Well, I’m back from the 2008 Readers & Writers Get Together, which was, as always, hosted by authors Lori Foster and Dianne Castell and B&N bookseller Linda Keller. This is a fun, casual conference where authors get the chance to connect with readers. Gift baskets were raffled, pizza was devoured, friends were made, books were sold and, best of all, money was raised for charity–the Conductive Learning Center of Cincinnati.

Here are some of my pics and highlights, in no particular order:

· Catching up with romance advocate extraordinaire, Michelle Buonfiglio of LifetimeTV;

· Meeting author Eve Vaughn;

· Meeting Joy of Joyfully Reviewed;

· Eating lunch and laughing with, among others, Anya Bast, Lauren Dane, and the outrageously fun Megan Hart;

· Meeting industry professionals Cindy Hwang, executive editor at Berkley, agent Laura Bradford, and chatting with Sheila Clover English of COS Productions;

· Meeting readers; and

· Hanging out with my great friend Patricia Sargeant.

How long till next year’s conference … ?

Oh, and don’t forget that the new Lori Foster anthology, The Power of Love, is now available at bookstores everywhere, with proceeds to benefit the local YWCA battered women’s shelter.

Since it was pouring rain this morning, I gave myself permission to go back home to work after dropping the kids off at camp rather than go to my favorite coffee house, where I am always much more productive.

“I can work effectively from home,” I told myself.

This was, of course, a lie that I didn’t believe for a second.

Nevertheless, I went home and here I remain. In the last oh, two-and-a-half hours or so, I’ve managed to do a good fifteen minutes’ worth of work. Here’s what else I’ve done:

1. Checked my e-mail ten times;

2. Ordered books from e-Harlequin;

3. Subscribed to discounted magazines from Amazon;

4. Repaired my brand new umbrella, the tip of which I slammed in the car door this morning;

5. Posted questions to the AskAnAuthorAll loop;

6. Eaten a snack;

7. Made two cups of tea;

8. Researched vacation options;

9. Called my husband to tell him I was wasting time; and

and … and…

My God. Is that REALLY all I’ve done this morning?

Sadly, yes.

Now I’m writing this blog rather than work. Pitiful.

I always get into time-wasting trouble between books. I turned in the manuscript for Eric Warner’s story, Road to Seduction (Harlequin/Kimani Press—February (I think!) 2009) in the middle of May, and now, in theory, I’m “researching” the next romance because it’s not about lawyers and I truly don’t know anything about this topic. What I’m doing in practice, though, is, say it with me … wasting time. The book isn’t due until September 15, which seems really far away, and that isn’t helping.

What do they say about wasting time? The more you have, the more you waste? I think that’s right. But here’s the corollary to that rule: when you have a lot of time, something will unexpectedly happen to snatch it all away from you. So I figure that a big fat revision letter is now FedEx-ing its way to me and will soon stop me from wasting time.

That’s my theory, anyway.

Do any of you out there (I can hear you breathing!) waste valuable writing time? Please tell me I’m not the only slacker.

Well, I’ve received the cover and turned in the final edits, so I guess it’s time to formally introduce you to Andrew Warner, the hero of my October, 2008 Kimani Press release, Tender Secrets.

Here are some things you should know:

1. Andrew Warner is the CEO of WarnerBrands International, the multi-billion dollar clothing company started by his family;
2. Andrew Warner is damaged, moody, and dangerous;
3. Andrew Warner is funny, vulnerable and fiercely protective of those he loves, even though he thinks he doesn’t believe in love;
4. Andrew Warner is about to fall crazy in love with Viveca Jackson, the woman who wants to destroy the Warner name; and
5. Andrew Warner isn’t a Warner.

I hope this whets your appetite just a little. In fact, why don’t you tiptoe on over to Amazon and pre-order a copy (or two)?

In the meantime, check out my new Tender Secrets page.

Taking a minute to remember the troops amidst all the barbeque…

Today I’m blogging about my favorite romance plots over at Access Romance. Stop by, say hi, and leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Sweeter Than Revenge.

Mothers of the world, have a happy, relaxed day full of love, laughter, and, hopefully, a few flowers and chocolates.

Kids of the world, have you called your mother yet?

Brenda Jackson, who is as hardworking, gracious and sweet as they come in this business, has just hit the New York Times Best Seller list for paperback mass-market fiction. Her latest Harlequin/Kimani Press romance, Irresistible Forces, sits at number 34 for the week of May 18, 2008.

I’m going to make a colossal understatement and say that this is well-deserved.

Congratulations, Brenda!

Flowers are a-bloomin around here. I’ve been getting to know my digital camera a little better and taking some pictures, so here they are, apropos of nothing.

I’ve signed the contract, so I guess it’s really, REALLY official: I’m going to be participating in Lori Foster’s summer, 2009 anthology, Tails of Love, along with the following other authors:

· Kate Angell

· Stella Cameron

· Dianne Castell

· Marcia James

· Donna MacMeans

· Sarah McCarty

· Patricia Sargeant; and

· Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

Turns out my friend Patricia Sargeant, who knows I love cats (we have two rescue cats, Sadie and Savannah), referred me to Lori for this project, which will benefit a local animal shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation.

I am, obviously, extremely excited and grateful.

Lori has a heart as big as Texas, in case you didn’t know. This summer’s anthology (I’m not a part of this one–*SOB!*), The Power of Love, will benefit the Battered Women’s Shelter of Cincinnati. It’s available for pre-order, so you should get your copies (note the plural!) early.

If you can stand to learn any more about my RT adventures, here’s a drive-by video of me shot by the lovely Barbara Vey, Publisher’s Weekly blogger extraordinaire. You’ll see me with author Catherine Chernow, who sat next to me at the signing…