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2006 Diary Archive

December 25, 2006 -- Merry Christmas! Wow, this day kind of snuck up on me and now it's here. Not only is it Christmas Day, but it's the last Passionate Pen update for 2006. Holy Hannah, how did that happen? Next Monday will be January 1, 2007 and this diary will be fresh and empty and new with a whole year's worth of things yet to happen. If you're thinking about your resolutions for next year, be sure to check out Articles for Writers. I've put my old article about setting goals up at the top. I'll be talking more about my goals for next year on January 1st.

This year has been another wonderful one. 2005 had me spinning, but in 2006 I think I settled in more and am feeling more comfortable. I had two books out this year, Parlor Games in May, which took off like no one expected. Multiple weeks on Bookscan and lots of national press for the launch of Red was so much fun for me. I hope if you bought the book, that you enjoyed it. I really liked writing about Arabella and Valentine. And now there is even more coming, since I sold two more single-title length erotic romances for Avon Red this past summer.

In August, my second historical romance hit shelves. From London With Love launched my Lady Spies series and made me feel a little more comfortable with where I stand in my career. I'm in the beginning of a journey, but I seem to be moving forward at a slow and steady pace. About a week after the book's launch, I turned the big 3-0. Which was a big part of why I did the Breast Cancer 3-Day in September. Thanks again to everyone who supported me and helped me raise nearly $4000 for the cause.

So, yeah! It's been a busy, crazy year. And I enjoyed every moment of it. Thanks to all of you for coming along for the ride, yet again.

Oh and one more thing before I sign off for 2006 -- Desire Never Dies is out tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you manage to find a copy, I truly hope you enjoy the story.

December 18, 2006 -- Okay, it's final countdown time! Just one week from tomorrow and Desire Never Dies will officially be out! Like I said last week, I have no idea when stores will actually put it out. There may be some leakage late this week and some stores may take a week past the release date to get around to it. I just hope that when you do manage to get it, you'll enjoy it. :)

This past week was a little crazy. My husband was awarded his MBA on Saturday, so I was racing around getting things ready for the BIG DAY, as well as that unexpected visit I mentioned earlier. It's kind of nice to be so busy with my Real Life as the weeks count down to the release date. I find I'm much more able to be Zen about it. Yeah. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

I am doing a couple of things this week. Check out My Events to find out where I'll be and when. I'm also thinking I'll probably get the revised version of Seduction is Forever back from my trusty reader-writer friends. Something to tackle after the holiday next week. Oh, and the final installment of the progressive excerpt at Jenna Petersen will go up tomorrow, so go check that out if you want to know how the first scene of Desire Never Dies ends. I'll also be updating next Tuesday.

December 11, 2006 -- Just two weeks from tomorrow and Desire Never Dies will be out. I'm actually very curious to see how the release plays out. With Christmas just the day before, I wonder if bookstores will actually put the books out on December 26? Will they do them early? Late? Eeek.... not at all??? Stay tuned...

I'm happy to say I finished my revision this past week. I had to kick my schedule up quite a bit because of an unexpected visit, so I pretty much just locked myself in my office and worked until I was done. Now Seduction is Forever is off with a couple author friends. Once it's back, I'll fiddle with it a bit more, then read it one last time and ship it off to New York. Hopefully I've hit the mark, it's hard to tell after these Revision Death Marches.

Don't forget to check out Jenna Petersen tomorrow! The second part of my three part excerpt from Desire Never Dies will be up, as well as some other fun updates!

December 4, 2006 -- I'm on the countdown now! Only three weeks from tomorrow, Desire Never Dies will be on the shelves! Woohoo!! I'm so excited for this book to finally be here. I just can't wait. Have you noticed? Is the bouncing coming through on your side of the screen? Oh, and don't forget that I'm actually updating Jenna Petersen every week this month. That means come by the site tomorrow and check out the new updates, including the beginning of a progressive excerpt from DND.

I'm also really stoked to say that I met my writing goals last week and I'm halfway done with The Promise of Pleasure! This book gives me fits, I swear, but hopefully a very emotional, sexy read will come out of it.

I'm about to take a break from the book, though, because I now have revisions for Seduction is Forever to work on (starting today). My fabulous editor May Chen and I had a lovely discussion regarding them last week and I'm raring to go to tighten up this book and hopefully make it a smashing end to the series. Oh, also, I found out that Everything Forbidden, my next Jess Michaels erotic historical, has been moved to November. I know, an extra couple of months. I'm bummed, too, but the two books will still be back-to-back which is awesome!

My goal is to finish the revision of Seduction before Christmas. Then I'll start back on TPOP after the holiday, with the goal of finishing the first draft before February. That will give me a month for revision (it's due March 1). So... I'm going to be busy. If my Passionate Pen updates are not as huge as normal... please forgive the crazy writer. If it helps, I might not be showering, either, so you won't be the only ones suffering. ;)

Have a great week everyone!

November 27, 2006 -- It's so easy in this profession to compare yourself to so-and-so or worry about what's going to happen next book or next year or next level. And trust me, those worries only compound once you have made the jump from aspiring to published author. There's always something to worry about. So, I've put myself on a new plan. I'm calling it Choose Happiness. I realized that I can drive myself crazy with every little buzzing problem or disappointment or fear that comes around... or I can choose to be happy. So I'm going with the second one. Or I'm trying at any rate. I actually wrote it out and hung it up and my husband says he's making me a bracelet. And every time I start to worry, I'm going to look at it and say, "Choose Happiness." Because honestly, it really is as easy as that.

Last week, I wrote more than my goal page count, so I'm very pleased. This week I'm back to my 50-page minimum. I'm going to be very near the halfway point of this book when I'm done this week. How cool is that? I'm really loving these characters, too. This book is really very sensual and emotional (at least it feels that way while I'm writing) and it's so much fun to write now that I've gotten past my starting book blues.

On a final note, you may have noticed that the Sin Series is no longer listed on the My Books page. That is because this series is now out of print and no longer available. However, I am pursuing other avenues for the books and hope to have an update on their status in the coming months.

November 20, 2006 -- In a week where I'm thinking about all I have to be thankful for, I'm definitely pleased to say that the writing of The Promise of Pleasure as one thing. After a couple of rough weeks, this week things seemed to smooth out a bit. In fact, I'm about a third of the way in now and making progress steadily. My husband has taken all of this week off, though, and with the holiday, too, I'm not pushing myself too hard on the page goal during the next few days. If I write, I'll write. If not, that's okay. I still think I'll finish up with this book before Christmas (assuming I don't have revisions for Everything Forbidden and/or Seduction is Forever hitting my door, which honestly will probably happen sooner than later). That will give me plenty of time to let it sit, take a small break and have the book fully edited and turned in by my March 1 deadline.

It's hard to believe it's already Thanksgiving week (only for the American visitors, of course)! This year has truly flown for me. I have a lot to be thankful for. My family, my friends, all the wonderful readers who enjoy the books and take time out of their lives to tell me. I'm thankful for the great working relationships I have with my editor and agent. I'm thankful for the story ideas that keep coming even when I squash my muse under deadlines. I'm thankful for any success. I'm even thankful for the failures, since I invariably learn from them.

