Christi Snow's Blog, page 42

The affects family have on my writing…

My When the Mission Ends trilogy features at its heart three siblings: Colton, Chris, and Cassie Robertson. Chris & Cassie are twins that are 4 years younger than Colton. Their parents died in a plane crash when Colton was 10 and the twins were 6. They then went to live with their estranged grandfather, whom they’d never met, in Lubbock TX. Their father had been a Major in the Army and all three of the kids grew up fascinated and loving the military. Both Colton and Chris went into the Air Force while Cassie became a military history professor at Texas Tech. That’s the basic premise behind the main characters.

But there is a LOT of my family and its influences on these books. Let’s talk about those for a moment.

1. The opening scene (the prologue) in Operation: Endgame was based upon true events with my (now 17 yo) son, Jacob. (BTW, you can read the prologue of the book on Amazon.) When we lived in Pope AFB, NC, he and a group of his friends were constantly playing war games out in the woods. Full on camo uniforms, face paint, and the wooden Thompson guns. That scene was where the entire series came from…it started with just a germ of an idea and grew from there.

2. I am 4 years older than my younger twin brothers, Daniel and David, although I am not near as bossy as Colton is. I have to admit, he is my favorite character from the series…do you think that’s a coincidence?? BTW, my favorite scenes from the series come between these siblings. They don’t always get along, but they definitely love each other and stand by each other.

3. All three of my heroes have been in the Air Force. When I started writing this series, my husband had just retired from 20 years in the Air Force. Yes, I most definitely have a love for this branch of the military.

4. I graduated from Texas Tech University and Lubbock is without a doubt one of my favorite places on earth, much to my husband’s chagrin…he’s not a fan of the town. hehe. It was a no-brainer for me that this is where this series would be set. I will admit though that I probably didn’t think that through. As romantic suspense books, there is a fair amount of death and destruction which I wouldn’t wish on any town. I probably should meet with someone from the Lubbock PD and apologize for what I have done to them in the fictional world.

5. I talked about Jacob’s influence, I probably should mention my daughter Kat’s. Kat is 5 and is always at my side (at least until Monday when she starts kindergarten). I am home during the days with her and that is when I write. As a result, I tend to “talk” with her when I am working through scenes in my head (don’t worry, no corruption…I talk about the books in EXTREMELY vague terms…she doesn’t know about all  the sex, death, and destruction.) In Operation: Endeavor, Kat provided ideas for two very pivotal scenes….1.) the butterfly was all Kat’s idea and, 2.) Kat herself actually appears in the book. Both hubby and mom are slightly appalled at that fact (*ahem* she may or may not be a bad guy in the book). I continue to state in my defense though that it was TOTALLY her idea! ;o)

6. I haven’t mentioned my mom have I?? Hmm, I write somewhat steamy romance which she absolutely critiques and reads for me….constantly (she is so good to drop everything when I need some feedback), but for some reason she refuses to talk about the sex scenes. hehe. My love of romances comes from her. I remember spending summers devouring her Harlequins. I love you, Mom!!!

7. Motorcycles…I think I will save that part of the post for another day, but yes, we love motorcycles around here too!!

Don’t forget, the e-book version of Operation: Endgame is out within the next couple of weeks. I will keep you all updated on the specifics, but for right now that release date is September 14th. I’ll have some giveaways and fun stuff coming up with that!!!

Hello from Hot Texas!!

August in Texas is just not a pleasant place to be.

LOL! It’s hot!

I posted this graphic last week on my personal Facebook page and it’s so very true.

Right now, we are definitely dead in the middle of Summerer.

But I love Texas and that’s why my first books are set here. There’s a different feel to Texas.

For the most part, I grew up here (at least from the age of 10 when we moved to Midland…although we had done a few months in Amarillo when I was in kindergarten). I went to college here. Yes, Texas Tech in Lubbock TX where all three of the books (Operation: Endgame, Operation: Endeavor, and Operation: Endurance) are set ….and I am planning a series of four books on a ranch in Texas too.

So, as a writer, how do I combat that heat in my books? Margaritas and a pool!

