FAR reviews for December.

Here's the list of reviews I did last month. There are some really, really great books in this bunch.

Scarlet and the Sheriff by Carly Carson - Review
Going For It by Elle Kennedy - Review
Rough, Raw, and Ready by Lorelei James - Review
Carnal Harvest by Robin L. Rotham - Review
Hot In The Saddle: Conn 'n' Caleb by Ciana Stone - Review
Devils on Horseback: Zeke by Beth Williamson - Review
Tall, Dark, and Texan by Jodi Thomas - Review
Have Yourself a Naughty Little Santa by Karin Tabke - Review
By The Book by N.J. Walters - Review

Go check them out.
Rachel C

New Release!

RETREAT by MARI CARR

Jon Walker and Night Thomas lived their childhood in a cult. They embraced the lifestyle, and it was there that they were trained as BDSM Masters. Only when the cult was infiltrated by undercover agent Reilly did the boys learn of the cult's seedy underside, and help to destroy it.

Nearly fifteen years later, Jon's job as a high school teacher — and his lust for the school's gorgeous secretary, Carly — bring him close to the normal life he's always craved. Just when that life is within his grasp, Reilly returns. An incarnation of the cult has resurfaced with Jon's evil mother at the helm, and Reilly wants Jon and Night to go undercover to stop Cassandra Walker once and for all.

Shocked by his mother's return and his BDSM past come back to haunt him, Jon is terrified of Carly discovering his dark secrets. Including the darkest of all — his complex relationship with Night, and his unrelenting urge to share Carly with his best friend.

Rachel C

NEW RELEASE!!!

Okay, have to brag.
My CP Devon Gray has a new release. I love this story, it's had many forms over the time I've known Devon and to finally see it in print, well, let's say it more than flutters my heart. PLAYING FOR KEEPS is published by The Wild Rose Press - The Wilder Roses. It's been out for less than 24 hours and already 2nd on the bestsellers list.
You can find Devon here and here, and her other book ADDICTED.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS by DEVON GRAY

Pasts are best left behind, hidden deep in your memory—that is where I buried mine. The feel of his hands and mouth on my body, the height of sensuality I reached beneath his touch. I'd fought so hard to forget—how could just the sight of him bring it all back, forcing me to become lost in him? Again.
Years before I had watched him, craved him—a guitarist in a band riding the wave to stardom—my brother's best friend. On the verge of womanhood, I never dared to reveal how I yearned. Until a cold New Year's Eve when I offered myself as the woman I'd become, bringing to fruition the deepest of wants. As that night turned, so did my life. Devastatingly so. I never dreamed I'd become another of his one night stands.
Can pasts be exorcised if they come back to haunt you? And when a notorious playboy who broke your heart offers you his…how do you know if he's playing for keeps?

Rachel C

Reviews are up!

My reviews for October are up on the Fallen Angel Reviews site. I'm slowing the reviewing down getting ready for our trip back to Australia for Christmas. There's so much to organize over the next 6 weeks that I won't be able to find as much time to read and review as I'd like. Plus I'm taking on NaNoWriMo again, so I'll be busy writing my own stuff. Let's not talk about the fact that I should be doing that right now. Here are the reviews:-

Daringly Delicious by Leigh Ellwood - Review

Hidden by Karen Erickson - Review

Hot Rodeo Night by Sage Burnett - Review

Hot Shot by MJ Fredrick - Review

Wild Frontier by Sienna Black - Review

Kaitlin's Silver Lining by Ciara Gold - Review

Cattleman's Club: Patton's Way by Jenny Penn - Review

That's it. Catch ya later, I'm off to write.

Rachel C

Checking in.

The Tribe at the Grand Canyon. Don't we look happy? It was chilly and windy and I loved it. I wanna go back!

So, what am I doing? Well, what I'm not doing is the reviews that I have due but don't panic I'll have them in before deadline. It's just that there's been some things going on around here that are taking up a lot of my time.

I've got a health issue I won't bore you with but it's not something that'll go away quickly and needs me to make decisions I'd really like someone else to make. *sigh* Anyway, I've made them and I'll be jumping over that hurdle in the near future.

The Princesses started home schooling. Did I mention before that I hoped this would be the best thing? So far it's the best damn thing I've ever done for them. They're loving it. They're enthusiastic, which has to be a good thing. AND, they're smiling! Oh, and we have to hatch shrimp on the weekend so they can do their biology lesson on Monday. How cool it that?

I'm supposed to be writing, LOL, I am doing some. Just not as much as I'd like. I received and email telling me the editor I was working with for Rhian's submission is leaving the company and my ms was being passed to another editor. What this will mean I'm unsure of but I haven't heard from the new one yet so I've stopped doing what I was doing (requested by original editor) until I hear from the new editor.

I'm doing a beta read/crit for a fellow writer I met on the Romance Divas forum. It's a rom/sus and I gotta say I love it! It's taking me longer than normal because I kept getting lost in the story and forgetting I was supposed to be checking it for plot holes, flow, missing words, etc. But I gotta say, I LOVE IT!!!

Anyway, off to do some stuff.

Rachel C

I'm Back!!!

This was us just over two weeks ago on our way to board the first plane in our two plane journey to LA. Damn it went quick! We had a blast and I'll be blogging pix for weeks, months, maybe years, there are almost 10,000 of them after all. LOL Yes, we took that many pix. L to R - Hubby, Princess & the Pea, Me (in back), The Kid (in front), Son#1's girl (in back), Princess One (in front) and Son#1. I think we look rather good for 4:30 in the morning and no sleep.

So while I was away Fallen Angel Reviews loaded last months reviews and I wasn't here to blog them so I'm blogging them now.

Stone's Soul - Lexxie Couper - Review
Tequila Truth - Mari Carr - Review
Lily Blossoms - NJ Walters - Review
Sensual Spell - Rachel Carrington - Review
Broken Pentacle - Eden Rivers - Review
Hungry For More - Diana Holquist - Review
Insatiable Desire - Rita Herron - Review
Sin In Jeans: The Hussies Series - Ciana Stone - Review
The Preacher's Daughters: Wild Chaote - Sheri Gilmore - Review
The Long Road Home - Lauren Sharman - Review

Rachel C

Back in two weeks!

Well, I'm off on our family holiday. It's taking us a 7 hr flight and then a 9 hr flight to get to LA but who cares when we'll be touring LA, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and San Francisco! Sooooo.......

Leaving On A Jet Plane - Lyrics by John Denver

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Bye bye!

Rachel C

New Release - 24th Sept '08

KISS ME, KATE by MARI CARR

Blurb:

Kate is blindsided when her husband cleans out their house and bank account before skipping town with another woman. Desperate to get out of her sister’s apartment, Kate jumps at the chance to help Rick and Wes, DEA agents whose latest case finds them in urgent need of a house-sitter.

Taking care of the old farmhouse is just what she needed. As the months pass, a stronger Kate emerges. She’s also developed an email friendship with Rick, and it isn’t long before they secretly begin starring in each other’s lust-filled fantasies. Problem is, after her failed marriage, Kate wants only a physical relationship. She’s terrified of losing her heart—which is exactly what Rick intends to capture upon his return.