I hope, wherever you are, that have much to be thankful for this year, too. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

November 13, 2006 -- It has a title. What, you ask? The third Lady Spy book. It's official, Seduction is Forever. I'm so excited since that was my title for it and the one I expected they'd keep. It's an October 2007 release officially, too. :) I love cover conference. Of course, now I have to wait about six months or so to get the mechanical and see what beautiful thing the art department has created this time. But it's sort of like anticipating Christmas.

This past week I struggled with writing. No opening of a book has ever given me this much trouble, I swear. But I managed to slug through and actually make my page goal, which felt like a huge accomplishment this week. I'm hoping the book continues to get easier as I go along. I really like the story and the characters, it's just getting to the point where I like the book. I'm getting there. And hey, I've found that the books I struggle most with are often the most emotional and have the most impact. Maybe all that writing angst translates ultimately.

Not a whole lot else going on. I've gotten a couple reviews for Desire Never Dies, which will go up on the Jenna Petersen website in December. The site will be updated every single week of that month until the release of Desire Never Dies on December 26, so make sure you visit the whole month! Also, there are still a couple more weeks to enter the ARC contest. Two lucky winners will get a copy of Desire Never Dies almost a month before it hits shelves. :) Check out the site for details.

Okay, happy writing all!

November 6, 2006 -- I have some fun news this week! As most of you probably know, I am now a Jaunty Quill. This great group of authors is full of friends and when they asked me to join in, I couldn't say no! This means my regular blog won't be updated anymore (the daily thing was getting hard, especially with all the deadlines I'm on right now), but I will be posting to Jaunties once a week or more. So check me out there.

In other news, I updated both Author sites this past week. At Jenna Petersen I'm giving away a couple of ARCs of Desire Never Dies, so be sure to go check that out! I'm getting so excited for DND's release! Only a couple more months now. :)

On Saturday, I was at the Joliet Library Author Fair, which was really fun. Lots of area authors. I found out my books are pretty much always on hold at their library and a bookseller told me London has been flying off the shelves in her store, too. Yay! You can just never hear that too much when you're an author and completely neurotic and always certain your books are tanking.

This week, I really need to write. I was supposed to do that last week, too, but I'm struggling so much with the opening of this book. I don't think an opening has ever given me so much trouble. But I was talking to my friend Susanna Carr (whose newest book is out Tuesday, so go check it out!!) and she had some good suggestions about my prologue, so I'm hoping it will get easier... or at least I'll be able to write something crappy and move on with the book. I can always fix it later. I'm just nervous about trying to get a chunk of this puppy done because soon enough I'll be getting revisions for my back-to-back Fall 2007 releases. In order to stay up on my deadline race, I'll need to be on point.

Speaking of my Fall releases, Avon will be going to cover conference this week on the third Lady Spy book, so I'll have the official title by the next update. We're all pretty certain of what it's going to be (and I've talked abut it here in the past, I think), but until it's officially official... well, I'll just wait on the big reveal. You never know.

In closing today, I would like to state that my agent rocks. Seriously, a good agent can make your life so much easier. I mean, this is a person whose entire professional relationship is basically set up to protect you. That's pretty awesome to know someone has your back like that. So hooray for the good agents! Worth every penny of their 15%.

October 30, 2006 -- Houston, we have a title! Avon has approved Everything Forbidden as the title for my next Jess Michaels release (September 2007). And it's MY title, too! Woohoo! Now I just can't wait to see the cover. Which will be... um like six or seven months from now. But good things come to those who wait.

This past week was so much busywork. Busywork around the house (waiting for service men and cleaner guys); busywork professionally (putting together workshop proposals for National and preparing for upcoming events and website updates), just busywork in general. On Thursday, though, I did have an interview at Squawk Radio. Being interviewed by one of my romance idols. Um, priceless! It was just lovely and I was so glad to be invited.

During all my busywork, I also did some Spring Cleaning. I faced the horror of my file cabinet (insert screaming here). But you know, I found so many cool things. First, I found the original letter from Miriam requesting my full manuscript. I saw that it was from her and thought, "Why is she addressing me as Ms. Petersen?" And then I realized what it was. Beneath that I also found the piece of scrap paper with all my notes from the morning she called and offered representation. In another file folder I found the note paper that said "Avon Bought Two of My Books!!!!!!!!" and then the bare bones of the original deal for Scandalous written in a very, very shaky hand. One final thing I stumbled upon were my goals for 2006. I'm very pleased to say I'm able to cross them all off! I actually succeeded in getting everything done I wanted to get done. And that's pretty awesome.

This week, it's back to the grind! You've got to keep laying the groundwork for even more goals, right? That's what my tarot card reading said, anyway. I will be starting work on The Promise of Pleasure as soon as I finish up with this update. I'm so excited! I cannot wait to see what happens in this story with these characters. Remind me of that in a few weeks when I'm whining, will you?

Oh, and speaking of web updates, both my author sites will be updated on November 1. Make sure you stop by Jenna Petersen, especially since I'll be giving away ARCs of Desire Never Dies!!

October 23, 2006 -- It was a catch-up week for me this past week. I've been trying to pull together some last minute promotional stuff for Desire Never Dies (January 2007), including the GORGEOUS ad that my husband has designed for me to go in the February 2007 RT issue. I'm advertising in February instead of January for two reasons. One, Avon puts an ad in the release month for all their books, so I didn't want to double up. Plus, the February issue hits the stands in the very beginning of January, so it's a good time to remind readers who read the review in the January issue, but forgot about it during the last crazy weeks during Christmas. Anyway, my sweetie has done an absolutely spectacular job and I'm very excited to see his ad in the issue. :)

This week I'm also still off from writing. I really need to do some serious cleaning and organizing. My husband will be out of town for part of the week, so I'm hoping to get myself in gear by the time he gets back Thursday night. And then.... we're picking up a new truck, probably this weekend! We'll be a two-car family for the first time ever and I'm very excited about that. I'll be taking the older vehicle (which is only a couple years old, so it's not really 'older') and he'll have the 2006 Raider.

Next week, though, no matter what I'm back to writing. I'll be starting The Promise of Pleasure, my next Jenna Petersen historical romance. If my editor wants changes, I'll just cross that bridge when I get to it. If I don't, then I'm going to be really crunched for time come the New Year.

October 16, 2006 -- I'm very pleased to say that I finished the first revision of Everything Forbidden early last week. Then I dug in for a second read and ended up shipping it off to my fantabulous agent in New York a couple of weeks early. She liked it (YAY!!!!!) So I'm DONE! I found a lot of things I really liked about this story. They say it will be released September 2007, so when it comes out, look for a highly sensual and deeply emotional story. With a groveling scene. Because you can't go wrong with that, right?

Anyway, this week I'm getting some ducks in a row, taking care of some personal business. Then it's dive full-tilt into The Promise of Pleasure (I hope). I'd love to have a first draft done before the holidays.

Otherwise, I dealt with a bit of unpleasantness this week. Nothing with Avon, of course. They are never anything but fabulous. Just some other stuff. But it's all going to be resolved and new ventures may even come out of it. We'll see...

As a final note, I am tired. And I still have a whole bunch of books to write coming up. So, I guess I'll be pumping the caffeine straight into my veins. Or maybe pumping less and trying to get to sleep at a better hour (I'm a morning person married to a night owl).

