Stripping Back to Second Gear

I knew it would happen.  I do this all the time.  Whenever I get sick and tired of working on one story, I hit up another one.  In this case, I had slammed head-on into writer’s block with STRIPPED 2.  I stopped writing around page 180 and started working on my YA project. 

What I thought would be a simple rewrite turned into a massive one.  I was going to fix things here and there, but I ended up redoing about 75% of it, working on plotting, pacing, characterization, and ramping up the tension.  Just when I thought I couldn’t love that book any more, I found I could.  Heck, I think it’s my strongest book to date.  But guess what ugly sucker reared its horned head again?  Yup.  Writer’s block.  So, I’ve put my YA aside. 

But there’s a happy ending to this story.  You see, that freed up a new scenario with STRIPPED 2 and helped me create a beginning that’s more emotionally charged and with much larger stakes.  I’m back to loving this book again, even though it’ll probably need a huge overhaul like my YA project had once I’m finished.  Either way, it’s great to be back on the half-wolf bandwagon again.  My biggest fear is that I’ll suffer from second-book-itis and end up with a flop on my hands.  I’m so hoping that’s not the case, but I be sure until I’ve finished the book.  Fingers crossed I succeed.   

Oh, and before I forget, a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have purchased copies of STRIPPED.  You guys have really made my day.  Heck, my entire year.

I’m a Guest at Wicked Jungle

I’m on a blog roll, I guess.  Today Wicked Jungle.  Thursday somewhere else.  I really need to check my schedule and update it.  

But as the title suggests, I’m being spotlighted on Wicked Jungle, so if you missed out on winning something, here’s another chance.  Head over, if you want to know the deepest, darkest secrets of my heart.  Or, if you’re nosy like I am when it comes to interviews, that’s another good reason to stop by.  ;-)

Oh, and did I mention another copy of STRIPPED is up for grabs, too?

Guest Blogging at All Things Urban Fantasy

Yes, I’m running around and doing the promo thing these days.  So, if you missed a chance to win a copy of STRIPPED, here’s another chance.  Oh, and this won’t be the last one either.  Just check back on Monday.    In the mean time, hit up All Things Urban Fantasy… where para is normal.   

I love that tagline!  Wish I had thought of it.  Rats.

Blogging at Deadline Dames

Other than enjoying a fun-filled day at ConCarolinas, I’ll be blogging at Deadline Dames today.  Chime in if you want a chance to win a free copy of STRIPPED.  I’m talking print, baby! 

Oh, and I promise I’ll report back on ConCarolinas.  And before I forget, my mom loves this convention to pieces.  You should’ve seen her eyes light up when we bumped into Claudia Christan on the elevator.  Talk about a starstruck moment.    Absolutely priceless.  I think she REALLY loves these conventions now.

Happy Release Day for STRIPPED and Blogging at Magical Musings

It’s that time!  STRIPPED has been released to print and I couldn’t be happier.    I’ve even saved aside two of my ARCs for my personal pride and joy and something I can share with my baby and grandbabies in a keepsake box.  

More important, Alexa and Matt are in print!  This book means more to me than any book I’ve written to this day.  Alexa and Matt were first published in Half Breed and I’ve fallen in love with them ever since.  You have no idea how much I wanted to see them on the pages of a book that I could hold in my hand.  Now if only I can kick my writer’s block to the curb and finish working on book 2, which still remains untitled.  *sigh*

And before I forget, I’m celebrating my new release by hijacking Magical Musings for a day.  Click over there for some new insight and wisdom. 

Okay, even I can’t keep a straight face with that one.   

Oh, one quick thing.  It might be a while before I can comment back.  I start orientation at the new job today, too.  That means a lot of walking around the college campus as well as no access to a computer until I get home.

ARCs Have Arrived!

Santa Samhain brought me an early gift.  Pretty shiny, huh? 

My first thought when I saw the box on my doorstep was, “Who the heck is leaving their junk on doorstep?”  I wasn’t in any hurry to open it because I thought it would be something I’d have to go out of my way to do a Return To Sender.  After packing away the groceries and opening up the junk mail, I decided to open the box. 

Low and behold my author copies!  Woohoooooooooo!   

My mom keeps looking at the cover and wondering why the heroine has such a hard-looking face.  I had to explain to her what urban fantasy was without using the words “kick” and “ass”.  She’d just think I was cursing for no reason anyway, which isn’t very attractive.  Go figure.  She’s an old-school chick.     I guess it’s a good thing she doesn’t read my books.

Anyway, it dawned on me that Stripped is being released in print on June 1st.  That’s less than two weeks away.  It also happens to be the start of my first day on my new job.  Oh, and did I mention I’m going to be guest blogging here and there?  I never thought this day would’ve rolled up so fast.  Oh happy dayyyyy.  Oh happy dayyyyy.

