Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye, 2009!

I’m a sucker for nostalgia, and every year around this time, I find myself thinking about all that has transpired over the past twelve months. While it seems as if I just popped open that bottle of champagne a co-worker gave me as a gift, and settled in to ring in 2009 with my then work-in-progress (No Ordinary Gift) and Dick Clark’s Rocking New Year’s Eve party muted on the TV, a lot has happened in the span of this year.


Here are just a few things that standout:


1. I saw two new titles published, the conclusion of my Holmes Brothers series, Rescue Me, and another holiday story, No Ordinary Gift, in the Holiday Brides anthology.


2. I accepted my first two-book deal from my dream publisher, Harlequin (first Kimani Press book comes out this year!)


3. I cried like a baby on Inauguration Day as President Obama took the Oath (Just so we’re clear, they were tears of joy. I know others cried tears of another kind. J)


4. I cheered on my little cousin Brian as he was chosen as the 36th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.


5. I welcomed a new nephew into the world. Brandon Michael was born on September 4th.


6. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to several family members, including my dear friend, Andrea Taromina Pool, who gave breast cancer the big eff you after kicking its butt for two years.


7. I watched my New Orleans Saints sail to their best start ever, and am still cheering along with the Who Dat nation!


8. I made great strides in honing my writing craft and working toward achieving my ultimate goal, becoming a full-time writer.


I know this year was filled with tons more (the great vacations I took, the friendships I rekindled via Facebook, becoming obsessed with the TV show GLEE), and I’m optimistic about what the start of a new decade will bring. I’ve got ambitious writing goals, more fabulous travel plans (including my first trip abroad!), and the motivation to finally, finally get healthy! I’m determined to do it this time.


I hope you share some of your favorite, or not so favorite, memories of this year.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

My Early Christmas Present: A New Cover!

I received a great early Christmas gift this year. I have the cover for my next book release, HUDDLE WITH ME TONIGHT! I was lucky enough to have the book included in Kimani's year-long "Kimani Hotties" promotion. Every month will feature a different "hottie." Torrian, the hero in HUDDLE WITH ME TONIGHT, is Mr. September.



Check out this eye candy!





Here's the back cover blurb:
All Paige Turner wants is to be taken seriously as a journalist. The entertainment columnist and blogger extraordinaire gets more notoriety than she planned when her scathing review of NFL superstar Torrian Smallwood's memoir sparks an online confrontation. But that's nothing compared to the sensual heat that tackles her when she meets teh heart-stoppingly sexy athlete face-to-face...

Torrian can't let Paige derail his dream of a new career as a restaurateur. Even if the sassy, sultry writer is making America's favorite wide receiver yearn to be on the receiving end of her desire. And with a reality TV cook-off propelling them into the spotlight, Torrian can no longer hide his passonate secret goal--to build a future with the woman who's making an end run around his heart...

HUDDLE WITH ME TONIGHT hits stores September 2010!

And as an extra Christmas treat, my latest release, HOLIDAY BRIDES, is being featured today at Romance B(u)y the Book! Come on over and discuss your favorite holiday-themed books and movies.

Happy holidays, all!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Top Book of 2009

Today I'm blogging over at Novel Spaces (well, actually, I'm enjoying my Christmas present to myself--a Carribean cruise), and I want to know what was your top book of 2009? Was it by one of your favorite authors, or did a brand new write step in and blow your mind? Hop on over to Novel Spaces and let me know!

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

National Buy a Book By A Black Author and Give It To Someone Not Black!

It's December! My favorite month of the year!

I've always loved December because I cherish the Christmas holiday. I now have another reason to love this month. It's National Buy a National Buy a Book By A Black Author and Give It To Someone Not Black month!

National Buy a Book By A Black Author and Give It To Someone Not Black month is the brainchild of author Carleen Brice. Her blog, White Readers Meet Black Authors, was started this last year to raise awareness of books by black authors and show readers that it's okay to venture into the black/African American section of the book store.

Make sure you check out her video on YouTube. It is hilarious.

As a special treat, I'm giving away a copy of Carleen's absolutely fabulous novel Orange Mint and Honey. I just read the book and was blown away. Shay, the book's main character, will fascinate you.

Orange Mint and Honey will make it's television premier on the Lifetime Movie Network on February 7, 2010. The movie, titled Sins of the Mother, features the extremely talented Jill Scott. I know she is going to be great as Nona. I cannot wait to see these characters brought to life. (A plea to LMN: Please do not mess up this book!)

To win your own copy of Orange Mint and Honey, simply recommend a black book you would give to someone not black.