October 9, 2006 -- This past week I have still been catching up from my New York trip. Lots of sorting and mailing and to do lists to, well, DO. But I am working on my revision of Everything Forbidden, too. My husband will be heading off on a business trip for most of the week, so I figure I'll finish the first revision by Friday. Then I've got to read the whole thing again and make the final tweaks. But I'm comfortable that it will be winging its way to New York before my deadline starts making me sweat too much. I'll be glad to have this one done and off into the world.

I'm excited to really get into my next book. Of course, that's always how it is. You're so done with the last book and the next book is going to be great. And then you actually have to WORK on the next book, so the whole process starts again. But this new book is really hot and I think it's also going to be really, really emotional. So that's just soooooo much fun to think about. :) Right now I'm calling the new historical The Promise of Pleasure. But we'll see if that sticks. Or if the book is even officially approved.

I don't think I mentioned it earlier, but I got a box of about 8 ARCs for Desire Never Dies when I got back from New York. So I'll be giving those away in the next couple of months. I'll make sure I post a message here in the diary when I get closer to the 'big moment'. But a hint... those of you who are part of my Tell Me The Story Fan Group will probably get an extra special chance to win! Don't know how to be a member... well, head to Jenna Petersen and find out.

Happy Columbus Day! And Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!

October 2, 2006 -- Our trip to New York was wonderful! We had a great time seeing all the sights and my lunches were also good. But I'm glad to be home. I think a week is too long for any vacation. By the 4th or 5th day, I'm always ready to go home, no matter how great a time I'm having. Anyway, now that I'm back on Illinois soil, I'm going to be working on the revisions for Everything Forbidden starting this week. The book is due November 1, so I'll revise this week. Let it sit next week. Probably read it over the third week and make final changes, then ship it off. Phew!

Then it's no rest for the weary. I'll be starting on my next historical right away. Actually, to be honest with you... I kinda already started. The night before we left for New York, I got inspired and wrote a handful of pages on the new story. So I'm chomping at the bit to start exploring the searing sexual tension and bubbling angry conflict between husband and wife Justin and Victoria. Yes, a husband and wife! A reunion book! I don't think I've done that particular genre staple before, so I'm excited.

September 24, 2006 -- Since I finished Everything Forbidden, I spent last week reading, doing some housework and getting ready for New York! We leave today (which is why Passionate Pen was updated early). I'm really looking forward to our trip. There will be an update next Monday (we get back Saturday). And this week's update is freakin' huge! So go check out What's New for all the skinny.

See you when we get back!!

September 18, 2006 -- So much to say! First, I finished up Everything Forbidden this weekend! So I'm putting it aside for the next couple of weeks while we go to New York (we're going September 24 - 30). Then I'll be doing revision and turning it in by November 1st. I'm so excited to be done with the first draft, though! And I think I got a good idea for the second book in my erotic contract for the sister of my heroine in EF. We'll see. I must think on it for a bit.

The rest of this week I'm doing some much needed housecleaning, reading some books and doing my packing for NYC! Next week I'll be updating Passionate Pen on Sunday morning instead of Monday because by Sunday night we'll be in New York! I'm so looking forward to this trip. It's part work, yeah (although I don't actually consider having lunch with my editor, who I like and seeing my agent, who is also my friend, WORK). But it's also part vacation, part birthday gift and part celebration that I survived the 3-Day.

Speaking of the 3-Day, I've put up a little article about my experience. I don't have all the pictures up yet, but you can find it here.

September 11, 2006 -- Hello! I'm back from my Walk! I survived and more info on that coming soon. I'm too tired to say more right now. LOL

What else? Well, before my walk, I was writing up a storm, trying to cram my goal of 50 pages into a short week (three days really).

Now that the Walk is over, I'll be getting ready for my next adventure, my New York trip at the end of September! I'm so looking forward to it, you don't even know. :) And, of course, trying to finish up Everything Forbidden and get it all turned in. :) I'm hoping to finish the week before my trip. Then the week of my trip, I'll just be off. When I get back, I want to get cracking on the revisions and have it all done. Then I need to dig in and start right away on The Promise of Pleasure, which is my tentative title for my next historical romance.

Thanks again for all your support before and during my Walk!

September 4, 2006 -- Happy Labor Day! This week is weird for me. I'm still trying to write 50 pages this week, but this is also the week of my big 60-Mile Walk for Breast Cancer! You may remember that I did the auction a few months ago for my fundraising. Well, tomorrow is my last training walk and then Thursday afternoon we'll be heading up to Chicago. Wish me luck!

This past week was very productive for me. I managed to bang out 66 pages and I'm on the downward slide of the story and getting excited about the big finale! Let's just say: Grovel Scene. I've never done a proper one, so I'm very anxious. There something about a powerful, dominant man on his knees, asking for forgiveness and love that is spectacular. :)

Next Monday's update will be later in the day since we've decided to spend an extra night in Chicago after the walk is over. But I will update Monday! And hey, I did this week's update early, so it all evens out...

August 28, 2006 -- Okay, this tells you what a dork I am. Amazon put up the cover for Desire Never Dies last week. I was so excited! Wow, all my covers look so awesome in a row like that. :) Sad, I know. But hey, every step is a step closer to the release date. Which, by the way, is December 26. So maybe after your holiday is over and you're at the mall returning things, you'll take your gift certificates and head to your friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart or Waldenbooks or Borders or Barnes and Noble or Amazon and pick up a copy. You'll deserve it after surviving the holiday, right?

Okay, enough about that. I'm pretty boring this week, really. Just more writing on the erotic romance, which I'm calling Everything Forbidden, though I warn you that it's not an official title yet. I'm almost halfway done with the book now, so I'm feeling pretty good about my progress. My goal is another 50 pages this week. Next week might be tricky, though, since I'll be getting ready for and participating in my Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk! I can't believe the time has gone by and the walk is almost here!

Another thing on my 'To Do' list before the Walk are page proofs for Desire Never Dies, which came on Friday of last week. I actually started reading through them this weekend and am almost done, so they shouldn't be a problem. I'm still really liking this book. :)

Oh, P.S. don't forget to enter my two contests ASAP! They close today and tomorrow. More details at Jenna Petersen.

August 21, 2006 -- A very quick reminder that there is only about a week left for both my August contests at Jenna Petersen.

This week was productive. I managed to write 50 pages on the new erotic romance that's due November 1st. I'm up to page 85 and my goal is another 50 pages this week. I need it to come in around 320 pages, so I'm moving toward the goal, slowly but surely. I'm enjoying the book and especially my hero, Ethan. Yummy. :)

I also reviewed the synopsis I'd written for my next historical romance. I need to turn it in October 1st, so I wanted to make sure it was okay. I actually really loved it, along with the scenes I'd already sketched out (about a third of the story). So I'm excited to get working on this one (assuming it's approved). It's due March 1st (along with a synopsis for the second erotic romance), so I'll probably start work on it about a week after I finish this first erotic.

This week I'll also be working on a promotional plan for Desire Never Dies. I've been promoting to booksellers for the past two books, but I think with DND coming out so close to London that bookseller promo might not be as effective. So I'll be putting together a list of websites and opportunities I want to pursue to reach readers. Any suggestions?

One final thing... I've added a query letter article to the site this week. It's the first of several articles I'll be adding that were originally questions I answered on my other blog (see link above) as part of my Writing Question Wednesday program. But I figured it would be easier to put the ones I get the most feedback about here so they're more easily accessible.

