June Cover

I just wanted to share my June Super Everlasting cover for Always A Mother. It turned out really nice and I like it. What do you think?

Sometimes it takes a while for a cover to grow on me, but the man and the woman on the cover are very close to the ones in my head. If feels like its actually them, Dean and Claire. That's scary and nice at the same time. (I think I hear the music from The Twlight Zone)

Linda

Things are finally starting to happen . . .

So I know I've been totally rotten about posting lately, but like a lot of the other lovelies, things have been crazy around here for the last two months. Closing out last semester (I'm a college professor as well as a writer), surviving the holidays, opening this semester, and taking care of three young boys I'm lucky I remember my own name most days.

It's been seven months since I sold my first novel, The Turn for Home, and I finally have a definitive release date-- it will be a Super Everlasting November 2008 release (which is earlier than originally planned and for that I am incredibly grateful). My first short story, No Apologies (cover to the right) is available at www.eharlequin.com starting February 1st, and I just sold my first two single title novels to NAL. So though it seems like it's taken forever to get this writing career of mine off the ground, things are finally starting to happen. And I couldn't be happier . . . or more grateful.

My Cover.

I was madly working on a proposal when an email came in with the cover for Heart Of My Heart. I could hardly believe my eyes! What a thrill it was to see the faces of what amounts to old friends. After all, this book has been in the works for over two years! This has been one of the best weeks of my life.

Wishing and hoping.

Morning one and all,
I've been madly arranging for a little publicity for my first Everlasting Love book, Heart of My Heart, set to be released in April, 2008. I'm a neophyte when it comes to these things, and so the road to promotion has had a very specific set of bumps. Romantic Times have been great in helping me set up a New Author Spotlight ad, now all I need is my cover. The minute I have that final proof (ie. the cover) that there really is a book of mine out there, I'm going to put the cover here on this blog.
Then, there's all the review things and creating pdf files of my book and the list goes on. Then, I worry that no one will notice one way or the other.
Ah, the insecurities of being an author. Where does it end?
Stella

Nose to the grindstone.

It's that time of year again. Yeah, I know we're supposed to make New Year resolutions, but I'm not. I'm going to clean up my office and get back to work. I've been a slacker for the past week, but no more. Besides, I have this story idea I want to work on about a woman who discovers that she's not alone in this world. Sounds odd, but she'd had this feeling for a very long time...despite having caring parents and friends. Losing her world as she knows it, leads to her finding herself.
So, I love these moments of discovery. Those early, first flush hours when a story has every possibility of being the very best story ever.
Hope all is well with each and every one of you.
Have a fantastic new year.
Stella

A few thoughts for the Holiday Season.

It's Christmas Eve, one of my favorite times of the year, and I'm putting the finishing touches on a Christmas ham to take to my daughter-in-laws, and a broccoli salad, chicken bone candies, dulse, oranges, all things we had for the Christmas season when I was a child. I'd like to wish all the Everlasting Authors and those who read this blog the very happiest of seasons and a wonderful New Year.
Sincerly,
Stella MacLean

A Great Exercise

I just returned from an office holiday party – nothing fancy, just a lot of good food, good will and lots of laughter. I’ll miss this place in the new year when my day job disappears and my writing takes over on a full-time basis.

2008 is coming. Another new year when anything can happen. A year for new beginnings if we so choose. A year for new ideas. And another opportunity to embrace the blessings in our lives and simply take time to appreciate them.

On the bulletin board in front of my desk is a sunshiny picture of a dad holding hands with his two young daughters as they jump into a mountain lake. The caption reads, “Jumping for joy is good exercise.” Looking at that picture makes me smile every single time.

I wish you new beginnings if you want them, continued blessings to embrace, all the joy you can hold whether you jump into a mountain lake or not, and an everlasting number of wonderful stories to read.

Linda

MEMORIES

I thought talking about memories would be appropriate to the season and to the stories all of us write for Everlasting Love. Stories are so often sparked by remembering something good that happened in life, or something that wasn't so good. Happenings that make a person or a couple learn and stretch and grow. The holiday season is the best time for bringing out happy traditions. Fun, laughter, food that only gets cooked once a year. Since we're really getting down to the wire toward Christmas, and those who celebrate Hanukkah are already busy with their traditions, I wish the best of everything for all of the Everlasting authors and our readers. I hope the New Year brings another batch of great stories based on memories reaching back into our pasts or those of the characters we create.
Make the most of every day, and take care to savor the memory making moments as they come. Blessings to one and all,
Roz

Winter Wonderland

Stella wrote about snow last week and when I decided to write for today, I realized I had to bring up the same subject. We had our first winter storm this weekend. Last year, our area in the Midwest was out of power for several weeks in some areas. We were more fortunate. . . our part of the neighborhood has underground power cables. We lost our cable system -- and Internet connection -- but we stayed warm. Friends came over a couple times to use showers and eat dinner with regular lights instead of candles and various camping lanterns.

Once I have my family home safe, I love the days when life has to stop for Mother Nature. At least once a season, everything around here shuts down for a day or two. No one goes to school. Most of the stores are in minimum employee mode (last year, our shopping mall shut down for part of the time -- no electricity and the parking lots were too dangerous). We have a chance to slow down and pay attention to what's around us.

Since this is our day for writing about love, I thought I'd also borrow a page from Stella's comments. My husband went outside to trim some branches that are heavy with ice and hanging over the road. Dangerous for the few people who have ventured out. He rearranged the garage so that my car could come inside for the duration of the storm. We'll share some cooking time in the kitchen and no one will complain about sitting down together to eat, since what else is there to do? My teenage son asked me to play a game with him last night. Later, we'll make a fire and probably watch a movie together or play another game.

I always think of how these days can be blessings in disguise. Small moments that are treasured because they don't come very often. Nora Roberts credits a snowstorm -- trapped inside with two small boys -- for her start in romance writing. How lucky for all of us romance readers and writers! Who knows what new love stories will appear after this winter season?

One of life's lovely moments.

Today is what we on this blog call "Fun Friday". And my fun this week is a trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan to see my granddaughter, Estela.
At 28 months of age, Estela subscribes to the "parrot" philosophy, and so repeats every word she hears. My daughter and her hubby have had to censor some of their own words and off-the-cuff remarks in recognition of this new philosophy.
But the other day, Estela dropped her parrot philosophy to announce that for Christmas she wants a tail.
Yeah, her house is home to two very pleasant cats who have beautiful tails, and Estela wants one just like the ones they have. Children have such beautiful, uncluttered minds, don't they?
But what do I do with a request like that? I've been checking out all the craft shops and costume places, but any tails I found came with full size adult costumes!
Her mother has given up on the issue, and like all parents who feel that the Christmas wish can't be met, she's trying to steer Estela into other areas of possible gifts.
As grandmother to this wonderful little girl, Job 1 when I get to Kalamazoo is to continue the search for a tail.
I'll be back here in about two weeks time, and give you an update.
Stella MacLean