They reach a compromise. One that involves explosive, no-strings sex—for now. Rick patiently deflects her fears and willingly slakes her passion while keeping his darker fantasies in check, afraid of scaring his shy, innocent lover. But unbeknownst to Rick, Kate has a few untapped fantasies of her own.

Remember if you're on my side of the world it might be the 24th but it's still the 23rd at Ellora's Cave. If you want to check out an excerpt go here. Or visit Mari's website to check out all her great books.

Rachel C

New Release

Author R.G. Alexander has a new book, Piercing The Veil, out today 17th Sept from Ellora's Cave. She busy right now with clean up after hurricane Ike so I'm helping her out by doing a little promo for her. I was lucky enough to do a spotlight interview with her for the August Fallen Angel Reviews Newsletter and I've been even more fortunate to read two of her books for review. But let's get back to today's release.

Here's the blurb:

Piercing The Veil

Twins Hawk and Val are Fianna warriors under the vengeful curse of a scorned goddess. Following the prophecy in the Book of Veils, they search for the one who can help them retrieve the Claiomh Solais before their enemies get the chance. Their quest leads them to Linnea. One touch and there can be no doubt that they have found their match. But will she accept them once she knows the truth?

Linnea is no one special. So why is she on the run from evil faeries and her egotistical ex? Why is she suddenly spending time in the company of dragons, druids, and one kinky Viking with a split personality? All she knows is she has to keep her daughter safe from those who hunt her, and her heart safe from another betrayal.

To protect one gifted child and all of humanity from the dark god that seeks retribution, they must learn to trust each other. To have a future together, they must find the perfect balance.

So go check out R.G.'s new book HERE and don't forget to check out her others HERE.

Rachel C

It's been a while.

Yeah, I know I've been neglectful but I've got good reasons I'm just not going to bore you with the dramas of my life. I will try to be around more often, note the word try. So the FAR update went live yesterday. Let's see what reviews I did last month.

Bedroom Behavior 101 - Sophia Rae - Review
Electrify Me - Renee Field - Review
Oh Yum! Love Thy Neighbor - Amy Ruttan - Review
Jackson's Jewel - NJ Walters - Review
Oh Yum! Sins & Redemption - Lyn Cash - Review
Mater Of The Game - Emma Petersen - Review
Oh Yum! Risking It All - Anna J. Evans - Review
Hotter Than The Fourth Of July - Liz Andrews - Review
Flyboy - Nicole Austin - Review
Cole's Gamble - Jory Strong - Review
No Sex Necessary - Jane Beckenham - Review
Kitchen Matches - Marianne Arkins - Review
His Ordinary Life - Linda Winfree - Review - Bk 2 Hearts of the South series
Hold On To Me - Linda Winfree - Review - Bk 3 Hearts of the South series
Memories Of Us - Linda Winfree - Review - Bk 5 Hearts of the South series
Hearts Awakened - Linda Winfree - Review - Bk 6 Hearts of the South series

I want to make a special mention of Linda Winfree's Hearts of the South series. I've now read all the books in this series, Hearts Awakened is released on the 2nd Sept. This series is a must read. Linda has blown me away with all of these books. They can be read out of order but you really need to do them in order. If you like romantic suspense I can't recommend them enough, although Hearts Awakened is classed as a romantic contemporary it's still a must read.

Moving on to other things. We're going on holiday. To the US!!! Yay! On the 27th of September we'll be landing in LA for 13 days of touring LA, Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and San Fran. The US will never be the same after the Charlton's have been. LOL
Okay, I'm off to do some work. What? Reading's work! I've got to write reviews for you guys! It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.

Rachel C

New Release!

ADDICTED by Devon Gray releases today, August 1st! I've read it, there are some advantages of being a CP, and it's great! It's available from The Wild Rose Press - The Wilder Roses. Here's a teaser.

Lose Control. Lose Yourself. Get Addicted.

It seemed like a great idea at the time--escaping for a summer with my best friend, leaving behind a job I hated and all my indecisiveness. Three months in a small beach town would clear my head, brighten my outlook on the future, guide me in the right direction.

I had no way of knowing what that summer would bring. The things I would be capable of, the lengths to which I'd end up going , the intensity with which I would yearn. I had no way of knowing about him.

He came into my life like a summer storm--sudden, intense, with a threat of danger; flooding my senses until I was drowning in him. The problem with addiction? You crave what you need…whether it is good for you or not.

You can also check out Devon here. I really can't say enough good things about this book. I love it!

Rachel C

Fallen Angel Reviews Update.

FAR went live with the monthly update last weekend, you can find all the great reviews and author interviews, as well as a heap of other goodies on the site.
Last month I did 15 reviews, passing the 100th book reviewed. The lucky #100 was A Legal Affair by NJ Walters, a great book that I did give a RR (Recommended Read) to. I thought I'd give you all the links to the reviews so you can check them out for yourself, but while you're there you should check out the FAR site.

Oh Yum! - Young Stud by Ruth D. Kerce - Review
A Psychic Hitch by Bekki Lynn - Review
Make U Sweat by Amie Stuart - Review
Taking Control by Jamie Hill - Review
Undeniable by Lexie Davis - Review
Roughing It by Vonna Harper - Review
Beyond The Valley by Destiny Blaine - Review
Who Needs Another Superhero? by R.G. Alexander - Review
Backtrack: The Huntsmen by Amber Green - Review
Letting Luce by Jenny Gilliam - Review
A Little Slice Of Heaven by Gina Ardito - Review
Something About That Lady by Carol McPhee - Review
Living Lies by Dawn Brown - Review
Vampire Knights - Blood Vengeance by Bronwyn Lee - Review
A Legal Affair by N.J. Walters - Review

That's quiet a list for last month, I doubt that I'll get as many this month as my life seems to have imploded on a personal level. Hopefully it'll get better soon. I won't bore you with any details but I will say everyone is healthy, unless I decide killing them is the only option, and I'm not sure why I'm not an alcoholic. LOL

Rachel C

Blast from the past.

Months ago now, and I feel really slack for not getting it up here sooner, I won Karen Erickson's Fortune's Deception, I promised to blog about it when I read it and I never did. Sorry. So now here I am blogging about this great fun read. And why might you ask am I blogging about it now, well, I've been thinking about doing a blog on books I've read for myself on not for FAR for a while and today I learned that Karen has signed the contract for the second book in the wonderful series, Fortune's Promise. Yay!!! Anyway, back to why we're here.

Fortune's Deception - Blurb

Winning the lottery changes her life forever…in more ways than one
One minute Brittney Jones is living paycheck to paycheck, and the next she and three friends win a record-breaking lottery jackpot. Sure, she’s spent some money on herself—after her rough childhood, she figures she deserves a few indulgences, big and small.
To financial advisor Charlie Manning, his client Brittney is a shallow beauty out to spend all of her money. He thinks she should rein it in. She thinks he should loosen up, and resolves to help him do just that—in a very naughty way.
The passion between them burns hot and fast, and Charlie comes to realize Brittney’s heart is as big as her newly fattened bank account. She’s not only smart, but beautiful and sexy. And he can’t resist her.
Still, Charlie is aware that Brittney’s keeping secrets from him. If only she would trust him enough to tell the truth!

