Good-bye 2008

Three days left of the the old year and I'm exhausted. I think my thyroid is beginning to act up again. Well, actually, it can't technically be my thyroid since I had that radioactively killed off. But my body is starting to realize, "wait a second, where the heck is my thyroid," and it's wigging out, making me all tired and drained, constantly cold and extremely old. I swear every muscle and bone in my body has aged about twenty years in the past month and nothing wants to work or move. The fact that its winter does not help my symptoms in the least. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm anxious to see my endocrinologist in January to give blood... for tests to see about changing my prescription. I'm pretty sure I need some adjustments in the drug department.

And, YAY, I finished my first string of edits on The Stillburrow Crush. Now, I'm waiting on holiday shut down to be over before I turn everything in. That's exciting for me. It also gives me a week of rest. Much needed, in my opinion. Maybe I'll be able to catch up with my critique group... except, I think I need a lot longer than a week to do that. Those woman have been spitting out the stories lately, let me tell you. I think I'd have to quit my day job and stop creating my own work to even think about trying to keep up with reading all their entries.

But, anyway, as you can tell, I pretty much have nothing to report and no fancy topic to discuss, so I'll just, yeah... go now. Have a great New Year. Stay safe, and warm, and dry, and all that good stuff.

Happy Holidays

Season Greetings to all and to all... uh, more Seasons Greetings!

I'm giving The Stillburrow Crush a spit and polish shine while The Wild Rose Press is on holiday shutdown mode. In January, I'll turn in my edits and we'll see where I go from there. Meanwhile, I'm also creating a video for Stillburrow to post. Look for that in January as well, unless I get antsy and show it off before then (if you can't tell, I'm excited about my video).

Contest entries are coming in for the Amazon Gift Card I'm giving away in less than ten days. There's still time if you haven't put in your bid yet and still want a chance for some Amazon.com goodies. Just jet on over to my Contest Page for a minute to slip your name in the drawing.

And once again, have a great holiday. Be safe and try to stay warm. For all you people in climates where the temperature is warmer than 7 degrees Fahrenheit (like it is here right now), well, now I guess I'll still wish you a cheerful seasons greetings, but you better appreciate your good fortune. Brr.

Merry Christmas!

Introducing Claire!

I'm jazzed to bring you news about... CLAIRE ASHGROVE, future bestselling romance novelist. Her story (title still pending) will be coming to us through The Wild Rose Press, hopefully some time in 2009. And let me tell you, Claire puts the "Ho, Mama, that's good" in HOT. This book will give you the tingles. So, keep an eye on her for me, will you. Don't want my good critique buddy to burst into flames from all those steamy scenes before she gets around to writing the sequel.

Check out her website: http://www.claireashgrove.com/
and blog: http://claireashgrove.blogspot.com/

and give her a big congratulations on her accomplishment.

Book Cover

The Wild Rose Press has created a cover for my book. Oh, wow. It feels bizarre to say that. But here it is, in full color. I'm so esctatic, I could pop. And what's even more wonderful... one of my critique partners was just offered a contract through The Wild Rose Press too. So, be on the lookout for author Claire Ashgrove (I'll pass along more information about her once she's online). She's gonna knock your socks off. Yes, I believe we aptly named ourselves The Wonderful Critiquing Women. It won't be long before I have more announcements about my fellow writing acquaintances. There'll be more sales soon. I feel it in my bones.

I've received my first round of edits and I must say, I think I'm in love with my editor. She's too nice by far... and so complimentary. It's surreal. She's made me believe I actually wrote a good book. I keep waiting for that, "Sike! I was just kidding. Honestly, you need to cut out this third, and add another half, and revise this three quarters." But so far, she's taken it very easy on me, and I can't be thankful enough.

Or maybe the real trial comes once the finalized copy is shipped off to reviewers. I'm sure that'll knock some of the wind out of me because not everyone can love my story. Yeah, I bet reviewers will bring me back to earth. But until then, I'm still floating on cloud nine and enjoying it.

