Happy Halloween

I want to wish everyone a Happy Halloween.

If you have time today, come visit Short Story Seduction to see the finish of the story Unmasked, just click here.

And Here's a little eye candy too

Where is Time Going

Where does the time go?

I have to ask myself this question almost daily. As a writer, I spend as much time as I can on my writing, yet it seems like the day is spent on other things.

I know a lot of writers struggle with time management, I include myself in that group. Some days I'm very good at it and other days I'm not.

Some ways to help:

1. Figure out where your time goes. I've done a pie chart, draw a pie and put it into 24 pieces then write on those pieces what you do - each piece represents 1 hour
2. Write down everything you do as you do it, this will show you how much time you're spending on specific tasks
3. Delegate where you can. Can someone else do the dishes? Cook dinner? Do laundry? This isn't always possible, but delegate what you can
4. Don't over commit yourself. I'm very bad at this, I over commit all the time. It's hard to say no, but writing is your job so sometimes you have to
5. If you have issues with the internet or twitter, I handle this two ways. Set a time and when the timer goes off you must closed down the internet or get off twitter. Or you can allow yourself 15 minutes after you've written for 45 minutes.

I'm sure there are more ways, but these are some I use to help myself stay in control of my time.

If you have some time management tips please share them, I'd love to hear them.

Guest: Jennifer Jakes

Today is my guest Jennifer Jakes who is taking about her current release Rafe's Redemption.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m married and we have two daughters. I’ve been a Jack of all Trades – everything from a hairdresser to a dump truck driver. And it’s all been fun. I’ve been able to mark several things off my “bucket list”. We live in the Midwest where the long summer of 100 degrees temps is over and the gorgeous fall colors are making an appearance.

What do like the most and the least about writing?

I hate writing the first 3 chapters! These are the ones that I always end up deleting all, or at least part of, time and time again. I think it’s because I’m still learning about my characters and trying to let them lead me.

Give us a peek into your latest published work?

RAFE’S REDEMPTION

He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.

For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependant woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.

She wanted freedom, not a lover.

Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.

But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

What’s next on the writing horizon for you?

I’m almost finished with edits for a novella, TWICE IN A LIFETIME. (Watch my website for details for the release)

Is there anything you want to tell readers?

I’d like to ask them a questionJ What is your favorite time of year? And why? (OK, that’s two questions.)

Here's an excerpt of Rafe's Redemption:

Oh, Lord. He was going to kiss her. She shouldn’t want this. She was confused enough. Respectable women didn’t kiss men they barely knew, certainly not men who made them have wild, exotic dreams.

It was crazy. He was making her want crazy things. Making her not give a damn about her reputation or her virginity. Or her long-awaited freedom. All she could think about was that dream, and the way his sinful mouth had felt. The table was only a step away, and honey was just as sweet as peach juice…

She swallowed hard and looked up into his hooded eyes.

“Maggie,” he groaned. “Don’t be scared. I’d never hurt you.”

Her mouth parted to object, but firm lips covered hers, hungry, demanding. She gasped, shocked at his hunger, but even more at the illicit response coursing through her. An aching heat unfurled low in her stomach, pulsed between her legs. Oh, yes. It started just like in the dream.

He deepened the kiss, coaxed her lips with his warm tongue. Long, languid strokes teased the inside of her mouth, encouraging, tempting before he pulled back to nibble the corners of her lips.

Oh, God. Is this what all kisses felt like? Hot, lethargic? Melting her like molasses over warm bread?

“Kiss me, Maggie,” he breathed.

Thanks for being here today, Jennifer.

The Book That Almost Wasn't

Last week I talked about how I got my idea of Quick Silver Ranch: Roped & Ready.

This week I want to talk about Quick Silver Ranch: Saddle Up the book that almost wasn't.

I mentioned my original title was Quick Silver Ranch, well after my editor wanted to go to contract for the book, they asked that I change the title. I really liked my title, but came up with alternatives including Roped & Ready and sent them off to my editor.

It was a Friday evening, I was checking my email and had an email from my editor. After talking with the senior editor, if I was willing to write Jared and Angie's book we could go ahead and make it a 2 book series with Quick Silver Ranch in the title.

I sat there staring at the email and sent off an email saying "of course, I'll write it." My head hit the desk. I wasn't planning on writing Jared and Angie's story at least not now. I had no plot, no conflict, I didn't even know who these characters were. After a call to one of my critique partners, she met me for lunch

We did some brainstorming and the next day I started writing. Four days later I had 14,000 words, all of which I had to toss out. Because when I got to the 14,000 word mark I realized Jared was more complex than I realized. So I tossed out those words and started all over again.

I will say, I was pleased with the results. 6 weeks later I had a rough draft of Saddle Up, sent it to my editor who read it gave me some corrections, I did those corrections and sent it back and Saddle Up sold.

I had a blast writing these two book and look forward to writing more book that readers love.

Ideas Come In Strange Ways

Funny how this year seems to be moving at warp speed.

While this year has been good to me with the release of two books:

Quick Silver Ranch: Roped & Ready and Quick Silver Ranch: Saddle Up

I love these two books, so far they hold a special place in my heart. Roped & Ready was born in my head in December 2009, it was right after I'd turned in my first book In Plain Sight and had my release date.

The Wild Rose Press put out a call for a new series called Cowboy Kink. Since I had some time on my hands (for those who know me please don't laugh), I started thinking about writing a book for the series. But I wanted something different than a typical cowboy book.

I started thinking about a ranch for adults, a place where adults in a committed relationship can explore their kinky side without fear. So I shot an email off the the senior editor who was acquiring for the line with the idea asking her if she thought it would work. She told me to go for it.

After 6 months, I had a book that was ready for an editor to read it and off it went. And I started thinking about the next book I wanted to write. Imagine my surprise when just a short time later my editor emailed me telling me the wanted to buy it.

I was thrilled beyond believe, but the title had to change. My original title was Quick Silver Ranch. I'm not married to my titles, but I really liked this one, but after a brain storming session with my critique partners, we came up with several titles and I sent them to my editor.

Come back next week to find out how the Quick Silver Ranch series actually happened.