Anne Calhoun’s Coming to Writers Gone Wild
I had an awesome weekend, spending Friday at an air show here where I interviewed several hunky pilots and airmen in flight suits, then hubby whisked me away to Seattle on Saturday to the BoSox game. They lost, but Varitek was behind the plate so that made up for a lot 🙂
I’ll post some pics and a write-up about the air show later, but I am so excited to tell you that the incredibly talented Anne Calhoun is coming to Writers Gone Wild this Wednesday, August 17th. I’ve grilled her about her writing style, her upcoming releases, and she’s giving away TWO books from her backlist to the winning commenter. I hope you’ll come by to meet her and say hello. And if you haven’t read any of her books, you’re missing out big time. They’re erotic romance, so they’re very explicit, but there’s such depth of emotion and characterization it astounds me every time I read a new story of hers. All you need to do is read all the glowing reviews on Goodreads and Amazon to see what I’m talking about. This is one scarily talented author!
New Book Contracts!
I thought this picture was especially appropriate considering the writing slump I’ve been in recently. However, I’m pleased to announce that Carina Press has offered a contract for the first of a paranormal trilogy I’ve written. I’m excited about this and hope to strengthen my world building in the book during edits, and with any luck my military romance fans will like it too. Darkest Caress is based on some Lithuanian folklore I learned about during my tour of the Baltic States in 2009, specifically to the idyllic village of Nida on the Curonian Spit. The book will be out sometime next year.
I also received word that same day that The Wild Rose Press wants to contract the second erotic romance I wrote (as Callie Croix) for the Dumen Ranch Series. The first book, Deacon’s Touch, will release August 26th, and the second, Dillon’s Claim, will probably be out sometime this winter.
It’s the August long weekend here in BC, and we’ve been celebrating with family that have been in town since last weekend. Right now I’m cooking a big dinner for 15 of us: sweet glazed meatloaf (hubby’s absolute fave), cream cheese mashed potatoes, spinach salad with fresh fruit and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing, a vegetable medley baked in homemade cheese sauce, and for dessert, a very decadent chocolate mousse layer cake. A totally low cal dinner for their last meal here in Vancouver 🙂 I think a long family walk after dinner is in order, maybe down to the Spirit of the Sea Festival here at the beach to watch the fireworks later on.
Semper Fi
This weekend I went up to B.C.’s wine and lake country (our Okanagan region–the city of Kelowna, specifically) for a mini family reunion. I got to see several uncles and a bunch of my cousins that I rarely get to spend time with, and I had so much fun! One uncle’s mother-in-law is married to a former US Marine, and I got to chat with him yesterday morning at the family breakfast we had.
He’s from Arkansas, so he’s got a charming Southern accent and all the swoon-worthy manners to go with it. Add in his time in the Corps, and I was in love with him in about three seconds. We talked about all sorts of military stuff, including his two tours in Vietnam. Such an interesting man, and a real sweetheart despite everything he’s gone through. He and his wife live in Oahu during the winters, so they invited us to come stay with them and show us around all the historical sites. Um, yes please! Being shown around Pearl Harbor and all the other spots with a decorated former Marine? That’s my idea of a great time.
He had to leave the Corps suddenly after 21 years of service, having attained the hallowed rank of Master Sergeant. For the latter part of his career, he was stationed at Camp Pendleton, just south of Los Angeles. We passed it on our way from Disneyland to Legoland this past March, and I was so excited to see a Chinook and two Black Hawks flying close to the highway.
So there we go, Kaylea has a new crush 🙂 My hubby just smirked and shook his head at me yesterday at breakfast, but he doesn’t seem mad or jealous, lol.
Got home last night and received word that both Cover of Darkness and No Turning Back have finaled in the 2011 Aspen Gold Awards! I’m kind of surprised that those two books seem to be the ones judges like best. I really think Relentless and Absolution are the best books in the series, but perhaps it takes the first few books for readers to understand the characters and story arc enough to make the last two books shine. Hmm. Something to ponder for the future if I ever do another series.
Have any of you out there met military veterans that have made an impression on you? Would love to hear your stories.
Rhys and Luke Goodness
Yesterday I was notified that both Relentless and Absolution are finalists in the 2011 Heart of Excellence Awards! I’m very excited about this, because though they’d never say so, I think Rhys and Luke were feeling a bit left out since all the other guys have won/finaled in other RWA published contests. Winners won’t be announced until October, but at least now I’ve got some sort of accolade to put next to their books on my website.
Looking for some awesome summer reads? You’re in luck. For the next two weeks, all of us over at Writers Gone Wild are hosting a contest there. Each weekday we’ll be posting about a different sort of hero, so drop by and leave a comment for a chance to win one of two bundles of great prizes from all of us. My post will be up this Wednesday, featuring the courageous military hero and why he’s the best kind of hero. To me that’s really kind of self explanatory, but I don’t mind spelling it out for everyone 🙂
Finally, I’ve got my writing alter ego up and running over on Goodreads and Facebook. Just look me up as Callie Croix to learn about my upcoming August and November releases.
Hope you’re all having a safe and happy summer!