Book Sale Celebration

Hi all, Help me celebrate the sale of my first book—a young adult romance called THE STILLBURROW CRUSH, which was contracted by The Wild Rose Press Climbing Roses Line—by entering my prize giveaway contest. Go to http://lindakage.com/contest.html to enter and win a $20 gift card to Amazon.com.

New Years List

My sister loves to make New Year's Resolution lists... okay, the woman has a thing for lists, period (Yes, Sandra, I'm talking about you). But I'm not so much into setting resolutions for myself... Too much pressure. So, I think I'm going to copy the books in my can't-wait- until-they're-released list for you to glance through. This can take the place of my December Monthly Nightstand Reviews since I only got through two books this past month. Here are some new releases in 2009 that I just can't wait to get my hands on.

• Fire and Ice by Julie Garwood (December 30, 2008)
• Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
• #7 in her Contemporary Romantic Suspense Series.
• Okay, not technically a 2009 release, but only by two days. Besides, I can't think of a better way to kick off the New Year than a little bit of Julie Garwood.

• For the Love of Pete by Julia Harper (January 5, 2009)
• Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
• #2 in her FBI Contemporary Series.
• Might also know this author as the historical romance writer, Elizabeth Hoyt. She's totally amazing in both genres.

• Star Bright by Catherine Anderson (January 6, 2009)
• Contemporary Romance.
• #9 in the Coulter/Kendrick/Harrigan Family Series.
• And would actually be #11 if you wanted to throw in the Keegan/Paxton historical romance families that eventually tie in with the Coulter group. It's all just one big, happy, Oregon family if you ask me though.

• Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann (January 27, 2009)
• Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
• #14 in the Troubleshooters Series.
• Okay, this is probably the most I've ever anticipated a book, and that's only because the main hero and heroine are still a mystery. I've heard rumors, some rumors that seem to have very reliable sources, so I'm already bracing myself for let down. There's been so much hype for Dark of Night, Brockmann's going to have to be one mighty fine writer to appease the masses, and I'm not so sure anyone is that good. So, my hats off to her for this gigantic attempt.

• True Colors by Kristin Hannah (February 3, 2009)
• Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction.
• No Series.
• I'm officially dubbing Hannah the tear-jerker queen. This author has a way of reaching into your guts and pulling out the most intense feelings. I've only read a few of her stories that have not made me bawl my eyes out. Oh, yeah, she's that good.

• Pursuit by Karen Robards (March 24, 2009)
• Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
• No Series.
• I can always count on Robards for an exciting, in your face, beginning. She excels in those action-packed adventure romances.

• Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (March 31, 2009)
• Contemporary Romance
• #3 in the Travis Family Series.
• The most unique thing about Kleypas's Travis family series is that they're all written in first person from the heroine's point of view. It's rare to find a romance not written in third person. But she can pull it off just fine, let me tell you. Kleypas is a master at whatever writing venture she puts her mind to.

• Packing Heat by Penny McCall (April 7, 2009)
• Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
• #4 in FBI Series.
• Comedy, action, Witty wordplay. Those are just a few reasons I keep coming back to read more of McCall. She's provides so much fun in her stories.

• Always a Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch (April 28, 2009)
• Historical Romance.
• #3 in the Notorious Gentlemen Series.
• I've been half in love with the seemingly laid-back rake, Bramwell Johns, since first meeting him in After the Kiss (#1 in the series). And like so many of my fellow Enoch fans, I suspected his heroine might be Phineas's little sister, Elizabeth. But Enoch has already assured us Elizabeth will not receive that honor. So, I'm glad I have till April to get that thought out of my head.

• Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward (April 28, 2009)
• Paranormal Romance.
• #7 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood.
• Here's a group of vampire's I certainly wouldn't mind meeting up with in a dark alley. Oh, help, please save me, Mr. hunky Vampire. Yep, that's what I'm talking about. Since they don't dig human blood, I'd be totally safe... and maybe a little romanced by them. I know other human women have been.

