The Perils of Pauline

The SFR Holiday Blitz all this Week at The Galaxy Express!!!

2009-12-09T18:05:28Z

At The Galaxy Express, they're ablaze over science fiction romance, and they want to share the incendiary joy. What better way to escape this holiday than on a journey to a far-flung galaxy where romance knows no bounds?

In short, science fiction romance offers adventurous stories for adventurous readers. Occasionally, to discover that adventure, we need look no further than our own backyard.

To make it easy for readers to claim a science fiction romance of their very own—or three, or four, 12 bloggers have teamed up with 17 authors for your chance to win over 30 science fiction romance books. Whether you’re new to the genre, or a fan looking to add to her collection, this event is for you. They’ve assembled stories involving a variety of settings loaded with action, adventure, and of course, romance. So many intriguing characters are waiting to make your acquaintance, from space pirates to starship captains, and from aliens to angels.

Best of all, it’s dead simple to enter: There are no quizzes to answer, no hoops to jump. So head right over to The Galaxy Express to start the adventure! You can't win if you don't go. :-)

In other news, looks like my publisher is going to try to get my back list back out there early next year! Woot! Life is good, despite the never ending cold. Here's hoping at least some of your holiday gifts will be great reads! And here's hoping you GIVE at least one book as a gift this year. :-)
perilously yours,
Pauline

I Think There are Dust Bunnies in Here

2009-12-03T20:48:21Z

I'm having a little trouble keeping the blog going because I'm writing, not reading. Because I'm writing, not going to movies and because "I been sick." LOL! I guess the good news is, I'm writing! The bad news is, my TBR pile continues to grow and grow on my Kindle! Last time I dared look, I had 220 books on there. Okay, not all of them need to be read. There are some books I like to reread, so I leave them on there. Some are mine. Got some as freebies and need to decide if I want to read them. But its still an impressive number of books in a light and portable format.

I have also managed to watch a little TV. Was sad to see Jenn go last night on TOP CHEF. I liked her, but also like the brothers. Sorry they can't both win. Been trying to like STARGATE: UNIVERSE. Heard a rumor they are hiring a hot chick for next season. I suppose she'll be an alien, since that's the only way she take the miserable ride with all the other miserable people on board that "lost in space" ship. The show, so far and IMHO, is so bad, I DVR it and fast forward through boring parts. There are a LOT of boring parts. I think I watched maybe five minutes last week and that was so I could hear the song they used to start the show. Something about it being the worst day since yesterday. Yeah, that was the high point. I can't believe the same guys that did STARGATE: ATLANTIS wrote this dog. What happened to action? What happened to interesting characters? What happened to STORY? Story is NOT sex. Sex is NOT action. And trust me, the sex is NOT advancing the plot BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY PLOT. And since there is no sexual tension prior to the sex, I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE SEX. It's BORING. Did none of them get the memo about the lack of success of previous "lost in space" space shows? Okay, taking deep breaths. here's my memo to the writer's of STARGATE UNIVERSE. Hiring a hot chick won't keep me as a viewer. Please, please, please just make the SGA movie. And let this sleeping dog lie.

Haven't seen NEW MOON yet. Since my sinus infection/cold, I have been cursed with a cough. Can't go until I can go two hours with hacking up a portion of my lungs. Stinks, but there it is. Only movies I'm looking forward to right this minute, is my favorite Christmas classics, like WHITE CHRISTMAS and MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET.

I am also looking forward to my kids coming home for Christmas!

I'm doing preliminary work on a new book, as yet untitled. Still feeling my way around the story. If you haven't stopped by my website and checked out the new stuff, its never too late.

Here's hoping that you have time for reading this holiday season, that it is filled with love and family and peace. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Have a Rough Draft of my Steampunk Novella

2009-11-25T19:39:55Z

And I'm letting it "rest" so that I can edit it properly. It's really hard for me not to go in and tinker, so to distract myself, I set up a web page for the novella. I wanted to get the page done while the details of creating this novella were still fresh in my mind. I posted the links and books I used in researching my venture into steampunk/SFR, mostly because its such a funny, diverse list.

This novella becomes the bridge between Girl Gone Nova and the not-yet-written next book in this sort of series that I'm writing. I'm excited about this because it gives me a place to start with the next book, which I didn't have and it was just a lot of fun to write. On the webpage, you'll also find a link to a short excerpt--one from the point of view of Colonel Carey and the other from Olivia's POV. You'll also see the title I chose--after much mulling and painful brainstorming. I can't believe how hard this was to title! There is also a link to my traditional Behind the Book interview with myself about the writing of the book, though in this case it is the writing of the novella.

I hope you'll stop by and check it out. And I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

So, I'm writing a Steampunk Novella

2009-11-10T16:10:15Z

It doesn't have a title yet, which is a bit weird for me. It started out as a short story for our chapter anthology, but got too long and I liked it too much to cut it back. So, now its on course to be a novella, or even a novel. I had to laugh at my research books for this novella. I've got everything from paper dolls from the Victorian period to Birds of Big Bend. Big Bend ended up in the story as a requirement for the anthology and now its stuck there. It's also got characters from my Garradian Universe and will be a bridge story, at this point, between Girl Gone Nova and the next, and as yet unnamed, BAB (big a** book).

But aside from all that, it is a lot of fun to knock such different worlds together. And get a little more wacky than usual.

No surprise I'm not reading if I'm writing. My books, even the novella length ones, consume me. My stand down time is being taken up with a spot of knitting, making some Christmas gifts. Nothing fancy. When my brain is consumed with a book, fancy is not possible. But it does keep the hands busy! So my TBR pile continues to grow. If I do snatch some reading time, its usually a book I've already read. That way, I can put it down if I don't finish it in the available time.

I will be seeing New Moon, though I'm not as jazzed about it as I was Twilight. I prefer Edward to Jake. Sorry Jake, but that's how it is. I'm really loving White Collar on USA and dreading the end of Monk. Season seems to be especially good this year. Friday's episode made me laugh SO hard. Oh, that bear! LOL! Kind of watching Stargate Universe. I DVR it and fast forward through the boring parts. Way too many of those still. Just when you think the action is going to start, it stops.