Okay, off to work! Happy Writing everyone!

August 14, 2006 -- First thing, I have to mention that I have a second contest now running until August 29th! If you've read From London With Love and you post an Amazon review, blog post or message board topic/post about the book (whether you loved it or even if you hated it) and you let me know, I'll add your name to the drawing to win an unbound Advanced Reader Copy of Desire Never Dies, the second Lady Spy book. :) All the details are here. So come help me spread the word and create some buzz for London!

One thing I totally forgot to mention last week! From London With Love was on both the cover and had a full-page feature in the Rhapsody catalogue! I put up a scan of each here. It's a Featured Alternate, so if you like to collect hard covers, you can still order it! My Mom puts them up on her piano. Not that I think any of you will want to do that, but I'm just sayin'... Oh, and speaking of which, I got my own author copies of the From London With Love hardcover edition. It really does look so pretty.

What else? Oh, my birthday was lovely! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by for my Birthday Chat at Mystic Castle. We had so much fun. :) Other fun things that happened this week: I got the January catalogue for Avon releases AND a small selection of Desire Never Dies coverflats. Wow, this cover looks even better as a coverflat! I really love it.

It seems like it's been for-ev-ah, but this week I'll actually be going back to work. I haven't really put my pedal to my metal and written on a tight schedule for a couple months, but the time has come to focus again. I'll be working on the first full-length erotic romance in my new Jess Michaels contract, which is due November 1st. I have about 300 pages to write, so yeah. Work, work, work time.

P.S. -- Anyone have any great ideas for titles? It involves a voyeuristic young lady and her awfully naughty neighbor, who come to a devilish bargain to fulfill their various financial and physical needs. :)

August 7, 2006 -- Well, I've gone and done it. Somehow I hurt my knee last Friday. I was going up the stairs and heard and felt a pop, then a really sharp jab of pain. I walked it off, but during my Saturday training walk, it really hurt. Not 'this hurts' hurt, but "I've hurt myself' hurt. ARG. So I've been icing and resting it this weekend and today. It is a bit better today, but please cross your fingers that the pain goes away so that I can keep training and do the Breast Cancer 3-Day on September 8-10. I need all the good thoughts I can get!!

In happier news, this is my birthday week! I turn 30 on August 9! If you're around and about, that night I'll also be having a 'Birthday Chat' at Mystic Castle. All the details are in My Events! Since my sweetie has class that night, I figured the next best thing would be to go online with my friends. :) See you there! I may even give out some presents (I have one in mind that those of you who have already read From London With Love will probably like)!

One early present for me was From London With Love's first appearance on the Bookscan bestseller list. Thanks to all who purchased it! I hope you're enjoying the story! Oh, and I have a release date now for the third Lady Spy book. October '07. I know it seems like a long time after Desire Never Dies (Jan 07), but the cool thing is that my next erotic romance for Red is coming out September '07, so you'll get some back-to-back good stuff! I'll have lots more details on all of that stuff as we do cover conferences and I get titles and such.

This past week was so busy! Catching up from conference and then writing some new stuff. I'll be able to tell you about that soon, I think. It's super cool. I mean, REALLY cool. So just wait for it. :)

I have to tell you, I'm entering my 30s actually very happy with my life (aside from this stupid knee thing). I'm actually excited about going into the next chapter. I have a great husband, a supportive family, lots of great friends, my career is chugging forward... I mean, who wouldn't be excited about what's coming? When I started this site I was 23 (about to turn 23 in a couple of months, anyway) and had just decided to try to take this crazy writing thing seriously. So much has changed since then. It will be interesting to see where I am seven years from now... Hopefully all of you will still be along for the ride.

July 31, 2006 -- Honey, I'm home! Wow, what a trip. I've already started the Atlanta Day-By-Day and I'll be updating more info throughout today, so keep coming back! But needless to say, I had a great time! I'm already counting the days until Dallas 2007. :)

Let's see, what other fabulous things do I have to report. Well, I found out that From London With Love is on the cover of the Rhapsody catalogue! Woohoo! Lots of people seem to be finding it (and some are even reporting that they like it! Woo!). So.... hope you're one of them on both counts. ;)

Alright, off to update more and file more... and try to do some writing!

July 24, 2006 -- It's here! Release week and National week are here!! Where to start... well, starting about mid-week last week people started finding From London With Love on the shelves, sending me into a slightly hyperventilating state. :) That was doubled when I found it myself on Saturday at our local Borders. If you've found it already, I hope you enjoy it. And if you haven't, it's official release date is tomorrow, so most booksellers should have it out in the next couple of days.

In other Jenna Petersen news, I've posted the final chapter of this year's You Tell Me the Story novella. Head on over to read how Felicity and Gabriel's story ends. I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've loved writing it.

Of course, that makes it even better that I'm heading out of town tomorrow. Atlanta, here I come! If you're going, I have a list of my official activities here. Plus, I'll be around in the halls and restaurants and bars and such.

Yes, I will do a Day-By-Day when I come home. Here's the schedule... I'll be back Sunday afternoon, so I should be doing a Monday morning update as usual, unless I have a plane delay like last year. And it may be later on Monday if my sweetie just wants to hug me a lot. He and I will have been apart for 10 days when I get back (he is on business now), so that will likely slow the update process.

As usual, I'll probably do a small update in the morning, then a series of bigger updates later on Monday and through Wednesday. So keep coming back and checking for me to add the Day-By-Day, pictures and any other updates I have to share. Oh, and as usual, I won't be cleaning out SPAM in the guestbook while I'm away. Last year people yelled at me. Um, what can I do about it when I'm not here? Just don't click it! It's pretty easy. And I won't be around for email, but I'll answer all when I get back. So if you have questions or comments or just want to tell me you saw my book... I'll reply next week!

Finally, if you are in Atlanta, I hope you'll come and say hi at the booksigning of at my workshop or if you see me in the hall. I always love to meet people. I even answer to "Passionate Pen Lady". :)

See you all next week! Now go buy London! :)

July 17, 2006 -- Well, it's weird to think about, but one week from today and From London With Love will probably already be in some bookstores. Some of you may already have it and may even be reading it (hey, a girl can hope). How did this happen so soon? And how could it be so long? It seems like yesterday since Scandalous came out and it also seems like a hundred years ago. But here we are again.

This week I'm getting ready for RWA Conference in Atlanta. If you're going, be sure to check out my schedule of events. I hope if you see me, you'll say hi! I love to meet readers and writers. I don't even bite. I'll be packing up this week, running final errands, that sort of thing. I'm also finishing up the final touches on A Scandal to Keep Chapter 6. This is the LAST chapter for this You Tell Me the Story. It will go up Sunday, July 23rd. I hope you have enjoyed the story this time around! I certainly have. :)

Oh, and be sure to check out my Events. The chat I was having at Mystic Castle has been moved back a week to August 9th. That's my birthday, too, so I hope some of you will stop by. I may even give out some birthday presents.

July 10, 2006 -- Two weeks from tomorrow!! Two weeks from tomorrow and From London With Love will hit stores! I'm so excited. And nervous. And terrified. And excited. And proud. And terrified. It's almost, almost real.

To celebrate, I've spent the last week reading the third Lady Spy book one final time (out loud and everything). I'm actually really liking it. Emily and Grant are a very powerful pair. And they have demons out the wazoo, which is always fun to write. It's hot, too. Phew!