Fortune's Deception is available from Samhain Publishing and is a great book. I'm hanging out now for the second one, it's not out until Jan '09!!!!! Aaaahhhhhhhh...........

Rachel C

Make the most of every second.

This is the kid! He's the one that inspired the title today. My youngest is what I like to refer to as high maintenance. VERY high maintenance. He doesn't stop. If he's sitting still his mouth is flappin'. Yep, that's my boy, always ready to dive right in and give it a go. He makes the most of every second, and so he should, the damn kid is lucky to be here, three strikes your out rule doesn't apply to my boy. He's beat the odds three times now, and I'm sure there'll plenty more times in the future he'll push the boundaries too.
So taking a leaf out of his book I'm put some excerpts up on my other blogs. Go here for Rachel's romantic suspense and here for Rhian's erotic romance. After you've read them be sure to leave me a comment, I always love to know what you think.
We had a great weekend, we had home made Big Macs for dinner last night. They were yummy and tasted just like the real thing. Hope your weekend was good and you week gets better.

Rachel C

The rock I hide under.

This is obviously not one of my pix but it shows our condo complex. If you want to see a real pic head over to here or here. So this is where I live, we're on the 11th floor on the end of the left building, basically as far left as the building goes. They're 30 stories high. (shuddering)

An author friend, Sami Lee is guest blogging over at the FAR Blog today, head over here and leave her a comment.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Rachel C

A quick hello and goodbye.

Damn! I lost a day! Here's the pix I promised, hello and goodbye. The top is sunrise, the bottom sunset. Gotta love the views from my place. I'll be back on deck tomorrow with something more entertaining. Maybe.

Rachel C

The Day After Tomorrow??

Ever seen the movie The Day After Tomorrow? I tell ya, some of the storms that head our way are downright scary. This one even had a mini twister that we could actually see touching the water! And yes, I have heaps of photos of it.
This past weekend saw me complete my 100th review for FAR. I can't talk about the book yet because we're not allowed to talk about them until they go live on the site at the end of each month. I've decided to start posting the links to my reviews here each month to let you all know what books I've reviewed in the previous month. But first, let me go back in time......

Soul Master - Reese Gabriel - Ellora's Cave
Cabin Fever - Shelli Stevens - Cobblestone Press
Rain Fell Down - Lexie Davis - Total-e-bound
36 Exposures - Linda Mooney - Amazon Shorts
Pregnancy Plan - Tina Gayle - The Wild Rose Press
The Bride Wore Boots - JT Schultz - Whiskey Creek Press
Craving Kismet - Jamie Craig - Samhain Publishing
Yours For The Taking - Karen Erickson - Cobblestone Press
Coaches' Wives - C.D. Conejo - eXtasy Books
Scout'n'Cole - Ciana Stone - Ellora's Cave
Best Laid Plans - Bronwyn Green - Cerridwen Press
One To Grow On - Caitlyn Willows - Amber Quill Press
Something Wild - Sable Grey - Cobblestone Press
Primal Attraction - Shelli Stevens - Cobblestone Press
Scorpio Tattoo - Jude Mason - Phaze
Angela's Abduction - JoJo Brown - eXtasy Books
Guarding The Coast - Samantha Gail - eXtasy Books
Rose Petals Anthology Volume 1 - Various - The Wild Rose Press
Far From Montana - Penny Ash - Liquid Silver Books
Last Chance - Kit Wylde - Freya's Bower
Tamara's Spirit - Nicole Austin - Samhain Publishing
In The Blink Of An Eye - Catherine Stang - Whiskey Creek Press
A Healing Passion - Samantha Lucas - Cobblestone Press
Double Deutsch - Shayla Kersten - The Wild Rose Press
A Stranger's Bed - Sophia Rae - The wild Rose Press
Ridley's Rival - Dawne Dominique - Love You Divine
Again - Adrienne Kama - Ellora's Cave
The Black rose - Skyler Grey - Red Rose Publishing
Reach Out And Touch Someone - Pearl Jones - Aspen Mountain Press
Risking It All - Anna Leigh Keaton - Cobblestone Press
Baby It's Cold Outside - Ellen Addie - Phaze
Undying Passions - Amy Mistretta - Samhain Publishing
Ranch Hideout - Julia Daniels - Cerridwen Press
Winter's Daughter - J.C. Wilder - Samhain Publishing
Jesse's Challenge - Nicole Austin - Samhain Publishing
Sweet Serenity - Catherine Stang - Whiskey Creek Press
Crossing The Line - Catherine Stang - Whiskey Creek Press
Two For The Money - Leigh Wyndfield - Loose Id
Eliza's Copper Penny - Ciara Gold - Champagne Books
Foxfire - Carol Ann Erhardt - The Wild Rose Press
Too Good To Be True - Marie-Nicole Ryan - Samhain Publishing
Chasing Phoenix - Christine d'Ado - Ellora's Cave
Familiar Strangers - Keziah Hill - Cobblestone Press
Home To Stay - Jane Leopold Quinn - Loose Id
Dangerous Grounds - Shelli Stevens - Samhain Publishing
The Pirate And The Puritan - Mary Clayton - The Wild Rose Press
Enough - Nicole Austin - Ellora's Cave
Beware Of The Cowboy - Mari Freeman - Ellora's Cave
Restless - Nicole Austin - Ellora's Cave
A Delicious Taboo - Jennifer Cole - Dark Eden Press
Playing To Win - Shelley Munro - Cerridwen Press
Spin Some More - Red Garnier - Ellora's Cave
Bareback - Amber Green - Loose Id
Court Appointed - Annmarie McKenna - Samhain Publishing
Sarah's Brass Token - Ciara Gold - Champagne Books
Night Wolf - Karen Erickson - Amber Quill Press
What Mattered Most - Linda Winfree - Samhain Publishing
Shaking Off The Dust - Rhianna Samuels - Samhain Publishing
Who Wants To Date A Superhero? - R.G. Alexander - Ellora's Cave
The Preacher's Daughters 2: Witching Hours - Sheri Gilmore - Loose Id
Breaking Skye - Eden Bradley - Phaze
The Seduction Of Cassidy Flint - Samantha Lucas - Siren Publishing
Fancy Free - Shelley Munro - Ellora's Cave
I Love Lacy - Lillian Feisty - Ellora's Cave
Anything But Mine - Linda Winfree - Samhain Publishing
Sidelined By Love - Ana Aragon - The Wild Rose Press
High Voltage - Calista Fox - Red Sage Publishing
Cowgirl Up And Ride - Lorelei James - Samhain Publishing
Between A Ridge And A Hard Place - Annmarie McKenna - Samhain Publishing
Nature's Pentacle - Eden Rivers - Loose Id
Baby Decision - Tina Gayle - Amira Press
Tempting Adam -Shelli Stevens - Samhain Publishing
Sand Angel - Mackenzie Mckade - Ellora's Cave
Bringo Springs - Laney Cairo - Torquere Press
Fly By Knight - Sahara Kelly - Ellora's Cave
Lila's Capture - Jade James - Loose Id
Halloween Heart-throbs: Witchy Woman - Karen Erickson - Total-e-bound
Deadly Sins I - Lexxie Couper/Eve Vaughn/Kira Stone - Changeling Press
Stay With Me - Maya Banks - Samhain Publishing
One Good Man - Lacey Thorn & Cindy Spencer Pape - Ellora's Cave
Bedside Manner - Sophia Rae - The Wild Rose Press
Absolutely Not - Daisy Dexter Dobbs - Ellora's Cave
Picture Perfect - Lexie Davis - Total-e-bound
A Taste For Jazz - Ciana Stone - Ellora's Cave
Deadly Dreams - Rie McGaha - Noble Romance Publishing
Too Tempting - Karen Erickson - Ellora's Cave
Devil's Dance - Scarlet Sanderson - The Wild Rose Press
Night Ride - Desiree Holt - The Wild Rose Press
One Night With You - Jane E. Jones - The Wild Rose Press
Coming Attractions - S.L. Carpenter & Sahara Kelly - Ellora's Cave