Can't believe the holidays are almost upon me! I'm so not ready. But I will LOVE having my kids all home! :-)
Here's hoping this month is wonderful for you and yours and has a few good reads mixed in with the feasting and celebrating!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

I'm having a launch party!

2009-11-09T16:26:13Z

I'm officially launching the audio version of The Key. Stop by the Cyber Launch Party and leave a comment to win my prize package!

It is way fun to have this book available in audio format. You can find it at Books in Motion (rent or buy) or through Amazon Audible.

I hope you'll take the time to stop by and check out the party! It's a gray day here in Houston, so great day to have a cyber party!

In the area of "what perilous pauline is doing," I'm working on a steampunk novella that fits into my Garradian Universe with The Key and the releasing-next-year, Girl Gone Nova. Having SO much fun with this novella (that might grow up to be a novel. I mean, it started out as a short story!).

Happy Thanksgiving and here's hoping you have great reads in your TBR!
perilously yours,
Pauline

I got my new cover!!!!

2009-10-26T03:30:17Z

There are some days when opening your email is a wonderful delight! You don't even care about the spam, because there's an email from your publisher with your NEW COVER ART!!! I'm thrilled to my toenails with her concept of my upcoming novel, Girl Gone Nova. I told her a few visuals from the book and that I had NO clue what the cover should look like and she came up with this:

I've also been working on my short story for our newest chapter anthology. Not sure if my story will make it, but I'm having a great time with my first attempt at steampunk. My deadline is coming fast, so I'll be disappearing again, but wanted to share my good news!

Oh, almost forgot! Release date is 4/2010!

Happy Reading!
perilously yours,
Pauline

In Which I Embarass Myself

2009-10-15T15:19:43Z

It's not Monday, but my capacity to embarrass myself knows no bounds. In pursuit of sales for our chapter anthology, our promotion team has been working on a booth and posters for the Lexington TX Chocolate Festival this weekend. Here's my poster:

I know I look, well, you can see how I look. LOL! Oh well, the booth should be fun. There will be books and chocolate. As of this writing, I won't be there, but I guess that could change if the law comes for me. Our booth does have a jail and a saloon.

My short story is a romance called Getting a Clue. Here's the short blurb (has to be short for a short story!):

"A Hatfield and a McCoy had a better chance of getting together than a Trapini and a Molony, but there's not enough chocolate in the world to stop the heart from wanting what it wants."

I had a lot of fun writing this story, though no one dies, travels in space or has first contact with aliens. For those of you who need the mayhem and adventure, Girl Gone Nova is in pre-release mode and I've posted a new excerpt on my website.

Also read a funny book this weekend. While I admit it will not be to everyone's taste, I enjoyed it. It was called Soulless by Gail Carriger. Here's a clip from the Amazon description: "SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking." It is also available in Kindle and other e-editions. i'll be watching for the next book for sure. My other reading has been Anne Perry and Dame Agatha. It's been a while since I spent so much time in the mystery zone and I enjoyed it. But I think I'm ready to be writing my own stuff again.

I did watch Stargate Universe and so far, am not impressed. I want my Atlantis back!!!! Have been enjoying Top Chef this year. Also Big Bang Theory and NCIS. Sad that this is last season for Monk. And they'd better end it by solving his wife's murder!

Other than being totally relieved that my editor loves Girl Gone Nova, and tired of the heat down here, there's not much new in Casa Jones. Hoping that all is well in your casas. And that your lives are rich with good friends, good books and your favorite comfort foods.
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Dewey's Having a Read-a-thon!

2009-10-07T15:09:26Z

It's such a great idea! Take twenty-four hours to just READ. If you want to get in on the fun, check out his blog here. Dewey does it twice a year and the second event for his year is October 24th. You don't have to stay up all night, though you can. Here's the FAQ's for the event here. It's meant to be fun, fun, fun until the 24 hours is over.

You can have a serious reason (donating to a charity), you can try for prizes, or just do it because you love books and you love to read. The only real requirements are to a) read books and b) blog about the books you're reading or read.

In other interesting book news, Amazon is lowering the price of the Kindle again. I guess they are feeling the heat from some of the new, lower cost readers. Bezos stated that "48 of every 100 books sales" is a kindle edition. That's pretty awesome news for the still growing ebook market.

Houston is "enjoying" record heat for October, which makes it strange that I got a sudden hunger for some Christmas reading. Maybe I'm in denial. Who knows? Anyway, my hunt for Kindle editions led me to a series of Anne Perry Christmas stories. So here's my question, Runcorn, a cop that Monk sometimes works with, is featured in A Christmas Beginning and his life changes a lot at the end of the story. Is this change reflected in the Monk novels that follow? Or does he even show up in the Monk novels that follow? The Christmas story was published the end of 2007. I would love to get some more insight into how things turned out for him. I know, he's a fictional character, but he feels real.

My TBR is groaning, but managed to get through a few books. Will post more about them later. For now, just wanted to let my peeps know about the Read-a-thon!
May your days be filled with great books!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

We had a Party!

2009-09-28T16:10:29Z

And it was a lot of fun! If you live in Houston, LOVE chocolate and haven't visited The Chocolate Bar at one of its two locations--you have missed out on a tasty adventure!

This is me having some Chocolate Tres Leches and yes, they did make me happy! Oh. My. Goodness. Just this dessert was worth the drive down (and you know in Houston it is a DRIVE.) Did I mention this was GOOD? Because it was. As you can see from the picture to my right, Tres Leches was only one of a multitude of chocolate delights on offer from this delightful store.

They are also selling copies of A Box of Texas Chocolates (though I'm not sure if it is only at the Alabama location or both).

We had a great turnout for the book launch, which was Tres fun!

I'm also happy to report that A Box of Texas Chocolates is now available in print edition! So if you have to have your reading in a paper form, you can. :-)

We'll be doing some other things to promote the anthology, but the best promotion is word of mouth. I hope you'll check it out. I've read it and found it diverse and fun. This is our first multi-genre anthology, so you will find it a mix of romance, mystery, and science fiction--not to mention full of chocolate references. LOL!

