Heather Thurmeier's Blog, page 32

2011, Day 365

Okay, so maybe I'm a couple of days shy of the new year, but it's close enough! On Jan 1, 2011 I did a post called "2011, Day One." In it I set a few goals for things that I wanted to accomplish during the year ahead. I thought it would be fun to go back and see how I made out. Here's my list of goals taken directly from that post:

1. Get something published somewhere. Vague, but reasonable. And the most important goal of them all. This will be my year to get The Call.

2. Write a few books targeted to ePublishers. Totally doable. Not sure how many, but as many as I can. I'm falling in love with the idea of epublishing and I'd love to have books out there in ebook world.

3. Write my second single-title romance. Hmmm, I need to flesh out a few ideas for that one. I have a couple started, but they need some brainstorming.

4. Get an agent to represent my first or second single-title and shop it/them to publishers. That shouldn't be too hard to accomplish, right? Right?! Oy…

Easy-peasy lemon squeezy.

That's a pretty good list. So how did I make out with my goals? Let's see, shall we?

1. Get something published somewhere.–Check! LOVE AND LATTES was published by Silver Publishing in Sept. BUNNY HILLS AND BIKINIS was indie-pubbed in Nov.

2. Write a few books targeted to ePublishers.–Check! LOVE ON LANDING, the second in the Meadow Ridge Series, is scheduled to be published by Silver Publishing in Jan 2012. And I'm currently writing another book for that series, which will hopefully get contracted as well.

3. Write my second single-title romance.–Check! I just finished the first draft of another full-length novel. This one is a paranormal romance. Although it isn't a single-title since I believe it will be book one of a series. But I think this is close enough that it counts!

4. Get an agent…–Check!!!! I almost didn't think it would happen, but it did. I'm represented by Jill Marsal and so far, she's awesome. As for the second part of this goal, time will tell…

2011 was better than I could have dreamed when I originally wrote those goals back on Jan 1. I would have been happy if I'd been able to just accomplish one of them. To look back on the year and see that I completed all of them, well, what can I say but wow. I'm amazed. I'm blessed.

And I'm looking forward to what 2012 will bring. Time to set some new goals!

Goodreads List!

Hi everyone,

I was just wandering around Goodreads and I noticed something new—LOVE AND LATTES was included on a list of Best Debut Chick Lit!! I don't know how I got on a list, or who put me there, but thanks! I'm not sure it means a whole lot more than someone liked my book enough to put it on a list, but…

SOMEONE LIKED MY BOOK ENOUGH TO PUT IT ON A LIST!!!!! It's the little things that make it worthwhile. *happy sigh*

Stop by and check it out by CLICKING HERE! And you know, ahem, vote for my book while you're there! It looks like this:

Happy Holidays! And a Reminder…

Hi everyone,

Happy holidays to all you! Whatever you celebrate this time of year, I hope it was great. We had a pretty quiet Christmas around here. Just us and the kids this year. But it was nice. We got up early, opened present, ate yummy food, lazed around playing video games and extracting toys from their torture devices, I mean, packaging and drank mimosas—my kind of day!

 

 

And just a quick reminder that BUNNY HILLS AND BIKINIS is only on sale for another week! If you want to get it for only 99c you better act now because starting Jan 1, it goes back to it's regular price of $2.99. Click on the links below if you want more information!

AMAZON

NOOK

New Cover Art–LOVE ON LANDING!!

I'm so excited to share the cover art for my upcoming release, LOVE ON LANDING (A Meadow Ridge Romance). It's due to come out Jan 28, 2012 with Silver Publishing. I love it!! Reese Dante, the cover artist did an amazing job!

 

The Blurb:

When Tali tries to recover from a recent break-up with a trip to Paris for some retail therapy, she discovers shopping isn't the only way to cure her broken heart. On route, she meets new pilot, Gavin. Tali and Gavin have instant chemistry and friction as their personalities clash at 30,000 feet.

One night in bed isn't enough to quell the fireworks between Tali and Gavin and when tempers erupt, Tali's ex-boyfriend is there to pick up the pieces. Too bad she's finally realized what she really wants in life…and it isn't her ex or the life her father has planned back home.

Now all Tali wants is the man who loved her enough to tell her what she didn't want to hear, but can she win his heart back again on the trip home and find Love on Landing? 

Carrie Ann Ryan's Friday Favorites! And a GIVEAWAY!!

