For the February meeting, which is also Valentine’s Day, we’re holding our “First Kiss” contest in lieu of a speaker. For those who wish to participate, submit a “first kiss” scene to be read aloud at the meeting. You can write something new or pull a scene from your current work in progress.Here’s how it will work. Bring your scene (1-2 pages) and turn them in to me at the beginning of the meeting. Please be sure to write your name at the top of the page. I will read the entries aloud to the group and then we vote for three winners: Hot, Hotter, and Hottest. Prizes are: (1) a bag of Dove chocolates; (2) a bottle of wine; and (3) a $10 gift card to Bath & Body Works.
We will continue to meet at the Merlot Room in Grapevine. 
Today is the release day of my fifth book from Samhain Publishing.
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-359-3
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: January 13, 2009
Cover art by Natalie Winters
Be careful what you ask for. It might come with spurs—and baggage.
The Paintbrush Series
After catching her boyfriend with his pants around his knees while a walking, talking cliché takes “dictation”, Suzanne Walters quits her job, quits her man, quits Texas and moves to Wyoming to find the woman she used to be. Unfortunately, her first five minutes in Paintbrush finds her facing down the town bully in the local diner—and running smack into the one thing she’s not looking for: a wet dream in cowboy boots, Jacob Bowman.
Jacob excels at two things—flying under the radar, and saving his pennies in hopes of running his own ranch someday. He can’t stop thinking about the fantasy in tight Wranglers who nearly mowed him down exiting the diner. The curvy, vivacious spitfire makes his mouth go dry. She’s got her eye on him, as well, but her determination to prove her independence is just as strong as the sexual pull between them.
Life’s knocks have given them both strong hearts, and even stronger wills. As danger looms, that stubborn pride could cost their one chance to discover if there’s something more between them than great sex.
Will they swallow their pride, or will they lose it all?
Warning: Cowboys and horses and bullies OH MY! Sweet, sweet loving and a little rowdy behavior.
Last January the ‘Buds wrote down their goals for 2008. We did a quick update in June to see where we were at–um we won’t go into the details now. Then at the Christmas party we had a prize for the one who had achieved the most. Sadly it was a tie for one thing accomplished–though several members did get other things accomplished in ‘08, it just didn’t happen to be on their list (like moi!). And, hey, for the two ‘Buds, it was one more thing than maybe they felt so inspired by in 2007.
At our January meeting on the 10th, we will set the 2009 goals. I’d love to really battle it out this year for the Christmas party prize–make the other ladies push their self as far as writerly possible. 
A few of us have taken a step to become more proactive in 2009. Sometimes all it takes is a swift kick in the pants to get yourself in the mood. A cheering section is an under-utilized tool, imo. I am dusting off my pom-poms and making sure my keyboard is in tip-top tapping shape! (and keeping a pen and pad handy won’t hurt for those down times when I can’t get to the computer but my brain is in over-drive)
What are your goals for 2009? If you could make yourself accomplish ONE THING, what would it be? Granted some things are heavily dependant on the industry, market and economy, but for some finishing that elusive fantasy novel or creating a kick-ass proposal keep us staring at the screen. We forget we CAN do it.
For me, I have some pretty simple goals for 2009–well simple on the surface. A lot is self-pacing and the ability to give myself permission to create–I can imagine a couple of folks shaking their heads–don’t underestimate the fragile ego of a writer (sometimes even chocolate and the hunky guy pics hanging around the desk are not enough) which goes back to the cheering section–see. My goals are uniquely mine motivation and need wise (which goes into more detail here), but please feel free to borrow and/or alter them to suit your own needs:
~ Finish two books
~ Submit two finished books
~ Start and finish a new book from start to finish
~ Submit brand spanking new book
~ Look for an agent
~ Write every week