On a personal note, I've turned in Girl Gone Nova and signed the contract! Don't have a pub date yet or cover, but when I do, I'll post it here!

Really looking forward to SGU (which surprises me, because I wasn't loving yet another incarnation of Lost in Space), but the summer has made me desperate for some new SF. Early reviews are looking good, so Friday night will find me on the Syfy channel (I still wince when I see that or write it. What were they thinking???)

I'm writing, not doing a lot of reading, but hoping to get to my HUGE TBR pile once I've turned in my short story for next year's anthology.

Here's hoping that your life is filled with good books and great chocolate!

perilously yours,
Pauline

A Texas Box of Chocolates Releases!

2009-09-15T21:19:43Z

I always love it when one of our chapter anthologies releases, but for some reason, I'm uber excited about this one. Maybe it's because it has a chocolate theme and I LOVE chocolate. Or it could be because this is my first published romance short story. Getting A Clue is about love, chocolate and Texas. It's also (I hope) funny and satisfying. You'll be the final judge of that, of course, but I'm pretty happy about my story. :-)

It's not available in print online yet, but it is showing up in estores like fictionwise and amazon. I have some print copies, in advance of our launch party at The Chocolate Bar (how cool is that???). As usual, L&L Dreamspell has done a great job making our book look pretty on the outside AND on the inside. We'll be at The Chocolate Bar in Houston, on Richmond Ave on the 24th of Sept, from 7-9pm. There will be books and chocolate. We're also going to be at the Lexington Chocolate Festival. Sometimes it is just a great world. :-)

Wow, I've also been working on my latest book, Girl Gone Nova. I should have a release date/month soon. I've signed and sent in the contract! I loved writing this book--and it almost made my head explode! LOL! It was a challenge to figure out the story. It's complicated and--I hope--kick butt fun! I'm getting great feed back from my readers.

I've been writing more than I've been reading and I haven't seen a movie since the last Harry Potter. I guess I need to do something about that. Ambivalent about New Moon. It wasn't my favorite book. Too little Edward, too much Jake. But I am excited about Big Bang Theory starting up again next Monday. That show is so funny. Also liking new season of Eureka and still deciding if I like Warehouse 13. Will I watch Stargate Universe? Probably. I miss Atlantis, though. :-(

Well, I need to get back to my pre-proof of Out of Time. Not sure when the book will release, but can't wait to see its new look. I think The Spy Who Kissed Me (aka Pig in a Park) will release second--WITH more story and an epilogue--in addition to new cover art. So, those of you who wanted to know what happened after "the end," well, you get to find out. :-)

I hope you'll take a look at the anthology and check back for Girl Gone Nova news. And I'll try to be better about posting, now that I'm switching gears.

In the meantime, I hope your fall is filled with good reads and great chocolate!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Welcome to Donna Marie Rogers!

2009-07-26T00:15:13Z

Many thanks to Donna Marie Rogers for stopping by my blog today. I love books and I love talking books with readers and authors. And I really love it when authors stop by with a contest for my visitors. :-)

First a bit about Donna:

Romance author Donna Marie Rogers lives in a renovated old schoolhouse in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at her computer creating exciting new characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters.

Welcome to the Perils of Pauline, Donna. Can you tell us a little bit about Meant to Be?

How about if I start off with the blurb & a short excerpt. :-)

She's running from her past, he's unsure about his future. Maybe together they can figure out what was Meant To Be.

Officer Garrett Jamison is at the lowest point in his life. He's lost faith in his ability as a police officer after unwittingly setting his sister up with a dirty cop. Garrett ended up getting shot, and his sister's son kidnapped right out of his own bed. He takes a leave from the force, in need of some time to make a decision about his future. Too bad he can't get a decent night's sleep thanks to his sexy new neighbor and her howling cat.

Jessica McGovern moves halfway across the country to start a new life in Green Bay, Wisconsin after her ex-husband is convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of their young son. Her new neighbor is as infuriating as he is handsome, but when her ex is released from prison early and shows up in town, Jessica discovers she's never needed anyone more.

EXCERPT:

"Come here, Miss Crabbypants."

Jessica resisted, but it was no use. The big oaf outweighed her by a ton. "Look, I just want to finish my tea and relax. Today's my last day off for almost two weeks."

He leaned back and frowned down at her. "Why are you working so many hours?"

She rolled her eyes. "Um, I have bills to pay...?"

His gaze became pensive as he massaged the back of her neck. Slowly, she relaxed until she was leaning into his broad chest, eyes closed, inhaling his spicy masculine scent. He always smelled so good...Damn, the man was a magician; she'd already forgotten why she was mad at him...Wait, oh yeah. "So what's with all that hammering?"

"We're building a doghouse."

His busy fingers moved to her shoulders wringing a groan of ecstasy from her. Oh, God, was she drooling on his shirt? Then his words registered. Jessica leaned back and swiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. "A doghouse? But you don't have a dog...do you?"

"No, but Ethan's been begging for a puppy for a couple years now. I guess he finally wore Sara down. And Mike's still in the ‘buy-Ethan-anything-he-wants' phase." Garrett glanced down at his T-shirt and chuckled. He reached out and recaptured the back of her neck. "Liked that, did you? You do seem a little tense—"

"Oh, no you don't." She ducked out of his reach and took a few steps back. He started to follow but she held up both hands. "You stay right where you are."

He propped his hands on his hips. "So do I have a date tonight or what?"

"Or what."

He grinned. "Wear something sexy," he said with a wink before strolling out the back door. The jackass even had the nerve to whistle.

Jessica walked over and slammed the door with a muttered, "Nutjob." Then she headed into the bedroom to search through her closet.

Can you tell us how you came up with the idea for Meant to Be?

I fell in love with Garrett while writing There's Only Been You, and since I'd always been a fan of series, I knew I wanted to write my own. I started Meant To Be about a month after There's Only Been You ended, and I wrote a scene with Garrett being woken up for the fourth time in a night by his new neighbor's annoying cat, who'd been howling outside his bedroom since they moved in a couple weeks before. The cat's owner (the heroine, of course *grin*) doesn't take his criticism very well since she's a bit of a hothead as well....and I just built from there. I did end up scrapping the original opening scene, but I'm happy with the way it opens now. *grin*

Please tell us about the challenges/fun stuff while writing Meant to Be?

