Where'd I go?

Yeah, yeah, I know. It's been a long time since my last blogging post. I have a really good explanation!

I've been suffering with REALLY bad migraines for a few months, so after I'm on the computer all day at my day job, my poor, sore brain can't take anymore computer time. Thus, no blog posts.

But today I was prompted over on a digital scrapbooking site I frequent (Miss Honey - she's quite talented with design) to write a letter to Santa. I thought I'd continue my thoughts here. Perhaps you'd like to post what YOUR letter to Santa would be in the comments?

Dear Santa,

I've been pretty good this year, so I should definitely bee on the "nice" list (I figure you'll give me at least one pass for that one time, right?)

I'd like to ask if I could borrow your sleigh after Christmas - and the reindeer too, please - because I need a vacation to Vegas, and the airlines are just too expensive and the airports are just crazy.

I'd like to ask that you please bring a really great job to my fiance. He's been so good this year, he gave me a ring and everything, so that would make him really happy.

I'd also like to add a money tree to my list. If you could plant it in the backyard when you come, we could harvest some in the spring to continue work on our beautiful new home. I'll be sure to share the harvest from the money tree with those that are less fortunate, or those that forgot to ask for a money tree. That way, I'll be on your "nice" list again next year.

Thanks Santa, remember, we have a REAL fireplace this year, so you can come down the chimney and you don't have to jimmy the locks. The cookies will be on the table, and the carrots for the reindeer are in the fridge, just tell Rudolph not to mess on the lawn again, okay?

Love, Carmen

Project 2996 - We will never forget

Today's post isn't about my book, or writing, or other authors. It's about honoring those that perished on September 11, 2001 with Project 2996 - a wonderful idea by Dale C. Roe.

From what I’ve read about Melissa Rose Barnes, Yeoman second class, U.S. Navy, I think that if we’d had the opportunity to meet, we would've been friends. Her family and friends have described her as the family "clown" – and anyone who makes people laugh can be a friend of mine!

Melissa was stationed at the Pentagon, and was there on September 11, 2001, when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and used as a weapon against the United States. She was 27 years old.

I was living in the DC suburbs at the time, and I can remember that day as clear as glass. I was at work as a Web editor for the Finance channel at AOL, and monitoring Wall Street on the television. The station brought us breaking news to tell us that the first plane had hit the World Trade Center. Honestly, I thought "how awful!" but assumed, as did most, that it was a fluke accident. Only a few minutes later, the second plane hit, and my heart sank into my stomach. Our office building was right next to Dulles Airport, so we were quickly evacuated. I listened to the radio as I was driving home, shaking and crying and wondering what kind of world I now lived in. The radio guy (Elliot in the Morning) said that he was getting reports that the USA Today buildings had been hit because people could see smoke rising behind them. I would find out when I returned home and turned on NBC that the smoke they were seeing was actually coming from the Pentagon, located directly behind those buildings.

I was very concerned about those in the Pentagon, as my friend's father worked there as well. Once the phone lines were open again, I found out that her dad was okay. But others weren't. Melissa wasn't.

"Mel," as she was called, was scheduled to start her first seaborne assignment the next month. Mel's mom told the Washington Post that her daughter was so proud to wear her uniform and serve her country. I wish I could somehow tell Mel and her mom that I am so proud of her for her service and her sacrifice.

I still can't think about September 11, 2001 without getting emotional – and I'm tearing up as I write this. Mel and the other 2998 people who died that day paid the ultimate price for my freedom, my liberty and my happiness. Everyone's world changed that day – and the family and friends of the victims will never be the same. My loss was of innocence, their loss was of spirit.

I honor Melissa Rose Barnes, and look up as I write this and give her a salute. I know she's probably looking back and laughing, just as her family remembers her.

We will never forget.

Read about Project 2996 and see the other participants, so you can read the other memorials and honor them as well.

New Book Widget for THE LIST

I subscribe to a lot of newsletters with author tips and tricks, and several have now recommended BookBuzzr. So, I took a look, and thought it was a cool way to share my book with everyone. With the widget below, you can read an excerpt of the first two chapters, see reviews, press, etc. You can even buy with thw link - it takes you straight to Amazon.

Can I Get a "Woot Woot!" ?

I am always excited (and a bit humbled) when my writing is recognized by - well, ANYONE! From the reviews on Amazon from my wonderful readers to book reviewers to other authors that like my work, it's fabulous to get kudos (They like me, they really like me!)

