Breast Cancer Awareness

 

 I have been fortunate in my writing career, I get to do something that I like and get paid for it! And for this, I am thankful! I do try my best to “pay it forward” whenever I can. Whether that’s offering my time at a reading/writing conference or making a financial donation to one of the many organizations I support.

One cause that is close to my heart is Breast Cancer Awareness. Several wonderful women I know (friends and family) have battled this awful disease and come out victors.

I was surprised that while visiting friends at the beach a while back, I picked up a bottle of Mike’s PINK lemonade that my friend had offered me.  It was pink in honor of the fight against breast cancer.  “Cool,” I thought and mentioned it as I took a sip.  Then my friend poured some Wheat Thins into a bowl, and I noticed that the back of the box was pink—again, all about Breast Cancer Awareness.

And I know Breast Cancer Awareness month is October, and this is January. It is getting close to February, which means Valentine’s Day and pink, and well, it just got me thinkin’.........

Here today, gone tomorrow

That's exactly what happened with the snow in our area. One minute it's snowing, schools are closed, kids are out building snowmen, I'm looking for Jackie O-No's PUGGS and peacoat (No, she doesn't really have either, I can't bring myself to actually purchase boots or a coat for a dog, but she does have a sweatshirt!)...... And then it's G.O.N.E.

Really, it happens that fast. But maybe that's why I love the winters here. We get the beauty and coziness the snow brings, but only a glimpse, because then it's gone and we're back to rain. rain. rain. I'd rather drive in the rain than the snow though.

On the other hand, now that the holidays are over and I'm really getting into AFRAID TO DIE, snow for a few days wouldn't be so bad. Like I said, here in the Pacific Northwest, we only see snow once a year and usually only one or two inches so it kinda freaks everyone out. It's like, "what is this stuff and how do we get around in it?" It gives me a good excuse to lock myself in the house, keep the coffee on all day and write, write, write. And with AFRAID TO DIE set in the often snowed-in little town of Grizzly Falls, it's all the more inspiring!

Coming Up in the New Year

I thought you might want a glimpse of what I’ve got planned for early 2012.  It’s a busy year and I’m writing like mad—what could be better?  Cold winter days, a cup of hot coffee, Jackie O-No snoring nearby as I write another new story—sounds like heaven, yes?  Currently I’m wrapping up AFRAID TO DIE, the fourth in the “TO DIE” series featuring Detectives Selena  Alvarez and Regan Pescoli and set in Grizzly Falls, Montana.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I wanted to tell you about my next release!  In February, DARK EMERALD will be re-released with a brand new cover.  It’s gorgeous and at that time it will also be available as an e-book!!!  I’ll be promoting the book along with DARK RUBY, it’s prequel, and DARK SAPPHIRE, it’s sequel, both already available as e-books.  It’s a fun trilogy filled with spells, witchcraft, adventure and hot romance all set in 13^th century Wales.  This trilogy was a lot of fun to write and I hope you like it! 

Now . . . currently Jackie’s sawing logs, so where’s that cooling cup of Joe?

For The First Time Ever.....

I know, I know, it’s January, right?  Eons away from the next holiday season.  And I’m not one of those who run out and shop the Christmas sales in anticipation of having the perfect wrap at half price for next year’s presents.  So it’s weird to me that I’ve actually bought something for Christmas 2012, a fun little gift for my grandson.  I guess that’s okay, right?  Christmas is for little kids.  Even if it’s over 300 shopping days away?

Who knows, maybe this year we’ll celebrate Christmas in July?

Ringing in the New Year!!!

Okay, I admit it, the house looks a little bare, but it puts me in a new mode and I’m looking forward to it.  2012 has had such a bad rap.  The whole Mayan calendar thing and movies about the end of the world.  So I guess we’d better live it up until December 12^th, which seems a long time away, doesn’t it?  Well, maybe not when you consider the end of the world, but I’m not going to look at it that way.  2012 is a new year, filled with promise and hope and I’m looking forward to it.  I’ve got trips planned, books to promote, family and friends to hang out with.  So I’m tipping my glass to 2012.  Bring it on!!!