The biggest challenge was getting my head back into it. About 100 pages in I lost focus, and the manuscript sat for many months before my CP/good friend/sometimes co-author, Stacey Joy Netzel, cracked the whip and made me write. With her coaxing, I finally finished my first draft of Meant To Be, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. Thanks again, Stacey! The funnest part was simply developing these characters, who I've come to love as if they were family. Weird how that happens. :-)

Can you share a favorite review or comment about Meant to Be

I'd love to share my cover quote from my favorite author, NY Times bestselling author Lori Foster: "Witty and heartfelt, with an unforgettable cast of secondary characters. Meant To Be is a definite page-turner!"

I just received my very first review for Meant To Be, and it's from You Gotta Read. They gave me their highest rating! Here's a quote: "Do you love characters that are stubborn, honorable, sassy, and just plain lovable? Well, look no further. Jessica and Garrett will keep you on your toes and turning those pages."

I hope all my reviews are this kind!

What books are in your TBR pile right now?

Ooh, lots. Let's see....The latest Lara Adrian, Ashes of Midnight, Vexing the Viscount by Emily Bryan, He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady, McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller, Love At First Flight by Marie Force, Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas, Master Of Surrender and Master of Torment by Karin Tabke, Master of Swords by Angela Knight....I'm starting to see a pattern here....LOL There are more, but this reply could become very long, so I'll stop here.

Any movies you're looking forward to?

Yep, several! The Proposal (Sandra Bullock & Ryan Reynolds), Orphan (thriller), The Ugly Truth (Gerard Butler & Katherine Heigl), Public Enemies (Johnny Depp), Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. :-)

Your favorite authors?

In no particular order: Lori Foster, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, Judith McNaught, Rebecca Paisley, Christie Craig, Julie Garwood, Dorothy Garlock, J.R. Ward, Lara Adrian, Janet Evanovich....there are more, but this is a good example of what I like to read. LOL

What comes after Meant to Be?

As far as the Jamison series, I plan to write Nick's story, Head Over Heels, next. But I'm not sure when I'll get to it. What I'm working on now is the sequel to Welcome To Redemption, a four-story anthology I wrote with my CP/good friend Stacey Joy Netzel. And I have Jack Sutton's story in the works. You meet Jack in Meant To Be, though he's no relation. In fact, he's not very happy with Garrett at all...LOL

Links to your website and/or blog/s?

Websites: www.DonnaMarieRogers.com www.LizaJamesAuthor.com
Blog: http://romanticcravings.blogspot.com

Pauline, thank you so much for having me, and thank you to everyone who stopped by!

**If you'd like a chance to win a download of my newest release, Meant To Be, leave me a comment, any comment. ;-)

Thank you, thank you for stopping by, Donna! Let the comments begin!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Spinning like a top!

2009-07-19T15:40:17Z

July has been a crazy month for me (I keep saying that, don't I? Maybe I should just say that my life is crazy and be done with it?). Some big changes in my writing career. After eleven years with Hard Shell Word Factory, my back list is moving. Still love them, but felt it was time to bring the babies all together under one roof and maybe get them some new clothes (covers) and a new look. So my back list is moving into the same house as The Key and my non-fiction books at L&L Dreamspell. I'm excited that my books will also come out of the move with a more coherent look and hope my readers will agree.

I've also gotten Girl Gone Nova to the "resting point." This is where I step back from a project, let my beta/alpha readers take a look and give me feedback and where I get ready for that final polish and submit. I'm so excited to submit this story to my editor. I've been getting some great feedback from my readers, who are loving my new heroine, Doc. I'm glad others are liking her, because I had a great time getting to know her, then turning her loose in her story. :-)

I haven't seen the new Harry Potter movie, which is kind of a surprise. Usually I'm in line for the first morning show release day (too old to do that midnight movie thing!). I want to see it and have mostly heard good things about it, but I know it will be there when I'm done with my writing priorities. Also had some family priorities (when don't I have those??)

Let's see, on the reading front, been reading my own stuff until my eyes are about to bleed. LOL! I am also looking forward to the release of our THIRD The Final Twist Anthology. It's called A Box of Texas Chocolates and my story is called "Getting a Clue." It's a romance story. If you only read my novels, you might be going, "What?" But if you read my free short stories on my website or know I've had a couple of romance only shorts that will be releasing in some other anthologies, then you won't be as surprised. You can find out about all my books and shorts here.

The heat down here has been INTENSE, but I'm still alive and kicking and eating Limited Edition Coconut M&Ms and drinking Diet Dr. Pepper to cope. **g** My ereaders TBR piles are HUGE and I'm excited to kick back and catch up. I'm also looking forward to the final season of Monk and have recently gotten hooked on In Plain Sight. Still ambivalent about Stargate Universe, but enjoying Warehouse 13 and Eureka on SyFy (barf on that new name!!!).

Hope summer is treating you all well, that you have the weather you want, with books to read and something yummy to munch on while you do it!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

That Entrepreurial Spirit!

2009-06-29T17:34:09Z

From Friday’s Bristol Evening Post:

Outside Bristol Zoo is the car park, with spaces for 150 cars and 8 coaches. It has been manned 6 days a week for 23 years by the same charming and very polite car park attendant with the ticket machine. The charges are £1. per car and £5. per coach.

On Monday 1 June, he did not turn up for work. Bristol Zoo management phoned Bristol City Council to ask them to send a replacement parking attendant.

The Council said "That car park is your responsibility." The Zoo said "The attendant was employed by the City Council... wasn't he?" The Council said "What attendant?"

Gone missing from his home is a man who has been taking daily the car park fees amounting to about £400 per day for the last 23 years...!

He made £3,275,200 for the entire 23 years. And he worked the entire time otherwise they’d have gotten on to his scam.

Perilously yours,
Pauline

How Can it be June with August Temps?