Today I have Carrie Ann Ryan here visiting. She's answering some silly questions for me today all about her favorite things. Let's get started!! But before we do, there's one more thing…

Carrie is offering a $10 Amazon.com gift card to one lucky commenter!!! So be sure to leave us a little note with contact information if you want a chance to win!!

Thank you so much Heather for having me here!

Fav Book Babe?

Well, my favorite eye candy is Henry Cavill. Yum. But my favorite Man Candy from a book is Spade from the Night Huntress series. Yum. Dark flowing locks, deep eyes, chiseled features, English nobility, and he's a vampire. Yum.

Fav way to spend a night out with the girls?

If we go out, we like dancing and getting free drinks from the guys LOL. It's funny since we are all married and tell the random guys we are married, but they like dancing. *shrug*

But we stay in mostly and I do the cooking, they bring the wine, and we talk about books and our husbands.

Fav genre to read and to write?

To read? ANY type of romance. Contemporary, Paranormal, Historical, Sci-fi, Western, Ménage, Gay, etc. Love it all

To Write? I started off writing contemporary, but I find myself writing more and more paranormal. I creating my own rules and worlds.

Fav date night rendezvous spot?

Out to dinner with the hubby then we come home and play video games. LOL I know, odd right? But we play the Lego games like Harry Potter or Star Wars, where we have to work together. We only pull out the Mario Kart for parties. The fighting and cursing is too much for date night LOL. But as long as Hubby and I are together it works. He's a grad school and I'm a lecturer, we never get to see each other as it is.

Fav ice cream flavor?

Karamel Sutra from Ben and Jerry's. Yum. Or Butter Pecan.

Thank you so much for being here today!! Carrie's new release looks and sounds awesome! Be sure to check out the blurb! Also, leave a comment and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon.com gift card! Sweet!!

An Alpha's Path Blurb

 Melanie is a twenty-five year old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams – be he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over one hundred years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

 

 

Available now at:

AMAZON

NOOK

Guest Post with Sandra Sookoo–And a GIVEAWAY!

The Lure of the Fairy Tale

What is it about a fairy tale that sucks me in every single time?  Ever since I was a little girl, I've been a huge fan of them.  I grew up with the Disney collection of books, then when I was a teen, I graduated to fairy tales of the world.  I still have all of those books and love reading the Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson versions of the tales, even when those endings are quite as rainbows and unicorns as you see in the movies.

I think for me it's knowing there will be a happy ending no matter how much peril and danger the heroine or hero have to slog through to get there.  It gets me excited while I wonder how they're going to pull off that miracle.  And, of course, when the iconic "true love's first kiss" finally comes along, it's a heart melting and full body sigh moment.

I've always wanted to try my hand at retelling a few fairy tales.  The first of which is WISHFUL THINKING.  It's a reimagined take on Rumpelstiltskin, told in a modern-day way.

 

Blurb:  Believing may be seeing but confidence can change impossible situations.

Plus-sized Jovie Andrews is constantly passed over for promotions and she feels invisible.  Things only get worse when her boss, thinking he can impress the owner of their company, tells everyone that she can change old contracts into gold bars.  If Jovie thought her life was bad before, she had no idea how horrible it could be until she finds herself in a room with stacks of outdated contracts she's expected to miraculously transform.

As she pours a cup of tea, she rubs at a stain on the creamer pot, and a magical being, Rand, appears, saying he'll help her with her troubles–for a price each time.  Skeptical yet curious about the exotically sexy man, she agrees, but she's not prepared for the erotic things he does to her as reward.  Over the course of her trials, he teaches her how worthy of good things she really is.

Once the tasks are completed, and freed of Rand's help, Jovie is given an ultimatum:  find out his full name or exchange her life for Rand's; otherwise, he'll be lost for all eternity and she'll be trapped in the prison he came from.

 

Book video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn5A9L...

 

Short excerpt introducing the villain and the heroine's predicament:

Clinton threw an arm about her shoulders. "I have recently discovered Jovie has a hidden talent." The oily chumminess in his sent bile into her throat.

"Oh?" Dan's beady eyes roved over her body. "What would that be? She's too much on the fleshy side for that type of activity."

Heat swept through her cheeks at his implication. Before she could object, Clinton interjected.

