Celebrate the Small Things - Exciting news edition

Hooray for the Small Things!  This fun blog hop is the brainchild of VikLit, so head on over and sign up to join us!

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This week, I'm celebrating a bit of news I received last weekend.  I got an email from a woman who explained she was the narrator for the audiobook version of DEADLY CONTACT, and asked if she could call and speak to me about some facets of the book.  I was really surprised, as I didn't know the book was going to be recorded (it's through Audible, in case you're interested), and I made arrangements to call her the next day.

We had a lovely conversation about accents and character motivation, and she told me a little bit about herself and how they go about recording books.  I really enjoyed talking to her, and before we hung up, she said she was going to use my accent and speech patterns as the basis for Kelly, the heroine of the book.  I thought this was very cool (if mildly embarrassing), and I can't wait to hear what she thinks I sound like. :)

Anyway, she has a great voice, and I'm quite excited to hear how she brings the characters to life.  If anyone else is interested, I'll post a link to the audiobook as soon as I have one!

How was your week?

Photo Friday - Morning routine edition

This picture pretty much sums up my week...

I tried.  Oh, how I tried to keep the dream alive this week.  The snooze button has become my best friend.

This was the first week of the semester, which has been a huge adjustment for me.  I'd forgotten how much energy teaching requires, and how much I really don't like mornings (okay, I hadn't forgotten that, but now that I have to deal with them again, my hatred of the pre-noon hours is renewed afresh).

No worries, though.  I'll deal.  Somehow, I will find a way to function.  It will probably involve caffeine. :)

Books Go To The Movies: Percy Jackson Sea of Monsters

I know this movie has been out for a few weeks, but I'm a little late to the party, so please bear with me.

It's been a few years since I've read the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, but I recently refreshed my memory by reading the graphic novel adaptation of Sea of Monsters.  I enjoy these books, and I'm glad they're getting a wider audience exposure via the movie versions.

While I enjoyed the Lightning Thief movie, I liked Sea of Monsters much better.  The characters are really coming into their own in this story, and Percy in particular has more depth.  I didn't care for their casting of Clarisse--the actress is great, but in the books, Clarisse is supposed to be rather plain and rough.  I guess they can't make a movie with a normal-looking person though, so they cast a pretty actress.  She does a great job with the part despite her appearance, making Clarisse obnoxious but not irredeemably so.

While the movie does depart quite a bit from the book, it was still enjoyable, and the salient points came through.  I hope they continue to adapt this series, as I'm curious to see how they will handle some of the events in the later books.

Have you seen the movie?  What did you think?  Did you read the books?

Monday Motivation - Which one are you?

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Celebrate the Small Things - Scout edition

It's Friday already!  Not that I'm complaining, but my how the time does fly...  Ready for another edition of Celebrate the Small Things?  This great hop is hosted by VikLit, so be sure to stop by her blog and sign up to join us!

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This week, I'm celebrating that fact that I managed to get most of my prep work done for my classes, which begin next week.  I'm not going to say that I'm completely ready, but I'm not totally flailing either.  I actually feel--dare I say it?--prepared!  I'm going to enjoy this feeling for the weekend, because I know once the semester starts, I'm going to be hanging on for dear life...

What are you celebrating this week?

Photo Friday - Under the sea edition

I saw this pair at the Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco.  I like to think they're moving together to hold hands--er, arms.  What can I say?  It's the romance novelist in me.  Everyone deserves a partner :-)

Get Lost In A Story with me!

I'm thrilled to announce that I've joined a group blog--Get Lost In A Story.  We're a reader-focused blog, and we post interviews with fellow authors and hold contests to win books.  It's a fun endeavor, and I hope you'll stop by regularly!

My first guest interview is with Melissa Cutler, and will be posted on Saturday, so be sure to check it out.

Contact me or comment on this post if there are any authors you'd like to 'meet' or any interview questions you may have!

DEADLY CONTACT cover!

It's here!  The cover for DEADLY CONTACT is here, and it's gorgeous! Check it out:

I have been staring at it for the past few days, obsessively looking at every little aspect.  I love how well they captured Kelly and James, right down to her messy ponytail and his jaw line.  Even the location is perfect, as a critical scene takes place in a stairwell (and no, I'm not going to tell you what happens!).