2009-06-22T19:27:45Z

I had an interesting week. I went on a field trip with the hubby into Louisiana during one of the hottest June's on record. Hubby and ExxonMobile (his employer) have helped fund these field trips designed to introduce minority high school students to the sciences. It was an education to see the hubby doing his thing. He's a great teacher. The surroundings were great, too. Chicot State Park was beautiful.

It was just so dang hot! The heat index hovered around 100 degrees for all three days.

I was impressed with the determination of teachers and students. My job was to keep hubby on his feet (he's been sick) and I did it. But boy, was I glad to sleep in my own bed!

While out and about, I finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Wow, really enjoyed reading this book. It was funny, moving, heart-breaking and uplifting.

I also did some editing on my COMPLETED rough draft of Girl Gone Nova. That's right. It has an ending! I expect to turn it in by the end of July and my publisher is hoping for a late fall or early winter release. This book really made me work for the story, but it was really fun to write (when I wasn't afraid my head would explode from trying to figure it out.). I'm excited to find out what my readers think of this next installment in the Garradian Galaxy series (aka Project Enterprise).

It's always interesting to me how I choose which books to read. My TBR pile is impressive (though hidden on my ereaders), so I had a lot of choose from. I have some seriously cool books awaiting my attention: a couple of Penny McCall books. Godmother: The Secret Cinderella. The PMS Anthology. A Night at the Operation. Kensington's Soul. Uncubicled. Your One and Only. The Mirror Prince. The Grave Yard Book.

And that's just a sampling. I have sixteen pages of books on my Kindle, some of them free books offered on Amazon or on Baen Books (a great place for free SF books). Some of them I've read. I guess I should delete them, but I like seeing them there. I also have some samples waiting for me to decide if I want to buy the books.

And that's just on one of my ereaders.

I'm like a miser with a pile of gold, but I can't figure out what makes me open one book at any given moment. I know, thanks to the heat, I needed something light, that wouldn't make my heart pound and my temperature go up. It was too hot for excitement. Today, in the cool, I'm reading Tag, You're It. I'm in a/c and can handle excitement again.

I know other people besides me have TBR piles. How do you choose which book to grab from the pile? Does mood affect your reading choice? Or is all about the author and which book you've waited for the longest? Sometimes I'll be dying for a book to release, but will delay reading it because I know when its done, the wait starts for the next book.

Let's see, looking forward to seeing the new Sandra Bullock movie. Heard it was good from a friend, but have to go to ApolloCon this weekend first.

Wow, it's "only" 91 degrees, though it feels like 97 according to the weather channel. So glad I'm inside with a/c!

Happy reading!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Fun Stuff for June

2009-06-10T20:46:59Z

I've been out of sight for most of May and June, traveling and finishing the rough draft of my next novel. But this hasn't stopped me from:

a) reading
b) going to at least one movie
c) finding out about a cool new e-reader.

I finished Lisa Shearin's The Trouble With Demons and really enjoyed it. I think she can't get any better and then she manages. I have no clue where the series is going, but enjoying the journey!

Saw the new Star Trek and loved it. Sorry if you didn't. But I thought it was great fun.

And last, but not least, I hear the biggest party at BEA was run by the company releasing the COOLER, a sassy new ereader that is hoping to make reading cool again! It comes in a lot of fun colors. Check it out here:

BEA fun

COOLER website

Those who know me, know I'm already plotting how to get one. LOL! And what's also cool, my Hard Shell titles are already available on their site.

If you live in the Denton TX area, stop by the Denton Writer's League meeting. I'll be there and be talking about MANAGING YOUR BOOK WRITING BUSINESS. And then I hit the road again, but I'll be back to get the book ready to submit. I'm letting it simmer right now and letting my readers read it. :-)

Perilously yours,
Pauline

Guest Blog: Sandy Lender: Complete Control of the Muse

2009-06-04T12:46:57Z

Complete Control of the Muse

By Fantasy Author Sandy Lender

http://www.todaythedragonwins.blogspot.com

It took some time to do, but I achieved a great success. I gained complete control of my muse. He’s a handsome devil. Anyone who’s familiar with my fantasy novel CHOICES MEANT FOR GODS knows him. Nigel Taiman. He’s broody, restless, comfortable in the shadows of his family’s mountain estate where he quietly notices the indiscretions of his teenage brother Jake and shames the boy when his father neglects to. He’s the tall, dark, handsome hero whose forced manual labor has sculpted him into a fine specimen of a man. Yummmm.

But he’s also a demanding muse that I’ve manipulated into a marketing machine here in our world. Yes, Nigel might believe he’s got some sort of power over my writing binges, waking me at all hours of the night with ideas for rewrites and edits to scenes I considered complete, but, in truth, I hold the reins here. Case in point: I’ve got him doing some writing of his own these days. He sends out promotional material over the World Wide Web via a blog at http://sandylender.blogspot.com.

What I find interesting about Nigel’s approach to marketing is how he wraps his suggestions for plot developments in the stories I’m writing around suggestions for blog posts. We can be skipping our third meal of the day and he’ll pretend to have “just come up with” some grand idea for marketing by placing a scene on the blog. Of course, I’m the one who has to write the scene for him to post because I can’t have him preparing portions of the fantasy novels that my publisher reads.

But I have all of these episodes under control. I can elect to ignore him when I’m driving in traffic and he appears with an idea because I have the muse under control. It’s my choice to hold the “car notepad” against the steering wheel and jot down his ramblings. And I can elect to shut him out when I’m soaking in a hot bubble bath and he decides I’ve gotten his lovely Amanda Chariss into too tight a spot in the current manuscript. It’s my choice to grab the spiral notebook I keep next to the tub/shower for such emergencies and jot down his ideas for how to get her out of trouble. Even now as I type this guest post for Pauline, I can elect to ignore Nigel’s badgering about his scene with Brendan Naegling in the parlor of Arcana, but, he really does have a good point. I should go see to it.

“Some days, I just want the dragon to win.”

Not even the gods noticed when Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian seek shelter from a mad sorcerer in a household not just full of secrets and false hope, but watched by the god who will unwittingly reveal her role in an impending war.