Whoa! That's a lot of books! It's not quite 100 but that's because there's a pile on the site waiting to go up in the end of July upload. As soon as they're live I'll post about them here.
By the way, if anyone's keen to do reviewing FAR is always looking for reviewers, pop over to the site and find out how.
I've linked to some authors and some publishers and some books, so go ahead and discover a whole new world of reading.

Rachel C

New ideas.

This is my office. It doesn't look like that at the moment, in fact I can't actually find my desk. I need to have a clean up but I'm busy, writing. Yep, getting lots done in the last few days, not as much as I was doing last month but we at the 50k blog have set a new challenge. Pick your own goal and log in with it, then each day come back and add what you did. Sounds simple, and it is, Sandie's calling it the page a day challenge but I'm going for 1000 words or 1 chapter edited. It's all up to you. We're starting today but I've been going since Saturday and so far I'm reaching my goal every day. Yay me!

I visit a few author blogs and over the last few weeks Linda Winfree (who's a great author by the way) has been posting pix of her recent holiday so I've decided to post pix in my posts from now on as a way of showing you all my part of the world. I've started with my work space because I couldn't decide what to post first. LOL But I've now decided that I'll do a week of the same area, so if I choose to do Singapore I'll post pix taken all over for that week. This week will be where we live.

Did you see the new widget I've got on the sidebar? I love Nora Roberts and this is a new thing for her so I just had to have it. If you're a fan grab on for your site, it's easy. Everyday it tells you something about her, it's really cool. I want on when I get that famous. LOL

Must go and get on with the day, yes it's nearly lunch time but we're on school holidays here so we're getting to sleep in and be lazy about getting up and going. Two more weeks then it's back to the 6am wake ups. sigh

Rachel C

Alive a kickin' butt!!!!

Yep, that's what I've done in the month of June. The 50ksIn30days challenge finished yesterday and during the month of June I wrote 100,015 words. I absolutely kicked butt! Of course I couldn't have done all that on one wip, I had to work on five which means none are finished. sigh
I know, I'm hopeless but I have discovered that when I put my mind to it I can write some serious word count numbers. Of course I'm not always in charge of my mind so hence the working on five wip's. The muse may be a hunky bloke but he's going to have to watch it or he's getting the sack and I'll high another muse to do his job.
Reviewing hasn't stopped and the FAR site went live with June's reviews over the weekend. I don't even know how many I did last month but you can find all the reviews here: http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/
I'm steaming ahead with the writing and even though this month was hectic I've enjoyed it. I'm also pretty brain dead, but never fear I'm still writing. I plan to have a few things finished by the end of July and I'm sticking to the plan.

Rachel C

Stranger than fiction?!

Love, laughter, tears, depression, sadness, vomiting on laptops, hating your parents, nasty letters and emails. Sounds like a great book, right? Wrong! That's my life! It's real, it happened and OMG! stop the bus I wanna get off!!!!!
So the love and laughter were for me and Hubby while we were away. We had a great time, lazing by the pool, going to the spa, and just doing what we wanted. I should have known I'd pay for it.
We arrived home to a missing child. Yep, no one knew where she was. Great! Then Hubby found a letter in his draw from said child about how she hates her life here, hates her school, she's depressed and it's really great that you got what you want in life daddy but I hate mine. P.S. I love you. Umm......
By late Sunday evening we still were no closer to getting anywhere with said child when another one starts screaming from the bed room that the cat just vomited all over her laptop! What? What was he doing on your laptop? Needless to say this was not a good thing.
Then Monday I get and email from said child, 'I never want to talk to you again. Eva!'. What the...? What did I do? I replied of course but she wasn't talking to me. Duh! Finally got that it was all my fault and that I don't care about her because if I did I'd send her back to Australia to live. I just want her here to make her life hell. Well, yeah, because that certainly makes my life a bed of roses. Just watch the thorns.
Vomited on laptop still not working and we're madly trying to get it to function enough to back up the files. Yes, nothing backed up and all her school work and photographs are on there. One more Duh! moment.
Tuesday, girls taking a mental health day (sounds good doesn't it?) and we're off to get the laptop looked at. Thankfully we managed to get the stupid thing to work enough to back up the files and photos, but the keyboard wouldn't work at all. Well, jeez, I wonder why? It's not like it got drowned in cat spew! What was I thinking?
Mental health day went well. Lots of talking between the girls (I'm included here) and nasty email writing child is a little more stable. At least I hope she is, she knows where the knives are kept. Laptop got fixed, yay! New keyboard required and I have to say those little things are amazing, they just pop right out and a new one pops right in. Oh, there's a couple of screws. But anyway, it was still under warranty! No cost! Thank you very much. Good thing too because girly is off to Australia for 4 weeks on Friday and she can't go without it!!! Oh, the horror!
Wednesday, all at school, mum finally able to breathe. Now to catch up on all the things that got put on hold.

Taking a break.

I won't bore anyone with the dramas of my life, but really, did someone drop me into a daytime soap opera and not tell? I've been working on Rhian's re-writes and the latest wip so I haven't been completely unproductive, I just haven't been all that productive. I have managed to get to nearly 9,000 words for the 50ksIn30days which I'm happy with considering the number of actual days I've written.
I'm pulling out an old wip that I plan to write under Rachel Charlton but it's a single title so don't expect to see it any time soon. But I'm doing something with it that I never thought I'd do. Plotting! Yep, I have to. The wip in actually a two story one and I need to get the bits and pieces straight before I start with the writing again. You know, time lines, characters that appear in both books. Lots of work I think. Just need to bite the bullet and do it.
On a brighter note, Saturday is my 20th wedding anniversary. I know, I don't look old enough to have been married that long. LOL We're leaving the kids behind, in the capable hands of the oldest, for 4 days of relaxing by the pool. We're not going far, just across the water to Batam, an island of Indonesia. I'm planning on writing and reading. If you're lucky I might post some pix when I get back.
Have a great weekend.

Rachel C

Seven days of mind numbing activity.

