News! News! News!
Current mood: animated

Wow, what can I say.

Recovering from RT took longer than I expected, but I made it, as did my husband.

On top of that I'm almost 30K into a 95K manuscript.

Email news today, Black Lace has accepted a short story from me for their Lust at First Bite anthology.

And I was able to speak to my son last week, for the first time in over 5 years. Now, as part of the agreement, I can't say what I think about my ex, or what happened between us because it would be a 'negative' and 'hurtful' statement. But those who lived with me through this and witnessed what happened after I moved here, know the truth.

My son is doing well, in many respects, though there are things yet to be sorted out and he's expressed a desire to come and see me in 2010, when he'll be 16 so other parties will be unable to prevent him.

My parents have been able to send the letters onto my son, which has helped a great deal. They're able to keep records and copies of the letters, so there's nothing a certain person can do to claim the letters aren't being sent. Which was seriously bloody hinted at during the last meeting- not something that can be denied as there were witnesses at the meeting.

Well, you know, they say success is the best form of revenge and I'm well on my way there!

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Family Stress
Current mood: anxious

When you face an issue that you can't publicly discuss, you suddenly realize just how much of your own life you put out there.

Tomorrow is one of those days. I can't say what's going on. I can only say that it's potentially very stressful for all involved. Sam is taking the day off to help me with the children whilst I'm on a phone call dealing with this. And I'm hoping all will work out well in the end.

8:58 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Rose Kissed - erotic flash fiction
Category: Writing and Poetry

Rose Kissed

White, innocent, touched with pink at the tips of the petals with thorns still on its stem. Beauty and danger all rolled into one, offered to her with a smile and a warning not to move.

She shivers, the first touch of the petals against her cheek sending a rush of heat through her core. The subtle scent threatens to overwhelm her.

He smiles, playing a soft, teasing path with the rose down her throat, lingering over her rapid pulse before he traces down over her lush breasts.

Her nipples harden, breath catching in the back of her throat before the first touch brushes silken promises over ripe nipples. Her whimper fills the air, a plea for more.

A plea denied.

For now…

Currently reading : The Last Champion (Harlequin Historical Series) By Deborah Hale Release date: 01 May, 2004

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Update on the UK situation
Current mood: exhausted
Category: Life

It was confirmed that the immediate situation was resolved - gawd it’s so frustrating not being able to explain the situation, but I have to protect the innocent involved in all of this.

I’ll, again, know more in the coming days, and hope to hear back from my family with better information early next week.

To those who have had me in their prayers - thank you.

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Heaven and Hell - been to both today
Current mood: worried
Category: Life

The day didn’t start off too badly. Kids, the usual stuff, a shuffle along with the hope of a nap once my youngest was down for one.

It didn’t happen.

I have family in the UK and a frantic call from my mum filled me in on a situation that left me shaking, angry and ready to drop. Unfortunately I can’t give any more details than that as it involves an innocent. By the time I had word that one part of it was sorted, I was a wreck. Complete and utter wreck.

By mid evening I was calmer. A few glasses of wine, erm well more than a few, and I could breath without shaking. Yes, I was *that* upset. When my husband, who I adore, looks at me even a little upset and I burst into tears that’s a sign of how wrung out I am.

Things did pick up.

Scratching Post has been given a 5 star review and RR from Night Owl.

I had the final edits/layout for Control - coming from Cobblestone, and saw the artwork for it as well. So that helped.

Then, of course, there is the mess with the rooms at RT. We’ve got a confirmation of room, but apparently there is a shortage of rooms so people who booked after a certain date might not have a room in the convention hotel. It’s NOT RT’s fault. That much I’ve confirmed. It’s the hotel. So if anyone is affected by this, please please don’t take this out on Jo Carol and RT. This truly is a mess set up by the hotel. There’s a notice on the hotel page of the convention that hints at some of the problems!

What I do know is there is still construction at the hotel, and some of the rooms promised to RT are not usable. Guys, if you haven’t got your confirmation then my advice is to check with the hotel. Not Jo Carol. Get your confirmation number from the hotel. She’s going to be running ragged trying to sort this one out.

Repeat, this is the hotel’s F-Up, not RT’s from everything I’ve been told.

Currently reading : Her Warrior King (Harlequin Historical Series) By Michelle Willingham Release date: 01 January, 2008

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Wiped out
Current mood: apathetic
Category: Life

Some days I’m just wiped out. Today was one of those days. I did manage to finish the novella I was working on but other than that this day has been a blur.

I’ve got a phone call coming up, one I’m not looking forward to but am at the same time. One involving my son in the UK, but it also means dealing with my ex.