Okay, so this week I'm finishing up this final read of the Lady Spy book, writing the final chapter of A Scandal to Keep, and maybe... just maybe, I might start work on something new. You just never know. Oh, by the way, I'll also be blogging all over the place this week! Check me out today at Jaunty Quills and all week at Romantically Inclined. At RI, you might even get some more sneak peeks at London and perhaps even for Desire Never Dies...

July 3, 2006 -- There's not a lot to say this week. Still waiting on news (darn holidays), which is a bit frustrating, but that's the business. I've been doing scene sketches for some new projects (the ones I can't tell you about yet, of course) and that's about all. But From London With Love comes out three weeks from tomorrow! So that's good news, at any rate! :)

There is less than a week left to vote on what should happen in the last chapter of A Scandal to Keep for You Tell Me the Story. Hope you'll stop by, read the first 5 chapters and cast your vote! While your there, check out the Jenna Petersen July update and also the Jess Michaels one!

Happy 4th of July to my American visitors!

June 26, 2006 -- First off this week, I've just posted Chapter 5 of A Scandal To Keep, my You Tell Me the Story novella. You have until July 9 to vote and this is the last time to vote (Chapter 6 will be 'the end'). So come on by, read the chapters and vote!! I can't believe the story is almost over, but somehow we've come down to a final vote and one last chapter to write. Oh, and don't forget that just voting automatically enters you to win a prize pack of awesome coverflats from some of the very best authors out there (and sneak peaks at upcoming books).

In other news, I am so damned close to being able to tell you some good news that it's killing me. LOL I'm hoping to hear something this week. Plus, I'm waiting for Romantic Times to post up their August reviews and see what they thought of From London With Love. It's hard to believe, but it will be hitting stores just one month from tomorrow. Crazy, huh? I'm so excited to have this series' launch title out into the world.

Oh, and I have sold a second erotica short story to Venus Press in my series, "Lady Waverly's Lovers". It's called "Unfulfilled" and will be out Wednesday, July 26. I'll have more details on it coming up and I'll post the cover at Jess Michaels on July 1. :)

Otherwise, this week I'm prepping some stuff just in case this good news I'm waiting for does come through. Oh, and because of some very minor health issues I wasn't able to make it to Schaumberg's Authorfest, so I'm sorry if I missed anyone. This coming Friday, I will be having a chat at Fallen Angel Reviews. So come to My Events for all the details.

June 19, 2006 -- Wow, what a week! Where to start? Okay, first, so my Mom was visiting this past week. We surprised her by flying my younger brother in from Seattle on Monday night and he stayed until Friday. Much fun was had by all. We did the zoo, we played MahJongg, we went to the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum... it was awesome.

In the midst of that, though, I was dealing with the auction. It went spectacularly!! I raised over $2600 and brought my overall fundraising to over $3500 (which was my goal to start with). You can see more info at the Auction page. Along with info on how to donate if you missed the auction and still want to give to the cause. :)

On Wednesday night, after we got back from Chicago and Tut, I spun over to RWA's site and was pleasantly surprised to see that Parlor Games was still on Bookscan! Week 3 and at #96!

This week, my sweetie is on a business trip and I'll be recovering from houseguests, writing Chapter 5 of A Scandal To Keep, writing thank you notes from the auction and maybe even... gasp!... reading...

One last thing before I sign off. A fellow romance writer, Marjorie Jones' daughter is missing and may be in terrible danger. Please take a moment to click this link, read about the story and see if you recognize Staci. This is not a hoax (I know Marjorie) and it could be a matter of life or death. Update: Marjorie's daughter has been found safe and sound.

June 12, 2006 -- A few things this week. First, most of the the auctions end today (except for Carrie Feron's offering, which ends tomorrow), so be sure to pop by and bid if you haven't. There are only a few hours left on all the items. I am flabbergasted by the auction total already! I'll be sure to post the grand total of what was raised next week. All I can say is thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the authors and other professionals who so graciously donated their time and/or books. Thank you to the folks who endured the first auction that ebay deleted and came back to bid again. Your generosity is amazing. Just thank you.

Secondly, copyedits for Desire Never Dies (January 2007) got here last week. As I've mentioned before, I hate copyedits, but this time they were surprisingly easy! I got through them in a day and didn't do too much STETing. So they will go back on their way to NYC today.

Third, I'm happy to say that Parlor Games stayed on Bookscan another week, this time coming in at the #90 spot, which is very cool!

My mama is here this week, so I'm off! See you all next week...

June 5, 2006 -- Well, as you can see, my biggest news this week is this wonderful cover. I think it is ridiculously beautiful. Just smashingly spectacular. It's sexy, but still really classy. It totally captures Anastasia and Lucas. Love, love, love it!

In other news, I'm very pleased to announce that Parlor Games hit the Bookscan bestseller list last Wednesday at #78! Many thanks to everyone who supported the release by buying it. I really hope you're enjoying the book (or will be soon). Oh, and don't forget that PG is also a Rhapsody Featured Alternate, so if you love to collect hardcovers, you can find it here. It ships June 15.

I spent this past weekend in the Madison, WI area for the WISRWA Write Touch Conference. It was a lot of fun. My fabulous agent was there, so we got a chance to hang out and eat food and talk books and career stuff, as well as other interesting topics that have nothing to do with career. It was a good break, definitely.

Hey, don't forget to check out the auction! It's officially started now so go bid on the awesome things that have been donated. :)

May 29, 2006 -- So much to tell this week! Where to start. Well, first I guess Parlor Games is out and has been seen everywhere. I have no idea how it's doing, but it's lovely to have another book out in the world.

Secondly, this past week I've been synopsizing, which is so horrible that I can hardly speak of it. Three synopses in like a week. Ugh! I know it's good and I'm really hoping something awesome comes out of the hard work, but how I hate a synopsis. Damn necessary evils. It's just so hard to encapsulate an 80-90,000 word story into 4 or 5 pages, especially since I have not yet written said story. All I have is a kernel of an idea and a couple of character sheets. Anyway, though, there are synopses in the world and we'll just have to see what happens.

The fourth chapter in my current You Tell Me the Story, A Scandal To Keep went up yesterday! So head on over, read the chapter and vote for what should happen in Chapter 5. Voting ends June 11.

This week I'm going to be heading up to Wisconsin for the Write Touch Conference. There's a booksigning, too, on Friday, June 2 at 8pm ET! All the info is here. If you live in the Madison area, I hope you'll stop by and say hello. You don't have to buy a book, I always love to meet readers and writers.

May 22, 2006 -- Woohoo! It's here, it's finally here! Parlor Games is officially out tomorrow, May 23, though it's already been sighted in bookstores already and was selling pretty well at B&N over the weekend. I admit, I'm hella nervous about this release. It's my second official Avon release, for one, even though it's under a different name. Also, I'm sure Avon will judge some of the value of it's erotica/erotic romance line based upon the performance of Parlor Games and If This Bed Could Talk. So hey, if you love erotic romance and want to see Avon keep publishing it, head on out and pick it up! Or just do it 'cause you love me. :) Or don't. That's okay, too. There is no price of admission for Passionate Pen.