Enjoy this excerpt from Operation: Endgame….

Cassie switched off the blender, stuck in a straw, and moaned in appreciation. “Yum. I’m officially the Queen of Making Margaritas.” She yelled out into the backyard at her best friends, Julie and Penelope, “Refills coming right up! Those glasses better be empty and in the air ready for more of my fabulously perfect margaritas.”

Cassie smiled and laughed as she sauntered through the back door, carrying the pitcher of margaritas and her own glass, already topped off. The semester ended the day before at Texas Tech University and they were spending the day lounging by the pool to celebrate the end of another academic year.

As a military history professor, Cassie would be headed to Europe in two weeks to spend the summer as a guest lecturer. The year before, Cassie acted as a military strategy consultant on a video game, called Endgame. It became a bestseller within three weeks of release and remained there ever since. Cassie’s interview on the video extras made her a celebrity and in high-demand as a guest lecturer.  It promised to be a crazy summer, but for now, she was celebrating the freedom from responsibility and drinking accordingly. This was their third pitcher of margaritas and all three of them were pleasantly buzzed.

They were at Cassie’s cozy little bungalow just a couple of blocks from the campus. She adored this house and had lovingly restored it when she had inherited it from her grandfather, while she was still in college. That restoration included the addition of this oasis she now called her backyard. Chris, Jake, and she had spent two whole summers transforming it, but the work had been worth it. There were terraces filled with mood lighting, easy-to-care-for plants, outdoor speakers, and the piece de resistance….the pool which beckoned all of them in from the West Texas heat.

Today, it was Julie and Penelope who were beckoning her to come refill their empty glasses. They sat in the shade of the outdoor umbrella which loomed serenely over the café-style bistro tables. They were her best friends, next to Chris and Jake, but the three girls could not have looked and acted more different from each other.

Julie was the tiniest of the three. She was a physical therapist at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center and also filled in as a physical trainer at the Fitness Center on campus. Her dark black hair was cut into a cute little pixie cut which fit her small frame and many times, she was mistaken for someone in junior high. At least, that was the case until she turned around and said person got a glimpse of her rack which would make any Playboy bunny envious. She was quiet, serious, and they all gave her a hard time about her OCD tendencies.

Penelope owned the local bookstore and taught yoga at the University Fitness Center. She had wavy honey colored long hair, startling jade green eyes, and a free-spirit attitude which made everyone love her from the very first. She was vivacious and outgoing and didn’t meet anyone who wasn’t an immediate friend. She was also flighty and a bit scatter-brained, but most people just learned that was part of her charm and overlooked the fact. Only her best friends knew that, for the most part, it was an act she used to hide her brilliant mind.

Cassie was tall, with a thick cascade of auburn hair. She grew up in Lubbock and had the Texas drawl to match. She’d always been a tomboy and very athletic. Now she channeled her athleticism through her running, which was almost like a religion to her. It was how she kept the margaritas from going to her hips, how she sorted through her lesson plans, and worked out the stresses which came from working at a high-stress University system. Also, it kept her fears about all the boys at bay so she could sleep at night.

They, the boys and her, had all grown up playing silly neighborhood war games, but those games established a love of the military for all of them, even Colton. 

Colt was her older brother by four years. He went to Texas A&M through the Corps and was a Special Ops officer. He flew combat-ready C-130’s and was a Major stationed at RAF Mildenhall in England. 

Jake, Chris, and Cassie all attended and graduated from Texas Tech. Jake and Chris went the ROTC route with Jake becoming a PJ- Pararescue Jumper for the Air Force. He spent his career as a military paramedic jumping into enemy territory rescuing downed pilots and Spec Ops guys who had run into trouble. Jake had just been selected for Major although he hadn’t been officially pinned on yet. 

Chris was her twin, younger than her by 4 minutes, and a fighter pilot who flew F-22’s. He was a Captain in the Air Force and the consummate flirt of the group. 

Colton was her older brother, Chris was her twin brother, and Jake was their best friend. They all three were in the Air Force and constantly in too much danger for her liking.

Cassie re-filled their glasses and then flopped down into one of the empty chairs. Julie asked, “Have you heard from any of the boys lately?”