All I have to do is keep focused on my son, not on the ex, and it will work out fine, I know that. Still, the fact that it looks as though it will be on UK office time, which means me either not getting any sleep before the call, or doing this on a couple of hours sleep - blah. I’ll cope.

finished Dark Celebration and enjoyed it, so grabbed Last Wolf Hunting from the shelf and I’m 3 chapters into that now.

I’ve got a short story to finish off tomorrow and get that sent off to Oysters and Chocolate in the hopes it will make their anthology.

Other than that it’s a case of working out what I’m going to work on next month and continue with short projects until April 1st.

Currently reading : Last Wolf Hunting (Silhouette Nocturne) By Rhyannon Byrd Release date: 01 April, 2008

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Dark Eden Press
Current mood: blessed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Well, as many of you will now know Dark Eden Press is closing its doors. Not due to mis-management, but because the owner, Deb, is ill with cancer. Like many of her authors I can only do this.

My thoughts, hopes and prayers are with Deb. I look forward to hearing that she’s beaten this evil damn thing, and that this newest return of cancer is the last.

Deb, thank you for giving Play for Me a home after the Trisk mess. And keep strong, you’re never alone - remember that.

Currently reading : Dark Celebration: A Carpathian Reunion (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 14) By Christine Feehan Release date: 25 September, 2007

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Chocolate Nests and Sunday Dinner
Current mood: blissful
Category: Life

Each Sunday my business parter comes over for dinner, but today we added something a little different to the mix. As it’s Easter Sunday I wanted to teach my children something that I used to watch my Mum do each year when I as growing up.

Chocolate Nests.

It’s a simple enough thing to make. You take cooking chocolate and melt it, either in a double boiler, or using a glass/pyrex dish in a pan of water, stirring it to keep the chocolate from burning. Once the chocolate is melted you mix in either crispy rice, or corn flakes. You do this slowly and carefully to make sure they are coated in chocolate, and take your time, but not enough for the chocolate to solidify.

Then you line muffin pans with the paper cups and fill with the chocolate mixture. Once that’s done you add three little eggs to the nest. The best one’s do to this with are the Cadbury’s mini eggs. Place the nests, with their eggs, in the fridge and let them set.

My kids thought this was great! Chocolate covered spoons to lick clean!

Yorkshire Puddings were also a part of this dinner, along with rare roast beef. Now Yorkshire Puds are another tradition from the UK, but I’ll pass that recipe on another day.

Terri Pray

Currently reading : A Knight Most Wicked (Harlequin Historical Series) By Joanne Rock Release date: 01 March, 2008

7:49 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Play centers and snow
Current mood: bummed
Category: Life

It’s March 22nd, Spring, and out of the sky large, fluffy, white flakes of snow made their graceful way down to the ground.

ARGGGGG.

It’s March it’s snowing!

Thankfully the local McD’s has a play center. With the way my two have been looking forward to kicking around a ball today I had to do something to get them to burn off some steam. I just hope this flutter of white delight is the last we will see for six months or more. I’m well and truly fed up with the snow, ice, rain and general ick of the winter. We’d had a few days with temps of close to 50 and now this.

It sucks!

Currently reading : Beast Of Desire (Silhouette Nocturne) By Lisa Renee Jones Release date: 01 March, 2008

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Writing and Children
Current mood: animated
Category: Writing and Poetry

I have two young children, and although one is at school, the other isn’t (until August) so the vast majority of my writing is done in between doing things with/for my son and daughter. That means I’ve found a way of writing stories in 5-10 minute bursts a lot of the time.

It’s not easy, I’ll be the first to admit that, but they do come first when they are home. They put up with enough odd things with what I do for a living without being ignored as well. So I manage chats, writing, housework, two children, a husband, co-running a small press all around a 7 and 4 year old.

Is it any wonder that I’m nuts?

I’m lucky in many ways, they are good kids - I don’t mean angels, they’re far from that, but they do have good hearts. Both are snuggle bunnies, and both are genre geeks - right now they’re happily watching Hell Boy at their request! Just as well, considering the small press is also part of an RPG company heh.

Well, it’s a long weekend, 4 days with no school. There will be times when I growl at them because they’ve decided to push a button, repeatedly, but that’s the nature of these two. They’re bright and don’t miss a trick - basically, I’m doomed.

Yet I still get the writing done. I still get those stories out there and I still grin as I see those acceptances come in. I don’t even mind the rejections anymore. Where one door closes another normally opens up...

Currently reading : Last Wolf Standing (Silhouette Nocturne) By Rhyannon Byrd Release date: 01 March, 2008

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