What else... well, I did another interview this past week, this time with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If you live in the Atlanta area, the article is scheduled to run some time this week. And hey, if anyone wants to send me a clipping, that would be awesome. My PO Box is on the Contact Me page, where you will also note I don't do book reviews. I don't know why but three people have asked me to do them this week. Bad rumors, bad! Hey, I wonder why they didn't bother to LOOK at my website and see there are no book reviews up? Hmmmmm....

Anyway, that's my week and I'm sticking to it. Oh yeah, did I mention Parlor Games is heeeeeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeee????

I suppose I did. :)

May 15, 2006 -- Not a lot to report this week. I'm in a bit of a limbo state currently as I wait to hear back on various projects. To fill my time, I've started work on something really different that is just for me (at least for now). Who knows if it will go anywhere, but it's kind of fun to break out of the box sometimes.

This past week, I got new author headshots done. You can see the final result in the FAQ page. That same picture will also go up on Jenna Petersen on June 1 and a different picture from our session at Jess Michaels, also on June 1. Thanks to my great photographer, Colleen Kealy!

Hey, it's only a week until Parlor Games is released! Woohoo!!

May 8, 2005 -- I have been busy this past week. Let's sum up:

I finished up the third Lady Spy book and sent it off to my agent. Normally, she doesn't do a lot of editorial input, but since I'm so far ahead of schedule, she offered and I agreed. I've given it the working title of Seduction is Forever (a play on Diamonds Are Forever). I feel kind of sad to be done, really. I mean, my beloved series is over. Waaaaaah. But I do have some ideas on what should come next (actually I have fleshed out synopses, not just ideas), so it's all just about timing and the best choices of how to proceed.

What else... well, I also had "Country Party", my erotica short story from Venus Press come out on the 3rd. It's only $1.49, so if you like erotica (not erotic romance, erotica), you might enjoy it. And hey, only a couple weeks now until Parlor Games hits shelves, so this can tide you over until then (SNORT!).

Finally, I got my first advanced review for From London With Love from The Mystic Castle. January says, "From London With Love was full of interesting characters, danger and passion... This book was another keeper and I look forward to the next book in the series."

Thanks January! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. :) The full review will be up here soon (if it's not already).

Please come look at my Auction Page! It's new and for a good cause (auction starts June 5, 2006).

May 1, 2006 -- Lots of news this week. First, my lovely, awesome editor already read my revised MS for Desire Never Dies that went back to New York last week and has approved it. So, woohoo! My hardest job on this MS is now done. Copyedits are next (which is the last real 'work' part) and then page proofs. But as far as story goes, this book is in the bag. I have to tell you, this is one book I really love. I can't wait until it comes out in January. There will be more info on Jenna Petersen in the next couple of months about the book, too, so hang in...

The second piece of news for the week has to do with the cover to the left. On Wednesday, Venus Press will release a very short story from me (for $1.49) called Country Party, which is part of my Lady Waverly's Lovers collection. This is erotica rather than erotic romance. I'll be writing these short stories every once in a while (when I have time and the muse strikes me). So enjoy! You can find more info about the story at Jess Michaels.

Finally, Parlor Games will be released by Avon on the 23rd of this month (yay!) and we already have a fantastic review from Romantic Times BOOKClub. We were given 4 1/2 stars and Kathe Robin said, "What distinguishes this book is not just the highly sensual, fantasy-laden love scenes, but also the dynamic writing, strong plots and likeable characters. All make for a potent mix and a considerably satisfying read."

To see more of what she said about my story specifically and to read a new excerpt from "Fallen Angel", check this out. Only 22 more days until the release! :) Have a great week everyone!

Oh, one last thing... I have updated the Jenna Petersen site this week and it now includes Chapter 3 of my new Tell Me the Story (you can vote until May 14 on what should happen next!!) AND the entire first chapter of From London With Love. Check out all the details.

April 24, 2006 -- Last week, I worked through the Desire Never Dies revisions. It's always hard for me to tell if I'm doing it right, so I do my best and then I read the whole thing again when I'm done and cross check with the revision letter. Luckily, these were light, so no rewriting as much as honing and expanding where needed. Anyway, they're back to New York now (yes, early. Again. What can I say, it's a sickness).

In other Desire Never Dies news, I've just been told that the release date has been moved up. Instead of being a February 2007 release, as originally scheduled, it will now be a January 2007 release! Woohoo! So look for it coming just five months after From London With Love! The third in the series has yet to be officially scheduled, but I'll post here once I know, of course. Sometime in the last third of 2007, I'd guess.

Speaking of the third book, I'll be starting revisions for it this week (assuming I can finish the revisions on Desire on my personal schedule). Actually, after doing these revisions for Desire, I'm more ready than ever to get back to Emily and Grant's story. Oh, and of course I'll be putting the finishing touches on the third chapter of A Scandal To Keep, my You Tell Me the Story novella. Chapter 3 will be posted April 30.

April 17, 2006 -- Woohoo! The revision letter for Desire Never Dies came on Friday. I've been reading and re-reading it, thinking about the comments for the weekend and today I'll start pounding out the changes. :) I actually really enjoy the revision process. May always catches the best things that I've somehow completely missed in my "can't see the forest for the trees" view of things. No different this time.

Otherwise, last week I continued to work on the synopses for what I hope will be my next books after the Lady Spy series is complete. Oh, and I read through the third Lady Spy book so I'm starting to get a plan together on the revisions I want to make before I turn it in (likely ridiculously early because... well... it's me!!).

My big news for this week is that I'm a guest blogger at Jaunty Quills, a group blog from some of the newer Avon Authors! So head on over and check it out.

April 10, 2006 -- I had a very productive week last week. :) I worked on a synopsis for my next historical (assuming that it is accepted some time in the future) and I'm going to be working on a second synopsis for a related book this week. Next weekend I'm going to start working on revisions on the third Lady Spy book (assuming some of my other projects don't come through and interrupt that plan). I was going to give it more time, but I've really been chomping at the bit to start back on it. I take it as a sign and I will comply with my brain's desire to play with Emily and Grant again.

What else... ARCs for From London With Love began to arrive at booksellers this week from my publicist. I've already heard from the wonderful Sue Grimshaw, the National Romance Buyer for the Borders Group. She said, "FROM LONDON WITH LOVE was wonderfully written... The characterization was awesome, plot is great and the emotional content was perfect." High praise from someone so savvy! I really hope you guys all agree in just a few months. Isn't it July 25th yet??

Not much else to report for now. I'm hoping to have more news next Monday (fingers crossed). Happy Writing all!

April 3, 2006 -- First I'd like to announce that in March 2006 The Passionate Pen received over 10,000 visits and 20,000 page views. This is the first time we've gone over either of those marks in a month. That feels like a real accomplishment to me and I've excessively grateful to everyone who stops by here each week (and each DAY) to see what's new, check out the publisher and agent lists, read the articles and more! Thanks for continuing to make this site a successful one. And please, keep giving me feedback about what you like about the site, what you don't like and what you'd like to see included.

Otherwise, not much to report in the writing world. I worked on a side project and sent it to my agent and I may have thought of what I want to write next historical romance-wise. I'm fooling around with some character work and synopsizing now. We'll see if anything comes of any of it. :) I do have to say that I'm really excited about both projects and that is always a good sign when one is considering what to write next.

On a more personal note, Happy Birthday today to my husband!

