Dreaming of the central coast ...

I wrote the Otter Bay Novels:

a) To explore ensemble casts
b) To introduce more drama and relationship struggles into my novels (you know, like real life!)
c) to take a bunch of road trips up the coast under the guise of "research ..."

Okay, so that last one was the best reason - next up, Italy! (Right, honey? :))

Anyway, a few days ago my publisher, B&H, delivered some fun news: Until Friday, the 15th - the day after Valentine's - the first two books in the series, Sweet Waters and A Shore Thing (NOT Snookie's tale) are available on Kindle and Nook for $2.99.

Consider this a summertime warm up ... three months and counting - woo!

If you're interested in loading them into your e-reader, here are some links:
Sweet Waters - Kindle
Sweet Waters - Nook
A Shore Thing - Kindle
A Shore Thing - Nook

Have a beachy week, my friends ... wherever you are ...

Inspiring minds

Some people play music for inspiration ... others show movies made from classic British novels in the background ...

Hey, we all have our vices =)

I've been helping out a new friend as he creates a website for a ministry that has been burning within him for years. I've got some final touches to put on what I've written so far, so naturally, I popped in a DVD of P&P for inspiration.

I'm sure purists will wither at my choice of this more recent version - I'd be remiss not to admit my own affection for Colin Firth as the smoldering Mr. Darcy in the PBS version - but I actually enjoy Keira in the role of Jane. She's smart and conflicted and able to deliver killer lines with ease.

Kind of like me. Not. Ha ha ha. 

Back to those inspiring lines, all spoken in very proper British accents ... a writer's gotta do, what she's gotta do ...

Birds of a feather ...

These big guys have been flying overhead at the beach for days. That means: There's good eatin' in these waters. They fly so low and circle so long that Charlie the Dog and I often find ourselves ducking when they're overhead during our runs.

Okay, so, maybe I'm the one doing the ducking, mainly since Charlie's often more interested in searching under cars for cats.

Oh, but these birds are just sooo gorgeous. And with their wings spread, they're massive. Normal people would probably be scared off by their bravado, but I'm awed by them. So is my Dan. Today we stood watching them, pointing our cameras toward the water, then up in the air, then spinning around as we both tried to get the perfect shot, no doubt looking quite mental in the process.

Afterward, Dan watched the Super Bowl, while Teen Girl and I headed north to visit some of our bffs in Montecito. Such a very good day ...

Have a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Chocolate Beach, recipe edition - FREE Today

My first novel "baby" ~ Chocolate Beach ~ is FREE today only on Kindle. And the e-book version has recipes :)

Don't have a Kindle? Neither do I ... but I have the app on both my iPhone and my laptop. I've read many Kindle books via these apps and you can too. Here's how:

1. Download the Kindle app from your iPhone App Store
-OR-
2. Go to this link and download the Kindle reader for your PC.

Happy reading, and have a beachy weekend, my friends ~ wherever you are!

Ferry-tale

Update: And the winner is ... posted here :)

I received this sweet book as a gift ~ and love it. So much so that I managed to get another copy of At the End of the Ferry just so I could give it away. It's the story of a woman's life (my friend, Susan's) in the Pacific Northwest for a year. Great for end of day reading ... will lull you with its imagery of lapping waves and gentle rolling tides.

Is this my kind of book or what?

To enter to win, please head on over to my new Facebook Author Page. Like my page and leave a comment on the post about At the End of the Ferry. Easy peasy!

I'll announce the winner on Saturday morning (on my FB page). See you over there =)

On Traveling the World ... and other Adventures

So I read that story today about the family of 14 (!) that sold everything, bought an RV, and are now livin' the dream, baby! So naturally, I sent the link to the article to my three kids, copied my hubby, and told everyone to "pack your bags." So far only one of the three kiddos answered me, and here's what he said: "No."

Well, at least he responded.

Part of me wants to ask this family if they're - how shall I put this? - nuts.

The other part of me is inspired.

Inspired to purge our home of unnecessary clutter, to spend more time outside together rather than behind our iPods/iPhones/laptops, and to let every day be the "weekend," as the father pronounces. Kind of hard to make a living with that last one, but whatevs.

And there's the little problem of our middle child who's at college across the country at the moment (She could always study online, right?)