“Colton called Sunday. He’s doing okay, although I still don’t think he’s dealing well with Dianna’s leaving him.” Cassie’s forehead scrunched up as she considered her older brother’s pending divorce. “Right now, he’s safely ensconced behind a desk playing commander in England. I hate that he lives so far away. I’m looking forward to getting to spend a little bit of time with him over the summer, so I’m hoping the desk duty continues.” She gave a mischievous grin, “No matter how much he hates it.” That grin quickly turned into a scowl as she continued. “He said he didn’t know where Jake and Chris are stationed right now, but he’s lying to me.” 

Penelope looked at her questioningly. “Why do you think he was lying?”

Cassie shook her head. “I know my brothers too well. I could tell it from his voice. Besides,” she said, her voice cracking, “I’m having nightmares about Chris. Something’s wrong. I know it.”

Both of her friends suddenly looked worried. As twins, Chris and Cassie always had a unique connection. They simply knew when something was wrong with the other one. Cassie continued, “I’m sure I’ll hear from him soon. He’ll tell me he broke his toe or something and then I’ll feel stupid for getting all worked up about it. But until I hear that, I just don’t have a good feeling.” Her eyes welled with tears at the remembrance of the visions of Chris in her dreams and her voice cracked when she said, “The dreams have been really awful.”

Suddenly, a doorbell rang from inside the house. “Okay, no more unhappy talk. Like I said, I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything. Come on girls, it’s the start of summer. Drink up and I’ll go see if whoever is at the front door wants to join us.” Cassie bounded into the house, while Julie and Penelope shared a look of concern.

 The print book is out now. The e-book will be out in September.


Have a great week everyone!

It’s time to start…and I’m stuck!

Sunday, I officially finished my first round of edits on Operation: Endeavor and sent it out to my beta readers. Now I sit on pins and needles, waiting to find out if it’s any good or not…and just desperately hope they love Colton as much as I do. ;o) Since then, I haven’t written a single word.

Not. a. single. word.

I know it’s only been three days. That may not seem bad, but to me, it feels like an eternity, especially with Operation: Endurance lurking. I’ve said from the very beginning that Endurance was going to be challenging to write. Now that I am faced with it, I think I’m a bit terrified and am frozen with it.

Not. good.

So, I’m stuck and not sure what to do. I could just keep reading other people’s amazing writing and enjoy the Olympics (which I’ve been luxuriating in for the last three days.) Or I could suck it up and write, realizing this book is going to need and take a lot of work. I know, I know….it’s time to suck it up.

Or I may just write a short fun novella beforehand to break the tension and emotion that will be Endurance. ;o) I know, right? Like I don’t have enough books started already….

Regardless, I hope everyone is having a great week!!

Through the Veil Cover Reveal!

I have the BEST cover designer ever (Amanda from AMDesignStudios).
Today, I’m going to share with you my first cover from a new paranormal dystopian series I’m writing.

This is Book #1,  Through the Veil .

These books will be a bit shorter…around 50,000 words. My plan is to release them as e-books at $2.99 each and then once I have two out, I will bundle them into a single print copy.

I’m not sure when this one will be out. It’s almost written (first draft), but I don’t want to mess with my release schedule for When the Mission Ends trilogy. Right now, I am thinking it may be out in early 2013, but that may be pushing it with my editing and writing schedule on the other trilogy.




Story Overview:
58 years ago a gorge opened up from Mobile, AL to Quebec City, Canada to split the United States into the Western States (WS) and the Eastern States (ES).

40 years later a fog rolled in on the WS that they called the Veil. Within twelve hours it formed an impenetrable wall between the two sides.

It’s been 18 years since anyone has known what’s happening on the other side of the Veil.

Now, Lori, an Other, in a desperate attempt at escape from the ES’s torture and experimentation, has crossed the Veil and found a world beyond belief.

Marcus is a Warrior, but when Lori collapses at his feet wounded and exhausted, he knows he has to protect her. But seeing that she’s the first person he’s seen in 18 years without wings, he’s worried about what her appearance means for his people and the world they’ve created since the Veil fell.