March 27, 2006 -- I'm done!! This past week I typed The End on the first draft of the third book in my Lady Spy trilogy! Now all my notes are put away and my desk has been cleared of the research materials and notes. In a couple of months I'll pick it back up and revise away before I'm due to turn it in. But for now... I'm done!! Woohoo!

Which means I'm going to be doing some work on another uncontracted project for a while. I actually did a lot of work on it this weekend and I think I'm going to take it in an entirely different direction. I'm hoping to pull something together for my agent this week and see where it goes. After I've settled that, then I'll be trying to figure out what to write next in historical romance, as I have another romance contracted to Avon that I'll need to turn in a proposal on this year. I have so many ideas banging around in my head. So I should have a lot of fun deciding which one is the 'right' one.

In other news, I've also been working with my publicist on our publicity plan for From London With Love. This is an area that I've been learning so much about since I sold in 2004. It seems like you can never learn too much about it and that there is always more to learn. Sort of like craft. There's always something else you can strengthen.

March 20, 2006 -- A little bit of good news this week! I found out that Scandalous is a finalist in the historical category of the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, which is judged by readers/booksellers. Winners will be announced at the end of April, though when you look at my competition there, I think it's just an honor to be a finalist!

As for From London With Love news, I just got the coverflats for that in the mail last week. There is such an enormous difference between seeing the jpg (in the entry below) and actually having the coverflat. This cover really is magnificent. I adore it. Now I've got to get it framed to add to the Wall of Covers in my office. I'll take a picture once I have it done.

This week was all about writing. I'm getting very close to The End of the third Lady Spy book first draft, which is nice. I'm hoping to finish this week or next, for sure. Then I'll be setting it aside for a month or two to work on something else and let it percolate. Now I just have to think of an idea for the next book in the contract. I'm sure the right idea will be blindsiding me any old day now...

For my final 'news' of the week, tomorrow is my anniversary. The Famous El Guapo and I have been married for 9 wonderful years. And that is pretty darn romantic. :)

March 13, 2006 -- Okay, well it's obvious what my big news for the week is. After many weeks of waiting after getting the mechanical, this week I got the jpg of the From London With Love cover and now I can share it with you. I think it is a glorious, wonderful, beautiful cover and I could not be more pleased by it. I love the gold and cream colors. I love her hair. I love the way his hand is fisted in her hair. I love the sexy curve of her bare breast. I love the fan on the pillow. I love everything about it. So bravo, Avon Art Department. You've outdone yourselves, yet again. So what do you think? And what have I done to deserve it? LOL

This is the last week to read the first chapter of the new You Tell Me the Story, A Scandal to Keep and vote for what should happen in Chapter 2. Head on over to Jenna Petersen and cast your vote! Voting ends March 19. So far the response to the first chapter has been great, so thanks to everyone who has taken the time to vote and post comments. I really enjoy writing these stories with my readers.

Otherwise, I've been slowly writing on the third Lady Spy book this week. My brain must still be on island time. It's a little slow going, but I'm making progress. I'm past the halfway point now and making my way toward "The End". I'll get there. Eventually.

March 6, 2006 -- Holy Cow, the Bahamas was great. Like indescribably great. Like didn't ever want to come home great.

And while I was gone, many work-related things were afoot. First off, I did an interview with the New York Daily News WHILE I was in the Bahamas. Okay, how cool is that??? SO COOL. I'm not certain about a date yet on the article, but I'll try to post an update in the LiveJournal Blog when I know, so keep an eye over there. I'll also be updating all week about my trip for those of you interested in the personal stuff.

And then I got the title for my second Lady Spy book! Desire Never Dies will be a February 2007 release. Yes, this is the former working title I was using for the third book, but it ended up fitting better for the second book when the title I chose didn't work out. So I'm happy and official cover conference is next week so I'm excited to see what they come up with. If it's anything like From London With Love's cover I'll be a very, very happy camper.

One other nice thing about vacation is that your mind gets all relaxed and opens up for new ideas. And I got one while laying on the beach next to my blissfully napping hubby. So... we'll see what comes of it.

One final thing. When I got back yesterday, I posted the first chapter of the new You Tell Me the Story novella, A Scandal To Keep at Jenna Petersen. Please head on over, read the chapter and vote. You have until March 19 to tell me what you want to happen next!

Glad to be back! Happy Writing all!

February 20, 2006 -- Well, I did not make my goal of reaching page 200 on the third Lady Spy book, but I'm quite close so I'm reasonably happy about it. I won't be writing on it again until the week of March 6 because my husband and I are leaving on vacation next Sunday. We're going to the Bahamas (which sounds so nice since it's been SO COLD here). It's a combination Valentine's Day and Anniversary vacation. So this week I'm not writing (probably), I'm not thinking about writing (or... I'm trying not to), I'm just packing up, buying what we need and getting ready to hit the air and the beach!

We will be back March 5 in the evening. Which means that if you're going to be reading the next You Tell Me the Story at Jenna Petersen, I will put up the chapter that night (rather than in the morning as I normally do with these things). So if you check on Sunday and it's not up, keep checking back. The chapter will be up that day (barring plane diversions and/or delays). My author sites will be updated with their normal monthly updates on February 25th before we leave.

Oh, and I won't be here to clean up the SPAM in my guestbook. Last time I was gone, people emailed me to yell at me about the SPAM. Guys... if I'm not here, I can't do anything about it. I'll clear it out when I get back, I swear! Just don't click the links.

So that's it! See you in a couple of weeks!

February 13, 2006 -- Another work week for me this week. I'm still chugging away on the third Lady Spy book and making nice progress on Emily and Grant's story. The book is surprising me from time to time, which is always wonderful. I also started work on a little side project I've been contemplating for many, many months. Normally I don't work on two things at once, but it seems to be working, so I'll take it if my muse wants to dish it out. Especially since next week I probably won't be writing much. But more on that and why next Monday!

I've also been trying to do more reading and watch more movies. I have a tendency to get into my cave and not come out, so I'm branching out. In the last couple of weeks I've read Not Quite a Gentleman by the sparkling Jacquie D'Alessandro and Into Temptation by my friend Kathryn Smith. I've really enjoyed both books tremendously! I'd kind of forgotten how much I love reading for pleasure and I intend to keep doing more of it. Plus, it makes the time on the treadmill fly by.

No word on a title for the second Lady Spy book so far. Hopefully this week. :)

Happy Writing! And Happy Valentine's Day!

February 6, 2006 -- Not a lot to report this week. I was mostly writing on the third Lady Spy book. Got my fifty pages done, so that makes me happy. I'm more than a quarter of the way through now. I'm also getting the wheels in motion for promotion on From London With Love. It's only six months until the release, so I'm getting very excited and nervous. Oh, and I found out that the second Lady Spy book is going to cover conference this week, so I should have the official title very soon.

In the not writing news, I also got my paperwork together for my presentation at RWA National this year. Yes, shock of all shocks, RWA actually accepted a proposal for a workshop from me. I'm guessing Hell might have frozen over. Anyway, I'll be presenting "The A-Team" with Miriam and May. More details to come when I have them nailed down. It's basically a talk about how the writer, the agent and the editor are all part of a team that gets the book from written to on the shelf and everything in between. I hope it will be a presentation other authors enjoy. :)

This week there will be a Jess Michaels/Jenna Petersen chat at Fallen Angel Reviews. It's February 8 at 9pmET. So if you're around, please stop by. We can talk all my Jess Michaels/Jenna Petersen books and writing and whatever else crosses your mind.

