Saturday again! And it’s October, which means awesome baseball! Except my team didn’t make it to the postseason, I still had fun watching all year. So who do I root for to win it all?

Work in Progress News ~ I’ve been working on my ski patrol story, titled Letters from Victor. Maybe I’ll get it done before ski season! Wouldn’t that be great? I’ll put sweet chocolaty offerings on my Muse’s shrine, we’ll see if that helps. I signed up for the Romance Times convention in Dallas in May of 2015, and I refuse to go without a new book out, so maybe that will light a fire under my butt.

Favorite Song of the Week ~ Keith Urban’s new one. And his HAIR IS BACK YOU GUYS!! I really like this song, but I might need a NSFW warning on the video…whoo weee!!

Backlist News ~ As of  tomorrow, my book AT EASE will no longer be available. I got the rights back from Ellora’s Cave, and it will be off the shelf as I ponder its new home. I’m ridiculously happy about this.

Tweet of the Week ~

I woke up with my credit card laying on my keyboard. I can’t wait to see what drunk me bought for sober me.

— 333Nat (@_NTFG_) January 20, 2013

Industry News ~  It’s not really news anymore, but a couple of weeks ago, digital first erotic romance publisher Ellora’s Cave came under scrutiny, then filed suit against their scrutinizers. There are several blog posts that explain the whole situation better than I could.  Here You Go.  That should do it.

What I’m reading ~ Nothing new this week, I’ve been re-reading some old favorites. I can’t be the only one who does this, right? I mean seriously, there are some books I just can’t get enough of. If they were made of paper they’d be pretty worn right now. Plus, I find it easier to fall asleep to a book I’ve already read. I’ve got plenty of books in my TBR, but if you’ve read something recently that you loved, let me know! My TBR can never be too big.

Today’s Tearjerker ~

Book Snippet ~ From Letters from Victor, my work in progress:

“I’m not in the habit of getting guys stupid drunk to seduce them.”

Nathan set both bottles of water on the glass coffee table and leaned in. “Good thing then, because I’m not stupid drunk. I’ve got just enough in my system to make me think that bringing you here is a very good idea. And don’t worry. You’re not the one that’ll be doing the seducing.”

Okay, that’s it for me. Hope you guys have a great weekend! If you’d like to join in on the Saturday Status parade, just use the hashtag #SaturdayStatus so I can find you on Twitter.

Hello! We’re sneaking up on what some of you call “Autumn”, but it’s just pre-winter to me.  Hoping the weather stays mild enough for the leaves to change colors before they freeze and drop dead.  (Why do I live here again??)

Work in Progress News ~ Dean started talking to me! I feel so honored. I’ve been able to focus on him for a few days now, and it feels good!

Favorite Song of the Week ~ 97 year old Fred Stobaugh wrote a poem about his late wife, and the good folks at Green Shoe Studio put it to music and made this very cool video. Please feel free to support Fred by purchasing this on iTunes or Amazon. If you can see through your tears to click. This is so good, it doubles as today’s tearjerker! Okay, I’m cheating.

Tweet of the Week ~

“No thanks, I’m vegetarian” is a fun thing to say when someone tries to hand you their baby.

— Tyler Schmall (@tylerschmall) August 19, 2012

Industry News ~ A new Kindle! The Kindle Voyage, which is a lighter, thinner, and sharper Paperwhite. There are a lot of pretty cool features on it, but my favorite is the etched glass, which gives it the feel of paper. Seriously! You can have it all for a dollar under $200. At this point, I’m happy with my Paperwhite. Just like I’m not camping out for a new phone this week either. I’ll just caress a paperback as I’m reading.

What I’m reading ~ A new one by Cameron Dane’s alter ego Jamie Urban! Jamie writes a little less intense scenes than Cameron, but I love her both ways. This is a friends to lovers GFY-ish.

Book Snippet ~ From Retreat:

“I don’t trust myself around you Andi. You come near me, and I forget every restriction I’ve forced on myself.” His voice turned husky, like the low voice of a sensuous jazz singer. His breath in her ear was the music.

“I’m sorry. Do you want me to go?” Her eyelids were sealed, and she couldn’t seem to lift them to his.

“Yes. I do. I want you to get far away from me.” His statement was belied by the actions of his mouth, his hands, his hips. “I want you to start dressing in long heavy robes and veils so I can’t see your sweet body and gorgeous face. I want you to stop using that perfume that drives me to distraction when you walk past me.” He pressed his hard arousal against her, and caught his breath. “I want you to make me forget what it was like with you.”

Okay, so it’s a short report this week. You guys have a great weekend!

Howdy! I missed last week’s status, and yesterday I had computer issues, so it’s really a Sunday Status.  I still have the issues, but I found a workaround. Why don’t these machines last forever? I haven’t even worn off the letters on this keyboard yet 🙁 I’m sharing a picture of Derek Jeter, because of course I’m sharing a picture of Derek Jeter.