Two new societies: one built on a respect for the natural order of nature and the world, the other built on mistrust and corruption. Can they learn to co-exist once again?

Top Ten Tuesday- July 10

Good evening! I promise I am going to get this post up before Tuesday is over. I’m writing like a maniac over here, but I am not going to let it interfere with the other things I need to get done.

So on we go to this week’s Top Ten Tuesday post! Whee!!

10. This… was posted on Harlequin’s Facebook wall this morning and I think it says it all!

 

9. Ready to meet my new Hero and Heroine?? This is Marcus (although imagine him with dark purple wings) and Lori…

You can find the rest of the characters from this new story/series on my author Facebook page.

 

8. A New Story

Wait, you didn’t know I was writing a new story?? Honestly neither did I. But whee, it has morphed into a SIX-BOOK SERIES!!! Through the Veil is book #1 and the series will also be called Through the Veil.

Through the Veil Story Description:

58 years ago a gorge opened up from Mobile, AL to Quebec City, Canada to split the United States into the Western States (WS) and the Eastern States (ES).

40 years later, a fog rolled in on the WS that they called the Veil. Within twelve hours it formed an impenetrable wall between the two sides.

It’s been 18 years since anyone has known what’s happening on the other side of the Veil.

Now, Lori, an Other, in a desperate attempt at escape from the ES’s torture and experimentation, has crossed the Veil and found a world beyond belief.

Marcus is a Warrior, but when Lori collapses at his feet wounded and exhausted, he knows he has to protect her. But seeing that she’s the first person he’s seen in 18 years without wings, he’s worried about what her appearance means for his people and the world they’ve created since the Veil fell.

Two new societies: one built on a respect for the natural order of nature and the world, the other built on mistrust and corruption. Can they learn to co-exist once again?

 

7. Candace Havens Fast Draft Class

(I needed a visual so I grabbed my favorite cover of her’s. I just happen to have this book in my TBR pile…someday, I’ll read it.)

And this class is how I’m managing to write Through the Veil. In four days, I’ve written 21,000 words and fully plan to have the book done within 10 more days. I know! It’s all about shutting up my internal editor which is really hard to do when I’ve worked so hard to find and train her, but I’m liking the results so far.  Candace’s website.

 

6. Skittles

And with lots of writing comes lot of these. Yes, in the last four days, I have gone through FOUR of these full-sized bags!?! OMG! It’s out of control. I ran out of them this morning at noon. I refuse to buy anymore. At this rate I will be diabetic. The real test now begins…can I write without Skittles???

 

5. Le Tour

Yes, we are fans! I don’t know how it happened. Dh is a bicyclist, but somewhere along the way, I became obsessed. This is at least the third year we’ve watched it. I jump out of bed at 7:00 to see it live, then watch it again at night with DH…oh, and I follow all the tweets too the rest of the day. Can we say obsessed??

 

4. Moosejaw

I mentioned dh before…yes, he’s an outdoor guy and is prepping to go on a big backpacking trip. The other day he got a package from Moosejaw that included this bumpersticker. As a romance writer I can get behind any business that promotes French Kissing.

 

3. My Best Read of the Week

The Theory of Attraction by Delphine Dryden- if you like erotica and have a soft spot for geeks, I think you’ll like this one! You can see my review HERE.

2. My favorite pinterest pin from this week…

1. For your viewing pleasure…

Have a great week everyone!!!

Top Ten Tuesday…

Long time, no blog. Sorry!!! Life has been crazy around here lately and I just never can seem to find time to get on here. But the next two weeks, my plan is to play catch-up and do a whole lot less writing on my books and more things like prepping blog posts, cleaning my house, spending time with my kids, etc…

So what all has happened since the last time I posted on here???

10. Operation: Endgame was released in paperback.

Wait, What?!? I know, I was just surprised as you. Hehe! I’m still learning this process and didn’t realize that when I approved my proof of the book, then BAM…it’s out! Live and learn, but there is a special significance to how it got released. The actual release date is shown as June 20, 2012 which just happens to be my 20th anniversary with dh. I decided to follow my dream after following dh and his dreams in the AirForce for 20 years. It just seems “right” that our 20th anniversary is my release date. Serendipity!

