The Princess is in The Pasture

There's a horse in my pasture. Yup. A big red, warmblood mare.

Normally, I board my horse, but I have a few acres, a nice barn, an arena, and a pasture, not to mention miles of trails right off my property. So I decided to bring her home for the weekend to eat the pasture down and do a little trail riding, Unfortunately, our little 20-minute trip had some trauma. I'll tell you all about in my blog on Sunday at Equestrian Ink.

Anyway, all's well, and the mare is happily enjoying the fresh green stuff she doesn't normally get to dine on. I'm enjoying sitting in my lounge chair in front of the barn and watching her graze.

Life doesn't get much better than this.

Siren-Bookstrand Readers Party Tomorrow

My publisher is having a big party tomorrow from 9 am to Midnight (EST). Please come join us. They're giving away tons of prizes.

Click here to join the readers group.

I hope to see you there!

A Technology-Free Weekend

I spent the entire weekend at a horse show. I'm the type of person who is married to my cell phone and laptop so, of course, I brought them along.

Here's the amazing part. I didn't use either of them once in three days and never missed them.

Guess what I did? I socialized with real people and horses. No My Space, no Facebook, no email, no blogging. Just me, my horse, my husband, and good friends.

I had a lousy show, but I had a good time. As I was driving home, camper on the back of my truck, horse trailer in tow with my 1500-pound horse tucked inside, I resisted the urge to pick up that cell phone. Instead, I reflected on the weekend, and how I managed to go technology-free. Not an easy feat for a technology obsessed person.

Our society has become so attached to our techno-stuff, that I wonder if we're heading down the wrong path and losing touch with the important things in life, the simple things, like the sound of a horse munching on hay in the early morning or conversation with good friends or the evening sunset. Technology is a poor replacement for the good things in life, the simple things.

Tonight try turning off that laptop and cell phone and sit on the porch with people important to you and watch a sunset. You might be surprised how much you've been missing and how much you truly enjoy it.

Update: Who's is #2

Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? is now at #2 on Siren Bookstore's bestselling list. If you haven't picked up a copy, you can get one at:

Buy Now

Join me tomorrow. I'm guest blogging at Kate Davies blog on her MTA (Meeting the Author) Mondays.

Tuesday, Kate will feature Who's in her Book BIN Tuesday (Buy It Now) also on her blog.

In addition, I'll be guest blogging tomorrow at Lucy Monroe's blog. Drop in both places and say hi!!!

Have a wonderful Father's Day.

I AM a Published Author

As of yesterday, one of my lifelong dreams has come true. June 12 marks a lot of milestones in my life.

First of all, since I'm published, I obviously finished a book. How many people say that they want to write a book but never get beyond Chapter 1 or even get their ideas on paper.

Second, I edited that book and made it the best book it could be with the knowledge and skills I had at the time.

Third, it was good enough to sell to a legitimate publisher, not a vanity press of a self-publisher.

Last of all, I made it through the publishing process in one piece. I've learned a lot about promo, editing, maintaining a website, and keeping track of hundreds of minute details. I'm still learning and will continue to learn as long as I write.

"Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?" is currently #4 on Siren Bookstore's Bestseller list. I'd like to be #1. I'm just a tiny bit competitive. ;)

Okay, shameless promotion time.

Please visit my website and read the first chapter.

The buy link for my book is:
http://sirenbookstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=111

If you get a chance to read it, stop by and let me know what you think. I love hearing from my readers.

An Island Fairy Tale--"Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?"

Welcome to my release day!!!

Since I'm on Pacific time and may not be up by the time some of you have to scoot off to work, I'm actually posting this the night before.

Having my first book published is somewhat of a fairy tale for me, so I think that theme is probably appropriate for today.

I originally wrote "Who's" in 2003-04 under the title of "The Storm." Because I was using this Goldilocks theme, I changed the title to "Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed?" after doing a web search and not finding another book by that title. At least, there wasn't one at that time. I found an old movie, but that was it.

This book is loosely based on a real incident that happened to a friend of mine. You can read about it on my book page at Siren publishing. While you're there, you might want to pick up a copy of "Who's" for your very own. ;)

I made a feeble attempt to sell this book to a big publisher, finaled in a contest, and had some agent interest, then my life was interrupted by those kinds of messy personal things that are part of life. I put writing on a back burner for about 3 years. Last fall, I dusted off Who's and submitted to a few epublishers. Siren Publishing offered to publish it within 48 hours of receiving the manuscript.

So that brings us to today. Release day!!! Please join my release party at Siren-Bookstrand's Yahoo Loop. Also if you leave a comment in my blog


Today, starting with this post, or sign up for my newsletter list, you'll be automatically entered in the drawing for the San Juan Island gift bag pictured in the previous post.

The 2nd theme of the day is islands. "Who's" and my next release, "The Dance," are both set in Washington State's San Juan Islands, my all-time favorite place in the world. This sunset scene is how I picture the view from Rosehill Farm in my book.

The first question of the day is: if you had to be stranded on an island with a fairy tale character, who would you choose and why?

Join My Release Party Tomorrow, June 12

Contest and Book Release Party

Join my book release party on June 12 at Siren-Bookstrand's Yahoo Group. You can join by clicking
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SirenBookstrand/
or emailing SirenBookstrand-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


Win this gift bag of goodies on June 12

Starting June 12 through July 10--Win one of four San Juan gift bags, which will have several items purchased in the San Juans.

The first winner will be drawn from my Yahoo newsletter list and comments on my blog on June 12 at 6:30 pm PDT. Check my blog tomorrow or Siren-Bookstrand's Yahoo Group for more information. It is Pictured on the left, it includes: wooden Orcas Island bookmark, Rosario Yacht Club sticker, Teddy bear, Orcas Island key chain, Rosario coffee mug, chocolate spoon, soaps, chocolate apple, and gourmet coffee.