January 30, 2006 -- So this week I was cleaning out some files in my email and was looking through old messages and such. There is one labeled "I'm Published" with about three thousand exclamation points behind it. Anyway, in it I'd stored all the congratulatory emails I received after I announced my sale to Avon in September 2004. It was so cool! I got choked up again reading them and remembering the thrill and how stunned I was by how many people contacted me to tell me they were happy for me. So... thanks. Again. All the support I've received from the people who come here and all over the writing community is what keeps me going sometimes. Oh, and of course I kept all those messages. :)

Another nice thing that happened this week is that I got my mechanical for From London With Love (August 2006). A mechanical is a legal-sized sheet of high quality paper with a copy of the cover in the middle. Then the production notes and sign offs are around the edge. Basically, it's the first full-color look at the cover. It's so pretty, you guys, I can't wait until I have a .jpg to share (in a month or more -- boohoo!!). But I'm loving it. It's different and sexy... so sexy. Sorry to tease, but that's all the info I have for now. More as soon as I have it.

Otherwise, I worked a little on the third Lady Spy book and I'm hoping to get another fifty pages written this week.

January 23, 2006 -- The second Lady Spy book is on its way to my literary agent as of last Friday. It was such a thrill to print that baby out and send it away. Now it's just waiting to see what May thinks. I'll just bite my nails here... wait, I have no nails left to bite. Oh well.

A Scandal to Keep officially has a first chapter! Yay! This is the You Tell Me the Story novella that will start on March 5 at Jenna Petersen. If you weren't around last time or just don't remember, the You Tell Me the Story promotion goes like this...

Every month, I'll post a chapter of a historical romance novella called A Scandal to Keep at my Jenna Petersen website. At the end of every chapter will be three choices of what should happen next in the story. Readers get to vote for which answer they like best. After two weeks, voting ends and I'll take a couple of weeks to write the winning scenario into the next chapter. And at the end of that chapter, there will be three more choices for what should happen in the following chapter. It will run from March 5 - July 23, when the final chapter will be posted (just in time for the release of From London With Love). Anyone is eligible to vote, but there is also a fun discussion group that I've set up filled with people who will talk about the chapters, debate the choices and try to sway votes. You can join by clicking here. In addition, after each voting session ends, I'll choose a handful of winners from those who voted to receive a collection of coverflats from various fabulous authors.

Anyway, come to Jenna Petersen and check it out. There is a story description for A Scandal to Keep up there already, plus the schedule for the story. And if you want to read Her Every Desire, last year's You Tell Me the Story, it's also available to be read in its entirety for FREE!

So now I'm researching for my next Lady Spy book and for the little secret side project I keep mentioning on the sly. ;) What am I researching? The underbelly of society. Courtesans and Gaming Hells. What a combo, eh?

Oh, one last thing for this week. Apparently my guestbook has been broken since late August 2005, which I didn't realize (seriously people, you've GOT to email me about these things!!). But it's fixed now, so please feel free to post again! I miss your comments!

January 16, 2006 -- My week, aside from being lonesome, went so well! My proposal for the third Lady Spy book is officially with my lovely editor (thanks to my equally lovely agent). I received, signed and returned my contracts for my third, fourth and fifth historical romances with Avon. And since my sweetie was gone, I was able to buckle down, chain myself to my desk and revise, revise, revise the second Lady Spy book.

And... um, I finished it. Yeah, it's actually done. I'm probably going to go through one final out loud read. Also, I sent it to someone who hasn't read the first one just to make sure it reads okay for people who might read them out of order (they are related titles, but I want them all to be stand alone). And then I'm going to send it in early.

The cool thing is that the surprise of finishing this book early allows me a bit of wiggle room. So I'll be working on some research for the third Lady Spy book in the next few weeks, as well as writing the first chapter for the next You Tell Me the Story, A Scandal to Keep that starts March 5. And if I finish all that... well, I do have this little side project I've been toying with... and a research book about courtesans that would certainly help me er, flesh it out. Oh yes, and RITA books to read. Many, many RITA books.

P.S., there is a new interview up with me at The Romance Reader. You can find it here. Have a great week everyone!!

January 9, 2006 -- I'm Shreking it this week (I'm all aloooooooone, nobody here beside me). Translation, my sweetie is in Seattle on business (and man, I wish I was there, too). But it's giving me a chance to work on the revision to the second Lady Spy book, which is due March 1st. I realized when talking to a friend about working on it that I actually finished it around November 15, 2005... which means I've had a couple of solid MONTHS between writing it and picking it back up! That's got to be some kind of record for me. Normally, I am itching to pick things up within a couple weeks of finishing.

But this time, other things did intervene. Holidays. Copyedits. Writing Sin's Mistress. Then my parents coming. Me getting sick. And the proposal for the third Lady Spies book coming due this week. Actually, I finished it last week and off it went to my lovely agent to pass along to my editor before the holiday weekend (I think). So that's one thing I can cross off my list (assuming all goes well and she doesn't find anything glaring wrong with it).

Actually, it's very weird and kind of fun overlapping these books. For instance, I got copyedits for From London With Love right after I finished Lady Spies 2. Which meant I was revisiting Meredith and Tristan just as I finished with Anastasia and Lucas. And then I started work on Emily and Grant even while I was still in the headspace of Ana and Lucas. So they've all been peeking in, reminding me of their personalities and quirks. I have to say, I'm so excited for the series to start this August. I really hope you guys like these women and the men who love them.

At any rate, my 'to do' list is slowly being worked at. Which is always a good thing for a compulsive list maker like moi.

January 2, 2006 -- Happy New Year!! Wow, mine started out very nicely. This past week I found out that Scandalous is a finalist in the Romantic Times 2005 Reviewers Choice Awards for Best Sensual Historical Romance. I was completely shocked and I'm so excited! The winners will be announced at the Romantic Times conference in Daytona Beach this coming May. Cross your fingers!!

My parents were here this year for Christmas, as many of you know. We had a lovely holiday, despite my developing strep throat the morning after they arrived. I tried not to breathe on anyone and we mostly watched movies so that I could lay on the couch and blow my nose. But it was so nice to see them. While my Mom was wrapping some presents that she had sent to the house from Amazon, she called me upstairs to tell me one of the boxes wasn't presents.

It was author copies of the Rhapsody book club HARDBACK edition of Scandalous!! Look for an upcoming contest giving away one of these in the next month or two. They are so pretty. Ironically, within a few days I also got a couple of copies of the Rhapsody double hardback edition of Secrets, Volume 11 and Secrets, Volume 12 that no one ever told me about! I don't have very many, so I'm not sure if or when I'll do a giveaway, but both these books are still available from Doubleday if you are a member (or want to join). The bookshelf above my desk is getting crowded. Just like I like it.

Okay, so I promised to list some of my goals for 2006:

If I can finish those things, here are a few more things I'd like to do:

I hope if you are looking at your own goals for the upcoming year that you'll take a moment to check out the Goals Article I wrote a few years ago. Hope it helps and here is to a wonderful 2006 for all of you! Thanks again for coming to visit and I look forward to all the new adventures coming this year.

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