It's been a week since I posted anything here, and it was a productive one for the most part. I'm writing up a storm on Rhian's latest wip, Lux. I've done over 6,000 words on that one in the last seven days. The editor got back to me about On A Wing And A Prayer, she's asked for some changes and I'll be getting to those soon. I promise. I got that email last Saturday but by then I was into my third day of a pulled back and headache. I quick trip out with Hubby and an even quicker slip on a wet floor and I really pulled my back. Sunday? Migraine city! Damn I love that place! NOT!!!! Sunday of course was the 1st of June and the start of the 50ksIn30days challenge, so with the help of some pills I battled through to do 2,000 words. Not bad considering. By Monday I was in so much pain I could quite happily have committed murder. Luckily kids were in school hubby was at work and at home son went off for a job interview. Ahhhh... peace. More drugs, sleep, some more pills (and by now I think I rattled when I moved, not that I was moving) and I managed to write another 2,000 words. Woohooo...... go me!!
Ah...... No. Not go me. I read them today, those 2,000 words from yesterday, and let's just say that they were.... well.... interesting?! I'm not sure how to describe them other than I had no idea I was writing a fantasy. No, really, if what I'd written was even remotely salvageable I'd do it but nope, sorry, in the trash. But at least I tried, right. Right?
Oh, well back to it.

Rachel C

Getting back into the swing.

We've had visitors for over a week and most of that time was spent playing tour guide. What a blast! I'm exhausted. I think we covered half of Singapore in about four days. We of course, went to China Town and Bugis Street for shopping. We had breakfast at the zoo. We ate out every night, went to Ski 360 cable ski park, visited the Merlion statue, Raffles Hotel. Actually, I think we did all that in three days. Now they're gone, off on their trip to Europe. The house is so quiet I can hear the dust mites breathing! LOL
I'm back to writing every day and the 50ksIn30days starts on Sunday so I need to get back into the swing of things before then. I'm planning to work on four novellas I've got in various stages of production. But as they'll be published under Rhian Cahill I probably shouldn't talk too much about them here. This split personality thing is confusing and tiring.

May the Word Gods smile upon you.

Rachel C

No turning back.

Rhian has now got a home on the world wide web!

www.rhiancahill.com

It's up and running and I'm pretty pleased with it. I built it. From scratch, well not quite, I used the templates but I did the rest. Head over and check it out, there's photos that I've taken over the last year living in the tropics and visiting exotic locations. Let me know what you think.

Rachel C

Rhian Cahill gets her own place.

Rhian Cahill now has a blog. I've got a bio and an excerpt page up and I've put the prologue of the ms that's on the editors desk for you all to have a look at. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of the site and the excerpt.
www.rhiancahill.wordpress.com

Rachel C

We break your regular programming for some important information!

I've been quiet. Very quiet. I've had some exciting stuff going on that kept me busy and away from here.
I've had a full manuscript request!!!!
Yep, there's now a full sitting on an editors desk, well not yet, I'm about to send it. The request came through this morning and I'm just going over it one more time. I know, I know call me obsessive. I don't care!!!! I've had a full requested!!!!!
If you want the full story pop over to my wordpress pages to read it.
www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com
I'll keep you posted on what's going on, but things are moving so fast I think my ass just overtook my belly!

Where are those topless table dancing tarts when you need them??

Rachel C

Book Cover Gods pay a visit to Devon.

The Gods that handle book covers are surely smiling on Devon. This is the book cover for Addicted. There's just one word; HOT! It fits the story perfectly and we're sooooo excited to have such good luck with it. (Yes I used the royal 'we', but hey, she's my CP and I've been with this book from the ground up) Still don't have a release date but she is on the coming soon page at The Wild Rose Press website. (link in sidebar) Can't wait for it to come out, especially now we have a cover.

I should be so lucky when my turn comes.

Rachel C

Had to come back and tell you Devon just got the book trailer that the talented Allie Boniface made for her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBnGrAK5T-s
It's really cool and fits so well with the story.

Blogging from Manila!

Here I am working hard. I did really well yesterday, got about 2,000 words done on one wip and read two books. The plane ride was just over three hours, a bit bumpy but I'm getting better at the air travel. Last two trips I haven't taken anything for the sickness and haven't been sick. Well I've felt sick but I haven't actually been sick. I have managed to get myself a very sore throat. It was a little bit before we left but I didn't think too much of it until I got up this morning and couldn't swallow my own spit. Umm... guess I'll be off to the doc's when we get back. I finally got Internet access, and no, I have nothing to do with the bodies behind the reception desk. I'm getting back to work now, gotta keep going while the flow is there.

The muse is gorging on all around her even if I'm not.

Rachel C

Going out of town.

I'm going out of town tomorrow. I'm tagging along on one of Hubby's business trips again. Last month Bangkok this month; Clark! Or Manila depending on who you're talking to. We're flying into Clark as that's where the UPS office is, it's all on the old US base. I'm looking forward to getting some great pix and exploring the area. I'm also looking forward to writing. Yep, that's what I'm doing. No Internet, no phone, no kids, no anything! Just writing. Oh and reading, I can't go anywhere with a book! So the iPAQ is coming and as usual has about ten books on it. I'll have to decide which one to read first. I'm also taking Mari's latest wip to go over so that when I'm back late Saturday night (my time) I can send it off to her. I'll probably start my query letter and synopsis for On A Wing And A Prayer. Probably. I'm dreading it but it must be done.
Off to pack my bag.

A passport full of stamps is a wonderful thing!

Rachel C

Taking the necessary steps.

Some things you need to do to further your writing career are easy and some are hard. For instance one thing a budding writer must decide is whether to go to the expense of having a website built before they're published. It can be a costly affair and time consuming as well. Me? I've got a file of photos, all taken by my family or me, that I'll be using when the time comes to build mine. Yes I have a domain name and you can even go there and you'll get a page that tells you where to find me at the moment. I've got a pretty good idea of what I want and I wish I could build it myself so I'd get exactly what I want. But the sad fact is I'm sooooo not computer friendly. I'd get exactly what I don't want if I tried to do it myself. So the decision to build before publication for has been put off and put off but now as I get closer I'm thinking it might be a good idea to get the ball rolling. It doesn't help when Devon gets to put her exciting news on her website that she's had since she made the decision to be a writer. And it really doesn't help when Mari sends out the exciting news that hers is finally up and running. So I'm starting this week. I'm putting it here so I'm accountable. But before we get to that let's get back to Mari's new site.

The link is in the sidebar but here it is as well; www.maricarr.com
Pop over there and have a look, it's so fresh looking, it's like looking at you favorite holiday pix. If you can leave her a message about what you thought. The best thing we get as writers is feedback. It's such a solitary life that we're not only thrilled with getting a message about how great you think we are but excited when it helps us make our writing or in this case, websites better.

Oh, and the verdict on On A Wing And A Prayer so far is favorable. I don't know whether to throw up or throw a party. (read have a drink)

Fear is only as big as we make it.

Rachel C

Not so scary.