• To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt (April 28, 2009)
• Historical Romance.
• #3 in the Legend of the Four Soldiers Series.
• I was able to read the set up for this story in To Seduce a Sinner (book 2 in the series), so I'm all excited for Helen and Alistair's book. I also know how sensual Hoyt makes her bedroom scenes, so I gotta say, I'm totally looking forward to that as well.

• Vision in White by Nora Roberts (April 28, 2009)
• Romance. Contemporary? Paranormal? Romantic Suspense? Don't know yet.
• # 1 in the The Wedding Quartet.
• I haven't heard anything about this series yet. But... well, it's a Nora Roberts book, so who really cares? I'll be reading it whatever it's about.

• This Duchess of Mine by Eloisa James (May 26, 2009)
• Historical Romance.
• #5 in the Desperate Duchesses Series.
• I think there's only six--or maybe it's nine--books in this series, but they've all been great so far. I haven't discovered who the main characters will be for this book, but I'm the most antsy for Gemma's story.

• What Happens in London by Julia Quinn (June 30, 2009)
• Historical Romance.
• Part of a series? Don't know.
• I haven't heard anything about the story line of What Happens in London etiher. But you tell me it's written by Julia Quinn, and I'm so reading it.

• A Duke of her Own by Eloisa James (June 30, 2009)
• Historical Romance.
• #6 in the Desperate Duchesses Series.
• Wow, two books for the same series two months in a row. That's freaking awesome. Maybe this one will star my much anticipated Gemma.

• Burn by Linda Howard (July 14, 2009)
• Romantic Suspense? That's my guess anyway.
• Series? I doubt it, but it's possible.
• Plot? Just like Quinn and Roberts answers here. Who cares, it's written but a master. I'm all over it.
  

I'm Moved

I've discovered the worst part about about building a new house. It's packing and moving and unpacking. Bluck. Maybe we sub-contracted it out enough we got off easy on the actual "constructing" portion, but good-golly-Miss-Molly... that certainly didn't happen in the moving segment of Operation Build-House. After one great, wonderful, can't-thank-him-enough friend helped my husband carry all the big stuff--like my fifty million and one bookshelves--the rest of the moving was up to me and the hubby alone. I'm still sore and bruised and bone-tired and... did I mention sore?

What's worse, there was a misunderstanding between us and the family wanting to move into the house we were leaving. We thought we told them it'd take us two weeks to clear out. Well... they heard one and called their water and electric company to turn off their utilities a week earlier than my husband and I were ready. So, we ended up having five days to pack and leave instead of two weeks. That sucked. Being rushed, experiencing freezing winds, and working through utter exhaustion do not mix well, let me tell you.

But now we're settled, er, rather settling, and I never realized I had so much junk. We still have a garage full of boxes to unpack and the inside already feels cluttered. What I'd like to know is where did all this crap come from? It certainly can't ALL be ours. I'm sad to say it probably is, but yikes... I don't want it anymore. How dost I rid myself of all this garbage that can't rightly be called garbage?

Good news is... I have a new house!!! And it--along with all that clutter--is mine! It's a little breathtaking. That's the best part of building a new house. Afterward, it's all yours.

Anyway, I have good news in the "book" department as well. Okay, it's great news. My contract for The Stillburrow Crush is signed and complete. It WILL be published someday by The Wild Rose Press. I'm still in that "I'll believe it when I see it" phase, so I'm waiting till there's actual proof to show you all before it's true celebration time.

I finally saw Twilight. Two of my nieces and my sister took pity on me and helped me escape from moving to steal away for a few hours of Robert Pattinson. Loved it. The book was better, but geesh, who could've expected any movie made to top that novel? It depicted the book accurately enough for my peace of mind, so I can't complain. This "Twilight" lover is satisfied... until movie two is made.

Thanks a bundle Katie, Kayla, and Sandra for taking me to see the movie I'd been so anxious to experience. I owe you guys big time.