I’m hosting a contest for a FREE copy of WICKED: JADE BUTTERFLY over at my Yahoo!Group. Head over there for your chance to enter and win!

I love summer time in the south. There’s nothing better than the smell of fresh-cut grass, barbeque grills filling the air with the scent of charcoal and burgers, the sun shining brightly while lounging in the pool and the nights, when the sun goes down and the tree frogs start singing and the lightening bugs spark the yard with a mini-light show. If I could have one wish, it would be to have summer all year long.

That is until a summer storm rolls through. Especially if it’s like the one we had last night.

I hadn’t even noticed it was raining last night until a huge boom of thunder shook the house and a flash of light so bright it lit up my living room, nearly caused me to pee my pants. When I looked up, I saw fireworks outside my window. Lightening had struck a power-pole in front of my house. It snapped the line, which fell across the road and started a fire in my neighbor’s front yard. I called 911 and we waited, while watching cars fly down the road, only to slam on their breaks when they saw the downed lines and skid to a slippery stop. My 4-year-old grandson was here and to say he was excited when a fire truck pulled up in front of the house fifteen minutes later would be an understatement. He was thrilled and kept pointing and jabbering away.

The power company finally arrived half an hour later and we sat in total darkness for 2 hours while they restored the lines. The freakish storm blew over as they worked and by the time they left, stars numbering in the hundreds hovered above the house.

Tonight, its perfect. The sky is clear, the air is warm and I can hear live things rustle in the darkness. If it weren’t for the bugs, I’d live outside in the summer time. I love it like nothing else. It’s the perfect time of year to sit back, grab a glass of sweet tea and just enjoy being alive.

I have the story page finished for WICKED: JADE BUTTERFLY and have posted a really LONG excerpt for it. You can find it over on my website. Follow this [[LINK]] to the goodies!

The story will be available at Alinar Publishing on June 28th!

I have the final read-through of Wicked 3 (Christian’s story) to do, and then it’s off to the publisher to wait its release date (June 28th!). I always get a little down after I finish a story. I’m not really sure why. Probably because I spent months ‘inside their head and world’ and when they’re not there anymore, its like I lost a friend. I don’t have them there with me daily and the loss is kind of personal. Sounds crazy, right? Lol I’m sure it’s the same for readers though. It is for me, especially when I find that ONE book that wraps me up inside a world I don’t want to let go of. When you get to the last page and get that sense of loss because there’s no more. Those characters you came to care for are no longer there and no matter how much you think about them, you know that what you have is all you’re going to get. It’s the same with writing. Once the story is told, you have no choice but to put them out of your mind and move one. Easier for some, not so much for me. That’s why it takes me so long to get another story started. I have a grieving process. When a book is done, I immerse myself in other worlds to try and let go of my characters. I’m almost there. Good thing too. I have a lot on my plate yet for the rest of the year. Wicked 4 (Mick’s story) has to be finished and this years Christmas story, both of which have been started. There are less than 15 pages of both but it’s a start. Better than nothing, I always say.

So, for the remainder of the year? Wicked 4, due for release in September. The Christmas story (for December) and I think I’ll finish that 60-page ‘paranormal/shifter’ story I’ve been playing with forever. Of course, I have a fairy/fantasy story, a dragon that has begged to tell his story, my fierce Warlord and a couple of vampires. My plate is full. Now, if I’d just get out of my funk and start writing! Wish me luck.

I’m starting the first round of edits on Wicked 3. It’s been penciled in for a June 28th release date, which means I have to get moving! I have a month to get it all shiny and squeaky-clean. I’ve already started on Mick’s story, the last book in this series. I have loved every minute of playing with the 4 guys in this band but I have a testy Warlord who has been whispering in my ear for months now. He wants to play and who am I to deny him? Besides, I’m more than ready to play with him too. *evil grin*

After the many starts, deletes and re-starts of Wicked 3, the muse has finally sunk his teeth in and starting getting it right. I’ve barreled through the sorry this week, finally hitting the ‘50 page’ mark. We’re halfway through now. I’m averaging anywhere from 7-10 pages a day so I’m thinking the first draft will be finished this time next week. I’ll jump right into Wicked 4, Mick’s story, to try and clear my head of Christian’s story. It’s always good to let a story go ‘cold’ in your head before trying to do a second draft on it. If it’s too fresh, you just don’t see things clearly and end up leaving the not so good parts in.

I’m not sure when Wicked 3 will be released. I’m hoping I can have it all cleaned up, sent off for edits and have it back for a June release. Keep your fingers crossed that it works out that way.

HOME: After a hair-pulling week of bookkeeping, I FINALLY got my taxes done! Yay! I’m the worlds biggest procrastinator, as many of you know, and even something as important as my taxes get left to the last minute. LOL 2 days left to spare but they’re gone now. Pheww!

WORK: I’ve had to trash all 8,000+ words of Christian’s story (Wicked3) and start from scratch. The storyline just wasn’t working. Well, that’s not true. It was working. It would have just ended up being a mini-novel and we can’t have that. These are short stories, after all so, I’ve re-plotted the entire thing, going in a completely different direction. Side effect of this? I will miss my targeted release date of May 2009. Bummer, I know. No one wants this done more than me. I love writing about these guys but I have a slight case of ADHD, I think, so I’m ready to play in other sandboxes! Hehehe. I have a warlord waiting on me and I sooo want to play with him. *wink*

Anyway, I’m still writing on Wicked 3 and hope to get it done soon. Then on the Mick’s story, which will be an easy write. He whispers to me daily and I have to force myself not to give in to him. He’s desperate for attention. Just like a man, isn’t it?