Sigh. Truth is, I've never really liked camping. Glamping - yes, but camping? Not so much. And five of us in a long, narrow room on wheels could become rather, um, stinky.

What I'm most intrigued by, though, is the idea of living a life that's unexpected, that isn't so much concerned about prepping for the next day as it is about experiencing each and every moment, a life that's more about the journey and less about checking a box.

I'm well aware that I look hideous in this photo, but I don't care. This is College Girl and me last year when we (and Teen Girl) were traveling the country in search of the perfect college. We flew the red eye and got to NYC at - hear me - 2 am our time!!! We took a cab to Times Square, found a Starbucks and reveled in a city that actually does sleep. Yup, that's Times Square at about 5:30 am, and it's empty.

Unexpected.

Shifting tides

I'd like to say that I waded through the tide today, but not so much. Today was all about catchin' up: laundry, errands, the dreaded FAFSA. That's the Federal financial aid for college application. Blech.

Then again, maybe I did wade through the tide after all. Only it was at a higher-than-ideal level and carried with it a stiff current.

On the flipside, Teen Girl and I picked up orange chicken bowls from Panda Express for lunch, so it wasn't all work today =). And later, she and I hit the grocery store for the all-important task of choosing the perfect snack for a hangout with friends she'd be attending. Couldn't decide between chocolate eclairs or cream puffs. Chocolate Eclairs. Cream Puffs.

So, of course, she bought both. Scratch that. I bought both. Although why I did not think to buy a third box for my dessert-loving self, I do not know. (Then again, my hips are incredibly grateful for the oversight.)

Ah, well, there's always tomorrow, right? Here's to glorious Sundays and the grace to start again. Pass the chocolate ...

For the past few days here along the central coast, the waves have been larger than usual and crashing hard. We can hear them late into the night from our house down the block. Sometimes I sit outside at night with my husband and just listen. We don't even have to talk (I'm thinking he enjoys the reprieve ... ;)

I've got an incredibly arduous week ahead. Lots of work and engagements and I'm sitting here tonight wondering why I didn't do laundry ... Seriously, this is one of those weeks that I'm hoping will fly by. And, naturally, when the weekend shows up, I hope it will shuffle along like a snail.

In the midst of it all, I'm glad for the waves that remind me that there's something much bigger than me and my worries, someOne who rules over the surging sea and stills the mounting waves. All I have to do is listen ...

Here's to a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

So crushed ...

So on our excursion north the other day, Teen Girl and I met up with two of our besties at Crush Cakes, whose claim to fame started with an appearance on Cupcake Wars. But even if the shop hadn't appeared on TV, we'd have stopped in. My key lime and coconut cupcake was DELISH, not to mention the chocolate / peanut butter concoction in the photo that TG had no choice but to share with me (since I gave her life and all ...;)

Christmas may be over, but Valentine's Day is on its way, and hey, a girl's got to plan (i.e, taste test). This is why I can't hang up my running shoes anytime soon. Know what I mean?

Ah, well. Have a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Shell shocked

While taking pictures of sea life the other day, Teen Girl and I spied this shell at the same time. We both gasped. It was just lying there by its brightly orange-colored self, calling out to us simultaneously ... =)

So, of course, we brought her home.

My days are full--often too full. Yours too? So I'm vowing to stop and smell the salt air more often. That's why we took off on Saturday for a short while to see what treasures we could find on the sand.

And, oh yeah, afterward we also stopped for a snack of super rich and crazy colorful cupcakes. Hey, I know I talk about the beach a lot, but I'm not one-dimensional, people! Haha...

Pink sky at night ...

I'm a little embarrassed by the hysteria in California over the cold weather. Yes, it's been colder than usual. It's in the 40s when I run early in the morning, and 50s-low 60s during the warmest part of the day.

But for goodness sake ... there are people in other parts of the country who have to shovel snow just to get to their car before work. Something tells me their seat heaters (if they have them) only help so much in weather like that.