When an orphan sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies she uncovers? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

Sandy will be giving away an autographed, hard cover, first edition of Choices Meant for Gods each week to one lucky commenter. The blog host that has the most commenters, not counting duplicates or Sandy's responses, will also receive an autographed, hard cover, first edition of Choices Meant for Gods.

Check out her other blog tour stops.

Post spa mellow and my twitter wish list :-)

2009-05-06T16:33:06Z

As you can see from this photo, I suffered greatly during my recent trip to Phoenix for a spa weekend with my sister. This is the view from outside BLT (GREAT food), while we were waiting for our reservation. I loved seeing all the different types of cactus and the flowers were amazing. The desert was blooming while we were there.

These pictures were taken at the Camelback Inn located in Scottsdale and I can't recommend it enough. Great, personal service on every level, DRY heat, great food, a wonderful spa and my SISTER. It was a great weekend.

I also have the opportunity to spend time with two of my nieces and baby Jack. He's so cute! And my nieces rock. Yet more reasons to come home mellow. :-)

My flights were interesting and not in a good way, but I kept reminding myself i was FLYING and not in a wagon train and that helped. And it was reading time. I downloaded The Trouble with Demons by Lisa Shearin and am about halfway through. Great fun. I'm trying to pace myself and not rush through it.

And I'm also hoping to finish writing MY book and spend the summer reducing my TBR piles on my various reader devices. I am making progress, though I feel like a turtle. My last book I was the hare and I miss that, even though I am enjoying spending time with my characters. I keep getting surprised by what they do and the plot twists and turns. Wanted to bang my head against the wall before I left over finding myself abruptly in the middle of several time paradoxes, but my son-in-law, Richard, talked me off the ledge. I think that's pretty cool. I mean, I'm his mother-in-law and he didn't push me off the ledge.

Okay, before I get writing, I thought I'd post my twitter wish list. I read a list of tips and while they were useful, I wasn't sure I totally agreed with them. For me, twitter is a social networking site. That means there will be a social element. While I am there for marketing purposes, too, I like the social stuff. I've met some really cool people and I like reading the personal details when I have time. It makes them real to me and I'm more likely to try something someone recommends if I have a personal connection with them.

So my twitter tips wish list would include:

1. Interesting and intriguing links
2. personal moments (does Monday make you wince, too?)
3. the occasional DM when I've done something a tweeter liked.
4. tweets that make me smile or LOL (who doesn't need more laughter in their lives?)
5. spontaneous book recommendations. (reviews are nice, as are publisher puffs, but I like to hear about the books readers couldn't put down.)
6. iPhone/kindle/sony reader information (cause I'm an ereading techie addict)
7. Music mentions (it was way fun when I tweeted about listening to Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" and a tweeter mentioned the opening sounded like "Werewolves of London." I didn't know anyone but I had noticed that!)
8. Mutual weather slamming tweets (and the occasional "my weather is better than yours" gloat).
9. Cat stories
10. Food stories. I LOVE food. And Diet Dr. Pepper. And chocolate.

And my bonus wish: tweets about American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, NCIS, Top Chef, Big Bang Theory and Project Runway. And Stargate if I like the new show. If I don't, then just the Atlantis movies. (I can't help it if I'm picky!)

So, Delilah, my heroine in Girl Gone Nova is really hoping I'll stop blogging and get her butt out of the trouble I got her butt into yesterday. Life is tough in my books. **vbg**

Here's hoping your May is filled with flowers, great books, good friends and fun tweets.
Perilously yours,
Pauline

It's Not Thursday, but...

2009-04-27T14:18:24Z

I've decided to do the meme thing anyway. So here it is, thirteen things I'm looking forward to:

1. Sister/Spa weekend in Phoenix. :-)
2. Hearing what Adam Lambert will sing on AI this week. I hear it's Rat Pack week. Should be way cool.
3. Lisa Shearin's The Trouble with Demons release tomorrow.
4. New Star Trek movie
5. Ghost of Girlfriends Past movie
6. Finishing rough draft of my novel!!!!! (I'm not at the end yet, and not even at the beginning of the end, but I'm perhaps at the end of the beginning...of the end. Or something like that. Sorry Winston!)
7. Having a fully loaded chicken taco salad at Taco Bell today.
8. My cat NOT barfing today.
9. Time to read on the flight to Phoenix.
10. Seeing/helping both daughters move.
11. Seeing son in June.
12. Seeing parents in June.
13. figuring out what NEXT novel will be!

Okay, there are other things in my life I'm looking forward to, like hubby retiring and us moving closer to family, but I had to stop at 13. I like having things to look forward to, like having hope and optimism in my life. I have many reasons to feel hopeful this year. My son has been cancer-free for a year+, no one has slammed into my truck at a stop light and its still a few days until the official open of hurricane season.

The whole swine flu thing is disturbing, no question, but I never look forward to flu season, so trying not to obsess on that.

Maybe its self deluding to focus on what's going right. I don't know. I just know it makes the days easier to get through. So what's right with your Monday? What are you looking forward to?

Hope it includes some great reads!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Perilous Pauline and the Tax Day TEA Party

2009-04-16T15:38:39Z

Last night I became a citizen activist for the first time in my life. I wasn't too politically active until we moved to New Orleans back in 1980. There was much to love about Louisiana, but the politics wasn't one of those things. The other thing to hate was the taxes. Six years ago, when my husband's employer closed an office in New Orleans, they moved 300 families out of the area and took a whopping fifty percent of the tax base with them (my memory is sixty percent, so rounding down to be on safe side).

Think about that for a minute. Think about what it was like being one of the few supporting most of the city. Think about 300 families and one company being devastating to a major city's economy just by leaving. Whenever a tax hike came along, the majority of residents, most of whom didn't pay ANY taxes, were happy to reduce OUR paycheck again and again. Never mind that it made it challenging for us to pay our bills. The ONLY tax hike that got shot down while we were there was one that EVERYONE would have to pay.

