I’m gearing up for Romance Writers of America’s National Conference and can’t wait–but first, I have to get a boatload of work done or at least mostly done, which means–I’m freaking out! :baby: Don’t get me wrong, I knew revisions were coming for the last book I turned in. I had issues with the book when I sent it and just could NOT put my finger on what was wrong with it. My fabulous editor nailed the problem/issue and now I’m on my way again and LOVING the changes but time is definitely an issue because there just doesn’t seem to be enough of it.

On a good note, I spent the day shopping, talking, plotting and frantically taking notes with my CP yesterday as she purchased things for a trip to Ireland (Oh, I’d so love to go!) and me for conference. (We will NOT talk about how my clothes from last year are SNUG.) I swear, I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t bounce ideas off my CP. She asks the perfect questions to enable me to truly grasp my characters. Fabulous! WHY couldn’t I think of these things the first time around???? :headwall:

So, I’ll be spending the next few weeks writing my fingers to the bone so I’ll probably be scarce. Just can’t keep up with it all.

Anyone going to the national conference? The Superromance party? What are you doing for your summer vacation?

Kay

Hi, guys! I’m working my fingers to the bone but wanted to pass along a link I hope you’ll check out. Barbara Vey emailed to say one of her WW gals reviewed a book I’d sent a while back.

Here’s the link I hope you’ll check it out and post a comment.

But before you go tell Barbara what you’re reading, how about you tell me? :bookslp: Read any great books lately?

Kay

I have a beautiful plaque on my desk that is titled The ABC’s of Life and I thought I’d share it with you.

Accept differences
Be kind
Count your blessings
Dream
Express thanks
Forgive
Give freely
Harm no one
Imagine more
Jettison anger
Keep confidences
Love truly
Master something
Nurture hope
open your mind
Pack lightly (Love this one! LOL)
Quell rumors
Reciprocate
Seek wisdom
Touch hearts
Understand
Value truth
Win graciously
Xeriscape
Yearn for peace
Zealously support a worthy cause

Not a bad way to learn the ABC’s eh?

I don’t have a lot going on right now except I’m trying to get as much work completed before conferences and the like. Sorry I’m so quiet (and boring! LOL).

So, if you could add an extra something to the letters above, what would it be?

I think mine would be an extra “B” – Be gracious. Now you– come on, what letter would you add?

Kay

Father’s Day is special to most people. It’s a day to step back and appreciate the dad who was there for you. My dad is no exception. I didn’t always think he was the coolest or the smartest or the most whatever, but now that I’m older and a parent myself I realize the sacrifices he made for us kids.

When I was seven, my dad had surgery. At the time he was quite literally a guinnea pig for for this new thing called “open heart surgery.” Yup, that surgery that’s so common today. Back then, he was in the third “test trial” of patients considered qualifiers. Basically, it was kind of a last resort. There wasn’t such a thing as Lipitor etc and my dad had suffered several small heart attacks and was warned “the big one” was coming. So, the surgery.

Post surgery, he was given 1-3 years. Well, 33 years later, I’m still wishing my dad Happy Father’s Day. Still kissin’ his bald head. And I’m soooo very thankful for the man who, according to doctors, wasn’t supposed to be there for me growing up. He bought me my first car, he gave me away at my wedding, he teases and kids with my children to this day. Thank God for healing prayers. We don’t always know the whys of things, but I believe my dad was put on this earth to show and teach me and my siblings the measure of a man. My dad overcame his lack of education, overcame his issues with health, and he gave his family his all. He still does, despite being an “old man” who is supposed to settle down and relax. LOL My dad doesn’t know the meaning of that.

I know not all of us have a dad like mine in their lives. I’m so sorry about that. The world would be a much better place if there were. No-account dads are hard to swallow. All the more reason to appreciate the dads who step up to the plate, you know?

But there’s something else. Every hero I write, every book that has a man who is flawed but good, hurting but moral? They’re based on the men in my life. My dad, my husband, my father-in-law. People give romances a hard time and consider them trash but the thing they all have in common, what makes them sooooo very attractive to women especially, is that each and every romance contains a hero with a hero’s heart. Even heroes with bypassed hearts are still heroes LOL

Anyway, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the guys out there. I hope you’re all blessed to know a good one like mine.

Kay

My dh had a stretch of days off and since I have very little writing time with him around (until evening), we’ve worked on everything from our landscaping to dejunking to giving the house a good cleaning. :cheer: We went to a tree/shrub auction and found some amazing deals. We’ve planted trees down one side of our driveway (the other has water lines), by our porch, planted flowers and shrubs along the front, decluttered the entire house and made a trip to Good Sam and cleaned until the floors shine. It’s amazing what a clean, somewhat neat space can do for your muse. Not only is my house sighing in relief, but so am I! LOL As I wait for revisions on the last Tulane book, I’m working on a project I’ve been dying to do for a while. I spent my evenings working on a new project and now that the dh is back to his regular schedule–I can dig in and explore a new set of hunky, gorgeous, heroes. I’m looking forward to it!

So what about you? While I’ve been scarce, what have you been doing?

Kay