Work in Progress News ~ Working away on a book that I don’t even have a working title for. Usually I name them after my hero, but he’s still John Doe until his personality shines through. One of these days a John and Jane will stick! That would be very strange…

Favorite Song of the Week ~ So a video editor had a day off or something. Found a bunch of amateur videos on YouTube, and mixed them into this original work:

Tweet of the Week ~

Big butts: do you like them? Lying: can you? Other brothers: can they deny? More at 11

— Ristolable (@Ristolable) August 24, 2014

Industry News ~ There is so much I want to tell you but I can’t. Please do Google.

What I’m reading ~ I started on Jennifer Bernard’s Fireman series. I’ve met Jennifer in real life, and she’s such a great person, and I do love every word she publishes. Firefighter Patrick “Psycho” Callahan earns his nickname every day. Fast, fit, and a furious worker, he thrives on the danger which helps him forget a near-tragedy that changed his life forever. But when his off-duty carousing gets out of hand, Patrick is sent back to Loveless, Nevada, where the wildfire threatening his hometown has nothing on sizzling Dr. Lara Nelson.

Lara would rather be thought of as the physician who returned to Loveless than as the misfit brought up at a hippie New Age commune. But right now she’s focused on her job at hand, patching up injured firemen…until the past hits her in the hard-muscled, blue-eyed form of Patrick Callahan. Now, the embers of their decade-old attraction have ignited into a full-on inferno, as the bad-boy firefighter and the good doctor take a walk on the wild side they’ll never forget.

Today’s Tearjerker ~ This daughter moved the date of her wedding so her father could attend. Then she made sure he got the first dance with the bride.

Book Snippet ~From PreView, my romantic suspense. It’s a short snippet, but it makes me smile:

“I have nothing to say to you.” Unless one would count the new names she’d made up to describe him, but she didn’t have that kind of time.

“Maybe not, but I have something to say to you, and you can either listen to me right now, or you can hang up and I’ll—”

She hung up.

Okay, that’s it for me. I hope you stay warm and snow-free until at least autumn. I don’t think I’ll be so lucky.

Welcome! It’s the end of August, and already it’s cooled down here enough to make me turn on my heater 🙁 Why do I live here again? I missed last week’s status because I was in St Louis! And yes, it was HOT there, so maybe I’m just never happy.

Work in Progress News ~  I’ve been hopping around on wips this week. Haven’t accomplished much to speak of on any of them, but it feels good to stay busy. School started on Monday, so I’ve got no excuse not to type my fingerprints off.

Favorite Song of the Week ~ Every Breath You Take – or as my daughter calls it “the stalking song” by the Police as covered by UB40. Because every song needs reggae-ified.

Backlist News ~ This weekend All Romance Ebooks is having a 30% rebate, and all of my titles (both Alanna Coca and Olivia Brynn are included! It’s a great weekend for romance.

Tweet of the Week ~ I laughed ridiculously hard after reading this:

Just plucked out a nose hair that was connected to my entire central nervous system and now my nose is leaking spinal fluid.

— EEEANJAY (@blondenorsky) January 21, 2014

What I’m reading ~ While I was in Missouri, the newest Sandra Brown’s newest book came out! I’m just starting it now. So excited!

Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician and marathon runner, disappears on a mountain road in North Carolina. By the time her husband Jeff, miffed over a recent argument, reports her missing, the trail has grown cold. Literally. Fog and ice encapsulate the mountainous wilderness and paralyze the search for her.

While police suspect Jeff of “instant divorce,” Emory, suffering from an unexplained head injury, regains consciousness and finds herself the captive of a man whose violent past is so dark that he won’t even tell her his name. She’s determined to escape him, and willing to take any risks necessary to survive. 

Unexpectedly, however, the two have a dangerous encounter with people who adhere to a code of justice all their own. At the center of the dispute is a desperate young woman whom Emory can’t turn her back on, even if it means breaking the law. Wrong becomes right at the hands of the man who strikes fear, but also sparks passion.

As her husband’s deception is revealed, and the FBI closes in on her captor, Emory begins to wonder if the man with no name is, in fact, her rescuer from those who wish her dead – and from heartbreak.

Today’s Tearjerker ~

Book Snippet ~ From Position Secured:

He stood straight, and Mari felt the first stirrings of embarrassment. What had she just done? She didn’t even know him! She avoided looking at his face, but he cradled her chin in his hand and tilted her head back so she couldn’t help but look into two blue eyes.

Damn, her fantasies were good. She’d pegged this guy, right down to that glassy look. His pupils had dilated. His breath came fast against her cheeks.

“Now that we got that out of the way, I think you can relax a little bit and enjoy the rest of this.”

She swallowed. “The rest?”

He grinned. A cocky, predatory smile that only tilted one side of his mouth, but crinkled both eyes with mirth. “We’re just getting started.” He took her hand and, like one hypnotized, Mari followed him as he backed into her room and sat her on the bed. He straddled her knees and stood inches in front of her. She had to look way up to see him.

Okay folks. Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend. Grill some delicious foods, put your feet up, and send summer off with a bang!

Welcome! What an awful week news-wise. I’m still broken up about Robin Williams’ passing. You know how there’s a small handful of celebrities that feel like they’re “yours”? Like no one understands them or appreciates them like you do? Robin was one of those guys for me. He reminded me a bit of my brother, a bit of my father, and a bit of several favorite uncles all put together. I’ll miss him for a long long time.