I realize Congress and the current administration are saying they will only raise taxes on "the rich." But non-partisan groups have already been running the numbers and it won't be possible to limit tax hikes to "the rich." Plus, they are debating eliminating the only deductions that allow us to keep enough of our hard earned income to pay our bills (including our mortgage). And then there is the issue of burdening children NOT EVEN BORN with OUR DEBT. You want to talk about taxation without representation!

And don't get me started on being told that I'm not being patriotic if I don't like getting a pay cut from Congress (who are quick to raise THEIR pay again and again) and being hounded by an IRS run by a TAX CHEAT.

I'm a hermit and a fan of American Idol. Both good reasons for me to have stayed home last night. But I left my house and braved rush hour traffic to make a statement about ballooning deficits, out of control ear marks by BOTH parties, and pork barrel spending.

I went to the Tea Party in The Woodlands because it was closer to where I live.

They expected around six hundred (600) people and had OVER 6,000! It was awesome to be there. The crowd was polite, but passionate. They debated the issues, not personalities. It was citizen activism, not any group or entity or party. There were people from all political parties and all walks of life. Everyone there loves this country and cares about its future passionately.

They used signs and their presence in hopes of sending a message to a government that seems to have forgotten their narrow margin of victory last November. They came to feel less alone and to show they don't fear the recent Home Land Security report labeling their free speech as "right wing extremism."

I also refuse to be "chilled" by attempts to silence me. So, DHS, here's some more "internet chatter" for you to monitor. I won't be silenced as long as we still have a constitution protecting free speech in this country. Just so you know, DHS, I am one of the people who sent those million tea bags to D.C. that you refused to allow to be displayed in Lafayette Park yesterday. (And no, they were never supposed to be dumped into any river!)

Here they are, on display, a symbol of citizen activism for all to see:

There have also been comments about how messy these Tea Parties have been, so here's one last picture from last night. This is how the area looked after the crowds dispersed:

Any of you who have followed my blog know that I've never, ever gotten political here before today. I know that many of you do not agree with me. That's okay. That's what makes this country great. I respect your right to believe what you want to believe and to support people and ideas that mean the most to you.

I hope you will accord ME that same respect. I've always believed the free exchange of ideas makes us stronger, not weaker. I promise I will be back to my normal book/movie/life chatter next week. But this blog is about sharing me, about sharing who I am and what interests me. Yesterday was amazing and profound for me and I wanted to share that here.

And now I need to get back to my novel, which really IS almost is a completed first draft!
Perilously and politically (just for today) yours,
Pauline

Loving Spring!

2009-04-11T13:27:37Z

So this is our front yard in spring and the reason why we bought this house. I love that tree. If spring were just about flowers and green stuff, it would be perfect.Sadly, it is also about taxes. I hate taxes and I really hate doing our taxes, so we'll be joining a T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) Party in the Woodlands on the 15th. I've never done any protesting, so this will be an interesting experience for me, over and above the chance to vocally and visibly protest taxes. (Did i mention I HATE taxes????)

In the other good news column, LOST IN AUSTEN has released in the US and my copy is heading my way as I type this blog. If you haven't seen this mini series, and if you love Pride and Prejudice, then you'd probably like this series where a modern young woman switches places with Elizabeth Bennett. April is also release month for Lisa Shearin's new book. I've got it preordered for my Kindle (I'm really enjoying my new Ereader, though NOT happy with publishers who overprice their ebooks! My second protest is against publishers who don't get that ebooks should be cheaper than print books, not more expensive. I mean, I'm not great with math,but even I can figure that one out! So I'm boycotting publishers who over price their books.)

Not doing a lot of new reading, because I really, really am working on my novel! It's coming along pretty well, though I still have to figure out my ending. Had some downtime for TLA (Texas Library Assn's big convention) the first week in April. It was great to talk with other book lovers and librarians rock, but it's taken me another week of recovery (I'm a hermit by nature and by choice!). But I'll be back at it as soon as I turn in my *%&%*% taxes.

Been loving Dancing with the Stars and yes, Gille Marini IS the reason. LOL! Also watching American Idol. I don't vote, but I do buy the music I like,so that's kind of voting, isn't it? I'm thinking Adam is going to take this one. And a new-for-me show is Ultimate Fighter. Not my usual fare, but I have a family member competing (also new for me! LOL!) So I winced my way through the first episode and he made it! I've always wondered what it was like for family to see member going through reality TV and now I'm learning. And I have to say, it feels very odd. **g**

Haven't been to any movies, so wondering, am I missing anything good or have I picked the right time to go hermit? What spring books are you looking forward to reading? Read anything that rocked your world?

Have a great weekend and if you're inclined that way, a Happy Easter!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

So I got a Kindle 2

2009-03-25T13:42:57Z

If you follow me at all, then you know I'm a sucker for technology, particularly tech related to reading. i resisted the Kindle for a YEAR (and not just because I couldn't get one. Okay, so maybe because I couldn't get one!) But then the Kindle 2 released and they were AVAILABLE. I was vulnerable! So I got one.

I LOVE IT.

Okay, so that's not a shock, since I love ereading tech. (You'd think I'd move on from my old tech, but I don't. I just add the new to the old, because I love them all!). The ability to instantly download books is really, really cool. They still need to work on how you can sort books. Right now they are all jumbled together. I like to organize my "shelves" even my virtual ones. In a cool side note, there's an app called Kindle for iPhone/iTouch, so I can read my Kindle books on my iPhone, too. Why, you might ask? Well, I always have my phone with me, but don't always have my ereaders with me.

I haven't loaded MY book onto it yet. I'm not quite ready for to use the Kindle for an edit and try out the notes and search functions, but I'm getting close! That's my next biggest news, IMHO. I've got about 86,000 wds on the page and am forging toward an ending. This book has really challenged me and made me work for it, but I like it (or I wouldn't be killing myself to write it!)

Will be at the TLA convention next week in downtown Houston. If you're going to be there, look for our booth near the concessions area. The Final Twist Writers. I'll be in great company. :-)

No surprise my TBR pile has grown again, but with the writing, not doing that much reading! Did get my copy of the Twilight movie and liked it better. I always have trouble with books to film. I have too good of a memory for the small details, but with time, I can get past it. I've had that time and can now appreciate it for what it is. :-)

Happy reading/movie watching!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

On Rereading...