Despite the cooler "sky is falling" weather in CA, the sky was blue and the ocean even bluer today. And after a week of working indoors, I knew--I had to get outside. So Teen Girl and I played hooky from homework (her) and housework (me) and headed a few miles up the coast to the Carpinteria Bluffs. We climbed down a rocky path to the beach and spent more than an hour photographing wild life: sea anemones, snowy plovers, sand pipers, sea lions, and even a shell or two. Had to wear a down jacket and thick scarf in the low 50s climate--okay, all you folks from the east, stop laughing--but it was worth it just to see God's glory up close.

I'll be posting some of those pics in the next couple of weeks--not to gloat, mind you, but to INSPIRE you! Hope you enjoy. Check back soon ... and have a beachy weekend, WHEREVER you are =)

Here Kitty, Kitty ...

An hour ago, a high-octave squeal went up through the backyard after Teen Girl encountered two possums staring her down in the spa from atop the fence. Charlie the Dog nearly went mad, while hubby coaxed Teen Girl from the spa and into the house where she wiggled and itched, crying out that one of them, "...was staring into my soul!"

Kind of a lot of excitement for a school night.

I grew up in LA where these homely creatures congregate, and when I lived farther from the beach here in Ventura, I caused more than one to "play possum" during my early morning runs. Since moving to the beach, though, I can only remember seeing one a few blocks away. And that was a few years ago. Somehow this has done nothing to soothe my kiddo, who swears she'll never climb back into that spa again.

I doubt that. After the indignation flung their way, my bet's on those creatures never showing their fuzzy faces on our property again ...

Going Downton ...

I've been hearing about the British series Downton Abbey for two years, so finally, during the holidays, I caught up on what I'd been missing. (Especially appropriate considering my youngest daughter's obsession with England and the trip we hope to take.) My mother owns both seasons 1 & 2 and not only did I watch them through, but hubby joined me. Kind of like our own Masterpiece Classic marathon. That's love, people =).

While sitting here writing this (and watching Downton Abbey Revisited, natch) I asked Dan which character he most identifies with, and after much tumbling over in his thoughts, he said, "Matthew. Because he's so galant." Sigh. Yes, I can see that ...

How about you? Any character you most identify with? Sometimes all the work around here makes me feel a kinship with the lowly Daisy! But in my mind, I'm also wearing fabulous clothing and making all kinds of stupid decisions, like Mary. Ha.

Ah, well. It's time for more of those delicious British accents and clever dialog, the romantic confusion and rich scenery. Signing off now, as Season 3 is about to begin ...

Spa Day

After the busyness of the past week, we could all use a little spa action, right? =). But seriously, it's mid-day and I've finally gotten dressed and started the day. Considering I was up at 4:30 am seeing College Boy off on his cross-country trek to URBANA 12 in St. Louis, I'm offering myself a little grace (and a second cup o' joe). Happy to spread some grace your way too!

Hope you all had a merry Christmas and are looking forward to a rockin' New Year. If you received a Kindle or Nook from Santa, you can pick up The Spa at Winter Beach (A Seaside Novella) for only 99cents (or you can read it on your iPad, iPhone or computer via the Kindle app.) It's short and sweet and perfect for cozy reading by the fire. Please spread the word because I'm not sure how long the price will stay that low.

As for me, I'm taking it slow today, easing my way back into working. Already called a friend, prayed for another, and I think I might watch an episode of Downton Abbey. Appreciating life, as it's just so precious ...

O Christmas Tree ...

Took this photo last weekend just after sunset in Newport Beach where I'd had an early dinner with the "Orange County Girls," as my fam calls them. The "girls" and I've been friends since we were on the opening team of a hotel across the street from Disneyland when we were college students. LONG time ago ... haha ...

Every year we try to get together to swap ornaments, stories, and memories. Mmm ...This year, we actually met up twice. Sweet times. Wild times. They haven't changed, I haven't either, and yet we have.

Then again, after taking this picture and a slew of others, we all ran down to the water in our heels, laughing and screaming like teens. Maybe some things really don't change all that much after all :)

Here's to a beachy Christmas, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Wednesday Hoppin'

 Happy Wednesday, Sea Lovers! As I mentioned last week during my own blog hop "interview," I've tagged four others to answer questions about their books and/or WIP (works-in-progress). Here are their links so you can peruse their sites:

Becky Harling 

Sherry Kyle

Susan G. Mathis 

Kay Strom 

And if you're not on my occasional e-newsletter mailing list, why not?? Ha. Kidding. But seriously, you can read my latest news here.