The good news is that both Barnes and Noble and Amazon have it on sale at a fabulous price. The book retails for $11.99, but they both have it on sale for $8.63. I have NO IDEA how long that price will be good. I will still be releasing the e-books, but that release date is staying as September 14th.

9. I finished Operation: Endeavor!!!

At least the first draft of it. Now  I’m gonna leave it alone and let it simmer for a couple of weeks and then I will get to editing on it. I really adore Penelope and Colton and I feel like it’s a strong novel, but I already know the edits it needs are extensive. I’m hoping to have a copy of it out to my beta readers by the first of August.

8. I won with CampNaNoWriMo!

Which just means I wrote 50,000 words for the month. I love NaNo months. On days where I would walk away from the computer, I stick with it and get so much more done. I really need a NaNo event about every other month. Just think about the writing I could get done. By the way, this was my second time doing NaNo. The first one, I started Endgame. This one, I finished Endeavor.

They’re doing another one in August. I’m not sure what I am working on yet. Endurance is going to be a tough novel and I need to do some research in prep for it. Just not sure if I’ll be ready to dive into it yet. One of those things I’m concentrating on the next couple of weeks.

7. 20th Anniversary getaway.

When Jacob was born (he’s 17 now) we lived in a little mountain community called Cloudcroft, NM. We loved it there and it’s a pretty close drive from my parents house, so we dropped the kids off and headed to the mountains of NM. We stayed at the Lodge Pavilion (that’s our room on the left…yes, I adored that fireplace.) We had a fabulous three days away…hiking and exploring. Someday we plan to have a little cabin up there to retreat to.

 

 6. hmmm, yes firefighters!

While we were in Cloudcroft, there was a huge fire raging in Ruidoso (actually one of our favorite camping and hiking areas we love there was wiped out.) We were out to dinner our last night there and after a day of  much-needed rain, in walked about 25-30 wildland firefighters. My writer’s brain has been going ever since. They NEED a good romance story, don’ t you think…

 

5. My latest Best Read…

Deliver the Moon by Rebecca J. Clark. I loved this book about a divorced couple finding their way back to each other. It was very emotional and just beautifully written. You can see my review of it HERE.

4.  Introducing The Martins and the Rocking M ranch…

I had a surprise in writing Operation: Endeavor. I discovered a new series waiting to be written. ;o) I had no idea. The Rocking M ranch is 35 miles east of Lubbock, TX…just as the caprock drops off. There are four boys who run the ranch with their father Michael: 1. Andrew (age 36 yo) who is a Texas Ranger, 2. Scott (age 32 yo) who is a volunteer paramedic and firefighter,  3. Thomas (age 28 yo) who dated Penelope for about 6 weeks, 4. Matthew (the baby of the family at 25 yo)

I don’t have character pictures of all of them yet, but meet Thomas…

3. What do you do when you’ve been married for 20 years???

You join Weight Watchers together. Hehe. To be fair, I’m a lifetime member (lost 40 lbs. 10 years ago) and besides my Skittles while I’m writing addiction, pretty much stay on track. But dh hasn’t done so well since leaving the Air Force. He’s doing awesome in the program so far (has already lost almost 10 lbs)…

2. So true….

1. EyeCandy!!!!

You have to love a man in the kitchen….

Have  a great week everyone!!!

Book Reviewers Wanted

Hello Everyone!! It’s finally ready.

Operation: Endgame is ready to go out to reviewers. The e-book doesn’t officially release until September 14th, but the print book is already available. (HERE’s the link if interested) Review copies are e-books.

*If you have a book blog and want to review my book, email me at snowchris_01@yahoo.com

1. Let me know what format you need it in.

2. Give me the URL for your book review blog.

3. Email me the link to your review when you complete it.

The reviews can go up anytime between now and the September e-book release. I would ask that you also place your reviews onto Goodreads and Amazon.

Here is the story synopsis:

It’s been six months. 