2009-03-01T17:19:52Z

I got a Kindle 2 this week and downloaded some new books to read, but found myself rereading a couple of books instead. Now I have a TBR pile on my eReading devices that would fill a room if they were in print. So why was I reading something I'd already read?

I think the main reason (besides the comfort factor of reading something that I KNOW I'll like) is me. I HAVE t finish a book before I go to bed. Otherwise, I'll think about it during the night, wondering what happened. When i reread something, I already know what happened, so I can set it aside when I have to go to bed.

The other reason is that I'm writing. I don't want to get sucked too deep into someone else's world. And sometimes I CAN'T get sucked into someone else's story. My character's will get between me and the story. I'll move and not get back to that story for a while or never.

I don't buy books so I can NOT read them, so I don't like that to happen. Unless I've been waiting for a new release from a favorite author, I mostly reread while I'm writing. I save my reading for travel or for when I'm between books.

I also reread when I'm sick because I can't focus on the new. I want the comfort read, the known ending and known characters.

I have friends who keep books, but don't reread or reread rarely. What about you? Do you reread? What gets you to reread a book? To keep it?

Inquiring minds want to know. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Not Too Romantic

2009-02-09T16:19:41Z

So, the hubby and I were in Old Town Spring last Saturday, strolling around enjoying a sudden spring day. It was a breezy 75 degrees. Some flowers were out and there were signs that spring would come after what seemed like an unusually cold winter (no facts, just feelings). We stopped by this candy store, because that's what I do and saw this:

Here it is, the month of romance and what do we see? Guys growing girlfriends. Because you will note, the box with boyfriends looks seriously untouched. Hubby and I chuckled, and tried to figure out what it means, because it should mean something.

I spent the afternoon working on my short story for our new chapter anthology, A Box of Texas Chocolates and then hubby and I went to the movies. We saw New in Town. Yes it was totally predictable, but what lifted this into the still-fun category was, IMHO, the obvious chemistry between the leads and the totally fun supporting characters. I grew up in Wyoming, not Minnesota, but I know people like that. And I've been that cold. So, if you're looking for funny, light romantic comedy, check it out. :-)

I'm still busting my chops on the new book, but I think I'm making progress. I posted a new (short) excerpt on the website. No one else may like this book, but I'm enjoying getting to know my story peeps and figuring out what is going to happen to them.

Downloaded some light romances to my ereaders for February reading, but looking forward to the release of a new Linnea Sinclair book: Hope's Folly. It should arrive at the end of the month, and hopefully I'll have enough done on MY book to justify taking a reading break. So, to earn that break, I need to get the book pulled up. Not even Monday is going to stop me. **g**

Happy reading!
Perilously yours,
Pauline

Quick Update

2009-01-26T19:03:37Z

This is just going to be a quick update. I'm WRITING and I don't want to mess with the flow!

First, I launched a new contest on my website (through Author Island) This is my biggest prize ever, so hope you'll stop by and check it out. :-)

Second, I've created a page for my new novel, Girl Gone Nova, and have posted my iTunes playlist and a short excerpt. Keep in mind, this is an unedited excerpt and not necessarily a final version either. I just wanted my readers to get a peak at Doc, my new very kick-butt heroine (she's certainly kicking MY butt!). The story starts two years after The Key and will feature some of the characters from The Key and many new faces and new adventures. And yes, there will also be romance. :-)

Obviously, if I'm writing, I'm not reading, so nothing new to share this week on that front. There's a couple of movies I'd like to see and I might make it, if I get more done on my book first. It's butt in the chair time (makes it harder for Doc to kick it).

Hoping January ends peacefully for all of you. Not sure why, but I'm always glad when January is over. :-)
Perilously yours,
Pauline

The Bleak Midwinter

2009-01-19T19:19:59Z

I had a chance to fly home (and North) for a visit last week. While the welcome was warm, the landscape was seriously bleak. Down here in Texas, even in winter, some things stay green, so it was a bit of a shock, even though I grew up in Wyoming.

A couple of days after I got there, I saw this out the window of my sister's house:

We did get some sprinkles of snow here, so I did recognize the white stuff, but dang! it wasn't there when I went to bed! Then the wind came up and blew most of it away. This brought out the deer. (This is still in my sister's back yard! Also saw lots of bunnies, but they were hard to photograph well with the iPhone.)

Then we clambered in the car and headed for our childhood home where my mom was making cinnamon rolls (bread IS my mothership!).

To get to the homestead, we had to go by my old high school. Not its best side, but I was too lazy to go take a picture of the front view. The cinnamon rolls were waiting!

And then I saw home!

I had a great visit and the cinnamon rolls were to die for. My sister and I watched some movies. I don't remember any previews or teasers for Ghost Town, but am glad she had it. It was a lot of fun. We also watched a Frank Langella movie called Starting Out in the Evening. It's an indie film about a blocked writer. He was great as always, but it sure made me not want to get old! Every time I see an ad or sign or whatever for "heart healthy" I want to say, show me BRAIN healthy and I'll discuss my heart. I just want them both to shut down at the same time. In my family, the brain seems to go first.

I took my eReaders, but didn't have a lot of reading time. I did read a Margery Allingham on the plane. It was called Sweet Danger and was most enjoyable. I read some of her books some years ago and am remembering why. I don't think these were out when I started, but not sure about that. Maybe they just weren't releasing. Anyway, in this one he meets the woman he will eventually marry. Since I love a good romance, will have to explore this further.

I made the trip home without too much trouble, though I think the airlines are PUNKS for charging for a person to take ONE suitcase. They had a case for it when gas prices were high, but not now. Anyway, will finish my blog today with one last picture of the bleak midwinter in Wyoming:

This used to be the bridge we took across the river, but they built a new one at some point. It's an interesting old bridge. We used to go play on it when we were kids. Once my brother talked me into trying jumps on his motor cycle. The spot we picked was on the right side of the bridge. I have no idea why.

I was cold the whole time I was there, but I still want to get back when we retire. The midwinter might be bleak on the outside, but it is home and warms my heart. :-)

Perilously yours,
Pauline