"I wouldn't know. She rejects all my attempts." A trace of bitterness echoed in his statement. "However, you're not even in the ballpark, sir." His wolfish grin widened. "She has the ability to turn old contracts into gold. And not just any gold. Gold bars." He held up a hand, palm outward, when both she and Dan scoffed at the idea. "I know you're thinking I'm insane, and that Jovie would have to be a magician to attempt something like this."

Jovie jerked from under his arm. "You're an ass, Clinton."

"I agree. Time is money." Dan retrieved a yellow note pad and pen from the polished wood table. "Get to the real point instead of this hormonal nonsense between you two."

"Oh, this is the truth, sir. I don't know how she does it, but our girl has been holding back. Think about it. Wouldn't a few gold bars patch the hole in this doomed company? You can say we're solvent all you want, but we both know the end is coming."

"Proceed."

Clinton threw an evil look over his shoulder before turning his attention back to Dan. "In fact, I'd bet a month's commission that if you brought in a copy paper box full of outdated and cancelled contracts, Jovie could turn them into a stack of gold bricks before the morning. Just think of how much cash that could translate into with today's prices."

"That's ridiculous!" Jovie marched forward and yanked on Clinton's arm. "What kind of crap are you trying to pull here? I can't turn contracts into gold any more than I can turn this conference table into a chariot with six horses." She mentally berated herself for thinking of fairy tales at a time like this when what she really needed was a level head.

"I agree with Jovie on this one, Clinton." Dan's face reflected his doubt. "I don't know how you're trying to get your rocks off, but this is a stupid idea." He turned toward the doorway.

"Are you sure?" Clinton followed their boss and laid a congenial hand on his shoulder. "What do we know about her? She's worked here for six months and hasn't made many friends among the staff. She rejects every effort we've made to take her out for drinks. She's secretive. If you let her walk out of here, how do you know she won't quit overnight and lend her unique talent to another company?"

Speechless with outrage, Jovie could almost see the wheels turning in Dan's brain. Stupid, greedy man! I can't believe he's considering this! She curled her fingers into fists, biting her bottom lip when her fingernails bit into the flesh of her palms.

Clinton's smirk widened. "Imagine if what I say is true? A pile of gold bricks could keep this company afloat for a long time and give you the cash you need to woo bigger clients, perhaps open up a second location. Hell, you could close this white elephant and retire to some tropical location and play golf the rest of your life."

"Oh, please." Jovie swallowed heavily when the light of materialism sprang into Dan's eyes. "Sir, you have to know how stupid this sounds! Turning anything into gold. What an idiotic idea. He's making this stuff up."

As one, both the men assessed her. Dan cleared his throat. "Stupid or not, I have no choice except to see if what Clinton says is true." He rubbed bony fingers over an equally bony chin. A Cheshire grin played about his thin-lipped mouth. "Clinton, escort Jovie into the small conference room at the end of the hall. The one without windows so she won't be distracted. Jovie, I'll bring all of last year's contracts to the room and let you have a go at it."

Horror swept through her stomach and left it in knots. "Are you people out of your minds?" Jovie made a move to shove past the men. Clinton grabbed one of her arms while Dan led the procession along the hall. "Let me go! You can't hold me against my will. This isn't the Middle Ages!" Fear rose in her throat and tightened her chest as sweat dampened her back, causing her lavender silk shirt to stick to her skin.

Dan waved off her protests. "It won't be against your will. You'll work in the conference room. If you don't do the job, you won't have the job anymore. Your choice."

You can purchase WISHFUL THINKING from:

AMAZON

ALL ROMANCE 

You can connect with me here:

Website:  http://www.sandrasookoo.com

Believing is Seeing blog:  http://sandrasookoo.wordpress.com/

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/sandrasookoo

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sandra.sookoo

Giveaway:  Since the hero Rand's life is closely related to a tea tray, I thought it would be fun to give away a tin of gourmet tea and imported tea cookies.  (US residents only)  Random winner will be drawn by 5:00 p.m. EST tomorrow so please be sure to leave your contact information.

Holiday Prep

Can I put her shoes on my Christmas list?

I've been busy with writing related things and Christmas has officially snuck up on me. Usually I'm done my Christmas shopping and shipping and planning in Nov. This year, it took me until yesterday to get the last package in the mail. What does that mean? My niece probably won't have her gift under the tree. I'm a terrible aunty.

This year should have been easier for planning and stress of the holidays. See, we normally travel home to Canada for the holidays, but this year we're staying home. No travel = no stress, right? Wrong. Now I just feel the pressure to make sure that the holiday we have here with our family is great. I don't want us to feel sad that we didn't go home to be surrounded by family. Which means, I need to be the one that brings the traditions to our house instead of leaving that up to my mum and mother-in-law. Now it's my stress!!