The first time I sent any of my work out into the world was for a competition, it was a few years ago now, but I remember that experience well. I also remember how it made me feel and what it did for my writing. I got the results and looking at the score sheet I appeared to have done okay, first time out there and I was in the middle of all the entries. Some judges wrote comments and others didn't. One was brilliant and I ended up working with her quite a few years later, but the other one is the one that got me. Oh, she/he was a great judge. With red pen in hand the judge took to my ms with enthusiasm. Obviously on a roll or getting carried away (who knows), not one page was left unmarked. But it was the final comment, in red pen, big capital letters.
THIS IS PORN! SEND IT TO PENTHOUSE!
Well. What can I say? To say it stopped the writing cold is an understatement. It blew the whole idea up! It took me months, yes months, to even look at anything again. Never mind actually write anything. I finally got up the nerve to look at this particular entry and ALL the judges comments, and do you know what I found? It was ONE opinion. The other judges didn't feel the same way about the piece, so I really took a look at the red pen comments. Now I'm not sure, but it's quite possible that said judge was having a bad day, or was even a NUN. One of the complaints was that I'd described, in great detail, the feel of the hero's tongue as it dueled with the heroine's. Now forgive me if I've got this wrong, and Hubby I do apologise for our 20 years together if I'm am, but isn't that a kiss? I was sure it was a kiss when I wrote it.
My point to this post is that even though I know I don't write 'porn', what I write is erotic and some people may view it that way. I'll also say that I don't just write 'erotic', although a lot of what I write would fall into the hotter side of romance. The bad thing is, that even though I know there are people that like the genre I write in, I still have this big horrible spectre living in my head that screams every time I send something to my CP. And when I'm doing edit/polish of a wip I always try to tone down the sex scenes. (I know, someone should slap me upside the head.) When a scene flows for me it goes quicker than I can type or write long hand, (which explains the funny little language I have in all my long hand work), and I'm in the moment, I don't worry about toning it down.
Yesterday at 2am, at least I think it was yesterday, maybe it was Friday? Can't remember, direct result of little to no sleep, thank you Hubby. Anyway, the second draft of On A Wing And A Prayer took to it's wings and flew off to visit with Devon and Mari. Devon has had the privilege of reading some of this already. Chapters 1-4 I think, but now she has the whole thing. It's the first baby to go out whole. And there's that little voice screaming in the back of my head. Sigh!
I'm told by some great writing friends (yes they're published) that it doesn't change. With every wip the same fears grab hold and squeeze you tight. Well, I'm feeling a little chocked and would really like a little breathing room, just a smidge. It's not helping with the sleep deprivation. I'm thinking that writing the book is the easy bit. It's the edit/polish, sending it to CP, edit/polish again, and then submitting it that's hard. Really hard! But I can't not write so I guess I have to face the fear and move on. Or as the kids would say, build a bridge and get over it! (aren't they brilliant?)
So I built the bridge and I'm over it but I can't help but look back. It's the fear, I might have left it behind but it's still there, just over my shoulder, waiting for my steps to falter so it can catch up again.

No snappy little saying today, instead I'm going to give you the link to the blog post that inspired the sharing of my fears. NJ Walters blogged at the Samhain blog today about fear and how it drives us. http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/2008/05/03/fear
Go over and check out her brilliant thoughts. The woman is a great writer and I'm privileged to be able to spend some time with her online in one of my egroups. The link to her website is in the sidebar so after you've been and read her post go check her and her books out. I dare you to come away without buying one.

Rachel C

P.S. Aforementioned ms is Dark Heat. Which is getting the edit/polish treatment soon. I'm determined to get it published just so I can blow a raspberry at aforementioned judge.

Harsh working conditions.

Life's hard when you're forced to work under these conditions. This is my writing room, it's in our bedroom but I try not to think about having to share my space. The bookcase is overflowing as any good bookcase should be, the lounge is really comfy for lying back and reading, or editing. And view on a good day offers glimpses of Indonesia. The water between is the main 'road' for the ship in the area. And then of course there's the view of downstairs. As you can see my life isn't easy. LOL

Time for a change.

Okay, so I'm trying to give this blog a new look and it's not working. Well, it is; just not the way I want it to. So don't be surprise if you come back and it's different. Again. Be patient with me while I go get some spray to get rid of all the bugs. There are a few changes to the sidebar but I think it works a little better. I like the new look, now if I could just get it to do exactly what I want.....
My new CP is working out great so far. I think I've got a big foot because I said she really needed to get her blog a little more happening and she has. Mari's just such a busy person that I think the blog was just one more thing to get to later. But if you're serious about being a writer you need to have a place where people can 'see' you. Whether that's reader, other authors or editors, you need people to be able to find you and info on what you've done, doing and planning to do.
I've made a special section in the sidebar just for my two wonderful CP's, who have both been doing such a wonderful job of kicking my butt this week with the edit/polish of On A Wing And A Prayer. (I need it.) Go over and check them out.
Mari has a new book coming out later in the year, but right now you can get Erotic Research from Samhain Publishing. (I've added some e-book publishers to the sidebar too) I'll let you know when we get the details of her next book. Oh, and any other great news she has.
Devon is busy writing her next book. Having her first contract does not mean she gets to rest. No, it's bum in seat, fingers on keyboard, madly getting the next book written. As soon as we have some news on a release date and cover for her first book I'll post it here.
Other than procrastinating, hence the new blog theme, I'm editing/polishing. LOL

There are two choices. You can make a living or you can design a life. - Jim Ruhn

Rachel C

Go Devon, go Devon, go Devon!

Woohoooooo.......
Devon Gray got a contract!
The Wild Rose Press have offered Devon a contract for Addicted. The book is great as you know because I already blogged about it, but now everyone will know about it. Obviously she having trouble breathing but once she stops hyperventilating I'll get all the details. It'll take a while before we know when it'll be released or get a cover but you can guarantee you'll see it here. Pop over to see her blog and have a read of her Squeeeeee post. www.authordevongray.blogspot.com

Oooo.... I have a new friend!

Okay, so I've got heaps of friends and probably don't need another one to play with but this one is special. And no I did not replace the Hubby! On the Samhaincafe loop the other day the question of critique partners came up, not having a dedicated one I kept an eye on things. Yes I have Devon but she had Bev before me and I'm a third wheel, which is good because the more opinions the better, well not too many but you get what I mean. So I still have Devon but I really need to find myself a front row CP. So as usual, not back in coming forward I started trying to find a web address for this particular author. Couldn't find one. What to do, what to do? I know, I'll be real polite (no comments from the peanut gallery) and email her off loop, I didn't want to through the loop because, well not sure of the rules on that one. Off went my lonely little email. Bye, bye. Damn I hope I did the right thing! Then someone yelled dinner and well I had to eat, we'd walked the whole of China Town today. Of course the minute I'm finished I'm back at the computer and damn if dinner isn't going to make another appearance because there a return email. Nervously I open it up. Fingers shaking, you know I've suddenly come to the conclusion that I might need resuscitation if I ever get a book contract. And what does the email say?
"You've made my day!"
What?!?!
I've made her day? OMG! She's keen to try. Which let me explain, is what happens when looking for a CP, you have to try to see if you fit. Some people just aren't going to work well together while others are better than chocolate dipped strawberries. We've exchanged a little info about ourselves in these two emails so I closed my eyes, held my nose and dove right in. I sent her some of Heartthrob. Well all of it, there ain't much to it yet, but as I said we need to try each other out so we start slow and go from there. Mind you I just popped over to her blog and I have to say I like so far. I like a lot. Anyway, we'll see what happens and I'll keep you posted and how I feel about the process. I mean I'm not real good at sharing my writing, I'm getting better but I need to get even better. Actually, I think I have because I didn't even blink when I sent Heartthrob over.
By now you're wondering who this person is and I think I'll put you out of your misery. (This bits scary because she's already got her first book out there!) Her name is Mari Carr and her first book came out last month at Samhain Publishing (I can't even remember if there's a link on the sidebar so here it is anyway www.samhainpublishing.com/ ) Look for Erotic Research, oh bugger it, here's the link to the actual book; http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/erotic-research
Go check it out, I missed it when it came through FAR, wasn't quick enough. I tell ya you would think being an Angel would help me get what I want but nooooo.... sometimes the feathers fly!
Okay, it's getting late and Hubby just turned the lights off. I think it's a hint.