Now if only I can sell another book and have that “lovin’” feeling all over again. 

STRIPPED – 5 Tombstones from Bitten by Books!

It’s been such a wild, crazy, fun week that I haven’t had a chance to post this.  Heck, I never would’ve known about it had it not been for the lovely Melissa Carmichael bringing it to my attention.  And speaking of lovely people, I don’t think I mentioned that I had the fabulous Christina Stiles (a.k.a. Christina Lynne Ashley) pointed out my 4 start review from RT for STRIPPED.  It figures.  I go away and the reviews come in. 

Bitten by Books gave STRIPPED five whopping tombstones!  Here’s the complete review, but you know me.  I always have to post a snippet. 

Stripped has everything you could want – mystery, murder, magic, romance, humor, and a heavy sprinkling of many things paranormal. This is definitely something you’ll want to read. Find a comfortable chair, turn off the phone, and enjoy! I can hardly wait for the sequel to see what happens next for Alexa.

Thankfully, only my mother and the baby were the only two who saw me jump about five in the air.  Okay, so like I’m exaggerating a tad.  But I swear I must have floated to the ceiling after reading this.  A huge thanks to Mary at Bitten by Books for helping me with the liftoff. 

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This

Okay, so like I lurk on Literary Escapism all of the time.  If there’s anything going on in the urban fantasy realm reader or writer wise, they’re pretty much my go-to site for information.  You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve used them to fill my wish list with some good reads.   It’s even been a secret dream of mine to see my name on their website lined up next to amazing authors like Jenna Black, Kelley Armstrong, and Richelle Mead, just to name a few.

Anyway…  *super grin*

A few day ago, I had filled out their survey regarding t hose who were attending RT.  I didn’t think much of it because I was sure I was too small of a bean to be noticed.  Surely, bigger-named authors filled this puppy out and would probably bump my boring questionnaire out of the cue.  

Man, was I proven wrong.  Check it out, baby!  Can you tell how excited I am?  Although, the grammatical errors are bugging the heck out of me.  *sigh*  Nonetheless, I’ve gone from a WTF Saturday with big-time family drama (not mine) to a high that will probably leave me smiling for the rest of the day.  Even better, when I squealed with excitement, baby girl joined in.  How cute is that?  I’m so glad she gets excited whenever I get excited, though she had no clue as to what we’re excited about. 

Anyway, I’m making it a point to give Jackie one of my whiplash hugs if I see her.  Too bad I have no idea what she looks like.  Nevertheless, I’ll be on the hunt.

Next stop, STRIPPED becoming a National Bestseller.  That’s another one of those dreams I usually keep to myself, too.  I believe it’s possible because somebody has yet to tell me it isn’t. 

STRIPPED is up for Pre-Order

Yes, you read it here.  STRIPPED is now up for pre-order on Amazon.  Even better, it’s being released on June 1st, which is a whole week earlier than I had thought.  Woohoo!

Also, I’ll be blogging at the FF&P blog tomorrow.  Sadly, I have no idea what the topic of the blog was that I had turned in a few weeks ago.  Go figure.  That happens whenever I’m doing a guest blog because I like to get m blog topic done as early as possible.  Anyway, be sure to stop by. 

In the mean time, I’m trying to line up some blog tours in celebration of STRIPPED’s print release.  So, stay tuned for more “me” sightings on the internet.

And since I always end with a question, how was your weekend?  All I’ll say about mine was I attended church after a four-year absence and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  I guess I could stand to go at least once a month.  But don’t expect me to start writing inspirational stuff anytime soon. 

P.S. Hopefully I’ll be unveiling my new website later this month.  There’s another website project I have on the side, but I’m still on the fence about it because that means another group blog on the internet and recruiting other writers.  What makes this one different is that it’s not about driving traffic and there isn’t any pressure to become a promo ho.  It’s about a round-table of authors (published and un-pubbed) hanging out with cyber beers in hand and good conversation.  If you want to peek in, then fine.  If you don’t, then that’s fine, too.  Stay tuned!

STRIPPED is Loved By Love Romances and More

Check out this verra cool review:

STRIPPED is one of those stories that have it all- a great castoff characters, fast pace storyline and plenty of twists to keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved STRIPPED and hope this author journeys back into Alexa and Matt’s world again. I would love to see some of the secondary characters have their own stories told as well as revisit with Alexa and Matt too. If you need an urban fantasy snack, then grab STRIPPED from Marcia Colette. It will blow you away and then some.

A huge thank you to Dawn.  This review made my day and reenergized me to get my butt to work on the next book in the series.  All I’m going to say about that is there will be a new kind of shapeshifter on the block, and hopefully, one that will take everyone by surprise.