Six months since Jake Madsen let Chris Robertson die. 

Six months since the passion between Jake and Cassie, Chris’ sister, stepped over the line.

But now Cassie’s being stalked and it’s time for Jake to swallow his guilt, grief, and lust so he can save her life, even if it’s a life without him. He owes it to his dead friend and he owes it to Cassie. He’s fallen in love with her, but she doesn’t have to know that for him to keep her safe.

I hope to hear from you soon!! 

Top Ten Tuesday: June 12th

Good morning everyone! Overall the writing is going well on Operation: Endeavor.

There was lots of smexy fun happening in Colton and Penelope’s world this week and it was awfully fun to write. ;o)

As far as Operation: Endgame goes, this week, I got it completely formatted for printing. I’m just waiting for the final cover graphic from my designer and then I will order the print form of the book. This is such an exciting process for me right now. It probably will lose it’s shine about the 4th

or 5th book doing this, but for right now I’m loving it. Within a couple weeks, I should be actually holding my book in my hand!!!

Now let’s get to this week’s Top Ten list!

10. My favorite read of the week…The Hostage Bargain by Annika Martin. This is an erotica book and from the description I was expecting lots of silly, sexy fun. There was that, but also so much more depth to these characters and story than I expected. It was really a fabulous read and I can’t wait for the next in the series. You can see my review of it HERE.

9. Thirty-One bags and gifts- Have you ever been to a Thirty-One party?? Omg, they have the cutest bags and things. My friend Amy just became a consultant and she was talking about the Fold-and-Go organizer would hold a Kindle. I may or may not have had to order one or two of these. What? You have to have a couple of styles depending on  your style mood for the day.

8. Nails- I’ll tell you a secret…I bite my nails. I’m not as bad as I used to be, but yeah, they usually look pretty crappy. Saturday, I was scheduled to do a photo shoot for some author photos, so I decided spur of the moment to go get my nails done on Friday. I haven’t done this since I got married 20 years ago (it actually even cost the same amt. as it did 20 years ago which I was astounded by!)… (and yes, I was wearing my really ratty ragged jeans that day…I told you, it was a spur of the moment thing) It’s been interesting to learn to type with these babies….and texting…OMG, impossible!

7. The Photo Shoot- Tommie Huffman was my photographer and OMG, she was awesome! She had a couple of makeup and hair artists come in and “do” me beforehand. I’ve only seen a few of the shots and am already so happy with the results. (And no I don’t look this good in real life….see ratty jeans in photo above, so don’t act too shocked when you meet me in real life, okay?? hehe)

6. Kat in my lashes- When I got home, Kat had a fun time playing with my lashes.

5. I have a confession to make. I cannot write anymore without eating candy. By the time this book is done, I’m gonna weigh 300 lbs. I must wean myself off this habit. DH suggested I munch on celery instead, but I just can’t see that working for me especially since I HATE celery. Have any suggestion??

4. My favorite Pinterest pin this week. I think I need to write about a heroine who rides this Vespa. Isn’t it cute?? Maybe a story set in France… although a girl riding this in Texas could be interesting too. She’d have to be quirky.

3. Books that caught my eye– I saw a review of this book this week and am intrigued. Where There’s Smoke by Karen Kelley. A demon kicked out of hell and ends up in Ft. Worth- how can it not be good?? hehe!

2. Smexy fun- I did mention that Operation: Endeavor got all kinds of smexy this week. Yeah, this book is considerably hotter than book #1 was. It wasn’t planned that way, but there’s just no controlling Penelope and Colton’s really combustible chemistry. Here’s a little hint or two….

1. Sigh- Yeah, we can’t have a post without some of this happiness going on…

Have a great week everyone!!!

Top Ten Tuesday…errr, on Wednesday!

Okay, so I am still getting into the swing of having another blog to work on. I promise to do better, but it may not happen until after June when CampNaNoWriMo is over. 2000 words a day is tough to accomplish and really sucks my time, but so far, I’m still on track (working on book #2….Operation: Endeavor). Yippee! Cross your fingers that I stay there. BTW, Endeavor now sits at 47,000+ words. I’m on the downhill slide now.