You can never have too many friends.

Rachel C

Finally here!

Finally! It's taken me a few days but I'm back. We got back from Bangkok last Friday but with the kids all coming in from school camps, Corki's 14th birthday, Tim getting his braces on and the hamsters breeding while we were away I've been flat out. I won't mention the 387 emails I came back to or the end of month madness at FAR. I've blogged about Bangkok over at www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com head over and check it out. I'm definitely heading back to Bangkok at some stage, need to do research. I love the way that inspiration strikes when you least expect it. I'm not going into detail because it's still floating around in my head and other than a couple of notes the idea isn't quite fully formed yet. I'll let you know when it does.
Devon still hasn't heard from the editor but they asked for revisions, which she did and sent back at the end of last week so hopefully in the next few days I'll be able to tell you more. I've got all my fingers and toes crossed but I don't think she needs it. If TWRP aren't interested someone else will be.
Not much in the way of writing but I have been reading for me, yay, and of course reviewing. End of month this week so things are a bit frantic and I'd neglected a couple of books, naughty me. So the last couple of days has been reading and reviewing. It's tough, but someones got to do it. LOL
Later I'll be putting a blog on the new group blog I'm a member of www.writeinjune.blogspot.com and I'll be doing some of my own writing. About bloody time! I swear these people don't shut up and if they do there's always someone else waiting to have their say.

We all know our ideas can be crazy, but are they crazy enough? - Kobi Yamada

Rachel C

Heading away for a few days.

I'm going out of town with Hubby for a few days. Not sure what my Internet access will be like so I thought I'd quickly catch you up on the writing before I go.
In the last two days I've pumped out over 4,000 words on Flash Point. A lot I've done in word sprints with my cyber-buddies Sandie and Diane. We have so much fun working 15 or 30 minute sprints and before you know it your word count is screaming along.
I plan to take lots of pix while I'm away so I'll blog some when I get back.
Don't do anything I wouldn't do while I'm gone.

Make the most of every minute, they're all precious.

Rachel C

Thank you.

I wanted to say thank you to all who wished me well with this latest health issue I've had to address. I'm pleased to tell you all that even though I'm not out of the woods yet I'm walking along a clearly marked path and the weather is good, we're equipped with all the necessary gear if it turns bad. At this point it's a watch and wait scenario.
So things have been busy on a personal front, we've got three kids heading of to school camps this week, two have already gone, and I'm heading to Bangkok for three days to visit a friend and her 1 year old daughter. I haven't seen Jade since she was 6 months old so I'm looking forward to that, oh, plus the shopping. Ann always knows the best places to shop.
I've been reading and reviewing and I finished with the judging last week so on Saturday I took some time to read a book I'd actually bought! I can't remember when the last book I read was one I'd purchased. Anyway, I read Discovering Dani by NJ Walters, (her website is in the sidebar) it's the first in her Jamesville series. I have the others and there's a new one coming out soon so of course I'll be buying that. I loved it, I wanted to start the next one straight away but I couldn't find it on the PC. Talk about panic mode. I even went into my account at My Bookstore and More to see if I'd really bought it, I had so the search was on. I found it this morning. On the laptop. Not sure how it missed going onto the USB or how it missed being transferred to the PC. I think I'll start it later today, after I do some writing.
Speaking of writing, I've been involved with some wonderful Aussie writers since last years Nano and we thought we might like to get together and do our own writing challenge, so Rachael asked who would like to join us and at last count there's about 30 of us. Which reminds me, we named out challenge. 50ks in 30 days. Yeah, we're heading for the magical 50,000 words in a month, we're doing it in June. Which for me might be a bit of a problem because the 14th is my 20th wedding anniversary and Hubby and I are off to a tropical island resort for a honeymoon, and before anyone says don't you mean second honeymoon, no! We never had a honeymoon. So we'll be going on our honeymoon. Back to the June challenge, we've started a blog, www.writeinjune.blogspot.com and if you're keen to join us pop over there and leave a comment. We'll be leaving interesting posts and some of our seasoned Nano participants are going to drop buy and tell us about their experiences.
My own writing is going well, I've had a new character pop up, never good when the bus is already so crowded but she's caught in a very interest situation and her story needs to be told. Flash Point is coming along well and I'll update some word counts after this.
Well back to get some writing done so I can reward myself with NJ's next book.

Wide-awake, I can make my most fantastic dreams come true. - Lorentz Hart

Rachel C

Great news!

If you read my last post you'll know my good Buddie Devon has been playing with a publisher. Well, no more playing! It's now serious. The Wild Rose Press have requested the full MS! YAY!!!
Excuse me while I dance around the room.
Right, so what does this mean? First she has to send the full MS, then she has to wait again. Yeah, lots of waiting in the publishing game. Anyway, this request is NOT a contract. But it does mean that they really liked Addicted. Woohooo.... Told you it was good. After she sends the MS and waits, she'll either get a thanks but no thanks, OOOORRRR, a contract!!!!!
This so exciting and it's not even me! I'm a basket case for her imagine what I'll be like when it's my turn.
I'll keep you posted.

Getting in on the ground floor.

I've had the pleasure of reading a MS by my best Cyber-Buddie Devon Gray. Addicted is a piece she started out of no where and couldn't stop. I'm so glad she couldn't. I remember her being a little concerned by it as the style is different to her norm and getting to read the first bit to give her my opinion. I think I may have threaten bodily harm if she didn't keep going. Good thing too, Addicted was finished the other day and Devon sent it over. I think if this is not Devon's normal style she needs to rethink her style cause this thing rocks! Yep. It's hot and deep an such a great read. She's already had an editor friend have a look and she agrees with me on the rocking score. Once it's been read through and all spelling/grammar errors removed Devon will be sending it off to a publisher. It's gonna sell. There's no way they'll let this thing get away. I can't wait to see it up on a website, whether Devon's or the publishers, it won't matter. I love Devon to pieces but right now I think I hate her. LOL I've said from the beginning she'd be published and now I have to follow it up with getting published as well. It's kind of like a lucky charm thing. She gets published, I get published. I get published, she gets published. So now one of us is that much closer the other one has to put her head down and bum in the hot seat and follow.
Damn! She's gonna be a hard act to follow.

Growing old gracefully.