Have a beachy week, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Merry and Bright

Been trying to find out if I'm on the naughty or nice list, but Santa won't budge. So I guess I'll have to wait and see ... just hoping no coal finds its way to my stocking (unless it has a name like Coach or Dolce Gabbana etched across it, haha).

Not very wintery out here in California. Low 60s and hazy sun, but that's about it. Still, it's not about the weather or dear ol' Saint Nick anyway, is it? With all the busyness, I'm working to keep my mind and heart focused on the One whose birth we celebrate at this time, year after year.

After posting this, we'll be heading to church to worship and pray. He doesn't need us to be there, but oh how we need Him ~ know what I mean?

How do you keep your eyes focused on that faraway star?

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

As I mentioned earlier, The Spa at Winter Beach is now available as an e-novella. Great timing, then, that author and friend, Carrie Padgett, nominated me to participate in this week's blog tour. Seriously, I didn't plan this!

This tour is sort of like a chain letter for readers who love to know the hows and whys behind a particular book. Carrie, whose blog is called Chocolate, No Nuts, answered ten questions about her work in progress last week ~ and today it's my turn on the hot seat. I hope you'll stick around and learn a bit about my new beach read! At the end, I'll nominated four other writers who will post their own answers to these questions next Wednesday, December 12th.

So here we go ...

 What is the working title of your book?
The Spa at Winter Beach

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I originally brainstormed with three other authors to write a four-in-one book set in a spa at Christmastime (Sherry Kyle, Karen O'Connor, Michelle Ule and moi). We put together a proposal for our agent, but ultimately, the publisher we submitted it to was sold. After a time I decided I wanted to finish Juliana Moss's story, and make it a wintertime story instead.
 
What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary Romance (by the sea :)
Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Emma Stone, and someone like Hugh Dancy (except with an American accent and a few more muscles).
 
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Juliana Moss, a jilted home stager, hopes that spending a week at The Spa at Winter Beach will cure her broken heart. Will a chance meeting with a mysterious stranger offer healing ... or reopen old wounds? (Okay, that was two.)

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? My first five novels were represented by an agency, but this is my first self-pubbed story.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 

I started this story a couple of years ago then picked it up again fairly recently, so it's hard to say. It's not a full-length novel, so probably about 6 weeks.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I've seen reviews of my other books that say my writing is similar to Kristin Billerbeck and Melody Carlson's. I'm honored!
 
Who or What inspired you to write this book? I'm inspired by the shore, and in this particular story, by the coast in winter. But I also had this quirky idea about a home stager who breaks a BIG rule in the business ~ and then has to "run away" because of it. And what better place to run away to than a spa at the beach?
 
What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? This is the perfect read to curl up with by a fire on a wintry night. Although light and romantic, it also stokes the flames a bit about what we sometimes think we know. It's available on Kindle and Nook.

Thanks for reading! Next Wednesday, please visit the following fantastic writers and friends to read about their new books or works in progress (both fiction and non-fiction) Feel free to pop over now because I'll remind you again next week :):

Becky Harling 

Sherry Kyle

Susan G. Mathis 

Kay Strom 

Sneak Peek Sunday

Update 12/3/12, 8:45 pm:  The Spa at Winter Beach is now available on Kindle and Nook

Ta-da: The cover of my upcoming e-novella, The Spa at Winter Beach. You like? Makes me want to close up the office and head to the beach ~ even in the rain.


I'll be talking about the origins of this story in the days to come, but in the meantime, I promised to show the cover here and on my Facebook page first. The novella itself will be released on Amazon and Nook in the next 24-48 hours.

Have a beachy Sunday, my friends ~ wherever you are ...

Blog Hoppin'

Next Wednesday, I'll be participating in a Blog Hop Tour and answering questions on this blog about my new, soon-to-be-released ebook The Spa at Winter Beach. My friend, Carrie Padgett, invited to this little soiree, so I hope you'll hop on over to her blog today, and learn a few things about Carrie and her latest book. Here's the link: Chocolate, No Nuts.

Happy reading and have a beachy rest of the week, my friends ... wherever you are!