All part of the game...

So I just spent the last week working a critical scene in my new book only to finish and realize everything I'd written was unnecessary because I'd already tied the lose end that I thought I'd left flapping in the wind in the scene before. How does that happen, you might wonder? Well, in this case, my process backfired.

See, I'm pretty strict about finishing a scene and moving on to the next one without going back to review the finished scene first. Why? Because until I know exactly how the book will end, I don't like to spin my wheels on polishing and perfecting scenes which may not make it to the final or draft of may change so drastically that I'd have to polish all over again. Usually I start the day with the new scene and only read the last two or three sentences from the last before I move on. But I'd had a break in writing because of holidays and the hustle and bustle of going back to work and I lost my place. It wasn't until I dug myself so deep in my new scene that I couldn't get out that I decided to go back and review--ARGH (picture me slapping my forehead with disgust). There it was, plain as day with a nice neat bow. Everything I'd spent 10 pages and countless hours trying to explain was neatly packaged in two action packed paragraphs. I hate when that happens.

On a happier note, the Cardinals are winning. :-)

Starting the new year out with a bang!

For my first featured author of the New Year, I'd like to introduce MacKenzie McKade. MacKenzie is a fabulous author who writes HOT HOT HOT stories with strong female characters and to die-for heroes. Seriously, her men are so sexy you'll be wanting to sign yourself over to one to "tie me up and do with me as you will."

I had the opportunity to talk with MacKenzie recently. Here's what she had to say.

Erin: What is your favorite holiday tradition?

MacKenzie: Outdoor Christmas lights displays. There is nothing that draws me into the holiday spirit like a show of colorful lights. The more the merrier. On Christmas Eve I load my family into the car and we drive for hours looking at all the beautiful lights. Then it’s home for some hot chocolate.

Erin: What will be your top New Year's Resolution?

MacKenzie: Boy that's hard one to answer. Along with the usual ones of eating right, working out, and losing weight, I'd have to say write more. I'd like to publish several more books in 2009.

Erin: What's in the future for Mackenzie McKade? New books in the works?

I'll be attending the Romantic Times Convention this year in April. It’s always a lot of fun. I love meeting new people and sharing my work with them.

As for upcoming books, I’m currently working on a shape-shifter story, followed by a Christmas story under contract. Then I plan on filling some of my readers’ requests by focusing on making series out of several previously released books. I haven’t made up my mind whether I’ll start with the second book in SIX FEET UNDER or FALLON’S REVENGE. Guess it’ll be a surprise for all of us.

Erin: Tell us about your next release and why YOU think we'll love it.

If you love cowboys like I do then you'll love TAKE ME AGAIN. It’s double the fun—double the pleasure. Here’s an excerpt:

TAKE ME AGAIN, Wild Oats, Book 2

Marking one’s territory was never so naughty…

Dolan Crane would love to hate the beautiful new veterinarian who’s horning in on his territory. It’s tough when the flame-haired fantasy come true makes his body burn with just a smile. The smart thing to do is forget about her, so perhaps a threesome arranged by his old college buddy is just what he needs to get her out of his head.

Divorcee Tracy Marx has followed her restless feet to Santa Ysabel to start a new practice—and maybe find someone to take her outside the boundaries of vanilla sex. Instead she finds trouble in the form of a cowboy whose dark, sexy gaze lights her up—and could also destroy any chance of success. The best thing to do is stay far, far away from him.

When Dolan shows up for the promised night of fantasy, he’s shocked to find Tracy has traded her medical bag for a leather bustier and bondage gear. Tracy would like nothing better than to slap that smirk right off Dolan’s face, but the prospect of being sandwiched between two men is impossible to resist—even if one of them is her adversary.

Besides…no one calls her chicken.

MacKenzie will be stopping by this week to chat so if you have any questions....let's hear them! (Note, she has jury duty this morning, poor woman, so she won't be in until later this afternoon).

Happy New Year!

It's 2009 which is just unbelievable to me. This time last year I was getting ready for my sabbatical, still looking for an agent and harboring hopes that I might sell my new books. Now I have both an agent and a publisher again and I'm in those count down months until my new novel, HAUNTING BEAUTY hits bookshelves. Eight months and counting, to be exact.

If you haven't checked out my contest page lately, make sure you do because I have some really great contests planned. Not only will I continue to host other authors, but I'm dipping into my cool stuff reserves to spice up the give-aways.

My featured author this month is MacKenzie MacKade. On Monday I'll have an interview posted and MacKenzie will be popping in to answer questions. MacKenzie is a delightful, fun person and her books are STTTEEEAMMMMY HOT, so drop by if you're in the mood....for conversation that is. Not for the other thing, lol.

I'm starting this year with a list of resolutions. Of course I have the usual--lose weight. I actually started Nutrisystem right before Christmas and after 3 weeks I've lost 10 pounds. I'm feeling very good about that considering I gave myself days off for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and I took them off big time. :-) But I am still 100% motivated to lose the rolls.

Next I'm going to slow it down. If you read my blogs, you know that the past year I worked myself to dust. I am determined not to do the same with the new year. Enough is enough. What's the point if there isn't a life in there, right?

What resolutions do you have? I'd love to hear them!