You know I'm a firm believer in growing old gracefully, none of this plastic surgery or miracle turn back the clock creams for me. No sir. But you know if my body throws one more getting old thing at me I just might throw it out the 11th floor window. Only knowing my luck I'd bloody survive! A week ago last Monday Hubby and I toddled off to the doctors for these youbutesuperdooper health checks. Now we know I have the bone thing going on and the little trip to the hospital last year for the stomach thing, well now it seems I've got a female plumbing thing going on as well. I know, everyone's cringing, no one wants to hear about my plumbing problems. I'm with ya, I don't want to hear about it either. I've no plans to go into details I just wanted to explain where I'd been the last week. So back to Monday week ago, off we go having eaten nothing from the night before, or had a morning cuppa. I have to say right there is where the problem is. No morning cuppa!!! So off we go, we get weighed, measured, poked, prodded, listened to and drained of enough blood to feed a vampire colony for a month. They were nice enough to feed us breakfast, mind you it was the least they could offer. So Hubby comes out and well we all know he's got weight issues, only now the doctor says, 'you've got weight issues' and he's listening more carefully. The doc says everything looks good for me make your follow up appointment before you leave. So we make our appointment for the 24th April. There I am in my own little world, started the multi-vitamins the doc recommended and I'm feeling good. Until Thursday. That's when my little world imploded. The nice receptionist asked if I could come in to see the doctor next week because of some of my results. Sure, when. Thursday. End of phone call. What?!?! What results? What's wrong? What can't wait two extra weeks? Now for those that haven't got the picture yet, I'm a writer! I write fiction, that's made up stuff. I have a very good imagination. The damn thing went wild. I've spent the last week locked inside my own head and I have to tell you, it's scary in there! Basically I closed all the windows, drew the blinds and sat in the dark corner of my mind where no bad things could get me. Well, no more than were already in there anyway. The upshot is I have significant cell changes and need to see a specialist. Cell changes for me would come under significant so when the doctor says they're significant changes what the hell does that mean? Cause for me I'm thinking things are gonna have to come out. I don't want any changes, I don't need any changes! GET THEM OUT!! But noooo, it just means another doctor who will look into it further, charge me more money and then probably tell me I'm okay, lets just watch and see what happens. But I'm getting ahead of myself again and that bloody imagination is tearing off down the road and hitting all the potholes. So I'm taking a breath and going with the everything is fine because when I get to the specialist next Friday, (yes a whole week away) I'm going to say take it out! I don't care what you say, I'm finished with it and changes are significant, significant changes suck!I digress again, this post was meant to tell you all where I'd been, so close your eyes and imagine the worst kind of hell you can think of and you'll find me in the corner. But now the doctor has opened a blind and let in some light things don't look so scary and I'm hopping up and opening the rest of the blinds today, and tomorrow I just might throw open the windows too.

Go on. I dare ya!

Go over to my other writing blog and check out the great post on never taking yourself too seriously. S.J. Willing is a futuristic erotic romance writer who had an interest answer to a reader question on one of the loops I belong to. Pop over to www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com and check it out.

Laughter is the best medicine and I needed some today so when S.J. had me cracking up I had to share.

Rachel C

How did I get here and why do I keep going?

How did I get here and why do I keep going?
It’s an interesting question and one I’m not sure I can answer well. You see I don’t know how I got here. Well I know how I got here, there’s my mum and my dad, and well you get the picture. I’m talking about how I became a writer and I’ll be honest, I haven’t got a clue. I’ve always done it. Whether stories, poetry or just random thoughts, I’ve always written. Now the question of how I decided that’s what I’d be when I grew up is confusing. I don’t recall making the decision, ever. But here I am tapping away at the keys of my computer and writing with pen and paper. Always. And if I’m not writing I’m thinking about writing. I’m always thinking. That explains why I don’t sleep very well and why I’m always tired, so why am I still here and why do I keep going? I guess it comes back to the always writing and thinking. At the risk of sounding insane, there are just too many people in my head. They’ve got to come out or I’ll be pulling out my hair and heading for the alcohol. I can be doing anything when scenes start rolling in my head, that’s what it’s like, I’ll suddenly have front row seats to someone else’s life. I don’t plan; in fact when I try to plan those pesky characters never go along with me. I’m sure they do it on purpose. I guess the answer to why I’m still here is that I can’t not be here. It’s who I am and what I do and whether it ever leads me to publication remains to be seen but even if it doesn’t I’ll still be here. Writing. And even when life throws things at me that make me want to quit I know I’d never be able to because I’ll never be able to stop writing. I stopped for years when the kids were young and as soon as I started again it was like an avalanche, pouring out of me. Most of it was crap and will never find its way out of the bottom draw but it was the beginning of what was to be my trip down the publication road. The road is bumpy, has detours, potholes and all sorts of debris lying on it but I keep going. Through rain, hail, sleet and snow, and of course the wonderful sunshine. Even when I feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world and dragging my feet I keep going because no matter what gets in the way or what I have to carry with me the dream is always there. And without that dream I wouldn’t be me.

Keep you dreams alive. They're who you are.

Rachel C

I've been quiet.

Aren't you shocked? I know, you've been hanging out to see what's going on. Well, not much. No I lie. I've been so busy with end of month at FAR, reading the books for the competition and trying to fit in writing that I'm in need of oxygen. So for FAR I've done three reviews and umpteen pre-edits. I've read and judged three books. Plus I've managed to get 1,372 words written on Flash Point. I know not much writing but I only managed two hours. Remember everything I've just mentioned has happened since last Thursday morning, I think I've done rather well considering.
Once April is here I'll have all the competition books read and judged so that will free up some time for some personal reading. You know I sometimes wish I had more time to read without have to write a review or fill out a score sheet but then I remember what I'm like when I'm just reading for myself and I know it's a good thing I've got something to slow me down. I know I can get a bit obsessive.
I'm planning on some time down by the pool with a good book and maybe a drink once April arrives. Sure I'll still have FAR books to review but I don't have to do them every day, I can just do two a week. That should give me time for writing and personal reading. My TBR (to be read) pile is almost at the ceiling! Well not really, I've got about twenty e-books on the PC but then there's about 80 paperbacks to get through. sigh There really does need to be more hours in the day.
Don't forget to pop over to my other blog at http://www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com/ to see what's over there.

Too many books, not enough time. Or money!

Rachel C

On a high.

First, don't forget to visit me here:- www.rachelcharlton.wordpress.com
I'm still really excited about finishing On A Wing And A Prayer and I'm using that as the excuse for not updating you on my Sven efforts properly. So yesterday was a great big 4,331 words. Taking my Sven total to 12,490 words. Pretty cool. But I'm not letting things slide because I've done so well, nooo.... I'm moving over to Flash Point with some really great scenes rolling through my head. Hope everyone is having as much luck as me with their writing.

Nurture your mind with great thoughts. - Benjamin Disraeli

Rachel C

OMG!

I know I said I was heading off to get some writing done but I had no idea how much I meant. I've updated the word count and as of now On A Wing And A Prayer is finished. Sure there's the last few pages and then the edit and polish, but IT'S FINISHED!!!
I'm so excited by it. It's a good feeling to know they're riding off into the sunset for their happily ever after. Goodbye and good luck. You're gonna need it. The hard part is just about to begin. I'll keep you posted of their journey.

Rachel C