So here is this week’s Top Ten:

10. My favorite read of the last week…Jilted by Rachael Johns. This is a contemporary romance set in Australia and I loved everything about it. EXCEPT right now, it’s only available in Australia, unless you order it from HQN- AU. Boo! I’ve written letters expressing my opinion of this because I want all my friends to be able to read this book. It’s so good! You can see my review of it HERE.

9. It’s time for the Bath & Body Works semi-annual sale. I love it when this sale roles around because I can find some of my favorite discontinued scents and stock-up. This year I am after my favorite Velvet Tuberose. I need to head out to B&BW today before they run out!

8. Best Buy Geek Squad- June 1st…the first day of CampNaNoWriMo, I turned on my netbook, where I do every single bit of my writing, and NOTHING HAPPENED. OMG, serious freakout…not because I would lose everything (I back-up daily, religiously)…but because that little computer is my writing. I can’t write without it. Seriously!?! But I rushed it into Best Buy and they immediately got it working for me again. *relieved sigh* I was writing again within the hour and debating the need for another little laptop sitting in it’s box, waiting…just in case.

7. Um, yeah…this. hehe!

Pinterest link

6. Books that Caught My Eye… I am thinking I’m going to NEED this one. Burning Up by Anne Marsh (coming out Nov, 2012.) Isn’t he pretty?? The book sounds really good too! ;o)

5. Maxi Dresses for little girls. I have a 5 yo little girl and she is completely and totally a girly girl. In the past couple of weeks, I’ve bought her a couple of maxi dresses. They are cool and  she adores them because they are floaty and twirly and  so totally girly. She flits and floats throughout the house all day on days that she’s wearing them. If you have a little girl, I highly recommend you go out and get her one!

4. Snow White and The Huntsman. Have you seen it yet? I haven’t, but the reviews I’ve read have been atrocious. I only get to go to around 2-3 movies a year and usually 2 of those are g-rated with cartoon characters. I don’t want to waste my chance to see a movie on a bad one, but I was really looking forward to this one. What to do? Give me your opinion…did you like it?? Or should I go see The Avengers instead?

3. CampNaNoWriMo Gear…I love camping kitsch, so I’ve loved the theme for this year’s CampNaNoWriMo. I treated myself to a couple of fun items from their store. Love the style! It’s a fun way for me to support the site!

2. Just because I can…hehe….

1. And speaking of Hot Men…no words needed. *sigh* You’re welcome!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Sprinting into June…

I probably should be scared at this point. Normally, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on what I am doing any given month, but today is the first day of June and I can already tell, this month is going to be manic. I may just need a spa retreat for a week or two if I make it through. So, what’s happening?

Camp NaNoWriMo…i.e. WRITE 50,000 words in a month. *eeks* I haven’t managed that kind of pace since NaNo in November. BUT my goal is to have the first draft of Operation: Endeavor finished by July 1, which is about 48,000 words from where I’m at now. I’ve spent the last two days plotting the last half of this book and am ready to dig in and write. I just have one section of the story that I haven’t figured out how to tie up yet…hmmm.

 

Operation: Endgame…. I need to do one more final read-through on this book, then send it to my proofreader. Then it’s done and time to get it printed and formatted for both printing and e-book publishing. This all needs to be completely done this month so I can start sending out ARC (Advanced Reader Copies) to the book reviewers.

 

My Book Review Blog- *ack* Who thought this month was a good time to sign up to read and review 23 books?!?! OMG, my review schedule is going to kill me this month, especially on top of everything else I have going on. Instead of writing for the last two days, I have concentrated on reading trying to get ahead on this. So far, I have 5 of those 23 reviews done. (pst, if you don’t know about my book review blog, you can find it HERE)

 

Celebrating 20 Years- also this month, dh and I celebrate 20 years of marriage. We’re going to take a mini romantic break, dump the kids at my parents house, and head to the mountains. Think he’ll notice if I come to bed with my laptop?? hehe….

So do you have any huge plans for June?? I’ll definitely keep you informed on how I progress on all mine! Have a great weekend everyone!