And let's not forget the back cover blurb: 

It's a race against time—and a fatal outbreak—in this thriller of a debut! 

In one passionate night Special Agent James Reynolds and scientist Kelly Jarvis went from friends to lovers. Then Kelly walked away with only an apology. Now James is charged with solving a bioterrorist attack—and Dr. Jarvis works at the suspected lab. 

Is Kelly an accomplice or a victim? Just what are her secrets that drove her from James's bed? Soon one thing becomes clear: The ghosts of her past have nothing on the terrorists targeting her and Washington, D.C. Another threat bathes the city in red alert, and now there are lives at stake, in addition to hearts….

I can't stop smiling--having the cover art makes it feel even more real, and I can't wait to hold the book in my hands!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go print out a few hundred copies so I can wallpaper my room...

Celebrate the Small Things - Vacation edition

It's time for another edition of Celebrate the Small Things, a fun hop hosted by VikLit!  Stop by her blog to sign up and join us!

I've been a little quiet this week, owing to the fact that I'm traveling. While the hotel does have an internet connection it is S L O W, so I haven't been commenting and interacting with you all as much as I would like.  I hope to get caught up this weekend.

My celebration this week is the fact that I've been on vacation!  If you're a fan of my Facebook page, you've seen some of the pictures I took (and I'll post more here on the blog soon!).  It's been a great week--very relaxing, and a lot of fun.  That being said, I am glad to be going home today, as I miss sleeping in my bed and snuggling with my kitties (who I'm sure don't miss me at all, since my Mom is feeding them kitty treats every hour, on the hour).

What are you celebrating this week?

Monday Motivation - Food for thought

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Celebrate the Small Things - Potpourri edition

Time to Celebrate the Small Things!  Sign up at VikLit's blog to join this great hop!

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Lots of things to be happy about this week, so I'm just going to make a list:

-I read book 1 in the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.  Why did I wait so long to read these books?  I'm about halfway through book 2, and I already have book 3 ready to go!

-I sent off book 2 to my agent, along with the synopsis and sample chapters for book 3.  Cross your fingers for me!

-I had a lovely lunch with some fellow RWA chapter members.  Good food and good company make for a nice time!

-It's the weekend!

What are you celebrating this week?

Photo Friday - Creative math edition

A few weeks ago, I was out shopping with my mom.  Actually, let me re-phrase: we were walking around the mall for some exercise, since it's too blasted hot to walk outside.  Anyway, I saw this bag:

As you can probably tell from the picture, I bought it.

Did I need a new bag?  No.  But it's pretty, and I liked it, and most importantly of all, it was on SALE.  And not just sale, but CLEARANCE!

At least that's how I justified the purchase.  Look at all the money I saved! Even though I would have saved even more money had I not bought the bag in the first place.  But whatever.  Shiny!

Do you ever succumb to the lure of the sale?

Summer Giveaway Hop Winner!

Congratulations go to....

Eva Millien

Winner of the Summer Giveaway Hop!  Eva, please email me your address so I can send your prize!

Thanks to all who participated, and please come back next month for another great giveaway (open to international readers)!

Monday Motivation - Tough love

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Celebrate the Small Things - Blog awards!

Hello everyone!  It's time for another post that Celebrates the Small Things!  This hop is the idea of VikLit, and I encourage you to stop by her blog and sign up so you can join us every week!

Today, I'm celebrating several lovely awards that my fellow bloggers have shared with me this week.

First up is the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award, given to me by both Constantine and Brandy.

Next is the Sunshine Award, given to me by Beverly.

Thanks so much for these wonderful awards!  I'm going to shake things up a bit and pass them along to everyone who reads the blog today--I appreciate each and every one of you!

What are you celebrating this week?

Photo Friday - Pretty in the City

I was downtown a few weeks ago, and these windows caught my eye.  I love the colors, and the way the glass has been shaped to create such pretty designs.

Funny how you can walk by something a thousand times and not notice it. Just goes to show you there is beauty everywhere, if you only stop to look.