a glimpse at my ever growing reading list. Out of what I have here…Nina Croft is on my auto buy list. Have to read each book she puts out (but I’m biased). The other three will all be new to me and I can’t wait to delve in and read their work. Which author is on your must read list and which ones are you dying to learn more about?

Happy Dance!

 

What can I say – I just opened my email and Harry Black gave me some of his lottery winnings. That’s the fourth email I’ve received in the last few days telling me that someone has come into money or left an estate that they wish to share with yours truly. Can’t possibly be a scam right? No that is not really the reason for my post and yes, I really have received those emails.

However, I am doing a happy dance. And yes we are doing this again my lovely Facebook followers. I’m sorry, but how can I not continue the celebration? As an author, finding out a publisher and/or editor gets my story is huge. Even better? When they are as excited to see it reach publication as I was when I wrote ‘The End’. There is an emotional high that follows writing those two little words and it is reignited after hearing back on my submission and it results in a contract offer.

I can honestly say that when I was offered the contract for Anything but Safe, I believe I pulled a full on Calvin and Hobbes happy dance (at least mentally) and didn’t stop until my head hit the pillow. Then it resumed the moment I woke up and is still going on in the back of mind. What’s going on in the front of my mind? Well the next stages of course. Editing, cover art, paperwork, marketing, and writing the second book in the planned series.

In the end, we should see four McGregor books come into existence. Anything but Safe is the intro to only a small part of the family and focuses on Wallace McGregor. He has three siblings and each one of them has a story that is screaming to be told. So, while I keep you informed of all the happenings behind the publication of Anything but Safe, be on the look out for updates on Ian’s story because his story is underway.

In the meantime…join me in the happy dance!

 

 

 

Vampire’s Kiss Martini

Well I really wanted a fun recipe for Halloween. So I scoured the internet and I found this delectable treat courtesy of Sandra Lee from Semi-Homemade. And what a perfect name! So here’s the scoop on a scary good Halloween Cocktail.

Picture from Semi Homemade

Ingredients

1 part raspberry liqueur, Chambord®
1 part vodka, Absolut®
1 part Champagne, Korbel®
Licorice, wax teeth, candy corn, and/or blood orange slice

Directions

In a chilled martini glass, layer raspberry liqueur, vodka, and Champagne. Garnish with licorice, wax teeth, candy corn, and/or blood orange slice.

Recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee.

For the grown-ups who aren’t on chaperon duty, try this Halloween-style twist on a classic Champagne cocktail. Sandra Lee suggests garnishing each martini glass with a set of gummy wax teeth, but licorice, blood orange slices, or candy corn will work just as well for a less kitschy look.

Personally, I’m wondering how this little drink would translate into a cupcake. May have to give it a try!

On my Kindle Read List

Totally a random Friday post, but I was sitting here looking through my Kindle and realized I have a lot of really great books waiting for me to find the time to read them. So what do I have on my reading list you wonder? Well please let me share:

 

 

There you have it…five random and quite fetching covers for books currently on my to be read list! What book is currently calling your name?

Testing…Testing…

Yes it has really been that kind of year. If you look at the long gaps in my posting, you will see that I have not been very active on my blog. Hopefully, that is all about to change. My little zombies have been feeling a little like mom has little time for them, so I had to take a break to re-connect with what was important. To realign my priorities if you will.

Well, it is still a work in progress, but we’ve worked out a deal of sorts. With school back in the swing of things, when they do homework, mom writes. When they decided that it is time to watch Duck Dynasty or Storage Wars, mom breaks out the tablet to sit with them while they watch television…and I write. When they go to bed…mom writes and gets up early to get some work done as well.

So far, it seems to be working. Slowly, I feel like I am getting back on track. Oh and I pulled out an old young adult vampire book I’d been working on and encouraged to finish, so watch out! Stayed up a little too late last night working on that one and man…yawn…am I tired! Excuse me. Good news is…one work day down and we are already at Hump Day! Whoo hoo! So, Happy Wednesday and here’s to getting back on track!

For Two Women Who Amaze Me~

Mother’s day has passed and yet I still feel the need to make my tribute to the two women who inspire me every day and make me strive to be a better mother, sister, daughter, aunt, and friend. To my mom and my sister, thank you for always being there for me and teaching me a little bit more about myself every day.

Thank you for the wonderful day we had yesterday, every day leading up to it, and every day we will have after.