Now that the gifts are bought (a few even wrapped!) it's time to focus on food! This year I'm planning on a turkey dinner —'cause I've been seriously craving one since Thanksgiving. And I'm planning on making our favorite Christmas lunch for after the presents are open. And I'm debating about making some of our most favorite holiday treats. My mother-in-law is the queen of holiday baking, but a few years ago she passed on a few of her recipes to me. I wonder if I can do them justice?

So, what holiday prep do you still have left to accomplish before the holiday season is upon us? Are you already planning your meals and baking?

BUNNY HILLS AND BIKINIS–The Movie

Last week I shared with you who I would pick to play the lead roles in LOVE AND LATTES if it was made into a movie (purely dreaming of course). This week it's time to find out who would play the hero and heroine in BUNNY HILLS AND BIKINIS. So here goes:

 

 

Nate Miller, my uber-sexy workshop presenter with the hottest voice imaginable, would be played by Alcide Herveaux. Let's all just take a moment to say YUM!! Delish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Amelia Brookes would be played by Amanda Seyfried. Can't you just picture the two of them together in the hot tub scene. Hawt!

 

 

Six Sentence Sunday 12/11

Another Sunday is here. Check out all the awesome authors participating by clicking HERE!

This week Nate and Amelia have managed to find themselves in Nate's room with a whole night ahead of them…

 

 

 

 

"Take me to bed, Nate," she whispered into his mouth.

"With pleasure," he said, scooping her into his arms without pause.

If he drops me, I'll die of humiliation. And we'll have to do it right where I land.

He carried her through the French doors to the adjoining bedroom, and deposited her onto the bed. He hovered over her, his eyes hungry, and a thrill of excitement raced through her almost as if she were his prey—but in a good way. 

 

 

 

 

 

During December, get BUNNY HILLS AND BIKINS for only 99 cents!!

AMAZON

NOOK

Liia Ann White's Friday Favorites!

This week I have Liia Ann White here with me. Liia is a friend and a fantastic author! She has agreed to stop by and answer some silly questions for me. Yeah! So here they are:

Fav meal?

Mashed potato and spinach. It combines 2 of my favourite foods and tastes SO good. Is that weird?

(Yes it is, Liia… Yes it is! LOL.)

Fav guilty pleasure movie or TV show?

I love shows like Ice Loves Coco, Kendra etc. 'Reality' TV. When I'm bored or restless, there's nothing like some trash TV to keep me entertained. Of course, this is only if there's no animation on – American Dad! Etc

(I LOVE reality TV!! But I don't know these shows you speak of… Off to Google…)

Fav holiday?

My last trip to the US earlier this year. Honestly, it was the most fun I've had in a long time and the first time I've been away completely alone. I met so many awesome and fun people (this site's owner included!) and had such a great time, it'll be very difficult to top.

(Aww, we loved having you in the States!)

Fav singer/band?

A tie between Paramore and VersaEmerge. I love them both. They help me write, both lead singers have incredible voices and write brilliant and deep lyrics.

Fav Hollywood Hunk?

Hands down – Ian Somerhalder. He loves animals and the environment as much as I do, acts in my favourite TV show based on my favourite book series AND is easy on the eyes. He can give most women one look and make them want to melt (I've attached a pic for you to include at the bottom, just to illustrate how good looking the man is hehe)

Thanks so much for having me!

A great big, huge thank you to Liia for being here today! Liia's newest release looks so awesome! I LOVE this cover so much. I can't wait to check it out. It is totally on my TBR list.

Blurb for HER FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS

 

Remy Sommers has grown weary of his playboy lifestyle. He's ready to fall in love and settle down. Problem is, he doesn't know where to start. After attending his sister's wedding, he takes her advice and contacts the 1 Night Stand dating agency – the same agency she used to find her new husband.

Bella Donna has had enough of blind dates. She's always left bitterly disappointed. On the advice of a friend, she contacts Madame Evangeline, hoping her reputation precedes her and she can find Bella Donna her perfect man.

A mysterious invitation from Madame Evangeline leads them both to the secluded and exclusive Castillo Lodge in Alaska for a holiday event.

Will they get their happily ever after? Or will their first white Christmas end in disaster and disappointment?

BUY IT HERE!!