I did a little internal dance when I found out that I had been nominated for a Book Blogger Appreciation Week Award. (The dance was a bit of a Cabbage Patch, with a bit of 80s breakdance thrown in.)

If I make it to the next stage, I'll let you know where to vote. (And I can assure you, there will be no expected violence at the polls!) If it goes no further, it was a pleasure to be nominated. :)

(Early) Thursday 13 Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

I just found out that there is a wonderful initiative to celebrate book bloggers! I thought I'd participate in the Thursday 13 meme to tell you about it (even though the post is on Tuesday!)

The second annual Book Blogger Appreciation Week will take place September 14-18. Click on the link for all the details!

There have been several book bloggers that have really stepped in and made a difference as I published THE LIST. I've thanked several by nominating them, so if you're at a loss for who to enter in the "Best Book Blogger" contest, let me help. :)

First, clearly, I wouldn't say no to a nomination for http://thelistbook.blogspot.com for the "Best Published Author Blog", (or the "Best Design", the "Best Writing" or for you book reviewers "Best Book of 2009!") Be sure to nominate me here. I'm even suggesting that people write in a nomination in the "write in" space, for author bloggers to be recognized!




Here are 13 other wonderful bloggers to consider (and I've included their url so you can cut and paste into the nomination form, should you like):


1. Malena Lott, who also has her own book published, Dating DaVinci - edits Athena's Bookshelf (www.athenasbookshelf.com). She ran a marvelous interview with me there, which you may read again if you'd like. She also blogs under her own name at http://www.malenalott.com/Malena_Lott/Blog/Blog.html


2. Denise Robbins, who wrote It Happens in Threes and the new Killer Bunny Hill interviewed me on her blog, and I interviewed her on mine!


3. I received a wonderful review for THE LIST from Love, Romance, Passion (www.loveromancepassion.com) - where it's all romance books, all the time. It's a great place to go to find new romance/chick-lit reads.


4. Another outstanding review for THE LIST came from Coffee Time Romance (www.coffeetimeromance.com). Another great spot for honest opinions about romance novels to read (or not!)


5. Kay's Bookshelf (www.kaysbookshelf.com) also liked THE LIST when she reviewed it, and I've found her reviews to be most insightful. :)


6. #LitChat (http://litchat.net) is a wonderful Twitter chat about books that takes place a few times a week, but they also maintain a blog. That's where they posted the transcript of the one time I was a guest host. I find the chat, and the blog follow ups, to be a wonderful resource!


7. Kimber Chin (http://businessromance.com/)is another successful author and blogger, and has created quite a stir when it comes to romance e-books. :) She was a guest poster for my blog when I was on vacation.


8. While I concentrate on the romance genre, Richard Ridley (http://rwridley.wordpress.com/) is a great YA author and blogger. He has great things to say, and runs killer contests. :)


9. Then, there is my friend Steve Weddle, who blogs at http://steveweddle.squarespace.com/. If you're an author, he's a good guy to know. :) Plus, he's a fiction writer and poet, whose writing style is addictive!


10. My friend Sara Taney Humphries is a new paranormal author of the Amoveo Series and you can find her blogging over at http://amoveoromanceseries.blogspot.com.


11. Authors of I'll Have What She's Having Liz Fenton and Lisa Stienke write some of the most humorous and insightful blog posts, and not all of them are about their obsession with "The Bachelorette." Check them out at http://www.chicklitisnotdead.com.


12. One of the most ingenious pieces of blogging - that every author must know about - is the Authors Promoting Authors site. (http://authorspromotingauthors.blogspot.com)I've not run across another site that so openly gives authors free space to get their name out there!


13. This space is for your very own choice. Get out there and Google "book bloggers" and find your own favorite!




Home of the new Thursday 13

New Book

I'm excited to tell you that I'm about 10,000 words into my new book! The story is coming along nicely. However, the summer weather, and lots of distractions, are keeping me from really writing. I need to get cracking more!

Summer Sale!

"I read "The List" while on vacation and really enjoyed it!"

"Take "The List" to the beach or your back deck, even dinner at your favorite watering hole and lose yourself in the trials and tribulations Candace has to go through to get to her version of Mr. Perfect."

"I recommend it for a hot sunny day on the beach."

These are just a few of the review snippets from Amazon.com for my novel, THE LIST. As you can see, lots of folks think that THE LIST makes for great summer reading.

In honor of these reviewers, and of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, I'm offering a summer sale coupon. If you order now (a signed copy no less) you'll get $2 off the Amazon price and free shipping! So $14 gets you a fun book for the beach, your summer vacation, or just a stint on your front porch!

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