Work in Progress News ~ Still working on Jackson. I didn’t get a whole lot done this week though. I think my muse is on an extended vacation. I have no excuse, so I won’t even bother trying to reason why. sigh At what point do I have to call myself a “Former Author”?

Favorite Song of the Week ~ AKNU. Three brothers. What do you guys think?

Tweet of the Week ~

If I did have a thigh gap, I’d probably just use it to sneak candy into the movie theater.

— Linda in Disguise (@LindaInDisguise) May 27, 2014

What I’m reading ~ A new Cameron Dane book!
Ex-con David Joyner returns home knowing he must atone for his past sins. Working at an animal shelter, David keeps his head down, desperate to prove to a hostile town he’s a new man. The one time David looks up, he spots fellow motel dweller Ben, and is terrified by his attraction to the man. David doesn’t want to feel anything. He can only damage what he loves. 
On a forced vacation, PI Ben Evans accepts a job to tail a recently released prisoner. What begins as an easy gig turns complicated when Ben, a controlled man, can’t deny the pang of empathy he feels for his subject, David. Ben can’t suppress his aggressive sexual desires whenever he’s near David either. 
Repeatedly crossing paths, David and Ben do their best to fight their growing attraction. When passion explodes, and secrets are revealed, both men have to conquer inner demons in order to accept the others love. 
Someone has turned the tables on David, though, stalking him and leaving threatening notes. Will anyone believe David if he tells? And when David’s stalker raises the stakes, can Ben find the man who has become his world in time to save their love?

Today’s Tearjerker ~ Be sure to watch to the end.

Book Snippet ~ From Last Call:

“Josie?”

“Hm?”

“How do you feel?”

She stretched, then ran her hands down his arms until her fingers linked with his. “I feel great.”

“Not hungover at all?” He brought their hands tighter around her, hugging her against his front.

“My throat hurts, I must have been talking too loud. A bit of a headache, but not too bad.”

“That’s good, because I want to take you out.”

She was quiet for so long, he started to wonder if he’d blown it. No matter, he’d do it again in a heartbeat.

“Out?”

“Yeah, you know. We could start with lunch…maybe some putt-putt golf.” He stroked the soft skin of her stomach. “I have three days off from work, and I know that you’re…you know…unobligated.”

“I don’t know,” she rolled onto the mattress beside him and propped herself on her elbows. “My momma warned me about boys. They just want one thing.”

“Did she warn you about firemen?” He kissed the tip of her nose.

She giggled. “I know they handle some powerful hoses.”

Howdy! Welcome back. If you reached this post via social media, you’re one of the lucky ones!

No status last week, since I was part of the JustRomance.Me blog hop. I know the three of you out there in the world really missed my status post. (Hi, Mom!) 

Work in Progress News ~ Back to work on Jackson. I don’t know why, he’s just the guy who started talking when I opened the WIP folder, so I’ll keep writing as long as he keeps talking. This is a standalone (at least for now) M/M. It’s actually a GFY, and I’m hesitant. Hope I can pull it off. Luckily I have a plethora of M/M authors I can rope into giving me advice on this thing.  

Favorite Song of the Week ~ New country duo, new label, new single. I’m gonna have to say these two are going to be pretty big. This song is great for many reasons:

Tweet of the Week ~

Damn girl, are you an apostrophe? Because you’re really possessive and always jump in at the end and change what I’m trying to say.

— seagull (@seagullski) July 24, 2014

Industry News ~ Amazon has begun “same day delivery” in very limited areas (and with very limited merchandise options). I don’t think they get to use drones yet though, so I’ll hold out for that! I’m still hoping Hatchette and Amazon will work out their differences before my favorite author Sandra Brown’s book comes out later this month. If not I’ll have to read a hardback copy like the old days!

What I’m reading ~ Oh, you guys. I read a horrible book, and by chapter two I knew I was going to hate it, and I kept reading anyway. By chapter five I had several passages highlighted where the hero is such a JERK! I mean rude and mean and lots of fill in the blankishness. I shouldn’t have wasted my time, but this was written by a fairly well known author, so I figured I must be missing something. Anyway, I won’t be showcasing it here for you because I’m pretty disappointed that I won’t get those few hours of my life back.

Today’s Tearjerker ~

Book Snippet ~ From my wip Jackson, because I feel like sharing.

Noah slouched over his whiskey, trying like hell to ignore the dry-humping couple on the seat beside him. He’d get up and move, but the place was packed, and he had to hold onto this bar stool or he’d end up standing against the wall. Facing the crowd. That would lead to eye contact. Eye contact led to conversation.

Noah wasn’t here for conversation. He was here for ninety minutes and as much alcohol that his twenty dollar bill would buy. Unfortunately it wasn’t much, so he nursed his drink until the ice melted. He showed up fifteen minutes before this busload of bar-hopping college students. If there is a God, they’ll get bored and look for a club with dancing.

All right, you guys.  Football has already started, and baseball is still in full swing (haha!), but go out and enjoy these few remaining summer weekends.